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Study subsidies strengthening NSW’s health workforce

More than 3,900 students across NSW have already benefitted from the Minns Labor Government’s $120 million investment in tertiary health study subsidies, with all subsidies now awarded for the 2024 calendar year.

The recipients of the subsidies include 1,840 nursing students, 280 midwifery students, 1,020 allied health, 520 medical students and 262 paramedical students.

Students beginning their degrees will receive subsidies of $4,000 per year over three years.

The subsidies, announced as part of the 2023-24 Budget, are also expected to support a further 8,000 healthcare students over the next four years.

Students seeking to receive the subsidy in 2025 can apply from mid-January 2025 and must be willing to make a five-year commitment to the NSW public health system.

The subsidies form part of a series of measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government to further strengthen the state’s health workforce, including:

  • Implementing the Safe Staffing Levels initiative in our emergency departments
  • Providing permanent funding for 1,112 FTE nurses and midwives on an ongoing basis
  • Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers
  • Beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.

The full list of 2025 eligible workforce groups will be available in October 2024 on the NSW Health website.

Premier Chris Minns:

“I am so pleased more than 3,900 people across NSW have already benefitted from our health worker study subsidies.

“The subsidies help students with costs such as fees, technology, travel, and helps us keep talented people here in NSW, working in the country’s largest public health system.

“Attracting skilled healthcare workers is a longstanding challenge, and while there is a long way to go rebuilding our healthcare system, we are committed to doing it so that people can access the care they need, when they need it.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We are shoring up the future of our health workforce in NSW and we’re honouring our election commitment to reducing financial barriers to studying healthcare.

“When we boost our health workforce we improve health outcomes, it’s as simple as that.

“It’s encouraging to see such a strong subscription of these subsidies.”

Survey highlights growing concerns ahead of Social Media Summit

The Minns Labor Government has released the findings of a major statewide survey, revealing widespread community concerns about the impact of social media on children, young people, and broader society.

The survey, conducted between 11 August and 15 September this year, engaged more than 21,000 participants from across the state through the ‘Have Your Say’ platform.

This is the largest response to a ‘Have Your Say’ public consultation to date.

It found that 87 per cent of respondents support implementing age restrictions for social media use, with 16 being the most suggested minimum age.

This sentiment was particularly strong among parents, with 91 per cent of those with children aged 5-17 advocating for age limits.

The survey reveals a growing concern over the time young people spend on social media, with those aged 16-17 averaging over three hours per day. This trend begins as early as 10-12 years old, where 70 per cent of children are already using social media, and usage steadily increases with age.

Additionally, 35 per cent of parents of 13-15 year olds, especially in single-parent households, report that social media has a ‘negative’ or ‘very negative’ impact on their child’s life.

Parents cited concerns over excessive screen time leading to issues such as addiction, exposure to inappropriate content and the detrimental effect on their children’s daily responsibilities.

Young people themselves echoed some of this sentiment, with 66 per cent of 16-17 year olds expressing that social media distracts them from essential tasks such as schoolwork and family obligations.

The survey highlights a clear correlation between time spent on social media and negative outcomes reported by parents. Parents whose children use social media for more than four hours a day were more than twice as likely to note negative impacts on their child’s life, compared to parents whose children spend less than an hour a day online. 

The most frequently mentioned issues include ‘cyber security risks’, ‘exposure to harmful content’, and ‘concerns over how social media usage is affecting children’s behaviour’. Notably, parents of younger children who lack rules or safety measures often cited uncertainty about what to implement, signalling a need for more guidance and solutions.

The insights gathered from the survey will play a crucial role in shaping discussions at the upcoming Social Media Summit.

Jointly hosted by the NSW Government and the Government of South Australia, the first of its kind two-day, two-state event will bring together experts, policymakers, young people, and community voices to discuss strategies to combat the negative impacts of social media and foster a more positive digital future.

The summit will start at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on Thursday, 10 October and continue the following day at Adelaide’s Convention Centre.

Further details about the summit, including full event schedules and online live streaming information, will be released soon.

To see the full report of survey findings and to stay updated on the summit, visit www.nsw.gov.au/socialmediasummit.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“The community has spoken, and the message is clear. Parents are concerned about how social media is impacting the lives of young people.

“The huge response to this survey sends a powerful message about the extent of community concern.

“Parents and children are rightly concerned about this giant global unregulated experiment on young people.

“The feedback we’ve received will guide discussions at the Social Media Summit and help the government as we respond to the harmful aspects of social media.”

NSW long weekend: Domestic, family and sexual violence

As New South Wales enters a long weekend the Minns Labor Government is reminding the community that domestic, family and sexual violence is never acceptable.

With large events over the weekend, where many will be celebrating and consuming alcohol, I ask everyone to play a part in ensuring that all members of the community are safe and respected.

If you witness unacceptable behaviour, call it out.

If you are concerned about the safety of someone you know, or your own, please contact:

The NSW Domestic Violence Line on: 1800 656 463

Or, 1800 RESPECT on: 1800 737 732

If it is an emergency, please contact Triple Zero: 000

We know that at times of large events there is a concerning trend of increased instances of domestic, family and sexual violence.

Sadly, as many in the community gather this weekend in celebration, there will be others who do not feel safe in their own homes, who are the victims of domestic abuse.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to taking meaningful and ongoing action to ensure women across the state are safe, but we know we cannot do this without the community’s help.

This long weekend, check on your friends, do not ignore signs of concerning behaviour and help us in our work towards creating a safer New South Wales. The stakes are far too high for anyone to not play their part.

For those experiencing domestic and family violence, you have a right to safety and help is available.

Support available:

In an emergency, where there is an immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000)

NSW Domestic Violence Help Line: 1800 65 64 63

1800RESPECT: 1800 7377 32

Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 18 00

Further information on if you suspect and want to help someone in a domestic violence situation is available here.

Information on how to spot the signs of coercive control is available here. 

Record breaking season for Snowy Mountains Bus Service

A record breaking number of people have ditched cars for the Minns Labor Government’s expanded Snowy Mountains Bus Service which has hit a major milestone of more than 90,000 customer journeys for the first time.

This snow season has been the service’s most successful ever, with more than 10,000 additional journeys taken compared to the 2023 season.

The success of the service has led to improved road safety, with Transport for NSW estimating about 30,000 fewer car trips have been taken to and from the Alpine slopes due to the availability of the bus service.

The winter school holidays was unsurprisingly the busiest period this year, with an additional 50 services scheduled to manage the demand. Between 8 and 28 July, 409 services ran at 100 per cent capacity – or about 20 per cent of all services.

Feedback from passengers was again overwhelmingly positive, with 90 per cent of those surveyed saying they would use the service again.

The Snowy Mountains Bus Service for 2024 will conclude on 6 October.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Minns Labor Government is proud to have supported another successful season for the Snowy Mountains Bus Service which is going from strength to strength.

“In response to this growing demand, we delivered an expansion of routes to include a Cooma via Berridale to Jindabyne service while more trips were also added to support the school holiday peak.

“Increased services led to improved safety on our roads at the busiest times for the snowfields, contributing to fewer journeys by car on roads impacted by ice and snow.

“The convenience was experienced by both locals and visitors to our region who not only used the bus as a reliable way to get to the snow, but also to access our mountain trails for other recreational activities.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“The Snowy Mountains Bus Service continues to offer a reliable public transport option improving access to the snowfields for workers, visitors and locals. This also means less cars on the road which is a great safety outcome.

“The service allows a stress-free journey to the snowfields for all snow goers and takes the stress off drivers who might not have much experience driving in the alpine conditions.”

Pro-Palestine and Peaceful Protest wins the day

The NSW Police application in the Supreme Court to prohibit pro Palestine assemblies in Sydney on 6 and 7 October has failed. After a day of hearing and negotiations between the Police and representatives of the Palestine Action Group (PAG), agreement was reached that the assemblies will go ahead and the police will withdraw their applications to prohibit the assemblies.

The parties asked the Court to make orders that the proceeding be dismissed. Each party pays their own costs and the prohibition order applications are not pressed.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “It was such poor judgement and use of public resources that the NSW Police Force would take the organisers of the longest running peaceful anti-war protests in two decades to court to prevent their planned assemblies. Once again a grassroots community justice movement has stood up for and defended our democracy and the fundamental right to protest in the courts against the strong-arm of an emboldened law-and-order state,”

“While democracy and the right to peacefully assemble and protest has ultimately won the day through, we must see this for what it is. The right to protest in NSW has been systematically attacked by successive Labor and Liberal Governments for decades. This sort of politics sends strong signals to Police that they don’t have to tolerate and assist with peaceful protest and non-violent civil disobedience,”

“The right of all individuals to exercise freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully has won the day, but the reality is, it should never have been on trial. If protest was enshrined into law in NSW as it is in other States and Territories, the NSW Police Force would not be so emboldened to attempt to remove these rights,”

“It was clear to every single person in the courtroom today that the Police applications were not well made and relied on arguments based on unknowns and assumptions laden with racist and intolerant undertones. The truth of the day is that the tinder-box is not the assemblies, but the inadequacy and poor judgement of the Police, the Premier and the Prime Minister,” Ms Higginson said.

ACT Labor sends clear message: if you want action on the housing crisis, vote Greens

The ACT Greens have described ACT Labor’s public housing proposal as underwhelming and disappointing, saying it falls far short of the bold, transformative action voters are demanding to fix the housing crisis in this election.

“In a market that is squeezing every last cent out of Canberrans and putting a reasonably priced home more and more out of reach, we urgently need to ramp up public housing construction to give many Canberrans rents they can actually afford,” said Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, Rebecca Vassarotti.

“But unfortunately, today’s announcement from ACT Labor lacks the ambition and the vision to make meaningful and practical change for Canberrans in an area that many Canberrans have flagged as their highest priority in this election.

“By leaving the bulk of their housing strategy to the market, ACT Labor’s will leave many Canberrans stuck with astronomical mortgage repayments and incredibly high rents for decades to come.

“Even worse, even with the current public housing waiting list, this plan will leave over 2000 people still without a safe place to call home. 

“The question Canberrans have to ask themselves is, are we really willing to vote for a future where the investor-first housing market continues unchecked? 

“Are we really willing to vote for a future where over 2,000 Canberrans remain homeless, while we fail to take action in one of the wealthiest cities in the country?

“This election, it’s time to demand real solutions. We need to see commitment to addressing the issue with urgency and conviction. When you scratch below the surface on this one, its limitations are quickly exposed.

“Building public homes that people can actually afford is one of the only levers the ACT Government has to make a real difference in this housing crisis. 

“The ACT Greens have a bold and ambitious plan to build 10,000 new public homes people can actually afford over the next decade.

“Because these homes will be built by the government, Canberrans will be sheltered from the investors’ market set up by the Federal Labor and Liberal parties, instead having a stable rent that doesn’t break the bank.

“Our plan is fully costed and modelled to show that the ACT Government can deliver on this level of ambition. 

“The message to Canberrans is clear, if you want meaningful action on the housing crisis, the only option this election is to vote Greens. 

“This kind of change is absolutely possible, all you have to do is vote for it.”

Our full plan to build public housing is available on the ACT Greens website

Labor must stop undermining global anti-deforestation action

Federal Forests Minister Julie Collins needs to stop undermining global efforts to fight deforestation by working to delay European Union anti-deforestation regulations, the Greens say.

“Instead of protecting precious native forests, Ms Collins has worked to delay European Union deforestation laws, aligning herself with corporate interests over forests, climate and nature,” Australian Greens Forests spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Collins has revealed her absolute culpability. She is complicit in the breakdown of the earth’s ecological and climate systems.”

“The world needs urgent action to stop deforestation to protect climate and nature, not delay and destruction.”

“Collins’ actions are a direct betrayal of the millions of Australians who want to see forests protected and strong climate action.”

“This is nothing less than a complete sell-out to industries that are devastating our environment.”

“Labor needs to stop blocking international action and start doing what’s right for our planet and future generations.”

“The world is facing twin crises of climate breakdown and mass extinction, and instead of being part of the solution, Labor is actively making things worse.”

“We need to end native forest logging and put in place far stronger protections for our natural environment.”

“Julie Collins and Anthony Albanese should be ashamed for siding with corporations and foreign governments that are bulldozing forests and driving species to extinction.”

Plibersek must reject Vitrinite’s Vulcan South Mine in light of illegal habitat clearing: Greens

Responding to revelations today of illegal landclearing destroying critical koala habitat to expand a coal mine in Queensland, the Greens have called on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to intervene immediately.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for the environment:

“The Minister must take immediate action to investigate and hold this coal company legally accountable. The Minister must also rule out handing the company any future approvals, including the one on her desk. 

“There should be a one-strike-and-you’re-out rule. These big coal companies can’t be trusted and must not be given any licence to destroy nature.

“The Minister has the power to stop the illegal destruction of koala habitat now, she should use it.

“This is a huge embarrassment for the Government mere days before it hosts the global Nature Positive Summit to boast about its supposed environmental credentials. There is nothing positive about destroying habitat and killing koalas to make way for more coal.

“The koala is one of Australia’s most internationally loved animals – and yet they are being pushed to the brink of extinction while the Government sits on its hands. 

“This is an international disgrace. Logging native forests, destroying critical habitat and greenlighting fossil fuels is nature negative. 

“Unauthorised land clearing has been left unchecked in Australia for decades, with industry thinking they get a free pass to clear critical habitat. This coal company must be held to account and held legally liable.

“Labor needs to stop taking selfies and start saving koalas from coal.

“Labor is failing our environment and failing to protect our koalas. The Government should work with the Greens to enforce and strengthen environment laws to stop native forest logging, protect habitat and ban new coal & gas mines. 

“The Greens are the only party Australians trust to protect the environment and climate.”

Further background:

Assisted-departure flights for Australians in Lebanon

As part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing work to assist Australians seeking to depart Lebanon, two Government-supported charter flights carrying up to 500 passengers will depart Beirut Airport tomorrow for Larnaca, Cyprus.

This continues the Australian Government’s work with partners and commercial airlines, which has seen seats secured on several flights this week, including a Canadian assisted-departure flight last night which had 41 Australians on board.

Further flights are planned for subsequent days and will be subject to demand.

Operation of the Australian Government-supported charter flights is subject to the airport in Beirut remaining open and other operational constraints.

Onward travel to Australia is being arranged for those landing in Cyprus. Qantas has confirmed two flights from Cyprus to Sydney and we are grateful for their assistance. We are working with other airlines to confirm additional flights.

These flights will be free-of-charge for those eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with a right of entry to Australia. Vulnerable passengers will be prioritised.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be in contact with registered Australians to facilitate their departure and will continue to provide updates to registered Australians.

Australians in Lebanon who wish to leave should ensure they are registered via DFAT’s Crisis Portal or by calling the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.

Our message to Australians in Lebanon remains – now is the time to leave. Please take the first flight option that is available. There is no guarantee of preferred flights or that these flights will continue.

Media note: Images from last night’s flight are available via DFAT’s Media Library.

Tony Burke must back his words with actions

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke must provide details of the action he is taking against

non-citizens who support terrorist organisations Hezbollah and Hamas.

Minister Burke has said that he would “consider refusing and cancelling visas for anyone who seeks to incite discord in Australia”.

The Australian reports today that a pro-Hezbollah activist who led a Melbourne march waving the Hezbollah flag and who believes Australia is a “tyrannical terrorist regime” is an Iranian national.

Is Minister Burke reviewing this man’s visa status?

How many visas has Minister Burke cancelled because the holder supports a terrorist organisation?

What resources has Minister Burke directed towards identifying and removing non-citizens who sow discord with their abhorrent views?

Minister Burke must do the right thing by all Australians and take strong action against people who import trouble into our peaceful country.

When it comes to national security, Labor cannot afford to fail again.

Because of Labor’s Ministerial Direction 99, violent non-criminals have avoided deportation, including one man who went on to allegedly commit murder.

And one of the criminals that Labor released from immigration detention allegedly bashed and robbed a cancer survivor and grandmother after Labor removed his monitoring conditions.