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Mr Keating has been a public critic of the AUKUS security pact,...”.
 
From Australia - News in Brief

NSW Labor queries $100m for business hub at historic precinct

NSW records no new local coronavirus cases

Albanese confident of retaining job

Aussies choose savings over love

PM Morrison criticises Cricket Australia over game’s name change

Labor sees problem with fall in NSW jobless rate

Insight into busiest industries post-Covid

JobMaker plan secures Australia’s gas supply




NSW Labor queries $100m for business hub at historic precinct

22/1/2021

(See translation in Arabic section)

Sydney - M E Times Int'l: NSW Labor says the State Government must explain a surprise $100 million announcement for its proposed business hub at the historic Female Factory in Parramatta.

The Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation, Lynda Voltz, said she was taken aback to hear Minister for Open Spaces Rob Stokes announce the investment yesterday on ABC Radio. 

“It is extraordinary that the Minister for Open Spaces thinks a $100m subsidised business hub in a sensitive heritage precinct is a win for our heritage,” she said.

The Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Kate Washington said Mr Stokes should explain why the funding did not appear in the NSW Budget.

“I’m sure the people of Parramatta could think of much better ways of spending $100m to showcase and improve Parramatta rather than destroying its heritage,” Ms Washington said.

 COVID NSW: No new local virus cases, Berala testing shut down

NSW records no new local coronavirus cases

Sydney: NSW has recorded no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases as several Sydney suburbs remain on alert for community spread.

Five overseas travellers were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 24-hour reporting period ending at 8pm on Wednesday night, NSW Health said.

The alert for southwestern Sydney came on Tuesday after virus fragments were detected at a waste treatment plant in Glenfield, which serves over 160,000 people.

NSW Health officials sent out an alert warning people in a number of nearby suburbs to be watchful for symptoms and get tested if any appear.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian says health advice is that they will wait another week before easing conditions but they are hoping to get to "pre-Avalon" restrictions then if case numbers remain low.

 Labor leader Albanese stares down critics | Port Stephens Examiner | Nelson  Bay, NSW

Albanese confident of retaining job

Canberra: Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says he has what it takes to beat Prime Minister Scott Morrison and lead Labor to victory at the next election.

Mr Albanese’s leadership was thrown into question this week after a union-commissioned poll showed the party was set to lose two seats in the coalmining region of the Hunter Valley.

CFMEU national political organiser Elizabeth Dodge said Tanya Plibersek would have a better chance at winning.

Speaking on 2GB on Wednesday, Mr Albanese defended his position, saying it was not untenable.

He said he’d shown “strong leadership”, particularly when taking on militant union boss John Setka.

“I showed strong leadership when people were out of line within my party and bringing the party into disrepute,” he said.

“We also resisted some of the views of some people in the movement and on Twitter who wanted us to oppose everything  the government did last year.

“We will present a real strong alternative at the next selection, I’m confident we can get there.”

 Saving tips: Aussies prioritise saving for house over relationships

Aussies choose savings over love

Sydney: Australians are more focused on their financial goals than love as the economic woes from the coronavirus pandemic make people prioritise saving.

A new survey commissioned by Westpac found financial aspirations outranked relationship goals for the coming year, with a large proportion aiming to increase their available cash and inject more into their investment portfolio.

The research conducted by the major bank discovered 52 per cent of respondents planned on building on their savings, while 35 per cent were aiming to buy a new property.

About 15 per cent of participants said they were saving for their first home and were aiming to accrue close to $27,000 this year towards a mortgage deposit.

The COVID-19 economic downturn has shifted spending attitudes and fostered a saving culture.

According to Westpac, two-thirds or 62 per cent of Australians accessed some form of financial support during the pandemic.

Westpac’s Kathryn Carpenter said the heightened awareness of financial security would persist.

“Everyone’s excited to leave 2020 and its challenges behind, and as we face into the new year, we’re seeing many Australians determined to start off on the right foot and get on top of their finances,” she said.

 Cricket Australia BBL Australia Day change criticised: PM Morrison Jacqui  Lambie

PM Morrison criticises Cricket Australia over game’s name change

Canberra: PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has slammed Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision to omit references to Australia Day from the Big Bash League as “pretty ordinary”.

The public holiday matches will now be spruiked as “January 26” games after consultation with Indigenous leaders.

The change aims to make the three games more inclusive for people who regard the day as one to mourn Aboriginal lives lost.

But the Prime Minister urged CA to steer clear of the culture wars.

“A bit more focus on cricket, a little less focus on politics would be my message to Cricket Australia,” he said on Thursday.

“I think that’s pretty ordinary. But, I mean, that’s what they’re putting on their press releases.”

Mr Morrison was then told CA was already facing a backlash over the decision.

“I hope they listen to that, and I think they should,” he replied.

It follows independent senator Jacqui Lambie telling the Today show she was “wild” about the decision.

 “I’m not sure what they think it’s going to achieve but I’m sure it’s not going to achieve anything about closing the gap.”

Senator Lambie said there were “bigger things to worry about this year” such as getting the economy going and making sure people weren’t going to end up homeless because there weren’t enough jobs.

 Australian Labor Party - Wikipedia

Labor sees problem with fall in NSW jobless rate

Sydney: NSW Labor has warned the Berejiklian Government to treat the latest unemployment data with caution as it reveals that thousands of people stopped looking for work.

NSW Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord was referring to Thursday’s Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing the NSW unemployment rate went down to 6.4 per cent in December from 6.5 per cent in November .

However, youth unemployment increased from 13.2 per cent to 13.4 per cent with 93,700 young people unemployed in NSW – up from 88,800 in November.

Overall, there are now 277,000 people unemployed in NSW. The ABS data reported that 17,071 people in NSW lost their jobs in December. Two-thirds of the jobs lost were held by women.

“Today’s slight improvement in unemployment data in NSW is because thousands of NSW residents gave up looking for work,” Mr Secord said.

 Coronavirus Australia live news: NSW records five cases, new rules for NYE,  lockdown extended

Insight into busiest industries post-Covid

Canberra: The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted changes to Australia’s jobs landscape and while some industries are still reeling, many others are now ready to hire more workers in 2021.

The LinkedIn networking site has released a new report, revealing the most in-demand jobs in 2021. Among its findings is that health workers in “the care economy” are in demand.

Australia will continue to battle the ongoing psychological impacts of a year of social isolation and lockdowns in 2021, prompting governments to invest more in the mental health sector, creating a real need for specialists, support staff and social workers.

As the country recovers, governments have invested billions in new projects, sparking a need for people in the construction industry. The most in-demand jobs are site managers, construction estimators, heavy equipment operators, construction workers and forklift operators.

During 2020, the ability to communicate with customers using social media became even more important, as in-person engagement took a hit. With an increasing number of channels and tools to measure performance, digital marketing is rapidly evolving. Top titles in the sector include growth hacker, content designer, search engine optimisation specialist, social media marketing manager and growth specialist.

Australia's oil and gas industry continues commitment to domestic market  under new Heads of Agreement | Mirage News 

JobMaker plan secures Australia’s gas supply

Sydney: The Federal Government is helping to keep energy prices down for families and businesses with a new agreement under the JobMaker plan.

The new Heads of Agreement with east coast liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies will ensure more gas is offered to the domestic market, more often, and on more competitive terms.

The Agreement, signed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and LNG exporters, Australia Pacific LNG, Queensland Curtis LNG and Gladstone LNG will help secure competitively priced gas supply for the east coast market at least until 2023.

 “This is about making Australia’s gas work for all Australians, while also supporting economic growth and backing important regional jobs in our expanding LNG sector,” Mr Morrison said.

“As part of our JobMaker plan we are delivering more Australian gas where it is needed at an internationally competitive price.”

The government is also continuing with its commitments to unlock new gas supplies through the Strategic Basin Plans with the Beetaloo Basin Plan finalised and work progressing on unlocking gas in the North Bowen and Galilee Basin.




 














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