Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is today announcing a $111.8 million package of initiatives to support community mental health and wellbeing by increasing the essential help available to the people of NSW when they need it.

Over 2 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their life.

People living with mental illness, particularly those with severe mental illness, are more at risk of experiencing a range of adverse health outcomes and have a lower average life expectancy than the general population, with men’s life expectancies being reduced by 15.9 years, and for women by 12 years.

The initiatives announced today are designed to enhance and support the wellbeing of the people of NSW.

$30.4 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TEAMS

The NSW Government will invest $30.4 million over 4 years to expand Community Mental Health Teams across targeted areas, including in regional NSW.

These teams work within Local Health Districts and specialty health networks caring for those who experience persistent and complex mental illness.

This funding will provide a workforce boost of approximately 35 additional mental health positions, which will support community outreach, allow for extended hours of service and enable more comprehensive case management.

It will also strengthen coordination of care, enhance access to specialist psychological services and improve family involvement in care.

The 35 additional mental health professionals will include five out-reach mental health housing liaison positions who will work with the Department of Communities and Justice to link people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, who are accessing mental health services to housing and help them sustain tenancies.

The St Vincent’s Health network will also be allocated 5 workers to establish a new assertive adult community mental health team.

This will allow them to increase their support for those facing complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness, substance misuse issues and those at risk of engagement with the criminal justice system.

$40 MILLION FOR THE PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY LIVING INITATIVE

The NSW Government will invest $40 million over four years for the Pathways to Community Living Initiative, which is focused on supporting alternatives to long term hospital care for people with complex needs, who have persistent mental illness.

This funding will fund a complex care clinical workforce of over 25 professionals who will support patients through this program.

$39 MILLION FOR A MENTAL HEALTH SINGLE FRONT DOOR

The NSW Government will invest an additional $39 million over four years to strengthen mental health services by establishing a new Mental Health Single Front Door.

The NSW Single Front Door, delivered through Healthdirect currently provides virtual GP, virtual KIDS and Urgent Care Services.

This funding will allow this service to be expanded to allow those in need of mental health support to call Healthdirect and receive assessment advice from specialist clinicians and be connected with the appropriate services.

This initiative has been developed in consultation with carers, mental health professionals, a range of service providers, and those who may use the service.

Last year, 124,467 Emergency Department visits were made for mental health. It is estimated that approximately 25 per cent of these would have been suitable to receive support through other primary care settings.

By providing callers with information on alternative care pathways, the establishment of a Mental Health Single Front Door will reduce avoidable Emergency Department presentations and improve patient flow across hospitals.

$2.4 MILLION FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL

The Mental Health Review Tribunal will receive an additional $2.4 million over four years to enable a long overdue digitisation of records, an upgrade to IT systems and an investment in a new case management system.

These system improvements will support the Tribunal to meet the continued growth in patients and hearings.

Since being elected the Minns Labor Government has been working on a comprehensive plan to strengthen our mental health system.

We know it faces significant challenges, but we are making the responsible decisions to ensure the people of NSW have the care and services they deserve and need.

We want a fully staffed mental health care system that is responsive and well resourced.

Chris Minns, Premier of NSW said:

“We know that people across the state are doing it tough right now, and for many in our community, mental health services are a vital lifeline when they need it most.

“Mental health is an important and ongoing conversation, and this funding is an important step in directly intervening to provide care for the people of NSW.”

Daniel Mookhey, NSW Treasurer said:

“This community mental health package is a must-have for people who need more help across NSW.

“We can afford to do this because we are paying less in interest. Lower debt means we can reinvest these savings into helping provide care for thousands of people in need.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:

“We have seen first hand the success of the NSW Single Front Door model delivered via Healthdirect. The development of a Mental Health Single Front Door is a common sense decision to ensure expert mental health support is available to those who need it.”

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said:

“Our government is committed to taking meaningful action to support the mental health of the people of NSW – regardless of the complexity or duration of a patient’s experience, this package has been designed to offer help when it is needed.

“This is an important step in the NSW Government’s approach to mental health support, but it is not the final one.

“I am committed to continuing to work with experts in the field on long term interventions.”

Struggling families are missing out on vital payments during the cost of living crisis, with new figures revealing Services Australia is sitting on more than 232,000 claims that are yet to be processed after more than 90 days.

The following table lists the number of social security and welfare claims and health work on hand at Services Australia as at 25 March 2024 that are older than 90 days.

	90-129 days	130-199 days	200+ days
Social security and welfare	27,022	15,552	7,013
Health	62,502	63,622	57,126

The agency’s own timeliness standard requires that the majority of social security and welfare claims are processed within 30 days, while the majority of claims submitted digitally under the Medicare Benefit Schedule are required to be processed within 7 days of lodgement. 

The Opposition obtained the data following a series of parliamentary Questions in Writing.

Shadow Minister for Government Services Paul Fletcher said the figures are a stark reminder of the Albanese Labor Government’s shocking mismanagement of this crucial agency.

“Vital Centrelink and Medicare claims are gathering dust under the Albanese Labor Government because there is zero focus on delivering great customer service,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Families are doing it tough and need claims processed quickly and efficiently. Instead, they are being subjected to an unacceptably slow system that makes life harder for them.

“What’s the point of having a timeliness standard if you’re not going to get anywhere near achieving it?

“Bill Shorten is doing a terrible job as Minister and needs to demonstrate leadership. Simply boosting Canberra’s bureaucracy and pleasing the unions isn’t good enough.”

Live music provides 25,000 jobs and contributes an economic output of $5.5 billion to the NSW economy, first-of-its-kind research has found.

The first State of the Scene report, to be released this week, confirms NSW is Australia’s music powerhouse. With 55 dedicated live music venues, 453 regular and ongoing venues, 56 large-scale multipurpose venues and 231 venues that offer live music as an ancillary function, the report confirms there are now 795 live venues areas across NSW.

This report provides an important baseline for the sector and for the NSW Government to continue to build upon.

The State of the Scene report acted as the first-ever census of live music in NSW, using feedback from 750 industry participants and 550 members of the public who attend live music gigs.

Feedback from industry in the development of the inaugural State of the Scene report also revealed several barriers to growth for the sector, including:

• a high-cost environment impacting financial viability of live music venues, including cost-of-living pressure for audiences
• regulatory red tape reducing operating capacity of venues
• expensive pricing and security environments for venue operators
• changing audience behaviours and fragmented media landscape
• complex government policy and grant schemes
• lack of mid-career growth opportunities and reduction in youth live music spaces and all ages events
• access and inclusivity
• public transportation.

The 2024 to 2025 Budget will build on the NSW Government’s commitment to building better, more vibrant communities, with more than $45.4 million in funding for strategic support for artists and live venues through funding to Sound NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner.

The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner will receive $26.9 million to empower the night-time economy industry and local councils through regulatory reform, grants programs, precinct-based initiatives, digital tools and other support to help create diverse, safe, and vibrant communities across NSW.

This will enable the Office to support communities and businesses across the state – those that make our cities lively and exciting, employ people and contribute to a culturally rich, diverse, inclusive, and innovative nightlife.

Sound NSW will continue to build and support the role that the contemporary music industry plays in the night-time economy, with $18.5 million to deliver programs that drive audience and international market development, strengthen the live music ecosystem and champion NSW artists and stories.

Combined, these investments will make it fairer and easier for businesses, artists, and communities to develop and support their music cultures and night-time precincts.

That means less red tape, reduced risk of getting shut down by unfair complaints and removing hidden costs to give certainty and to encourage communities and businesses to innovate.

This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we have vibrant, well-connected neighbourhoods.

A plan to build a better NSW.

Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said:

“We have never known the full number of venues or had a clear picture of their economic impact of live music in NSW. Now we want to grow that number.

“What this shows is not only the number of venues that offer live music across the state, but the different types of venues and the important roles they play in their community, as well as the enormous social, economic impacts and jobs the industry provides.

“Without knowing this detail, it’s impossible to grow. This data will allow Government to better respond to industry and audience needs, and target bringing more venues online which may currently have the capacity to offer live music but aren’t doing so.

“Contemporary music and the night time economy are pivotal threads in the creative and economic fabric of our society. That is why we’re investing over $45 million into both music and the night-time economy in the 2024 to 2025 Budget.”

About the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner

• In November 2023, the NSW Parliament passed the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Act 2023, making the role a permanent, statutory appointment.
• The Act specifically outlines the remit of the Commissioner as statewide, placing a renewed focus on how the Office can adapt and expand its programs and initiatives to key urban centres across Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast, Newcastle and regional NSW.
• The Office will deliver a refreshed 24-Hour Economy Strategy and support councils and businesses through capacity-building workshops, mentoring and grant opportunities to enhance and manage their unique nightlife precincts.

About Sound NSW

• Established in 2023, Sound NSW is a dedicated office within the NSW Government committed to the growth, development and promotion of contemporary music in NSW.
• In 2023 to 2024, Sound NSW has delivered direct support to the industry through target initiatives to help soundproof venues, support NSW touring artists with touring, recording and promotion, as well as supporting artist managers and critical support bodies.
• The data and stakeholder feedback will be used to inform the NSW Government’s work to support industry and artists, including the development and implementation of the NSW Government’s 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy, due for release later this year.

About Liquor & Gaming reforms

• The NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms have increased the incentives for extended trading hours to host live music and will prevent single noise complainants from shutting down venues.
• Under the former government, NSW lost more than half its music venues, with just 133 venues registered to participate in incentives with Liquor & Gaming NSW as live music and performance venues across the state in March 2023. Since then, 157 pubs, clubs and other live venues have joined the list, more than doubling the number of establishments that qualify for the extended trading incentives in return for staging live music and backing local musicians.
• The Liquor & Gaming NSW list will continue to be an important source of information for the NSW Government, but this census provides a comprehensive view of the music ecosystem, including capturing live music venues that do not hold a liquor licence,  that assists in our ultimate goal – to grow music in NSW. 

Spontaneous volunteers who turn up to help in times of crisis will be better trained, equipped and coordinated through a new $5 million grants program funding councils, non-government-organisations and community groups to prepare for future natural disasters.

From Resilient Lismore supporting the local community in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, to the countless volunteers assisting in the Black Summer bushfires, NSW communities step up in times of crisis.

The Spontaneous Volunteer Support (SVS) Program is designed to ensure that in situations where people decide to spontaneously or informally help during emergencies, organisations are better placed to coordinate this support to complement trained volunteers and emergency service efforts.

The SVS Program is one of the outcomes of a NSW Government review to help develop a longer-term vision for emergency volunteering in NSW to ensure its continued sustainability into the future.

Recent prolonged and catastrophic disasters, and subsequent inquiries into preparation, response and recovery efforts, have highlighted the importance of volunteers to the state’s emergency management capability.

A review coordinated by the Premier’s Department on behalf of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) found that while emergency volunteers and the organisations that support them provide a strong foundation for the state’s future emergency capability, an enhanced approach to planning for the future of volunteering is required.

The review involved consultation with more than 4,000 emergency volunteers and collaboration with SEMC member agencies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities in emergency volunteering. Emergency volunteering in NSW has strong foundations, with many highly committed individuals and volunteer organisations.

Formal volunteering in association with emergency services organisations is at the core of NSW’s emergency management framework. While the number of formal volunteers has remained relatively stable in recent years, some communities (particularly in some remote and rural areas) are experiencing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention.

In the face of increased demands resulting from population growth and the escalating impacts of disaster events, NSW emergency volunteers have continued to play a key role in keeping communities safe, helping them to recover and working to build community resilience.

The review underscores the need for a coordinated whole-of-sector approach to planning for the future of volunteering.

Key recommendations include:

• A dedicated Action Plan to grow and strengthen the emergency services volunteer workforce, focus on improving volunteer recruitment and addressing barriers to volunteering.
• Integration of informal volunteers as part of NSW’s emergency management arrangements: updating the NSW State Emergency Management Plan to recognise the significant contribution of informal volunteers and strategies developed to include them in the emergency management framework.
• Improved engagement with volunteers: The NSW Government is launching a new online hub to promote and connect community members with the wide range of emergency volunteering opportunities across the state, including training programs.
• Improved recognition of emergency volunteers: including the establishment by the Minister for Emergency Services of a new state-based award for volunteers.
• Community capability building: a strengthened approach to building community capability and resilience to respond to disaster events including a more coordinated approach to informal volunteering through the new SVS Program to support community organisations.

These outcomes have been developed in alignment to the findings and recommendations of the 2022 Flood Inquiries, with their implementation to be overseen by the SEMC.

The competitive SVS grant program opens next week.

View the review outcomes.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Whether on the frontline or behind the scenes, our emergency service volunteers’ unwavering commitment in the face of unprecedented challenges has been demonstrated time and time again.”

“This important review underscores our commitment to support and strengthen the emergency volunteering sector and provides a roadmap for the future for our volunteers and the communities they serve.”

“As we face increasing frequency and severity of disasters, it has never been more important for us to support volunteers in their work and make it easier for the next generation to take up the mantle.”

“We know that people who want to volunteer can sometimes find it difficult to commit time consistently, by supporting informal volunteering we are providing another way to help ensure more volunteers are ready when the call comes.”

“I encourage people who care about their community and want to make a contribution, no matter how big or small, to visit our new emergency volunteering hub and have a look at some of the exciting and meaningful opportunities that are available.”

Minister with responsibility for Volunteering Jodie Harrison said:

“Volunteering enriches the lives of people, strengthening local communities across NSW to be resilient and inclusive.”

“Communities across NSW have shown throughout many natural disasters that they have a breadth of abilities and compassion in their approach to disaster response and recovery.”

“This program will go a long way to supporting that important engagement and co-ordination by volunteers.”

The 2024-25 NSW Budget will help open Western Sydney to the world, with more than $1 billion for roads connecting people and communities with the new International Airport and Bradfield City Centre.

Connecting Western Sydney International Airport, which is due to open in 2026, to communities is a key priority of the Minns Labor Government, and this commitment builds on recently announced funding for the same roads by the Australian Government.

Elizabeth Drive, which will take travellers directly to the new airport and connect major arteries of Mamre and Northen Roads, will see the state contribute $400 million for a long-awaited upgrade into a four-lane divided road.

This takes the total funding for Elizabeth Drive to $800 million in partnership with the Federal Government.

An additional $500 million will allow the next stage of construction to begin on Mamre Road between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek.

Mamre Road, a key freight route and zone for commercial development, will be widened with extra lanes to meet future growth, providing upgraded and new intersections and a new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

This Budget investment takes total Federal-State funding of Mamre Road to $1 billion.

The 2024-25 NSW Budget provides $115 million for Mulgoa Road to see a separated four-lane dual carriageway between Glenmore Park and Jeanette Street.

And $10.5 million for Appin Road will provide an upgraded intersection at St Johns Road, building a stronger connection from Wollongong and the South Coast to Campbelltown and the Western Sydney Airport precinct.

This budget continues work on the M12, a critical link which is under construction.

And we’re getting on with planning for the Eastern Ring Road and Badgerys Creek South Road – key future projects for the airport.

The two roads will connect to create the long-term north-south corridor east of the airport. The Eastern Ring Road will perform a major freight function and ultimately create a further connection for bus services into the airport.

Planning and construction will be staged and sequenced to ensure the road network meets growth and travel demand.

Western Sydney is the fastest-growing region in the country, with a population expected to grow from two million to three million people over the next two decades.

The 2024-25 NSW Budget guarantees these critical roads advance by matching federal funding.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we’re building infrastructure which produces stronger, well-connected communities.

A plan to build a better NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“The NSW Labor Government is committed to building better roads in Western Sydney, supporting the city’s new international gateway.

“The Liberals talked a big game about Western Sydney, but when it came to providing for our community, they simply did not deliver, and road projects stalled.

“By investing with the Australian Government, these roadways will service the new Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding community.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“This is an investment in jobs in Western Sydney.

“Today we make it clear through dollars and determination that the necessary road infrastructure will match the once in a generation, city-shaping, opportunity that is the Western Sydney International Airport.

“Along with our partners in the Australian Government, we have identified where we need to invest, what we need to plan and we will deliver in a staged and methodical way that is appropriate for a fast-growing region attracting people, commercial development and a large freight network.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“While NSW faces strong economic headwinds and a legacy of record debt notched up by the Coalition, our commitment to development in western Sydney – Australia’s fastest-growing region – is ironclad.

“Our investment in roads in this region, in lockstep with the Federal Government, will provide industry the assurance to co-invest and get development moving. We are transforming and building the roads and the jobs will follow.”

NSW continues to lead the nation as the only state or territory to regularly report on First Nations expenditure, with the release of the 2023 to 2024 NSW Indigenous Expenditure Report (IER) today.

The report comes as the NSW Government makes progress on developing a First Nations budget model, designed to provide a holistic, First Nations-led approach to the process, assessment, evidence and reporting for funding and investment decisions impacting First Nations communities.

The Indigenous Expenditure Report fulfills the NSW Government’s commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to review and classify government expenditure on First Nations people.

It recognises that providing First Nations communities with access to expenditure data is a critical step in building genuine partnership between government and First Nations communities and supporting First Nations self-determination.

The report identifies opportunities to improve outcomes for First Nations people through more effective investment and reviewing the current profile of government expenditure for First Nations people and programs.

NSW is home to 34.5% of Australian First Nations people, more than any other state or territory. At around 340,000 people, this is approximately 4.2% of the NSW population.

In 2023 to 2024, the NSW Government budgeted $1.2 billion for First Nations specific programs and services, making up around 1% of total NSW Government expenditure.

The service areas that are budgeted to receive the largest share of First Nations specific expenditure in 2023 to 2024 include:

• $301.8 million for housing and community amenities
• $237.8 million for education
• $226.3 million for social protection.

The report also quantifies the First Nations share of general (or non-targeted) expenditure. It is estimated in 2021 to 2022 (the latest data available) that the NSW Government spent $5.8 billion on First Nations people across the 18 non-targeted service areas analysed. This represents around 4.9% of total NSW Government expenditure.

The IER transparently shares data and information on government spending to help build genuine partnerships between government and First Nations communities to support better decision making on funding allocations, to improve outcomes for First Nations people and communities.

Findings from the 2023 to 2024 NSW IER will be used by First Nations communities and organisations in partnership with government to consider and design appropriate policy responses and priorities through future budget processes. This will contribute towards NSW progressing action towards Closing the Gap Priority Reform areas and socio-economic outcomes.

With the First Nations budget model design underway, Treasury, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the NSW Coalition of Peak Organisations are now working in partnership to develop its next steps.

As a starting point, First Nations Impact Assessments were piloted as part of the 2024 t0 2025 budget process. Findings from the pilot will be used to inform the final design of the model.

Get more information on the 2023 to 24 NSW Indigenous Expenditure Report.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“We committed to providing regular information about where the NSW government is spending money to help ‘close the gap’ when we signed up to the Closing the Gap targets.

“We fulfil that commitment by publishing this report. First Nations citizens – and all citizens – should have more of the information they need to make better decisions.

“We are the only state or territory to provide a report like this. We hope it helps the rest of the federation partner with First Nation communities to build similar reporting frameworks.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“While the journey to closing the gap still has a significant way to go, I am deeply committed to transforming the way that we work to support self-determined outcomes for First Nations communities to drive better outcomes.”

Transforming the retail strip in St Marys, an Inner West “ale trail” of craft breweries, street-level improvements for Little India in Harris Park and a night-time makeover for the 24-hour medical precinct in Randwick are among 10 business and community-led projects set to improve vibrancy in local districts.

The successful recipients will receive up to $400,000 each including 2 in Western Sydney, 1 in Randwick and 3 in regional centres including Yamba, Muswellbrook and Murwillumbah.

In Western Sydney, businesses on Queen Street, St Marys, are working with Penrith City Council to transform the area into an urban hub, with new lighting in laneways, public art installations and new infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

The amenity will be further improved with street events and other pop-ups to breathe new life into the city centre.

In Chinatown, local businesses will relaunch “Neon Playground”, a street festival of lights, music, art and food.

Randwick’s health precinct is set for a transformation to cater for the area’s unique 24-hour workforce, turning underutilised health land into vibrant and connected public spaces, including night markets and community events around High Street and Avoca Street in the area of the light rail terminus.

Administered by Transport for NSW, the Community Improvement District Pilot Program grants are part of the NSW Government’s vibrancy agenda that is backing businesses to make the most of their public spaces and local character to draw more visitors and more life to their district – day or night.

The 10 district pilots awarded up to $400,000 are:

• Clarence Valley Council for Clarence Valley CID Pilot Program
• Haymarket Alliance Incorporated for Neon Playground 2.0
• Inner West Brewery Association Incorporated for Inner West Ale Trail
• Little India Harris Park Business Association for ‘Udaan’ – A Little India Harris Park Business Association Lift-Off
• Murwillumbah District Business Chamber Limited for Connect Murwillumbah: A CID Transformation
• Muswellbrook Shire Council for Activating the Hunter Innovation Precinct
• Penrith City Council for St Marys – Transforming into a Thriving Urban Hub
• Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct for Heart of Randwick Collaboration
• Walsh Bay Precinct Association Incorporated for Hickson Road bridges activation and Walsh Bay CID trial
• YCK Laneways Association Incorporated for Safer YCK Laneways.

Insights from the funded pilots will inform a state-wide Community Improvement District policy, helping to ensure our communities have inviting, vibrant and welcoming places in the long-term.

Improvement district grants are running in parallel with the NSW Government’s Open Streets program. This program empowers councils to host markets, live music and outdoor dining on local streets to boost community life and economic activity.

Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car said:

“It is exciting to see our local neighbourhood in St Marys set for a transformation, particularly as work progresses on the rail connection to Western Sydney Airport.

“Our local area already has so much on offer, and I look forward to enjoying the new lighting, installations and fun events with my community.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Nothing beats local knowledge. That is why we are backing local knowledge from local businesses and local councils – they know their area, know their community and know what is needed to improve their public spaces and build upon their unique, local identity.

“The Community Improvement District model recognises businesses benefit from, and have a stake in, making their local areas as vibrant and welcoming as possible and better places to live, work and play. This is supporting communities to use their streets and public spaces – they own them.

“COVID showed us that entertainment starts close to home. St Marys is a great example of a local neighbourhood wanting to make itself a destination and give people more reason to stay local, day or night.”

Construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will begin under the Minns Labor Government, with a $2 billion investment to build better, connected communities in Sydney’s growing west.

The 2024-25 Budget paves the way for the NSW Labor Government to meet its election commitment; to start construction on this essential project in this term of government.

The investment follows recent NSW Planning Approval for the project, as well as Federal Environmental Approval.

The game-changing transport project will unlock development potential and deliver frequent and reliable public transport options for residents that moved into fast-growing suburbs like Wentworth Point.

The 12km alignment will link the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point with 14 new stops, three new river crossings and 8.5km of new walking and cycling paths.

Passengers will be able to travel from Sydney Olympic Park to Camellia in around 30 minutes, and on to the Parramatta CBD in another 7 minutes.

Construction will be phased, with initial work to begin later this year on a new 320-metre public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail project is currently in testing and is on track to service tens of thousands of commuters in the coming months.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 was promised by the previous government, but never received the funding required to begin construction on this essential transport link.

The people of NSW need a coordinated and sustainable roadmap. A plan that understands how people want to live, and works to provide better services like healthcare, policing, education and good public transport.

The Minns Labor Government’s plan has infrastructure built alongside housing to build better, stronger, well-serviced communities in NSW.

Find out more about the Parramatta Light Rail project

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“We’re getting on with the job and building this essential project that people who live in the fast growing suburbs of Western Sydney were promised.

“People moved into the area with the promise of infrastructure that never arrived. The NSW Labor Government is now delivering.

“Stage 2 will directly link Parramatta to the Sydney Olympic Park precinct residents in Parramatta to the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

“The light rail’s forecast to carry 28,000 passengers every day by 2026.  That’s a game-changer for communities around Parramatta – connecting venues, schools, shops and people for decades to come.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“With testing powering ahead, Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 is on track to open in the coming months.”

“But we know there are more communities that need access to this vital infrastructure investment.

“This investment will get shovels in the ground and construction started before the end of this parliamentary term. Just as we promised.

“In 2041, 280,000 people are expected to live along the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment.

They need frequent and reliable public transport services, and we’ll deliver it.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:

“Our community has been promised this vital transport link for years, and now Labor is delivering.

“As Lord Mayor, and now Member for Parramatta, I’ve advocated tirelessly for many years about this project and I’m so pleased the Premier and Minister have listened.”

The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to deliver a payroll tax amnesty for NSW GPs in this year’s Budget to ensure access to affordable healthcare. 

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman called on Premier Chris Minns to urgently provide GPs with a payroll tax amnesty, so that clinics across NSW are not forced to close or raise their fees. 

“From 4 September, many clinics will be facing a retrospective tax bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars that could force closures or fee increases. This will mean more patients presenting to our state’s overwhelmed emergency departments, which are buckling under the pressure of Labor’s cuts to health funding,” Mr Speakman said. 

“The Minns Government should urgently guarantee a payroll tax amnesty from July 2018 to June 2025, to be followed by ongoing suitable exemptions – such as for bulk billing practices.” 

“But instead this Labor Government is again missing in action – at the same time as they’re cutting the health budget, they’re adding to the hospital waiting lists,” Mr Speakman said. 

“The NSW health system has been seriously impacted by Labor’s cuts to health funding – Bureau of Health Information figures showed that our hospital system is under immense strain as a result of Labor’s budget mismanagement. With people already waiting longer and longer in Emergency Departments, if Labor adds thousands more to that queue they’ll be putting everyone’s health at risk.” 

Shadow Finance Minister Eleni Petinos said that other states have managed to provide exemptions or amnesties, while the Minns Labor Government has been dithering for many months. 

“As some NSW clinics will face demands of retrospective payroll tax bills for more than half a million dollars, the Minns Government needs to commit to an amnesty while a permanent solution is found,” Ms Petinos said. 

“If Labor Governments in Queensland and Victoria can deal with this problem, people can rightly ask why Chris Minns can’t do the same for NSW.” 

Primary care patients and general practice in NSW will be worse off than the rest of Australia if a proposed payroll tax on GPs in enforced, the Primary Care Business Council (PCBC) has warned.
PCBC spokesperson Dr Hamish Meldrum called on the NSW Government to provide a retrospective amnesty to payroll tax to ensure GPs aren’t forced to pay years in back taxes which would bankrupt some operators.
“GP practices are paying payroll tax like any other business, and they pay this on administration staff, nurses and training doctors. However, the possible extension of payroll tax to distributions to contract GP’s will be significant and this tax will need to be passed onto patients,” Dr Meldrum said.
“The NSW Government needs to act now to ensure general practices are not unfairly burdened by a payroll tax which could threaten their very existence and result in more pressure on the public health system.”
If the GP payroll tax if applied to all distributions to contact doctors, it could result in fee increases of between $10 – $20 per appointment. “The Federal Government has supported primary care with an increased bulk billing incentive to assist GPs to bulk bill vulnerable patients. But payroll tax has the potential to reverse any gains,” Dr Meldrum said.
“It would also have the added cost of pushing more patients towards hospital emergency departments which are already over stretched.”
PCBC modelling indicates that NSW could see more than 1,000,000 more patients present to NSW emergency departments instead of visiting a GP because of increased fees. This would result in an additional annual cost of more than $680 million, which would far outweigh the revenue from payroll tax of around $130 million.
“General Practice has been poorly funded for some decades, and it makes no sense to impose a fiscally destructive tax on a primary care system that is already under strain. Doctors won’t be able to cope and ultimately it will be patients who suffer the most,” Dr Meldrum said.
“If you get sick once a year and see your GP you pay the tax once and if you are sick ten times a year and have ten GP visits then you pay the tax ten times. This is a very regressive tax.
“It is disappointing that the NSW Government has not engaged with GP operators particularly when practice viability is at risk – in the last 12 months 184 practices in 17 Public
Health Network sites closed their doors – many more will close if this tax is imposed. “I urge the NSW Government to step back from the edge and engage with the sector to ensure we have a viable General Practice sector going forward.”