Category: NSW News

Today, the Summary Offences Amendment (War Memorials and Other Protected Places) Bill 2024 will resume in NSW Parliament for its Second Reading Debate.

The proposed amendments to the Summary Offences Act 1998 come in response to a disturbing increase in vandalism incidents, including attacks on the Pool of Reflection at the Hyde Park War Memorial and the more recent attack at Fairfield RSL War Memorial where seven brass war memorial plaques, with the names of 192 Veterans who served during World War I, were stolen.

This Bill seeks to enhance the legal protections for war memorials statewide. Specifically, it ensures that anyone who vandalises the Pool of Reflection at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park will face criminal prosecution under strengthened laws. This Bill broadens the definition of a war memorial to encompass all shrines, monuments, statues and similar structures, as well as clarifying associated features such as gardens and pools.

The proposed legislation increases the maximum penalties for wilfully damaging or defacing a war memorial to 50 penalty units ($5,500) or 2 years imprisonment, or both. This marks an important increase from the current maximum penalty of 40 penalty units ($4,400).

Shadow Minister for Veterans Robyn Preston said our war memorials stand as enduring tributes to the brave men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we cherish today.

“There is no place in our society for those who seek to deface or desecrate these sacred sites. By introducing tougher penalties, we are sending a clear message that NSW will not tolerate any disrespect towards our history or those who fought for it.”

“The last time this legislation looked to increase penalties for the damage and desecration of war memorials and other protected places was in 2007. This has not worked to deter such disrespectful acts. Offences have continued to increase since 2007. 

Penalties must be tougher, and definitions clarified for summary offences of war memorials and other protected places. It should not have to be left up to a judge and jury for an indictable offence, under the Crimes Act 1900, to decide whether signs of respect are owed to the people who fought for the freedoms we have today,” Ms Preston said.

The NSW Government has seized over 300,000 vapes over the past year, as it introduces harsher penalties for suppliers in the NSW Parliament.

Maximum penalties for illegal vape supply are set to soar from $1,650 to approximately $1.54 million, with prison sentences increasing from six months to seven years.

The NSW Government has introduced the legislation in the NSW Parliament as it moves to align vaping offences with the Commonwealth’s.

Offences will also be added for possession of commercial quantity of vaping products and for retailer possession of vaping products.

As with the Commonwealth vaping reforms, the intent of these offences is to target suppliers over individual users of vaping products. The introduction of new illegal vape penalties comes as the Government has seized over 300,000 vaping products over the past year.

Between 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024, 42,000 products were seized from 362 inspections.

This is compared to the same period the previous year when 153,000 products were seized from 290 inspections.

The lower number of products seized in the most recent quarter may be the result of the disruption in product availability in the market following the introduction of new Commonwealth vaping laws.

The NSW Government announced in October it would recruit an additional 14 enforcement officers to strengthen compliance efforts for vaping and tobacco products across the state.

NSW Health recognises the importance of supporting pharmacists, prescribers, and wholesalers in complying with laws regarding the supply and sale of therapeutic vaping products and has introduced an eCigarette Compliance Program to assist with this. The program’s initial focus is on providing support to pharmacists, with a team of specialised compliance officers visiting pharmacies across the state to offer on-site education and guidance.

NSW Health partners with the Commonwealth, NSW Police, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and Australian Border Force on enforcement related to illegal vape and tobacco sales, sharing intelligence, and working on joint operations.

More information on the supply of therapeutic vaping products in NSW is available on the NSW Health website here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Pages/Nicotine-vaping.aspx 

For more information about the vaping reforms go to the Therapeutic Goods Administration vaping hub at www.tga.gov.au or contact them on 1800 020 653.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“The prevalence of illegal vaping devices in our community, and in particular among our young people, is deeply concerning.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to the stem the tide of this public health challenge.

“I am very encouraged by the progress we are making in terms of removing these harmful devices from our streets.

“And I am pleased to announce that we are augmenting our efforts by introducing harsher penalties to target suppliers.”

NSW Health Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Michelle Cretikos:

We take our compliance role seriously. We are committed to removing as many illegal vapes as we can, particularly to stop them falling into the hands of young people.

“We don’t want people to vape, and if they are trying to quit smoking or to quit vaping, we have supports in place to help. Call the Quitline on 13 7848, visit icanquit.com.au or speak to your GP.

“If you think a tobacco or e-cigarette retailing law has been broken by a retailer in NSW, you can report this via the NSW Health website.”

More than 800 people have provided valuable feedback on the concept design for the $558 million redevelopment of the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital, according to the latest stakeholder engagement summary released today.

Following the release of the concept design in August of this year, stakeholders, health staff and the community had their say on the latest designs via the project website, as well as at in-person and online information sessions.

The significant community response follows a series of information sessions and project briefings, held over a four-week period during which the community was able to view the designs and speak with project staff. These information sessions were attended by more than 370 community members, almost 400 Albury Wodonga Health staff, as well as stakeholders.

Feedback from the sessions highlighted support for the new designs, and the increase in healthcare services and contemporary facilities. There was also support for consolidating complex care on a single site and expanding mental health facilities.

There was strong interest in the additional parking to be delivered as part of the redevelopment, as well as new or improved transport links to the hospital. This work continues to progress as part of the planning process.

Additionally, there were more than 150 responses to the community survey, which showed interest in easy-to-follow wayfinding, sheltered drop off and pick up areas, improved lighting across campus, comfortable seating for visitors, access to gardens and green spaces to promote wellbeing for staff, patients and visitors and areas for large groups to gather.

Briefings were also held with a range of stakeholder and interest groups immediately following the concept design release. This included key clinician and senior medical staff council groups, the Albury Wodonga Health Board, Albury City and Wodonga councils, onsite stakeholders, local Aboriginal representatives, local health advocacy groups and NSW government agencies.

The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project includes a new seven-storey Clinical Services Building and a two-storey Northeast building, addressing the evolving needs of the border communities with cutting-edge medical technology and infrastructure.

The project will deliver a mix of new and refurbished facilities and is expected to include:

• More than 80 additional beds for medical and surgical care across three new inpatient units, with 60 per cent single rooms and the remainder double rooms.
• New and enhanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Enhanced maternity and birthing services, including a special care nursery
• A 32-bed Mental Health Inpatient Unit to replace and expand the existing Nolan House 24-bed service
• New surgical and operating theatres, including a hybrid theatre plus procedure room
• New Cardiac Catheter Lab
• New central sterile supply department adjacent to theatres
• Expanded ambulatory care, cardiac diagnostics and allied health therapies
• New hospital main entrance and public drop-off zone from Keene Street, Aboriginal Family Lounge, Multi-faith Centre and retail opportunities
• Additional car parking.

Numbers will be finalised as planning and design progresses.

The full stakeholder engagement summary for the release of the concept design for the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project can be viewed here: hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/awrh

The responses provided will feed into the next stage of the project, schematic design, to further improve the hospital experience for visitors and patients.

The project team will continue to provide updates to staff, community and stakeholders as the project progresses.

Early works on the Northeast building are expected to commence in 2025.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park:

“I am pleased so many members of the community and local health staff took the time to view the concept designs, talk to the project team, and are enthusiastic about the transformation of Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital.

“This exciting project will deliver more beds, more points of care, more parking spaces, and enhanced intensive care, maternity, birthing and mental health services.

“It will consolidate complex care onto one single site, which will improve safety for patients.

“Ongoing engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and the community is essential to the hospital planning, design and delivery process and will continue throughout the remainder of the project.”

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas:

“We’re delivering one of the most significant regional health infrastructure investments ever for border communities, alongside the NSW and Commonwealth governments – so it is fantastic to see more than 800 Albury Wodonga locals have had their say on the concept designs.

“This project will be critical to ensuring locals have the world-class health services they deserve – and will deliver safer and more efficient care by reducing duplication for the border communities.

“Once complete, the massive $558 million redevelopment will deliver a new state-of-the-art intensive care unit, maternity ward, neonatal care and paediatric services, more medical and surgical beds, new operating theatres and a new 32-bed mental health unit.”

The Minns Labor Government today announced its plan for the next wave in women’s sport with the release of its new women’s sport strategy – Play Her Way.

Play Her Way is a four-year plan that aims to get more NSW women and girls playing, and staying involved in, sport.

The strategy builds on the groundswell of support for women’s sport, which has seen a massive increase in participation and viewership at both grassroots and professional levels.

Play Her Way will support the next wave of young females on their journey to the top of sport as well as ensure more women and girls can participate in fun, safe and inclusive sporting environments.

Key themes of the strategy include participation, leadership, culture, partnerships and investment with a particular focus on addressing the low rates of participation among adolescent girls.

To achieve this, the NSW Government will partner with the sports sector to break down barriers preventing adolescent girls participating in sport and identify new opportunities to increase participation.

The strategy was launched at URBNSRF Sydney Olympic Park where a group of the next generation of female athletes caught a wave together to symbolise the next wave in women’s sport.

For further information on the Play Her Way women’s sport strategy visit:  https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/play-her-way

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
 
“Women’s sport has seen tremendous growth and success in recent years through the performances of the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the success of NRLW as well as the Australian women’s cricket team and the recent Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“But there is still work to do to maintain this momentum and capitalise on the next wave of women’s sport.

“Crucial to achieving this is addressing the low rates of participation among adolescent girls and working with the sector to develop new and innovative opportunities for teenage girls to play sport their way.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to providing safe, inclusive and supportive environments for all women and girls to participate in sport.

“We want more women playing sport. We want them in coaching and leadership roles as well, so that sport is truly being played ‘her’ way.

“Play Her Way is our plan to achieve this so that more women and girls can play, and stay involved in, sport.”

As the final sitting week of the year begins, it’s time to reflect on 20 months of the Minns Labor Government. 

The result is that New South Wales is worse off, and this government has very little to show for its time in office.

Labor has delivered at least 52 announcements of taskforces, inquiries and reviews, but no meaningful outcomes for the people of NSW. 

Housing approvals have collapsed to their lowest levels in 12 years, rents have skyrocketed, and families are being priced out of their communities.

Hospitals are going backwards, and cost-of-living pressures continue to get worse. Chris Minns promised stability, but instead his government has delivered paralysis.

This is a low vision, low energy government that tries to make itself a small target and hides behind empty announcements, while families and businesses pay the price. 

We’ve seen this before. Between 1998 and 2011, NSW Labor promised at least five major rail projects – and none of them were delivered. 

Chris Minns is Bob Carr 2.0 – big talk, no action, and endless disappointment.

The final sitting week will be a sobering reminder of a government too weak to lead, too afraid to make decisions, and too paralysed to act. After 20 months of the Minns Labor Government, families are not better off – they’re worse off.

The NSW Shadow Cabinet is meeting in the Miranda electorate today for a Shadow Community Cabinet, bringing the Opposition’s leadership team to the heart of the Sutherland Shire. This important visit provides an opportunity to connect directly with local businesses, families and community organisations, demonstrating the NSW Opposition’s commitment to listening to concerns and working towards solutions.

The Miranda electorate is part of a vibrant Shire community with a strong heritage, a thriving small business sector, and a proud tradition of sporting and cultural excellence. 

Residents of the Miranda electorate deserve better than what the Minns Labor Government is providing them. Today’s Shadow Community Cabinet is about strengthening our connection with the people who make the area great and showing them that we’re listening.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Shadow Cabinet is here in the Miranda electorate to hear from families, businesses and community leaders about the challenges they face every day. 

“After 20 months of the Minns Labor Government, the cost of living is worse, housing affordability is worse, infrastructure delivery is drying up, and the Shire community has been left behind. We are here to listen, learn and lead,” Mr Speakman said.

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said as the local member her focus has always been on fighting for the people of Miranda. 

“Having the Shadow Cabinet meet here today sends a clear message – we are united in our determination to ensure the Miranda electorate’s priorities are heard and acted upon,” Ms Petinos said.

The Shadow Community Cabinet will engage with local stakeholders to discuss critical issues such as cost-of-living pressures, small business challenges, housing affordability, and the neglect of infrastructure investment for the Shire under the Minns Labor Government.

Children as young as 12 in Year 6 at Illawong Public School were subjected to a graphic and highly inappropriate discussion led by a senior staff member, which included references to anal sex and an adult streaming website. 

Parents are understandably upset and demanding answers after discovering the content of the discussion, which has no place in any school environment.

The incident occurred following a program on sexual health called “Amazing Me,” which had received parental consent. However, the unapproved follow-up discussion went far beyond any reasonable boundaries. 

Students were asked to write questions anonymously, and these questions were read aloud and answered in a way which led to discussions about an adult streaming website and sex acts.

The Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said parents trusted Illawong Public School to provide a safe and age-appropriate education for their children. 

“Instead, they were exposed to a discussion relating to pornography and explicit sexual acts. This isn’t education—this is recklessness,” Mr Speakman said. 

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos, who raised the matter in Parliament on Friday, said parents are furious—and they have every right to be. This isn’t just inappropriate; it’s indefensible.

“Instead of stepping up and facing these parents the Minister for Education Prue Car has gone silent. Where is her leadership? Where is her accountability? These families deserve answers, not excuses. The Minister for Education hasn’t even contacted me as the local member—her absence in this matter speaks volumes,” Ms Petinos said.

The Opposition is demanding immediate action from the Education Minister, including:

• A truly independent and transparent investigation, with no conflicts of interest, to uncover how this was allowed to happen.
• An apology and direct engagement with Illawong families to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability.
• An assurance from the Minister that these classroom discussions are not occurring elsewhere in NSW and what measures will be taken to prevent this from happening again

An inappropriate discussion is concerning enough, but it is even more troubling when the government’s response leaves parents feeling ignored and unsupported.

More than $52.5 million in additional disaster recovery funding has been approved by the Albanese and Minns Governments to help the Byron Shire Council restore damaged road infrastructure.

The funding, provided through the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will go towards restoring the slope at multiple locations and repairing the culvert at Coopers Lane.

Funding received will be used to repair landslips on: Coolamon Scenic Drive (two locations), Left Bank Road (two locations), Wilsons Creek Road (three locations), Coopers Creek Road (two locations), Goonengerry Road, Frasers Road, The Pocket Road (three locations), Tristran Parade, Huonbrook Road (five locations), Johnsons Road (four locations), Dry Creek Road, Main Arm Road, Monet Drive, St Helena Road, Wanganui Road, and Possum Shoot Road.

These repairs will help ensure that communities in the Byron Shire can access safer and more resilient roads.

Eight packages of funding have been approved for this work and range in value from $506,000 to $15.89 million.

Because of the volume of work, repairs will be carried out over a number of years.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:

“The 2022 floods had an enduring impact on the community of Byron Shire.

“We’re restoring roads across Byron Shire to help families stay connected and help businesses access roads they can rely on.

“We’re working with all levels of government to help local communities not only recover but rebuild for the long term.”

Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot:

“We know how important it is to keep communities connected during and after natural disasters.

“These roads upgrades across the Byron Shire are about building back better, by repairing the damage and ensuring locals can access safer and more resilient roads.

“I’m proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government, delivering this joint investment with the NSW Minns Labor Government to continue disaster recovery in the Byron Shire.”

NSW Minister for Planning, Paul Scully:

“We saw how heavily impacted parts of the Byron Shire have been by weather events in recent years so this investment is important.

“These works on multiple sections of road in the Byron Shire will be welcome and will help restore normal travel routes around the area.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“We know the NSW North Coast is vulnerable to severe weather events, and this funding will help Byron Shire Council carry out the necessary repairs to get them back on track.

“This funding will enable Council to get on with the vital work of restoring the local roads that people use every day to travel to work and education, see their families and get to medical appointments.

“Working together across all levels of Government, we are ramping up investment to help communities remain connected or re-connect faster following a severe weather event.”

NSW Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“I know that my Parliamentary colleague State Member for Ballina Tamara Smith will also welcome funding for extensive restoration works to improve resilience of Byron Shire roads within both of our respective electorates.

“I am very pleased to be part of a government making a significant investment in better road safety for local residents and visitors who use these roads on a daily basis.”

Duty MLC for Ballina, Emily Suvaal:

“It has been great to work with the Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, to help secure this funding.

“Working cooperatively within and across all levels of government is how we get things done.”

Byron Shire Council’s Manager of Infrastructure Recovery, Phil Warner:

“We want to be up front with our communities, who are obviously eager for repair work to be completed. It’s fantastic that we’ve received funding to do these important repairs but in some cases it will take us several years before we complete the work.

“This is because we need to plan the work, get it approved, and secure materials and people to do the work.

“We thank the community for their continued patience and will keep everyone updated on the timeframes for each of the repairs.”

Understanding how strata communities operate becomes easier from today, with the NSW Government launching a guide to support the 1.2 million residents living in strata properties such as apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.

The Strata Living Guide has been updated following consultation that has incorporated the community’s feedback and responses.

The Guide will give strata property owners and prospective buyers clear advice in plain English on a range of topics aimed at improving decision-making in strata communities.

The new Guide has practical ‘how to’ information for those living in strata properties, such as how to run strata meetings and other key strata processes, how to manage strata finances, and how to raise issues.

The guide also helpfully suggests ways to go about getting things done such as regular or emergency repairs and approvals for renovations, resolving disputes, and managing relationships with the owners’ corporation and strata manager.

The Guide also highlights the strata law changes coming into effect in February 2025, which expand and strengthen strata managing agents’ disclosure obligations to owners, including reforms to make insurance arrangements more transparent.

NSW Fair Trading is also releasing information for strata property owners, and owners’ corporations, about options available when owners are having difficulty paying their strata levies on time, without compromising the financial viability of strata schemes. 

Proposed legislation to be introduced to Parliament next week will make strata management practices around levies clearer, such as improving levy notice information and fairer conditions for payment plans.

This includes levy notices being accompanied by information encouraging early action by lot owners in financial hardship, and information about how to contact the National Debt Helpline.

To access the Strata Living Guide and other resources to help strata property owners, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Minns Labor Government is continuing to improve the regulatory framework we need to build better homes and communities for the people of NSW.

“The Strata Living Guide provides clear advice to people living in the 86,000 strata schemes in NSW which will help them govern their strata schemes constructively and effectively.

“The Guide will also help strata communities to engage in collective decision-making that serves their community’s best interests.

“Strata debt is a growing issue in the community with the amount of money owed to strata title creditors in insolvencies climbing.

“That is why we are introducing new legislation that will give strata property owners and strata corporations a clear path when managing strata levy debt in the best interests of all parties.”

A new flythrough video has been released showcasing the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, providing the community with a virtual tour of the new 7-storey hospital building and campus. 

The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is set to transform healthcare services across the region, delivering modern health facilities and expanded health services for communities across the South Coast. 

 The virtual tour brings to life the new acute clinical services building, revealing a modern, patient-centred design with spacious waiting areas, comfortable treatment rooms, and a green landscape that promotes healing and wellbeing. 

 The new acute clinical services building includes a new emergency department, intensive care unit, double the number of operating theatres and endoscopy rooms, a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, and a new rooftop helipad. 

 The hospital will also feature an increase in aged care capacity including a sub-acute geriatric evaluation and management service, dedicated palliative care facility, and specialist rehabilitation unit, ensuring it meets the growing demands of the Shoalhaven and surrounding regions.  

Work on the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is progressing well, with the new seven-storey acute services building on track to be completed in 2026. 

Watch the flythrough video via the project page. 

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering contemporary, fit-for-purpose hospitals and health facilities to support the healthcare needs of our growing local communities.

 “The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will provide the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, subacute and non-admitted services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.

“The floorplans and hospital design have been informed by extensive feedback from staff and the community including access for patients and visitors, café services, landscaped areas and connections to nature.”          

Member South Coast, Liza Butler:

 “This virtual tour of the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is providing staff, patients and the community the opportunity to see what the new acute clinical services building will look like when complete.

 “This is a really exciting time for the community who will be able to experience how the Shoalhaven Hospital health services will work together on one site and become a health hub for the entire region.”