Plea for Premier to reverse disability funding cuts as pressure mounts

18/11/2017

(Translation of the news appears in Arabic section)

Sydney: The state government is under increasing pressure to reverse a total funding cut to dozens of NSW organisations that advocate for people with a disability, as Queensland follows suit and the state opposition commits to maintaining the funding.

About 50 NSW groups advocating for people with disabilities receive $13 million a year from the state government, but Fairfax Media revealed at least half face imminent wipe out as the government transfers disability funding to the national disability insurance scheme next July.

Others forecast scaling back their services such as legal representation or advocating for greater accessibility at transport hubs.

The plea comes after Queensland's Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk announced on Wednesday her government, if re-elected, would continue to provide at least $4 million in ongoing funding for advocates.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley made a similar commitment at the forum.

"If elected in 2019 we will ensure funding," he said. "We can't allow Treasury bean counters … to get their hands on the [needy]".

Ibrahim family’s feared enforcer shot and taken to hospital

Sydney: A feared enforcer for the Ibrahim family has been shot in the back.

Police are investigating the incident which took place in Sydney’s west at 10.45pm last night.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the 59-year-old victim is Semi Ngata, more commonly known as Tongan Sam — who has been with the Ibrahim for more than a decade.

NSW Police say the victim was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital where he is reported to be in a serious condition.

“A crime scene has been established by police from Holroyd Local Area Command and inquiries are now underway,” police said in a statement.

Aus diplomat falls to death from NYC building

NY: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has described the death of an Australian diplomat in New York as a 'shocking tragedy'.

Australian man Julian Simpson, 30, died after falling from the seventh floor of a New York City building overnight.

'It is a tragedy and hearts go out to his family but I cannot provide any more details,' Mr Turnbull told the Seven Network on Thursday morning.

'It is a shocking tragedy, A young life lost.'

Abbott reveals which way he’ll vote

Sydney: The Former Prime Minister TONY Abbott told his sister he will abstain in the vote to legalise same-sex marriage.

Prominent Yes campaigner Christine Forster said she expects the former Prime Minister to follow through on what he told her, in a radio interview.

“He rang me yesterday, not long after the result and we had a chat,” she told the station.

“And, he and I are very much in agreement that this needs to get through parliament quickly.

“(Abstaining) is not opposing it and it’s not making it harder to get through parliament. What we need to see now is leadership from our parliamentarians.”

The news comes after conflicting reports of how Mr Abbott would vote.

Sydney Cemetery Capacity Survey Released

Sydney: A survey of available burial space in metropolitan Sydney has found 300,000 plots available, enough for the next 34 years, Minister for Lands Paul Toole said today.

The NSW Government has initiated preliminary work to consider the criteria for potential locations for additional cemetery space in the metropolitan area.

“It’s important that the government plans for the future to keep the option of burial affordable for generations to come. Equally important is the need to consult with the community,” Mr Toole said.

The Government has commissioned an independent review as the next step in identifying suitable locations for Sydney’s future burial needs.

Sydney’s population is projected to grow from 4.68 million in 2016 to 6.42 million in 2036. The last major cemetery development in Sydney occurred in the 1960s.

Complementary medicine to support hundreds of jobs in Western Sydney

Sydney: Minister for Trade and Industry, Niall Blair today toured a new $100 million complementary medicine manufacturing facility, which will support up to 420 jobs in Western Sydney.

Vitex Pharmaceuticals, an Australian family-owned and operated company, has invested in the new state-of-the-art 26,000sqm production base at Eastern Creek.

“This $100 million investment is a massive vote of confidence in the Western Sydney economy and will provide high quality jobs in the region,” Mr Blair said.

“Currently the company employs more than 120 people but those numbers will now skyrocket with this ‘cutting edge’ facility.

Report warns of loss of jobs in SA

SA: Up to 10,000 jobs will be lost in South Australia's construction sector over the next three years as investment declines, a new report has found.

Prepared for the Civil Contractors Federation, the report says SA still faces major challenges from the end of the mining boom and the demise of traditional manufacturing.

"The South Australian economy is expected to continue to underperform after 2017/18 as the current investment cycle unwinds," the report said.