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Public briefing hears outcome of independent review

Davidson Business Advisory has confirmed in a Public Briefing to Councillors and the community that its independent review of City of Newcastle’s processes, procedures and performance has found no instances of fraud, corruption, breaches of legislation or maladministration.  

Rather, the review has found City of Newcastle to be a well-managed and high performing organisation, with numerous examples of best practice in the way that it operates and serves the community.  

Davidson outlined 20 recommendations arising from their review along with actions for improvement across the six themes of general and financial governance, compliance, major projects, engagement and organisational culture. 

The review was completed following a unanimous resolution of Councillors at the 10 December 2024 Ordinary Council meeting. 

More than 800 public submissions from 548 individuals were considered during the review, alongside around 260 internal City of Newcastle documents and numerous one-one-one interviews with staff, Councillors and community members. 

Davidson Business Advisory’s Colin Jensen, who served as the CEO of Brisbane City Council for more than a decade, said the report’s recommendations offer avenues for continued growth and excellence. 

“Davidson Business Advisory was engaged to provide an impartial evaluation of City of Newcastle’s current practices, aiming to enhance performance and maintain the highest standards of public service,” Mr Jensen said. 

“Every document and submission was considered by the reviewers, assessing them against City of Newcastle’s adopted policies, processes and procedures to identify where there was evidence of best practice or opportunities for better practice. 

“Overall, City of Newcastle was found to be a well-managed and high-performing organisation, with numerous examples of best practice highlighted in the repot. 

“The review includes 20 actionable recommendations designed to enhance City of Newcastle’s processes, ensure the organisation operates with the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and reinforce public trust in its ability to serve the community effectively.” 

City of Newcastle’s independent Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) was consulted at each phase of the review and accepted the final report ahead of the public briefing. 

ARIC Chairman Stephen Coates highlighted the integrity of the process and praised City of Newcastle for its commitment to continuous improvement. 

“The City of Newcastle Audit Risk and Improvement Committee has overseen independent consultants, Davidson, who conducted a thorough governance review,” Mr Coates said. 

“The final report highlights many positive findings, confirming that City of Newcastle is a well-managed, high-performing organisation with several examples of best practice. Importantly, there were no issues related to fraud, corruption, legislative breaches, or maladministration.  

“While the report largely affirms the Council’s strong performance, it also includes 20 suggestions for improvement, aimed at building on the current success, rather than addressing any issues of failure.” 

The full report will be tabled to the Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 May for endorsement by Councillors. 

Davidson Business Advisory has worked with more than 100 local governments across Australia and are experienced in undertaking similar governance and performance reviews.

Full statement from ARIC Chair Stephen Coates

The City of Newcastle Audit Risk & Improvement Committee has overseen independent consultants, Davidson, who conducted a thorough governance review. 

The final report highlights many positive findings, confirming that City of Newcastle is a well-managed, high-performing organisation with several examples of best practice. 

Importantly, there were no issues related to fraud, corruption, legislative breaches, or maladministration. 

Specifically, the Audit Risk & Improvement Committee oversaw the initial scoping of the review, as well as again confirming the scope after submissions had been received. We have been involved in the draft version of the report, but only to the extent of suggesting wording adjustments to better reflect the intent of the commentary. 

When it comes to governance and City of Newcastle operations, there’s a strong focus on professionalism and adherence to protocols in Council meetings. Even when tackling contentious issues like media communications or councillor conduct no misuse of authority has been found. 

Financially, City of Newcastle remains in a solid position, with a diverse revenue base, competitive rates, and a high level of community investment. Debt and reserve management are both well managed, and service delivery is operating efficiently. The NSW Audit Office has raised no concerns in its latest external audit. 

City of Newcastle has also adopted best practice compliance and enforcement policies. This final report indicates conflict of interest processes are generally well-managed, and disclosures are made appropriately. There were no major or systemic compliance failures identified. 

Major projects are handled by a well-structured Project Management Office, which uses strong asset management and procurement policies. A “lessons learned” protocol helps improve future project delivery. 

There are strong examples of community engagement strategies in place. City of Newcastle offers consultation opportunities and maintains transparency through public reports and other available planning documents. Proactive releases under GIPA and other detailed reporting further demonstrate City of Newcastle’s commitment to transparency. 

Finally, the staff and executive culture is described as positive, professional, and high performing. 

While the report largely affirms the Council’s strong performance, it also includes 20 suggestions for improvement, aimed at building on the current success, rather than addressing any issues of failure.

Delivering more social housing for New South Wales

More than 210 new social and affordable homes will soon be available across New South Wales thanks to investments made by the Minns Labor Government under Federal Labor’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator Fund (SHAF).

Using a co-contribution model with community housing providers, the NSW Government is fast-tracking the delivery of 211 new homes in areas where they are needed most, including 184 social homes and 27 affordable housing dwellings.

Homes NSW has recently signed partnerships with eight community housing providers to build 52 more social homes for people in need across Greater Sydney and regional areas.

The successful housing providers include:

  • Common Equity NSW Ltd – who will deliver 7 new social homes in Darlinghurst
  • CORE Community Service Ltd – who will deliver 4 new social homes in Mt Pritchard
  • Housing Plus – who will deliver 4 new social homes in Bathurst
  • Macleay Options Ltd – who will deliver 6 new social homes in Kempsey
  • Pacific Link Housing Ltd – who will deliver 4 new social homes in Cessnock
  • St George Community Housing Ltd – who will deliver 10 new social homes in Sydney
  • St Vincent de Paul Housing – who will deliver 7 new social homes in Griffith
  • YWCA Australia – who will deliver 10 new social homes in Lavington

In 2023, the Federal Government allocated $610.1 million of its $2 billion SHAF to NSW, allowing the Minns Labor Government to provide hundreds of new and refurbished social homes for people in need during a housing crisis.

Homes NSW is investing this funding through a range of projects including returning homes to use and building new homes in partnership with Aboriginal and community housing providers.

Almost 50 of the new SHAF homes are now complete and are already housing over 70 residents in Albury, Gunnedah and the Central Coast.

The last eight SHAF projects are commencing this year. For more information visit: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/housing/social-housing-accelerator-fund-shaf.html

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Everyone deserves to live with the safety and security of a roof over their head. We know the housing crisis is hitting communities hard, and that access to affordable housing is a key part of the issue.

“That’s why we are getting on with the job of delivering new social and affordable homes right across the state, working closely with community housing providers and the federal government to make sure we are pulling every lever available.

“With almost 50 homes already delivered and 211 more social and affordable homes in the pipeline, this funding is making a real difference for the people and families of NSW who need it most.”

Workers Compensation Exposure Draft released

The Minns Labor Government has today released an Exposure Draft for a Bill as part of its ongoing consultation to protect the workers compensation system into the future.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has referred the Exposure Draft to a parliamentary inquiry to further examine and seek feedback on reform options.

Rounds of formal consultation began in March and an Exposure Draft’s release marks the next step in that process.

The NSW Government is committed to modernising the workers compensation system to ensure it is sustainable for future generations to rely on.

Reform proposals recognise that workplace health and safety and workers compensation laws are failing to both prevent psychological injuries and to treat those with psychological injuries quickly.

Under the current system, only 50 per cent of workers with a psychological injury are returning to work within a year. The rate is 95 per cent for workers with a physical injury.

And the system currently spends seven times more on keeping an injured worker away from the workplace than it spends on getting them healthy and back on the job.

NSW must have workplace health and safety laws, and a workers compensation system, that put prevention ahead of compensation as a response to psychological safety.

The status quo is failing workers and failing employers, who face premiums soaring by a forecast 36 per cent over the next three years if nothing is done.

The Government will not be adopting a final position on workers compensation reform until the community has had a chance to have its say. This Exposure Draft is intended to provide a starting point for the next phase of conversations and to highlight the scale of the challenges the scheme is facing.

The Standing Committee on Law and Justice in the Legislative Council will hold the inquiry.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“We must ensure that NSW has a workers compensation system for future generations to rely upon.

“The status quo is failing workers and it’s failing businesses.

“I encourage people to read the Exposure Draft for themselves and examine proposals to protect this system.”

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to strengthening a culture of prevention, early intervention, and effective return to work through a series of reforms.

“These include major reforms to SafeWork NSW, such as expanding the psychosocial inspectorate, and industrial relations reforms that establish a ‘stop bullying’ jurisdiction.

“Additionally, we have amended the iCare Act to include a principal objective focused on promoting early and appropriate treatment and care for injury and illness. This aims to optimise recovery, support return to work and daily activities, and ensure a sustainable compensation system.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“The current system was primarily designed to support people who suffered a physical injury at work; it doesn’t do enough to help people experiencing psychological injury to recover and return to work.

“We welcome feedback on these proposals aimed at modernising the system and supporting people with serious injury.”

First look at the redeveloped Cowra Hospital’s new inpatient rooms

An innovative prototype room of the new and enhanced inpatient rooms to be delivered as part of the $110.2 million Cowra Hospital Redevelopment has been unveiled, which is giving staff a hands-on opportunity to test out its features.

Featuring an ensuite bathroom, the planned colour scheme, and equipment staff will use when the redevelopment is complete, the prototype room lets staff experience the design, technology and functionality of the new hospital spaces, as construction for the project continues.

The redevelopment once complete, will include a mix of single and double inpatient rooms, including multiple single rooms with access to a balcony. All inpatient rooms will have ensuite bathrooms, as well as a lounge area for families and carers.

The $110.2 million Cowra Hospital Redevelopment has been shaped by feedback from staff and the community throughout planning and design phase which has led to improved access, more onsite parking, new landscaped areas, and larger windows.

Health services are continuing to operate during construction, with the new hospital on track for completion at the end of 2025.

When complete, the new hospital building will provide a modern and purpose-built health facility for the region and will include:

  • ​an emergency department
  • a general medical and surgery inpatient ward
  • a peri-operative service
  • a maternity unit with a dedicated nursery
  • ambulatory care
  • a dental clinic
  • renal dialysis
  • oncology
  • Community Health and Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services
  • the hospital’s first CT scanner.

Construction on the Cowra Hospital is well under way with work for the façade, internal fit out, and landscaping progressing.

For more information on the project, visit:

https://www.cowrahospitalredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Our rural and regional communities, including the community of Cowra, deserve purpose-built and modern facilities to meet their present and future health needs.

“The feedback from the staff tours of the prototype room has already been extremely positive.

“The hospital has been designed in close collaboration with the community to create a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, visitors, and staff.”

NSW Government Spokesperson for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence MLC:

“It’s great to see local staff and clinicians having the opportunity to test out and provide feedback on the enhanced inpatient rooms planned for the redevelopment.

“The Cowra Hospital redevelopment will feature enhanced facilities that will significantly improve care and better support staff, patients and the community.

“The Cowra Hospital Redevelopment team is continuing to work with the community and hospital staff wherever possible to deliver a health facility tailored to the needs of the community it serves.”

Sydney’s iconic new GreenWay nears completion delivering another key travel connection across the Inner West

The Minns Labor Government and Inner West Council are today announcing a key milestone in the delivery of the GreenWay with the project reaching 80% of construction complete.

The GreenWay is a 6 kilometre shared bicycle and pedestrian path that will connect two of Sydney’s most popular walks, stretching from the Cooks River in Earlwood through the Inner West to the Bay Run on Parramatta River at Iron Cove.

Running North-South across the Inner West, the GreenWay will also intersect with the new Sydney Metro Southwest that is transforming the 130-year-old former T3 Bankstown line into a modern, turn-up-and-go metro service.

These two projects together will revolutionise transport in the Inner West, connecting communities that previously were not directly connected by either walking, cycling or public transport.

Once complete, the GreenWay will attract local and visitors alike, featuring bike paths and foreshore walks, public art, cultural and historical sites, cafes, bushcare sites and a range of parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities that sit alongside the path.

The project has also supported the delivery of more green space including a new fully fenced off-leash dog park in Lewisham West and a new wetland area, supporting local habitat conservation.

As the Minns Labor Government continues to work to deliver more new homes and apartments for young people, including in the Inner West, the GreenWay will also provide more critical recreational greenspace.

Running alongside a 100-year-old rail corridor, the GreenWay project has required building underpasses and tunnels beneath major roads to create continual pathways. The Hercules Parklands and the New Canterbury Road underpass are the final sections of this path to be completed.

The delivery of the GreenWay is as a result of years of committed advocacy from local community groups, Labor councillors on Inner West Council and the Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen.

The GreenWay project is supported by over $41 million from the NSW Government with a $11 million contribution from Inner West Council and a further $6 million Commonwealth Government.

The GreenWay is expected to open to the public later in 2025.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The GreenWay won’t just link two of Sydney’s most popular walks, it’ll become one in its own right, complete with a shared walking and cycling path, public art, playgrounds and cafes for everyone to enjoy.

“We are working hard to build much needed housing for young people and essential workers in the Inner West and the GreenWay combined with the new Metro Southwest will ensure they have access to world class public transport and great recreational green space.”

Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen said:

“I have been a strong and vocal advocate for the GreenWay project since my election as the Member for Summer Hill.

“The GreenWay’s shared pathway has a strong connection to the community and the environment. This iconic new path provides a great space for enjoying the outdoors and travelling across our community.”

Mayor of Inner West Council, Darcy Byrne said:

“The people of the Inner West have fought for years to bring the Greenway vision to life. Now that we’re nearing completion locals are hugely excited to see how it will transform our community.”

Staying Home Leaving Violence expands across NSW

More women and children escaping domestic and family violence all across New South Wales will now be able to access support to end an abusive relationship and stay safely in their own homes, with the expansion of the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program.

As part of last year’s domestic violence Emergency Package, the Minns Labor Government has invested $25.9 million over four years to expand the program across all 128 LGAs.

This includes 12 new providers:

  • Linking Communities Network Limited – Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops, Snowy Valleys, Temora and Hilltops LGAs.
  • Plus Community – Balranald and Wentworth LGAs.
  • Ryde Family Services TA The Northern Centre – Hornsby, Ryde and Hunters Hill LGAs.
  • Mary’s House Services – Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, Ku-Ring-Gai, Mosman, North Sydney, and Willoughby LGAs.
  • Justice Support Centre – Canada Bay and Strathfield LGAs.
  • Lithgow Community Projects Incorporated – Blue Mountains and Lithgow LGAs.
  • St Vincent de Paul Society NSW – Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs.
  • Home-Start National – Goulburn-Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs.
  • Monaro Family Support Service – Snowy Monaro LGA.
  • Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council – Oberon LGA.
  • Narrabri and District Community Aid (NDCAS) – Narrabri LGA.
  • Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation – Gunnedah LGA.

One final service provider for Bourke LGA is still being finalised.

Last financial year, SHLV supported 6,500 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, including 1,293 children who have experienced abuse.

A 2022 evaluation found the program to “effectively contribute to the long‑term safety and housing stability of women and families” and achieved enhanced wellbeing for women and children affected by domestic and family violence.

Under the program, local police make sure the perpetrator is removed from the home, while victim-survivors receive safety planning, security upgrades at properties where required, financial planning assistance and help navigating complex legal processes.

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales by addressing domestic and family violence from all angles, from boosting crisis response, strengthening bail laws, and focusing on earlier intervention and primary prevention.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Too often victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are forced to leave their homes in order to escape abuse.

“Staying Home Leaving Violence helps the victim-survivor to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice and to keep important connections in their own community. This program aims to support women to live in safety and to maintain housing stability.

“Keeping women and children connected to their families, support network, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods is so important for their recovery. People should not be forced to abandon those connections to escape a violent situation.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN on 13 92 76.

Statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV

Today is a momentous day for Catholics around the world and faithful in Australia, and I join them in congratulating their Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of Rome, on his election overnight.

As the first North American Pope, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership comes at an important time for the Catholic Church and the world.

Australia will invite His Holiness Pope Leo to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress being proudly hosted in 2028.

My government looks forward to continuing Australia’s strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.

This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere. 

May the papacy of Pope Leo advance the cause of peace and social justice for all humanity.

Violence Against Women is not solely a Male Issue

Too often the problem of gendered violence is levelled solely against men in Australia. This despite the fact that 99.9% of Aussie men do not rape anyone, kill anyone or commit domestic assault against anyone. Also the highest incidence of domestic violence (80%) occurs among lesbian gay couples. It is also very often focussed in arabic (predominantly moslem) and First Nations communities.

Further no one is even considering the female behaviour that is often triggering or provoking these kind of responses. Certainly no person is entitled to be violent towards another but people are only human and in the face of appalling treatment and laws that are targetted solely against men, sometimes they lash out. It would seem now that any form of terrible inter personal behaviour can be justified by women and can dismiss mens feelings entirely.

If women are really serious about slowing down or even stopping entirely violence against them then they need to look at their own behaviour and start to question the validity of the thinking spoon fed to them by fourth wave feminism. Because for the most part it denigrates men entirely with basically anything feminists disagree with labelled “Toxic Masculinity” and “Rape Culture”. Men trying to help women is denigrated as “mansplaining”.

Indeed such attacks on any form of male behaviour are fuelling the violence against women, because currently Aussie men are made to feel like anything they say or do that comes naturally to them is somehow wrong.

Its simple: if you keep putting men and everything they say and do down and making them the enemy, then treat them appallingly like that then is somehow ok, then this is a perfect storm for the type of lashing out in anger that leads to these problems. Treat men with respect and acknowledge that they are entitled to their own modes of thinking and the problem will virtually go away. This is a female problem and women can solve it, particularly if they stop championing laws (or just saying nothing) that make men feel like second class citizens.

As a society women need to better examine the way they treat men and affect their feelings. Instead of treating men poorly being the social standard (as current), women need to stop justifying appalling behaviour and acknowledge the distress and anger it causes in men.

There is the solution for you I will leave it with you.

COMMUNITY RALLY AGAINST VIOLENCE – NEWCASTLE

TOMORROW, Saturday, 10th May at 12pm, the aunt of 18-year-old murder victim, Emerald Wardle, will be co-hosting the Community Rally Against Violence in Newcastle, to honour her niece and all women and children who fall victims of heinous crimes.

“So far this year, 24 women in Australia have been murdered, and by the time we rally, that number could sadly be higher. This is a heartbreaking reality we can no longer ignore,” said Ms Smith.

“On Saturday we’ll be walking and calling for critical change to the justice system that failed Emerald, our family and many other victims of violent, heinous crimes against women and children,” she said.

Ms Smith who played a critical role in initiating amendments to the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 and the Mental Health Act 2007 that strengthened oversight and governance in forensic mental health matters, was in the gallery to witness the bill being presented by The Hon. Rose Jackson.

“While we’re deeply grateful for the recent changes to legislation that the Member for Orange, Philip Donato MP advocated for and the Minister for Mental Health, The Hon. Rose Jackson implemented, more needs to be done to protect the community when forensic patients are released, as the changes don’t go far enough,” Ms Smith said.

“With the support of Advocacy Australia, we and other victims of family members who have been brutally killed will continue to fight to protect the community from these killers even if the NSW Government, the Opposition and the Greens object to these important changes that will save lives,” said Ms Smith.

After Emerald’s young life was brutally taken by her boyfriend in 2020, Ms Smith says Emerald and her family were failed by a system that treated her cherished niece as just another statistic.

In April 2024, in the Court of Criminal Appeal, Emerald’s killer successfully overturned his murder conviction and a maximum 20-year sentence to be ‘act proven but not criminally responsible’, with oversight of the killer transferred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

The Mental Health Review Tribunal with its unprecedented, autonomous powers, makes decisions about the treatment and supervision of forensic patients and conducts reviews that can grant known killers leave from a facility that Ms Smith says not only fails to meet community expectations but poses serious risks to the wider community especially women and children.

“Emerald lost her young life at the hands of her boyfriend, a person she trusted, and then to learn that her killer was granted day release by the Tribunal and was using dating apps, was devastating,” she said.

“This rally is extremely important to me as not once in the last four years has Emerald, our family or the community be considered in the decisions that have been made around this case.

“When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made,” Ms Smith said.

“This needs to change. The victims must be given appropriate consideration in these matters and the safety of the community must be the priority not just needs of the perpetrator,” she said.

“There will never be an end to our overwhelming grief knowing that Emerald’s killer, a forensic patient, can be released without the same checks and balances as convicted murderers when granted parole, including ankle bracelet monitoring for known killers and other violent forensic patients, like Emerald’s killer, as proposed by Mr Philip Donato MP” Ms Smith said.

“The system with oversight of forensic patients’ needs a complete overhaul, and on Saturday when I join many who hope to prevent the same tragic acts of violence against women and children, I’ll be calling on the NSW Government to step up and hear our voices crying out for support.

“While I’m incredibly grateful to all those who supported the amendments to the legislation, there is still so much more that needs to be done and we’ll continue to fight for continued change to legislation and hold to account the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions, the courts, the Mental Health Review Tribunal and NSW victim services for the decisions made that impact all victims of heinous crimes and the wider community.

“When we walk on Saturday as part of the Community Rally Against Violence, we’ll be saying NO MORE to the violence so many Australian women and calling on the NSW Government to hear our pleas to end the violence and implement vital changes to achieve this,” Ms Smith said.

“We need our parliamentarians to put politics aside and stand with us – the people, the victims, and the families left behind. It’s time for courage, not complacency. Enough is enough. It should not take a personal experience for our leaders to recognise the urgency. The time to fix this fractured system is now.” said Ms Smith.

Ms Smith and other advocates will meet at Newcastle Museum and march to Foreshore Park to stand together for the 24 women who’ve already lost their lives during the 19 weeks of 2025 – to demand real action from the NSW Government.

“We will be walking for my niece Emerald Wardle who was a beautiful and kind young woman, and all victims of heinous violent crimes so we hope the community will join us and bring their loved ones, their signs and their voices to help us create noise that cannot be ignored to bring about essential change,” Ms Smith said.

Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia said, “Only by standing together to say NO MORE violence against women and children, can we as a society ensure a safer future for everyone.