COUNTRY CARE GROUP and founder Rob Hogan today prevailed in the landmark Federal Court action instigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and brought by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).

The jury unanimously dismissed all charges against the regional business.

Country Care Group founder, Rob Hogan, said, "“This is a resounding victory for Country Care Group and myself with a full dismissal of all charges brought against us. Throughout the long process of defending these charges, dating back more than five years, I have consistently maintained my innocence.

"Today that innocence has been clearly confirmed by the jury with the ACCC and the CDPP unable to persuade a single juror of their case.

“While I am naturally pleased with today’s outcome, it should never have come to this point," Mr Hogan said. "This trial exposed the ACCC’s deeply flawed processes in investigating cartel allegations, particularly with respect to the ACCC’s approach to immunity witnesses.

"During the trial the ACCC and CDPP’s key immunity witness was exposed as a disgruntled individual who held a grudge against me and Country Care Group. He admitted under cross examination that he had misled and withheld important information from the ACCC and lied to the jury.

“Questions should be asked as to how it can be that the ACCC did not identify the obvious issues with this witness, particularly given the defence was able to uncover significant untruths in this witnesses statement from documents which had been in the ACCC’s possession for years.

“This is more than just a win for Country Care Group and me, it’s a win for all Mum and Dad style businesses around Australia, who are the lifeblood of this country. The ACCC and the CDPP need to be held to account for the significant failures in their investigation and approach to these criminal proceedings.

“It is a disgrace, but for us it’s finally time to move on,” he said.

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LIFTING THE BAN on nuclear power generation in NSW using unproven small-scale reactors will only push up power bills, damage the environment and compromise safety, according to the Electrical Trades Union (ETU).

ETU National and NSW Secretary, Allen Hicks, said nuclear power would be hugely expensive compared to renewable energy, and that small nuclear reactors were still a pipe dream.

The recommendation around small scale reactors is one of 60 contained in the NSW Productivity Commission’s White Paper, which is supposedly designed to reboot the state’s economy, according to Mr Hicks.

“The Productivity Commission has lost the plot if it thinks small modular reactors, a technology that has been ‘just around the corner’ since the 1970’s but still doesn’t exist, is the answer to NSW’s productivity growth,” Mr Hicks said.

“Even if someone finally manages to build one that works, the electricity price forecast for their output is six times more expensive than renewables.

“Why does the Productivity Commission want NSW residents paying six times more for their electricity?

"There are massive offshore wind projects waiting for federal approval off the NSW coast near Newcastle, Wollongong and Eden. Rather than pie-in-the sky nuclear nonsense we should get on with approving this clean energy and getting it into out grid," he said.

"The commission said lifting the ban would provide another source of firming capacity in the grid. But its own report admits “a wide degree of uncertainty” about small-scale nuclear reactors, mainly due to cost," Mr Hicks said.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the government “will consider everything” in the report.

But Mr Hicks said the State Government must hit the stop button on nuclear power, as the business model for a dirty and dangerous technology did not stack up.

“Even if they improve the technology, a small modular reactor would take far too long to build, and we don’t have time to waste in the fight against climate change,” Mr Hicks said.

“Globally, most countries are moving away from nuclear power. Few new reactors are being built and nuclear companies are going bankrupt or facing financial distress. 

“Nuclear power also has the potential to contribute to weapons proliferation.”

Mr Hicks said the government should instead continue to focus on renewable energy. 

“With a bit of foresight, some investment and some big thinkers, Australia is uniquely positioned in the world to become a renewable energy leader," he said.

"Boosting the economy, providing more jobs, and dealing with climate change are big problems, but nuclear power is not the answer.”

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THE Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to grow the value of Australian aquaculture to $2 billion by 2027 will be discussed at an upcoming public hearing by the ​House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee. 

The Committee will speak to the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment this Thursday as part of its inquiry into the Australian aquaculture sector. Witnesses will appear in person.

Committee Chair, Rick Wilson MP, noted that, while the day-to-day operations of aquaculture enterprises are regulated by state and territory governments, the Commonwealth holds several key functions which directly affect the sector. These include biosecurity and environmental management, aquatic animal health, food safety, national research programs, and market access and trade.  ​​​

"The Government is currently implementing a National Aquaculture Strategy which recognises the increasingly important role of the sector to the Australian economy and aims to grow its value to $2 billion by 2027. The Committee looks forward to discussing the progress of this strategy with the Department," Mr Wilson said. 

For further information, visit the inquiry website.

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THE Glen Drug and Rehabilitation Centre will give evidence to the House Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs this Thursday and talk about the success and challenges it has faced helping both Indigenous and non-Indigenous men move into employment.

The hearing is part of the Committee’s inquiry into pathways and participation opportunities for First Nations peoples in employment and business. Witnesses will be appearing via videoconference.

Committee Chair, Julian Leeser MP, said the Committee visited ‘The Glen’ during its public hearings on the Central Coast in April and was very impressed with its work.

"The Glen has operated since 1994 and has helped both Indigenous and non-Indigenous men with a history of addiction and contact with the criminal justice system to overcome significant hurdles and move into employment," Mr Lesseer said. "The Committee noted, however, that these men still faced immense structural barriers which can make it very difficult to find work.

"The Committee looks forward to speaking with The Glen about their successes as well as the ongoing challenges for participants in their program," Mr Leeser said.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 3 June 2021
Time: 11.40am to 12.25pm AEDT

A live audio stream of the hearing will be accessible at https://www.aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Listen.

A full program will be available at the inquiry website.

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