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Wellbeing nurses to support more NSW school children

More NSW children will have access to important wellbeing support at school as a result of the NSW Government committing $60 million over 4 years to continue the successful Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse (WHIN) Coordinator program.

Since the program started in 2018, more than 10,000 students have been supported by wellbeing nurses.

Around 100 wellbeing nurses are spread across metro, rural and regional areas of NSW working in about 400 public schools, potentially giving 150,000 students access to their important service.

The WHIN Coordinator program is a joint initiative of NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education, and establishes wellbeing nurses in public primary and secondary schools to coordinate appropriate early intervention, assessments and referral to health and social services.

This is just part of the NSW Labor Government’s commitment to improving student and teacher wellbeing in schools, which includes a commitment to increase the number of counsellors in schools, ensuring an additional 250 counsellors are recruited.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Wellbeing nurses are providing important care and support by connecting students and their families to health and community services.

“This has a positive flow on effect by delivering improved health outcomes and better education engagement for students across NSW, and I am pleased to announce this service will continue for another 4 years under the NSW Labor Government.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“I am delighted to see this successful program will continue, providing students in around 400 public schools with ongoing access to support through a wellbeing nurse.

“This program facilitates connections for our students and families to access high quality wellbeing support with local health care services.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“These wellbeing nurses play a vital role in our schools, helping students and their families to access mental health support and high quality, compassionate healthcare.

“We know wellbeing nurses are effective in assisting students and their families to access care for health and wellbeing needs they otherwise would not receive, so I’m proud thousands of children and young people across NSW will continue to benefit from this important service.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:

“I’m really pleased the NSW Government is continuing our investment into this incredibly successful wellbeing program.

“Giving students the support they need directly within schools to connect with local health services is better for them, their families and our health system overall.”

Queensland Mandatory Vaccinations Were Unlawful, Supreme Court

One Nation has always stood side-by-side with Queenslanders who were forced to get the @#!. Many of these people lost their jobs, or abandoned careers, because they wanted control over their bodies, and didn’t want to be injected with what amount to an experiment. One Nation has advocated for these people, pursed their cases, and fought for their rights.

Now there is hope, with the Queensland Supreme Court ruling, it was unlawful to force many Queensland front line service people to take the %^$.

Hopefully, justice will prevail, and those who acted unlawfully through the whole saga will be brought to justice. You can’t trample on people’s human rights and think you are magically granted impunity.

From the Courier-Mail – 27/2/2024

Supreme Court bombshell: Qld’s mandatory Covid vaccine orders ‘unlawful’
Dozens of police and health workers have won a mammoth legal battle over mandatory Covid vaccination orders after the Supreme Court declared they were unlawful.
Dozens of police and health workers, including paramedics have won a mammoth legal battle over mandatory vaccination orders after the Supreme Court declared they were unlawful.
In a 115-page decision handed down by Justice Glenn Martin on Tuesday, he declared police commissioner Katarina Carroll’s direction for mandatory Covid-19 vaccination issued in December 2021 unlawful under the Human Rights Act and banned her from taking any steps to enforce the direction.’’
He also ruled that a similar order by John Wakefield, the director general of Queensland Health’s equivalent vaccination policy, “is of no effect” and Mr. Wakefield should be blocked from forcing paramedics to have the injection.
Seventy four people opposing vaccinations took the state government to the Supreme Court to challenge vaccination directives, they were included in three separate applications before the court.
Two related to police officers or civilian staff, and the third case related to Queensland Ambulance Service workers.
The workers did not have to be vaccinated while their legal fight was underway.

Visit by the President of the Republic of the Philippines

Prime Minister Albanese will welcome the President of the Republic of the Philippines, HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos to Canberra from 28 to 29 February for their first official visit to Australia.

President Marcos will address a joint sitting of the Parliament of Australia, in recognition of our two nations’ shared commitment to democratic values and a common vision for an open, resilient and prosperous region.

The President’s visit to Australia follows Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Manila last year, the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister in 20 years, and the historic elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

Leaders will discuss progress in the Partnership, including greater cooperation on defence and maritime security, governance, trade and investment. From 4 to 6 March, the Prime Minister will host President Marcos and other Southeast Asian leaders at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“President Marcos is a great friend to Australia, and I look forward to welcoming him to Canberra for his first official visit.

“We are ambitious for the future of the Australia-Philippines relationship, which is guided by our historic Strategic Partnership I signed with President Marcos in Manila last year.

“Our nations are deeply connected through our shared regional, trade and investment links, but most importantly through our people, including more than 400,000 people of Filipino heritage who call Australia home.”

DR ANDREW FORREST BACKS CLIMATE TRIGGER WHILE LABOR BACKS GAS

The Greens have called on Labor to listen to business leaders like Dr Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest who today called for a climate trigger in environment law at the National Press Club. His call stands in stark contrast to the recent Labor Bill to make offshore gas expansion exempt from existing environment law. The Greens have a bill for a climate trigger before the Parliament.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Environment Spokesperson and Manager of Business in the Senate for the Greens:

“Today Twiggy Forrest backed the growing call for a climate trigger in environment law and I hope that Labor were listening – they should back my bill for a climate trigger before the Parliament right now.

“Twiggy Forrest made the business case for ensuring that big projects should be assessed for their climate damage before being given any environmental approval. Business leaders like Dr Forrest can see that, for the sake of our environment and economy, we need to stop expanding fossil fuels – sadly that stands in stark contrast with too many politicians in our Parliament.

“Our environment laws are broken while they continue to allow the approval of new coal and gas, and increase fossil fuel pollution regardless of the impact on the environment and climate.

“President Biden is considering a similar law to hold polluters accountable and stop new mega LNG gas projects, but Labor is trying to take us in the opposite direction.

“The Greens Bill for a climate trigger will tackle this and I encourage Minister Plibersek to work constructively to pass it. Every time the Minister approves a new coal, gas or native forest logging project the climate and extinction crises get worse.”

Transcript from Twiggy Forrest at NPC today:

“First, I propose a best-for-Australia test which explicitly considers climate impacts when approving and managing new projects. Every project up for government approval must have a climate trigger. That means we must take the climate change and carbon pollution impact into account in any project approval. It will be seen as asinine if we don’t. It’s long overdue that we do. It’s a simple and reasonable government requirement that carbon emissions and global warming automatically be part of any environmental assessment. Energy companies who will quickly pivot – they don’t have to now – will quickly pivot to green energy to meet their contracts. A similar policy is being considered in the United States, where President Biden has caused LNG export projects, pending assessment of their impacts on climate change and other matters of national security. It’s about time.”

GREENS SAY PARLIAMENT MUST END SUPPORT OF STATE OF ISRAEL’S BRUTAL INVASION OF GAZA

In the shadow of the State of Israel’s impending all out siege of Rafah, the Australian Greens have given the Albanese government the opportunity to end its unequivocal support for the State of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

This vote occurred today as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press on until “total victory” despite the UN saying that a military operation in Rafah would make aid delivery impossible.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Peace said:

“This week marks a very grim milestone, nearly 30,000 people in Palestine have perished in the bombardment and invasion at the hands of the State of Israel and it should be a reminder to Australian politicians that if we refuse to act this destruction will continue”

“There is a complete breakdown of humanity and morality in the IDF’s siege of Gaza. Hospital staff are having to dig mass graves, 90% of children under two face severe food poverty and most hospitals are now no longer functioning.”

“Instead of helping to end the violence, this government continues to sell military equipment to Israel, cut aid to Palestinians and refuses to back an International Court of Justice investigation. These actions are making our nation complicit in a genocide.”

“The government can and must do more. That is why the Greens are calling on the Senate to formally vote to condemn the unequivocal support of the State of Israel.”

Accord sets course for enhanced higher education in NSW

The NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, today welcomed the release of the Australian Universities Accord Final Report, which highlights opportunities for national reform to strengthen the higher education sector.

The Australian Universities Accord is the first national review of the higher education system since the 2008 Bradley Review. It focuses on priority areas to meet Australia’s knowledge and skills needs now and into the future, including:

improving access and opportunity, including for students from disadvantaged and equity backgrounds
considering investment and affordability system settings
enhancing governance and the contribution of the sector to national prosperity
engagement and alignment between the vocational and higher education systems
quality and sustainability, including of international education
supporting innovation and capability in the research sector.

The Accord Final Report sets out a roadmap for future reform to help meet these ambitious goals.

Critical for NSW, and for Australia as a whole, will be expanding access to the transformative potential of world-class higher education to more students, especially those from less advantaged backgrounds who stand to benefit the most.

With nine out of 10 jobs created in the next decade requiring a post-school qualification, and half of these needing a bachelor’s degree, there is an urgent need to make the most of this opportunity, both for individual benefit and for broader community and social benefit.

The Accord Final Report includes key recommendations for widening participation, changes to funding settings including costs to students, seamless navigation between vocational and higher education, as well as supporting innovation and impact in research and industry engagement.

Read the 2024 Universities Accord report

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

“The Universities Accord is an exciting step from the Albanese Government to give our vital higher education sector longer term certainty and a framework for extending tertiary education to more NSW residents.

“I’m particularly excited about opportunities to improve support for regional and remote students; along with students who have found access difficult in the past.

“The accord aims to build a stronger alignment between universities and vocational training. That is vital, if we are to meet the workforce needs of the future – particularly the transition to renewables and advanced manufacturing.

“We have an excellent higher education sector in NSW and I look forward to the accord and a strong Federal Government commitment giving them the certainty to build on their success.”

SS Nemesis: 120-year-old shipwreck mystery solved and search for relatives begins

The 120-year-old mystery of SS Nemesis and the 32 crew members lost at sea has been solved, with the accidental discovery and subsequent identification of a shipwreck in waters off Port Kembla.

With the wreck identified, the NSW Government is hoping to connect with relatives of the crew members, including three men buried in an unmarked grave in Woronora Memorial Park at Sutherland.

Heritage NSW says members of the lost crew came from Australia, the United Kingdom and one from Canada.

The SS Nemesis departed Newcastle on the 9th of July 1904, loaded with coal and headed to Melbourne. It was last sighted in distress in rough seas off Wollongong by another ship also caught in the storm.

The loss attracted significant attention from the media and public. Over several weeks, bodies of crew members washed ashore at Cronulla Beach, as well as fragments of the ship’s steering wheel, doors and other floating wreckage.

But the location of the 73-metre-long vessel remained unknown.

More than a century later in 2022, remote sensing company Subsea Professional Marine Services stumbled across the wreck while trying to locate cargo containers lost off the coast of Sydney.

The ship was undisturbed, some 26 kilometres offshore and approximately 160 metres underwater.

NSW Heritage experts, who had spent years investigating and surveying the ocean-floor, immediately suspected they had found SS Nemesis. But identifying it was a challenge as it was so far offshore, in deep, high current water.

Additional underwater imagery captured by CSIRO provided the evidence needed to confirm the ship’s distinctive features aligned with historical photographs and sketches of SS Nemesis. Images show the iron wreck resting upright on a broad sand plain, with significant damage to its bow and stern.

It also revealed a series of clues as to why the ship sank that night. It is thought the engine became overwhelmed in the storm, and when SS Nemesis was hit by a large wave she sank too quickly for life boats to be deployed.

Those with a connection to SS Nemesis are asked to contact Heritage NSW: heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au.

NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe said:

“The loss of Nemesis has been described as one of Sydney’s most enduring maritime mysteries and has even been described by shipwreck researchers as the ‘holy grail’.

“Thanks to collaborative work with CSIRO and Subsea, using modern technology and historical records, Heritage NSW has been able to write the final chapter of SS Nemesis’ story.

“Around 40 children lost their parents in this wreck and I hope this discovery brings closure to families and friends connected to the ship who have never known its fate.”

Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said:

“Every Australian should take heart in the curiosity and persistence our scientists have shown in this project, as they do in all their work.

“I admire how determined they were to solve a century-old mystery, demonstrating once again the value of working together and backing that up with the latest know-how.

“Everyone involved should be enormously proud of this discovery and the comfort it will provide to the descendants of the 32 sailors who died aboard SS Nemesis.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wollongong, Minister Paul Scully:

“This wreck is part of the rich maritime history of the Illawarra which ranges from shipwrecks to the Dalfram dispute, which influenced Australian foreign policy during World War II.

“With only 105 of the more than 200 shipwrecks off the NSW coast having been discovered this is an important find.

“The discovery of the Nemesis shows why Wollongong continues to explore its history in what is a proud port city.”

CSIRO Voyage Manager, Jason Fazey said:

“Our technical team aboard CSIRO research vessel, RV Investigator, did an amazing job in mapping the entire site and capturing very clear vision of the wreck using one of our underwater camera systems.

“Using RV Investigator’s advanced multibeam echosounders, we were able to create a high-resolution map of the entire wreck and measure key dimensions to aid in its identification.

“Everyone aboard was honoured to be able to contribute to this project and assist Heritage NSW’s maritime archaeology experts in the successful identification of SS Nemesis to help bring closure to another one of our nation’s maritime tragedies.”

Ed Korber, Subsea Professional Marine Services said:

“It has been an absolute honour to have discovered this wreck which will now finally bring some closure to the families of its lost crew members.

“Our marine and remote operated vehicle team have navigated difficult challenges to get the first incredible footage that has allowed Heritage NSW to confirm this was indeed the Nemesis wreck.”

New company established to operate NSW’s world-leading viral vector facility

The NSW Government has announced the establishment of a new company to operate the world-leading viral vector manufacturing facility based at Westmead, which will produce groundbreaking and life-saving therapies.

Viral vectors are a key component of many cell and gene therapies, and vaccines, which are increasingly being used to treat cancer, genetic diseases and infections.

Viral vector technology uses viruses that are harmless to humans to carry genetic therapies to the target organs and systems that cause significant human diseases.

Establishing a commercial company with an agile, responsive operating model will provide a strong base for the sustainable, long-term success of the Viral Vector Manufacturing facility.

Stage 1 of the facility is operational for use in gene therapy research with the first clinical trial anticipated to commence in 2025 using vectors from the facility.

The Stage 2 facility is currently under construction and once completed will provide NSW with a commercial-scale viral vector manufacturing facility capable of meeting the growing demand for viral vectors.

Completion of construction works is expected by the end of 2024, with Good Manufacturing Practice certification to follow soon after. The company is to be registered as Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility Pty Ltd. It will manufacture the vectors and supply them to specialised healthcare staff, who will deliver the therapies to patients.

Overall, the NSW Government has committed $134.5 million to establish the Facility and to manufacture viral vector products for research and clinical trials.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“NSW is a globally recognised leader in developing and delivering gene therapies, cell therapies and vaccines, and viral vectors are a key part of many of these therapies.

“This is cutting-edge, world class work happening right here in Western Sydney.

“This commercial-scale facility will allow us to meet local manufacturing demand, and further establish us as a respected leader in this field.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“My priority as health minister has been to embrace innovative initiatives in improving health outcomes for our community.

“I am so proud that NSW Health is at the forefront of this world leading treatment.

“Today’s announcement will have real life changing benefits for people suffering from genetic diseases, cancers and viral infections.

“These therapies are expanding rapidly, targeting more and more genetic diseases, cancer and infections – significantly increasing the number of patients who can and will benefit from viral vectors.

“This expansion in potential applications, treatments and patient benefits is not however matched by current manufacturing capacity, either locally or globally, which is causing a delay in us achieving these benefits.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“This will mean researchers have a local viral vector supply for their work, and attract students and researchers from around the world.

“Investing in health precincts like this one is an important part of making sure that research can thrive and is integrated in the wider health ecosystem.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“The facility is an important part of the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct here in western Sydney.

“I am so proud that Parramatta is home to this facility which is at the cutting edge of medical research and treatment.”

$11 million to boost innovation across the state

NSW based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are being encouraged to collaborate with universities and research organisations as part of an $11 million funding program to boost innovation.

The Boosting Business Innovation Program (BBIP) will see SMEs partner with Publicly Funded Research Organisations (PFROs) to improve productivity across NSW over the next four years.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the revised BBIP scheme, which now includes TechVouchers grants, is designed to connect SMEs with research organisations to fast-track idea development and accelerate the rate of innovation.

“During consultation on the Government’s Innovation Blueprint, I’ve heard directly from stakeholders that there are big barriers for businesses looking to commercialise their great ideas, and we want to make it easier”, Mr Chanthivong said.

“NSW should be the most attractive place in the nation for businesses aligned with areas including clean energy and waste, medical and life sciences, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, to make new product developments and achieve productivity gains.

“In partnership with our partners, this program will help break down obstacles for innovators by providing improved access to research facilities, the latest technology, training opportunities and expert advice.

“It will also fund collaborative research projects between SMEs and researchers through TechVoucher grants.”

Of the total $11 million in funding, $7.15 million is allocated to delivery partners to subsidise the cost of providing facilities and services such as co-working spaces, business incubators, accelerator programs, start-up hubs, conferences, training, and access to leading experts.

A further $3.85 million in TechVoucher grant funding is available to fund collaborative research projects between SMEs and researchers, with approved projects awarded 50% of the total eligible project costs in matched funding, up to a maximum of $50,000.

“This program, alongside the work we are doing in developing the NSW Innovation Blueprint, will support and help accelerate the rate of innovation in NSW.”

Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton said the BBIP has directly supported the development of its newly launched DeepTech Incubator.

“The BBIP funding has been critical in supporting Macquarie University’s ability to bring our DeepTech offering to fruition. In providing the high-value infrastructure that is in demand by deep tech and scaleup organisations, Macquarie University is helping New South Wales drive groundbreaking discoveries to successful commercial ventures for the benefit of Australia and the world.”

SMEs are encouraged to reach out directly to delivery partners to discuss the Program opportunities.

For the full list of delivery partners and to learn more please visit www.investment.nsw.gov.au/bbip

Have your say on Sydney’s new central park

Sydneysiders are invited to share their ideas on plans for a new public park which will transform 20 hectares of Moore Park South into green open space for community recreation in one of the densest parts of the city.

The consultation asks the community to comment on how they would like to use the new park and how the existing golf offering at Moore Park could be reimagined.

The Discussion Paper released by the NSW Government today outlines the plan to transform an area on the western side of Moore Park Golf Course on the north of Dacey Avenue to public open space while retaining the 9-hole golf course, driving range and clubhouse.

Currently there are 690,000 people within a 5km radius of Centennial Parklands, with the population projected to rise to almost 790,000 in 2041. This makes it one of the densest residential communities in Australia, with the majority of these people living in apartments, townhouses or terraces.

The new park will increase public access to green space which is important to improving the quality of life of nearby residents.

As our cities and communities grow, Sydney still needs open spaces to support greater density in the right places. The NSW Government is committed to well-built, well-designed, and well-located homes close to public spaces for families to enjoy the outdoor environment.

To support this, the Government is acting on a need to deliver more public open space for inner-city residents with the current operating license of Moore Park Golf course set to expire in 2026.

Consultation will be open until 10 April 2024 and will include a series of pop-up information sessions in various locations throughout March.

Get more information on the Centennial Parklands wesbite.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The NSW Government has prepared this Discussion Paper so that feedback from all communities and stakeholders can help shape the future of the new public park at Moore Park South.

“Parks are places for our diverse communities to gather, relax, exercise and connect with country. They can provide a cheap and fun outing with family and friends.

“This plan aims to strike a balance, ensuring the needs of our rapidly growing inner-city communities are met, while also retaining and reimagining golf in Moore Park.”

“We understand the importance of providing equitable access to green space for our inner-city communities as Sydney continues to grow – no one should miss out on the benefits of a backyard.

“This Discussion Paper is an important step to addressing the needs of residents living in the city’s most densely populated suburbs while allowing golf to continue in Moore Park.

“I encourage everyone to get involved and have your say to help shape this important recreational space.”