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The Albanese and Minns Governments’ Fee-Free TAFE initiative is continuing to exceed targets, removing financial barriers so more people in NSW can learn new skills in areas where the economy needs them most.

New figures reveal 182,124 people in NSW enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE during 2023, smashing the initial first-year target, with a very encouraging number of people taking up study in areas like education, health, construction and IT.

Fee-Free TAFE – which is jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments – removes financial barriers for training in areas facing significant skill shortages, with enrolments prioritised for groups excluded or under-represented in the labour market.

As of 31 December 2023, there were over:  

• 34,630 enrolments in the Care sector
• 9651 in the Technology and Digital sector
• 8728 in the Construction sector.

Priority groups were strongly represented with the enrolment of 62,925 job seekers, nearly 10,000 people with disability and more than 15,154 First Nations people.

118,620 enrolments were women and students from regional and remote areas numbered more than 70,000.

Almost 50,000 people in NSW who speak a language other than English at home also took advantage of Fee-Free TAFE.

Fee-Free TAFE provides big savings for students.

A student studying to become an early childhood educator or undertaking a Certificate III in School Based Education and Support need not find $1600 in course fees, similarly someone undertaking a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping wouldn’t need to pay almost $2,000 in course fees.

The Albanese Government is providing a further $414.1 million over 2024 – 2026 to States and Territories to fund the delivery of at least another 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places.

the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor MP:

“Fee-Free TAFE has transformed the lives of students from diverse backgrounds right across NSW, at the same time making sure there is a strong pipeline of workers to fill in-demand jobs.

“The initiative has helped ease cost-of-living pressures for students and is helping respond to the worst skills crisis we have experienced in 50 years.

“Fee-Free TAFE is helping people in NSW, and across Australia, to acquire skills to ensure they have meaningful work, well-paid jobs and career progression.”

the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP:

“Fee-Free TAFE is targeted at increasing workforce participation of priority groups and helping people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

“We are committed to tackling the skills shortages, by supporting students with free training opportunities who can then enter the workforce in highly paid, highly skilled jobs.

“The Fee-Free TAFE program highlights the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments’ commitment to strengthening the VET system and placing TAFE at the heart of vocational delivery across New South Wales and Australia.”

Disaster assistance is now available in the Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, Liverpool, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong Local Government Areas (LGAs) following the impact of flooding from 5 April 2024.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Australian and New South Wales Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

• Funding for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
• Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
• Grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
• Grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, sporting and recreation clubs, and non-profit organisations to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management Catherine King said floods had caused widespread damage across NSW in a very short amount of time.

“It’s important that we act quickly to activate disaster support so affected communities can begin their clean-up and recovery,” Minister King said.

“I want to thank those who have worked hard to start the clean-up efforts so quickly and I want to assure those whose lives have been disrupted that we will support them through their recovery.”

“The NSW Government is continuing to assess the damage and fully understand the impact of this disaster, and the Australian Government stands ready to respond to any requests for assistance.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib acknowledged the efforts of the emergency services and volunteers.

“We are grateful to our volunteers and to our communities who have worked together to keep each other safe as these intense storms passed through NSW,” Minister Dib said.

“The SES has continued to work throughout the night to reach out to communities and I’m confident that with the work they’ve been doing, that we are being incredibly proactive.”

“Work to assess the impact of flooding across the state is being conducted as quickly as possible, with disaster declarations like these a crucial first step in unlocking assistance.”

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit Rural Assistance Authority.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at Disaster Assist.

The NSW Government has lifted the waste levy fee for residents in the Hawkesbury LGA, to help them recover from intense heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

The community will not have to pay to dispose of flood-generated waste and debris at landfill sites until 30 June 2024. The local landfill gate fee may still apply.

The exemption covers waste on both public and private land, including damaged building materials, furniture, carpet, gardening debris, and any other flood-related products.

Lifting the levy fee makes it easier for locals to get rid of flood-affected household items in a safe and efficient way. It also provides financial relief as the Hawkesbury community gets back on its feet as soon as possible.

This decision follows exemptions granted to Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour, and Kiama Local Government Areas.

As the flood water recedes and clean-up efforts progress, the Environment Protection Authority could expand this benefit to other LGAs if necessary.

The EPA is working with Regional Emergency Management Committees impacted by the recent severe weather to offer assistance, including waste levy exemptions for flood-damaged items.

A man has died in hospital following a serious crash near Scone yesterday.

About 12.05pm (Thursday 4 April 2024), emergency services were called to the New England Highway at Wingen, about 18km north of Scone, following reports of a crash.

Initial inquiries suggest that a Volvo semi-trailer and Toyota Landcruiser towing a caravan collided in the northbound lanes, before colliding with an oncoming Isuzu truck in the southbound lane.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley police District, NSW Ambulance paramedics and RFS firefighters attended the scene and rendered aid to the occupants of the vehicles.

The Isuzu driver – a 41-year-old man – was freed from the vehicle by emergency services. He sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition; however, died in hospital early this morning.

The Toyota driver – a 63-year-old man – was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, while his 60-year-old female passenger taken by ambulance to the same hospital in a stable condition.

The Volvo driver – a 60-year-old man – was treated at the scene for shock and taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene was established with the New England Highway closed in both directions for several hours.

Specialist officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit examined the scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Newcastle area.

Nathan Dargin, aged 25, was last seen on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, Friday evening (Friday 29 March 2024).

When he failed to return and could not be located or contacted, officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Nathan’s welfare as he lives with several conditions that require medical treatment.

Nathan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 185 – 190 cm tall, thin build, shaved brown hair and brown eyes.

He is known to frequent the Hamilton and Newcastle CBD areas.

Anyone who may have seen Nathan or has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from the Newcastle area.

Lily Renyard, aged 12, was last seen when she was dropped off at school on Oakland Street, Glendale, about 9am on Thursday (28 March 2024).

When she could not be located later that morning, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare due to her young age.

Lily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of a slim build, with long brown hair, blue eyes and a nose piercing.

She was last seen wearing a black ‘Caterpillar’ hooded jumper, shorts, black and white sneakers and carrying a black backpack.

Lily is known to frequent the Newcastle suburbs of Charlestown and Jesmond, Nobby’s Beach, Cardiff and Glendale areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Today I announce the appointment of Dr Nick Austin as President of Australia’s Policy Advisory Council for International Agricultural Research.

The Council provides expert advice and insights into the development priorities and food security needs of our regional partners. It considers how Australia’s expertise in agricultural research can contribute to these priorities, including through research collaborations with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Dr Austin has extensive experience in international agricultural development and a long association with ACIAR, having served as Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2016.

He has held senior roles in international bodies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, representing Australia on the CGIAR Fund Council for 7 years, and with the board of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The Council is made up of 11 expert members from across the Indo-Pacific region and Africa. Dr Austin’s skills and networks across Australia, North America, Europe and the Indo-Pacific in both industry and government will help forge stronger partnerships and innovative solutions in agricultural research.

I thank outgoing President Professor Wendy Umberger for her service to the Council and for her ongoing commitment to sustainable agricultural development as the ACIAR Chief Executive Officer.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will this week welcome the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon Lord Cameron and Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP to Australia for the annual Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).

The United Kingdom is Australia’s close and enduring partner. Together we are working to shape a peaceful and secure world.

AUKMIN 2024 is an opportunity to identify new ways we can grow and strengthen collaboration in key strategic areas of our partnership.

Australia and the United Kingdom will discuss ways to deepen cooperation across defence, climate action and clean energy, cyber, and economic security.

Both Secretaries of State will visit Canberra on Thursday, before travelling on to Adelaide for AUKMIN Consultations on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“In an increasingly complex strategic environment, the United Kingdom remains a critical partner in support of a rules-based global order.”

“I look forward to working with our United Kingdom counterparts this week to progress ambitious new initiatives to deepen our defence partnership.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia and the United Kingdom are building on our longstanding strategic partnership to address our challenging and rapidly changing world.

“We are working together, including in the Indo-Pacific, for a world that is peaceful, stable, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty.”

The Australian Law Reform Commission’s review into religious educational institutions and anti-discrimination laws will be tabled in Parliament this week ahead of Labor’s Religious Discrimination Bill anticipated to be tabled in the coming months. 

The mere debate around Scott Morrison’s 2018 bill gave far right activists licence to peddle anti-LGBTIQA+ hate in our media and community. 

The Greens will be carefully considering the report and Labor’s bill when it’s tabled. 

Stephen Bates MP, Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson

We’ve been through this already in 2018 when Scott Morrison’s bill unleashed a torrent of LGBTIQA+ hate in our political system, our media and our community. 

Anti-discrimination laws can’t be a trojan horse for other kinds of discrimination. Right now, religious institutions running schools, aged care, disability services, social housing and hospitals deny people of their rights to be themselves or access to services they’re entitled to.

Last time, Labor stopped short of extending protections to LGBTIQA+ staff. The LGBTIQA+ community should not have to wait their turn when it comes to anti-discrimination law.

We can’t afford this debate to act as cover for more hate and division in our community.

We want to work with Labor over the next few months to get the laws right to make sure people are free to practise their faith without discrimination and that people who rely on religious institutions for employment, social services or community aren’t discriminated against either.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Australian Greens schools spokesperson

Australia’s fee-charging private schools received $20 billion in combined government funding in 2022.

Why should private religious institutions subsidised from the public purse be exempted from the rules that apply to public schools?

Our kids deserve an enriching school experience that exposes them to the full diversity of Australian life.

Allowing some of the most privileged schools in the country to discriminate against staff on the grounds of their gender or sexual orientation perpetuates prejudice and division and must be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Police have released an image and are appealing for public assistance to identify a man following an alleged sexual act on a bus at Charlestown last month.

About 5.25pm on Thursday 1 February 2024, a man and three women boarded a bus at Pearson Street, Charlestown.

While on the bus, it’s alleged the man exposed himself and rubbed his genitals.

The matter was reported to Police Transport Command Newcastle with officers commencing an investigation.

Despite extensive inquiries by officers attached to the Proactive Crime Team North/Central, investigators have been unable to identify the man, and are now appealing for public assistance.

As inquiries continue, Police have released a CCTV image of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The man depicted is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, believed to be aged in his 50s, of slim build, with a shaved head, and was wearing a black t-shirt, yellow shorts, white sneakers and reading and sunglasses at the time.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.