Category: NSW News

New South Wales has smashed the jobs record with the lowest unemployment rate on record cementing its position as Australia’s job creation capital, according to the latest jobs data from the ABS.
The State’s unemployment rate fell a further 0.4 per cent to 3.9 per cent for January 2019, the lowest since monthly records began in February 1978, with a whopping 47,200 jobs added proving once again NSW is the Premier State.
NSW remains well below the national unemployment rate of 5 per cent and well ahead of Victoria at 4.5 per cent, Queensland 6 per cent and South Australia on 6.3 per cent.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today announced the record low unemployment figures, which means that since 2011 the NSW Liberals & Nationals have overseen the creation of 611,300 jobs.
“Today NSW entered the record books, which is proof our vision for NSW is making our State the best place to live and get a job,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“An unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent is a stunning result and this means more families and individuals are getting ahead.”
“Abundant jobs are bringing women into the workforce like never before – female participation surged to an all-time high of 60.6 per cent with women’s unemployment rate a record low of 3.7 per cent.”
“Today’s result isn’t by accident but the result of hard work to get our finances in order and deliver a strong budget and strong economy.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said NSW also recorded a record participation rate of 65.2 per cent meaning we have the highest percentage of people active in the labour market and the lowest percentage of people currently unemployed.
“We are the jobs capital of the nation, the engine room of the economy – once again the Premier state,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Since the last election 420,500 jobs have been created smashing our target of 150,000 jobs.”
“It is a vindication of the economic and financial approach taken by this Liberals &
Nationals Government and highlights the importance of infrastructure projects to our
economy.”
The Government’s record infrastructure investment has generated more than half-amillion
jobs and helped boost the State’s economic growth by half a percentage point
in 2017- 18.
“We want to continue to provide the right conditions for jobs growth across the State,”Mr Perrottet said.
“We have put the State’s books in order through our financial discipline with surpluses forecast over the next four years.”
“This has allowed us to lower taxes, make record investments such as $89.7 billion on infrastructure without plunging the State into debt.”
The State’s youth unemployment rate is the lowest of any state and more than 2 percentage points below the rest of Australia.
Female workers drove the strong labour force result for the State, with 42,700 jobs added for the month and the female unemployment rate dropping to a record low of 3.7 per cent.

Thousands of families with loved ones with a life-limiting illness will receive more choice about the help they need from an additional 100 palliative care nurses at refurbished facilities under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $45 million palliative care investment was made possible by the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure patients and their loved ones have access to the best quality palliative care at the best possible care facilities,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to ensuring people who are suffering a life-limiting illness, and their families, have the choices, support and care they need.”
The investment is on top of a $100 million package for palliative care that was announced as part the 2017-18 Budget, which is already delivering more palliative care nurses and community-based palliative care services.   The additional 100 palliative care nurses will work in hospitals, palliative care facilities, and in communities and homes to ensure patients can access the care they need, in the setting they choose.
Ms Berejiklian made the commitment at Mt Druitt Hospital, part of the Western Sydney Local Health District that will receive eight new palliative care nurses.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said 64 of the 100 palliative care nurses would be assigned to regional and rural NSW.
Mr Barilaro made the commitment at Coffs Harbour Hospital, part of the Mid North Coast Local Health District that will receive five new palliative care nurses.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure patients and their loved ones have access to the best quality palliative care in the best possible facilities no matter where they live,” Mr Barilaro said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the commitment also includes $10 million for improvements to existing palliative care facilities across the State.
“The emotional and financial challenges for patients and their carers are considerable so we will continue to do all we can to help people through this challenging time,” Mr Hazzard said.
The $45 million boost to palliative care funding will:

• Add 100 more nurses to the palliative care workforce, with 64 expected for regional and rural NSW;
• Increase the number of full-time equivalent palliative care Aboriginal health workers from nine to 18, so that every district and network in NSW has a full-time position;
• Increase use of digital health solutions to improve end of life care to people living in rural and remote areas throughout NSW;
• Connect young people in regional areas through digital health solutions to the new Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice in Manly, and funding a senior clinical role to support its staff; and
• Support the refurbishment of existing palliative care facilities across NSW, providing a home away from home for patients.

n a first for NSW, every public high school will have two dedicated experts to ensure students have access to vital mental health and wellbeing support.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced that the $88 million investment will ensure every public high school student in the State has access to a highly-qualified mental health professional they can confidentially speak to, as well as greater support for bullying, anxiety, stress, and any other difficult issues they may face at school.
“This will make it easy for young people to access help when they’re going through a tough time and also give teachers the support to deal with challenges faced by students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We know from teachers and principals – and the students themselves – what an impact this has on reducing stress and improving academic performance, as well as how much the students embrace the extra support.”
Up to 100 additional full-time school counsellors or psychologists, as well as 350 student support officers, will be employed across NSW public high schools. Importantly, these experts will have the ability to refer students who require greater assistance to mental health services.
Education Minister Rob Stokes said the program will help normalise speaking up and seeking help when it comes to mental health, as well as train teachers to be able to have these conversations with students and their families.
“It is critical that parents, teachers and students know there is always someone they can turn to for support,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ll also partner with mental health organisations to bring their expertise and experience to school communities.”
Mental Health Minister Tanya Davies said about 14 per cent of children between four and 17 years old experience a mental illness – and this figure is expected to rise.
“If issues are not addressed quickly and at a young age they can develop into lifelong problems,” Mrs Davies said.
“Getting help early can prevent young people from falling into crisis and also avoid longer term interventions as an adult. Schools play a critical role in getting this support to young people sooner.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro visited Griffith High School today to talk with students and teachers about how the boost will help in regional NSW.
“By offering mental health support in schools, we can identify kids who need help early, and make sure they’re looked after.
“With the ice epidemic and youth suicide major issues in regional NSW it is important that our kids have access to life-saving support services no matter where they live.”
Since elected, the NSW Government has increased funding for student wellbeing by more than $200 million, with an additional 236 school counselling positions funded over the past three years, bringing the total full-time counselling positions to 1081.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest $864 million for major upgrades to St George ($385 million) and Ryde ($479 million) hospitals, to deliver world-class healthcare and provide additional beds for local communities.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this significant investment in St George and Ryde hospitals was only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We have a strong track record when it comes to delivering health infrastructure, having already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
During a visit to St George Hospital in Kogarah, Ms Berejiklian also announced a $76 million elective surgery boost, focusing on children and cataract patients.
“No other NSW Government has ever invested as much in health and one of the benefits is the dramatic improvement in on-time paediatric specialist surgery times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are not only building new and upgraded hospitals across the State, we are also ensuring people receive the best possible healthcare they need.”
Today’s announcement follows yesterday’s announcement of an unprecedented 5000 additional nurses and midwives to be recruited, along with more doctors and other health professionals, in a package to increase the health workforce by a total 8300 – a $2.8 billion investment.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redeveloped St George and Ryde hospitals would increase capacity for local communities, ensuring people get the care they need close to home.
“This Government is serious about investing in hospitals – in fact we are investing more than $8 billion over the next four years, with about 100 health infrastructure projects underway and more to come,” Mr Hazzard said.
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the $385 million investment brings to $700 million the total investment in several upgrades to St George Hospital facilities since 2011.
“At St George, we are committing to a new precinct including an ambulatory care unit, outpatient and day surgery services, a new day rehabilitation unit, increased subacute inpatient beds and a hub for community health and home-based services to ensure the local community gets the very best in health care,” Mr Coure said.
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has long supported better healthcare in Ryde, and that this new investment would completely transform Ryde Hospital.
“This $479 million investment will create a new Ryde Hospital. The historic Denistone House will be preserved and be surrounded  by modern and enhanced emergency, critical care, inpatient, community and ambulatory care services, as well as maternity services,” Mr Dominello said.
“Ryde Hospital has an emotional connection for most people in Ryde. Personally, I have a special affinity with Ryde Hospital as my sisters and I were all born here. This massive investment transforms a hospital we love into a modern facility that will continue to provide wonderful care for our community for generations to come.”
Planning for the redevelopment of the hospitals, which will involve consultation with local communities and hospital staff, with construction activities to commence during the next term of government.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government continues to triple Labor’s annual health infrastructure spending, having completed more than 100 new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, including more than 63 in regional NSW, with another 100 projects underway.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has hired more than 16,000 doctors, nurses and midwives, allied health and support staff to deliver world-class health services across NSW.
By contrast, the former Labor government closed more than 2000 hospital beds and promised four major hospitals but never delivered.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest $864 million for major upgrades to St George ($385 million) and Ryde ($479 million) hospitals, to deliver world-class healthcare and provide additional beds for local communities.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this significant investment in St George and Ryde hospitals was only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We have a strong track record when it comes to delivering health infrastructure, having already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
During a visit to St George Hospital in Kogarah, Ms Berejiklian also announced a $76 million elective surgery boost, focusing on children and cataract patients.
“No other NSW Government has ever invested as much in health and one of the benefits is the dramatic improvement in on-time paediatric specialist surgery times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are not only building new and upgraded hospitals across the State, we are also ensuring people receive the best possible healthcare they need.”
Today’s announcement follows yesterday’s announcement of an unprecedented 5000 additional nurses and midwives to be recruited, along with more doctors and other health professionals, in a package to increase the health workforce by a total 8300 – a $2.8 billion investment.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redeveloped St George and Ryde hospitals would increase capacity for local communities, ensuring people get the care they need close to home.
“This Government is serious about investing in hospitals – in fact we are investing more than $8 billion over the next four years, with about 100 health infrastructure projects underway and more to come,” Mr Hazzard said.
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the $385 million investment brings to $700 million the total investment in several upgrades to St George Hospital facilities since 2011.
“At St George, we are committing to a new precinct including an ambulatory care unit, outpatient and day surgery services, a new day rehabilitation unit, increased subacute inpatient beds and a hub for community health and home-based services to ensure the local community gets the very best in health care,” Mr Coure said.
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has long supported better healthcare in Ryde, and that this new investment would completely transform Ryde Hospital.
“This $479 million investment will create a new Ryde Hospital. The historic Denistone House will be preserved and be surrounded  by modern and enhanced emergency, critical care, inpatient, community and ambulatory care services, as well as maternity services,” Mr Dominello said.
“Ryde Hospital has an emotional connection for most people in Ryde. Personally, I have a special affinity with Ryde Hospital as my sisters and I were all born here. This massive investment transforms a hospital we love into a modern facility that will continue to provide wonderful care for our community for generations to come.”
Planning for the redevelopment of the hospitals, which will involve consultation with local communities and hospital staff, with construction activities to commence during the next term of government.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government continues to triple Labor’s annual health infrastructure spending, having completed more than 100 new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, including more than 63 in regional NSW, with another 100 projects underway.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has hired more than 16,000 doctors, nurses and midwives, allied health and support staff to deliver world-class health services across NSW.
By contrast, the former Labor government closed more than 2000 hospital beds and promised four major hospitals but never delivered.

Waiting times will be dramatically reduced for children who need surgery under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, with a commitment to deliver 8000 additional paediatric operations.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $45 million investment will strengthen the State’s on-time paediatric surgery performance, which sits at 97 per cent – its highest level ever.
“No other NSW Government has ever invested as much in health and one of the benefits is the dramatic improvement in on-time paediatric specialist surgery times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our healthcare system is already world-class and this investment will do even more to help get children in and out of hospital quickly, easing the burden on parents and carers.”
The funding will employ an additional 10 doctors and 25 nurses in the public system to deliver on this commitment, as well as utilising spare capacity in private hospitals. In NSW, 97 per cent of paediatric specialist surgery is performed on time compared to 86 per cent under Labor.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW already has the best on-time elective surgery rates in Australia but this funding will ensure children needing minor operations are back at home with their families even faster.
“We want to remove any obstacles to a child’s social and learning development and get them back home as quick as we can. Surgeries to remove tonsils, grommets and adenoids which are usually classified as semi and non-urgent, can also help kids overcome educational and behavioural issues, so this initiative gets a gold star,” Mr Hazzard said.
The investment is expected to reduce the time taken to receive non-urgent elective surgeries by around three months, and halve the time taken to receive semi-urgent elective surgeries. Urgent elective surgeries are already delivered as soon as possible.
In 2018-19, the NSW Government is investing a record $25 billion in health, a $1.1 billion increase over the 2017-18 Budget.

Thousands of elderly people struggling with poor vision from cataracts will have faster access to surgical services under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $31 million funding boost would deliver an extra 10,000 cataract surgeries over the next four years.
“Cataracts impact the lives of so many of our senior citizens – in fact, in NSW cataract removal is already the most common elective surgery, so we want to make it even easier to access,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This investment will help provide a better quality of life for our seniors and ensure we are ready to provide the services for our ageing population in the future.”
The $31 million will fund 46 clinical staff including nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists – ensuring more cataract surgeries occur than ever before.
The funding will also reduce the time between accessing surgery on a patient’s first and second eye.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said one in three people aged over 65 have clinically significant cataracts, which affects their ability to live independently and places them at risk of injury from falls.
“Thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, 99 per cent of people receive their surgery within clinically recommended timeframes, up from 91 per cent under Labor,” Mr Hazzard said.
“However, we are committed to doing even better – this investment will ensure people receive their surgery even faster.”
Cataract removal is already the most common elective surgery with 24,546 patients admitted in NSW public hospitals in 2017-18. In comparison, Labor only provided 19,104 cataract surgeries in 2009-10.
“Our Government’s focus on cataract treatment confirms the Liberals & Nationals’ commitment to getting it done for NSW residents,” Mr Hazzard said.

In the largest workforce boost in the history of Australian healthcare, patients will gain an extra 5000 nurses and midwives under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the unprecedented workforce rise over four years obliterates Labor’s pledge, which does not have the economic credentials to match it.
“We are investing $2.8 billion to recruit thousands of extra nurses, midwives and frontline staff to care for patients, far more than Labor promised,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Labor promised hundreds of nurses across NSW in its election material but the Liberals & Nationals are boosting frontline staff numbers to figures never seen before.
“Patients in NSW will now have more nurses to look after them and nurses will have more colleagues to share the workload – all due to our strong economic management.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said almost half the new nurses and midwives employed will be in regional areas. In total, 8300 frontline staff, including doctors, allied health and other professionals will be added to the workforce, with 45 per cent in the regions.
“Whether you are in Byron or Bombala, Broken Hill or Bulahdelah, Wagga Wagga or Walgett, you will get the care you need, much closer to home,” Mr Barilaro said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said nursing hours per patient day will increase dramatically in Peer Group B and C hospitals across NSW, from 5.2 hours to six hours and 5.5 to six hours respectively.
“This increase in nurse numbers equates to even higher nurse to patient ratios than the NSW Nurses & Midwives’ Association asked for and leaves Labor’s promises in the dust,” Mr Hazzard said.
“No other State or Territory in Australia could match this commitment and the only reason we can deliver it is thanks to eight years of strong economic management.”
The NSW Liberals & Nationals have boosted the nursing and midwifery workforce by almost 20 per cent to 51,890 while in Government, and the number of doctors has soared 35 per cent to 12,100 – huge increases compared to the workforce under Labor. In total 16,000 extra frontline health staff have been employed since 2011, up 23 per cent on Labor.
The new investment will fund targeted areas of services and workforce including:

• More nurses: 5000 nurses and midwives across regional and metropolitan areas of NSW, including mental health and residential care nurses;
• More doctors: 1060 more doctors to enhance response times for patients waiting in emergency departments, for elective surgery, and to access psychiatric care;
• More allied health staff: 880 additional allied health staff including pharmacists, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychologists; and
• More support staff: 1360 hospital support staff.

“The Liberals & Nationals Government has built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and health facilities since elected, with 100 more underway,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Mr Hazzard said more than half of the hospital redevelopments or upgrades are in regional NSW, where many of the new staff will be deployed.   “Good patient care relies not only on first-class facilities but skilled people to deliver it, which is why we are building on our commitment to look after those who look after us,” Mr Hazzard said.
Achievements of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government in health include:

• Timely treatment: The best on-time elective surgery in Australia with 97.4 per cent of patients in 2017-18 receiving their elective surgery within clinically recommended timeframes, compared to 88.4 per cent in 2009-10 under Labor;
• Less time in emergency: The percentage of patients leaving the emergency department within four hours has improved from 62.2 per cent in 2009-10 under Labor to 73.0 per cent in 2017-18 under the Liberals & Nationals Government; and
• Fewer overdue for surgery: Across all surgical categories, almost 1200 patients waited longer than the recommended benchmark in June 2010 under Labor, this dropped to just 257 in June 2018 under the Liberals & Nationals.

The hugely popular Active Kids program will double with the NSW Government today announcing two separate $100 vouchers will be available for each child to encourage them to become involved in sport across the entire year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said from July 2019 families will be able to access two Active Kids vouchers with the twin aims of encouraging children to play sport from January to December and to further ease the cost of living for NSW families.
“The program has been hugely popular with more than 1 million vouchers issued since launching,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is all about making sports more accessible for more children across the State and by making it affordable for parents, we are doing our part to help make kids active and healthy.”
In 2019 a second $100 Active Kids voucher will be available for the six month period from 1 July to 31 December. From 2020 two $100 Active Kids vouchers will be available from Service NSW for the entire calendar year.
The aim of the expanded program is to pay for two separate sports such as netball in winter and swimming in summer, or two separate seasons or terms of the one sport such as winter football and summer football.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said increasing the popular rebate program will help all parents across the State with school-aged children cover the cost of their children’s sports and active recreation fees.
“We are doing everything we can through our strong financial management to ease the cost of living burdens on families,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Because of the strength of the NSW Budget we are able to allocate more funding because we want more kids to be happy and healthy.”
The two $100 vouchers issued under the Active Kids program can be used by every school age child towards the cost of sports registration, membership expenses and fees for physical activities such as swimming, football, netball, dance lessons and athletics.
Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the expanded program would benefit sports which traditionally seek registrations in the second half of the year as families would now have access to two vouchers per year.
“If your child plays cricket in the summer and football in winter, you can choose to use a $100 voucher to pay for cricket registration fees and then use the second $100 voucher to help offset the costs for the football season,” Mr Ayres said.
The two vouchers cannot be combined to pay for a single program costing more than $100. They can be used with the one provider to help pay the cost of two separate terms of sport such as the summer and winter season of netball.
To apply for the Active Kids voucher parents can register online with Service NSW and find a registered sport or physical activity, club or organisation to use their voucher with.
The Active Kids rebate is one of a raft of NSW Government cost of living measures, including Free Rego, cheaper CTP green slips and energy rebates.
More information: sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids or by phoning Service NSW on  13 77 88.

People from Nelson Bay will have access to the training they need to get a job and get ahead with the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government announcing a new local TAFE campus will be built.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian was today joined by Liberal Candidate for Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott for the announcement.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are driving a massive expansion of TAFE’s footprint across rural and regional NSW, with Nelson Bay set to benefit from a new and state-of-the-art TAFE campus,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“TAFE campuses are the beating hearts of our regional communities and provide access to the education and training people need to get a job and get ahead.
“Today’s announcement is yet another significant investment in the future of rural and regional communities.”
Ms Abbott said she was delighted locals in Nelson Bay would soon have access to their very own TAFE.
“This announcement is an absolute game-changer for the people of Nelson Bay who until now have never had a major TAFE presence in town,” Ms Abbott said.
“For the first time ever people in Nelson Bay will be able to study a broad range of courses at TAFE locally, improving their ability to get the education they need to get a job and get ahead.
“As it stands many locals have to travel for an hour to access the courses they wish to study at either Maitland or Newcastle.
“This is about giving people the chance to study right here locally and removing barriers to education and training.”
The NSW Liberals & Nationals have already delivered 14 new or upgraded TAFE campuses in regional NSW since 2017. These campuses have on average tripled course offerings (compared to an existing facility) and more than doubled student enrolments.