Category: NSW News

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.

What do former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock, Matildas star Emily van Egmond, astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, celebrity chef Kylie Kwong and bestselling author and educator Kylie Captain have in common?

What do former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock, Matildas star Emily van Egmond, astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, celebrity chef Kylie Kwong and bestselling author and educator Kylie Captain have in common?

They are all former NSW public school students and among dozens of high profile alumni who have agreed to join a program, led by Justice Kirby, showcasing the benefits of a public school education.

Launched today to mark the start of Public Education Week, the alumni program reflects this year’s theme, Proud to Belong, and aims to inspire students to think big and see they are part of a community of achievement that extends beyond their school gate.

The program seeks to strengthen students’ sense of belonging and pride, a key step in the NSW Government’s goal of advancing outcomes, opportunities and experiences for all NSW children.

Across almost every industry NSW public school alumni are leading the way, whether at the Reserve Bank, the High Court, or the Olympics; in business, military, arts and entertainment, or as experts in health, education, science and construction.

This year Public Education Week will also kick-off with the inaugural NSW Public Education Awards at Sydney Town Hall to recognise students, teachers, school staff and parents for their exceptional achievement and contribution to public education.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“It is exciting to see the diverse and exceptional range of former public school students stepping forward to support our public school communities through this alumni program.

“I am so proud to see the success stories that come from our incredible public school alumni and I cannot wait to see how they inspire the next generation of students to aim high, work hard and follow their dreams.

“With Public Education Week coinciding with the Paris Olympics, this is also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the more than 50 public school alumni, staff and current students in the Australian team – some of whom have now won medals in Paris.”

NSW Education Department Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“As the saying goes, ‘students need to see what they can be’ and through this alumni program we hope to lift their horizons and inspire them to embrace the vast opportunities a public school education will open for them.

“Our incredible alumni will also highlight to parents that a public school education will enable their children to achieve their ambitions and reach the pinnacle in any field they choose.

Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby said:

“I’m still, in my heart, Strathfield North Public School. I haven’t changed in the values I received from my school, my teachers, and my parents – values of kindness, of reaching out, and working for a better society and equality.”

Chef and Powerhouse Museum Associate Kylie Kwong said:

“Education is transformative for the lives of individuals, their families, and the wider community, and I am incredibly passionate about supporting public education to ensure that everyone in society, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to learn and grow and thrive.”

The biggest celebration for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere is back in 2025 with the theme ‘Time to Shine’.

The annual Seniors Festival is the government’s way of thanking seniors for their contributions, as well as providing a variety of opportunities for them to get involved, and stay active and connected.

Flagship events include the Premier’s Gala Concerts and Seniors Expo, which will both be held from 12-13 March 2025 at the ICC Theatre in Sydney. There will be 4 free concerts featuring Australia’s best talent for senior audiences to attend, and a wide range of stalls and exhibits to explore.

Last year, the Premier Gala Concerts sold out, with 32,000 seniors attending. Seniors also showed their strong support for events around NSW, with an estimated 500,000 attending various activities over the whole Festival fortnight.

The NSW Government’s Ageing Well NSW: Seniors Strategy vision is for all people in NSW to experience the benefits of living longer and enjoy opportunities to participate in, contribute to and be included in their communities.

In addition, comedy shows are being planned for seniors living in metro and regional NSW.

As was the case this year, there will also be a livestream of the Premier’s Gala Concerts for those unable to make it to the event in person.

The 2025 NSW Seniors Festival will run from 3 to 16 March.

Keep up to date with announcements of the stars for the Gala Concerts and all that’s happening in the NSW Seniors Festival at https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival.

Grants open for Seniors Festival events

The fortnight-long Seniors Festival will also see various organisations running activities across the State to engage seniors.

The Seniors Festival Grant fund of $200,000 is now open for applications. Local organisations can apply for up to $5,000 and Local Councils for up to $10,000 for their programs and events.

The 2025 program will have a continued focus on programs that offer unique and engaging intergenerational activities, connect seniors with a range of community organisations and activities that are tailored to Aboriginal communities and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Applications are open now and close on 6 September. Apply for the NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program at https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Seniors Festival is one of the highlights of the year and is the biggest and most joyous celebration of seniors in the state.

“Seniors should save the dates and make sure they look out for further announcements on when the much sought-after tickets to Premier’s Gala Concerts are available.

“We are also encouraging community organisations and local councils to show us your best ideas for events and activities that will encourage our seniors to get excited, get out and get involved.

“The NSW Government is really proud to host a festival that embraces everybody and recognises the important contributions seniors make in our community.”

Frontline emergency staff are going the extra mile to save lives this winter, rolling up their sleeves to donate blood and plasma as part of the 2024 Emergency Services Blood Drive.

Minister for Health Ryan Park and Minister for Police Yasmin Catley will today join NSW Ambulance, NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW staff at the Lifeblood Sydney Town Hall Donor Centre to donate blood and encourage the community to join them in saving lives this winter, when donations are needed most.

The Lifeblood Emergency Services Blood Drive has been sparking friendly competition between emergency service teams since 2012, with almost 115,000 donations collected since it began.

This year’s challenge has so far seen 2,606 donations of blood and plasma from NSW emergency service teams to provide life-saving treatment to people around the country, helping save up to 7,818 lives.

The Emergency Services Blood Drive runs until 31 August and anyone can take part by picking an emergency services team to join when you make your booking.

To make a booking, visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Our paramedics, firefighters and police serve and care for the community every single day and see first hand our ongoing need for blood to save lives.

“Blood donations help patients across the state in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment and pregnancy.

“One in three Australians will require blood or blood products in their lifetime but only one in 30 donate, making drives such as this to help boost supplies across the country even more important.”

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley:

“I’m very proud to stand alongside our police and other emergency services staff today who are leading by example, but the call to action is for everyone.

“Donating blood is a quick and easy way to be a hero in your own right.

“By donating blood, you’re joining a tradition of care and community spirit. It’s a small act that changes lives. If you can, I’d encourage you to play your part.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:

“When it comes to donating blood, it takes a small amount of time to make a significant impact on someone’s life.

“Emergency services personnel are always there for the community, and through some friendly rivalry between the agencies, we aim to strengthen the blood supply available across NSW and Australia to help those who need it.”

Lifeblood CEO, Stephen Cornelissen:

“Our emergency services personnel know all too well about our ongoing need for blood, being first on the scene at road accidents and other trauma-related incidents.

“Their life-saving efforts don’t stop there. All throughout the year, and especially during the Emergency Services Blood Drive each winter, their generosity continues when they roll up their sleeves and donate their own blood that can be used for numerous life-threatening conditions, including cancer, trauma and during life-saving surgery.

“With demand for blood, plasma and blood products increasing, Lifeblood is so grateful to all the teams who join this critical and generous blood donor community.”

The Minns Labor Government will change the law to stop renters being slugged with charges for background checks when they’re applying for a rental property.

There are 2.2 million renters in NSW, and they’re increasingly being asked to pay for their own background checks just to apply for a home.

At the moment, some online rental property application apps encourage renters to pay between $25 – $30 to cover the cost of their own background checks, on top of providing detailed information to the leasing agent.

These ‘optional’ charges often come with the promise that they’ll increase an applicant’s chances of securing a home.

The Minns Labor Government will change the law to make it clear that renters cannot be charged for background checks.

Under these changes, the only payments renters can be charged when applying will be those specifically listed:

• The deposit
• The rental bond
• Rent for the property
• Any fee for registration of a lease longer than 3 years.

Landlords will continue to have the right to check or make reports to third party tenancy databases, in line with the strict rules already in place.

Tenants can only be listed on a database for two reasons, either they have left the property and owe money, or the Tribunal has made an order to terminate the agreement because the tenant has done the wrong thing.

The changes will form part of a package to update and modernise the NSW rental market, including reforms to finally end no-grounds evictions, which will be debated by Parliament later this year.

Currently, renters’ lives can be upended at any time, with owners able to end a residential periodic lease for any reason or no reason.

Under our proposed reforms, expected to begin early next year, homeowners will now need a reason to end a tenancy for both periodic and fixed term leases.

The Minns Labor Government has also invested $6.6 million to develop and deliver the nation’s first portable rental bonds scheme.

The scheme is currently out to public tender, with upgrade of the existing rental bonds system expected to be completed in 2025.

This new system will allow tenants to digitally transfer their existing bond to their new rental home. This will mean they will no longer need to pay a new bond before their old one is returned.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“With the rental market so competitive, many renters have felt pressured into paying for these checks.

“Owners will still be able to make sure their prospective tenant hasn’t done the wrong thing at a previous rental.

“But you shouldn’t have to pay for your own background checks just to apply for a place.

“This gets the balance right between renters and homeowners and is part of our plan to build a fairer rental market in NSW.”

Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“A renter shouldn’t have to pay just for the privilege of securing a home.

“We need a more modern and fairer rental market in NSW because renters are being punished by a system that hasn’t kept up with change.”