Author: admin

New sports high school for South-West Sydney

The Minns Labor Government have delivered on another election commitment with Eagle Vale High School becoming Australia’s newest sports high school, as work continues to ensure families in Western Sydney have access to world class public education opportunities.

The school’s Talented Sports Program kicked off on day one term one this year with 60 students who successfully competed in the athletic trials last year excelling across Rugby League, Basketball and Cricket.

The delivery of this election commitment means for the first time families in the Macarthur region have a school on their doorstep catering for students excelling in sports alongside a strong academic program.

Previously, aspiring athletes in the region had to travel up to an hour to pursue their athletic ambitions at their nearest sports high school.

To support Eagle Vale High School’s students the NSW Government is funding multimillion-dollar upgrades to the school with new cricket nets and upgraded change rooms already delivered.

Further upgrade works are also underway including for a new running track, resurfacing the school’s full-sized playing field, new lighting for the sports field, new pickleball courts, a new multipurpose hall, a new Health and PE Learning Hub and a new PE Fitness Laboratory.

The Talented Sports Program has a proven track record of nurturing some of the country’s best up-and-coming athletes, including more than 170 national senior level representatives in NRL and AFL, and professional basketballers, golfers and surfers.  

Successful alumni of NSW sports high schools include Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, former national cricket captain Michael Clarke, soccer greats Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy, and former Australian rugby league captain Boyd Cordner.

This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild public education in NSW, ensuring families in growing Western Sydney communities have access to world-class schools, no matter their postcode. This ongoing work includes:

  • Investing a record $3.6 billion to deliver new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney
  • Delivering five new public schools across Western Sydney which welcomed students for the first time day one, term one 2025
  • Valuing the workforce by delivering the largest pay rise in a generation to NSW’s 95,000 teachers
  • Giving teachers job security by making 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contacts permanent
  • Reducing teacher vacancies by 40 per cent, ensuring more students have a qualified teacher at the front of their classrooms.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“No matter the postcode we want to ensure that children across New South Wales are given every opportunity to achieve their dreams.

“This means kids in South-West Sydney will have a real opportunity to pursue their sporting aspirations without their parents having to commit to hours of travel each day.

“For both budding athletes and their parents, this is a game changer.

“There is such a strong sporting culture in this part of Sydney and it’s great that the opportunities available to local school children finally reflects that.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:

“The population in the Macarthur region is continuing to grow, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting young people to reach their potential in their local area.

“Previously, Macarthur students had to travel an hour or more each way to access a Talented Sports Program. Now, these students can follow their sporting dreams in their local area.

“Eagle Vale High will be a school where some of South-West Sydney’s most talented athletes get their start as possible future Olympic champions.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“It is fantastic to see the upgrade works underway at Eagle Vale High School.

“Delivering a selective sports stream for the Macarthur community is giving talented young athletes from our local area more opportunities.

“I cannot wait to see the dividends this investment delivers for our strong local sporting community.”

Eagle Vale High School principal Craig Butler said:

“The community is very excited about the new sports facilities. They think it’s wonderful that we’re supporting our kids and showing a commitment to the Macarthur area.

“We are going to have kids who will become Olympic champions and professional athletes, but as a sports high school, we can allow them to manage their study so they don’t have to make a choice between academic success and sport.

“The students know they are part of something special and talk about the school with pride.”

The Minns Labor Government lets inmate harass victim from prison

A shocking failure in the prison system has allowed a high-risk domestic violence offender to harass his victim with more than 1,500 phone calls while behind bars at John Morony Prison.
 
The serial offender was allegedly able to add his victim’s phone number to an approved call list, making an average of 20 calls a day over three months—an outrageous breach of protocol that should never have been possible.
 
Shadow Minister for Corrections Adam Crouch said the Minns Labor Government has serious questions to answer.
 
“This is an appalling breakdown in the system. The government has failed in its most basic duty—to protect the community, especially victims of crime.
 
Corrections officers should be stopping offenders from contacting their victims, not handing them an open line to continue their abuse. The Minister has announced an ‘investigation’ and offered an ‘apology’—but that does nothing to fix the problem or reassure victims that they are safe.
 
The offender’s phone access must be suspended immediately, and the government must be upfront with the public about how often these breaches are occurring,” Mr Crouch said.
 
With thousands of inmates given access to phones, how many other victims are being harassed right now? The Minister needs to come clean—how many times has this happened under his watch?
 
How can we expect victims of crime to come forward if the government can’t guarantee they won’t be harassed in this way.

Rail disruption expected to continue from Monday

Passengers are urged to avoid non-essential travel and allow extra travel time tomorrow (Monday 17 February) as lengthy delays and cancellations are expected to continue on the rail network next week due to industrial action.

Last week saw severe disruption to train services due to an unprecedented level of unplanned and unnotified staff absences.

Significant impacts are expected to continue into next week. However, the nature of this action is very unpredictable and we won’t have clarity on the impacts until the morning when train drivers and guards start to report for their shifts.

Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink are urging employees to turn up to work tomorrow and help run a regular timetable. There is no ‘lockout’ in place and all staff undertaking their normal duties will be paid.

For parents of school children who would normally catch the train, our advice is to arrange alternative travel if possible.

We urge passengers to avoid non-essential travel, use alternative forms of public transport, and plan ahead by checking the latest updates on transportnsw.info and live travel apps.

Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink apologise to our passengers once again for the disruption as our staff work hard to minimise the impacts of industrial action.

The matter will be heard in a full bench hearing of the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday (19 February).

Seven injured in Hunter crash, witnesses sought 

Inquiries are continuing into a crash in the Hunter region which resulted in seven people being taken to John Hunter Hospital this morning.

Emergency services were called to Bromage Road, Abermain, shortly after midnight (Sunday 16 February 2025), following reports of a crash involving multiple people.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found a 2003-model blue Subaru Liberty AWD sedan was driving east when it hit two parked vehicles, a white LDV and a champagne-coloured Mazda 6. The AWD then struck a group of people.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated seven people at the scene, with one airlifted to John Hunter Hospital and the remainder taken by road ambulance.

• An eight-year-old girl remains in hospital with suspected internal injuries, while a 10-year-old girl has been treated for minor injuries and released.

• Two women, aged 25 and 31, also remain in hospital with the older woman being treated for a head injury.

• Two men, aged 24 and 25, were also taken to hospital; the younger man has a fractured leg while the older man has been treated for a foot injury and released.

• The driver, an 18-year-old man, is being treated for facial injuries and remains in hospital under police guard.

A crime scene was established and specialist officers attached to the Crash Investigations Unit (CIU) have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Appeal for information after vehicle hits seven people – Cessnock

An investigation has commenced following a pedestrian crash in the state’s Hunter Valley.

About 12.05am today (Sunday 16 February 2025), emergency services were called to Bromage Road, Abermain, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and were told a vehicle was allegedly performing a burnout in front of a crowd when it lost control – crashed into a parked vehicle – which hit onlookers.

The driver, an 18-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and taken to hospital for further assessment where he remains under police guard.

Two children – aged 5 and 6 – were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Five adults were also injured and were taken to hospital for further treatment.

A crime scene was established and Crash Investigations Unit have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Supporting Papua New Guinea’s maritime infrastructure growth

The Albanese Government is supporting a $95 million upgrade of Papua New Guinea’s Kimbe Port to improve freight services and resilience to climate change, while fostering economic growth and creating local jobs.

The upgrade is financed by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), and will involve the demolition and reconstruction of wharf structures and the rehabilitation of existing facilities.

This project forms part of the broader AIFFP-funded PNG Ports Infrastructure Investment Program, which aims to strengthen connectivity and supply chain efficiency across Papua New Guinea.

The program, developed in partnership with the PNG Government, will also upgrade Oro Bay, Daru, Lae and Kavieng facilities.

Pacific Marine Group Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract by PNG Ports Corporation Ltd for Kimbe Port Marine improvement works.

The Kimbe Port upgrade is supporting local jobs via local construction companies and supply chains, with a minimum target of 30 percent expenditure on local content.

The works are scheduled to begin in early 2025 and conclude in 2026.

More information can be found on the AIFFP project page.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Since the Albanese Government was elected, we have made the Pacific, including our relationship with Papua New Guinea, a priority.

“Through this project, and the broader Ports Program, we are responding to PNG priorities, and helping our neighbour become more economically resilient and secure.

“Australia is a trusted partner for major infrastructure projects in the Pacific, with transparent investment to support high quality construction and utilising local labour to create jobs and support the local economy.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy:

“The Albanese Government has been working hard with Pacific nations to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

“With more than 90 per cent of internationally traded goods in Papua New Guinea transported by sea, maritime infrastructure is critical.”

“Pacific countries look to us first to support their development and economic needs. Australia is proud to support the re-development of Kimbe Port, particularly as PNG marks the historic milestone of 50 years of independence.”

40th anniversary of the Torres Strait Treaty

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Torres Strait Treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea, which entered into force on 15 February 1985.

In addition to defining the maritime boundaries between Papua New Guinea and Australia, the Treaty protects the ways of life of traditional inhabitants in the Torres Strait Protected Zone.

The Treaty’s unique provisions allow Torres Strait Islanders and Papua New Guineans from Treaty Villages free movement across borders for traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, cultural and religious ceremonies, social gatherings and trade.

It is particularly important to reflect on the Treaty’s success this year as we look forward to marking the 50th Anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence in September.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“The Torres Strait Treaty recognises the kinship between our two countries and our people, reflecting the deeply important relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea as neighbours, friends and equals.

“We will continue working closely together to advance our shared interests and ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy:

“The arrangements in the Treaty are a reflection of the thousands of years of engagement and cultural connection that exist between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

“Australia remains committed to the Torres Strait Treaty, and its assurance to empower our First Nations people and preserve their traditions, as the longest continuous culture on earth.”

PM a “sell out” to toxic salmon industry: Greens

The Greens have slammed the Prime Minister’s announcement today that he will cave in to the Tasmanian salmon industry by weakening Australia’s environment laws if re-elected. The Greens will stand up for the environment and community this election against vested interests.

Nick McKim is Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania:

“Labor has backed in the profits of foreign salmon-farming corporations over Tasmania’s environment and the survival of the Maugean Skate.

“Australia’s environment laws are already too weak. To water them down even further to underpin corporate profits is an outrage and a betrayal.

“The Greens will fight any attempt to erode the protection of Australia’s environment with everything we’ve got.

“This will play very badly for Labor at the election, because right around the state Tasmanian communities are fighting to defend their coastlines from pollution and privatisation by industrial salmon farms.

“Tasmanians have always voted for the environment, and will do so in even larger numbers after this shocking environmental sellout.”

Australian Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Prime Minister has bulldozed environment laws and his Environment Minister, again. Last week it was caving in to the fossil fuel industry, today it’s the multinational salmon corporations.

“It is clearer than ever that Labor is too weak to stand up to vested interests and protect the environment and native species. They simply can’t be trusted to do the right thing, by the law or by nature.

“Instead of applying the law, the Prime Minister has told industry he will change the rules to suit them at the expense of the community and the environment. This is not leadership, this is a weak capitulation.

“Whether it’s protecting our marine ecosystems, native forests or koalas, neither Labor or Mr Dutton can be trusted – they will sell out to the corporations every time. Only the Greens in balance of power can save our native species and force Labor to act.”

NSW Government rebuilding TAFE with multi-year pay deal

The Minns Labor Government has secured a multi-year pay deal with TAFE NSW teachers, benefiting nearly 9,000 teaching staff. Over 90 per cent of teaching staff, backed by the NSW Teachers Federation, voted to accept the government’s 10.5% baseline pay offer, higher than ever offered under the former government.

This comes after a decade long wages cap by the former Liberal-National Government that left thousands of teachers underpaid and in insecure employment.  

Nearly two thirds of NSW Public sector workers and their union have now signed wage agreements with the NSW Government.

The deal, which delivers on the Government’s election commitment to rebuild TAFE NSW, consists of:

  • A 3.5% pay rise, plus a 0.5% superannuation boost for 2024-25;
  • A 3% pay rise annually in both 2025-26 and 2026-27, plus a further 0.5% increase to super in 2025-26.

Additionally, the Government will undertake reforms within 12 months to remove TAFE NSW from the former Government’s “Smart and Skilled” competitive market, a key recommendation of the NSW VET Review.

This means TAFE NSW will no longer compete with the private training providers for funding and instead will have a more predictable annual budget.

These changes will slash red tape and give teachers more time to focus on the actual teaching of students.

In addition, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 1700 casual teachers and delivery support staff from the beginning of this semester into permanent roles, providing long-overdue job security and stability for staff who have endured years of uncertainty.

80% of the TAFE NSW teaching workforce now enjoy greater job security, ensuring a stable, experienced workforce to deliver training in priority industries such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis said:

“This pay agreement with TAFE NSW teaching staff reaffirms the Minns Labor Government’s industrial relations framework is working.

“It recognises not only the important service our teachers and educators provide but acknowledges and rewards their efforts.

“This is a good step forward but there is always more work to do to ensure we have the best public service in the world.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:    

“I’m delighted that the TAFE NSW teaching staff have agreed to the Government’s offer, recognising their contribution to the state. Our teachers are on the front line of delivering the skills education to fill shortages in our critical industries and we value them.”  

“We’ve heard from teachers that they want to see reform in TAFE NSW, and alongside the increase in pay, this agreement builds on reform by no longer requiring TAFE NSW to compete with private training providers for funding.

“Removing TAFE NSW from the competitive (Smart and Skilled) market was a key recommendation of the Government’s VET Review.  It will result in a major reduction in administrative burden for TAFE NSW, but more importantly it enhances the recognition that TAFE NSW is the core provider of vocational training in NSW.  

“Funding certainty and a stable and secure vocational training workforce are crucial to meeting the increasing demand for skilled workers across several critical industries NSW communities rely on every day.” 

NSW Teachers Federation President, Henry Rajendra said:  

“The Federation enthusiastically welcomes the strengthening of TAFE NSW, with more than 1700 teachers transitioning from casual to permanent role starting earlier this term.

We also commend the removal of the constraints of the contestable funding market on TAFE NSW, and the introduction of a new three-year enterprise agreement that delivers solid pay increases to some of the most essential educators in NSW.  

“These are a clear demonstration of the NSW Government’s commitment to rebuilding a strong and stable TAFE NSW. 

“As the heart of the vocational education and training sector in Australia, TAFE NSW is critical to delivering the education and skills for our students, communities and economy across NSW. 

“TAFE NSW has a proven track record of excellence, delivering dependable public education that meets individual, industry and community needs.”