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HUNTER VALLEY FAMILIES BUCKLE UNDER COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES: NEW RESEARCH

More than half (55%) of Hunter Valley low-income households are going without prescribed medication or healthcare due to cost-of-living pressures according to a new report by peak social services body NCOSS.

The report, Impossible Choices: Decisions NSW communities shouldn’t have to make, was commissioned by NCOSS and undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney this year. It surveyed a representative sample of more than 1,080 residents living on low incomes and below the poverty line in NSW.

The research revealed the following across the Hunter Valley region:

69% are in housing stress (i.e. they spend more than 30% of income on housing)
65% had no money set aside for emergencies
55% went without prescribed medication or healthcare
52% could not afford to travel for essential reasons
45% went without meals
NCOSS CEO Cara Varian said the research had demonstrated the extreme impacts being felt by households in Hunter Valley on low incomes and below the poverty line.

“Hunter Valley families should not be forced to choose between paying for food or medication,” Ms Varian said.

“The basics of life should not be considered a luxury that most low-income families cannot afford.

“These impossible choices make every day a challenge and, most disturbingly, we are setting up intergenerational disadvantage. We must do better.”

The research revealed the following across the state of NSW:

Single parents were the hardest hit cohort, with nine out of ten single parents going without essentials over the past 12 months.
NSW children are also bearing the brunt of the growing cost of living pressures, with parents cutting back spending on meals, essential healthcare, and education resources.
Three in four households (74 per cent) sacrificed spending on their children.
Half of households (52 per cent) sacrificed spending on health and wellbeing essentials.
One in five delayed early childhood education.
“The ripple effects of these sacrifices are profound, causing increased stress and tension within households, affecting relationships, mental health and wellbeing, and child development outcomes,” Ms Varian said.

“Most people on low incomes in this survey were working, many taking on additional jobs and hours but still going backwards. Even those who received a pay rise could not match the increase to their costs of living.”

Ms Varian said the peak body had a set of recommendations for the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, developed in consultation with NCOSS members.

“These are complex issues, but governments have the power to change it,” she said.

“Implementing our recommendations would significantly ease the crushing pressure that is pushing people to breaking point.”

The recommendations include:

Lifting Commonwealth income support for Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payments.
Increasing the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
Providing universal early childcare.
Ensuring 10 per cent of all NSW housing is social and affordable.Making NSW rental increases fair and reasonable; urgently implement no grounds evictions for all lease types; and legislate rental bidding.
Implementing a universal school food program in NSW.
Providing adequate funding for NSW emergency food relief services.
Expanding public transport concessions to better support people on low incomes.
Improving bus networks in regional, rural and remote communities.
For more information, and to read the full report, visit ncoss.org.au

Definitions:

Below the poverty line: defined as households living on less than 50 per cent of the median NSW household income after tax and housing costs (below $560 per week).
Low-income households: defined as households living on 50 – 80 per cent of the median NSW household income after tax and housing costs ($560 – $896 per week).
About the survey: the research, undertaken by the University of Technology’s Institute of Public Policy and Governance, involved stratified random sampling to engage a statistically representative sample of 1,086 NSW residents, living on low incomes and below the poverty line, through an online survey. 23 people also participated in focus groups and interviews.

AFP warning over rise of sadistic sextortion online

The AFP is warning parents and guardians over a concerning online trend emerging in Australia involving young victims who are being coerced into producing extreme sexual and violent content over the internet.

Sadistic sextortion is a rising online crime type that involves extreme online groups targeting children as young as twelve years old on social media and messaging platforms to coerce them to self-produce explicit material to gain acceptance into extreme online communities.

These online communities use different names and monikers to operate on social media or messaging platforms, and consist of members from all around the world. To gain access to a majority of these groups, prospective members are coerced by group members to produce or live-stream explicit content online.

In some cases, the offenders are the same age as the victims being targeted.

AFP intelligence has identified that sadistic sextortion offenders will initiate an online relationship with a victim on social media or messaging platform before encouraging them to produce an image or video performing an explicit sexual or violent act.

The offender will then share the content with other members in the online group, who will attempt to extort the victim by threatening to share the material with their family or friends, unless the victim produces more videos and extreme content.

The offender will relentlessly demand more content from victims that often continues to escalate in its seriousness including specific live sex acts, animal cruelty, serious self-harm, and live online suicide.

The Western Australia Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) commenced an investigation into reports of an alleged serious sadistic sextortion offender in WA, 14, accused of targeting victims around the world in 2022.

Police seized the offender’s phone and later identified child abuse material (CAM) and videos of animal cruelty.

The offender was charged and received a juvenile caution in relation to the matter.

AFP Commander of Human Exploitation and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) Helen Schneider said intelligence received by the ACCCE suggested most offenders in extreme online groups were not motivated by money, but were instead focused on obtaining status or notoriety within the group.

“Unlike sextortion, these offenders are not motivated by financial gain. Instead, they are driven by exploiting vulnerable victims into producing abhorrent content for their deranged amusement,” Commander Schneider said.

“Unfortunately, some victims in these groups, do not see themselves as victims. They do not believe they are being coerced into performing these extremely horrific acts and therefore are unlikely to report it to the authorities.

“Without information or assistance from victims and members of the public, it can be extremely difficult for police to identify offenders and shutdown these dangerous groups.”

Commander Schneider said the AFP urged parents and guardians to be aware of the warning signs of young people being groomed by coercive groups online.

‘If parents believe their child is engaging in harmful activity online, it’s important to have a conversation with them to understand the situation and provide appropriate support,” Commander Schneider said.

“Warning signs children may be engaging in harmful activity online may include increased screen-time on computers or phones, isolating themselves from friends and family or being secretive about who they are interacting with online.

“Whether a child is or has been a victim of sextortion online, please reassure them it’s not their fault and report it to the ACCCE.”

If you think you are a victim or know of someone who is a victim of sadistic sextortion
DO stop the chat
DO take screen shots of the text and profile
DO block the account and report it to the platform
DO get support from a trusted friend or family member, or professional support services and seek mental health support if required. Kids Helpline offers free and confidential sessions with counsellors.
DO report the crime to the ACCCE
DON’T send more images or pay as this will lead to more demands
DON’T respond to demands
DON’T enter into further communication
DON’T think you are alone
If you’re concerned about your or someone else’s safety, dial Triple Zero (000) or contact your local police station.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.

Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found on the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.

Officer charged – Western Region

A police officer has been charged over the alleged assault of two boys in the state’s west.

On Saturday 22 June 2024, the off-duty officer – an inspector attached to Western Region – is alleged to have assaulted two 11-year-old boys on a bus between Coolah and Walgett.

Following an investigation, the officer was today (Friday 6 September 2024) issued a future court attendance notice for two counts of common assault.

He is due to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 23 October 2024.

The officer is currently suspended with pay.

NEWCASTLE AND LAKE MACQUARIE FAMILIES BUCKLE UNDER COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES: NEW RESEARCH

Four in five (81%) Newcastle and Lake Macquarie low-income households are in housing stress due to cost-of-living pressures according to a new report by peak social services body NCOSS.

The research revealed the following across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie:

81% are in housing stress (i.e. they spend more than 30% of income on housing)
53% went without prescribed medication or healthcare
60% could not afford to travel for essential reasons (e.g. work, to attend education)
55% went without meals because they were short of money
62% had no money set aside for emergencies
47% used Buy Now Pay Later to pay for essential goods (e.g. food, transport)
NCOSS CEO Cara Varian said the research had demonstrated the extreme impacts being felt by households in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie on low incomes and below the poverty line.

“Newcastle and Lake Macquarie families should not be forced to choose between paying for food or medication,” Ms Varian said.

“The basics of life should not be considered a luxury that most low-income families cannot afford.

“These impossible choices make every day a challenge and, most disturbingly, we are setting up intergenerational disadvantage. We must do better.”

The research revealed the following across the state of NSW:

Single parents were the hardest hit cohort, with nine out of ten single parents going without essentials over the past 12 months.
NSW children are also bearing the brunt of the growing cost of living pressures, with parents cutting back spending on meals, essential healthcare, and education resources.
Three in four households (74%) sacrificed spending on their children.
Half of households (52%) sacrificed spending on health and wellbeing essentials.
One in five delayed early childhood education.
“The ripple effects of these sacrifices are profound, causing increased stress and tension within households, affecting relationships, mental health and wellbeing, and child development outcomes,” Ms Varian said.

Ms Varian said the peak body had a set of recommendations for the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, developed in consultation with NCOSS members.

“These are complex issues, but governments have the power to change it,” she said.

“Implementing our recommendations would significantly ease the crushing pressure that is pushing people to breaking point.”

The recommendations include:

Lifting Commonwealth income support for Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payments.
Increasing the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
Providing universal early childcare.
Ensuring 10% of all NSW housing is social and affordable. Making NSW rental increases fair and reasonable; urgently implement no grounds evictions for all lease types; and legislate rental bidding.
Implementing a universal school food program in NSW.
Providing adequate funding for NSW emergency food relief services.
Expanding public transport concessions to better support people on low incomes.
Improving bus networks in regional, rural and remote communities.
For more information, and to read the full report, visit ncoss.org.au

Definitions:

Below the poverty line: defined as households living on less than 50% of the median NSW household income after tax and housing costs (below $560 per week).
Low-income households: defined as households living on 50 – 80% of the median NSW household income after tax and housing costs ($560 – $896 per week).
About the survey: the research, undertaken by the University of Technology’s Institute of Public Policy and Governance, involved stratified random sampling to engage a statistically representative sample of 1,086 NSW residents, living on low incomes and below the poverty line, through an online survey. 23 people also participated in focus groups and interviews.

Attorney General falls on his own knife laws in estimates

The NSW Attorney General has been blasted by crossbench and opposition MPs in Budget Estimates this morning in a fiery exchange that exposed the impotence of the Minns Labor Government’s “tough-on-crime” posturing.

Under questioning, it was revealed the Attorney General could not identify any evidence or consultation that suggested more severe penalties for knife offences or expanded police knife-wanding powers have reduced crime or would ever reduce knife crime.

The Hon. Susan Carter presented BOCSAR stats showing that certain violent knife offences have actually increased since the introduction of harsher penalties for knife offences last year

Ms Sue Higginson presented evidence from the The 2023 Griffith University Review of Queensland wanding powers which found no evidence that police wanding powers had reduced the rate of knife possession or violent knife offences and had been disproportionately used to target First Nations children and young people.

No prior consultation was undertaken on youth bail reforms with legal experts or community groups

88% of children refused bail under Labor’s youth bail reforms were First Nations children

The new Moree youth remand facility announced in March this year will not be operational before the expiration of NSW Labor’s youth bail reforms next year

The LECC will have no role overseeing the implementation of knife wanding powers, in spite of their offer to do so

The Attorney General repeatedly stated he would not apologise for legislation introduced without community and legal expert consultation and admitted that the legislation will result in the further over-incarceration of First Nations people, particularly children and young people.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said “This morning was a dreadful display of the realities of a tough on crime, law and order agenda. It is not based on evidence, will not reduce crime but means this government has functionally abandoned its commitment to Closing the Gap targets,”

“More First Nations young people and children are in prison than ever before in NSW because of the headline-chasing, tough-on-crime posturing of the Premier and Attorney General in the last 12 months,”

“It is an unconscionable political failure that the drivers of crime are so widely, well and long understood and that more has not been done to date to reform our approach in NSW,”

“Being tough on crime may be responsive to radio shock jocks and be cathartic for bully-boy lawmakers but it has not, has never, and will never make our communities safer,”

“Crime prevention requires community empowerment and resourcing, therapeutic responses, extraordinary compassion and understanding and the leadership to drive it and it is the leadership that is absent,” Ms Higginson said.

NSW government responds to Mental Health Inquiry

The NSW government will fail to deliver meaningful change in response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into community and outpatient mental health care without significant additional funding.

The inquiry was initiated by the Greens in July 2023 to hear from people with lived experience and people on the front lines of providing mental health care. The committee is chaired by Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens spokesperson for Health including Mental Health and former GP.

Out of the 39 recommendations in the final report, the government has supported 24, supported 8 in principle, and noted 7.

Key takeaways

Funding for the mental health system	The NSW government has failed to support recommendations to increase and maintain funding across the mental health system, or to explore innovative revenue streams to fund mental health services.
Mental health crisis and emergency responses	The government has supported several recommendations towards a health-led response to mental health emergencies, with police only activated as a secondary response to those emergencies (supported in principle). The government has not supported a recommendation to improve mandatory comprehensive mental health training for police officers. The government has not supported a recommendation to expand the Safe Haven program to be a 24/7 program where feasible.
Mental health workforce	The NSW government has failed to support recommendations to increase pay for public mental health clinicians in line with other states, or to increase resourcing for formal clinical supervision. Recommendations to integrate peer workers into the broader mental health workforce and into emergency departments were supported. The government has supported recommendations to advocate to the federal government to address funding and workforce gaps in primary care and mental health services and to provide HELP fee relief for mental health priority courses.
Other recommendations	The government has agreed to look to initiatives that provide mental health care outside of traditional clinical settings, explore opportunities for embedding mental health clinicians in general practice, improve service directories and system navigation, and implement best practice for data collection on gender and sexuality. The government has stated it is considering introducing 5-year funding agreements for NSW Mental Health Community Living Programs to improve consistency of care for consumers and growth and stability of the workforce, but that the availability of funding is a consideration.

The inquiry comes after data released recently by the federal government shows that across 2022-23, 205,830 people aged 12-64 in NSW required psychosocial support but 166,040 were not receiving it. That’s over 80% of those people needing but not receiving psychosocial support services. That percentage is second only to the NT at 82.3%.

Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens NSW spokesperson for Health including Mental Health, and former GP:

“There are some important steps forward to take out of the government’s response. Commitments to bolster the role of peer workers, better integrate mental health care and primary care and streamline system navigation are important and welcome.

“After a long-fought campaign by the Greens, the government has supported moving to health-led responses to mental health emergencies. The fight continues now to ensure this is implemented in full so that people in crisis receive the care they need and do not come to harm at the hands of police.

“It’s a slap in the face to hard working, skilled, and increasingly burnt out mental health clinicians that the government has not supported increasing their pay in line with other states. Services will continue to be understaffed and unable to deliver the care that people deserve while our health workforce moves interstate.

“These recommendations don’t get pulled out of thin air within the walls of Parliament. They were informed by the testimonies of hundreds of people, many who relived painful memories and trauma to advocate for change.

“Without new funding for community mental health services, people across NSW will continue not to be able to access the care that they need, and the mental health system will continue to be reactive and crisis-driven,” said Dr Cohn.

City of Newcastle secures $1 million grant to roll out innovative development assessment process

A groundbreaking planning tool designed by City of Newcastle, which has slashed determination times for simple developments by more than 75 per cent, will be rolled out across two Hunter councils.

City of Newcastle will leverage a $1 million Federal grant to integrate and expand its award-winning Accelerated Development Application (ADA) system across Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Councils as part of a memoranda of understanding with its Hunter neighbours.

Since being introduced by Newcastle in 2022, the system has reduced the average assessment of low-impact, decision-ready development applications to seven days, down from the previous average of 40.

It has also helped cut Newcastle’s overall processing times by 30 per cent.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the three-council accord will springboard the acclaimed ADA into more efficient approvals for low-risk developments.

“This is a significant achievement that means our hard work and expertise is set to benefit our colleagues at Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook shire and ultimately more people across the Hunter,” Cr Nelmes said.

“I’m delighted that the vision of our staff is being recognised through this federal grant and I’m proud that City of Newcastle is leading and collaborating through this first-of-its-kind system, which is setting a benchmark for other councils across NSW.

“By expanding the ADA program across the Hunter, we will help increase the planning capability and housing delivery in the region.”

The councils jointly secured the grant through the Australian Government’s Housing Support Program, part of the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes.

The system will be rolled out to Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook councils by City of Newcastle through training, support, shared expertise and mentoring.

City of Newcastle will also lead analysis and expansion of ADA, with input from the development sector, key stakeholders and artificial intelligence, to capture and speed up a greater share of applications.

The three councils will then collaborate to finetune the expanded ADA on an ongoing basis.

Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Steve Reynolds said gaining ADA as an approval tool would remove barriers to vital housing and development.

“Just like everyone who lives in the Hunter and across the state, our residents want housing that meets their needs,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Being able to share and take ownership of this proven system for Muswellbrook is going to help us address that need into the future.”

Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison praised the cooperation of the three councils in securing the federal grant and signing the memoranda of understanding.

“Newcastle, Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter are unique places with their own unique qualities but we have many things in common – an expectation of timely approvals is one of them,” Cr Collison said.

“Already we’re seeing the benefits of working together and this shared approach to the benefits of ADA is a prime example.”

The ADA system has proven highly effective at slashing red tape around the hundreds of simple, decision-ready development applications made to City of Newcastle each year.

The higher efficiency frees council resources for more complex DAs, increasing capacity for merit assessment and responding to site constraints.

The system also improves the quality of information lodged and uses an eligibility checker to quickly determine if an application can be assessed through ADA. In the most recent financial year, ADA determinations accounted for 27 per cent of all applications determined by City of Newcastle.

City of Newcastle’s ADA pathway covers 10 types of developments. Most applications determined are residential, including alterations and additions, single dwellings and secondary dwellings.

Construction boom sparks interest in development review panel

Highly qualified professionals from all over Australia expressed interest in being part of Newcastle’s growth as a member of the City’s Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP).

The most recent UDRP, which evaluated and critiqued more than $1.5 billion worth of developments in Newcastle just last year, completed its three-year term at the end of June.

'Arbour' at 810 Hunter Street, Newcastle West. ‘Arbour’ at 810 Hunter Street, Newcastle West.The new panel has been expanded to meet growing demand, incorporating seven members and a Chairperson, who will provide advice to City of Newcastle and applicants on the quality of the design and amenity of development proposals.

An expression of interest process was held to formulate the make-up of the new panel, with 35 applicants whittled down based on experience and technical expertise to ensure a balanced spread of design disciplines.

Phillip Pollard will return as Chairperson for the new three-year term, while Kerry Hunter, Kristine Cianci, Kelly O’Connell and Colin Brady have all been retained as members.

Joining them on the panel for the first time will be Elisabeth Peet who has qualifications in architecture and urban design, award-winning architect Lachlan Seegers and landscape architect David Taylor.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the URDP has played an important role in the development of Newcastle.

“The panel is the oldest continuously serving urban design and architectural advisory body in New South Wales,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The former panel met 13 times in 2023 to contribute their extensive industry experience and expertise, providing guidance to City of Newcastle and applicants on 48 development proposals to ensure we continue to raise the bar in urban planning and design.

“We are excited to welcome three new highly capable members to the panel for the next three years who will continue to set positive benchmarks for future development in and around the city.”

Chairperson Phillip Pollard said he’s delighted to be reappointed to the UDRP.

“By providing expert urban design advice at an early stage, the UDRP has consistently demonstrated that good design need not cost more, and that design quality contributes in multiple ways to the outstanding heritage and natural attributes of the city,” Mr Pollard said.

“The input of the UDRP has also offered the local building and development industry a degree of confidence to pursue high design quality goals and adventurous city making.

“I’d like to thank the members and former members for their dedication and outstanding contribution and look forward to contributing positively to the development of the city over the next three years.”

Kerry Hunter said the UDRP brings a passion and commitment to positive city-making.

“It’s exciting to see City of Newcastle introducing a larger collegiate of skilled architectural, urban and landscape practitioners who will further enrich this design review process,” Ms Hunter said.

“We are seeing many projects recognising there is a shared public and private benefit, and greater public value that communities bestow on development that achieves design excellence. These outcomes shape the physical form and quality of spaces, places and buildings, and improved amenity that will be enjoyed for decades to come.

“City of Newcastle has been ambitious in its aspirations and is to be congratulated. I very much look forward to the next three years of the UDRP.”

Significant development proposals considered by the URDP in 2023 included $71 million twin-tower luxury apartment complex, ‘ONE’ on National Park Street in Newcastle West, a $29 million mixed use development and a further $116 million mixed use development both on Hunter Street, and a $12 million customised commercial space, ‘Arbour’, also in Newcastle West.

Members of the new panel bring a range of experience to the role including master planning, crime prevention through environmental design, heritage architecture, residential, commercial and urban design.

Other areas of expertise include locally significant projects such as residential flat buildings, seniors living developments, affordable housing projects, new schools, childcare projects and public parks.

NSW aquaculture industry targets $300 million future

The Minns Labor Government has committed to working with industry to double the farm gate value of the NSW aquaculture sector to $300 million by 2030 through innovative research, continual investment in breeding programs and a commitment to water quality improvements.

The launch of the NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement, which outlines an overarching approach to the development of the State’s aquaculture industries, came as more than 300 state, interstate and international delegates attended the national Oyster Industry Conference in Port Macquarie.

The Vision Statement is a joint industry and government initiative built on a shared approach to seafood production, developing bioproducts and climate change adaptation.

Key to delivering a doubling in the farm gate value of the NSW aquaculture industries will be industry and government supported initiatives including:

Managing oyster industry risk through a breeding program, plus alternate species
Innovative research at DPIRD research stations and with partners
Opening up new areas for marine aquaculture (mussels, oysters, algae)
Promoting the environmental benefits of aquaculture – e.g. algae, oysters and mussels all take up excess nutrients and help improve water quality
Streamlining aquatic biosecurity rules to facilitate access to interstate spat supply
Protecting and enhancing water quality
Providing opportunity for Aboriginal people to participate in aquaculture businesses.

The Government and industry will develop a detailed roadmap that will guide implementation of the target initiatives of the Vision Statement to reach the target of $300m by 2030.

The oyster sector, which underpins the aquaculture industry, is the fastest growing seafood segment in NSW, having increased in farm gate value by 30 percent in 2022/23 to $78m.

In addition, the oyster industry contributes more than $30 million to the NSW by employing thousands of people across production, wholesale, processing, retail and agri-tourism.

The oyster industry also prides itself on their commitment to water quality monitoring and protection of the marine environment.

The Minns Government has recently announced it is investing more than $3 million to provide much needed upgrades at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute to enhance breeding and research facilities for shellfish, including oysters and finfish, for innovation in seafood production to support the industry vision.

The Government has also provided financial support for aquaculture and commercial fishing businesses with fee relief as they were impacted by natural disaster and aquatic disease – the White Spot prawn virus, and QX disease in Sydney Rock Oysters.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty

“These past few years have been tough for oyster farmers with NSW estuaries having suffered from storms, floods, harvest area closures, disease and climate change impacts.

“Despite this, the increasing output of produce highlights the strength of the industry and the people who work in it.

“The NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement is the result of the hard work of oyster farmers and the aquaculture industry, working in collaboration with government, looking to a future where NSW grown oysters are enjoyed across Australia and in every country around the world.

“The Government is investing in research infrastructure and collaborative activities to drive industry growth, the sustainable development of our natural resources, and to support innovation so that industry can manage the risks and take advantage of opportunities for the coming decades.”

Brandon Armstrong, Chair of the NSW Farmers Oyster Committee

“Our growers are embracing new opportunities and innovation, and we’re excited to see the industry grow in line with our Vision Statement launched today.

“This conference is a great way to bring the industry together to share, learn and connect with other farmers and industry stakeholders.

“The Mid Coast region has experienced a lot of hardship the past few years, but the industry is recovering well.

Bulk-billing support to deliver cost-of-living relief for households across NSW

The Minns Labor Government’s $189 million Bulk-Billing Support Initiative commences today, helping ensure the cost of seeing a GP remains accessible for families and households across NSW.

Introduced in the 2024/25 NSW Budget, the program protects bulk-billing for people needing a GP and reduces the strain on our emergency departments. It is the first time the NSW Government has made a direct intervention to protect bulk-billing rates.

The package provides a new, ongoing payroll rebate to clinics for contractor GPs that meet the bulk-billing thresholds of 80% of services in metropolitan Sydney, and 70% in the rest of NSW.

Clinics will also benefit from the waiving of $104m of historical payroll tax liabilities, which began accruing for contractor GPs under the previous government.

There are more than 2,300 GP clinics across NSW. The NSW Government’s Bulk-Billing Support initiative will protect the bulk-billing rates at GP clinics for families across the state, saving households money and reducing the strain on emergency departments.

NSW Health estimates that a 1 per cent decrease in bulk-billing equates to around 3,000 additional emergency presentations.

For large clinic networks like ForHealth, with 37 clinics across NSW, the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative will enable them to continue to serve their communities and keep bulk-billing rates high. ForHealth bulk-bills roughly 5 million patient visits each year around Australia, 2.5 million of which are in NSW. They are the largest bulk-biller in the country.

GP clinics in metropolitan Sydney must bulk-bill at least 80% of their patient services to be eligible for the ongoing payroll tax rebates. For GP clinics outside of metropolitan Sydney, a lower bulk-billing rate threshold of 70% applies to ensure broader access to the initiative.

Since the announcement in June, Revenue NSW, the AMA and RACGP were engaged in a specially formed working group to develop a practice note to assist clinics, their accountants and legal advisors.

Following these discussions, Revenue NSW released a comprehensive list of LGAs and suburbs in NSW where the 80% threshold is applied, as well as the Commissioner’s Practice Note and a flow-chart to assist clinics.

Previously, the AMA’s Dr Michael Bonning said of the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative that: “Legislating ‘no retrospectivity’ will provide certainty for practices and will minimise the risk of more closures of general practices in NSW.”

With this Initiative, the Minns Labor Government is keeping GP clinics open and appointments bulk-billed for families and households amid the cost-of-living crisis, while also reducing the strain on emergency departments.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We know that the federal Coalition’s freeze on Medicare rebates as well as the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ inaction on GP payroll tax had severe consequences for the access of GPs in NSW.

“With GPs becoming more difficult to access, people are either putting off seeing a doctor and allowing their conditions to deteriorate, or they are presenting to hospitals with non-urgent conditions.

“The lack of GP access is having severe impacts on our emergency departments.

“The Bulk-Billing Support Initiative will stem declining bulk-billing rates, and foster greater access to GPs, and in turn, relieve pressure on our busy hospitals.”

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos:

“The Bulk-Billing Support Initiative comes after extensive consultation and cooperation with the peak-bodies to deliver a solution that alleviated financial stress for GP clinics and delivered real cost-of-living relief for families.

“This is the first-time the NSW Government is making a strategic investment to support bulk-billing rates and protect family budgets.”

CEO of ForHealth Andrew Cohen:

“At ForHealth we understand how important access is in healthcare, and especially in the current economic context. We are proud to be one of the largest bulk-billing general practice providers in NSW with roughly 2.5 million bulk-billed patient visits each year.

“This initiative from the NSW Government will help protect bulk billing accessibility at clinics like ours, throughout outer metropolitan and regional NSW. In many of these practices we are expecting the level of bulk-billing to increase as a result.

“The removal of any retrospective payroll tax liability for all medical centres is a weight off the shoulders of the industry as clinics will no longer be at risk of closure due to large historic tax bills.”