Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is inviting members of the community to share their experiences, concerns, and suggestions regarding social media use ahead of the Social Media Summit, at which Frances Haugen, meta whistleblower and advocate for accountability and transparency in social media, will be a keynote speaker.

The two-day summit, a joint initiative between the NSW Government and Government of South Australia, will take place in Sydney on October 10 and in Adelaide on October 11.

The “Have Your Say” survey invites all NSW residents to offer insights and feedback which will directly inform the discussions at the summit and help the government formulate practical solutions to address the issues posed by social media, particularly for young people.

By engaging with the community through this consultation, the NSW Government is committed to making informed decisions that reflect the needs and concerns of its citizens.

The Social Media Summit will bring together a diverse group of experts, policymakers, academics, young people, and the wider community to explore key areas including the impacts of social media on children, online safety, social media’s role in disinformation and misinformation, addressing online hate and extremism, and how social media is changing the way government delivers services.

It comes in response to increasing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on young people, including exposure to inappropriate and illegal content, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on their mental health and development.

Day one of the summit in Sydney will explore key themes including:

• Formulating a public health response to social media harm minimisation
• Opportunities to address social media harms within educational settings
• Understanding the role of social media in identity, belonging and worldviews
• Unpacking links between extremism, misogyny and social media
• Reclaiming the digital town square – creating positive digital communities

Frances Haugen, prominent whistleblower and advocate for transparency in social media, will be a keynote speaker on day one.

Ms Haugen is internationally recognised for her courageous efforts to expose the inner workings of social media companies and her advocacy for accountability and ethical practices by the digital giants.

Further information about additional speakers, panellists and detailed event schedules will be made available later in the year.

The “Have Your Say” online consultation survey is now live and accessible at https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/social-media-usage-and-impacts

For more information about the Social Media Summit, please visit www.nsw.gov.au/socialmediasummit

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Social media presents serious risks. We need to ensure that our policies keep pace with the rapid changes in technology.

“We are committed to listening to particularly young people about their experiences online and creating a safer and more positive online environment for everyone.

“The insights gathered from the ‘Have Your Say’ survey will help us shape effective policies and programs to support the community.

“I’m pleased that Frances Haugen has accepted our invitation to deliver an address at the summit.

“I enjoyed meeting with her recently to discuss the critical issues surrounding social media’s impact on our society. Her insights and expertise will be invaluable at the summit.”

Frances Haugen said:

“We have stood by, for more than a decade, as unaccountable American social media companies have experimented on Australian children. The time has come for us to demand more from our online public squares for children and ourselves.

“We can have social media that brings out the best in us – but only if we fight for it.”

More than 30 emergency services personnel and youth volunteers have been recognised for their commitment and outstanding efforts over the past year at the 10^th NSW Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA).

Minister for Health Ryan Park and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib congratulated all 28 finalists across the emergency services agencies and the four finalists of the Dorothy Hennessy OAM Emergency Services Youth Scholarship, for volunteers between 18 and 25 years of age, in a ceremony at Bankstown Sports Club last night.

The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the community service of personnel from agencies including NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and VRA Rescue NSW.

The Rotary awards are community nominated, with seven winners across the agencies, two overall winners, and one recipient of the youth scholarship.

The winners by emergency service agency are:

• NSW Ambulance: David Press – Clinical Volunteer – Community Emergency Response Team, Manildra
• Fire and Rescue NSW: Jen Sullivan – Wellbeing Officer – Mental Health East
• Marine Rescue NSW: Nancy Weatherman – Deputy Unit Commander, Eden
• Surf Life Saving NSW: Mollie Murphy – Club Director of Lifesaving, Umina Beach
• VRA Rescue NSW: Malcolm Barry – Captain, Narooma Rescue Squad, Narooma
• NSW Rural Fire Service: Michael Carey – Group Captain 3, Southern Tablelands Zone, Wee Jasper
• NSW State Emergency Service: Benjamin Power – Land Search Operations Instructor, Ku-ring-gai

The officer named overall winner in a volunteer capacity was Michael Carey, Group Captain 3 of the Southern Tablelands Zone with the NSW Rural Fire Service based at Wee Jasper. The officer named overall winner in a paid capacity was David Press, Clinical Volunteer Community Emergency Response Team with NSW Ambulance based at Manildra.

The overall winners go on to represent NSW at the AusRESCA (Australian RESCA) ceremony in Canberra in October.

The recipient of the $1,000 Dorothy Hennessy OAM Emergency Services Youth Scholarship winner was Kayla McKenzie, Patrol Captain with Surf Lifesaving NSW based in Wollongong.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“I’m immensely proud of the endless dedication and efforts to go above and beyond from all our paramedics and emergency services individuals who make it their life’s work to provide us with care in some of our darkest moments.

“These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contributions these special individuals give to our health system, and to communities all over NSW.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“It is a privilege to be the Minister for Emergency Services and to meet the incredible people on the frontline who keep our communities safe, often in the face of personal risk.”

“It’s the sense of volunteerism and the eagerness to lend a hand that make emergency services personnel so worthy of celebration, and that’s what these awards are about – recognising the vast community contributions these individuals make.”

The Minns Labor Government has today made a winning play by delivering on its election commitment to invest $500,000 in NSW Rugby League to carry out community competitions in Far West NSW.

Confirmation of the funding was announced at the Outback v Ocean games at Lightning Ridge on Saturday, 10 August.

This funding will support the delivery and growth of rugby league and league tag in the Outback and Barwon Darling Rugby League competitions.

This funding will support associations and clubs with the costs of registration, insurance, junior transport, referees and referee travel.

Additionally, the funding supports the engagement of staff dedicated to junior and social competition support and capacity building, as well as community development programs.

Rugby league competitions play a critical role in many rural and remote communities, providing young people with the opportunity to play competitive team sport with their peers while opening up the door to future sporting opportunities.

Importantly, this funding will provide targeted relief to many young people hoping to participate in rugby league competitions at a time when cost of living is a significant concern.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We are incredibly proud to be making this practical investment that will go straight to helping players and clubs across the Far West of NSW.

“Sport, especially in our regions, is a fantastic vehicle for bringing people together and providing people with an opportunity to get out and get active.

“With the cost of living going through the roof, particularly in rural and regional NSW – supporting these players and clubs financially will help more people play the sport they love.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“In regional communities, sport is the glue that holds them together. Sport offers many benefits, including physical, mental and social.

“The NSW Government’s funding of community competitions in Far West NSW will enable more people in the region to enjoy the all-around benefits of rugby league.”

Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The Government is committed to improving community life for Western NSW and sport plays many roles in making that real. Targeted funding like this makes a big difference.

“Getting juniors and referees out to games across long distances is critical to keeping rugby league going and people playing. The Far West deserves this support.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“In Far West NSW, rugby league plays a vital role in community engagement and promoting healthy lifestyles, particularly among Indigenous communities.

“This funding will enable the rugby league’s rich history and legacy across Far West NSW to continue.”

NSW Rugby League CEO Dave Trodden said:

“As the focal point for community spirit in Far West NSW, rugby league has a crucial role to play in community wellbeing, encouraging all participants, players coaches, officials and volunteers, to participate and enjoy our great game.

“I thank the NSW Government for this funding package which will enable the NSWRL to continue our support of Far West clubs and competitions.

“We are proud to be able to be able host the Outback Challenge in Lightning Ridge, rewarding and recognising many of our shining stars from the Far West.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals have stood up for vulnerable regional residents, questioning the Minns Labor Government over its decision to cut support for long distance coach services.
 
This move impacted routes between Eden and Bomaderry, as well as Lismore and Tweed Heads, meaning passengers paying $2.50 for a Regional Excursion Daily (RED) ticket would be forced to pay up to $65.
 
After sustained pressure by the Coalition, the Government has backflipped on its reckless decision and has decided to reinstate the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) subsidies.
                                     
We have always offered vital support to country communities, including the Regional Seniors Travel Card, because we understand that when you live in the bush it’s harder to travel.
 
We also couldn’t stand the fact Labor chose to rip more money from people’s pockets in the middle of a cost-of-living-crisis.
 
Common sense has prevailed, and our regional residents will finally get the support they need.

Authorised by Richard Shields, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Recruitment will shortly get underway for additional nurses as the Minns Labor Government continues delivering on its promise to rollout a major staffing reform.

The next twelve hospitals across metropolitan and regional NSW to introduce Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments have been announced today, with the implementation of the reform set to improve the experience of patients and boost retention and capability of staff in public hospitals.

The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state and better care for patients.

The staffing boost of frontline healthcare workers at these hospitals will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

The next hospitals to commence rollout of Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments in the coming weeks and months include:

• Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
• Campbelltown Hospital
• The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
• Coffs Harbour Hospital
• Gosford Hospital
• John Hunter Hospital
• Nepean Hospital
• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• St George Hospital
• Tamworth Hospital
• Wagga Wagga Hospital
• Wollongong Hospital

The announcement will bring the total number of hospitals commencing the roll-out of Safe Staffing Levels to 16 across the state following the earlier announcement of Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Lismore and Port Macquarie.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce, which includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts, will continue to work through the preparations to determine the FTE required to deliver Safe Staffing Levels at these sites over coming weeks and months.

Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels is initially commencing in Level 5 and Level 6 EDs, which treat the most critically ill patients, and will then be progressively implemented across other hospitals and departments. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will continue to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment of 2480 FTE over four years (to June 2027) towards staffing levels.

Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures that the NSW Government is embracing to build a more supported health workforce, including:

• saving 1,112 nurse and midwife positions by making the roles permanent;
• abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers;
• beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities; and
• introducing the health worker study subsidies scheme.

The Minns Labor Government’s introduction of Safe Staffing Levels forms one part of a comprehensive plan to build a better health system across NSW.

After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the Minns Labor Government is rebuilding this essential service we all rely on.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state.

“The rollout began earlier this year at Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Port Macquarie Base and Lismore Base Hospitals and I’m thrilled we’re now onto the next twelve sites that will see implementation commence over coming months.

“Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff.

“I look forward to working with representatives from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and NSW Health as part the Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce as they review the rollout and use these experiences to help inform safe staffing levels implementation at future sites.”

The NSW Government is in the final stages of resolving a contaminated land issue that has plagued a waterfront site in Hunters Hill for more than 100 years.

Property and Development NSW’s (PDNSW) Environmental Management Group has remediated three vacant lots at Nelson Parade, with the final shipments of radiological and chemical waste removed from the site.

More than 3,000 cubic metres of contaminated waste – the equivalent of an Olympic swimming pool – has been transported off site in over 300 shipping containers over the last two years.

The contamination was caused by historic industrial activity when the site operated as a carbolic acid plant between about 1897 and 1909, and then used by the Radium Hill Refinery between 1911 and 1915.

The sites are currently undergoing final validation by an independent contractor and a NSW EPA-accredited auditor.

For more information, visit https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/our-business/environmental-service-group/hunters-hill-site-remediation.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This is a great outcome for the people of Nelson Parade and the local environment. Property and Development NSW and the Waste Asset Management Corporation has worked for many years to find the best solution to clean up the land and safely remove the contaminated waste.

“We will now begin work to make the land available to families to call Hunters Hill home.”

Property and Development NSW Executive Director, Environmental Management Group Peter Graham said:

“This is an important moment for the local residents and a proud moment for the team at Property and Development NSW.

“We’ve undertaken an enormous task to address the longstanding contamination buried on the site. I thank our Project Directors Scott Burrows and William Tai who worked tirelessly to help achieve this outcome for the local community and environment.”

Nelson Parade Action Group President Philippa Clark said:

“The people of Nelson Parade have been looking forward to this moment for many years, and finally, it has arrived.

“We thank the Government and the team at Property and Development NSW for their professionalism and dedication to achieving this outcome.”

The New South Wales Government acknowledges the tabling of the Domestic Violence Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 and thanks the Team for their work on this report.

The New South Wales Government acknowledges the tabling of the Domestic Violence Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 and thanks the Team for their work on this report.

This report, and the data contained in it, is a sobering and sombre read.

More than that, the Government knows that every statistic contained in this report represents someone whose life was unjustly taken too early, someone who was loved, and whose absence is still felt deeply.

These statistics represent family members, friends, valued community members, and their loss continues to be mourned by many.

This report is a stark reminder of the great responsibility borne by the government to take meaningful and continued action to address the scourge of domestic and family violence on the communities of New South Wales.

We do not take this responsibility, or the findings of this report, lightly. We will continue to invest in and work with communities and stakeholders to strengthen our response to domestic and family violence at all stages and at times of crisis, while continuing to prioritise prevention and early intervention.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au.

Domestic Violence Death Review Team Annual Report

Recruitment will shortly get underway for additional nurses in the Gosford Hospital emergency department as the Minns Labor Government continues delivering on its promise to rollout a major staffing reform.

Gosford Hospital is among the next 12 hospitals across metropolitan and regional NSW to introduce Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments, with the implementation of the reform set to improve the experience of patients and boost retention and capability of staff in public hospitals.

The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state and better care for patients.

The staffing boost of frontline healthcare workers at Gosford Hospital will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

The announcement will bring the total number of hospitals commencing the roll-out of Safe Staffing Levels to 16 across the state following the earlier announcement of Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Lismore and Port Macquarie Hospitals.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce, which includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts, will continue to work through the preparations to determine the FTE required to deliver Safe Staffing Levels at Gosford Hospital over coming weeks and months.

Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels is initially commencing in Level 5 and Level 6 EDs, which treat the most critically ill patients, and will then be progressively implemented across other hospitals and departments. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will continue to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment of 2480 FTE over four years (to June 2027) towards staffing levels.

Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures the Minns Labor Government is embracing to build a supported and capable health workforce, including:

• saving 1,112 nurse and midwife positions by making the roles permanent;
• abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers;
• beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities; and
• introducing the health worker study subsidies scheme.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state.

“Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff. “

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“It is pleasing that Gosford Hospital is receiving this funding to recruit more nurses to ensure its busy emergency department is well staffed.

“The growing population of the Central Coast is putting increasing pressure on our region’s health services and this funding will go a long way to ensuring Central Coast patients continue to receive the care they need and our frontline staff are supported.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:
“It is fantastic news that Gosford Hospital has been identified in the next tranche of hospitals for the roll of Safe Staffing Levels in our emergency departments, with recruitment to get underway shortly.

“As the Central Coast community continues to grow and age, it is so important that we ensure minimum staffing levels on every shift, ensuring that nurses are supported in continuing to provide world-class care.”

Member for The Entrance David Mehan said:
“I’m proud to be part of a Labor government improving public health on the Central Coast.”

‘Build to Rent’ Hearing Shows Labor’s in Disarray on Housing

Today’s Senate Economics Committee hearings demonstrate Labor is out of ideas on housing.

One of their warped ideas to advantage foreign investors to own Australian housing was considered in detail. Labor’s ‘Build-to-Rent’ scheme is both a perversion of the Australian Dream and technically unworkable.

Some assert this is a bizarre policy option. Independent economist Cameron Murray told the committee of the tax status quo:

“It’s not clear why local investors shouldn’t be advantaged over foreign investors in Australian housing.”

It is a good point. The Coalition doesn’t want foreign fund managers and super funds to take out Mums and Dads as owners of Australian housing. Others claim the proposed law won’t work.

The Property Council said “in their current state, the Bills will undermine the government’s stated intention…”

‘Build-to-Rent’ would change the character of Australian housing from individuals to institutions. This is another sad chapter in Labor’s destruction of the Australian Dream.

Labor has failed on housing. The Committee will table its Report on 04 September 2024.

The Minns Labor Government last night passed legislation to increase competition and boost the long-term viability of the state’s rice industry, by deregulating the state’s rice industry through a transition period from 1 September to 1 July 2025.

This is an important element of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering new opportunities to the agriculture sector, and making sure regulations do not hinder industry growth.

The legislation ends the statutory controlled single rice export marketing (‘vesting’) arrangement and will open up the market to a more diverse choice for how rice growers sell and market their rice.

The changes are being made following extensive engagement from NSW’s rice growers requesting an opening up of the market by deregulating the historical restrictive selling arrangements.

The NSW Government’s legislation will initiate a series of practical steps for transitioning the way rice is marketed to consumers and international export markets, and cover the following:

The emerging Northern Rivers rice growing region will no longer be restricted by the current vesting arrangements from 1 September 2024, allowing their rice crops from 2024/25 to be sold into domestic and international markets without restriction
Vesting for the Southern NSW growing region will end by 1 July 2025, allowing the 2025/26 crop onwards to be exported free of the vesting arrangements
The Rice Marketing Board that has overseen the regulated market will be wound up by 1 July 2026, with any residual funds to be reinvested to benefit the NSW rice industry.
These modernising changes are consistent with the key recommendations of the recent Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) independent report recommending that the vesting regulation be ceased. This aligned with the findings of the former NSW Government’s 2021 review which promoted economic benefits from ending vesting.

NSW is Australia’s rice production powerhouse, with 99% of the nation’s rice grown in the state, contributing a farm gate value of $219 million in 2022-23.

To enable a successful transition for growers the NSW Government has established a Stakeholder Reference Group to collate views on the following important issues:

R&D opportunities to support alternate supply chains
Ensuring seed supply is maintained for all rice growers
Unwinding the affairs of the Rice Marketing Board once vesting ends
Investigating regional development opportunities
Mechanism to deliver any residual assets of the Board back to benefit the rice industry.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Our Government recognised things needed to change for NSW’s rice industry, after listening to the rice industry growers from across the state in both the Northern Rivers and in the Riverina.

“I am proud to say we have delivered what rice growers and the industry requested was in their industry’s best interests, making it easier to get this world-class rice into global markets.

“The Government’s setting up of a Stakeholder Reference Group will positively contribute to the sector’s transition and advise on options for using any residual funding from the winding up of the Rice Marketing Board to ensure it benefits the NSW rice industry.

NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The world has changed dramatically since the 1920s when this system was established, so we’re getting on with the job of modernising the rice market.

“This will help deliver a system that rewards new products and innovation in the rice market.

“This is good news for regional economies that will benefit from better and more flexible trade into the most lucrative global markets.