Barilaro breaks ranks and blasts own govt's climate targets 15/2/2020 (See Translation in Arabic section) Sydney- M E Times Int'l: New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro has broken ranks, telling Sky News his own government’s climate policy could mean the end of Australia's agriculture industry. Mr Barilaro took aim at Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean, saying he did not agree with his policies because a target of zero net emissions by 2050 would be detrimental to regional and rural communities and spell the end to mining and resource jobs. “Our coal is the best and cleanest in the world and that will just be replaced by dirty coal out of India and Indonesia and actually that will have more detrimental effect on the climate globally,” he said. Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe claimed on Thursday climate change was already affecting the Australian economy. 
Thousands still without power in NSW following severe storms Energy providers are still working around the clock to restore electricity to 15,000 homes and businesses following severe storms in New South Wales. Crews have been rebuilding the network on a street by street basis as emergency services have been removing hundreds of fallen trees. Power has been restored to at least 125,000 Ausgrid customers since Monday. The company said it hopes to have the network completely repaired and operational by the end of the weekend. 
NSW govt rejects Ausgrid request for ADF assistance The New South Wales government has rejected Ausgrid's request to bring in the Defence Force to help clear debris after days of wild weather. An extra 100 clean up personnel have been deployed instead, joining 600 SES workers already on the ground. The decision was made after talks between the state's Energy Minister Matt Kean and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott. Ausgrid says it might take until the end of the weekend to reconnect the remaining 25,000 customers. In a statement, the company said any government assistance would be welcomed. Authorities warned residents to remain on alert with more flooding possible. NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean says allegations made by the Electrical Trade Union (ETU) that a worker shortage is to blame for power outages in the state is "a joke". 
Union claims of electrical worker shortages 'a joke' NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean says allegations made by the Electrical Trade Union (ETU) that a worker shortage is to blame for power outages in the state is "a joke". "There are more full-time equivalent workers in Ausgrid today than there were when the institution was privatised in 2015," Mr Kean said. "Let's get the facts on the table and stop the ETU pushing their political agenda," he said. "This was a once-in-a-generation freak storm." 
Auction market to see rise in activity CoreLogic analyst Kevin Brogan says last weekend was the first time the market “really kicked off” with more than 1,200 auctions across the capital cities. "Sydney lead the way with a 77.6 per cent clearance rate and Melbourne was at 68.5 per cent,” Mr Brogan said. 
Carers and people with disability join long list of people excluded from nationals regional seniors travel card Seniors who receive a carer’s payment or disability support pension are reportedly being denied $250 in funding under the Nationals’ signature Regional Seniors Transport Card. In what appears to be another major issue with the card, only seniors in receipt of the Aged Pension are able to apply, leaving some of the neediest and most vulnerable seniors in regional communities without access to the $250 scheme. Labor Shadow Minister for Seniors and the Cost of Living, Jo Haylen said: “It is simply unacceptable that seniors on the disability support pension aren’t eligible for the scheme. So many people are missing out, this just isn’t the same card the Nationals’ promised during the election.” Labor Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion, Penny Sharpe added: “These are the most vulnerable people in the State and they are right to be furious that the Nationals’ don’t think they deserve this support.” 
Extension of Travel Ban to Protect Australians From The Coronavirus The National Security Committee of Cabinet has today agreed to extend the entry restrictions on foreign nationals who have recently been in mainland China for a further week from 15 February 2020 to protect Australians from the risk of coronavirus. As always, our priority is to keep Australians safe. This decision is underpinned by medical advice and recommendations from the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer and chief medical officers from each state and territory, on the steps necessary to contain the spread of coronavirus. The Chief Medical Officer confirmed that our arrangements to protect Australians from coronavirus are working - there are no confirmed cases among Australian citizens and residents who have returned to Australia since the introduction of the border measures on 1 February 2020. The restrictions will be reviewed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) in one week. 
Morrison 'not concerned' about looming LNP exodus The prime minister has dismissed renewed suggestions that Queenslanders within the government could set up a separate LNP party room. Several MPs have reportedly been debating a possible split from the Nationals, in the wake of leadership tensions within the party. Scott Morrison on Thursday said the rumours gave him “no concerns” and guaranteed Michael McCormack had his “full support” to remain as Nationals leader. National Party Federal President Larry Anthony told media the National Party “always performs best when we hunt as a pack” and his colleagues needed to “move on” and “focus on the things that matter”. 
Angus Houston calls for cockpit cams to film commercial pilots Former Defence Chief Sir Angus Houston has called for cockpit cams to be installed in all commercial flights as an added security measure. News Corp Senior Correspondent Charles Miranda told media it was now six years since the MH370 plane tragedy and there was now better technology which would allow live streaming from cockpits. Mr Miranda said the initiative was getting push-back from pilots who were concerned about being “spied upon effectively for the entire flight". He said some pilots argued they should be "trusted" and should not be "scrutinised". 
If you want to 'close the gap' start taking responsibility for your own people: Hanson Senator Pauline Hanson has been criticised by the Labor party and the Greens over her comments on the 'Closing the Gap' process. The One Nation leader blamed the scheme's poor outcomes on the 'failure' of Indigenous Australians to take responsibility for themselves. “If you want to close the gap – start taking some responsibility for your own people. As the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink," Ms Hanson said. “We’ve provided the schools – it’s now up to you to send your own kids to school. “We’ve provided the jobs – but it’s up to you to turn up when you’re rostered on – not when it suits.” Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters said the comments don't reflect the sentiment of the chamber or vast majority of Australians. “I would like to apologise on her behalf for the offence that was likely caused to many listeners to those words,” she said. The report showed just two of the seven targets are on track. 
Labor lashes government's welfare approach Labor is wary of the Morrison government's ability to rollout changes to the welfare system, given its handling of robo-debt. The opposition's social services spokeswoman Linda Burney said that while Labor supported the changes - which would make welfare recipients report income when it's paid rather than earned - they'd have an eagle eye on its implementation. "This is the government who has sought to make claiming or applying for income support so challenging, so difficult, so painful, so frightening, in the hope that vulnerable Australians just give up," she told parliament. 
Australian economy the focus of trade talks with Indonesia Prime Minister Scott Morrison is preparing for talks with the Indonesian President Joko Widodo over a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. An announcement is expected after President Widodo arrived in Canberra on Sunday, for a 100 day action plan focused on five priority pillars that will fast-track farmers and businesses to the Indonesian economy. The deal comes after Mr Morrison identified Indonesia as playing a pivotal role in broadening the Australian economy as the outbreak of the coronavirus exposed the nation’s reliance upon China. 
Labor Shadow Cabinet Meeting in Tumut Calls for Immediate Forestry Industry Assistance Labor is calling on the Berejiklian Government to take immediate steps to support timber-dependent towns like Tumut, Tumbarumba and surrounding communities where the forestry industry has been devastated by the recent bush fires. Labor’s call for industry support follows recent visits to Tumut, and consultation with the Snowy Valleys Council, the Softwood Working Group and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union Speaking in Tumut, NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “Bushfires have devastated our forestry industry, damaging around 50,000 hectares of plantation timber in the Snowy Valleys region alone. “This is a real threat to workers, and the economy of regional communities that rely on the forestry industry. “Gladys Berejiklian can’t sit around and wait for this problem to fix itself. These regional communities need government support.” At a Shadow Cabinet meeting, hosted by the Snowy Valleys Council in Tumut today Labor considered what steps need to be taken to support fire-affected timber communities and the forestry industry. Shadow Cabinet meetings are where Labor’s priorities and policies are developed. 
Keeping Australians Safe Online A new guide for parents of under 5s from the Morrison Government’s eSafety Commissioner will help keep children safe online as more than 1,000 schools and groups around Australia mark Safer Internet Day. According to research from the eSafety Commissioner, Australian children are regularly exposed to harmful online experiences with 28 per cent of parents aware their child has had a negative experience online. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is today launching the next phase of its ‘start the chat’ initiative which promotes safer online experiences for children and equips parents, carers and teachers with practical resources for having conversations about safe and responsible internet use. 
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new Online Safety for under 5s booklet developed by the eSafety Commissioner would help keep more children safe. 
Fighting racism and intolerance The Liberals and Nationals Government will fund the expansion of an innovative resilience program for school students to reduce religious, racial and cultural intolerance. The Government is providing $3 million to expand the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Click Against Hate program that develops inter-faith understanding. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the program would expand to reach an additional 500 schools thanks to the funding. “This program teaches students to take action when they experience intolerance or if they see it happening to others,” Mr Frydenberg said. “We cannot accept the recent incidents of racial and religious intolerance in our schools and broader community. All of us have a duty to stand up to racism and bigotry.” Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the free program would reach tens of thousands of students over the next four years. |
