COUNCIL workers who downed tools over safety concerns involving the use of potentially carcinogenic glyphosate weedkiller have welcomed a commitment by Blacktown City Council to launch a five-month trial of organic alternatives.

More than 500 workers at Blacktown City Council stopped work yesterday and again this morning in response to management’s refusal to examine alternatives to the controversial weedkiller following a series of international legal cases that have linked its use to cancer.

In an urgent hearing of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on July 4, council representatives agreed to implement a trial of safer alternatives, with the review process overseen by a committee that includes worker representatives.

The move makes Blacktown the fifth large council to phase out glyphosate sprays, following decisions by Fairfield, Randwick, Georges River, and Wollongong councils to last month trial safer alternatives.

United Services Union general secretary Graeme Kelly OAM said the outcome was likely to lead to similar reviews among other councils.

“Our members are very happy that their concerns have finally been addressed and that Blacktown Council will carry out a proper review of safer alternatives to this potentially cancer-causing product,” Mr Kelly said.

“Weed spraying is a common task for outdoor council staff, so it is understandable that workers have been deeply concerned by international legal cases which found a strong link between the use of glyphosate products and developing cancer.

“It is unfortunate that some members of the public have been inconvenienced by this dispute, but they need to understand that workers only took the decision to stop work only after council management refused to carry out a review of safer weedkillers.

“We expect today’s decision will spark similar reviews at many other councils, but what is really needed is leadership from the NSW Government to assist the local government sector to phase out this potentially dangerous product and find safe, effective alternatives.

“Keeping parks and public spaces looking their best is important, but that should never come at the expense of the long-term health and welfare of workers or community members.”

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the action by Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) to supply 16.2 petajoules (PJ) of  gas to the Australian manufacturing market.

“Today’s announcement is yet another sign of the benefits that flow from a successful gas industry that has regulatory stability,” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“The Queensland gas industry is leading the nation with a proactive approach to easing the east coast gas squeeze.

“Queensland’s neighbours must take a leaf out of our book, instead of relying on our state to meet the gap caused by their failure to develop their own gas industries. Gas exploration has stalled in New South Wales and Victoria, despite the fact all jurisdictions have their own reserves in the ground.”

APLNG said explosives manufacturer Orica would receive 10.2 petajoules of gas over four years starting in 2021 while packaging manufacturer Orora would take up to 6 petajoules of gas over three years (at their option commencing from 2023).

“Queensland’s gas industry is doing its part to ensure domestic gas users have access to affordable and reliable gas supplies,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The announcement is the latest that shows how the development of domestic gas helps jobs in Australian industry and manufacturing.”

Last month APLNG, along with its joint venture partner Armour Energy, announced it would enter into gas supply agreements with a number of Australian manufacturers including Incitec Pivot, with supply agreements totalling more than 50 petajoules of gas.

“It’s also important that Queensland continues its exploration program to pinpoint new reserves and new opportunities for jobs and investment. Yesterday Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced an Authority to Prospect (ATP) for gas on more than 1,510 square kilometres of land in the Surat Basin to a Santos/Shell joint venture and Bridgeport Energy,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“The successful development of these new areas will depend on stable and predictable policy in areas such as resource development and royalty collection.” 

www.qrc.org.au

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THE announcement by APRA that the mortgage serviceability test is to be relaxed is "great news at a time when the potential exists for a recovery in new home building,” according to Master Builders Australia chief economist Shane Garrett. 

“Previously, mortgage loans were only to those borrowers who could afford to service the mortgage repayments at a hypothetical APRA ‘floor’ interest rate of 7.25 percent - regardless of how low actual market interest rates were,” he said. 

“Recent reductions in interest rates mean that this restriction is unnecessarily onerous and APRA’s announcement today means that the interest rate floor has been scrapped. In future, borrowers will only need to have the capacity to absorb a 2.5 percent increase in mortgage interest rates from current, all-time lows.

“Regulatory restrictions on home lending were one of the factors which contributed to the current downturn in new home building activity across Australia.

“Combined with recent interest rate reductions and the successful passage last night of income tax cuts, the relaxation of APRA’s lending rules will add further fuel to a potential recovery in new home building following more than two years of decline,” Mr Garrett said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced an inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press.

The inquiry was referred by the Attorney-General, Christian Porter MP, on July 4, 2019, for the PJCIS to inquire into the Terms of Reference.

The Committee has been requested to report back to both Houses of Parliament by 17 October 2019.

Chair, Mr Hastie, said," The government has referred this inquiry based on concerns raised in relation to recent search warrants executed on members of the press, and the issue of balancing national security with the freedom of the press.

"This inquiry will allow the Committee to hear from the media, government agencies and other interested stakeholders as to the direct impact of these powers on civil society and their importance to both national security and the public interest. We will consider these issues closely and carefully."

The Committee has invited written submissions to this inquiry, to be received by Friday, July 26, 2019.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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