Category: NSW News

A police officer who dedicates her time to mentoring young Indigenous women has been awarded the 2018 Gold Commissioner’s Perpetual Award for the Advancement of Women in Policing.

Senior constable Shari Gibbs from the Central North Police District not only took out the top prize but was also the winner of the “Mentor Award”.

Senior constable Gibbs has dedicated her time to strengthening relationships within the local community and mentoring young Indigenous women in the Goodooga area. She actively encourages young girls to reach their full potential, sharing with them how she fulfilled her dream of becoming a police officer.

The Perpetual Awards were established in 2006 to acknowledge and showcase the efforts and achievements of women in policing.

Fifty-five nominations were received this year in six award categories according to their roles and expertise.

The awards were presented by Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys APM at the Curtis Cheng Centre in Parramatta today (Friday 16 November 2018).

Over 80 police officers, civilian employees, and their families attended the awards ceremony.

There were 13 award and highly commended certificate recipients, as well as the overall Silver and Gold Perpetual Award winners.

Deputy Commissioner Worboys also presented the Silver Award to Detective Sergeant Claudia Allcroft for her outstanding leadership and dedication to her work.

Detective Allcroft was also the winner of the “Role Model” category.

Deputy Commissioner Worboys praised all the nominees for their commitment to their community and ongoing dedication to their work.

“These awards are a testament to the outstanding contributions of many police officers and administrative employees, which often go above and beyond their core duties,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM said today’s awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication of female officers throughout the NSW Police Force.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to those whose efforts were recognised today – it’s your passion and hard work that make a huge difference to the community and within the NSW Police Force,” Commissioner Fuller said.

The winners of the six categories were:

Dynamic Leader Award – Alissa Roptell – Police Transport & Public Safety Command

Alissa is a true leader in every sense of the word and has been instrumental in building the new Police Transport & Public Safety Command. Alissa has provided career development opportunities for her team and has consistently supports career progression. Alissa has displayed dynamic and innovative leadership which has positively influenced the Command and is an asset to the wider NSW Police Force.

Philanthropy Award – Inspector Linda Bradbury – Central West Police District

Inspector Bradbury has demonstrated that she goes above and beyond in providing support to a range of women and men within her District. She has demonstrated selfless acts of compassion and thoughtfulness, in particular, providing colleagues with support, advice and development opportunities. Inspector Bradbury adopts a progressive, dynamic and tenacious approach to ensure all female officers on maternity leave are regularly contacted regarding information and decisions relating to the workplace, and she continues to offer ongoing training and support in preparation for their return to the workplace.

Local Hero Award – Senior Constable Ingrid Reilly – Inner West Police Area Command

Senior constable Reilly has superior knowledge, experience and commitment as a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer where she has identified trends and correlations between victims of domestic violence and family pets. Senior constable Reilly is the subject matter expert in relation to investigations and prosecution aspects of Protection of Cruelty to Animals Act and enforcement. Through her actions and efforts, she has built a reputation as a local hero to victims of domestic violence and their pets.

Champion of Change Award – Superintendent Allan Sicard – North Shore Police Area Command

Superintendent Sicard has continued to change the landscape for women in his command. He has endeavoured to create an inclusive work environment to ensure women have access to development opportunities to build their capabilities into leadership positions. He continues to sponsor women to attend events, development and leadership programs both at a corporate level and local level. Superintendent Sicard has demonstrated key attributes of a champion of change with his unwavering commitment to promote gender equality within the command. Many women have benefited from his sponsorship and support and his influence in the workplace is worthy of high recognition.

Role Model Award – Detective Sergeant Claudia Allcroft – Tweed/Byron Police District

Detective Sergeant Allcroft was the first female Team Leader for the Tweed/Byron Police District’s Proactive Unit. She leads by example, working night shifts and changing duties at short notice, all with a focus on crime prevention. She has performed duties as Crime Manager and Duty Officer and is described by her colleagues as the strongest woman they know, evident in her role as Detective Sergeant and loving mother. The resilience and determination consistently displayed by Detective Sergeant Allcroft places her not only as a role model for women in policing but for all police.

Mentor Award – Senior Constable Shari Gibbs – Central North Police District

Senior constable Gibbs has engrained herself within the local community and is a mentor to many Indigenous women and girls in the community. She participates in a broad range of community events such as career days, school graduations and working committees to effect positive change and build relationships. Senior constable Gibbs encourages and motivates young women, who may not have pursued a career through sharing her experience as a police officer.

Senior police are reminding school leavers to party safely and know their limits ahead of the 2018 schoolies celebrations.

NSW Schoolies runs from today (Friday 16 November 2018) until Monday 3 December 2018, with many school leavers heading towards the northern parts of NSW, including Byron Bay; and southern parts of Queensland, including the Gold Coast.

Tweed/Byron Police District Duty Officer, Detective Inspector Matt Kehoe said police will be out in force targeting drug and alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Police aren’t here to ruin your fun, but rather make it a safe environment for your celebrations,” Det Insp Kehoe said.

“Drugs and alcohol impairs your judgement and may lead to a conviction or choice that affects the rest of your life.

“Know your limits and look out for your mates so you can ensure this is a memorable event for the right reasons.

“Officers will be around and are there for your safety; approach police or authorities if you are in danger or a victim of any type of crime.

“Large crowds are expected, and people are urged to plan ahead; those not joining in the celebrations are asked to watch out for increased pedestrian activity.”

For event information visit the official schoolies website: https://www.schoolies.com/party/byron-bay

The NSW Government today announced its school budget allocations for 2019, with a record $1.18 billion being distributed to more than 2,200 public schools across NSW.

Speaking at Kingswood High School, Education Minister Rob Stokes and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said NSW schools would collectively receive more than $100 million on top of last year’s record amount.

The additional funding will be provided through an increase to every school’s perstudent allocation, increased funding to students from low socio-economic backgrounds, and additional support for small schools with teaching principals.

Mr Stokes said the funding, known as Resource Allocation Model (RAM) funding, gives school principals freedom to spend their allocated funds to deliver the best outcomes for their students.

“I am incredibly proud of the outstanding educational leaders in our public schools and their ability to engage students. RAM funding provides greater resources to enable them to direct funding to cater to the needs of their particular student body,” he said.

“Schools can use the money to hire more teachers or administrative staff, for example, or to buy new iPads, instruments or sports equipment – whatever the school community decides will best meet their unique learning and teaching needs.”

The RAM payments were introduced in 2014 as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to needs-based funding and ensures that every school receives a fair and transparent allocation of the State’s public education budget.

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said that almost $429 million of this year’s $1.18 billion RAM funding would flow into Western Sydney schools.

“Where Labor closed schools, we provide record funding. Today’s announcement demonstrates again that only the NSW Liberals & Nationals can deliver real results for the people of Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.

High schools with highest 2019 RAM funding allocation

1. Bonnyrigg High School $2.8 million
2. Miller High School $2.6 million
3. St Johns Park High School $2.5 million
4. Holroyd High School $2.4 million
5. Prairiewood High School $2.2 million

Public schools with highest 2019 RAM funding allocation

1. Liverpool West Public School $2.4 million
2. Berala Public School $1.8 million
3. Merrylands Public School $1.6 million
4. Oran Park Public School $1.1 million
5. Hornsby North Public School $800,000

Kingswood High School 2019 RAM funding Allocation – $1,538,020

• With their 2018 RAM funding, Kingswood High School was able to:
• Create a senior student study centre, staffed by a full time study coordinator tasked with mentoring HSC students.
• Hire four full time specialists tasked with Year 7-9 literacy and numeracy
• Employ a Deputy Principal tasked with Student Engagement, who has introduced coding to Year 7 students
• Allowed the school to maintain and run an operational commercial kitchen and café for skills based study.

“Without the recurrent RAM funding we would not be able to offer our students the best possible learning environment to support their academic, social and emotional needs. Equity is a core value in public education and at Kingswood High School we pride ourselves on creating opportunities for all students to succeed,”
– Adam Forbes – Principal, Kingswood High School

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard announced today that the NSW Government would establish a Special Commission of Inquiry into ice (crystal methamphetamine).

They were joined at the announcement by NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM.

The Special Commission of Inquiry will inquire into, and report on:

• the nature, prevalence and impact of ice in NSW;
• the adequacy of existing measures to tackle ice in NSW; and
• options to strengthen NSW’s response to ice, including law enforcement, education and treatment/rehabilitation responses.

“Ice is a destructive drug that is ruining too many lives across NSW, especially in our regional centres,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We are establishing a powerful Special Commission of Inquiry because we want every option on the table to bolster our existing efforts to combat the evolving threat of this dangerous, illegal drug – and to get help for those who need it.”

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said, “Core business for NSW Police is the prevention, disruption and response to crime.

“Specifically, the more we can do to prevent and disrupt the manufacture, importation and dealing of crystal methamphetamine, the less crime we’ll have to respond to right across the board.

“This drug is destroying families and killing people across NSW and my officers are on the front line every day dealing with the damage and violence it causes.”

Subject to the Governor’s approval, Professor Daniel Howard SC will be commissioned to lead the Special Commission of Inquiry.

Professor Howard is a former President of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal and was a NSW Crown Prosecutor for 15 years. He is currently a Conjoint Associate Professor in the UNSW School of Psychiatry, and a Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong School of Law.

“The NSW Government is determined to lead Australia by getting the best health and justice minds to come together, draw on information available, decide on what other information may be needed, and then map out a forward strategy to attack this scourge on our communities,” said Minister for Health Brad Hazzard.

“Because the use of ice, and ice combined with other drugs, is impacting our cities and regional communities, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has already allocated $225.3 million this year towards drug and alcohol services.

“This is NSW’s biggest ever annual investment to address these deadly addictions.”

Professor Howard will consult communities and other stakeholders in developing terms of reference for the Special Commission of Inquiry for the Government’s consideration. The Special Commission of Inquiry is expected to draw upon expert advice from drug policy, law enforcement, education and health experts.

The Special Commission of Inquiry into ice is expected to report in 2019.

The establishment of a Special Commission of Inquiry comes on top of the extensive measures implemented by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to tackle ice, including:

• improving the ability of Police to confiscate the assets of serious criminals, including drug dealers and traffickers;
• tightening controls on pseudoephedrine – one of the main precursors used to make ice; and
• cracking down on drug driving by more than tripling the number of roadside drug tests in 2016-17, increasing to 200,000 roadside drug tests per year by 2020.

The NSW Government will further strengthen counter-terrorism laws to better protect the community from terrorists and other dangerous offenders.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Counter Terrorism David Elliott announced that new laws would be introduced into the NSW Parliament today to bolster the state’s comprehensive counter-terror framework.

“NSW already has the toughest counter-terror laws in the nation and we will continue to work hard to strengthen our defences against the evolving threat of terrorism,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The new laws being introduced into the NSW Parliament today will:

• Enable law enforcement officials to use surveillance devices in inmates’ cells to gather evidence to keep offenders behind bars or under heavy supervision if they pose an unacceptable risk of committing a terrorist offence at the end of their sentence;
• Empower the State to apply to the Supreme Court to protect intelligence provided by intelligence agencies by limiting the access of offenders who may pose a terrorist risk, and their legal representatives, to that intelligence. This will be in accordance with strict security and confidentiality requirements; and
• Streamline the interaction between terrorism, parole and high-risk sex and violent offender laws to better protect the community.

“We are stepping up our surveillance of inmates in our prisons to ensure that we have the best chance to keep potential terrorists behind bars or under heavy supervision,” Mr Elliott said.

“These important reforms introduce extraordinary powers which can be exercised by the Supreme Court – with appropriate safeguards – to help keep the community safe,” Mr Speakman said.

“These reforms also ensure that our laws retain the flexibility required to protect the community against the state’s most dangerous offenders, including terrorists, high risk sex offenders and high risk violence offenders.”

The new laws strengthen the extensive counter-terror framework already implemented by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government, including a presumption against bail and parole for anyone with links to terror, and the provision of certainty for Police who are required to use lethal force against terrorists.

The National Terrorism Threat Level remains at probable.

Community members should exercise caution and report any suspicious incidents to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. Report life-threatening situations to Police on Triple Zero.

The iconic Sydney Markets have joined major international companies and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government to contribute towards the creation of the 200,000 jobs in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Sydney Markets Chairman John Pearson today agreed to work together to enable the Sydney Markets to expand into the Aerotropolis.

“Sydney Markets are part of the fabric of Sydney and they have joined international businesses, including Northrop Grumman, Mitsubishi Heavy and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group racing to be a part of our Aerotropolis,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It is not every day you get the opportunity to build a new city around a new airport from the ground up and we are doing what it takes to make it the best in the world.

“We are making the crucial investments now so that the Aerotropolis delivers families and communities across Western Sydney the best jobs, the best opportunities and the best quality of life right on their doorstep.”

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Sydney Markets presence in the Aerotropolis will allow it to take advantage of the agri-business, freight and logistics opportunities that will develop in the area over the next decade and beyond.

“The business confidence in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is skyrocketing and local and international companies will help to provide the skilled jobs Western Sydney needs to thrive,” Mr Ayres said.

Sydney Markets Chairman John Pearson said the company is excited to work with the NSW Government to expand the Sydney Markets Brand and be a part of this growth in the Western City. Time will tell whether the existing Markets move or a new Market is established.

“Over recent years, the SML Board on behalf of its shareholders has pro-actively initiated a range of strategic planning initiatives to secure the future of the Markets,” Mr Pearson said.

“Whilst we are at an early stage in this longer term journey with specific sites to be defined, the opportunity for Sydney Markets to be an anchor brand in the Western City should not be underestimated.”

There will be further signing of agreements in the coming days and weeks that will give confidence to the community that the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will deliver on its promise of 200,000 jobs and become an economic powerhouse for years to come.

New South Wales has experienced its biggest lift in annual wages growth in four years according to the latest data from the ABS released today.

The NSW Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 1.2 per cent in the September quarter to be 2.4 per cent higher through the year.

More than 70 per cent of NSW industries have seen wages growth accelerate over the past year.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said today’s data was encouraging news for people that wages were beginning to increase after a substantial period of stagnant growth.

“Wages growth has been subdued not just in NSW but right around the world, so today’s result is heartening for wage earners across the state,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The State’s unemployment rate is currently at a decade low of 4.4 per cent and that is one of the factors behind the positive news on wages today.”

Among the highlights, workers in the health care and social assistance industry in NSW saw their wages grow by 3.0 per cent followed by education and training at 2.7 per cent.

Wages in the public sector have increased by 2.6 per cent over the past 12 months with the private sector recording 2.2 per cent growth.

Mr Perrottet said the Government’s reforms such as cutting payroll tax and slashing red tape was having a positive benefit to businesses across the state.

“The Liberals and Nationals will always deliver better outcomes for the people of NSW, our Government promotes innovation and growth, unlike Labor who just want to slash projects and destroy jobs.”

A man will face court today charged over the alleged historical sexual and indecent assault of a young girl in Sydney’s west.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 13-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her.

Following inquiries, a 65-year-old man was arrested at a home in the Parramatta area about 6pm yesterday (Monday 12 November 2018).

He was taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years, and two counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age.

Police will allege in court that the man, who was a family friend and neighbour, sexually and indecently assaulted the girl on a number of occasions between 2011 and 2016.

The man was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Tuesday 13 November 2018).

Investigations are continuing.

The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.