News in brief
Image: Potts Point artist Shayne Chester is auctioning work to raise money for asylum seekers. Photo: Chris Peken
Success for Facebook fundraiser
An art auction by a Potts Point-based artist has raised $10,000 for asylum seekers. Bids from the artwork displayed on Facebook came from across Australia, with funds raised benefiting asylum seeker centres in Newtown and Sydney and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne.
The artist, Shayne Chester, said he was overwhelmed by the public reception.
“This auction has also been something that art can do in response to the horrors of this country’s treatment of asylum seekers,” he said.
Money raised will go towards much needed food and toiletries.
Mitchell Library plans revised
Plans to renovate the Mitchell Reading Room at the State Library have been revised in response to an outcry from scholars and authors.
A petition by literary figures including Linda Jaivin and David Malouf attracted more than 10,000 signatures against the proposed refurbishment.
The revised plans will return book and card catalogues to the space and allow the use of special collection items in the reading room.
Researchers will also be able to continue to use the space, which will be expanded by a glass wall at the back of the room.
New fees for venues
The NSW government has unveiled plans for a new levy on pubs, clubs and other venues that serve alcohol.
The fees will be determined on a risk based assessment and could be as much as $24,500.
Risks to be considered include location, trading hours and venue capacity. The plan would replace current requirements of a one-off fee, with the new fee determined and paid annually.
It is expected that the new levy will put further pressure on struggling nightlife areas such as Oxford Street.
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