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NSW Parliament must give immediate relief to stop GP clinics closing

The Opposition will move an amendment in Parliament this week to provide an immediate exemption from payroll tax on payments to GPs and other health practitioners to ensure that essential medical clinics are not forced to close.

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said some GP clinics are facing demands for retrospective payroll tax bills of a half a million dollars or more, and many medical clinics are now discovering that operating in a particular way made them liable to additional payroll tax.

“Retrospective audits leading to demands for payments of payroll tax covering five years of operation are creating a crisis for these clinics that must be addressed,” Mr Tudehope said. “The best solution to this urgent problem is to provide an amnesty from all such payroll tax for the past five years and an exemption for the next two years while a satisfactory solution is found.”

Shadow Minister for Health Matt Kean said he was concerned about the impacts on hospitals.

“Combined with other pressures on the health system there is a real danger that these clinics may need to close,” Mr Kean said. “This will put serious additional pressure on emergency departments and could result in patients having to wait even longer to receive care.”

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said “the Government is offering $20,000 to get health workers to move to the regions while simultaneously threatening some regional medical clinics with massive tax bills that will force them to close, leaving people in regional NSW without needed health services.”

Shadow Minister for Finance Eleni Petinos said that local GP clinics provide invaluable community services across the state, and the immediate tax relief will help ensure survival of many clinics. “With growing waiting lists across NSW hospitals and ongoing industrial chaos in the health sector, NSW should be seeking to support medical clinics, not imposing a retrospective tax that will see a number wiped out.”

APPOINTMENTS TO THE HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Justice Stephen Gageler AC as the fourteenth Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Justice Gageler will commence as Chief Justice on 6 November 2023 upon the retirement of Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC.

Justice Gageler has an outstanding reputation as a jurist. He is highly respected for his leadership abilities and deep knowledge and understanding of constitutional law. Justice Gageler is currently the most senior puisne Justice of the High Court. He has served on the High Court with distinction since 2012. Prior to this, Justice Gageler was the Commonwealth Solicitor-General.

Justice Gageler holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University and a Master of Laws from Harvard University. Justice Gageler was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1989 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2000.

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Justice Robert Beech-Jones to the High Court of Australia. Justice Beech-Jones will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Justice Gageler as Chief Justice and will also commence on 6 November 2023.

Justice Beech-Jones has served on the Supreme Court of New South Wales since 2012. In 2021 he was appointed Chief Judge of the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and a Judge of Appeal. Justice Beech-Jones spent his childhood in Tasmania, before moving to Canberra to study. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Science from the Australian National University. Justice Beech-Jones was admitted as a Barrister in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1992 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2006.

The Government consulted extensively in the lead-up to this decision, including with all state and territory Attorneys-General, the Shadow Attorney-General, the heads of the Federal Courts and state and territory Supreme Courts, state and territory Bar associations and law societies, National Legal Aid, Australian Women Lawyers, the National Association of Community Legal Centres and deans of law schools across the country.

The Government thanks all those who provided nominations for these significant appointments. Justice Gageler and Justice Beech-Jones were strongly supported in the consultation process.

We also acknowledge and thank Chief Justice Kiefel for her exceptional service as Chief Justice of the High Court since 2017, Justice of the High Court since 2007, and as a former Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Queensland and Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.

On behalf of the Government and the Australian people, we congratulate Justice Gageler and Justice Beech-Jones on their appointments, and wish Chief Justice Kiefel all the very best for the future.

Police locate woman missing from Cessnock area

A woman reported missing from the Cessnock area has been located safe and well.

A 43-year-old woman was reported missing after she was last seen at a home in Nulkaba, about 6.30pm on Sunday (20 August 2023).

When she was unable to be located or contacted, she was reported missing to officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, who commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Following inquiries, including a public appeal, the woman was located safe and well in Byron Bay today.

Police wish to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

Penny Wong Visit to Vietnam

This week I will visit Vietnam for the second time as Foreign Minister to further deepen Australia’s cooperation with a key ASEAN partner.

Earlier this year, Australia and Vietnam marked 50 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring the deep friendship and strategic trust between our countries.

Australia and Vietnam share a Strategic Partnership, a commitment to ASEAN centrality and an interest in maintaining a region which is peaceful, stable and prosperous, where sovereignty is respected.

My visit is a clear statement of the Albanese Government’s priorities and an opportunity to further build on our work to shape the region we want.

It follows recent visits to Vietnam by Prime Minister Albanese and Trade and Tourism Minister Farrell.

During my visit to Hanoi, I will meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and other senior leaders to discuss a range of shared interests, including our economic and security ties.

Foreign Minister Son and I will hold the fifth annual Australia-Vietnam Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where we will discuss regional priorities and how we can expand our cooperation, including on climate change, trade and investment, education, and digital delivery of government services.

I will also attend the ‘Taste of Australia’s Big Barbecue’ event with Chef Luke Nguyen to showcase Australian cuisine and culture. Vietnam is our fourth largest agricultural export market and offers increasing opportunities for Australian premium food and wine producers.

For the first time as Foreign Minister, I will visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic powerhouse and the hub of Australia’s business relationship with Vietnam. I will meet with Australians of Vietnamese heritage who are driving our economic cooperation.

DEFENCE HANDS $8.5 MILLION TO CONFLICT-RIDDEN CONSULTANT EY TO DESIGN NEW NUCLEAR SUBMARINE REGULATOR

In the face of a national revolt over outsourcing of key government functions to consultants, Defence has handed another big four consultant, Ernst & Young, an $8.4 million contract to design Australia’s nuclear submarine regulator. This is despite its deep involvement with the nuclear power industry (including with the company responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster) and recent reporting uncovering conflict of interests in the energy sector.

EY has long and deep ties to the nuclear industry, repeatedly advocating for an expanded nuclear industry and working with major nuclear power companies, including NuScale Power Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Co as well as TEPCO, acting as its long-term auditor, during and since the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

EY is already under investigation for undisclosed conflicts of interest with the NSW government already investigating its contract with EY to develop a Future of Gas Statement while EY was also working with gas giant Santos.

The Greens are calling for the Albanese government to cancel the contract and bring this core work of government back into the public service.

Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“It’s genuinely unbelievable that in the middle of a national scandal about outsourcing core government functions to the big four consultants, Defence has gifted an $8.5 million contract to one of them to design a new national nuclear regulator.

“It was always wrong to have Defence in control of its own regulator for the AUKUS nuclear submarines and now we can see how they have hand picked a pro-nuclear consultant to design the whole thing.

“This wasn’t an open tender at all, Defence chose Ernst and Young from a large panel without going to market or, it seems, even considering serious conflicts of interest.

“No one can have any comfort in a nuclear regulatory body designed by a hand picked consultant with so many obvious conflicts of interest.

“Ernst and Young has deep conflicts of interest here, as it repeatedly pushes for an expanded global nuclear energy industry and through its role as the ongoing auditor of TEPCO, the Japanese energy giant responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

“In its Australian operations Ernst and Young is already under investigation by the NSW government over conflicts of interest related to the gas industry, but none of this seems to trouble Defence.

“International nuclear energy standards make it clear that nuclear regulators must be structurally and functionally independent which means the nuclear submarine regulator should never have sat with Defence in the first place.

“This contract needs to be torn up and then this core duty of government, designing a nuclear oversight agency, needs to be done by an independent government agency not by a hired gun from the big four,” Senator Shoebridge said.

City of Newcastle pedals ahead to deliver first bike repair station 

Cyclists are set to benefit from the installation of Newcastle’s first public bike repair station as City of Newcastle (CN) gears up to invest more than $3.6 million into cycleways during the next 12 months.

Located at Islington Park, the multi-function station features all the tools needed to get cyclists back on their bikes including screwdrivers, wrenches, and tyre levers, as well as a stand to make repairs easier, and a bike pump and gauge. Bike parking racks are also planned for future installation.

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Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the new bike repair station demonstrates City of Newcastle’s commitment to promoting cycling and encouraging greater participation in active modes of transport throughout the city.

“More and more Novocastrians are riding and have told us they want more cycle friendly facilities and connections across the city,” Cr Clausen said.

“By prioritising our investment in Newcastle’s cycleway infrastructure, we hope to enable cycling to play an even larger role within the city’s active transport mix.

“During the 2023/24 financial year, we will invest more than $3.6 million into cycleways infrastructure, as part of CN’s largest annual capital works program to date.

“Safer cycle routes are critical. We are prioritising improving several challenging intersections on cycle routes around the city, such as Maud Street in Waratah with signalised crossings for cyclists.

“Recently we’ve completed new signals at the intersection of Chinchen Street and Clyde Street in Islington, at an important node between two key cycle routes, providing a safer connection joining Mayfield to the city, as well as improving connections to the TAFE and nearby schools.

“We will also soon be talking with the community about a range of new cycleway projects, including a significant new connection joining Broadmeadow into Hamilton East and onwards towards the Newcastle Interchange, and an improved connection through Jesmond.”

Aussie icon named after Aussie icons

A rescued female platypus puggle being cared for at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has been named ‘Matilda’ after Australia’s much-loved women’s soccer team record breaking run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Matilda, nicknamed ‘Tilly’ for short, was around four months old when she was admitted to Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital in April 2023. She was in poor condition and weighed only 280 grams.

She had been found under a bush on the NSW Central Coast and was weak, severely malnourished and covered in ticks, all of which compromised her waterproofing making it difficult for her to swim and survive on her own.

Thanks to attentive, around-the-clock care from Taronga’s expert Platypus team who hand-fed her 6 times a day for 2 months, she started to improve.

Matilda, who is now approximately 8 months old, is eating and foraging on her own and recently weighed in at 694 grams.

The name Matilda means ‘bold, battlefield warrior’ and represents both our mighty women’s soccer team and Taronga’s puggle who is going from strength to strength.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We are incredibly proud of the Matildas and the spirit they have shown throughout the Women’s World Cup and Tilly is emblematic of that perseverance.

“We know their legacy will be remembered for generations and, now one of our most iconic native animals shares the same name.

“The work being done by Taronga Zoo to care for platypuses is absolutely vital and the recovery of Tilly is a testament to that.”

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The performance of the Matildas during the Woman’s World Cup has inspired a conversation that will change women’s sport in Australia forever.

“It can be touch-and-go when rehabilitating a Platypus, and Tilly’s recovery is a testament to the calibre of the team we have working at Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital.

“Ensuring the survival of this iconic species is essential work for this government and that means protecting their habitat, addressing climate change and tackling plastic pollution.”

Taronga Wildlife Hospital veterinary resident Dr Jess Whinfield said:

“Each platypus we treat, and especially those that need intensive care like Matilda, offers an insight into their species and what we need to do to help them thrive.

“Tilly would have weighed a tiny 1.5 grams when she hatched from an egg the size of a marble. She then spent four months drinking her mother’s milk in the safety of the nesting burrow.

“After emerging, she has very quickly learned to swim and find her food – not by using sight, sound, or smell, but by using her bill to detect the tiny amounts of electricity her invertebrate prey produces.

“Everyone can help protect platypuses in the wild by responsibly disposing of fishing equipment and picking up rubbish – especially items such as hair ties and rubber bands which platypuses can become entangled in.”

Waterloo South social and affordable housing boosted to 50%

The NSW Government is boosting the number of new social and affordable homes being delivered as part of the renewal of Waterloo Estate, while increasing efforts to engage with the Waterloo community to ensure tenants have clarity and certainty.

The NSW Government is today announcing:

An increase in delivery of 50% social and affordable housing across the Waterloo Estate, up from 34% resulting in an uplift of up to 500 homes.
Increased engagement with Waterloo tenants, which includes opening an on-site Waterloo Connect Office, as well as increasing the delivery of project updates to tenants via phone, text and letterbox drops, and holding community events across the estate.
A minimum of at least 15% of all new social and affordable homes dedicated for Aboriginal people, helping to keep them on Country and work towards closing the housing gap.

The Waterloo Estate redevelopment is a major urban renewal project that will see the estate renewed over time into a modern, sustainable and vibrant community with a mix of social, affordable and private housing, as well as retail, community facilities and public open spaces.

The next step for the project will be the appointment of a renewal partner consortium to deliver the project, which is expected to be announced next year.

To support the redevelopment, 70 new social housing homes at the Waterloo Metro Quarter, and over 100 social homes at Elizabeth Street, Redfern will provide an opportunity for Waterloo South tenants to be relocated in the local area.

Existing Waterloo South tenants will be relocated in small stages with the process starting in mid-2024 and will be given the right to return once the renewal is complete.

This renewal project builds on the NSW Government commitment to deliver more social and affordable housing.

For more information on these projects, visit the Department of Planninglaunch.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Everyone deserves access to safe and secure shelter. The Waterloo Estate will be a huge boost to the area and to the communities who live there, particularly for social and affordable housing.

“We have a housing crisis in NSW and it is on all of us to work together to address the challenges.

“Part of that challenge is the lack of supply.

“Delivering more housing is crucial and we’ve introduced a suite of planning reforms and commitments to deliver more social and affordable housing as a start, but there is so much more to do.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“The Waterloo Estate is one of the largest social housing renewals in the state, and this announcement is a significant step forward in addressing injustices by the former government while ensuring our commitment to providing more homes for those who need it most.

“Throughout this project tenants have been left in the dark about their future. Along with increasing the number of social and affordable housing at Waterloo, we want to take tenants with us every step of the journey.

“Engagement with tenants is a key focus for this government which is why we’re ramping up efforts to be out and about in the community. This includes opening a dedicated on-site office, which gives tenants the opportunity to drop-in and speak with us about the redevelopment, as well as holding regular community events where we can engage directly with tenants.

“We understand that housing plays a critical role in social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities and as part of our housing increase, we’re dedicating a minimum of 15% of all new social and affordable homes for Aboriginal people so that we can keep them connected to their community and work towards closing the housing gap.”

Member for Heffron Ron Hoenig said:

“When I was elected as the member for Heffron 11 years ago, I found my Waterloo public housing constituents living in terrible conditions. A lifetime spent in the criminal justice system did not prepare me for what I found. We need to improve the standard of living for residents and this renewal is part of that work.

“In the battle to improve the standards of living for residents over the years, I have always fought on their behalf. While there have been substantial improvements over time, many of the buildings have reached their use-by date and are in desperate need of renewal.

“There is also a considerable shortage of social and affordable housing in the Waterloo area, so I welcome the government’s efforts to increase the supply of secure housing for vulnerable members of the community.

“The renewal of Waterloo South Estate will help ensure constituents have a far better quality of life than they could possibly have in the current state of the area.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to working together to close the gap and create better opportunities for Aboriginal communities.

“Direct investment in Aboriginal infrastructure will help to ensure the security and longevity of key programs that deliver real benefits to our communities.”

Agreement reached for New Intercity Fleet

The NSW Government has reached a vital agreement to get the full complement of New Intercity Fleet trains on the tracks in the shortest possible time.

Transport for NSW and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have signed a deed on a final operating model for the new electric Mariyung trains, which will run on the Newcastle and Central Coast, Blue Mountains and South Coast Lines.

This deed aligns the New Intercity Fleet operating model with that of the Waratah fleet, and subject to approval by the Office of National Rail Safety Regulator, it will allow the new trains to enter passenger service in the most efficient way.

Following last year’s agreement between government and unions to modify the fleet, Transport for NSW has now confirmed the final scope and detailed design of the modifications and submitted an order with RailConnect to deliver the changes.

Meanwhile, a process has begun to transition the operation of the Mariyung trains and the majority of intercity passenger services, crew and stations from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains.

This transition will take advantage of the scale within Sydney Trains to help improve access to resourcing, crew availability and training that supports getting the new trains into service as soon as possible.

The New Intercity Fleet will set a new standard of travel for commuters who make approximately 26 million journeys a year on the electrified intercity network.

The improvements include wider, more spacious two-by-two seating with arm rests, tray tables, and high seat backs, charging ports for mobile devices, dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles, and modern heating and air conditioning.

They will also open up greater options for travel for people with disabilities and mobility issues with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and accessible toilets.

A timeline for the introduction of the New Intercity Fleet will be finalised with operations expected to commence in 2024.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“These trains were supposed to be on the tracks 5 years ago. It’s been a priority of mine to ensure we get these trains out of sheds and on the tracks next year.

“Today I can announce that the New Intercity Fleet Trains will be on the tracks and carrying passengers by 2024.”

“We have reached a vital agreement which will get the full complement of New Intercity Fleet of trains on the tracks in the shortest possible time.”

“We’ve finally fixed the mess that the former government made of the New Intercity Fleet. It took the new Minns Labor Government five months to do what the Liberals couldn’t do in five years.”

“Like the passengers who rely on our intercity network who have waited a long time, I look forward these new modern trains, with more room, more comfort and more features than any other fleet in Australia.

“Passengers deserve to have a first-class safe and reliable public transport system that helps them travel from our regions to the city to conduct business, to go to school and work and be with their families.”

Women make up more than half of NSW Ambulance ranks

NSW Ambulance has become the first NSW emergency service to reach gender parity in its ranks, with women now making up more than 50% of the NSW Ambulance workforce.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park was joined by NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill to mark the milestone at Randwick Ambulance Superstation in Sydney.

“Today is about acknowledging the important contribution women make across all areas of the service,” Mr Park said.

“Dedicated and skilled women work across NSW Ambulance in many roles, including as paramedics, aeromedical crews, nurses, doctors, specialist rescue crews, call takers and dispatchers, and corporate and support staff.

“We are incredibly grateful for their contribution to the health system in NSW and thank them for their service to their communities.”

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said it is important that workforces reflect the people they serve.

“Workplace gender diversity matters and it is pleasing to see NSW Ambulance has achieved this,” Minister Harrison said.

“It is an important step for NSW Ambulance as an employer and for patient trust and care. We know that a diverse and inclusive workplace is beneficial to all employees – not just women – and has a positive impact on the organisation as a whole.”

NSW Health Secretary Ms Susan Pearce AM said women now occupied almost 45% of all leadership roles across the organisation, and made up the majority of the executive leadership team.

“NSW Health is committed to building a workforce that is representative of the community it serves, so I want to commend NSW Ambulance on reaching such an important milestone,” Ms Pearce said.

“Gender diversity is so important because it brings a breadth of perspectives, experiences and skills that enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan congratulated the women who have helped grow NSW Ambulance into the respected, skilled and diverse organisation it is today.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to each and every one of the devoted women who helped us achieve this milestone,” Dr Morgan said.

Lee Clout was the first female paramedic in NSW – joining the ranks in May 1979 at Wagga Wagga ambulance station.

“I’m really pleased that people are now being employed for their skills and experience, with women receiving the same opportunity,” Ms Clout said.

“Gender has got nothing to do with it. It’s just about what you can bring to the job.”

Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill joined Ministers Park and Harrison to mark the occasion.

“This is a fantastic achievement,” Dr O’Neill said.

“Workforce parity better enables our health services to meet the needs of the communities they serve.”

NSW Ambulance implements a range of support programs to ensure a welcoming and inclusive workplace, including tailored training programs, mentoring initiatives and ongoing professional development opportunities.