Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has reached a major milestone as it brings the management of Junee Correctional Centre into public hands, securing workers’ roles and entitlements ahead of the 1 April 2025 transition.

The Junee Correctional Centre has been managed by The GEO Group Australia since 1993.

Under Corrective Services NSW’s (CSNSW) operational model, the majority of current GEO staff who want to remain working at the prison will be offered roles within the centre and will retain their entitlements without needing to serve probationary or qualifying periods.

Their long service leave will be paid out by GEO and their years of service will be recognised by CSNSW for future entitlements.

The new operational model will also create several new positions, with local recruitment currently taking place to fill openings and additional roles.

CSNSW has begun rolling out induction and custodial bridging courses onsite in preparation for next year’s transition.

Deputy Commissioner Security and Custody Dr Anne Marie Martin, met with GEO staff at the centre today alongside representatives from human resources and Justice Health to outline the next steps in the transition.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to reversing the trend towards privatisation, and bringing the management of Junee Correctional Centre into public hands is a key indicator of that.

“This change means Junee prison staff will have well-paid, secure, public-sector jobs with a history of service that will be recognised by CSNSW, which is a huge win for staff and the community.”

Acting Commissioner, Corrective Services NSW Leon Taylor said:

“Experienced Corrective Services NSW staff have been working onsite to support GEO officers through the management transition, to ensure they’re ready, trained, and equipped to move to the new operational model.

“Junee officers have shown commendable dedication to their work over the years, so we’re looking forward to having them on board and working towards our shared goal of reducing reoffending and keeping the community safe.

“We’re also looking forward to maintaining valuable relationships with the local community partners and the Junee Shire Council.” 

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to support the wellbeing of the people across New South Wales, with $400,000 in grants now available to provide targeted support to improve men’s mental health and drive down rates of male suicide.

Targeted at community-based mental healthcare providers, the new program offers grants of up to $50,000 for local and grassroots organisations who are working on the ground to support men’s mental health.

New South Wales accounts for the most male deaths by suicide in Australia. In 2023 alone, there were 934 suspected deaths by suicide in the state, with men accounting for 730, or 78 per cent of these tragedies.

The launch of the new grants program follows the recent release of the NSW Men’s Mental Health: A focus on suicide prevention report which was informed by the landmark Men’s Mental Health Forum held in August.

This program aligns with the report’s recommendation to invest in grassroots local community-led initiatives that focus on building community connection, emotional intelligence and mental health literacy among men.

The forum brought together 84 participants from 61 mental health and suicide prevention organisations across NSW. It provided a platform for discussions among advocates, researchers, diverse people with lived experience of mental illness and professionals working to support men.

Leaders at the forum examined the social drivers of men’s distress, identified at-risk priority communities and proposed successful interventions, while considering the future of male suicide prevention.

Further recommendations within the report which will inform the Government’s ongoing work in this space include:

• strengthen the peer workforce to support men’s mental health, reduce stigma, increase help-seeking behaviour, and improve mental health literacy
• expand access to support services for men outside of clinical settings, recognising that clinical settings can be a barrier
• ensure policies, programs and services are co-designed with input from men who have lived experience of mental ill-health and those who care for them.

Grant applications are now open until 15 December and can be completed online: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/men-suicide-prevention.aspx

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“The number one cause of death among Australian men aged 15-44 years is suicide. This is unacceptable and we are dedicated to moving the dial by providing real support to mental health care providers in the community.

“While the statistics alone are sobering, we must also remember that behind every number is a story of loss, families and communities left grieving and missed opportunities for intervention.

“The Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Small Grants Program is an opportunity to bolster our support for community organisations who help men and can address the unique challenges they face in relation to mental health and suicide prevention.

“I want to personally thank all the mental health advocates and men with lived experience who participated in the Men’s Mental Health Forum this year – their voices are vitally important to continue this conversation, work towards solutions and end the stigma.

“The recommendations from the Forum report are critical to our ongoing work in this space will guide our future efforts to reduce suicide and improve mental health among men in NSW.”

If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). For those contemplating suicide or experiencing severe distress, the following helplines are available 24/7:

A Cardiac Electrophysiology Service has been launched at Gosford Hospital, giving Central Coast patients access to cardiac procedures without the need to travel out of area.

The service is expected to benefit hundreds of local patients each year, meaning they won’t have to travel to Sydney or Newcastle for critical care.

The new service offers diagnostic and therapeutic treatment for patients with heart conditions. This includes providing therapeutic ablation for patients with right-sided tachyarrhythmias which is also known as irregular heart rhythm.

Cardiac ablation is a procedure where small areas of tissue in the heart which are causing the irregular heartbeat are inactivated through the application of heat or intense cold. The procedure restores and maintains a normal heart rhythm.

The service is also performing diagnostic studies for cardiac patients, including electrophysiology studies which are tests used to evaluate the heart’s electrical system and to check for abnormal heart rhythms.

The launch of the service is a significant development for the Central Coast, providing local public patients access to the service close to home for the first time.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“I am pleased this new service will be able to offer local patients access to these important procedures on the Central Coast, making it much easier for them to access the treatment they need close to home.

“Central Coast Local Health District is already receiving very positive feedback from patients about how much they appreciate having the local service available to them.”

Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris:

“It is pleasing the Central Coast community can now access these important cardiac procedures closer to home. 

“We know the Central Coast is a high-growth region, and as our population grows it is essential we continue to bolster our local healthcare system, and services like this are another step in the right direction.”

Member for Gosford, Liesel Tesch:

“The launch of this service will mean that our community no longer has to travel multiple hours to access this important medical service, providing accessible care right here in our community when people need it most.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in healthcare for the Central Coast community.”

Central Coast Local Health District Head of Cardiology, Associate Professor Maged William:

“We are thrilled to be able to provide these procedures on the Central Coast. Previously, it was necessary for patients to travel to Sydney or Newcastle to have these procedures. We are anticipating that the service will benefit hundreds of local patients every year.

“Plans are already underway to expand the scope of the service to treat patients with other common cardiac concerns such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.”

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are jointly investing more than $47 million to establish the Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW Wollongong.

Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that cultivate the skills required to operate legacy equipment, enhancing efficiencies by using digital and robotic technologies, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

The Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will:

• provide targeted training in traditional and emerging heavy industry manufacturing for the defence and transport sectors
• integrate emerging technologies and automation into training, equipping students for work in digital, electrical and robotic manufacturing
• deliver microskills and microcredentials to upskill current workers.

The Centre of Excellence will innovate training by piloting a new qualification model, the Associate Degree in Manufacturing and Applied Digital Technologies. This Degree Apprenticeship will provide a pathway between school, vocational education and training, and higher education.

Courses on offer include Engineering Mechanical Trade, Laboratory Skills and 3D Printing.

The Centre of Excellence is positioned to help progress the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia plan, ensuring that we have the skills and infrastructure to make the materials we need to transition to net zero.

This follows the announcement of the Western Sydney Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence and the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, as the third TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, boosting skills training in advanced manufacturing and rebuilding onshore manufacturing capabilities.

The Albanese Government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement, which began on 1 January 2024, to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence in areas of high skills needs.

Some courses will available from 2025, while the refurbished site will be ready by 2027.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The Illawarra has a proud history of industry and manufacturing – which is why this is the perfect place for this Centre of Excellence.

“This builds on the skills that are already a part of this region’s DNA.

“Investing in a Future Made in Australia means investing in the skills and training industry will need in the years to come.

NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“Whether its trains, buses or ferries, we want to build things here in NSW.

“The Illawarra is a powerhouse of manufacturing, and the TAFE NSW Centre of Excellence will build on these strengths, delivering more education and training so local workers are skilled in new technologies.

“The centre will create a pipeline of skilled workers so we have the mechanical and electrical engineers, machinists and metal welders needed to secure the regions future and support a thriving domestic advanced manufacturing industry in NSW.”

the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Albanese Government is putting TAFE at the heart of the vocational education and training sector. Implementing TAFE Centres of Excellence as a key initiative under the National Skills Agreement will ensure we can deliver on this objective.

“The Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will work in partnership with the other manufacturing Centres of Excellence that we are establishing here in New South Wales. Creating a manufacturing powerhouse that will have a key role in supporting our transition to net zero, and harnessing the opportunities being created by our Future Made in Australia plan.

“It is exciting to see that the Heavy Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is exploring new pathways that look to break down potential barriers between VET and higher education. As new skills needs emerge in our workforce, we need to keep exploring ways for greater harmonisation across our tertiary education sector.

“The Centres of Excellence are being established between the Australian, state and territory governments. Once the Centre is up and running it will operate in partnership to ensure we deliver a successful project. I look forward to continuing work with NSW Skills Minister Steve Whan to create a world-class VET sector.”

the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:

“The TAFE NSW Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence – Illawarra will provide opportunities for local workers to reskill and upskill in areas most critical to a growing and evolving manufacturing sector, including new digital technologies such as robotics.

“Through the TAFE Centres of Excellence and in collaboration with industry and universities, the Australian and NSW Governments are ensuring local workers have the skills needed to support onshore manufacturing capabilities and access jobs in transport, logistics and supply chain, defence and renewables.”

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project has reached new heights with the completion of the 3.2-kilometres of viaduct (bridge), linking the Warragamba viaduct to the future Luddenham Station.

The new 23-kilometre metro line which once complete, will mean it’ll take passengers five minutes to travel from the airport to Bradfield, approximately 15 minutes from the airport to St Marys and approximately 20 minutes from Bradfield to St Marys where passengers can connect to the rest of Sydney’s rail network. 

The impressive viaduct structure is a critical part of the metro alignment between Orchard Hills and Luddenham and has been constructed to take metro services over key locations including the Warragamba pipelines, Blaxland Creek, and Luddenham Road. 

This viaduct will be part of a mix of underground tunnels, ground level railway and elevated railway. 

A total of 1,101 precast concrete segments (sections of the bridge) were used to construct the viaduct, with each segment measuring 10.85 metres wide, up to 3.2 metres long and 2.4 metres high, and weighs up to 65 tonnes, with more than 52,000 tonnes of concrete used to cast the segments.

In a boost for local jobs, all 1,101 precast concrete segments, which were pieced together to build the structure of this viaduct, were manufactured in Buchanan, 20 minutes outside of Newcastle.  

Supporting the impressive structure are 84 piers, each weighing between 80 and 160 tonnes and towering up to 15.3 metres high. The piers were made using 96,250 tonnes of concrete.

To build the viaduct, more than 2,500 people worked over 16 months with huge machinery to manoeuvre the heavy segments.

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project itself has engaged more than 8,868 workers, 54 per cent of whom live in Western Sydney.

Completing the viaduct also included completing the base of Luddenham Station, the only station located on a viaduct 13.5 metres above ground. 

Luddenham Station is one of six new stations for the metro railway line that will become a crucial connection for travellers visiting the new international airport.

It will also open up housing and business opportunities here in Sydney’s west, as we link up this part of our city to a rail line for the first time ever. 

The next stage of this project will include laying track along the entire 23-kilometre alignment.

This new Sydney Metro railway will become the transport spine for Greater Western Sydney, connecting communities and travellers with the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the growing region. 

The project is a jointly funded infrastructure project between the Australian Federal and NSW governments.    

For more information about the project, visit sydneymetro.info/westernsydneyairportline.  

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We are committed to building better communities in Western Sydney, and public transport projects like will create new jobs and connect people to the airport and the rest of Sydney.”

“This project will also deliver major economic stimulus for Western Sydney, supporting more than 14,000 jobs.

“There’s more to do, but it’s great to see the progress being made on this world class infrastructure project, which will benefit our great city for generations to come.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“With huge milestones ticked off both below and above ground, we can now start to prepare for tracklaying.”

“This above-ground megastructure is a true engineering feat, built safely and with precision to ensure passengers have fast and reliable journeys in Sydney’s Greater West.

“As we reach this important stage, we are closer than ever to delivering a modern, reliable, and efficient metro system that will drive growth and support the region’s long-term development.

“Once open, Western Sydney Airport line will service the new international airport and connect communities between St Marys and Bradfield to wider Sydney, with the capacity to carry 7,740 passengers an hour in each direction on their new metro service.

The Minns Labor Government is today marking an important milestone in its reform of the foster care system with the release of a landmark report that calls for sweeping changes.

The ‘System review into out-of-home care,’ commissioned by the Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington MP, examined the outsourced foster care system, and investigated how taxpayer money is being spent by non-government providers.

The report found that the $2 billion out-of-home care (OOHC) system, created under the former coalition government, is:

• not fit for purpose and fails to meet the needs of children and young people at an efficient cost
• characterised by a profound lack of accountability and ineffective oversight
• overly complex, fragmented, and slow to respond in the best interests of children and young people
• largely devoid of robust evidence-based practices

The review’s authors were often unable to follow the dollar to determine if taxpayer funds were being used to meaningfully support vulnerable children and young people.

The final report provides a roadmap for rebuilding system accountability and oversight; improving contractual and financial management; collaborating with and elevating the voices of children, families and carers; and building a stronger workforce.

The 13 recommendations include:

• ceasing the current practice of outsourcing case management to non-government providers before final orders are made by the Children’s Court
• mandating greater financial transparency between OOHC providers and foster carers (including relative and kinship carers), so that carers are aware of the significant taxpayer funding being provided to their case management agency
• requiring OOHC providers to clearly identify the direct services and supports provided to children and young people as a result of taxpayer funding
• boosting accountability in the outsourced sector through key performance indicators, comparative analyses, and regular financial and performance audits
• ensuring all OOHC placement types are evidence-informed, reducing the reliance on High-Cost Emergency Arrangements (HCEAs)

The review was commissioned following a harrowing report by the Advocate for Children and Young People that details the first-hand experiences of the state’s most vulnerable young people in emergency accommodation. This type of accommodation can cost upwards of $2 million a year for each child, costing taxpayers more than $38,000 a week.

The system review was led by former Assistant Commissioner with NSW Police, Gelina Talbot, and former executive director of the Department of Communities and Justice, Lauren Dean. Their report sets out a blueprint for change and provides important insights into a system that often fails to meet the needs of children and young people. 

While considering the report in its entirety, the NSW Government is already getting on with the job of implementing many of the recommendations, including:

• Announcing a total ban on Alternative Care Arrangements (ACAs) by March 2025
• Reducing the number of children placed in ACAs by 81 per cent since November 2023, down to just 27 children
• Reducing the number of children placed in all types of HCEAs by 33 per cent since November 2023
• Opening the Waratah Care Cottages to better support children and sibling groups who are currently stuck in HCEAs
• Implementing Active Efforts legislation, meaning DCJ must do everything practical to ensure children are safe and connected to their family, culture and community; as well as undertake extensive family finding processes if a child is removed
• Finding safe homes for 849 children by commencing recruitment of more than 200 emergency foster carers after the former government stopped recruiting
• Signing an historic deal to increase caseworker pay to attract and retain more caseworkers
• Increasing workforce capability by redeploying casework specialists back to the frontline, so more families are seen by highly skilled caseworkers

The NSW Government acknowledges the important contributions of the hundreds of stakeholders, caseworkers, foster carers, families, and children and young people whose valuable contributions made this report possible.

The NSW Government is closely reviewing the findings and recommendations of the report and will formally respond in the coming months.  

Read the ‘System review into out-of-home-care.’

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“I thank Gelina Talbot and Lauren Dean for their clear and decisive report that lays out a significant roadmap for reform.

“The Minns Labor Government has been open and honest about the spiralling out-of-home care system we inherited. Now we have the evidence and the recommendations we need to start turning the ship around so that vulnerable children and young people get the supports they need.

“It’s shocking that some out-of-home care providers are failing to provide basic supports to children, despite being paid hundreds of thousands, and in some cases, millions, of taxpayer dollars to do so.

“Right now, we know taxpayer money is not always flowing to the children who need it.

“As a government, we are committed to ensuring every dollar invested in the child protection system goes to the vulnerable children who need it.

“Over the past 18 months, the Minns Labor Government has been stabilising the system, now we will begin rebuilding the foundations so that we can invest in better outcomes.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure increased accountability and transparency translates to better outcomes for children and young people.

Private health insurers will resume paying single room rates when their members use the public system.

Following months of negotiations with the NSW Government, all 53 private health funds in NSW will pay single room rates from January 1, 2025.

The successful resolution means the NSW Government will not need to increase the Health Insurance Levy (HIL) in order to recover costs.

The decision of some funds to stop paying the single room rate had been costing the public health system $140 million a year. 

By resuming the payment, the sector is ensuring that the state’s world class public hospitals and the people who rely on them, will no longer miss out on critical funding.

The Minns Labor Government passed legislation in October, mirroring the approach taken by then-Treasurer Mike Baird when private health funds first stopped paying the correct room rate in 2013.

The legislation allowed for the government to cost recover through an increase to the HIL, which could be enacted if funds did not resume paying the single room rate.

The NSW Opposition refused to support the reintroduction of this bill, with the Opposition Leader, Shadow Treasurer and Member for Vaucluse instead backing ongoing taxpayer funded subsidies to private insurers.

The NSW Government commends the private health insurance sector for reaching a resolution to this issue. 

The government will continue working with insurers on improved data sharing to increase transparency for private patients who use single rooms in the public system.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Over months of negotiations, the NSW Government kept the door open to reaching a resolution with private health insurers.

“We now have an agreement that’s good for our public hospitals and the millions of people who rely on them every day.

“The NSW Liberal Party will be recorded as being on the wrong side of this issue – backing subsidies for private health insurers instead of fighting for the public system.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“This agreement means private funds resume paying their fair share and our public hospitals are better off.

“This is welcome news for patients and public hospitals and I am grateful we’ve been able to reach an outcome.

“We said we’d work with funds to resolve this and that’s what we did.”

The Minns Labor Government has confirmed, on Saturday December 7^th, Penrith Beach will be reopen for summer, providing access to a swimming spot for locals and visitors to cool down, relax and swim.

After it was kept locked up and out of reach under the former Liberal-National Government for twelve years, the beach’s second season since it was established by the Minns Labor Government is less than a week away

More than 215,000 people visited Penrith Beach from 19 December 2023 to Anzac Day 2024, and this summer’s swim season promises to be bigger and better with upgraded accessible facilities for beachgoers.

The Minns Labor Government invested $2.5 million to fund amenities and staffing for a second year, to make sure locals and visitors can soak up stunning views of the Blue Mountains while enjoying a dip at this unique Western Sydney swimming spot.

Beachgoers travelling to Penrith Beach will not need to book parking with more than 300 parking spaces available this year.

Penrith Beach operating hours will be from 10am to 7pm, commencing Saturday, 7 December and will be open every day including Christmas through to Sunday, 27 April 2025.

Water safety remains the top priority this summer with trained lifeguards from Surf Life Saving Australia on duty to patrol the beach and offer first aid services to visitors. The Royal Life Saving Society will also patrol the beach and lead community education and learn-to-swim opportunities.

In addition to reopening as a swim spot there will be further activations at the site over the course of the summer.

For more information, including hours of operation and available programs, visit Penrith Beach | NSW Government

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“It is fantastic to see Penrith Beach will open its gates again in one week’s time, so our community has somewhere to relax and cool off in our local area.

“The Liberals and the Nationals left this site locked behind gates for more than a decade, making empty promises and achieving nothing for the people of Western Sydney.

“This is about equity. A place like Penrith Beach is critical for the people of Western Sydney. Hundreds of thousands of Western Sydney locals showed up and enjoyed Penrith Beach last year, and I cannot wait to join them for another summer season.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Penrith residents previously needed to travel 40km to swim in Lake Parramatta, 63km to get to Bondi Beach, or 75km to get to either Cronulla or Manly.

“Bringing back this beach for another summer shows that our Government remains committed to providing access to great places to swim.

“We had huge numbers visit Penrith Beach last season and we look forward to welcoming even more people this summer.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“New and improved facilities are exactly what locals and visitors to our beach deserve.

“That is why we have taken the time to make this site special for our community and families with plenty of new fun and free activities.”

This afternoon the new Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul will hit the tarmac at Sydney Airport, officially opening an exciting new route to Europe and a boost in the number of visitors to New South Wales.

From today, this new route will offer four flights a week with one of the world’s leading carriers. In the first year alone, this will deliver an additional 68,620 inbound seats to Sydney Airport, support more than 290 jobs and generate an estimated $53 million for the NSW visitor economy.

This new route was made possible with significant financial support from the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund. Attracting new routes and building aviation capacity is part of Minns Government’s plan to rapidly grow the NSW visitor economy.

As outlined in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy review released last month, the Minns Government plans to grow the state’s tourism industry from the current annual expenditure of $53 billion to $91 billion by 2035.

The arrival of Turkish Airlines to Sydney marks a new phase of growth in passenger numbers arriving in NSW. Over the next ten years capacity is expected to grow by 8.5 million seats to support the new $91 billion growth target. This will be driven by big growth at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport, the opening of

Western Sydney International Airport in 2026 and the Newcastle Airport international terminal in 2025.

Tourism is already the state’s fifth biggest employer, and the projected growth will take the total number of jobs from 300,000 to 450,000. The growth in revenue and jobs in tourism will play an important role in sustaining economic growth as other industries decline.

The Aviation Attraction Fund, administered by Destination NSW, has helped land more than 40 routes and is currently supporting Newcastle Airport to attract new international routes, and has supported Sydney Airport to land a new Shanghai-Sydney route with Juneyao Airlines that will commence next month.

Premier for NSW Chris Minns says:

“This flight route will open an exciting new destination for people who want to book overseas trips, and for visitors who want to see what our incredible state has to offer.

“Sydney was voted the world’s top destination for a reason and we are supporting our airports to get more people visiting the state, spending money and creating jobs across NSW. “

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham says:

“Turkish Airlines’ arrival in Sydney is a landmark moment that offers a new high-quality option for local travellers to Europe and a boost in visitor numbers to Sydney.

“This exciting new route from Istanbul was made possible by a financial incentive from the Minns Government.

“We are backing our airports to increase capacity and bring more visitors to NSW, creating jobs and economic growth in our tourism destinations right across the state.

“Bringing more passengers into our airports is part of the Minns Government’s plan to boost jobs and growth in our statewide visitor economy.”

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton says:

“We’re proud to welcome our 50th airline partner Turkish Airlines as they launch their inaugural flight to Sydney, strengthening our international network and offering passengers even more choice and connectivity to Europe and beyond through their extensive hub in Istanbul.

“The arrival of Turkish Airlines not only strengthens their offering in our region but also highlights the vital role Sydney plays as a global aviation gateway. We’re also delighted they have chosen Sydney to host their inaugural non-stop services in the years ahead.

“Turkish Airlines has been recognised as the best airline in Europe by Skytrax, and it’s fantastic that so many passengers from Sydney will now have the opportunity to experience their world-class service first-hand.

“I’d like to thank and acknowledge the significant support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW in helping make this possible. Their collaboration continues to be instrumental in driving tourism and international connectivity for Sydney and the broader region.”

Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi says:

“This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines’ longest flight path in history, as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network.

“The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our ongoing commitment to connect travellers across the globe, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines.

“Once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap, we look forward to further expanding our offering in the near future with Australia’s first non-stop flights to Istanbul.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

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

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

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

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

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