Category: NSW News

Patients across Sydney are set to benefit from a clinical trial that will mobilise potentially life-saving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment for those in cardiac arrest.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – or ECMO – is a form of heart and lung bypass which provides blood flow and oxygen to the brain, heart and other vital organs.

This allows time to identify and treat the cause of the cardiac arrest.

Until now however, the treatment has only been available within the hospital setting.

Today, the NSW Government is announcing a new innovative clinical trial which will go a step further, making a cardiac bypass machine mobile.

The staffing model of this trial is a world-first, with critical care paramedics working alongside specialist pre-hospital critical care doctors in a dedicated vehicle to treat cardiac arrest patients.

Taking ECMO to the patient can increase their rate of survival and a good neurological outcome by getting them onto the treatment earlier.

For ECMO to be effective, patients must be placed onto the machine within an hour of their cardiac arrest.

Mobilising ECMO has the potential to increase the survival rate of some patients in cardiac arrest from less than 5% to around 30%.

NSW Ambulance has a dedicated clinician working within the control centre who identifies cardiac arrest patients who are suitable for ECMO and notifies the team immediately.

To be placed on ECMO, a patient must be eligible according to specific criteria set up as part of this trial.

The trial is now underway, with 1 vehicle currently operating 2 days per week.

Westmead Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney are participating in the trial by receiving patients that have been put on ECMO by NSW Ambulance.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We are embracing innovative, new and effective methods to improve health outcomes.

“Where possible, we want to be able to provide care where and when a patient needs it.

“In instances of cardiac arrest – time is particularly of the essence.

“This world leading initiative can save time to treatment and has the potential to save lives.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“I’m thrilled that this exciting and promising trial is being launched in our community, and that Westmead will be a participating hospital.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said:

“Our doctors and paramedics are well-equipped to respond to cardiac arrests within the community, with all of our ambulances fitted out with vital equipment including mechanical chest compression devices and medications.

“This trial will go a step further, taking a cardiac bypass machine out on the road for the first time in NSW.”

The NSW Government is getting behind the ICC Cricket World Cup by announcing special event extended trading hours for venues which screen the finals.

Hotels and registered clubs across NSW will be able to remain open until 4am in the morning instead of the usual closing time for the semi-finals and final of the ICC Cricket World Cup on tonight 15 November, tomorrow 16 November and Sunday 19 November, if they provide a live broadcast for cricket fans.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said major global events like the ICC Cricket World Cup are moments for communities to come together and can provide a much-needed boost for venues across the state.

“The NSW Government is committed to creating additional opportunities for hospitality venues during special events like this,” Mr Harris said.

“There’s nothing like cheering on the Aussie cricket team and I encourage all members of the community to get down and enjoy the excellent atmosphere and food and beverage offerings at their local pub or club.

“These extended trading hours will help bolster the state’s night-time economy and facilitate a great experience for fans.”

Special event extended trading hours are made available under the Liquor Act 2007 for events that are of “regional, state or national significance.”

Extended trading does not apply to takeaway alcohol trading times and individual trading restrictions and other special conditions on a venue’s liquor licence remain in force.

For more information on extended trading, please visit Liquor and Gaminglaunch.

Western Sydney students spent 2 days developing campaigns to address key health issues and presenting them to industry leaders, as part of a 2 day Health Hackathon event at Westmead Hospital.

The Health Hackathon is designed to engage western Sydney’s young people to build skills and career opportunities, while focusing on improving population health.

Over 50 students from 7 local high schools participated in the event, including Chifley College Mount Druitt Campus, Colyton, Erskine Park, Model Farms, Patrician Brothers Blacktown, Penola Catholic College and Windsor High Schools.

Western Sydney Local Health District’s (WSLHD) Prevention Education and Research Unit (PERU), in collaboration with NSW Health, the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program and the NSW Department of Education, co-facilitated the Health Hackathon at Westmead Hospitallaunch on Monday 13 November and Tuesday 14 November.

Established in 1995, PERU delivers innovative community and school-based prevention and health leadership programs, while working with western Sydney schools, universities and other organisations.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said: 

“I am delighted to see the enthusiasm of the school students participating in the program.

“The Health Hackathon gives young people in western Sydney an opportunity to talk about the health issues they are passionate about and how they can make a difference.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“This event at Westmead Hospital is a great example of the relationship between Western Sydney Local Health District and local schools.

“It’s fantastic to see our healthcare staff engaging with the next generation to advocate for health and wellbeing.

“The program engages high school students to develop ideas to improve health outcomes.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“I want to thank our dedicated staff in western Sydney, who not only work hard in clinical spaces, but also support education programs like the Health Hackathon for Western Sydney communities.

“I am so proud this amazing event is happening right here in our community.”

PERU Director, Professor Smita Shah OAM said:

“PERU prioritises evidence-based prevention programs and interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of young people in WSLHD.

“The Health Hackathon is a crucial step in preparing young minds to tackle future health challenges.”

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Related ministerial media releases

Ministerial media release26 October 2023

$500,000 investment boosts engineering training at TAFE NSW Griffith

The Riverina’s welding and metal fabrication sector has received a boost with the completion of the $500,000 upgrades to training facilities at TAFE NSW Griffith.Ministerial media release18 October 2023

New program taps local talent to ease teacher shortages in high-demand parts of NSW

Local residents in Western and South Western Sydney, Dubbo, Queanbeyan, and the Murray region will be encouraged to take up secondary careers in teaching under a new program targeting areas with high demand for teachers.Ministerial media release15 September 2023

Investment in historic regional school building program

The Minns Labor Government will invest more than $1.4 billion over four years to deliver a massive pipeline of new and upgraded schools for regional NSW.

Related information

• Health Hackathonlauncheast
• Western Sydney Local Health Districtlauncheast

The NSW Government is providing support to Port Stephens oyster farmers impacted by the ‘Queensland Unknown’ (QX) disease, with a $240,000 fee waiver.

In recognition of the cost to the local oyster industry the NSW Government will waive the Fisheries and Food Authority State Levy Fees for 2023 to 2024 for all Port Stephens Oyster farmers.

This announcement follows the detection of QX in Sydney Rock Oysters from Port Stephens in August 2021. While not dangerous to humans, QX disease is deadly for oysters. 

The Port Stephens oyster industry was the second largest oyster producing estuary in NSW, valued at more than $11 million. This fee waiver is intended to provide some relief to the local industry as they navigate how to mitigate the impacts of this disease.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has been working with the Port Stephens oyster industry to support them, including disease surveillance and breeding Sydney Rock Oysters for QX disease survival, as part of the Sydney Rock Oyster Breeding Program (SRO BP).

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“I have met with oyster farmers up in Port Stephens and have heard firsthand how devastating QX disease has been for the local industry and the wider community.

“The fee waiver means that everyone will be able to receive some relief, regardless of the size of their production history or income.

“Oysters from Port Stephens remain safe to consume, so I would encourage everyone to support your local oyster farmers this summer by indulging in some delicious oysters.” 

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

“Port Stephens has a long and proud history of oyster farming, spanning across multiple generations, but the last few years have been really tough.

“I thank Minister Moriarty for hearing firsthand from our local oyster farmers and responding with much-needed, practical relief.

“I’m hopeful that the fee waiver will help some of our struggling oyster farmers stay afloat and continue to produce the local oysters we all love.”

Get more information about QX oyster diseaselaunch.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman is calling on Chris Minns to stand up to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to ensure that NSW doesn’t lose funding for essential infrastructure projects.
 
“The Albanese Labor Government promised a 90-day infrastructure review – and we’re still awaiting the outcome some 200 days later. What’s clear is that Federal Labor are lining NSW up for cuts to infrastructure projects and Chris Minns hasn’t done enough to safeguard our state,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“Federal Labor has announced that states will now have to pay for half of new regional road and rail infrastructure projects, an increase from 20% to 50%, adding additional strain to the State Budget and putting at risk the viability of future projects.”
 
“When Labor announced their infrastructure review, we called on Chris Minns to pick up the phone to Anthony Albanese and fight to protect NSW projects. Now it appears that Canberra will send money to Victoria to build their ill-conceived Suburban Rail Loop and projects including the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow will be put at risk.”
 
Labor’s changes to infrastructure funding will see increased congestion and less safe roads, with regional NSW to be hit the hardest. Without this higher level of funding, many regional road projects would never have been approved.
 
These road projects are not only vital for improving the safety of regional roads, but essential if we are to improve national productivity in freight and logistics supply chains.
 
“We need a Premier who will stand up to Canberra on issues like immigration and infrastructure. It’s time Chris Minns’ actions matched his rhetoric and he worked with his Labor mates in Canberra to protect NSW projects. The NSW Opposition will continue to stand up for regional NSW and the many communities who are at risk as a result of Labor’s poor decisions,” Mr Speakman concluded.

The NSW Government is rolling out new initiatives and technology to help give passengers a more user-friendly experience at train stations across Greater Sydney.

Following the initial Rail Review in Maylaunch, Sydney Trains has accelerated a 5-point plan to ensure passengers have simple, real-time information to help them travel on the rail network.

The plan includes:

• Launching Geotargeted Broadcast SMS alerts during significant network incidents, providing real-time updates via text messages to a large number of nearby people, similar to localised text messages used by NSW Police.
• New smart screens at key locations to help passengers connect across all public transport services.
• More customer experience team members deployed to help passengers when and where they need it most.
• Better informed frontline staff by streamlining information from the Rail Operations Centre, ensuring station and train announcements are faster, more accurate and in real-time.
• An awareness campaign to help passengers understand the lesser-known journey planning tools available to them on the Opal Travel App.

The Geotargeted Broadcast SMS platform will be used by Transport for NSW for the first time to send alerts about an incident or service disruption to hundreds of thousands of nearby passengers and others in the area.

More than 45 new smart screens are being rolled out at 21 busy transport hubs including Central, Circular Quay, Strathfield, Lidcombe and Blacktown thanks to an initial $5 million investment. The digital screens display live information for all modes of nearby transport, providing greater connectivity and alternative options.

In addition to improved technology, additional face-to-face support will be available when it’s needed most, with new Customer Experience Team Members recruited to assist during major events and disruption.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“We’re acting on another key recommendation from the initial Sydney Trains Review.

“By staying on top of the maintenance backlog, we’ll reduce the number of potential rail disruption on our network. But no matter how well maintained our railway is, disruptions will still occur from time to time, so we’re working hard to make life a bit easier for passengers when those issues arise.

“When there’s rail disruption, we know one of the most frustrating things for commuters is not having information on-hand to help them make decisions about the best alternative, or when services will be back up and running.

“For the first time ever in NSW, we’ll be able to text up to thousands of phones at once, providing instant access to vital information relating to transport network disruptions.

“Passengers deserve the best possible journeys, and improving the way we communicate with them is a big part of that. We want people to be able to get where they need to go in the most efficient and informed way.

“Not only are we embracing new technology including real-time data, we’re also bringing on more of our wonderful frontline staff to assist passengers during times of disruption.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“Upgrading stations with modern technology such as multi-modal smart screens is an important step to help passengers feel more confident with their travel plans and connect with other modes of transport.

“Training frontline staff to provide accurate, real-time customer communications during times of disruption will support our passengers when they need it most.

“Our staff are the cornerstone of our rail network. By equipping them with the necessary tools, we can ensure passengers are kept informed and have a seamless travel experience.”

The 2024 Australians of the Year for NSW have been announced at a ceremony at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) last night, with the NSW Premier commending the recipients for extraordinary contributions to our state. 

Premier Chris Minns congratulated melanoma treatment pioneers, Professors Richard Scolyer AO and Georgina Long AO, the 2024 NSW Australians of the Year; and NSW’s 3 other inspirational recipients in the categories of NSW Senior Australian; Young Australian; and Local Hero. 
 
The NSW finalists represent the very best of our state – their efforts have saved lives, supported families and vulnerable groups, and contributed to providing medical research which has played an essential part in providing world-class healthcare to NSW residents. 
 
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
 
“These finalists represent the very best of what it means to be Australian. They are inspiring individuals who are devoted to helping others. Their pursuit of excellence is helping to transform NSW for the better – leading to big changes in medicine, science and community wellbeing. 
 
“Behind every nomination is a legacy of service by one person, and an expression of gratitude by another. That so many people have taken the time to nominate their fellow citizens reflects the passion, civic spirit, and gratitude of the people of NSW.
 
“The Australian of the Year Awards isn’t only about recognition – winning an award opens a new and exciting chapter for our recipients.  
 
“Award recipients will receive a platform to lead some of our most important conversations facing our communities. As well as being a great honour, this is their chance to take their message to a wider audience. 
 
“On behalf of the people of NSW, I offer my sincerest congratulations to all the finalists and to the 4 category recipients. I applaud your efforts at making our state stronger, healthier and more inclusive.”
 
The 2024 NSW Australians of the Year
 
The NSW Australians of the Year are melanoma treatment pioneers, Professor Richard Scolyer AO and Professor Georgina Long AO. Less than a decade ago, advanced melanoma was fatal – but thanks to Richard and Georgina’s immunotherapy approach, which activates a patient’s own immune system, it has become a curable disease. The co-medical directors of Melanoma Institute Australia are sought-after media commentators and advocates for sun-safe behaviour and melanoma prevention. In June, when Richard, 56, was diagnosed with incurable grade-4 brain cancer, he and Georgina, 52, developed a series of world-first treatments based on their melanoma breakthroughs. Richard became the world’s first brain cancer patient to have pre-surgery combination immunotherapy. By undertaking an experimental treatment with risk of shortening his life, he has advanced the understanding of brain cancer and is benefiting future patients.
 
Aged 79, the NSW Senior Australian of the Year, John Ward, has devoted his life to providing outstanding medical care for disadvantaged people and ageing Australians – often at personal cost and with little recognition. As Director of the Prison Medical Service, he provided care to inmates – despite few resources – and advocated for prison reform to protect this vulnerable group. Focusing on geriatric medicine and aged care since the mid-1980s, he advocates for older Australians and the importance of social determinants of health such as social connection, exercise and accessible environments. His integrated, collaborative approach to dementia care for patients and their carers has made the NSW Hunter region a leader in this field. John also co-founded the Hunter Ageing Alliance, which calls for governments, businesses and organisations to better focus on older people’s needs. The organisation has 8 programs in planning or implementation stage to create age-friendly communities, tackle elder abuse and end social isolation of older people.
 
Researcher and founder of Bheem Health, Nikhil Autar is the NSW Young Australian of the Year. Diagnosed with leukaemia at 17, Nikhil has undergone chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, open-heart surgery and survives a life-threatening chronic illness. As a cancer survivor who understands the importance of access for people with disability, Nikhil created Knia Maps – ‘Know In Advance Maps’ – which has plotted accessibility at major Sydney hospitals, universities, public venues and transport, plus hundreds of small businesses. Nikhil, now 30, also founded Bheem Health, a social enterprise that provides low-cost medical devices for sick and vulnerable people. His first device, BheemUP, allows any bed to convert into a hospital bed. He’s now developing BheemSense, the world’s first sensor mat that tracks sleep phases and helps minimise pressure sores. The medical student has raised almost $500,000 in grant funding and conducted cancer research. A blogger, disability advocate and motivational speaker, Nikhil’s diverse and inclusive hiring practices have given migrants, people with disabilities and student engineers their first jobs.
 
Angus Olsen, childhood cancer illustrator and author is the NSW Local Hero. Angus’s daughter, Jane, was 2 when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. While he sat at Jane’s bedside during her weeks of chemotherapy and surgery, Angus began drawing about her procedures to make sense of it. The former Disney artist now creates artworks and books in simple language to help children better understand their cancer treatment. He’s produced more than 20 books, which have been translated into 24 languages. His books and artworks have been accessed by people in 102 countries. In 2020, Angus also made a series of comics that illustrated the similarities between lockdown and what children with cancer face all the time. Angus has teamed with several charities to create resources and raise funds for childhood cancer research. The 44-year-old makes no profit from his illustrations. Every one of his images can be accessed free from his website, I Draw Childhood Cancerlaunch, and social media pages.
 
NSW’s recipients will join those from other states and territories for the national awards ceremony in Canberra on Thursday, 25 January 2024. 
 
Get more information on the Australian of the Year Awardslaunch website.

Three Aboriginal community-owned businesses have been selected to participate in the Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program, led by the NSW Government, which will support selected participants to build their new businesses in the commercial fisheries sector.

Selected participants and businesses include:

• a commercial fishing enterprise to be developed with the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation on the North Coast
• a Walbunja Aboriginal Fishing Cooperative to be developed with Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation on the South Coast
• a recirculated aquaculture and aquaponics enterprise to be developed with the Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation in the Upper Hunter region.

A state-wide expression of interest process saw 16 Aboriginal-community owned fisheries business proposals from across NSW apply for participation in the Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program. 

The program is run by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Department of Regional NSW, together with key program partners including the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.

It aims to support the development of new, economically viable commercial fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing or tourism related businesses that are owned and managed by Aboriginal community organisations/entities or Aboriginal community owned and run businesses in NSW.

The 3 successful applicants will now join the program partners and be mentored and supported to progress through the program to build their feasibility assessments, business proposal and business case.

This collaborative program will also be used to develop case studies that could easily be replicated across the state and other jurisdictions to develop other successful Aboriginal community owned and operated fisheries businesses in other areas.

Get more information on the Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Programlaunch.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said:

“Once the 3 business plans and business cases are developed, the program partners will work to leverage investment in the 3 new businesses across both the public and private sector.  

“The program is part of the NSW Government’s response to the Closing the Gap national targets, aiming to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests in the sea.

“Aboriginal communities maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with their land and waters, and we continue to work towards increasing their participation in commercial fisheries businesses so that economic and social benefits flow back to their communities.

“Successful applicants needed to be an Aboriginal community-owned entity or business and were required to explain how the social and economic benefits of their proposed business would flow back to their communities.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“Closing the Gap is a top priority for the NSW Government.

“We acknowledge that to close the gap, Aboriginal people must determine, drive, and own the desired outcomes, alongside government.

“More than ever, Aboriginal people are seeking to achieve economic independence through business creation.

“This great initiative will see a new wave of Aboriginal businesses springing up on our coastline.”

A new law that prohibits vilification on the grounds of religious belief, affiliation or activity comes into effect today.

The Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Vilification) Act 2023 amends the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 to make it unlawful to, by a public act, incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or group of persons, because of their religious belief, affiliation or activity.

A ‘public act’ includes any form of public communication or conduct, verbal and non-verbal.

The amendments in the Act are modelled on existing provisions that make vilification unlawful on the grounds of race, homosexuality, transgender status and HIV/AIDS status.

The new law will also protect people who do not hold a religious belief or affiliation, or who do not engage in religious activity.

A complaint of religious vilification may be made to Anti-Discrimination NSW, which will seek to resolve it by conciliation.

In certain circumstances, a complaint may also be referred to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for determination. This would allow the President of the Anti-Discrimination Board to accept, investigate and attempt to conciliate complaints, as well as refer the complaint to NCAT for determination. If a complaint is substantiated, NCAT may make a range of orders, including for an apology or for damages of up to $100,000.

The Government consulted closely on the proposed amendments with a broad range of stakeholder groups, including religious faith and religious advocacy organisations and community advocacy organisations, legal stakeholders and NSW Government agencies.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The NSW Government supports a peaceful, multicultural society in NSW.

“There cannot be room for hatred which sows the seeds of mistrust and intolerance. We cannot tolerate religious vilification. This would threaten the thriving, tolerant, multi-religious and multi-ethnic heart of NSW.

“We must all champion community harmony and togetherness, and choose peace and solidarity over hatred and division.

“The commencement of these amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act fulfils an important election promise.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“No one, and no group of people, should have to encounter hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule because of their religious belief, affiliation or activity.

“The make-up of our society has changed since the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 became law and we have enacted legislation that reflects and protects our modern society.

“We welcome people to NSW from all over the world. The harmony we enjoy and for which we have worked so hard is worth protecting. These amendments support our deep commitment to a strong and cohesive NSW.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The message is simple. Those who would vilify others because of their religion should know that it is unacceptable.

“This much-needed legislation will provide our faith communities with similar protections provided to members of diverse and multicultural communities.

“NSW is the most successful multicultural and multifaith state in the world. We are united by our respect for each other and our commitment to tolerance and understanding.”

The NSW Government has expedited the delivery process for the NSW Border Wild Dog Fence, with ‘boots on the ground’ expected before the end of the year.

The project will provide a 32 kilometre extension to the NSW Border Wild Dog Fence, closing the existing gap with the South Australian dog fence.

Following announcement of this project in 2019, the former Coalition Government repeatedly failed to deliver this vital infrastructure.

The NSW Government has allocated budget for the delivery of this fence and with additional resources being made available to expedite the administrative process, ensuring that construction will commence this year.

The dog fence is an important tool in the fight against wild dogs, other pest animals and biosecurity threats facing producers and local communities in Western NSW.

This action is the latest in the NSW Government’s commitment to biosecurity, which has included the establishment of the state’s first Biosecurity Commissioner and $13 million in funding to combat feral pigs.

Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting our agricultural sector in Western NSW and championing biosecurity.

“We know the threat wild dogs pose to agricultural and native livestock, which is why we have taken urgent action to ensure this vital project is delivered.

“After four years of mismanagement by the Nationals and former Government, the Minns NSW Government is committed to getting this fence done.”