9 OCTOBER 2020
ISSUE 263
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
Council pushes financial alarm bell
News
The Australian Men’s Shed Association has supported the health and wellbeing of older men for over 20 years, an act of kindness local, Ross Murray, has received firsthand. See page 4
Out&About
For artist Catherine O’Donnell, taking the major honour in the Gosford Art Prize, among “so many deserving and talented artists” was amazing. See page 17
Business The State Government will appoint an independent financial expert and a human resources adviser to look into Central Coast Council’s finances after the Council announced on October 6 that it was in serious trouble and faces “an immediate liquidity issue”. Continued page 9
Unions, Labor lament wage freeze for public servants Central Coast members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) gathered outside Gosford Hospital on October 8 to express their anger at the State Government’s virtual wage freeze for public sector workers.
Central Coast nurses and midwives protested the public sector wage freeze at Gosford Hospital on October 8
On October 1 the NSW Industrial Relations Commission awarded a 0.3 per cent pay increase for the sector, which includes health workers, teachers, fire fighters and police - well below the expected 2.5 per cent annual rise. NSWNMA Acting General
Secretary, Judith Kiejda, said members were shocked by the decision, having campaigned against the freeze for the past six months. Kiejda said the outcome was outrageous in light of the efforts of nurses and midwives during COVID-19, with some members forced to accept an increase of just 7 cents per hour, or $2.90 per week. “This is bitterly disappointing for NSW nurses and midwives who have sacrificed so much in one of the toughest years of their careers,” she said. “Other states including Victoria, South Australia and Queensland have agreed to pay
their nurses and midwives accordingly while NSW would rather spend money on fireworks – it’s outrageous. “The NSW Government is one of the largest employers on the Central Coast and the region desperately needs support to overcome the economic impact from the pandemic. “By imposing this wage freeze, the Berejiklian Government is inflicting more harm on the local community and its efforts to recover.” Member for The Entrance David Mehan said the 0.3 per cent pay rise was “very disappointing”. Continued page 9
It was a busy long weekend across the Central Coast as tourists flocked in from Sydney and further afield. See page 19
Sport
The possibility that the owner of a former La Liga football club will take over the Central Coast Mariners has come one step closer, with talks reportedly reaching final stages with the FFA. See page 40
Puzzles page 22
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