Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is today officially opening the $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, a state-of-the-art health facility on the NSW North Coast that will also be supported by a new urgent care service in the area and a brand new ambulance station in Kingscliff.

This investment will provide a significant boost to healthcare on the North Coast of NSW, a rapidly growing region that deserves the best access to world class healthcare.

Tweed Valley Hospital

The new Tweed Valley Hospital represents the largest capital health investment in the regions in NSW history, including capacity for 430 beds, almost 200 more beds than at the former hospital.

Key features of the hospital include:

• Access to radiotherapy services, as part of a new integrated cancer care service.
• New satellite medical imaging in the emergency department, to speed up access to support.
• An interventional cardiology service that is currently being developed, delivering diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures for the first time in Tweed.
• A clinical training and research hub through the Northern NSW Academic Health Alliance that brings together local universities, TAFE NSW and the Local Health district.
• And a new car park will provide over 1000 free car parking spaces at the hospital campus.

Tweed Urgent Care Service

Further to the opening of the new hospital, residents in the Tweed will now also have access to an urgent care service in Tweed that eases pressure on emergency departments by providing care to people in their homes.

The new service, launched only weeks ago, is initially treating elderly patients in the comfort of their home or residential aged care facility.

Next month the service will expand to operating 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm, to support people of all ages across the Tweed region to receive urgent care at home.

The service will be staffed by a team of nurses, NSW Ambulance Extended Care Paramedics and allied health professionals.

Kingscliff Ambulance Station

Ambulance services in the region are also being boosted with construction of Kingscliff’s new ambulance station, on track for completion in the coming months.

The new 2-level ambulance station will replace a 65-year-old station on Marine Parade in Kingscliff.

It will feature 8 internal parking bays (including an internal wash bay), administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas and on-site parking.

These new health facilities and services are further supported by the NSW Government’s commitment to rebuilding essential services by addressing the staffing crisis inherited from the former government.

From lifting the wages cap, working to deliver 500 new paramedics in rural and regional NSW and implementing safe staffing levels while delivering paramedics a historic pay rise, the NSW Government is supporting the staff these new hospitals, ambulance stations and services need.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Whether you live in the middle of the city or in regional communities like the North Coast, we’re working hard to make sure everyone has access to the very best health care.

“This new hospital as well as a new urgent care service and ambulance station are going to make a huge difference to this rapidly growing region in NSW.

“We are not only committed to delivering the very best health facilities but also to looking after the staff in them who look after all of us.”

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said:

“This $723.3 million hospital is the one of the largest hospital investments in NSW history.

“For the community here in Tweed, this facility means hundreds more hospital beds, more ED treatment spaces, and more single patient rooms.

“New services at the hospital are estimated to benefit 5000 patients each year by giving them access to care locally, without needing to travel outside the region as was previously the case.

“We’re also pleased the Urgent Care Service is up and running, enabling residents to receive high quality, expert care without leaving their home, providing a better patient experience and easing pressure on the region’s busy emergency departments.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“I am proud to be part of a government which is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities.

“This new hospital, the establishment of an urgent care service and a new ambulance station at Kingscliff will provide benefits for Tweed and beyond.”

Labor Spokesperson for the Tweed Emily Suvaal MLC said:

“I thank our incredible health staff, leaders and managers who have been integral to this project, ensuring the successful delivery of this fantastic health facility for the community.

“As a former nurse, it is great to know this beautiful new hospital was designed in partnership with clinicians, staff and the community to deliver the best clinical outcomes for patients.

“It’s also great the campus will be home to the Northern NSW Academic Health Alliance, which will build a pipeline of skilled healthcare workers for the Northern Rivers.”

The NSW Government launched a plan aimed at helping employers manage psychosocial risks and protect their workers from psychological harms.

The SafeWork NSW Psychological Health and Safety Strategy 2024-2026 outlines how the workplace regulator will support employers to manage risks and comply with their duty to prevent psychological harm in NSW workplaces.

This NSW Government strategy is backed by $5.6 million over the next two years to deliver workplace mental health programs for small and medium businesses through the Black Dog Institute and Transitioning Well.

The programs are targeted at small businesses, which make up the bulk of employers in NSW and generally have less capability and fewer resources to manage mental health and protect psychological health at work.

Workplace mental ill health is estimated to cost Australian businesses up to $39 billion each year due to lost participation and productivity.

Workplace leaders know that if the mental wellbeing of workers is protected, they will want to stay, and these workplaces will keep their top talent.

New initiatives as part of the 2024-2026 strategy include:

• practical tools, resources, and webinars to help businesses.
• the translation of all resources to reach and support culturally and linguistically diverse workers – a high risk worker category for psychological injury.
• building capability across SafeWork NSW’s inspectorate and conduct compliance visits in high-risk workplaces.
• creating industry forums whose role is to identify psychosocial hazards in the relevant industry.

Together we can drive real change and better outcomes for employees and employers in NSW.

SafeWork NSW consulted with many stakeholders during the development of the strategy, including workers, health and safety professionals from government agencies, unions and business.

For more information visit Psychological Health and Safety Strategy 2024-2026.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“It is a fundamental right of every worker to come home safe to their loved ones both physically and mentally.”

“We must all work together to bring about change to make workplaces psychologically safer for workers. If workplaces remain unsafe, I strongly endorse SafeWork’s actions to bring about improvements.”

Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper said:

“NSW is home to roughly 850,000 small businesses which employ 1.7 million people or about 43 per cent of the state’s private sector workforce.”

“The NSW Labor Government is focused on delivering a safer workplace and to do this we must work hand-in-hand with businesses to ensure we are providing the right programs and advice to protect workers and businesses.”

“By addressing psychosocial risks, we are not only protecting the health of our workforce, we are protecting the businesses of NSW from lost participation and productivity.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

“The last few years have been particularly hard for people. Our workforce has been impacted by increased pressure from the cost-of-living, natural disasters, and COVID-19.”

“We know workers in industries such as emergency services, nursing, and law enforcement have been on the frontline and may be more at risk. Our strategy launching today aims to strengthen mental health support in the workplace. To help take care of people who take care of us.”

“Irrespective of the industry that you work in, everyone deserves to work in a respectful and psychologically safe workplace. It is imperative that our workplaces and employers are doing everything they can to prevent psychological harm in NSW workplaces.”

Acting Deputy Secretary SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said:

“Large businesses and government agencies at high-risk of psychological injuries can expect compliance checks from SafeWork NSW.”

“SafeWork NSW will issue improvement notices, prohibition notices or formal regulator warnings and may prosecute workplaces who repeatedly do not comply or where they have seriously breached WHS laws.”

“In addition to being an obligation under Work Health and Safety regulations, a psychologically healthy and safe workplace helps reduce business costs. These include costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism, where staff are away from work and where staff are attending work under stress or experiencing mental health issues. Presenteeism is estimated to have an annual cost of $1680 per employee.”   

As part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to improving regional road networks across Central West NSW, $116 million will be invested in the Coxs River Road Upgrade at Little Hartley, through the 2024-25 Federal Budget.

The $232 million project, jointly funded by the Federal and NSW Government, involves widening and realigning 2.4 kilometres of the Great Western Highway from east of Mid Hartley Road to east of Coxs River Road into two lanes in each direction, providing a safer and more efficient road.

It will also include a grade-separated interchange at Coxs River Road.

Construction, which is supporting at least 530 jobs, commenced in early 2023 and is expected to be completed by late 2025.

The funding is part of over $3.1 billion towards vital land transport infrastructure projects in NSW in the recent Federal Budget.

This includes over $2.5 billion to upgrade important road and rail infrastructure and support planning for future projects, as well as nearly $580 million to help ensure the delivery of existing projects.

The Government’s total infrastructure commitment to NSW over the next 10 years is $20.8 billion, including $17.7 billion in major road and rail projects and $3 billion for smaller projects through programs such as the Roads to Recovery and Black Spot programs.

Find out more about Federal Budget 2024-25 announcements

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King said:

“We are working to deliver significant infrastructure that connects communities, stimulates jobs and builds the future of our nation.

“The Coxs River Road upgrade will ensure people in the Central West will get home quicker and, most importantly, travel safer.

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering a better future for all Australians, made in Australia.”

Federal Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Kristy McBain said:

“Good road networks unlock economic opportunities in our regions, they make it easier for locals and tourists to get around, and they keep our freight vehicles moving efficiently.

“The Central West is a fast-growing part of NSW, which is why we continue to partner with the Minns Government to progress high-priority road safety projects across the state.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Albanese and Minns governments’ partnership to invest in this critical project for the Central West demonstrates our shared commitment to significantly improving regional roads.

“We understand the Great Western Highway is a busy and vital route for visitors to the region, locals, businesses and the freight industry, which is why we are getting on with the job of building a road network for the future.”

Households and businesses face more expensive and less reliable energy due to Labor’s inaction and mismanagement of our state’s energy transitions.
 
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change James Griffin said today’s Electricity Statement of Opportunities report from AEMO reinforces what is at stake if the Minns Labor Government doesn’t urgently get the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap back on track.
 
Mr Griffin also said that the Government’s shambolic handling of the Eraring power station extension is undermining confidence and slowing investment in the Roadmap.  
 
“Over a year ago Chris Minns’ Government called for a review of the Roadmap, and has been missing in action ever since. They haven’t finalised the energy planning guidelines, and as a result the energy industry and communities have been left in limbo,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“In addition, the Government’s own report warned that extending aging coal power stations risked private sector investment in renewable energy sources. This is a Government that announces reviews and then either ignores the findings or forgets that they even exist.”
 
“This Government has only itself to blame when it comes to energy reliability. Chris Minns needs to take responsibility for his Government’s failed energy policy and take urgent action to restore confidence, ensure the construction of transmission infrastructure and new sources of energy generation.”
 
“How much longer will industry and communities have to wait for the energy planning guidelines. These guidelines are meant to ensure communities benefit from renewable energy development and have more transparency and clarity about where and how development occurs. That’s what I am calling on the Government to urgently deliver.”
 
The NSW Opposition also called for the Minns Labor Government to urgently clarify the role of their state-owned energy corporation.
 
“In last year’s Budget the Government allocated $1 billion towards their back-of-the-envelope state-owned energy corporation. But we are still in the dark as to how it will function, the role it will play in delivering affordable, reliable and clean energy and how it will drive down household power bills,” Mr Griffin said.

“There are serious questions to be asked about how committed this government is to implementing the NSW Energy Roadmap and providing clean, cheap, reliable energy to NSW citizens, enough blaming everyone else, just get on with doing your job.”

Mark Speakman

Leader of the NSW Opposition

Introduction
 
I thank Dr Jodie Edwards for welcoming us to country, and I acknowledge the Dharawal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.
 
The NSW Police Force has faced a challenging 12 months.
 
We’ve seen an increase in crime in many parts of our state.
 
We’ve seen social cohesion degraded, fuelled by international events, and the rise of antisemitism – meaning Australians feel less safe in their schools, workplaces, places of worship, the streets, and even homes.
 
We’ve seen continued gang warfare.
 
We’ve seen the escalation of youth crime in our regions.
 
We’ve seen much publicised and debated cases of domestic and family violence.
 
We’ve seen major incidents that have tested our state’s resolve, and in particular, the NSW Police Force in ways we don’t often experience.
 
The Bondi Junction tragedy – where the actions of NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, who offered our community a brief glimpse of the heroism and professionalism exercised by our force day in and day out. Her actions ensured that many more lives weren’t lost – and will forever be remembered as shining example of the actions undertaken by the men and women of the NSW Police.
 
The Wakefield terrorism incident – where police and paramedics confronted unthinkable challenges while simply trying to do their work.
 
Regular protests about events in the Middle East.
 
Throughout all these incidents the NSW Police have carried themselves with distinction utmost professionalism.
 
I acknowledge your tireless work and dedication – the men and women of our force on the front line – confronting the horrors most of us only see or read about in the news.
 
Our entire state owes you a debt of gratitude.
 
These challenges require a timely and proportionate response from Government.
 
I’m pleased to lead a team that’s led the debate and put forward the ideas to ensure that you’re supported.
 
I want to make sure that you have the tools and powers you need to succeed in your jobs.
 
I lead a strong Coalition between the Liberals and Nationals – and I acknowledge my Parliamentary colleague Paul Toole, the Shadow Minister for Police and former Minister for Police.
 
In Government we delivered what remains record investment in real terms for Police – but I’m not here today to talk about our record.
 
I want to look at the constructive role the Opposition has played since the last election.
 
And our efforts to ensure that this Government builds on the many achievements of the Coalition in Government.
 
That’s the role of a good, strong Opposition.
 
Regional crime
 
Both the Liberals and Nationals are proud to represent the regions across our state.
 
We know that in the past 12 months we’ve seen an escalation of crime in the regions – in particular, youth crime.
 
When the Government initially refused to address the issue, we did. We never gave up calling for the next 6 months for an inquiry into regional and rural crime, backing in our communities, the Country Mayors Association and most importantly the calls from the Police Association. 
 
That’s why many of my colleagues wrote to the Premier, demanding action to address youth crime in the regions.
 
We’d seen and heard enough of the constant stories that were filling the front page of newspapers, how violent crimes were being committed with weapons like knives and machetes, how the offenders could be as young as 10. We knew that something had to be done.
 
We’ve launched a website where people can submit their stories. To date we’ve received nearly 250 submissions – each a story that shouldn’t be, and can’t be, tolerated in our state.
 
Knife crime
 
The NSW Opposition will support reforms to reduce knife crime and improve community safety.
 
That’s why we were the first to propose new wanding powers to be used by police anywhere at any time.
 
This backs in the call from the Police Association, along with the Retail Association, that these powers need to be broad.
 
I recently met with Brett and Belinda Beasley, the parents of Jack Beasley – who supported the need for these laws to be introduced as quickly as possible, and for them to be wide ranging as possible.
 
I know that people right across our community will support these actions – because at the end of the day people want our streets safe. They want these knives and weapons off our streets. Just like random breath testing reduced drink driving and so the road toll, random wanding can reduce the carrying of knives and therefore knife crime.
 
We welcome the first step taken by the Government, but we’re disappointed that the proposed laws don’t go further as we have called for. We’ll be pursuing this further, to back in our police and keep our communities safe.
 
The NSW Opposition will seek to have these new laws reviewed in the future to determine if they’re sufficient and strong enough to keep our streets safe.
 
Bail reform
 
Like Jack’s Law, the Opposition has also led on the need for commonsense bail reform here in NSW.
 
We know that the Government’s response to violence against women and children needs to be holistic and far broader than just bail reform, but bail reform now is an important start – and the time to act is now.
 
Reform is needed to keep the most serious of domestic and family violence offenders off our streets – or under strict electronic monitoring.
 
We know electronic monitoring works. In 2016 we started the Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Program for convicted offenders on parole or intensive corrections orders. After we left government, last year BOCSAR published its analysis of around 1,000 offenders and found that electronic monitoring was associated with a 33% reduction in domestic violence reoffending. It now makes sense to extend it to bail – and it’s critical that we act now.
 
So earlier this month the NSW Opposition introduced into Parliament our Bail Amendment (Serious Personal Violence and Electronic Monitoring) Bill 2024, to strengthen bail laws in NSW. It proposes electronic monitoring for those on bail charged with serious domestic violence offences, a stay of the grant of bail for those on bail charged with serious domestic violence offences and magistrates not registrars dealing with bail for serious personal violence changes.
 
We’re pleased that the Government’s subsequent announcement on bail reform picks up those ideas. We’re happy to have our homework copied. However we’re disappointed that the Government didn’t support our efforts last week to suspend the business of Parliament to work constructively with it to pass their new bail laws.
 
We sincerely hope that consideration of these new laws are the top priority when Parliament resumes next month.
 
We know that too much of your time is taken up responding to cases of domestic and family violence.
 
The Opposition stands ready to work constructively to get these new laws passed – both in response to knife crime and domestic violence.
 
It’s what people expect of their Parliament – and it’s the least we can do to ensure you have the tools and powers to do your job.
 
Conclusion
 
To conclude, I can say with confidence that my team backs the Police 100%.
 
We value the important job you do.
 
We’re here to work with you.
 
And we’re here to ensure you can do the job to the best of your ability.
 
In politics we often talk about priorities.
 
The first priority of the Liberals and Nationals will always be to keep our citizens safe.
 
And you’re on the front line in that objective. We know this. And we’ll continue to support the NSW Police, every day.
 
Thank you again.

Motorists in some of the most car-reliant parts of NSW, including western Sydney and the Central Coast, are benefiting most from the first year of the NSW Government’s demerit point return trial that rewards safe driving.

Data broken down by local government area (LGA) shows the Central Coast was the single biggest beneficiary, with 54,971 drivers having a demerit point removed from their licence.

Overall, more than 1.2 million drivers qualified for the demerit point reward for maintaining a spotless record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024.

Five of the top 10 LGAs were in Sydney’s west where workers and families rely heavily on their cars compared to other parts of the city served by established public transport alternatives.

The LGAs of Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Liverpool, Parramatta, The Hills, Penrith and Fairfield, have received a total of 290,287 demerit points wiped.

Western Sydney has a disproportionately higher number of people who rely on a driver’s licence for their livelihood, including taxi, rideshare and delivery drivers.

LGA	Number of drivers who received a demerit point wiped
Central Coast	54971
Blacktown	52511
Canterbury-Bankstown	49258
Northern Beaches	46529
Sutherland	36460
Cumberland	35539
Liverpool	35233
Lake Macquarie	33815
Wollongong	31937
The Hills	31526

Northern Beaches motorists have qualified for 46,529 points back, while Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Sutherland each have more than 30,000 motorists rewarded.

Outside the larger centres, the demerit trial has been just as enthusiastically embraced, with almost 1400 people getting the reward in Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina and Broken Hill combined.

The demerit return trial has been extended for a second year as the NSW Government continues to sharpen its focus on road safety in 2024 amid a rising road toll across Australia. Other measures include:

• removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• the introduction of seatbelt enforcement by existing mobile phone detection cameras from July 1
• doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same
• hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts.

The NSW Government draws on industry innovation to improve road safety, including world-first mobile phone detection cameras that from 1 July will begin enforcing the use of seatbelts.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The reward of a demerit point removed is most valuable in areas where people depend on their car to get to work and to get their families around like in western Sydney, the Central Coast and our regional areas.

“If you drive for a living then the reward for safe driving could be the difference between ongoing employment and losing your livelihood.

“People are used to the stick of enforcement and double demerits but this is the carrot of reward for good behaviour.

“Every demerit point wiped from a licence under this trial is the result of a full 12 months of safe driving by a motorist on NSW roads.

“This is what we need at a time when fatalities on our roads have been rising just as they are in all other states and territories.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Many people in regional NSW depend on driving for their livelihood or just to get around and often do not have public transport options at all.

“The reward of a demerit point being removed will be meaningful to those people.

“This trial is unapologetically about encouraging safer driving and that’s exactly what we need in the regions where we have a third of the state’s population but more than two-thirds of all road fatalities.

“It’s good to see thousands of drivers from Albury to the Tweed, to Broken Hill and everywhere in between is being rewarded for their safe driving.”

The NSW Government will host a social media summit to address the increasing harm online platforms are having on children and young people.

Scheduled for October 2024, the summit will bring together senior officials, policy makers, academics, as well as representatives from other jurisdictions, leading social media platforms and digital technologies.

The summit will aim to examine the latest evidence and develop a response to growing community concern about the mental health impacts of social media, especially for young kids.

The NSW Government recognises that social media platforms provide benefits through increased access to social connection, however there is also a significant body of evidence detailing negative impacts on young people.

A study found that adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety._¹

Young people also have significant safety concerns in the online environment relating to contact from unknown people, privacy issues, cyberbullying, and security:

• 31% of 16 to 19-year-old Australians report being victims of image-based sexual abuse²
• Around 66% of young Australians expect to encounter privacy or security issues³ and 
• 85% think it’s likely they will have negative interactions with strangers.⁴ 

The summit will provide an opportunity for the NSW Government to hear from a wide range of experts and importantly, from young people to understand what can be done to support safety and wellbeing.

NSW community members will be invited to add their voice to the conversation on social media through the Have Your Say platform in the lead up to the summit.

The NSW Government will collectively use the findings to inform any regulatory and legislative changes.

The summit is one of many measures the NSW Government is putting in place to minimise the negative impacts of social media and devices on young people including:

• A mobile phone ban in all NSW public schools implemented in October 2023
• A $2.5 million research fund to investigate the impacts of excessive screen time, video games and mobile phone use on young people and their learning
• Recruiting 250 additional school counsellors as part of the NSW Labor Government’s election commitment to student wellbeing
• A review into evidenced-based practice and school policy which can address school student’s online behaviour, led by NSW Chief Behaviour Advisor Professor Donna Cross.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I know the biggest issue facing parents is kids access and exposure to devices and social media – it’s certainly a conversation happening in my own household.

“I hear from parents all the time – they are worried about their kids seeing something they can’t unsee, online bullying, online predators, and the general increase in anxiety about what other friends say, do and show on their on social media.

“I’m convinced we need more conversations and solutions for parents, schools and communities about how to manage this. This summit will bring together experts and parents alike to talk about what more we can do to protect the wellbeing of our children.”

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

“Young people are accessing social media earlier and earlier, which is why it is vital we facilitate a discussion about what is the best path forward.

“Many families are concerned about the impact social media has on their children – whether that be on their schooling, or their mental health.

“Banning mobile phones in public schools has been a positive start for NSW and it’s important we also look at the broader impact of social media.”

Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:

“It’s critical that young people are part of shaping the social media conversation in NSW – from what they love about it, to what isn’t working.

“We know young people are prolific on social media – these channels are important to platform ideas and build communities. In turn, issues such as body image, increased anxiety and bullying are common themes young people are exposed to.

“There is substantial evidence that social media harms young people’s mental health and safety. It is our job to step up to help protect young people. We will collaborate with the next generation to help strike a better balance and to ensure the views of young people are included in these important reforms.”

References:

1. Riehm, K, Feder, K and Tormohlen, K 2019, ‘Associations between time spent using social media and internalizing and externalizing problems among US youth‘, JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 76, no. 12, pp.1217-1319.
2. Australian Institute of Criminology 2019, ‘Image-based sexual abuse: Victims and perpetrators‘, Trends & issues in criminal justice, No. 572 March 2019.
3. Moody, L, Marsden, L, Nguyen, B & Third, A 2021, ‘Consultations with young people to inform the eSafety Commissioner’s Engagement Strategy for Young People‘, Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University: Sydney.
4. Ibid

More than 670 vulnerable children were supported in safe homes following the NSW Government’s drive to increase the number of emergency foster carers across the state.

Emergency foster carers provide a safe environment for a child or sibling group at short notice and mean fewer children end up in hotels and motels.

Many emergency foster carers go on to become long term carers for children who cannot live safely with their own families.

The Liberal National government stopped recruiting foster carers 10 years ago, increasingly relying on non-government organisations to place children with foster families.

Since then, thousands of children have been placed in high-cost emergency arrangements (HCEAs), including hotels, motels and caravan parks because foster care placements could not be found.

The NSW Labor Government is determined to reduce the number of children going into these arrangements.

HCEAs, first introduced under the former government, can cost upwards of $2 million a year for each child, costing taxpayers more than $38,000 a week.

Over the past 12 months, the government has been taking urgent action to address the issue through targeted foster care recruitment campaigns.

This has resulted in the recruitment of 189 emergency foster care households, with another 145 carer households going through the eligibility process.

Already, this has seen 674 children placed in stable, loving homes instead of HCEAs, like hotels, motels and caravan parks.

Additionally, the NSW Labor government established an urgent review of the foster care system following a damning report that details the first-hand experiences of the state’s most vulnerable young people in HCEAs. It is expected to report back by the end of the year.

Get more information about becoming an emergency foster carer by emailing DCJ at fosteringwithdcj@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

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

“I’m grateful to everyone who’s responded to our campaign by becoming emergency foster carers and changing children’s lives.

“I encourage people who want to help vulnerable children to become a foster carer – the lifelong impact is immeasurable.

“Foster carers can come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. They can be single or partnered, young or old, in or out of the workforce.

“As an emergency foster carer, you can look after a child in need for a couple of days, a couple of weeks or a couple of months.

“It’s so important that the community knows that there are options when it comes to foster caring and that they can be part of the solution by providing stable, loving homes to vulnerable kids.”

The NSW Labor Government has delivered a wages offer to recruit, reward and retain essential workers, with a 10.5% increase that outpaces forecast inflation, along with a cost-of-living supplement.

More than 400,000 employees would benefit from the offer to public sector workers.

It includes:

• a 10.5% pay increase over 3 years (inclusive of superannuation)
• annual $1000 ‘cost-of-living’ protection payment if inflation exceeds 4.5% in that year
• a collaborative approach to bargaining, which includes negotiating productivity gains, and the right to have the independent umpire assess and determine union and department claims.

This landmark proposal meets or is higher than public sector wage offers currently available in other states, and gives certainty to public sector workers and their families across NSW for the first time in more than a decade.

It was budgeted for in 2023 as part of the Essential Services Fund.

It is the next major step in upholding Labor’s election promise to fairly pay essential workers, including hospital staff, school staff and all other public sector employees.

This consistent approach to baseline wage increases, across the sector, will allow negotiations between Government agencies and unions to focus on identifying productivity reforms and offsets in exchange for further pay increases. This will further strengthen services for the people of NSW.

Crucially, unions and agencies can now sit down to find these mutually-agreed improvements during the life of an agreement – something unavailable under the former government.

The NSW Labor Government has now delivered on its election mandate to scrap the unfair wages cap, to build a new bargaining stream for genuine negotiation with frontline workers, and to provide recourse to an independent Industrial Relations Commission.

The offer delivers wages growth that would beat projected increases in the cost-of-living over the next 3 financial years, as measured by the Sydney Consumer Price Index.

The cost-of-living payment is unavailable to senior executives – whose salaries, along with those of members of parliament, remain frozen.

The offer includes a 0.5% structural adjustment pay rise that is not available to those who have recently entered into work value agreements.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is about giving certainty for hard working families across NSW, with a 3-year offer to see pay and conditions improve.

“It creates a new, fair framework that can deliver a better outcome for everyone.”

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“We said we would scrap the wages cap – and we did. We promised to deliver certainty – and we have.

“After 12 years of neglect – of no industrial relations reforms and no award reforms – we are now fixing the system.

“The work of rebuilding essential services is now well underway.

“This baseline offer, lays the foundation for a fairer system for workers and their families in NSW.”

Aboriginal communities in regional and remote NSW will soon have better access to government services and transactions, such as driver licence and vehicle registration renewals, Seniors Card applications, and driver testing, with a dedicated Service NSW Mobile Service Centre.

The “Kangaroo Bus” is expected to hit the road in mid-June 2024 and will visit more than 40 locations as part of a regular 10-week loop, visiting 10 more communities than previous Mobile Service Centre routes.

Communities that will get a vist from the Kangaroo Mobile Service Centre are typically 30 minutes or more away from the nearest Service NSW Centre, with the new Mobile Service Centre helping people save time and money.

The full suite of 1300 NSW Government transactions and services will be available on the spot, whether it is vehicle and driving transactions, applying for a Working with Children Check, or accessing support for cost-of living initiatives.

Revenue NSW Aboriginal Outreach officers and the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages community engagement team will also be available at certain locations to provide further assistance to customers.

A Business Concierge from the Service NSW Business Bureau will also be available to provide personalised guidance on how to start and grow a business, as well as navigate relevant business regulations and licence applications. Customers can also get connected with an independent Aboriginal business advisor for free one-on-one coaching and advice on topics including business planning, selling to government, marketing and cash flow.

More information on the new Mobile Service Centre route including schedule and community locations is available on the Service NSW website.

Appointments can be made for driver testing, Business Concierge and cost of living support by calling 13 77 88.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“We are committed to ensuring all customers, from every corner of the State, can access the same high-quality service no matter where they live.”

“This dedicated Mobile Service Centre will make it easier for communities to access critical services, like driver licence renewals or getting a birth certificate, saving them time and money if they don’t live near a Service NSW Centre.”

“Service NSW already has Mobile Service Centres visiting rural and regional areas, and now the dedicated Kangaroo Bus makes government services and transactions even more accessible.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Kangaroo Bus seeks to make government services and transactions that bit more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote parts of NSW, who might not live near a Service NSW Centre.”

“The Kangaroo Bus is a great initiative that will provide additional support for government transactions like licence and registration renewals, as well as guidance to access cost of living or business support.”

“This bus is helping overcome the tyranny of distance, making sure more people can be reached with important government service delivery and support.”