UPDATE 15 AUGUST 2020: RoPP campaign successful in delaying new Bin Tax

We are pleased to see that the Bin Tax will not be introduced this financial year, according to Port Phillip’s updated web page.

Thanks to all for your help with our Bin Tax campaign!

The best way to ensure your rates are reduced to be in line with neighbouring councils, is to vote for a RoPP endorsed candidate at the upcoming October election. We will be releasing the exciting news about our endorsed candidates soon, so stay tuned.

• At the 4th December 2019 Council meeting, a “Waste and Amenity levy” was proposed to address the waste crisis, forecasted to add $64 million over the next 10 years to Council’s “rate cap challenge”. RoPP spoke at that meeting in opposition to the new Tax, unless the Council could provide more information.
• We finally received a written response from the CEO on July 2nd 2020, confirming that Council were considering options of how to fund the Bin Tax, including the levy being additional to existing rates.
• Our poster and leaflet campaign to stop the Bin Tax commenced on 30th July 2020.
• Council’s website still detailed the impending Bin Tax. Now those details have been removed, replaced instead with a statement about the deferral.
• Why would Council remove the details from their website? As of writing this, the minutes of the 4th December 2019 Council meeting where the Bin Tax was voted on, are also no longer available on their website. Further, we have discovered that almost 20 years of Council meeting agendas & minutes have been removed in the last week.
• Please refer to the end of this webpage for details of the Essential Services Commission’s role in waste levies.

The facts and our transparency speak for themselves. The Council’s backdown on a new Bin Tax shows that our campaign has had an impact. Council have rightly recognised the harshness of introducing a new tax on top of the burden of existing rates, in a time of economic crisis.

Port Phillip Council is one of the highest spending councils in the state and are now proposing to introduce an additional Waste and Amenity levy on top of the exorbitant rates you already pay.
See https://ropp.org.au/fact-check-how-high-are-port-phillip-rates-compared-to-neighbouring-councils/

So in addition to a 2% increase to total rates collected this year (the maximum allowable under the State government’s rate cap system), you would have to pay a levy for ‘Waste and Amenity’, “A BIN TAX” on this fundamental service. This would severely impact both ratepayers and residents at a time when many have lost their livelihoods, incomes and ability to pay.

Council claims that the reason they need to charge a new levy is because waste costs are rising at a greater pace than inflation. There are two issues with this:

1. Waste management, a core service of council, only accounts for 5.3% of the Port Phillip budget[1], meaning that even if this component increased by 10% per year, the effect on the overall budget would only be around 1-1.2%, well within the 2% rate cap.

2. Competent management should be able to absorb this fundamental service easily, by forecasting these cost issues and re-prioritising their budget accordingly. Instead, the majority of the 2% increase in general rates will go towards wage rises for staff, which council has stubbornly refused to address (or even acknowledge).

Council wants to take the easy way out yet again, by charging ratepayers a new BIN TAX instead of doing the hard work necessary to manage the budget.

The waste and amenity levy (BIN TAX) would sit outside the 2% annual rate cap imposed by the Essential Services Commission. This gives council the option to increase the levy by whatever amount it wishes, and you can be sure it will – council will use the levy to fund its inability to manage its own budget. Council describes this inability to live within their own means the ‘rate capping challenge’.

IT’S A NEW TAX ON TOP OF YOUR EXISTING RATES

Councillors did not want to be held accountable at the ballot box for introducing a new tax this year, so have deferred its introduction until after the election. We are here to highlight the issue so that you have the chance to stop council by voting for an independent candidate that will vote against the BIN TAX and hold the council to account. Keep an eye on our website for an independent review of candidates running in the October election.

 We say:
1. ROPP does not support the introduction of a Waste and Amenity Levy in addition to the burden of existing rates. Council need to get the budget under control instead of taking the easy way out: a new Bin Tax

2. Now is not the time to impose new taxes on a struggling economy. It’s not fair and it needs to be stopped.

Essential Services Commission’s role in waste levies
Council can levy a new charge in addition to existing rates, just like two councils did in 2018-19. This is subject to the oversight of the Essential Services Commission, however Councils retain full autonomy to introduce new charges. Council can opt to introduce a waste levy in a revenue neutral way, reducing general rates by the same amount that the new levy raises. This is what Maribyrnong did in 2019-20.

As Port Phillip Council said themselves on the now removed ‘waste challenges’ webpage :
 “Council is also considering a proposal to introduce a waste and amenity levy, which would be a payment separate to Council rates to cover some, or all, of the costs incurred by council to deliver waste, recycling and cleansing services. This would enable Council to set a service rate or charge (levy) that’s in line with the true cost of the service.

UPDATE 15 AUGUST 2020: RoPP campaign successful in delaying new Bin Tax

We are pleased to see that the Bin Tax will not be introduced this financial year, according to Port Phillip’s updated web page.

Thanks to all for your help with our Bin Tax campaign!

The best way to ensure your rates are reduced to be in line with neighbouring councils, is to vote for a RoPP endorsed candidate at the upcoming October election. We will be releasing the exciting news about our endorsed candidates soon, so stay tuned.

• At the 4th December 2019 Council meeting, a “Waste and Amenity levy” was proposed to address the waste crisis, forecasted to add $64 million over the next 10 years to Council’s “rate cap challenge”. RoPP spoke at that meeting in opposition to the new Tax, unless the Council could provide more information.
• We finally received a written response from the CEO on July 2nd 2020, confirming that Council were considering options of how to fund the Bin Tax, including the levy being additional to existing rates.
• Our poster and leaflet campaign to stop the Bin Tax commenced on 30th July 2020.
• Council’s website still detailed the impending Bin Tax. Now those details have been removed, replaced instead with a statement about the deferral.
• Why would Council remove the details from their website? As of writing this, the minutes of the 4th December 2019 Council meeting where the Bin Tax was voted on, are also no longer available on their website. Further, we have discovered that almost 20 years of Council meeting agendas & minutes have been removed in the last week.
• Please refer to the end of this webpage for details of the Essential Services Commission’s role in waste levies.

The facts and our transparency speak for themselves. The Council’s backdown on a new Bin Tax shows that our campaign has had an impact. Council have rightly recognised the harshness of introducing a new tax on top of the burden of existing rates, in a time of economic crisis.

Port Phillip Council is one of the highest spending councils in the state and are now proposing to introduce an additional Waste and Amenity levy on top of the exorbitant rates you already pay.
See https://ropp.org.au/fact-check-how-high-are-port-phillip-rates-compared-to-neighbouring-councils/

So in addition to a 2% increase to total rates collected this year (the maximum allowable under the State government’s rate cap system), you would have to pay a levy for ‘Waste and Amenity’, “A BIN TAX” on this fundamental service. This would severely impact both ratepayers and residents at a time when many have lost their livelihoods, incomes and ability to pay.

Council claims that the reason they need to charge a new levy is because waste costs are rising at a greater pace than inflation. There are two issues with this:

1. Waste management, a core service of council, only accounts for 5.3% of the Port Phillip budget[1], meaning that even if this component increased by 10% per year, the effect on the overall budget would only be around 1-1.2%, well within the 2% rate cap.

2. Competent management should be able to absorb this fundamental service easily, by forecasting these cost issues and re-prioritising their budget accordingly. Instead, the majority of the 2% increase in general rates will go towards wage rises for staff, which council has stubbornly refused to address (or even acknowledge).

Council wants to take the easy way out yet again, by charging ratepayers a new BIN TAX instead of doing the hard work necessary to manage the budget.

The waste and amenity levy (BIN TAX) would sit outside the 2% annual rate cap imposed by the Essential Services Commission. This gives council the option to increase the levy by whatever amount it wishes, and you can be sure it will – council will use the levy to fund its inability to manage its own budget. Council describes this inability to live within their own means the ‘rate capping challenge’.

IT’S A NEW TAX ON TOP OF YOUR EXISTING RATES

Councillors did not want to be held accountable at the ballot box for introducing a new tax this year, so have deferred its introduction until after the election. We are here to highlight the issue so that you have the chance to stop council by voting for an independent candidate that will vote against the BIN TAX and hold the council to account. Keep an eye on our website for an independent review of candidates running in the October election.

 We say:
1. ROPP does not support the introduction of a Waste and Amenity Levy in addition to the burden of existing rates. Council need to get the budget under control instead of taking the easy way out: a new Bin Tax

2. Now is not the time to impose new taxes on a struggling economy. It’s not fair and it needs to be stopped.

Essential Services Commission’s role in waste levies
Council can levy a new charge in addition to existing rates, just like two councils did in 2018-19. This is subject to the oversight of the Essential Services Commission, however Councils retain full autonomy to introduce new charges. Council can opt to introduce a waste levy in a revenue neutral way, reducing general rates by the same amount that the new levy raises. This is what Maribyrnong did in 2019-20.

As Port Phillip Council said themselves on the now removed ‘waste challenges’ webpage :
 “Council is also considering a proposal to introduce a waste and amenity levy, which would be a payment separate to Council rates to cover some, or all, of the costs incurred by council to deliver waste, recycling and cleansing services. This would enable Council to set a service rate or charge (levy) that’s in line with the true cost of the service.

UPDATE 15 AUGUST 2020: RoPP campaign successful in delaying new Bin Tax

We are pleased to see that the Bin Tax will not be introduced this financial year, according to Port Phillip’s updated web page.

Thanks to all for your help with our Bin Tax campaign!

The best way to ensure your rates are reduced to be in line with neighbouring councils, is to vote for a RoPP endorsed candidate at the upcoming October election. We will be releasing the exciting news about our endorsed candidates soon, so stay tuned.

• At the 4th December 2019 Council meeting, a “Waste and Amenity levy” was proposed to address the waste crisis, forecasted to add $64 million over the next 10 years to Council’s “rate cap challenge”. RoPP spoke at that meeting in opposition to the new Tax, unless the Council could provide more information.
• We finally received a written response from the CEO on July 2nd 2020, confirming that Council were considering options of how to fund the Bin Tax, including the levy being additional to existing rates.
• Our poster and leaflet campaign to stop the Bin Tax commenced on 30th July 2020.
• Council’s website still detailed the impending Bin Tax. Now those details have been removed, replaced instead with a statement about the deferral.
• Why would Council remove the details from their website? As of writing this, the minutes of the 4th December 2019 Council meeting where the Bin Tax was voted on, are also no longer available on their website. Further, we have discovered that almost 20 years of Council meeting agendas & minutes have been removed in the last week.
• Please refer to the end of this webpage for details of the Essential Services Commission’s role in waste levies.

The facts and our transparency speak for themselves. The Council’s backdown on a new Bin Tax shows that our campaign has had an impact. Council have rightly recognised the harshness of introducing a new tax on top of the burden of existing rates, in a time of economic crisis.

Port Phillip Council is one of the highest spending councils in the state and are now proposing to introduce an additional Waste and Amenity levy on top of the exorbitant rates you already pay.
See https://ropp.org.au/fact-check-how-high-are-port-phillip-rates-compared-to-neighbouring-councils/

So in addition to a 2% increase to total rates collected this year (the maximum allowable under the State government’s rate cap system), you would have to pay a levy for ‘Waste and Amenity’, “A BIN TAX” on this fundamental service. This would severely impact both ratepayers and residents at a time when many have lost their livelihoods, incomes and ability to pay.

Council claims that the reason they need to charge a new levy is because waste costs are rising at a greater pace than inflation. There are two issues with this:

1. Waste management, a core service of council, only accounts for 5.3% of the Port Phillip budget[1], meaning that even if this component increased by 10% per year, the effect on the overall budget would only be around 1-1.2%, well within the 2% rate cap.

2. Competent management should be able to absorb this fundamental service easily, by forecasting these cost issues and re-prioritising their budget accordingly. Instead, the majority of the 2% increase in general rates will go towards wage rises for staff, which council has stubbornly refused to address (or even acknowledge).

Council wants to take the easy way out yet again, by charging ratepayers a new BIN TAX instead of doing the hard work necessary to manage the budget.

The waste and amenity levy (BIN TAX) would sit outside the 2% annual rate cap imposed by the Essential Services Commission. This gives council the option to increase the levy by whatever amount it wishes, and you can be sure it will – council will use the levy to fund its inability to manage its own budget. Council describes this inability to live within their own means the ‘rate capping challenge’.

IT’S A NEW TAX ON TOP OF YOUR EXISTING RATES

Councillors did not want to be held accountable at the ballot box for introducing a new tax this year, so have deferred its introduction until after the election. We are here to highlight the issue so that you have the chance to stop council by voting for an independent candidate that will vote against the BIN TAX and hold the council to account. Keep an eye on our website for an independent review of candidates running in the October election.

 We say:
1. ROPP does not support the introduction of a Waste and Amenity Levy in addition to the burden of existing rates. Council need to get the budget under control instead of taking the easy way out: a new Bin Tax

2. Now is not the time to impose new taxes on a struggling economy. It’s not fair and it needs to be stopped.

Essential Services Commission’s role in waste levies
Council can levy a new charge in addition to existing rates, just like two councils did in 2018-19. This is subject to the oversight of the Essential Services Commission, however Councils retain full autonomy to introduce new charges. Council can opt to introduce a waste levy in a revenue neutral way, reducing general rates by the same amount that the new levy raises. This is what Maribyrnong did in 2019-20.

As Port Phillip Council said themselves on the now removed ‘waste challenges’ webpage :
 “Council is also considering a proposal to introduce a waste and amenity levy, which would be a payment separate to Council rates to cover some, or all, of the costs incurred by council to deliver waste, recycling and cleansing services. This would enable Council to set a service rate or charge (levy) that’s in line with the true cost of the service.

The next round of Community Impact Grants have opened as Wodonga councillors unanimously approved recommendations for February's round of recipients. The February round was put on hold due to COVID-19. There were three different types of grants which the community could apply for, including Community impact Grants, Community Impact Infrastructure Grants and Community Impact Partnership Program Grants.

Cr Brian Mitchell and Cr John Watson said there were many deserving organisations had applied. "There are some very worthy and hard-working clubs and organisations who have applied." he said.

Mayor Cr Anna Speedie echoed Cr Danny Lowe's sentiment that the funding stretched further when community groups were involved. "We are a better community for having these groups out there," she said. The next round of Community Impact Grants is now open. For more information and to apply, visit the grants and sponsorship page.

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The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network will begin woody weed removal works along Felltimber Creek next week. The works will start from the bridge at Felltimber Creek Road downstream to the edhe of the golf course. The works will involve a multi-staged approach to the rehabilitation of Felltimber Creek in line with the Wodonga Regional Waterway Action Plan. WULN project officer Sophie Enders said the project would build upon the momentum of previous community-lef projects. "The overall aim of this project is to improve the health of this section of the Felltimber Creek waterway," she said. "It will extend the Felltimber native habitat riparian corridor from the high-quality Swainsona Reserve upstream, into the heart of Wodonga.



"It addresses two priorities for Wodonga waterways; the removal of invasive species and the engagement of peri-urban landholders with key threatening processes on private land." Stage one will involve the removal of woody weeds including Willows from this section of the waterway. "This part of the project will reduce threats to biodiversity and habitat loss by clearing a 2.25 ha urban public park site on Felltimber Creek of invasive Black willow and other woody weeds," she said.



"Willows will be cut, poisoned and removed or stem-injected in-situ where suitable to retain a temporary habitat structure." Stage two will involve replanting with native species. This will be done across two community planting mornings will be held in winter to plant 1000 locally appropriate species, mainly shrubs and understorey, to connect the existing remnant River Red gums in the riparian zone.



Stage two will be conducted across a series of weekends throughout July and August. The Friends of Felltimber Creek, who are partnering with WULN, have received funding for the project through the Commonwealth Communities Environment Program.

The Australian, NSW and Victorian Governments and Albury City and Wodonga Council have formally committed to developing an Albury-Wodonga Regional Deal. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the three levels of government have signed a Statement of Intent setting out a shared vision and priorities for the initiative. “This is a significant step forward in delivering this landmark agreement for the Albury-Wodonga region, setting out our collective vision and commitment to the region and the people who live and work there,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.



Assistant Minister for Territories and Regional Development Nola Marino said the Regional Deal will seek to ensure the region prospers over the next decade by supporting population growth and economic development, while also ensuring it remains a nationally significant, liveable and prosperous region. “The Deal will be the first cross-border Deal in Australia, providing an opportunity to harmonise some of the regulatory barriers the region faces and to drive local growth and productivity,” Assistant Minister Marino said.



“We recognise the current challenging circumstances for Albury Wodonga as an important border town. The evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation and the subsequent border closures are directly affecting the region and all towns along the Victorian border. While these measures are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our community, we recognise the social and economic hardship they place on communities. So our collective commitment to the Albury Wodonga Regional Deal has never been more important than it is right now and signing the Statement of Intent is a vital step forward.”



NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the Deal reflected the significant opportunities for the region, with several broad focus areas outlined in the Statement of Intent.



“All Governments have agreed to focus on economic development, cross-border harmonisation, productivity enhancing infrastructure and connectivity improvements, enhancing liveability, leveraging the region’s quality health and education facilities, as well as supporting the Indigenous community as key pillars of the future Deal,” Mr Barilaro said. Victoria Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said these areas of focus will shape the business and community consultation about the commitments to be included in the Regional Deal.

“Locals should be consulted, as they know what will work best to meet community needs – they will continue to be critical to a Deal of which the region owns and can be proud,” Ms Symes said.



Mayor of Albury City Kevin Mack said community consultations will begin shortly to understand the priorities, opportunities and challenges that exist in the region. “It is important we work hand-in-hand with the local community at every step to ensure the Deal will help secure the future prosperity and liveability of the region,” Cr Mack said.



Wodonga Mayor Anna Speedie said all levels of Government remained committed to progressing a Regional Deal in the face of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Business and community consultation will provide an opportunity to better understand and consider how the Deal can also play a role in addressing community priorities following the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfire season and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr Speedie said.



Minister for the Environment and Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said what makes this agreement unique also makes it potentially the most exciting of Australia’s Regional Deals so far.



“With five different signatures, this is a real signal of cooperation from each level of Government that we want to help local businesses and our communities to thrive. This cross border region is always at its best when we are able to work together,” Ms Ley said.

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will support construction jobs across Victoria by jointly investing an additional $525 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the Victorian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.



“Partnering with State and Territory Governments to invest in more infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said. “This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $830 million to Victoria in the past eight months. “This package builds on the fast tracking of $514 million for infrastructure in Victoria which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”



Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government has worked with the Victorian Government to provide additional funding for two key infrastructure projects. “We are providing an additional $178.2 million towards the Regional Rail Revival package in Victoria, bringing the total Australian Government contribution to this project to $1.8 billion,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.



“The Federal Government will also provide an additional $70.6 million in funding to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway East between Traralgon and Sale, bringing the total Australian Government contribution to $202.6 million for this project.”



Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the additional $320 million in federal funding had taken the Commonwealth’s infrastructure investment in Victoria to more than $29.5 billion. “Federal funding for this package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works and is in addition to our existing commitments,” the Treasurer said. “We will continue to work closely with both levels of Government in Victoria to get Victorians home sooner and safer whilst creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.”



The Victorian Government will also provide $179.8 million towards the two key projects and $25.7 million for targeted road safety works.



Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said the road and rail projects will better connect Victorians and provide a boost for major regional centres. “This partnership with the Commonwealth will build projects regional communities need and help keep our construction industry strong – which is more important than ever right now as we rebuild from the pandemic,” the Premier said. “This package is on top of our $2.7 billion we’re investing in new projects across the state to get shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud – to kickstart our economy.”



Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge the said funding injection would deliver shovel-ready projects for Victoria. “This funding will significantly boost the Regional Rail Revival Package, helping to improve conditions for train passengers on their journeys to and from Melbourne,” Mr Tudge said. “At the same time, investment in targeted road safety works and the Princes Highway duplication will mean safer, reliable roads for thousands of Victorians.”



Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said this investment built on the State Government’s investment in roads and rail in regional Victoria. “We’re building the transport infrastructure to support better connections to our regional cities and country towns and deliver safer roads and more reliable regional rail journeys.”

"Family owned, Rochford Wines is a must visit destination – as both a renowned Yarra Valley winery and Yarra Valley restaurant - all located in tranquil and picturesque surrounds. The vineyard and winery incorporates the acclaimed Isabella's Restaurant, cellar door and shop, together with other purpose built facilities – a conservatory, a pavilion, amphitheatre and lakeside deck - to service fabulous outdoor concerts, summer food and wine festivals, and a host of other functions and events.



Our wines continue to earn great respect, being handcrafted using fruit sourced from four exceptional vineyards. Our viticultural practices are based around maintaining balance in the vineyards, sustainability and responsiveness to changing environmental conditions. Our wine making philosophy is to produce the best fruit possible in the vineyard, handle the fruit gently to preserve fruit character, minimise extraction and allow the wines to express the individuality of the vineyard and each growing season.



Rochford Wines Yarra Valley has become a showpiece of the region, widely acclaimed for its food and wine and its contribution to wine tourism, having outstanding facilities for every scale of function or event, from intimate weddings or a diversity of corporate functions, to grand outdoor concerts.



Through passion and dedication to customer service, the team at Rochford Wines aim to provide visitors with an engaging and very memorable experience."

The Morrison Government will invest $270 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade the capability and potency of the Australian Defence Force to keep Australians safe while protecting the country’s interests in a changing global environment. In its 2020 Defence Strategic Update, released today, the Morrison Government will signal a key change in Australia's defence posture, as it prioritises the Indo-Pacific region.



The update provides a new plan to tackle Australia’s defence challenges while increasing investment and personnel across the entire ADF.



Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Strategic Update would also mean more job opportunities as Australia’s increasingly capable and sovereign defence industry grows. “My first priority is keeping Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said. “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring the Australian Defence Force is equipped to meet our growing regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and to achieve our goals of regional stability, peace and security.



“Whether it’s our Pacific Step Up, our engagement with regional neighbours, or our deepening cooperation with partners new and old, our focus must be on the Indo-Pacific – it’s where we live and where our interests are.



“Our new strategic defence policy ensures that the Indo-Pacific is front of mind for our ADF and is prioritised in the decisions we make on our deployments and our force structure and capabilities.



“We are also providing Defence with the funding certainty it needs to deliver on our new strategic defence policy. “This will ensure we are able to shape our environment, deter actions against our interests and, if required, respond with military force. “More broadly, we are ensuring Defence has more durable supply chains, while further strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industry to create more high-tech Australian jobs and enhance the ADF’s self-reliance.” These new policy settings will be a long-term undertaking for Defence with implementation underway.



Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the recent bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a further dimension to what national defence entails, now and into the future. “Defence thinking, strategy and planning have shifted gears to respond to our constantly changing and deteriorating strategic and defence environment,” Minister Reynolds said. “Australia’s security environment is changing quickly, with militarisation, disruptive technological change and new grey zone threats making our region less safe. “That’s why this Government will invest in more lethal and long-range capabilities to hold adversary forces and infrastructure at risk further from Australia, including longer-range strike weapons, offensive cyber capabilities and area denial capabilities.



“We will also invest in capabilities to give Australia better awareness of our region and to support regional engagement, while substantially increasing our air and sea lift capability to ensure we can rapidly respond to events across our region. “These investments will provide significantly increased opportunity for Australia’s Defence industry, which the Morrison Government is committed to further strengthening.”



Australia’s defence industry is growing with over 4,000 businesses employing approximately 30,000 staff. An additional 11,000 Australian companies directly benefit from Defence investment and, when further downstream suppliers are included, the benefits flow to approximately 70,000 workers. Defence planning will prioritise Australia’s immediate region – ranging from the north-eastern Indian Ocean, through maritime and mainland South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and the South West Pacific. As a result, the new strategic policy will require force structure and capability adjustments, which are focused on the region, responding to grey-zone challenges that threaten our national interests, the possibility

In Arnhem Land they call Baker Boy the ‘fresh new prince’. His totem is the Olive Python, his moiety is Dhuwa and his skin is Burralung/Gela boy. Born in Darwin and raised in the remote NT communities of Yurrwi [formerly known as Milingimbi and Maningrida] 21 year-old Danzal Baker aka Baker Boy is related to rising stars Gawurra and Yirrmal. He is the freshest new Yolngu hip-hop talent from the Top End. Young, strong and proud Baker Boy raps in Yolngu Matha language representing his Arnhem Land bloodlines. He knows his value, his worth and he raps so others get it.



What seems to be a whirlwind of success since the debut of Baker Boy, Cloud 9 has manifested into a full-blown Cyclone Baker. After infiltrating the triple j crew with an instant full rotation addition and prospering in their appraisals Baker Boy’s career has dropped into 6th gear with new single Marryuna set to be a Summer festival anthem. Baker Boy is known as a multi-talented, multi-lingual artist, working across rap, dance, acting and graffiti, and he hopes to inspire younger generations to embrace their culture and become leaders in their communities. The southern hemisphere’s largest music conference BIGSOUND picked up on Baker Boy like a hot rock and threw him into the depths of their exciting first announce alongside notable Australian musicians.

Antwan André Patton, known by his stage name 'Big Boi', is a 7 time Grammy award winning hip-hop rap artist, producer and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia (USA).

Matthew James Colwell, better known by his stage name 360, is an Australian hip hop recording artist. He has released four studio albums: What You See Is What You Get (2008); Falling & Flying (2011), which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum; Utopia (2014), and "Vintage modern" (2017).

Australian vocalist and composer, Alyson Murray, is known for juxtaposing elements of soul, RnB and jazz into energetic and captivating music. Alyson has built her career on the foundations of a strong musical education. At the young age of 16, Alyson received an Outstanding Potential Award from the Australian Girls Choir (AGC), where she was also selected to preform in The Boy From Oz, Hugh Jackman production in Melbourne, and many other public performances including several Australian Football league Grand Final pre entertainment performances and the ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ Qantas advertisement.

Taking a well worn Bossa Nova book lavished with 60’s ballads and a happy handful of cabaret pizzazz this delightful quartet is far from a typical Melbourne Jazz experience.

With songs about boozy nights, bad decisions, broken hearts and the best intentions, Brooke Russell and The Mean Reds blend vintage Americana with widescreen, dark country.Drawing influence from alt-country, jazz and folk styles, the band are also inspired by the songs of Ryan Adams, Joe Henry, Sharon Van Etten, Gillian Welch, Tom Waits and Neko Case.Their second full-length album, The Way You Leave, document love, loss, friendship and regret and feature co-writes with Andrew Combs, Clare Reynolds, and Tobias Hengeveld as well as covers of JD Souther and Tom Waits.