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The NSW Government welcomes the Federal Government’s ban on social media for children under 16.

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 passed both houses of Parliament this week.

The laws place the onus on social media platforms – not young people or their parents – to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years of age from having accounts, and ensures systemic breaches will see platforms face fines of up to $49.5 million.

The minimum age will apply to ‘age-restricted social media platforms’ as defined in the Bill, which includes Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X and others.

The Minns Labor Government is pleased that we have a national approach to social media bans. It means we have consistent rules across the country.

This follows the joint social media summit held by the NSW Government and the Government of South Australia – the first of its kind.

The Summit in Sydney reached consensus that social media, if left unchecked, uncensored, un-supervised, poses a threat, particularly to young people in our community.

Evidence shows us the links between increases in social media use and greater instances of mental health issues, loss of sleep, less in person interaction, and less practice of social skills.

The social media ban is a welcome measure for many parents, and another of the many measures now in place to help minimise the negative impacts of social media and devices on young people including:

• Banning mobile phones in all NSW Public schools, with a recent survey showing that 86 per cent of principals believing socialising has improved since this came into effect.
• Developing a statewide approach to address bullying in New South Wales schools.
• A $2.5 million research fund to investigate the impacts of excessive screen time, video games and mobile phone use on young people and their learning.
• Recruiting 250 additional school counsellors as part of the NSW Labor Government’s election commitment to student wellbeing.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“I want to congratulate the Albanese Government on passing these laws. They are world leading.”

“I’ve said before, social media is this giant global unregulated experiment on children, and we have to change that.

“The parents I speak to and certainly the evidence acknowledges that social media is doing an enormous amount of harm to young people.

“By making this law, at the very least we empower parents to be able to say no to their kids when it comes to social media because it’s now against the law.

“It also means kids can focus on being kids, talking to each other face to face, spending time outdoors and not fixated on their screens.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib will today welcome 286 new firefighters to the ranks of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) at a graduation ceremony in western Sydney.

The new intake includes 61 permanent firefighters and 225 paid on-call firefighters, with graduates hailing from diverse backgrounds including skydiving, carpentry, architecture, teaching and defence.

The graduation will take place at the Emergency Services Academy at Orchard Hills.

The new recruits have spent up to 12 weeks learning to deal with fire emergencies, as well as training in search and rescue, first aid, heavy vehicle driving and dealing with hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

In the past year, FRNSW has responded to 140,000 emergency incidents, conducted more than 24,000 safety visits and provided fire safety education to more than 40,000 children.

The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding Fire and Rescue NSW. The 2024-25 NSW Budget saved the jobs of almost 300 firefighters left unfunded by the former Coalition government. The Government is also building new fire stations in Byron Bay, Charlestown and Badgerys Creek.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build stronger, safer communities across the state.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“I congratulate the graduating recruits and welcome them into the emergency services family.

“It takes a special kind of person to put the safety of others ahead of their own and to help those in need.

“That is the very best definition of public service.

“Our recruits will now put their training into action, joining metropolitan and regional fire crews across the state.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“I thank this group of recruits for making the commitment today to protect lives in communities across the state by joining Fire and Rescue NSW.

“Having been trained to prepare for anything, I am certain these new recruits will have a positive impact on the people of NSW for many years to come.

“It’s a special day for our newest recruits and their families, and I wish them all long and safe careers as NSW firefighters.”

Commissioner of FRNSW Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“FRNSW is leading the way when it comes to equipping and training firefighters.

“While today’s graduates come from diverse backgrounds, they have one thing in common – a drive to protect the irreplaceable.

“From today they are part of an organisation where the safety and trust of the community is at the heart of everything we do.”

Firefighter profiles

Firefighter Charly Rusconi

Former skydiving instructor, Charly Rusconi, who has over 9,000 jumps under his belt. He completed his training in September and is now stationed at Silverwater Fire Station.

In his first months, Firefighter Rusconi and his crew responded to variety of incidents including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and an animal rescue.

Firefighter Charly Rusconi said:

“The training we received was so interesting yet intense.

“Given my skydiving experience, I was comfortable with the ‘working at heights’ and ‘ropes’ components, but everything else was brand new.

“Since being stationed at Silverwater, I’ve completed 14 shifts and attended 10 structure fires.

“It’s unfortunate that often we come across people during times of distress, but I love that we can make their day a little better.

“Most of my crew are parents, so we love being able to engage with kids in the local community, whether that’s talking to them on the street or visiting schools for fire safety education sessions.”

Firefighter Atanesi Tia

On-call Firefighter Atanesi Tia, from Griffith, juggles her new role alongside a busy family life.

Firefighter Atanesi Tia said:

“I was looking for a career change that let me balance caring for my three children.

“A family friend invited us to a drill night at Griffith Fire Station last year as my husband was initially interested in joining, but I ended up signing up instead.

“My background is Samoan, so family and community are extremely important to me, and the flexibility of being an on-call firefighter allows me to spend more time with my son before he starts kindergarten next year.

“This job can be challenging, but it gives me a great sense of purpose and I love that I can be there for my local community during their time of need.”

A $30 million election commitment from the Minns Labor Government to provide a much-needed boost to rental options in the Northern Rivers is now a step closer to being realised.

Landcom’s plans for 50 build-to-rent apartments near the Southern Cross University at East Lismore have been approved by the Northern Regional Planning Panel – just 68 days since they were lodged with Lismore City Council.  

Part of the NSW Government’s build-to-rent pilot program to increase rental supply in regional communities affected by rising rents and low housing availability, the plans will provide important additional housing for the Northern Rivers region, which was impacted by major floods in 2022.

The development will feature a mix of apartment sizes to suit the needs, lifestyles and budgets of different households. Close to shops, schools, open space and other community infrastructure, 20% will be affordable rental housing, supporting essential workers and people with low and moderate household incomes.

The project site at the corner of Crawford Road and Military Road is not flood prone and has been designed with sustainability and climate-resilience in mind, maximising solar access and cross ventilation for the wellbeing of residents. Other features include private off-street parking, outdoor communal spaces, landscaping featuring subtropical plants, and views to bushland in the east.

The plans were informed by community and stakeholder feedback, planning controls, and site investigations, including studies related to local traffic, the natural environment and urban design. 

Landcom seek construction tender responses early next year. Subject to approvals, construction should begin in 2025, with the aim of residents moving into their new homes in 2026.

This follows the recent approval of Landcom’s 50 build-to-rent homes in Bomaderry on the NSW South Coast.

To learn more about the project, visit landcom.com.au/eastlismore.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“Housing affordability and availability is one of the biggest pressures facing NSW residents, with regional communities like Lismore and the wider Northern Rivers region doing it particularly tough.

“The build-to-rent project at East Lismore will help to boost the supply of much-needed rental stock, while providing greater housing choice, security and affordability for future residents in well-located, well-designed and well-built homes.

“Continuing the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to support flood recovery in the Northern Rivers, the build-to-rent project will also support jobs during and beyond construction.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson:

“Having access to affordable and secure housing is a basic human right. We need safe, good quality, accessible homes for people in regional areas, particularly in places like the Northern Rivers which have been hit hard by devastating floods in recent years.

“Projects like these are an important step towards delivering affordable rental housing for the people of regional NSW.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“The build-to-rent project at East Lismore is a welcome investment by the NSW Government to provide secure and affordable rental options for the Lismore community.

“Landcom’s build-to-rent project will help to fill gaps in the housing market, where there is a need for a greater mix of housing, with more smaller homes and housing suited to smaller households.

“I am pleased to see the pace of progress being made by Landcom, with support from Lismore City Council, to help local renters to put a roof over their head as soon as practical.”

Landcom CEO Alex Wendler:

“Our vision is to transform the unused East Lismore site with much-needed homes that are well-designed, sustainable and climate-resilient, while also celebrating the region’s architecture and lifestyle.

“We want future residents to be proud to call the development home, benefiting from easy access to open space, shops, services, schools and jobs.

“The speed at which we’ve reached this milestone is a testament to working collaboratively with Lismore City Council and other key stakeholders to fast-track home delivery.” 

A revitalised Wollongong Health Precinct is one step closer following the release of an Engagement Outcomes Report detailing the community’s views on the proposed development following community consultations in 2024.

The key issues detailed in the Engagement Outcomes Report, focused on parking and transport links to access the site, public safety upgrades, an expansion of general and specialised healthcare services, more local housing for key health workers such as cleaners, and more public open space.

The engagement program undertook extensive consultation with the local community, including eight information sessions, online surveys, written submissions and targeted workshops with culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

Feedback was also sought from local Indigenous community groups, along with research and education providers, as well as industry and peak bodies.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has been using its findings from the report to prepare the Draft Wollongong Health Precinct Strategy.

The Draft Wollongong Health Precinct Strategy will incorporate future planning for NSW Health’s Master Plan for Wollongong Public Hospital, Transport for NSW’s Wollongong Station Master Plan and Access Strategy and Wollongong City Council’s Local Housing Plan and Integrated Transport Strategy.

The Strategy will be publicly exhibited early next year, giving the community, landowners and other stakeholders a further opportunity to provide more feedback.

To view the report visit – Engagement Outcomes Report – Wollongong Health Precinct

Minister for Health, Regional Health, Illawarra & the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“As the demand for health services grows in the Illawarra, we recognise Wollongong Hospital needs to meet that increased pressure.

“As the largest hospital in the area Wollongong provides a comprehensive range of services for the community, and this process enables our government to shape the future of this important healthcare precinct.

“I am delighted to see the interest the community is taking in this hospital. Valuable feedback provided for this report about Wollongong Hospital will go a long way to ensuring it continues to meet the healthcare needs of the Illawarra for decades to come.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“As Wollongong continues to grow and change, it continues to attract world class public and private investment to the area.

“This new opportunity will see investment in Wollongong’s housing supply and choice, creation of new jobs and improved public spaces, infrastructure and services.

“Wollongong’s emerging Health Precinct will play a vital role in contributing to this growth.

“The Engagement Outcomes Report is a key piece of information, along with the Hospital Masterplan, Wollongong Station Masterplan and Council’s local housing plans, in the development of the Wollongong Health Precinct.”

The Minns Labor Government is renewing calls for employers, employees and home renovators across the state to remain vigilant to the dangers of asbestos.

With asbestos still present in one-in-three Australian homes, as well as in public and commercial buildings and more than 4,000 Australian lives claimed annually, National Asbestos Awareness Week serves as a timely and important reminder to access information and register for safety courses before working with asbestos or any building material which might contain asbestos,

Worth $4.5 billion, December 2024 marks the 20-year anniversary of the biggest compensation agreement ever struck in Australia on behalf of people with asbestos-related illnesses directly caused by the actions of the building-products manufacturer, James Hardie.

It was the Carr Labor Government that instituted the judicial inquiry into James Hardie. It was the findings of this inquiry and the subsequent public pressure on the company which resulted in the establishment of the compensation fund for the victims of their deadly product.

The 2004 deal struck with James Hardie was a landmark agreement, and its benefits have resonated across the country, raising awareness, education and investment in medical research into asbestos diseases. The agreement also ensured current and future victims of asbestos-related diseases would be fully compensated for years to come.

Some practical steps to follow when it comes to dealing with the toxic material include:

• If the home or building you are working on was built before 1990, then it is likely to contain asbestos.
• If you’re not sure whether asbestos might be present at a site, don’t do anything until you’ve had it checked by a licensed asbestos professional.    
• If you’re working on a commercial building that was built before December 2003, ask to see a copy of the asbestos register before doing any work.
• For renovators and tradies working with asbestos or removing small amounts of asbestos        (less than 10sq m), SafeWork NSW has launched an online asbestos awareness and safety course which will help meet your training obligations and provide workers the skills they need to stay safe when working with asbestos.

To find out more about the SafeWork NSW asbestos safety course, Register Here.

For more information about asbestos safety, visit the SafeWork NSW asbestos page.

Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis says:

“Employers must ensure their workers follow safe processes when working with asbestos to prevent exposure.

“Equally, DIY renovators should be aware of the potential risks, stay educated and leave it to the experts.

“All workers have the right to go home to their loved ones at the end of their workday.”

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin says:

“If asbestos is disturbed, it can release dangerous fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres which can cause serious and fatal illness when inhaled.

“This National Asbestos Awareness Week, it’s important to remember that if your home or commercial building was built or renovated before 1990, it may contain asbestos. If in doubt, contact a licensed asbestos assessor or refer to the SafeWork website which offers further guidance, resources and information on the asbestos awareness and safety course.”

Shoppers are being urged to know their rights and to shop smart ahead of the busy holiday shopping season.

The annual Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas shopping, Boxing Day, and January sales can give consumers many opportunities to snap up a bargain if they shop carefully, but shoppers need to do their research and be on the lookout for scams.

Last financial year (FY) online shopping complaints to NSW Fair Trading surged by 70 per cent to 18,232, with retail complaints in clothing, footwear, accessories, and jewellery recording a notable jump from 796 in FY 2023, to 2742 in FY 2024.

Complaints also rose in categories such as electrical goods (1,473 in FY 2024 compared with 982 in FY 2023), and furnishings (1,157 in FY 2024) indicating ongoing consumer concerns with product quality and delivery delays.

Fair Trading has a range of compliance and enforcement options available to help protect consumers.

These options include education, public warnings, and/or enforcement action including penalties up to a maximum of $22,000 for individuals, and $1.1 million for companies.

Consumers are urged to follow these key tips to protect themselves this festive shopping season:

• Know your rights during sales: Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement if a product or service doesn’t meet the description. This applies to both online and in-store purchases. Make sure you ask for a receipt and keep it somewhere safe.
• Research before you buy: Take the time to compare prices, read reviews, and confirm that a sale really is a bargain before making a purchase. Some businesses may offer discounts that don’t always represent true savings.
• Check delivery and returns policies: Make sure you understand the store’s return policies, particularly for sale items. Businesses are not legally required to provide refunds if you change your mind, but many do so as a courtesy. When purchasing online, check delivery cut-off dates to ensure your items arrive on time.
• Beware of scams: Scammers often take advantage of busy shopping periods by creating fake websites or ads. Always check that the website is secure, ensure the web address is correct, and save copies of your receipts or confirmation emails for any future disputes.

For more information on your rights and tips for staying safe this shopping season visit: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“With the holiday shopping season upon us, shoppers need to know their rights and be on guard for dodgy products and scams.

“Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement if a product or service doesn’t meet the description, and these rights apply to both online and in-store purchases.

“Fair Trading has a range of compliance and enforcement options available to help protect consumers.

“These options include education, public warnings, and/or enforcement action including penalties up to a maximum of $22,000 for individuals, and $1.1 million for companies.”

Financial Year Total Complaints
FY 2018	FY 2019	FY 2020	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024
7,965	7,517	9,631	10,429	9,819	10,568	18,232

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2018
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\Jewelry	886
Retail – Mobile\Smart phones and\or accessories	702
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	580
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	438
Retail – Ticket Selling\Re-selling Platform	411

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2019
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\Jewelry	851
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	604
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	604
Retail – Furniture\Furnishings\Manchester	483
Retail – Ticket Selling\Re-selling Platform	381

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2020
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	1629
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\jewelry	978
Retail – Entertainment (Incl bookings)	732
Retail – Furniture\Furnishings\Manchester	486
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	457

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2021
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	2109
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\Jewelry	900
Retail – Furniture\Furnishings\Manchester	817
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	590
Retail – Homewares	498

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2022
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	1035
Retail – Furniture\Furnishings\Manchester	989
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\Jewelry	942
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	776
Retail – Ticket Selling\Re-selling Platform	511

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2023
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	1624
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	982
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\Jewelry	796
Retail – Ticket Selling\Re-selling Platform	769
Retail – Homewares	730

Top 5 Product Name	FY 2024
Retail – Clothing\Footwear\Accessories\Jewelry	2742
Other Services – Travel\Tourism	1830
Retail – Electrical, Electronic, Whitegoods and Gas Appliances	1473
Retail – Furniture\Furnishings\Manchester	1157
Retail – Homewares	840

BreastScreen NSW is Australia’s first population-based screening program to introduce cutting-edge technology to support radiologists in interpreting a select range of mammography images.

The integration of machine reading technology will ensure BreastScreen NSW can continue to deliver a world-class service, while meeting the needs of NSW’s growing population.

Successfully used in similar international population-based screening programs, BreastScreen NSW undertook a world-first study to extensively evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of this new technology.

The study showed the technology produced comparable results to the existing screening program, without compromising cancer detection rates.

At least one radiologist will continue to read every woman’s image to look for the early stages of breast cancer, with machine reading technology providing additional analysis.

The new technology will complement the expertise of radiologists.

The use of this new technology will have no impact on womens’ breast screening experience.

For women aged 50-74, a breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are recommended to screen from age 40.

Early detection not only significantly increases a person’s chance of survival it can also greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.

Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay.

For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online at http://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/.  

Health Minister Ryan Park

“NSW is proud to lead the way in the introduction of cutting-edge technology to ensure the sustainability of the life-saving BreastScreen NSW program.”

“Planning for the needs of our growing population is critical and this is just one of the ways NSW is using new technology to complement and support the capabilities of our highly skilled, but globally in demand workforce.”

“At the same time, reducing the devastating impact of breast cancer on women is a priority and I’d like to thank the BreastScreen NSW team for their world-leading work.”

Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien AM

“In partnership with our expert radiologists, BreastScreen NSW is driving ground-breaking research and innovation that will ensure women have the best chance at detecting and treating cancer in its earliest stages.”

“By combining the strength of technology with the world-class expertise of our specialist radiologists, machine reading will help support the thousands of women accessing our state’s breast screening services, now and into the future.”

“We have seen record numbers of women book breast screening, with October the biggest month for bookings in the history of the BreastScreen NSW program. There are still far too many people who are overdue for their two-yearly screen and I urge all eligible women to book in their breast screen today.”

BreastScreen Clinical Director Dr Nalini Bhola

“BreastScreen NSW is focused on supporting our expert clinical workforce with the latest technology to facilitate the interpretation of mammograms across NSW.”

“The rollout of this technology was guided by our radiologists to ensure we maintain our excellent cancer detection rates and BreastScreen NSW can continue to deliver a world-class experience for our clients.”

“We are introducing the technology in a way that will allow close monitoring, to ensure we maintain our excellent standards of clinical quality.”