Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Print Post Approved – 100003237 $1.70 Inc GST
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Print Post approved – 100003237 $1.70 inc GST POT OF GOLD OR PORK BARRELL? Kim Woods Coalition seats where the average STEPH Cooke has come out funding was $153 per resident, swinging in defence of the as compared to $53 per resident Narrandera Shire receiving in non-Coalition seats. more than $3 million in Stronger This blew out to as much Communities Funds. as $462 per resident to try and The Cootamundra elector- hold the then National Party ate was among those coalition seat of Barwon and as little as held seats accused of pork $36 per resident in non-govern- barrelling by the Greens MP ment held Maitland. David Shoebridge. Member for Cootamundra Mr Shoebridge claimed the Steph Cooke did not apologise Cootamundra electorate has for the Cootamundra electorate bene tted from average Stronger receiving the funding. Country Communities Funding “The Cootamundra electorate of $384.64 per person – compared is enormous, it has received to $53 per resident in non-Coali- $35,118,679 across three rounds tion seats. of the Stronger Communities Cootamundra also scored Fund, totalling 178 projects $124.99 for round three funding, across nine Local Government again a multiple of the average. Areas,” she said. The Greens secured the “Each of these community release of secret government projects is the result of hard emails outlining the politicised work of Councils, including allocation of funding under Narrandera Shire, and com- a $400 million Coalition-biased munity groups. Each one is a Government grants program deserving ecipient.” under the Stronger Country A total of $3,094,463 has been Communities Fund. awarded to projects across the Greens analysis of the $300 Narrandera Shire. million in grants in rounds Topping the list was $404,000 one and two of the Stronger for the Marie Bashir Community Country Communities Funding Park enhancement, $475,1257 shows a huge skew towards continued page 3 COVID-19 UPDATE Fog then sunny Reduced work, no money for teens MAX: 25°C MIN: 4°C TENS of thousands of Australian teens Ms Leishman said these volatile times decisions including how they can handle have lost their jobs, pocket money and even made it more important than ever to arm any positive or negative shocks to their their mobile phones, according to a new teenagers with financial literacy skills. finances,” Mr Fleming said. survey on the financial effects of COVID-19. “The survey shows that nationally “Understanding and managing financ- The survey of 1000 parents of teenagers, 25 per cent of parents feel very anxious es is an extremely important skill and THUR FRI SAT SUN MON conducted by the independent non-profit about their child’s financial future and 24 per helping teenagers build their financial Financial Basics Foundation, showed cent have not shared their money concerns literacy is part of our commitment to 12 per cent of New South Wales teenagers with their children,” she said. providing inclusive financial services and had lost their jobs during the pandemic “The Suncorp ESSI Money Challenge is increased financial resilience within our 28°C 27°C 24°C 24°C 25°C and almost 18 per cent had their work a fun, easy way to teach teenagers valuable community.” 12°C 14°C 14°C 13°C 11°C hours cut. lessons around earning, saving, spending Students who are doing remote learning - - 5-10mm - - Foundation chair Brigid Leishman said the and investing.” during COVID-19 restrictions can partici- economic shock was having mixed effects. The survey also showed half the pate in the challenge online from home. “While nationally 13 per cent of parents parents had accessed financial support • Nearly 65,000 students from more than admitted struggling to make ends meet during COVID-19, such as government 1600 high schools have played ESSI September – 2.0mm since the crisis began it was higher in New payments, rent relief, superannuation and Money over the past few years. 2020 total – 434.2mm South Wales where 15.6 per cent were even fast cash loans. • The free, online game is open to all struggling during lockdown,” Ms Leishman “Some had to arrange school fee pay- high school students and cash prizes said. ment plans, suspended car leases and even are up for grabs. “Almost a third of New South Wales received food from a charity,” Ms Leishman • Teachers must register their students respondents had completely overhauled said. to play at financialbasics.org.au Narrandera Argus their budget during COVID-19 and, for some, Chris Fleming, Suncorp Executive General their teenagers have to miss out on pocket Manager Consumer Banking, said money HOW COVID HAS AFFECTED money or their mobile phone.” and household finances had been top of TEENAGER’S FINANCES IN NSW? ENQUIRIES The survey has been released at the mind for most customers since the COVID-19 Reduced work hours 17.8% No longer receiving pocket money 14.2% Phone 6959 2222 launch of the 2020 Suncorp ESSI Money crisis began. Challenge, a free online financial literacy “The current economic environment Lost paid employment 12.3% 167 East Street, Narrandera competition for high school students, from reinforces the importance of teaching No longer using Afterpay 4.6% or PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 August 17-28. young people how to make good financial No longer have a mobile phone 3.4% www.narranderaargus.com.au or find us on Facebook Canteen star rating Tradies pay day NSW Department of Education primary Health District’s Health Promotion TRADIES across NSW will now have greater NEWS ROOM school canteens in the Murrumbidgee Team which provided one-on-one protections to ensure they are paid on time and Local Health District recently reached support to local canteen managers in in full following the introduction of new laws Managing Editor 100 per cent achievement in meeting making these changes, and also through by the NSW Government. Liz Lawrence the NSW Healthy School Canteen the establishment of local face-to-face Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson [email protected] Strategy. canteen network meetings. said changes to the existing Security of Payments The strategy supports all NSW These networks were able to Act would deliver faster payouts for contractors Journalists schools to achieve healthier standards, support the canteen managers with and subcontractors and quicker and fairer Kim Woods which includes 75 per cent of the resources and education throughout dispute resolution. [email protected] menu being healthy “everyday” food the transition period. “These reforms will raise the level of protec- and drink options. Networks were established in Wagga tion for tradies and subbies so they know they’ll Claire Williams Additionally, the remaining 25 per Wagga, Leeton, Griffith, Greater Hume/ be paid the money they are owed on time,” [email protected] cent of “occasional approved” foods Albury, South Western Riverina, Hilltops/ Mr Anderson said. and drinks must also meet healthy Temora and in Tumut/Gundagai. “At a time when many small building businesses standards in portion size and meet Further to this the Health Promo- are doing it extremely tough and cash flow is at least 3.5 Healthy Star Rating. tion Team recently set up an individual essential to staying afloat, it is vital there aren’t ACCOUNTS The outstanding level of achieve- Canteen Operations Coaching Service lengthy delays in them getting the money they ment in MLHD has been due to canteen for canteens in the MLHD facilitated are owed. Administration Manager managers making big changes to their by two highly skilled and experienced “Tradies make an invaluable contribution to Debbie Bock service delivery model and creatively Canteen Managers. NSW’s economic prosperity and will be the engine [email protected] adapting their menus to include many MLHD Health Promotion Coordinator room of our post COVID-19 recovery. They deserve healthier options while still operating and canteen portfolio lead Alexandra to get paid on time for the work they do.” profitably. Walker is pleased to have achieved Master Builders Australia NSW executive The success was also driven behind this significant step in combating director Brian Seidler welcomed the changes, ADVERTISING the scenes by Murrumbidgee Local childhood obesity in the region. saying they were particularly important in helping Fran Macdonald the sector through the challenges of COVID-19. “The removal of the owner occupier exemption [email protected] in particular will provide a significant economic or [email protected] New HSC guidelines stimulus and help many tradies and small SCHOOLS across NSW have received sultation with NSW Health, have been businesses through the difficulties of COVID-19,” Phone 6959 2222 guidelines to support planning for issued to principals by the NSW Mr Seidler said. the Higher School Certificate written Education Standards Authority (NESA), To protect the rights and livelihoods of tradies Fax 6959 2256 exams that start on October 20. who are responsible for the HSC. the NSW Government is also cutting red tape Minister for Education Sarah Mitch- NESA Chief Executive Officer and reducing costs by removing the need to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ell said students need to be reassured Paul Martin said he recognised report annually on the operation of retention that everything is being done to make preparing for the HSC exams during money trust accounts, and providing more To submit a letter to the editor: sure they can sit their HSC without this pandemic is challenging. transparency by allowing subcontractors to > mail to PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 disruption. “The aim of these guidelines is to inspect retention money trust account records. > deliver in person to 167 East Street, “HSC trials were held without provide as much clarity to schools Ms Mitchell said the Department has issued Narrandera major incident and we are now and reassurance to students as guidelines to Principals today asking them to > email: [email protected] working with schools to implement possible, in line with health advice guidelines and procedures that reduce as we approach exams,” Mr Martin said.