Fwd: Sun.30.10.22 daily digest archive

[Roderick Smith]

Roderick

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Sun.30.10.22 Metro Twitter
Flinders St: still with a lane closed for tunnel works.
Because of tunnel works, Degraves St subway at Flinders St is closed until 2024. No platform transfer via Degraves St subway. Passengers should use Elizabeth & Swanston St entry/exits.  Campbell Arcade remains closed to 2024. Platform  interchange via that subway was available until mid 2022.
Bell: No lift access to platforms until Oct 2022, while works continue around the station precinct. A shuttle bus will run from Bell to Preston and Thornbury.  [the station opened on 5.9].
Hurstbridge line: Buses replace trains Heidelberg - Greensborough until the last train of Mon.31 Oct (works).
6.30 through to 19.00 Buses replace trains Frankston-Stony Point (an equipment fault), adding 25 minutes.
Lilydale/Belgrave/Alamein lines: Buses replace trains Burnley - Box Hill/Alamein from 20.25 until the last train (maintenance works).  Change at Camberwell for Alamein shuttle.
22.04  Craigieburn line: Major delays (police attending to a trespasser near Oak Park). Trains may terminate/originate at intermediate stations. 
- 22.20 clearing


11.7.18 TERMINUS TO GO AHEAD DESPITE BUSINESS FEARS.  Josh Barnes July 11, 2018 Moreland Leader
Melville Rd tram terminus to go ahead despite business closure fears as street unites to save Bell St Village Precinct
A Pascoe Vale South street has banded together to fight a planned terminus that one business owner is “99 per cent sure” will kill off her business.
A TRAM terminus will be built in Pascoe Vale South despite community anger, with businesses and property owners not on board with the plan.
Public Transport Victoria will build the terminus on Melville Rd from the intersection of Bell St across a six-day period in October.
The terminus will provide space for two trams to pass each other and access for disabled passengers. However, community concerns have been raised about parking and safety.
Plans show nature strips removed and replaced by indented parking spaces as well as a clearway on Melville Rd between 8am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm on weekdays to ease congestion.
Ozzie. O Barbershop owner Suzie Elasmar said she was “99 per cent sure” she would lose her business if the terminus went ahead.
“We rely on customers who are driving past and think they may as well stop in and after 4pm is our busiest time. No one is going to park and walk over from blocks away,” she said.
Mancini Hair Salon manager Nick Mancini, who hosted community meetings that drew more than 50 people, said his 51-year-old business was also under threat and that PTV had tried “divide and conquer” tactics.
“They tried to break people up and have individual meetings and they wouldn’t show us the plans beforehand,” he said.
“Everybody is happy for the stop to go ahead but they just haven’t asked for opinions in how it will affect us.”
Phillipa Ramoni from Pascoe Vale Soccer Store said she had not received letters and was “totally unaware” of what was happening.
Signs in front yards of homes and front windows of businesses show a tombstone and read “RIP Melville Rd and Bell St Village Precinct”. A petition has appeared online and in stores to halt the project.
A parking survey undertaken by PTV showed there were “398 parking spaces within a five-minute walk” of the site.
But it lists 45-minute customer parking in McDonald’s and Piedimonte’s IGA Supermarket among the options.
PTV spokesman Tim Clare said residents and traders had been encouraged throughout the process to make contact with PTV with questions or concerns they might have.
But resident Tim Beaumont said he has sent multiple requests for individual concerns to be addressed and didn’t receive specific responses.
He said he was told entrance to his home via his driveway would be possible “for the average car” but when he asked, he wasn’t given specifics on what that constituted.
“I’d like to think a community’s voice is important in a project like this but we just haven’t been listened to,” Mr Beaumont said.
Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz said the plan was baffling and that the money would be better spent extending the tram line.
Mr Clare said a drop-in session would be held on July 12 to receive more feedback before scheduled work began on October 13.
Residents and business owners are fuming over a proposed tram terminus on Melville Rd, Pascoe Vale South. Picture: Mark Dadswell
Businesses have come together to protest the incoming terminus. Picture: Mark Dadswell
Signs read “RIP Melville Rd”. Picture: Mark Dadswell
www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/melville-rd-tram-terminus-to-go-ahead-despite-business-closure-fears-as-street-unites-to-save-bell-st-village-precinct/news-story/3548a28a3fec903ce35edfe1570598cc

24.7.18 TRAM TERMINUS STILL ON TRACK.  Josh Barnes July 24, 2018 Moreland Leader
Public Transport Victoria defends consultation methods for its Melville Rd tram terminus at the Bell St Village Precinct
RESIDENTS, businesses and the mayor have slammed PTV’s consultation process for the Melville Rd tram terminus, forcing the State Government body to defend itself.
PUBLIC Transport Victoria has hit back at accusations from Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh that the public consultation on the impending Melville Rd tram terminus was “insufficient”.
The mayor made the comments about the plans for the terminus in Pascoe Vale South at this month’s council meeting, saying he wasn’t sure how much further consultation was planned but until now “it has been insufficient”.
“My experience is statutory authorities don’t do public consultation very well to be honest,” he said.
The plans for the terminus have drawn criticism from local residents and businesses, with many claiming they weren’t consulted properly or had their questions left unanswered by PTV.
PTV spokesman John Lindsay disputed Cr Kavanagh’s claim and said the State Government organisation had consulted with locals across a five-month period, which had resulted in improvements, such as the installation of bike hoops and added disabled parking.
Resident Tim Beaumont said the upgrades were token gestures and said the consultation process had been unfair, particularly after PTV scheduled a drop-in information session at an upstairs dance studio that was inaccessible to many elderly and disabled people.
Cr Kavanagh also said he was “surprised” the upstairs venue had been selected.
Pascoe Vale Soccer Store employee Filippa Raponi said she had been shown four separate designs for the stop and questioned why the public was only shown one option.
An extension of the line past Melville Rd and installing the terminus in wider, nearby Turner St was not considered by PTV.
Protesters at the site of a proposed tram terminus in Pascoe Vale South. Picture: Mark Dadswell
Protesters against the current terminus plans. Picture: Mark Dadswell
Businesses plead for PTV to ‘save our village’. Picture: Mark Dadswell
www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/public-transport-victoria-defends-consultation-methods-for-its-melville-rd-tram-terminus-at-the-bell-st-village-precinct/news-story/21d60b1b344acfefb2504b72cb4e0b6f

25.7.18 NICHOLSON ST SAFETY CAMPAIGN GETS TICK FROM POLITICIANS.  Josh Barnes July 25, 2018 Moreland Leader
Labor and Greens Brunswick candidates Cindy O’Connor and Tim Read get behind Nicholson St safety campaign
BOTH major candidates for the seat of Brunswick have found something they agree on — road safety on dangerous section of Nicholson St.
THE continuing campaign to slow down motorists on Nicholson St in Coburg has been given the tick of approval by two of the top state election candidates.
Labor’s Cindy O’Connor and the Greens’ Tim Read, who will fight it out for the seat of Brunswick at the November state election, have pledged support to the Pedestrian Safety for Nicholson St Coburg group.
Safety gaps identified by the group include a 40km/h speed limit on all approaches to the intersection of Nicholson St, Holmes St and Moreland Rd, increased street lighting, and speed and red light cameras.
Earlier this month Moreland Council squashed the idea of speed reductions to 30km/h in Brunswick and plans to advocate for reductions on roads like Nicholson St.
Mr Read said he also supported flashing “give way to pedestrian” lights.
“Reducing the speed limit provides more protection than slow down signs, costs nothing and should have been done in 2016 when the council raised it with Vic-Roads,” he said.
Two people have died in collisions at that intersection since 2014 and one woman was killed on Nicholson St, near Moore St, in 2016. “This grassroots campaign is one that I am proud to support … I look forward to working with them,” Ms O’Connor, who has attended group meetings, said.
In June, the State Government announced $470,000 in funding for pedestrian lights at the intersection of Moore and Nicholson streets.
Group spokeswoman Helen Kratzman said she was told the plan would take about a further $1 million to implement and urged the community to “get the job done and save lives”.
Signs on fences on the road urge cars to slow down.
“We need more support from the community to report accidents on our Facebook page or to the council and keep them honest,” she said.
Signs on Nicholson St urge motorists to slow down. Picture: Mark Dadswell
The Nicholson, Holmes and Moreland streets intersection. Picture: Mark Dadswell
www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/labor-and-greens-brunswick-candidates-cindy-oconnor-and-tim-read-get-behind-nicholson-st-safety-campaign/news-story/40ae4275392a83173526251b2b36a0a0

Victorian State Election 2018: Independent candidates criticise Lizzie Blandthorn, say Labor ignoring Pascoe Vale.  Josh Barnes July 31, 2018 Moreland Leader
A POLITICAL expert says Pascoe Vale will be left behind because of the voters preferences, despite two high profile locals announcing their candidacy for the seat.
VOTERS in the seat of Pascoe Vale will continue to be left behind unless there is a change to their historical Labor preference, a political expert says.
Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh and councillor Oscar Yildiz have both declared their candidacy for the seat as independents after voicing frustration with the lack of funding and advocacy by the incumbent, Labor’s Lizzie Blandthorn.
But Monash University senior politics lecturer Nick Economou said the cash flow would continue to other areas and not into Pascoe Vale until voters caused the seat to become marginal.
A 17 per cent swing will be required to prise the seat from Labor.
“The reality is that (political parties) concentrate on where you need to win the votes,” Dr Economou said.
“That’s the rules and whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up to the voters.”
Cr Kavanagh announced his candidacy last week and said he was frustrated that Ms Blandthorn had been “invisible on major issues”.
Pascoe Vale state Labor MP Lizzie Blandthorn.
He said the lack of support for pools and schools had particularly frustrated him.
Cr Yildiz said Pascoe Vale had been ignored by major parties for too long.
The $27.3 million redevelopment of Oak Park Aquatic Centre was paid entirely out of Moreland Council’s coffers.
Pascoe Vale Primary School fought for years for a major building upgrade and had to rely on a generator for power before being promised $3 million for a masterplan and first stage upgrades earlier this year, while there has been no support from a State Government level for the Give Glenroy a Go campaign.
Councillor Oscar Yildiz has joined the race.
Ms Blandthorn pointed to the $3.5 million upgrade to the Upfield Bike Path and $3 million for the Coburg City Oval refurbishments as an example of achievements in her time in the job.
“I’ve achieved significant investments in our local schools, public transport and community infrastructure and I promise to do more of the same,” she said.
Cr Kavanagh said public transport would be one of his priorities and he would attempt to abolish Zone 2 travel, which leads to cars parking at stations such as Glenroy to avoid extra charge.
Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh says not enough has been done by the State Government in Pascoe Vale. Picture: Josie Hayden
An ambitious “outer rim” railway line to link key lines and the airport is one issue Cr Yildiz plans to raise in his campaign.
Dr Economou said a drastic change would have to be made by voters in the November election to make a difference to the seat, which has only ever been held by Labor.
“Once you have a population of higher than about 20,000 to 30,000, voters generally have no idea who the candidates are, they just look for the party identifiers,” he said.
“If these people are going to run as independent, experience suggests they will be lucky to get three to four per cent (of the vote).”
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/victorian-state-election-2018-independent-candidates-criticise-lizzie-blandthorn-say-labor-ignoring-pascoe-vale/news-story/c44d033be71fefb9352c78b944c3797f

12.10.18 Where tow trucks do a roaring trade.  Kieran Rooney October 12, 2018
ILLEGALLY parked cars are being hauled off Sydney Rd at a rate of 29 per week, with the popular shopping strip the worst spot for towaways in the state.
Figures released by Vic­Roads show there have been 1217 vehicles removed from the busy clearway this year alone as drivers flaunt parking restrictions during peak periods.
Johnston St, Fitzroy was the second busiest spot for tow truck drivers with 694 cars taken away while 522 vehicles were dragged off Victoria St, Richmond.
There are 77 clearways, stretches of road where parking is banned during busy hours, across Melbourne and about 10,000 cars are towed away from these streets every year.
“When you park in a clearway, you’re effectively reducing the capacity of the road by up to 50 per cent, causing frustration for drivers getting to and beyond local shopping centres, and potentially delaying emergency vehicles,” Vic­Roads director of journey services Sameem Moslih said.
“There’s nothing more frustrating than being stuck in peak-hour traffic and seeing a single parked car in a clearway zone.
“It’s important that drivers obey clearway zones, so that everyone can get to where they need to be as quickly and ­efficiently as possible.”
About 10,000 cars are towed away from clearways in Melbourne each year.
Motorists who have their car towed in a clearway are charged a $334 release fee by VicRoads but parking fines are only handed out by local ­councils.
RACV roads and traffic manager Dave Jones said clearways were important in reducing congestion across inner-city and middle suburbs with less road space.
“We need to ensure there’s enough road space for moving people in cars, bikes and all forms of transport,” he said.
“On Sydney Rd we’ve clearly observed people are being selfish and stopping in to get a coffee which becomes a danger to riders.
“It is a safety issue and an inconvenience when cars take advantage of what should be a lane of traffic for motorists.”
Mr Jones said authorities should work together to stamp out the problem.
“They need police, councils and VicRoads all working together to fine people who are illegally parked in that period,” he said.
“We need to be constantly reviewing the clearways we’ve got and looking at a whole lot of inner-city routes.”
www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/where-tow-trucks-do-a-roaring-trade/news-story/5f0316010808e53396fb9784fd942842

16.10.18 State Election 2018: Labor pledges to upgrade Merlynston station carpark.  Josh Barnes October 16, 2018 Moreland Leader 4 Comments
Cars at Merlynston station have been forced to squeeze in on gravel.
MORE than 130 new carparking spots will be added to a key northern suburbs railway station under a Labor pre-election pledge.
The “appalling” gravel carpark at Merlynston station on the Upfield line will be removed and an extra 137 car spaces added if Labor is re-elected in November.
The 355 new and upgraded car parks were announced by Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Pascoe Vale state Labor MP Lizzie Blandthorn.
The existing 218 spaces at the station are full by the morning peak, forcing commuters to park on gravel or clog up neighbouring streets.
But independent candidate for Pascoe Vale and Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz said it was “no coincidence” the announcement was made just six days after he posted a video to Facebook promising to fix the carpark should he be elected.
Cr Yildiz questioned the timing of the upgrade, which will be funded from the State Government’s $150 million Carparks for Commuter Fund.
“My argument is this has been a safe Labor seat for 63 years, why didn’t they make this announcement three decades ago?” he said. “It’s Third World standard and it’s been like that for decades … I actually damaged my car quite badly because the driveway is too steep.”
Cars at Merlynston station have been forced to park on gravel.
Leader reader Lucy Palermo said it was about time the parking situation was improved.
“That area is appalling, can’t believe its taken so long,” she said.
Ms Blandthorn said she had been campaigning for the upgrade.
“I am very excited that we will seal the carpark, provide more parking spaces and make the station safe with better lighting, CCTV and bike cages,” she said.
Buses stop at the station every 30 minutes on weekdays. When questioned about increasing services, Ms Allan told the Leader: “buses are a big part of what we do”. The pledge was part of a funding blitz last week from Ms Blandthorn, who also announced $9.2 million for renovations at Glenroy Secondary College and $1 million for an upgrade of learning areas at Corpus Christi Primary School in Glenroy.
video: Metro Tunnel archeological dig
Time lapse of the Metro Tunnel archeological dig on Swanston St, Melbourne, which has revealed the...
16.10.18 https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/state-election-2018-labor-pledges-to-upgrade-merlynston-station-carpark/news-story/0706562edc3128779b77cf3f3f6b7582
* The promises from Daniel Andrews are coming at a furious pace now that the state election is next month.  Labor have been in power in VIC for 15 out of the last 19 years, why did it take them this long to try and build a much needed parking lot?  Don't buy into their empty promises, because that's exactly what they are - empty promises.
* A third world carpark that matches our third world public transport system 
* Maybe use the really expensive rates currently experienced in Moreland to provide better parking.
* This just shows that Labor our out there trying to buy votes again. For too long now they have forgotten about safe labour areas like this one, they have been in power for 15 of the last 19 years and these are the things we put up with in safe labour seats. They have had 4 years to fix this, but are not interested. Lets vote Dan and his little sidekick James out and show them they need to start thinking of everyone.

23.10.18 RADICAL PLAN TO STOP SYDNEY RD TRAFFIC WOES.  Josh Barnes October 23, 2018.  Moreland Leader 13 Comments
TRADERS along Sydney Rd Brunswick, the state’s top location for towaways and a notorious cycling blackspot, have come up with a proposal to fix the thoroughfare’s chronic traffic problems.
Parking would be removed during peak times from one side of Sydney Rd under a new proposal.
The Sydney Road Brunswick Association want to ban motorists from parking along one side of Sydney Rd during peak hour.
Parking would be banned on the citybound side of the road between 7am and 9am on weekdays, and the same would be applied on the opposite side of the road between 4pm and 6pm.
And vehicles will be left to share one lane of traffic with trams.
Association manager Claire Perry said the idea was a compromise to give cyclists safe passage during peak times, while still allowing parking for traders during the day.
The plans cater for landscape extensions of the pedestrian walkways at planned tram super stops to allow easier access for disabled passengers, and call for more signs pointing motorists to off-street parking.
It comes after VicRoads figures show Sydney Rd led Victoria for the most vehicles towed, with 1217 cars removed so far this year.
Ms Perry said the poor condition of the Upfield bike path was forcing cyclists on to Sydney Rd.
“We’re addressing the problem of peak time cyclists,” she said.
Towing is big business on Sydney Rd. Picture: Mark Dadswell
Safety-proofing Sydney Rd for cyclists is shaping up as an election issue with Greens candidate for Brunswick Tim Read last month calling for parking to be removed from the road to make way for a dedicated cycling lane.
The association will also campaign for free parking on the road for the first two hours and more pedestrian crossings.
Ms Perry said she had seen tow trucks targeting cars parked in clearways before towing them. “I think it’s generally because they forget about the clearway starting after 4pm,” she said.
RACV roads and traffic manager Dave Jones said clearways were important to reduce congestion.
“On Sydney Rd we’ve clearly observed people being selfish and stopping in to get a coffee which becomes a danger to riders,” he said.
“It is a safety issue and an inconvenience when cars take advantage of what should be a lane of traffic.”
video Cyclist near-miss reel.  Brisbane cyclist commuter Patrick Pramana compiled this highlights reel of near misses, from footage...
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/sydney-rd-brunswick-proposed-changes-will-see-parking-removed/news-story/c3c514d1f3b005b6d1ffc0008edb64e4
* So the plan is to remove parking on Sydney Rd in favour of cyclists.  Because it worked so well in Bridge Rd and Chapel Street, which have become retail zombieland.  Can't beat the Greens when it comes to killing commerce and private enterprise.
* Greens couldn't give a rats.
* I counted five cars parked at 5.15 yesterday. If cyclists don’t want to dice with traffic, move over 100m to the bike path.
* Whenever you can see a 1km stretch of cars moving at 30Kph you can bet at the front is a tram trundaling along at 30Kph. The most useless inefficient form of public transport.
* On Sydney Rd?  If the tram wasn’t there, those several thousand single-occupant vehicles could all safely zoom up and down at 60 or 80 km/h? 
* Either ban the Cars, Trucks (some) and the Bikes or the Parking, or both. Then, you will have faster tram time, more trams. And Fire, Ambos, Police, etc can get to you, quicker...
* It's not the poor condition of the Upfield bike path that is forcing cyclists on to Sydney Rd, it's because the want to ride at pace and the bike path doesn't allow for that with its narrowness, slow bike riders, pedestrians and numerous crossings in their way.
* That's their problem.
* Granted people may be late just after the clearway starts, but I drive up Sydney road each day between 5:30 and 6pm when the clearway is in place. Between Brunswick Road and Moreland Road there would be on average at least 10 cars a day parked illegally. That's just a plain disregard for other road users, not forgetfulness. 
* Or the signage isn't effective.
* It is not the signage, it is the drivers with no knowledge and/or respect of traffic rules whatsoever. 
* So is a peak hour Clearway a novel idea? I checked the date to see if it came form 1960, but it said 2018. Why is this news?
* I notice the above photo is outside a construction site where they just plonk down concrete barriers for months or more in front of construction zones.

CFMEU ad says ‘Dan might be a pr--k, but he’s a p---k who’s delivering for construction workers’.  Shannon Deery and Kieran Rooney October 30, 2022.  767 Comments
The construction union has stepped up its campaign to get Labor re-elected, telling members “if the Libs get in, we’re f---ed”.
The Premier is described in the ad as ‘a pr--k who’s delivering for construction workers’. Picture: Luis Ascui
Footage has emerged of a CFMEU figure urging construction workers to vote Labor or risk losing their jobs, incorrectly claiming the Opposition would stop building schools and hospitals.
The man also urges people to vote for the party “regardless of what we think about Dan Andrews” and comes just days after the union put out posters calling the premier a “prick”.
The footage, posted on Instagram page Discernable, alleges the recording was made during a “toolbox talk” at a worksite on Friday morning.
In a speech, the man references a recent event with union secretaries which Mr Andrews spoke at and urges the workers to vote for the party.
“Regardless of what we think about Dan Andrews, everyone’s got their own opinion, we actually need Labor to get in,” he said.
“Matthew Guy said he’s going to stop the rail crossing removals.
“He’ll stop the schools being built, he’ll stop the hospitals being built.”
The Liberals and Nationals have committed to end “wasteful spending” but have made no pledges to stop schools and hospitals being built.
Instead, they have said they will shelve the Suburban Rail Loop and spend $35bn in new hospitals and health system upgrades.
An audit would also be conducted on major projects in an effort to address cost blowouts.
Labor has committed to remove 110 level crossings by 2030, building on their previous election promises to remove 85.
The Coaliton has not matched this new commitment, but have pledged multiple level crossing projects as part of railway upgrades and extensions out to Baxter and Clyde.
Victorian Labor has repeatedly threatened that the Coalition would cut infrastructure and services as part of their pre-election attacks.
To justify this, they have largely drawn comparisons to former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett or to any cuts made during the single term of the Baillieu and Napthine governments.
Over the past few days, the CFMEU has joined the fray with a campaign urging construction workers to vote Labor even if they do not like Mr Andrews.
Insiders believe this is partly linked to resentment against the state government over the Covid pandemic.
Late last year, riots broke out across Melbourne after a protest outside the CFMEU head office against vaccine mandates and other rules spiralled out of control.
In the video, the CFMEU figures acknowledge that some workers may still dislike the premier.
“The message from our union leaders, executives is you’re not voting for Dan Andrews you’re voting for your f---ing job,” he said.
“Everyone’s gonna have their own opinion and that’s fine
At the moment they said we’ve got work for 10 to 15 years
“If Liberal do get in, we’re f---ed.”
The man also said that CFMEU boss John Setka had told him “we don’t tell anybody how to vote”.
“A lot of people come in from countries that were oppressed,” he said.
“We’re not about to tell them how to f---ing vote
“Earl Setches (plumbing union boss) is bit different, he says ‘I’m telling you to fucking vote Labor’.”
It comes after the union dubbed the Premier a “p---k” in posters put up at building sites across Melbourne.
“Dan might be a p---k, but he’s a p---k who’s delivering for construction workers,” the poster reads.
“Labor will keep you in work for another 30 years.”
Other posters being circulated by the CFMEU question the government’s Covid restrictions.
“A lot of us didn’t agree with Dan during the pandemic,” it reads.
“Fair enough but (he) kept us working and providing for our families.
“Only Labor will build infrastructure and hospitals, keeping construction in work.”
The CFMEU’s poster that’s been placed in building sites across Melbourne.
The ad highlights more than $100bn in funding for major infrastructure projects including the Suburban Rail Loop which the state opposition has vowed to scrap if elected.
Construction sources say union representatives have been warning against a vote for the Liberals “because they don’t build anything”.
It comes following a meeting between union boss John Setka, other senior construction figures and Treasurer Tim Pallas and senior minister Ben Carroll last week.
Sources familiar with the lunch, at Carlton’s Epocha, said “ALP fundraising” was central to the meeting.
CFMEU boss John Setka recently met with Labor’s Tim Pallas and Ben Carroll. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt
The call to support Labor comes despite a tense relationship between the union and the government throughout the pandemic.
In September last year thousands of protesters, including construction workers, rallied against ongoing lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations.
On several occasions chaos erupted outside the CFMEU office on Elizabeth St.
Hundreds of protesters turned on the union, furious it had not done more to oppose mandatory vaccine rules.
The protesters attempted to storm the building, kicking in doors, smashing glass and brawling as they rounded on Mr Setka.
The union accused “outside extremists” of manipulating its members, saying the angry mob had been “infiltrated by neo-Nazis”.
“They’re not really unionists, they’re just the scum of the earth as far as I’m concerned,” Mr Setka said at the time.
www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/state-election/cfmeu-ad-says-dan-might-be-a-prk-but-hes-a-prk-whos-delivering-for-construction-workers/news-story/0183feaeba9f70b5f56b037db7e16da8

$250 travel card for regional NSW students.  Phoebe Loomes October 30 2022.
Students/trainees in regional NSW will be given $250 worth of free travel to help with course costs. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
University students, apprentices and trainees from regional NSW will soon have access to $250 worth of free travel as the government launches a card to cut the cost of their commute.
The card will pay the cost of students' public transport, taxi fares or fuel, as they face rising cost of living pressures, Deputy Premier and Regional NSW Minister Paul Toole said Sunday.
"We all know that when we were students we didn't have much cash," Mr Toole said.
"We were worrying about every dollar, every cent, how we were going to spend it and where it was going to be spent."
The prepaid debit card can be used on public transport, petrol, Opal card top ups, taxi rides, electric charging stations and privately operated coaches, and will become available from next year.
Regional students face a number of different challenges to those in metropolitan areas including a lack of access to public transport, the minister added, and the $250 card would make a world of difference.
Apprentices will be able to apply for the card in February, and university students will be eligible to apply in April.
The travel card is being rolled out for a two year trial period, Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said.
The card will be open to students aged 16, up to the pension age of 66 years and six months.
"It's not just about young students ... you can be someone transitioning careers, you can be upskilling, you can be a 50 year old apprentice," Mr Farraway added.
To be eligible for the card, students must reside in a regional area outside Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, be undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship registered with Training Services NSW or an undergraduate university course that is full time and face to face.
They must also meet citizenship or permanent residency requirements.
The program builds on the government's Regional Seniors Travel Card, which has been taken up by more than one million seniors, adding $200 million to the NSW economy.
Australian Associated Press
www.examiner.com.au/story/7961827/250-travel-card-for-regional-nsw-students