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Winners of the Premier’s Awards for Public Service announced

The 2023 Premier’s Awards were held last night, recognising the exceptional work being done by public servants to make a meaningful difference in the lives of community members in every corner of NSW.

The eight award categories span the broad remit of the public sector including high-quality education and healthcare, the economy, and excellence in service delivery.

With over 265 nominations received, there was a strong field of high-performing finalists across all award categories.

The Public Servant of the Year Award celebrates an exceptional individual who demonstrates commitment to a world class public service.

The 2023 NSW Public Servant of the Year was awarded to Brad Fisher of NSW Public Works. Brad was recognised for his tireless commitment to delivering electrical upgrades to public schools across the state.

Each year, the Anthea Kerr Award is presented to a future public sector leader who exhibits outstanding achievement and a deep commitment to public sector values in their work. This award is given in honour of Anthea Kerr, who passed away suddenly at 38 years of age. At the time of Anthea’s death, she was an Assistant Director General at the Department of Finance and Services, a role which was the culmination of an outstanding career of more than 16 years in the NSW public sector.

The winner of the 2023 Anthea Kerr Award is Alexandra Rumore from Legal Aid NSW. Alexandra was recognised for her work supporting flood devastated communities across NSW. Working as a Senior Outreach Solicitor with the Disaster Response Legal Service, Alex travelled thousands of kilometres over several months to deliver trauma-informed help, ensuring communities had their legal needs met.

2023 Premier’s Award winners:

Category	Winner(s)	Agency
Anthea Kerr Award	Alexandra Rumore	Legal Aid NSW
NSW Public Servant of the Year	Brad Fisher	NSW Public Works
Building a resilient economy	Innovation project – podular construction	Department of Planning and Environment
Connecting communities	Assertive outreach program – Tweed Heads	Department of Communities and Justice
Driving public sector diversity	Quiet Hour	Department of Customer Service NSW
Excellence in service delivery	Digitising of vehicle inspections (RSafety App)	Transport for NSW
Highest quality healthcare	Testing donors for emerging infectious diseases	NSW Health Pathology
The Murrumbidgee Model	Murrumbidgee Local Health District
World class education and training	Going the extra mile for civil construction training	TAFE NSW
Assessment for complex learners project	Department of Education

Details on all the winners and finalists can be found at Premiers Awards 2023launch.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“These awards celebrate people who set the standard for our public sector.

“Congratulations to all our winners and finalists for your commitment and contributing to a better future for our state.

“I’m proud of our public service and am already looking forward to what we will achieve together for the people of NSW over the coming year.”

NSW Public Service Commissioner Kathrina Lo said:

“Brad Fisher’s dedication to delivering the Cooler Classrooms Program, ability under pressure and willingness to go above and beyond, enabled the program to reach more schools than originally forecast.

“Congratulations Brad and all the other deserving winners from this special evening.”

Minns Government to fast-track top-quality building designs

The Minns Labor Government will help deliver more desperately needed homes for families by fast-tracking buildings that choose to use high-quality, pre-approved designs – speeding up the construction of homes for buyers and renters.

The Government is developing a pattern book of endorsed housing designs for both low-rise and mid-rise (up to six storeys) buildings.

The NSW Government Architect, Abbie Galvin, is leading a process of developing the pre-approved list of designs, alongside established private-sector architects, as well as the community, as part of a comprehensive consultation process.

As part of this process, the Government will launch an international competition, calling on Australian and international architects and architecture schools to design a best-practice Sydney terrace and mid-rise apartment for the 21st century. The winning designs will be included in the pattern book.

Details of the competition will be announced in early 2024.

Developers who choose to adopt the endorsed pattern book designs will have an accelerated approval pathway – meaning builders can get on site faster, and people can move into new homes sooner.

The Minns Government is working hard to change the trajectory on the long-term housing supply crisis it inherited.

NSW has been completing fewer new builds (on a per person basis) than Victoria or Queensland. NSW last year also recorded fewer overall completions than Victoria – despite NSW’s higher population.

The housing supply shortfall is behind Sydney unit rents increasing by 24 per cent over the year to the end of September 2023, along with house rents lifting by 11 per cent.

The development of low-rise and mid-rise terraces and apartments will support density in well-located pockets of Sydney – close to transport, green space, amenities and jobs.

The pattern book will include both low-rise housing (terraces, semis, manor houses), along with apartment buildings of up to six storeys. This signals greater role for low-rise, such as a new generation of Sydney terraces.

These endorsed designs will be made specifically for Sydney and New South Wales and will include different styles of housing.

The modern homes will be made for NSW’s climate, allow for natural light, and look to include community spaces, allowing residents to still enjoy a barbeque and a makeshift game of cricket or footy, for example.

The Government Architect is leading the process and working with the best minds in the development and construction industry, the planning and architecture profession, and councils.

While this pathway will be attractive for some developers, it will not be compulsory; builders and their architects can still design bespoke developments that will go through the regular approval pathway.

The Government wants the community involved in this process, with the public able to view draft designs and provide feedback.

In addition to the pattern book and design competition for low-rise and medium-rise dwellings, the Government will also help developers of high-rise apartments to get building sooner.

Commencing with well-located places supported by transport infrastructure, the NSW Government will allow developers of high-rise to select a designer from a list pre-approved by the NSW Government Architect. This new process will allow developers to bypass the current requirement to run a design competition, slashing assessment times by between 6-12 months.

This will ensure speed and design excellence, and the Government will later consider this approach for high-rise developments across the state.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“The NSW Government wants to ensure the future homes and apartments of Sydney are world class.

“We want to see building designs that embrace what we love about Sydney and NSW.

“I’ve heard builders and other stakeholders explain some of the long approval times they encounter.

“What I’ve announced today is the start of addressing those delays.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Despite being in the top 30 cities in the world by GDP, Sydney ranks 859th in the world when it comes to density.

“We want homes and buildings fit for 21st century Sydney. And we want them fast.

“This gives developers certainty and will make sure more homes are delivered.

“Increasing density in well-located and well-connected parts of Sydney is a key part of the NSW Government’s housing plan.

“We want to ensure density is done well, and this package will ensure that happens.”

Vaping Roundtable the first step in combatting growing community-wide issue

School leaders and health experts convened today for the Minns Labor Government’s roundtable on the growing issue of vaping in NSW schools.

Delivering an election commitment to host the panel and discuss solutions, the Vaping Roundtable heard first-hand accounts from students, teachers, principals and evidence from health experts and researchers, about vaping behaviour and how it is affecting young people.

The Roundtable also heard about the impact vaping is having on schools, and the role the wider community plays in supporting young people.

Vaping is harmful, especially for non-smokers and young people, with direct health risks including nicotine addiction, nicotine poisoning, burns and injuries from devices exploding, and lung damage, according to a comprehensive systematic review from the Australian National University.

New data shows a third of children aged 14 to 17 have vaped or used an e-cigarette, and 9 out of 10 young people found it easy to access vapes, according to University of Sydney Associate Professor Becky Freeman, who presented to the Roundtable on behalf Generation Vape and Cancer Council NSW.

Representatives from NSW Health, Cancer Council NSW, the Advocate for Children and Young People as well as students and primary and high school principals addressed the panel, with members of the public, independent and Catholic school sectors also represented.

Vaping is a complex, community-wide issue which is having an acute impact on school-aged children. Where there are opportunities for the NSW Government to help, we are determined to have a positive impact.

The Minns Labor Government thanks all the contributors, and will now consider all it heard, including solutions that can be implemented in education settings.

As we chart a path forward, a number of actions have been proposed, including creating a vaping guide to assist teachers and help students trying to quit, updating the curriculum so it better addresses the dangers of vaping, creating an online support platform for students, and building better referral pathways between schools and community services.

This is part of other reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government to protect children from the harms of illegal vapes, including $6.8 million invested over three years to crack down on the sale of illegal vapes and to increase support for young people who are addicted to vaping.

The NSW Government’s work will complement other measures introduced by the Australian Government, which includes the commitment to restrict the sale of vaping products.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Today we heard from students, teachers, principals and health experts about the significant concern vaping is causing across the NSW schooling community.

“Vaping among young people is a community-wide issue that is only increasing in its negative impact.

“It is clear from what we heard today than an evidenced-based approach is needed to tackle this problem.

“This is a complex issue and we need to work together as a community to tackle this serious problem.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Vapes can have harmful impacts, especially on young people’s growing brains and bodies and we will continue to crack down on retailers who illegally sell nicotine vapes.

“Ask any parent, and they will tell you that these products are pervasive. We are determined to get in front of this growing public health crisis.

“In the intermediate term, we have ramped up our compliance capacity, while boosting our cessation support for young people. But where we can improve our efforts moving forward, we will, and this Roundtable is critical to bringing together the leading expert advice in tackling the prevalence of vaping.”

Dr Kerry Chant NSW Chief Health Officer said:

“NSW Health is increasingly concerned about the harmful health effects of vaping, particularly for young people.

“Vapes can cause harm to the health and development of young people, including changes to brain development, impaired learning and memory, and may worsen stress, depression and anxiety.

“NSW Health is committed to increasing support to help young people quit vaping. We have developed the ‘Do you know what you’re vaping?’ campaign and Vaping toolkit to increase awareness among young people and provide parents, schools, and health and community services with strategies to protect young people from the harms of vapes.

“NSW Health has also released a new guide to support health professionals and others who work with young people to assist young people to quit vaping.”

Same Old Labor – Minns and Albanese Turn Their Backs on NSW

The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments for turning their backs on NSW and cutting major infrastructure projects that would improve safety and productivity.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns has failed to stand up to Anthony Albanese and the Federal Labor Government, who have taken the axe to a swathe of significant projects.

“Chris Minns must now confirm that his Government will find a way to fund these key projects,” Mr Speakman said.

Leader of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders said the regions will be hit hard by the cancellation of crucial projects like the upgrade to the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Lithgow.

“The decision to axe this project, that would better connect Sydney with Western NSW, sends a very strong message to the regions,” Mr Saunders said.

“It is abundantly clear that our bush communities are not a priority for the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, and as a result our important legacy infrastructure projects will come to a sudden stop and thousands of regional jobs will be lost.”

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Natalie Ward said “Western Sydney commuters will be outraged that funding for two of their key road upgrades has been cut, placing a question mark on the future of Mulgoa Road Stage 2 and the M7-M12 Interchange”.

“These cuts mean more congestion, less productivity and more pain for commuters and businesses. It’s clear that Chris Minns has turned his back on Western Sydney after promising to invest in transport infrastructure.”

Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the move will impact residents, tourists and businesses.

“These significant upgrades are needed to provide a safer and more reliable journey for the thousands of residents, commuters and freight operators, including those who travel between Sydney and the Central West every single day,” Mr Farraway said.

“This decision is also going to significantly impact the ability to move goods and products out of the regions by road, which will not only make things more difficult but cause safety issues as well.”

Labor’s Cancelled Projects:

Blaxland Road/Balaclava Road Intersection Improvements
Bruxner Highway – Wollongbar to Goonellabah
Commuter Car Park Upgrade – T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line – Kingswood
Commuter Car Park Upgrade – T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line – St Marys
Commuter Car Park Upgrade – Woy Woy
Great Western Highway Upgrade – Katoomba to Lithgow – Construction of East and West Sections
Gwydir Highway Improvements – Planning
M7-M12 Interchange
Mulgoa Road Stage 2
Northern NSW Inland Port – Narrabri
Oxley Highway Stage 2 – Planning
Remembrance Driveway Corridor Upgrade – Camden Council
Southern Connector Road, Jindabyne
Sydney to Newcastle – Tuggerah-Wyong faster rail upgrade
Toowoomba to Seymour – NSW – Moree Intermodal Overpass
Werrington Arterial Stage 2 – Planning
Western City Road Transport Network Development – Planning

Labor’s big Australia worsening national housing crisis

According to new data released by the Housing Industry Association today, the sales volumes of new homes across the country have catastrophically dropped to even further lows, down by 8.1 per cent for October.

This, coupled with new house building approvals and starts dropping to decade lows, shows that Australia’s housing crisis is set to worsen in 2024, not improve.

This is even further proof that home ownership and the residential construction industry have never been a priority for Labor.

The twelve interest rate rises since Labor’s election have added an extra $24,000 per year to a family with a $750,000 mortgage, yet this Government continues to remain silent on its key promise to deliver ‘cheaper mortgages’.

And despite our nation’s deepening housing crisis, Labor still plans to ensure record population growth with an additional 1.5 million migrants arriving in Australia over the next five years.

New data published by the ABS this week also confirmed Australia is on track to accept more than half a million migrants this year alone.

While so many Australians struggle with acute housing shortages in both the rental and purchasing space, things are only set to worsen as Labor’s Big Australia keeps getting bigger.

Cost of living still hitting battling Australians

Workforce data released today can’t mask the pain of Australians battling a cost-of-living crisis while their real wages go backwards.

The October Labour Force figures show the unemployment rate increased 0.2 per cent to 3.7 per cent. Today’s data comes off the back of the Wage Price Index released yesterday that confirms Australians real wages are going backwards.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said: “We know that the resilience of the labour market started under the Coalition Government but the Albanese Government has done nothing to tame inflation which is really hurting Australians.”

“Australians have seen the biggest fall in living standards amongst OECD countries, while The Economist reports Australia is the “worst performer” when it comes to inflation entrenchment,” he said.

“For many Australians, their job is their last line of defence against rising prices. What is clear in this data is that Australians are working hard to keep their heads above water because this government has been making the wrong decisions.”

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Michaelia Cash said: “Australians are still struggling under the Albanese Labor Government but the Prime Minister thinks his time is better spent overseas than here dealing with the cost of living crisis.”

“This Government is doing nothing to fix the cost of living crisis,’’ Senator Cash said.

“Their radical industrial relations laws will only make the cost of doing business even more expensive. We know that means businesses will have to increase their prices to cover the increased costs.”

“The Labor Government’s industrial relations agenda does not contain any plans to boost productivity. It is all about rewarding their union mates.”

VISIT TO THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION LEADERS’ MEETING

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the United States from 15-17 November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco.

APEC is the leading economic forum for the Asia-Pacific region and APEC partners make up around 75 per cent of Australia’s total trade in goods and services. This year’s Summit will focus on Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister will advance Australia’s priorities of free and open rules-based trade in the region, supply chain resilience, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Prime Minister will discuss environmental and sustainability issues with member economies — and exchange views on how economies of the region can collaborate to cut emissions and make the transition to a renewable energy future.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia’s participation at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting signals our enduring commitment to strengthening regional economic cooperation and growth.

“This year’s theme focuses on resiliency, sustainability and inclusion—all key priorities of the Australian Government.

“Engagement with APEC partners is critical for seizing the opportunities to create the jobs of the future, to expand our economic growth, and to take advantage of our location – on the doorstep of the fastest growing region in human history.”

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION WITH MICROSOFT ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella in San Francisco today in the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister announced the Australian Government’s decision to explore the safe and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the public service in partnership with Microsoft, through the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA).

This investment builds on the Albanese Government’s commitment to invest in the tools and capabilities required to set Australians up for the jobs and opportunities of the future.

The Government will conduct a six-month trial of Microsoft 365 Copilot, making it one of the first governments in the world to deploy generative AI service.

Australian Public Service (APS) staff will be able to trial new ways to innovate and enhance productivity, with a view to delivering better government services for the Australian people. Microsoft will provide digital training to help APS staff to develop their AI skills and literacy.

The six month trial will run from January to June 2024, with Microsoft providing training, onboarding and implementation assistance with participating agencies.

This trial positions Australia as a leader in adopting artificial intelligence that increases productivity, and is functional and fit for purpose.

Following the trial the DTA will evaluate their experience in order to assess opportunities, feedback, and report to the Government.

This announcement follows the establishment of the AI Taskforce, led by the DTA and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. The trial will be rolled out consistent with the AI Taskforce guidance for the public service on the use of generative AI.

The Prime Minister recently announced Microsoft’s $5 billion investment in Australia, alongside Microsoft executives during the recent official visit to Washington.

That announcement included:

A $5 billion investment to expand its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure over the next two years to grow its local data centre footprint from 20 to 29 sites in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
Opening a new Microsoft Data Centre Academy, in partnership with TAFE NSW, and a commitment to train an additional 300,000 Australians through its global skills program.
Collaboration with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) on Microsoft-ASD Cyber Shield to improve joint capability to identify, prevent and respond to cyber threats.

Microsoft’s investment will help Australia become a world-leading digital economy by significantly investing in skills and training to help equip a new generation of Australians for the jobs and opportunities of the future.

The Government is committed to leadership in the safe, ethical and responsible use of technology and data, and meeting the community’s expectations on security, fairness and privacy.

The Government is fostering an innovative culture in the public service and demonstrating high standards in transparency, risk management and governance of all emerging technologies.

The DTA has also recently released a Request for Information on services and support for generative AI and will obtain information on generative AI solutions that could serve individual government organisations and government as a whole.

the Prime Minister said:

“By strengthening our partnership with Microsoft, we are charting a course for the future of public service – one where generative AI is used responsibly to enhance the work of the APS in delivering for Australians without compromising on safety.”

the Minister for Finance said:

“AI is emerging as a widely used technology and presents many opportunities for government and the way it delivers crucial services to the Australian community, but we must adopt it in a safe and controlled way.

“This exciting pilot will support the government’s APS reform agenda by identifying how we can safely use this technology to improve our work and service delivery but do so in a way that is controlled and allows us to learn the lessons with minimal impact on existing processes and services.”

NATION BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A BETTER AUSTRALIA

The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure Australia needs, creating jobs and growing the economy while not increasing pressure on inflation.

The independent strategic review found that the Infrastructure Investment Program inherited from the former Coalition Government was undeliverable.

Under the Liberals and Nationals, the number of projects in the Infrastructure Investment Program blew out from nearly 150 to 800.

Many projects lacked proper planning, didn’t have informed costings and weren’t ready for Commonwealth investment.

The review found an estimated $33 billion in known cost pressures across all projects in the program and there is a high risk that figure could increase.

Now that the review has been completed and after considered consultation with the States and Territories, the government has a forward plan of projects that are properly planned and targeted to unlock significant economic, social and environmental objectives.

Here in Newcastle, funding has been confirmed for the following projects:

Project name	Total Australian Government funding ($)
High Speed Rail Authority Priorities	$500,000,000
Newcastle Inner City Bypass, Rankin Park to Jesmond	$360,000,000

The Albanese Government also has a concrete plan for the Pacific Highway with the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace confirmed, of great significance to the region.

In our region and across Australia, the Albanese Government is delivering infrastructure that make communities safer, promotes productivity and unlocks the potential of cities, towns and regions.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that builds Australia and improves lives. To do this, we need an infrastructure program that is fit for purpose, fiscally responsible and above all, deliverable.

“We are delivering infrastructure that creates jobs and helps wages grow, and makes our communities better connected and more livable.”

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP said:

“Establishing a High Speed Rail network between Sydney and Newcastle remains a priority for the Albanese Labor Government with a recommitment today of $500 million.”

“The High Speed Rail Authority Board has been set up and held its first board meeting here in Newcastle – a milestone achievement that recognises the lead role our city will play in shaping high-speed rail in Australia.

“Newcastle and our region stands to benefit enormously from the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to get work on high-speed rail underway – cutting carbon, delivering better connectivity and creating good local jobs and opportunities for industry and business alike.

“It’s time to make high-speed rail a reality in Australia.”

Teens charged following alleged stealing and assault – Raymond Terrace

A teenage boy will appear before a children’s court today charged following an alleged stealing and assault incident at a licensed premises in Raymond Terrace on Tuesday night.

About 11.35pm on Tuesday 14 November 2023, police were called to an establishment on Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace.

At the scene, officers were told that two persons were seen allegedly stealing alcohol from behind the bar, before they were approached by an employee.

Police will allege that the employee was subsequently punched several times before the unknown persons fled the premises in a 2011 silver Mazda 2, owned by the employee.

The employee, a 38-year-old man, was treated at the scene for swelling and bruising to his face.

A crime scene was established by officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and inquiries commenced into the incident.

About 9pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 November 2023), police located and attempted to stop the stolen Mazda 2 at Heatherbrae.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated, ending a short time later at Campvale where the vehicle stopped.

The driver of the car, a 16-year-old boy, was arrested at the scene before being taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, and police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed.

He was bail refused to appear before a children’s court today (Thursday 16 November 2023).

The 13-year-old male passenger was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

Both teens were refused bail to appear at a Children’s Court today (Thursday 16 November 2023).

The 13-year-old female passenger was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. She was granted conditional bail to appear at a Children’s Court on Wednesday 13 December 2023.

The other 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy was dealt under the Young Offenders Act.

Inquiries continue.