ADJOURNMENT NOTES- JULY EDITION

I doubt the world will ever be the same when we get through the COVID pandemic.

Workplaces, economies, communities and indeed families will be irreversibly reshaped.

Now is a time of the greatest trust in our governments and our elected leaders. It is a testing time for civil society and our concepts of community.

It’s in no way an exaggeration to say I feel some empathy to the World War Two generation of my grandparents as society similarly struggles against a powerful enemy whilst accepting the loss of civil liberties, livelihoods and freedoms we’d taken for granted for generations.

I’m proud to be part of the Berejiklian Liberal government as we make the tough painful decisions based on the best medical scientific and economic advice available in Australia to head off a health system collapse.

The bottom line for each of us is vaccination and getting our community vaccination numbers much higher.

I urge you to talk to your doctor and vaccinate as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

On a more optimistic note I was very pleased to see Brisbane win the bid to host the Olympic Games in 2032.

The games represent so much to humanity but right now the Brisbane games are not so far off beacon in our stormy seas.

Something we can all aim for. I plan to be there!!

Enjoy this edition of Adjournment Notes.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

AEROTROPOLIS

A flyover of the future Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

The Premier recently appointed me to the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and the Aerotropolis.

I want to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on the exciting developments taking place in the Aerotropolis space.

Born and raised in Penrith, I know the difficult commute that residents of Western Sydney have to make to access good jobs.

The Aerotropolis will cut this down by providing the innovative and lasting jobs of the future in the heart of Western Sydney.

The Aerotropolis will create over 200,000 jobs in sectors including agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, aeronautical engineering, and defence electronics. Find out more about the Aerotropolis project in the video above.

WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT METRO GETS GREEN LIGHT

The planning approval of the Western Sydney Airport Metro driverless train that will connect the Aerotropolis across Western Sydney to St Marys and beyond is a milestone for the biggest investment and job creation project in NSW.

Construction of the metro is expected to support over 14,000 jobs- part of the over 200,000 jobs being created in and around the Aerotropolis.

The metro will not only service the new airport and the new third city of Bradfield, it will unlock the investment and job opportunities across Western Sydney as it completes the wheel in our spoke and wheel transport network.

The Western Sydney airport will service one of the largest economies in Australia for service businesses and innovation in Western Sydney.

It will also be a jumping off point for family reunions and regional state tourism.

The metro will ultimately complete the public transport outer ring to Sydney’s spoke and wheel transport network. It will deliver the vision of the three cities and the concept of quality jobs ten minutes from your home.

To read the media release on this announcement, please click here.

ASTRAZENECA VACCINATION

Pictured on June 3, 2021 visiting the vaccine hub at Penrith.

Please note: no masks were required at this time.

Jesper and I are nearly fully Astra-Zeneca immunised. My parents completed their vaccinations weeks ago all with no side effects.

There is plenty of Astra-Zeneca at most GPs. I encourage you to talk to your GP and get the Astra-Zeneca vaccination if they agree.

My GP said better vaccinated than no vaccine!

Last week, the Premier, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant all called on those under 40 who have not yet been vaccinated to speak with their GP and get the AstraZeneca vaccine and not to wait for Pfizer doses

The Premier stated that: “If you’re under 40 and want AstraZeneca, please, please check with your GP. If your GP gives you the green light, please get the vaccine. Please, please, come forward and get vaccinated".

She stated that it is “critical for us to have as much of our population vaccinated” quickly. “We know the vaccine prevents serious illness. There is currently nobody in intensive care who has had both doses of vaccine at any age."

Only when we get vaccination levels up can we emerge from these pandemic dark clouds.

THE FACTS ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

Two doses of either COVID-19 vaccine provides over 90% prevention of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.

• If you’re 60+ and have not been vaccinated, please book a vaccination appointment with your doctor now.

• If you have had your 1st dose of AstraZeneca and your 2nd dose is more than 4 weeks away, ask your GP if you should bring your appointment forward. This will give you protection sooner.

• If you're 40-59 and haven't been able to book a Pfizer vaccine appointment, please discuss your circumstances with your GP now. You may be offered the AstraZeneca vaccination. NSW Health vaccination clinics are also giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to people who are 40 and over.

• If you’re 18-39 and would like to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, please talk to your doctor.

AstraZeneca is readily available across NSW including at NSW Health vaccinations clinics. For your closest clinic, use the eligibility checker.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recently updated its advice regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine:

"In the context of the current risk of COVID-19 in NSW and with the ongoing constraints on Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine supplies, all adults in greater Sydney should strongly consider the benefits of earlier protection with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca rather than waiting for alternative vaccines.

A single dose of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca partially reduces transmission by around half and therefore may also benefit close contacts and the community.

A second reason for ATAGI to recommend that individuals strongly consider vaccination at this time is emerging data about severity of disease. The Delta variant may be more severe than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. The proportion of people less than 60 years requiring hospitalisation appears to be higher than was reported in outbreaks with the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. This reinforces the benefit of protection with any available vaccine.

People considering vaccination should be informed of the benefits and risks and give informed consent."

I encourage those under 60 who have not yet been vaccinated to speak to their GP and strongly consider the AstraZeneca vaccine if your GP advises you it is ok to do so.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES IMPACTED BY THE LOCKDOWN

The NSW Government announced a comprehensive package of support measures of up to $5.1 billion to assist businesses and employees across the state during the current Covid-19 lockdown. The package includes:

Businesses

An extension to the previously announced business grants program, providing eligible businesses with wages below $10 million grants between $7,500 and $15,000 to cover the first three-weeks of restrictions.
Additional scheme to provide cashflow support to businesses with employing businesses receiving fortnightly payments of up to 30% of payroll, to a maximum of $10,000 per week (on the basis that they maintain employee headcount), and non-employing businesses up to $1,000 per week.
Payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover, as well as payroll tax deferrals and interest free repayment plans.
A new grants program for micro businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 which experience a decline in turnover of 30 per cent. The businesses will be eligible for a $1500 payment per fortnight of restrictions.

Residential and commercial land tax

A capped grant of up to $1,500 for residential landlords who are not liable to pay land tax, and who reduce rent for tenants.
Land tax relief equal to the value of rent reductions provided by commercial, retail and residential landlords to financially distressed tenants, up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability.

Residential, retail and commercial tenants

Introduction of legislative amendments to ensure a short-term eviction moratorium for rental arrears where a residential tenant suffers loss of income of 25 per cent due to COVID-19 and meets a range of criteria.
No recovery of security bonds, or lockouts or evictions of impacted retail and commercial tenants prior to mediation.

Sector-specific

Deferral of gaming tax assessments for clubs until 21 December 2021 and hotels until 21 January 2021.
A $75 million support package for the performing arts sector to be administered by Create NSW.
A $26 million support package for the accommodation sector.
$12 million in additional funding for temporary accommodation for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
$5.1 million in NSW funding to support mental health.

Service NSW will be managing the business support programs above. Applications for the expanded business grants scheme will open on 19 July and the business cashflow support scheme on 26 July. Payments are expected to commence for the two programs from 23 and 30 July respectively. Further information will be available here.

In addition, the Prime Minister announced that individuals who have lost work due to the lockdown will be eligible to receive direct payments from the Commonwealth. Further information will be available at Services Australia.

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