“The Budget was an opportunity to deliver much-needed increases for services that support disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, but new announcements in this area were in short supply. It’s a disappointing underinvestment in prevention, which will mean too much of the burden continues to fall on crisis services,” Ms Barham said.

“We know from the experts and the evidence that early intervention and prevention services are crucial to long-term reductions in harm to children, and to tackling the alarming number of children in out-of-home care. But the funding to these services and the number of families they reach will be largely unchanged under next year’s forecast.”

Ms Barham also noted that the Budget offered little to address the housing needs of those most vulnerable to homelessness.

“Although funding to homelessness services will continue for another year under a transitional National Partnership Agreement, the long-term solution is to deliver more options for people to access social and affordable housing. The announcement of several initiatives, each of which will deliver only a few hundred dwellings, won’t do enough to help the tens of thousands of people on the waiting list for social housing,” Ms Barham said.

“Government must work to reduce the harm and hardship experienced by our society’s most vulnerable. Keeping families safe and together, and ensuring they have a stable home, are fundamental aims that needed more investment than this Budget delivered.”

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

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Greens NSW Arts spokesperson Jan Barham said, “The Government’s response presents a lost opportunity. They have supported some important, big-ticket initiatives with a Sydney focus, including the Vivid festival and a Digital Innovation Precinct cluster in Ultimo and Pyrmont. But what is missing is support for regional communities, where economic and employment opportunities are desperately needed and where a lot of creative people are relocating.”

“As the creative success in the Northern Rivers demonstrates, there is a trend for creative people to move to rural and regional areas. This can revitalise regional areas and provide new opportunities for tourism growth through public art, vibrant music and handcrafted items such as fashion and jewellery. The increase in internet shopping and broadband availability is also providing major opportunities for regional growth in creative industries.

“As a creative hub, employment in the Northern Rivers’ arts and creative industries grew 25% faster than the rest of NSW’s regional economy, and more than doubled the Sydney growth rate between 2001 and 2006. This trend should be expanded on as a model throughout the regions, but the Government delivered no major financial support for this important industry sector.”

“The Northern Rivers has proven success stories in the creative industries. In recent years, the locally produced ABC series ‘East of Everything ‘ proved that the skills and talent exist in the region, and it delivered huge economic and employment opportunities. And this year the North Coast production company, Mememe Productions, were awarded an International Digital Emmy Award at Cannes in the category of Children and Young People for their Dirtgirlworld .. .dig it all project.

“New creative areas such as digital productions are at a crucial stage. The continuation of Government programs such as the Interactive Media Fund is vital to keeping NSW at the forefront of these emerging creative areas.

“The Government response has not identified any significant financial investment in this field and that could be a great loss for what is a vibrant and celebrated part of the cultural creative sector,” said Ms Barham.

Greens NSW Education spokesperson John Kaye said, “The government’s refusal to reinstate the $800 million it cut from TAFE makes their commitment to improve the creative industries in NSW a vacuous promise. Ending subsidies for Fine Arts TAFE courses and the resulting astronomical increases in course fees have made it increasingly difficult for those with a passion for the creative industries to follow this path.

“The government’s response also completely ignores the informal, cultural and social benefits of a thriving creative industry. Creative opportunities can provide stress relief, improve confidence, develop new skills, offer alternative income and enhance community vibrancy.

“The government is keen to exploit the financial potential of the creative industries yet the Minister is not prepared to invest to secure a pool of new talent.

“For many it takes a long time to make creative operations financially viable. The prospect of huge TAFE fees will undoubtedly discourage many budding artists.

“The O’Farrell government must reverse its cuts to TAFE and increase investment in the creative industries across the state,” Dr Kaye said.

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“Successive state Governments have allowed the share of funding they provide for library services to decline, putting pressure on local government to make up the shortfall,” Ms Barham said.

“The state Government subsidy to local libraries has remained at $1.85 per capita for over a decade while costs have continued to rise and libraries have delivered new, 21st century services. In 1979/80, the NSW Government contributed 24% of the funding for public libraries, but by 2010/11 their share had dropped to less than 10%.”

A recent report on the National Welfare & Economic Contributions of Public Libraries, commissioned by the Australian Library and Information Association, estimated that every dollar spent by NSW public libraries brings $3.20 in benefits to communities.

“As well as their collections and services, public libraries promote social interaction, reduce environmental impacts through re-use and are a source of lifelong education and self-development. The contribution to our sense of community from libraries is something we can’t afford to lose.”

Ms Barham has launched a bumper sticker campaign and is calling on people to show their support for public libraries.

“Library funding is an investment in community and social capital. The Government’s contribution to libraries should reflect the valuable opportunities for learning and community connections they provide,” Ms Barham said.

Contribution of Australian Public Libraries report

Stickers available from Jan’s office

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

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Did you know that for decades now, NSW Governments have failed to keep up their fair share of funding for public libraries?

The subsidy to local libraries has stayed at $1.85 per capita while costs have continued to rise and libraries have delivered new, 21st century services.

The result has been cost-shifting to local government. In 1979/80, councils paid around three-quarters of the funding for public libraries, but by 2010/11 their share of the costs had risen to more than 90%.

The recent Contribution of Australian Public Libraries research report commissioned by the Australian Library and Information Association estimates that every dollar spent by NSW public libraries brings $3.20 in benefits to communities.

Show your support for libraries.

Contact Jan’s office and we’ll send out stickers – email jan.barham@parliament.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9230 2603 and let us know how many you would like and where to send them.

Jan Barham’s motion on public library funding (notice given 26 March 2013):

1. That this House notes that:

(a) libraries are a fundamental part of the educational and cultural vibrancy of community, providing life learning and opportunities for social interaction,

(b) under the terms of the Library Act 1939, the State Library of New South Wales administers the Government’s Public Library Grants and Subsidies program, which provides funding on an annual basis to local authorities to assist in the provision of public library services throughout New South Wales,

(c) Arts NSW, via the New South Wales state cultural institutions, manage significant cultural heritage collections and provide services and programs throughout the state, and together, these institutions provide a unique and irreplaceable archive of the state’s history and contemporary culture, and

(d) the Library Act 1939 and the Library Regulation state that:

(i) “State and Local Government authorities work collaboratively together to enable public libraries in New South Wales to meet the evolving needs and demands of the community”,

(ii) the age of a collection is a key consideration when determining the adequacy of a public

(iii) the Library Council of NSW “Age of Collections” standards states that at least 49 per cent of the collection has been purchased in the last five years and 90 per cent of the collection has been purchased in the last 10 years,

(iv) the size of a public library’s collection should respond to the changing and growing size of a community.

2. That this House notes that:

(a) in 1979/80, $8,478,905 was spent by the State Government on public library services while total local government expenditure in 1980 was $ 27,517,031,

(b) in 2010/11, expenditure by local government on public library services was $314,284,780, whereas expenditure by the State Government was $25, 538,000, which includes $2 million for the Country Library fund, and

(c) from 1979/80 to 2010/11, the percentage of funding provided by local government to public libraries has increased from 74.6 per cent of the total funding on an annual basis to 92.5 per cent, while State Government funding has decreased from 23.6 per cent to 7.5per cent on an annual basis.

3. That this House calls on the Government to increase the State Government funding for public libraries to reinstate the previous 1980 level of contribution of 23.6 per cent.

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“The Aquarius Festival was not only an historic event; it was transformative for the Far North of New South Wales,” Ms Barham said.

“The Aquarius Festival brought new people and innovative thinking to the region and contributed to defining the area known to many as the Rainbow Region. Over the last 40 years, the North Coast has been at the forefront of many important issues such Aboriginal respect and reconciliation, biodiversity protection and sustainable architecture.”

“In a moment of harmony and youthful joy that we don’t often see on Macquarie Street, my colleagues in the Legislative Council congratulated the Aquarians and recognised the unique and vibrant culture of the North Coast,” Ms Barham said.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

Motion on Aquarius Festival, passed by NSW Legislative Council 22nd May 2013:

1. That this House notes that:
 (a) May 12 – 23 marks the 40th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin NSW,
 (b) the festival’s organisers planned more than just the fourth Australian Union of Students music festival – they planned a festival of alternative thinking and sustainable living, in a valley where festival goers could stay on and live out their ideals and aspirations,
 (c) the Bundjalung Elders gave their permission and support to holding the festival on their lands, building a respectful connection with traditional owners that has continued to this day,
 (d) the Nimbin Valley and surrounding areas welcomed the boost that the festival offered the region, with traditional industries in a state of decline,
 (e) soon after the Aquarius Festival, Nimbin became identified as a centre for counter-culture and the environmental and sustainable lifestyle movement in Australia,
 (f) the new settlers in the Nimbin community experienced adversities and learned about living on the land with support from local farmers and existing residents,
 (g) from Nimbin the counter-culture revolution reached out locally so that the Far Northern regions of NSW have become known for their innovative and sustainable technologies, ideas and models of community living, and
 (h) the Aquarians and those who were inspired to the area have made diverse contributions including:
  (i) initiating ecological protection of old growth forests and North Coast biodiversity,
  (ii) developing alternative energy systems,
  (iii) establishing sustainable food production practices and promoting healthy lifestyles,
  (iv) promoting innovative architecture in intentional communities,
  (v) encouraging cultural diversity including music, craft and arts,
  (vi) engaging in political activism, and the production of community media including newspapers and radio,
  (vii) supporting alternative economic models, including Local Economic Trading Systems (LETS) and community markets.

2. That this House congratulates the Aquarians and those who have contributed to and maintained a unique and vibrant cultural community in northern NSW for the past 40 years.

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“The NSW Upper House’s passage of this motion recognises the harmful effects of moving single parents from Parenting Payment to Newstart when their youngest child turns eight. I’m heartened that state Labor and Coalition MPs gave support to such an important community issue,” said Jan Barham, NSW Greens spokesperson on family and community services.

“The change to parenting payments has provoked widespread concern, with the Commonwealth’s own human rights committee, the UN Special Rapporteur and many social service organisations questioning its impacts. I welcome the parliamentary backing to support parents and families.

“Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has led the effort to undo these damaging changes. I hope the Federal Government takes on board this message from the NSW Parliament and takes urgent action to correct these wrongs,” Ms Barham said.

“I am pleased the NSW Legislative Council has supported this important motion,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on families and community services said today.

“The message from around the country and internationally is that the Government’s treatment of single parents, is neither acceptable nor appropriate. That is becoming clearer and clearer, and the Government should start listening.

“The Federal Government should take action in next week’s budget to help single parents, rather than just making things harder for them. The Greens have costed measures on the table to do this.

“We have Bills in the Parliament to increase Newstart by $50 per week and provide an additional supplement payment of $40 per week for single parents on the payment.

“By fixing the mining tax, the Government can make sure our economy supports single parents so they can raise their kids in a secure environment,” Senator Siewert concluded.

Media Enquiries:
Jan Barham – directly on 0407 065 061, or David Mallard on 0432 881 448
Senator Rachel Siewert – Chris Redman on 0418 401 180

Motion on parenting payments, passed by NSW Legislative Council 9th May 2013:

1. That this House notes that:

(a) from 1 January 2013 Commonwealth legislation altered parenting payments, affecting more than 80,000 single parent families who will be transferred from Parenting Payment to Newstart when their youngest child turns eight,

(b) this change places many single parent families at greater risk of poverty and threatens the welfare and wellbeing of affected children, and

(c) concern about this change has been expressed by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and numerous social service organisations.

2. That this House calls on the Commonwealth Government to reverse the cuts made to single parent payments, and ensure single parents receive adequate support to care for their children.

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“I have long believed that a thorough tourism inquiry is necessary to develop a clear understanding about the benefits and impacts of tourism across the state. This Parliamentary inquiry will provide communities, councils and businesses with the opportunity to present their views and ideas about how to ensure a sustainable and successful future for tourism in NSW,” Ms Barham said.

“Many regional communities look to tourism as an economic and employment opportunity, but sometimes aren’t aware of the investment in infrastructure and the potential impact on residents, such as holiday letting and van camping in residential areas.”

The inquiry, to be conducted by a standing committee of the NSW Upper House, was approved on Thursday and its terms of reference include investigating and reporting on:

1. the value of tourism to New South Wales communities and the return on investment of
   government grants and funds,
2. the value of tourism to regional, rural and coastal communities,
3. the impacts of tourism on Local Government Areas, including:
   • infrastructure services provision and asset management,
   • social impacts,
   • unregulated tourism, and
   • employment opportunities,
4. the marketing and regulation of tourism, and
5. the utilisation of special rate variations to support local tourism initiatives.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

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“The Court’s clarification that homes in residential zones that were intended for long-term occupancy are inappropriate for tourism purposes is an important outcome for local communities. In coastal areas especially, the use of homes for short-term tourism rentals has seen many potential homes lost to permanent residents, causing a shortage in housing supply. The last two Census reports have shown that Byron Bay, where many homes have been given over to holiday lets, has lost permanent residents, and this has seen an erosion of community spirit,” Ms Barham said.

“In terms of tourism use, holiday letting has not served the community well. It has operated as an unapproved use that hasn’t contributed financially to council to offset the pressures of tourism. In an area already under housing stress such as Byron Bay, it has diminished the available rental stock for locals and has meant that essential workers such as teachers, nurses and tradespeople have not been able to find affordable housing.”

“The use of residential-zoned dwellings for tourism purposes has also had a major impact on housing prices, as buyers were lured into higher purchase prices on the expectation of high rental returns. During the peak tourism and event periods such as Schoolies, rents of $5,000 per week have not been uncommon. But often the homes sit vacant for long periods and the loss of neighbours and a sense of community has been devastating. During times of peak short-term
rental, the impacts can be unbearable as noise and antisocial behaviour have often forced people to move when amenity is lost.”

“For over a decade this issue has been a problem in Byron Bay and it has escalated across other coastal communities. As well as the unplanned impacts on locals, there have been risks for tourists due to the lack of appropriate planning conditions, such as for fire and structural safety.”

“Local government faces a difficult task in addressing housing availability and affordability. This decision clarifies the use of approved residential dwellings for permanent residents, which should free up dwellings to ease the housing stress and ensure that tourism occurs in appropriate areas,” Ms Barham said.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

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Download the Greens NSW submission [702kB PDF]

The Department of Community Services (Community Services) website has more information about the consultation process. Jan will continue to advocate for reforms that support vulnerable families and promote early interventions to prevent child abuse and neglect, and which encourage efforts to preserve and restore family relationships while ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children.

The post The Greens NSW submission to the Child Protection Legislative Reforms Discussion Paper appeared first on Jan Barham.

“New South Wales needs urgent, innovative action and a strong commitment of funding and support. The Government must ensure we see a growth in affordable housing that meets the changing needs of our population, including those who are ageing and people with disabilities,” Ms Barham said.

“Housing stress is not just about the cost of buying or renting. Although affordability is obviously a key challenge, it’s also about ensuring people are in homes that meet their needs, that developments and redevelopments throughout the state provide an adequate range of housing options, and that maintain people’s connections to their community.”

Ms Barham warned that the levels of homelessness in NSW highlight the need to support the state’s most vulnerable individuals and families, and ensure there was an ongoing plan to reduce the risk of homelessness. Recently the NSW upper house supported a motion that addressed homelessness and identified the need to focus on local solutions.

“A one-year extension to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness is a necessary stop-gap, not a solution. There needs to be an ongoing agreement. The NSW Government must commit to a long-term strategy for providing housing and services to those in need, and must also work with local government to ensure people have the best chance to find affordable, stable housing.”

“On Census night 2011, more than 28,000 people living in New South Wales were homeless, an increase of around 6,000 people since 2006, which is a more than 20% rise in the homelessness rate. But thousands more are living in marginal housing, including improvised dwellings, caravan parks and crowded homes, or couch surfing and are at risk of homelessness,” Ms Barham said.

“We must reverse the homelessness trend, address the factors that leave people vulnerable to homelessness and seek an ongoing funding agreement with the Commonwealth.”

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0407 065 061

Motion on Homelessness, as passed by NSW Legislative Council on 21 March 2013:
1. That, while taking into account the inherent difficulties in accurately measuring the rates of homelessness, this House notes that:

 (a) according to the 2006 National Census, at least 27,374 people were considered homeless in New South Wales,
 (b) according to a 2009 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) entitled “Counting the Homeless”, this figure can be broken down into the following categories:
  (i) primary homelessness: at least 3,715 people, or 13 per cent of respondents, were sleeping rough in improvised dwellings,
  (ii) secondary homelessness: at least 16,033 people, or 59% of respondents, were staying with friends or relatives, or in short term accommodation provided through formal assistance,
  (iii) tertiary homelessness: at least 7,626 people, or 28 per cent of respondents, were sleeping in facilities providing longer term accommodation such as boarding houses,
 (c) according to the same AIHW report, there is a significant incidence of homelessness among children and young people in New South Wales, with 10,587 of those counted aged under 24 (39 per cent),
 (d) according to the same AIHW report, the number of older homeless people is growing, with 30 per cent of the homeless in New South Wales aged 45 or older, up from 25 per cent in 2001,
 (e) it is widely estimated that over 7 per cent of the entire homeless population of New South Wales are Aboriginal, which is well above the 2.2 per cent of the total New South Wales Aboriginal population, and
 (f) documented rates of the prevalence of mental health issues in homeless people vary markedly but an extensive research paper published in 1998 by Hodder, Teeson and Burich entitled “Down and Out in Sydney” found that 75 per cent of participants in the study had at least one mental illness, compared to 20 per cent in the general population.

2. That this House further notes:

 (a) the report of the NSW Auditor General entitled “Responding to Homelessness”, dated May 2007,
 (b) the report of New South Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues entitled “Homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation”, dated September 2009,
 (c) the Government’s subsequent response to the report of the Social Issues Committee’s inquiry, dated 2010, and
 (d) the revised National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness signed on 13 April 2012.

3. That this House welcomes:

 (a) the continuation of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Homelessness, and
 (b) the implementation of the revised Homeless Persons Protocol.

4. That this House encourages:

 (a) all local councils to have a nominated staff member tasked with the responsibility of ensuring their council adheres to the Homeless Persons Protocol, and
 (b) all local councils to report on local initiatives for addressing homelessness in their local government area in their annual report.

5. That this House calls for:

 (a) a review of the ten Regional Homeless Action Plans that were developed in July 2010, together with a progress report, and
 (b) consideration of a funding program to support local government to meet the needs of homeless people.

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