The Morrison Government is developing a new 10-year strategic plan to help Australia’s highly skilled and respected nurse practitioners, enhancing the way they work as they deliver essential health care for Australians.
As part of the strategic plan, the Government is today commencing consultations for the plan, which aims to address workforce issues and enhance the delivery of patient care.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said there are more than 2,250 nurse practitioners in Australia who work across the health system including in our hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health services, and primary healthcare services.
“This is the first opportunity for the community, health providers, clinicians, and experts to make a contribution to this new plan, which will be delivered by the middle of next year,” Minister Hunt said.
“We want to ensure that the 10-year plan improves health outcomes, addresses workforce challenges and ensures that Australians can continue to access the support they need.”
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Nurse Practitioners are focused on improving access to treatment, and dedicated to improving health outcomes of all Australians, particularly at risk populations, including aged care residents, Indigenous
Australians and those living in regional, rural and remote areas.
Nurse Practitioners can be involved in a wide range of health care, providing advanced assessment and complete episodes of care to patients, including minor surgical procedures, ordering diagnostic tests, and initiating or ceasing medicines.
Nurse Practitioners also work collaboratively with other health professionals around planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for their patients.
The consultations will engage a wide range of stakeholders to better understand the issues that can impact Nurse Practitioner delivery of care, as well as innovations or new approaches.
Stakeholders can inform the development of the plan through a survey available on the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub – www.consultations.health.gov.au. Alternatively, written submissions will be accepted to nursepolicy@health.gov.au.
Consultation will close on Monday 20 December 2021.
Author: admin
Labor’s Plan to Boost Education Opportunities for 30,000 Families With No Internet at Home
Up to 30,000 families with no internet at home will be supported with access to free broadband for a year under Labor’s plan for a better NBN.
“During COVID-19 it became clear that students needed high-speed broadband to participate in classes from home,” said Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, today.
“This experience regrettably revealed some school children did not have access to any home internet, and this compounded an already very difficult school year.”
To enable implementation, NBNCo will provide a wholesale rebate to a designated retail provider to supply the service.
Eligible families would be identified by schools, state education departments and local community organisations, and eligibility validated by NBNCo.
“This will help extend unconnected children the opportunity to benefit from the internet and not be disadvantaged,” said Mr Albanese.
At a time when broadband has become a critical link between students and society, action is needed to ensure no child is left behind.
Ensuring every school child has broadband at home is a complex challenge that cannot be solved overnight.
However, through compassion, targeted incentives and a clear sense of purpose, we can make practical progress to bridge the digital divide.
Labor’s plan for a better NBN will secure more Australian families and businesses quality, high speed internet by expanding full-fibre NBN access to 1.5 million premises.
A Labor Government will ensure, 90 per cent of Australians in the fixed line footprint – over 10 million premises – will have access to world-class gigabit speeds by 2025.
Labor will also keep the NBN in public hands, keeping internet costs for families affordable while ensuring improvements to the network.
Reliable, quality, high speed internet is not a luxury or a nice-to-have.
It is essential 21st century infrastructure.
Jobs boost for Sydney's west
More than 17,000 jobs are expected to be created with the proposed transformation of more than 850 hectares of land near Kemps Creek into a commercial industry hub, connected to the future Aerotropolis.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the finalisation of the Mamre Road Development Control Plan (DCP) includes significant controls to preserve the local environment.
“These planning controls provide businesses in Western Sydney with the opportunity to be thriving by the time the first plane lands at Badgery’s Creek,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ve also established targets that require 10 per cent tree canopy to be provided on each site, as well as limits on the amount of hard surfacing on individual lots, and guidelines to ensure South Creek remains protected.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the site would capitalise on its location near the future airport.
“Western Sydney is growing and we’re ensuring that there’s plenty of jobs for current and future residents to choose from,” Mr Ayres said.
“The site is ideally located to enable freight to be moved from Port Botany via the proposed Western Sydney Freight Line and transferred onto trucks that deliver to businesses in Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.”
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the new precinct would establish an important link between Port Botany and the Aerotropolis.
“We’re thankful to the community for the feedback during the consultation and drafting process, and we believe that together we’ve shaped a sustainable way for Western Sydney’s industrial sector to trade for decades to come,” Mrs Davies said.
“We already have 11 different State Significant Development Applications at various stages of the assessment process, for projects which bring jobs in industries such as warehousing and distribution, manufacturing and IT.”
To view the finalised Mamre Road DCP, visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Priority-Growth-Areas-and-Precincts/Western-Sydney-Employment-Area/Mamre-Road-Precinct
H2 GO! NSW open for hydrogen investment
The NSW green hydrogen industry is set to boom with the legislation underpinning the NSW Hydrogen Strategy passing Parliament today.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said NSW is leading the nation in developing a hydrogen industry, which is projected to attract over $80 billion in private investment, support 10,000 jobs and open up new export markets.
“We are leading the nation when it comes to emerging technologies and seizing the opportunity to attract national and global investment in this future industry to grow our economy,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our hydrogen energy industry will allow us to develop new export markets with our core trading partners, including Japan, creating new jobs in the Hunter and Illawarra, while also helping to secure our energy needs into the future.”
Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said the legislation will allow NSW to capitalise on the growing hydrogen export market, with green hydrogen set to become a leading fuel source in the Asia-Pacific by the end of the decade.
“Our Hydrogen Strategy is expected to increase the size of our economy by more than $600 million each year, while helping the State to halve emissions by 2030,” Mr Kean said.
“Hydrogen will help to reduce our carbon emissions in sectors like heavy transport and industry, create jobs and open up new export markets for NSW.”
The NSW Hydrogen Strategy includes:
- $70 million to develop hydrogen hubs in the Illawarra and Hunter regions;
- Exemptions for green hydrogen production from government charges;
- 90 per cent exemption from electricity network charges for green hydrogen producers, who connect to parts of the network with spare capacity;
- Funding for infrastructure assessments for large-scale production; and
- A hydrogen refuelling station network roll out across the State.
The Energy Legislation Amendment Bill also includes reforms to allow renewable energy projects, like wind turbines, in the State’s softwood pine plantation estate.
“Renewable energy projects will help to create regional jobs, attract investment in the bush and diversify Forestry Corp’s revenue, at the same time as providing sustainable timber supplies for decades to come,” Mr Kean said.
Any forestry land used for renewables would be required to be replaced on a two-for-one basis to ensure the harvestable forestry estate continues to expand.
More information on the NSW Hydrogen Strategy is available here: https://bit.ly/3Fu6rmX
Work kicks off on Sydney's newest airport terminal
The new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has hit another major milestone with construction now underway on the world-class passenger terminal.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today’s announcement marked a significant step in this once-in-a-generation, city-shaping infrastructure project for Western Sydney, and Australia.
“The delivery of the Western Sydney International Airport proves once again our Government’s ability to get things done,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have made this happen. It is already delivering major benefits for Western Sydney, as we knew it would, and it only gets better from here.
“The Coalition will continue to invest in job-creating infrastructure that drives investment and secures Australia’s economic recovery.
“Our total $14 billion investment in the airport and transport links is transforming this powerhouse region, attracting investment and supporting jobs for generations to come.
“Around 11,000 jobs will be supported during construction alone, and currently around one in two workers are from right here in Western Sydney, driving income and opportunity for families across the region.
“Tens of thousands more jobs will be created when the airport is up and running in 2026, and millions of travellers are arriving into Sydney’s newest airport every year.
“The airport will also play a crucial role in the nation’s aviation future, delivering dynamic global connections for the region and opening up even further possibilities for new routes and services.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said construction on one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Australia was now around one quarter complete.
“Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, work has continued to progress with nearly 22 million cubic metres of earth now moved to date across the site – which is about three times bigger than the Sydney CBD – and the airport on track to open in late 2026,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Today we announce another important milestone has been reached, with work now underway on the new state-of-the-art integrated passenger terminal, which will have the capacity to handle up to 10 million passengers a year once open.
“With this unique opportunity to build an airport from the ground up, we are able to roll out cutting-edge technology to make the passenger experience smoother and easier than at existing airports, and the security systems more effective but less intrusive.
“The new airport will not only be a state-of-the art piece of infrastructure but is an integral element of the surrounding aerotropolis and the broader Western Parkland city.
“In its own right, Western Sydney would be Australia’s fourth largest city and third largest economy, which is why the Morrison Government has committed $14 billion to the airport and vital metro rail and road links that will transform the region.”
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said construction of Western Sydney International’s world-leading innovative domestic and international airport had fastened its seatbelt and was ready for take-off.
“One of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects is now visibly taking shape and is delivering long-term jobs and economic benefits to Western Sydney,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Economic stimulus and job creation in Western Sydney is critical right now. Start of construction on the world-class terminal will see more jobs begin to flow in the coming months.
“Acting to build a second Sydney airport has been in the too hard basket for many years but our government is delivering this critical piece of infrastructure that will lift productivity and growth for decades to come.”
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh welcomed the airport exceeding its local employment targets, saying the project would continue to create local jobs, for local people.
“Over $100 million has already been injected into businesses in Western Sydney, supercharging our local economy,” Ms McIntosh said.
“The airport will continue to provide more opportunities for local small businesses, opening up new markets and opportunities across Australia and beyond.
“This will drive more job creation for generations, particularly in the emerging industries recognising Western Sydney is at the forefront of fields including advanced manufacturing, research, and space, as a result of the Morrison Government’s investment.”
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said the airport would boost economic activity and provide employment opportunities for the Western Sydney region.
“This new airport integrates with our vision for Western Sydney and the future of how people will live, work and travel,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It means jobs for Western Sydney and will create new, convenient travel options for those who live in our west.”
The contract for the airside pavements package, which will include the 3.7-kilometre runway and rapid-exit taxiways, was awarded in September, with construction due to begin next year. Bulk earthworks are around 75 per cent complete.
In addition to the $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney International, the Morrison Government has committed another $9 billion for the vital rail and road links that will transform the Western Sydney region.
This includes the $3.5 billion investment to deliver new major road infrastructure and upgrades under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan and $5.25 billion towards the first stage of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport rail link.
NSW agriculture smashes growth records
New data released by the NSW Government, on the eve of National Ag Day, reveals primary industries output has charged past all previous records and is now an estimated $20.9 billion industry.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall released the 2021 NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Performance Data and Insights (PDI) report today, which showed Industry increased its Gross Value of Production from $15.7 billion in just 12 months.
“Our farmers overcame every challenge thrown their way to smash the record books and grow agriculture by $5.2 billion to a $20.9 billion industry,” Mr Marshall said.
“Underpinned by a record winter crop, and bolstered by both strong commodity prices and primary producers committed to delivering safe and high-quality produce, this is an outstanding recognition of the capabilities our industry can achieve.
“Wheat headlines this year’s bumper harvest and is the star of this more than $5 billion increase in primary industries GVP. The crop’s value produced actually rose 541 per cent on the year before to $4 billion.
“Primary producers are still recovering from drought by rebuilding herds from historic lows, but international demand remained high and is only expected to increase.
“While this has been a year to remember for agriculture, we realise it’s been a devastating week for our Central West farmers. It’s still too early to see the full extent of flood damage, but we’ll be with them through the aftermath.”
Mr Marshall said the agricultural industry had exceeded NSW DPI’s long-term strategic target two years ahead of schedule.
“COVID-19 and labour shortages, bushfires, drought, mice, floods and trade tensions all presented challenges, but the ag industry still exceeded its goal,” Mr Marshall said.
“While the NSW Government provided financial aid, including $4 billion in drought support, $150 million to tackle mice, and even $3 million in hotel quarantine subsidies for foreign workers, the real hard work was done by farmers.
“We’re well on our way to being a $30 billion industry by 2030.”
The 2020/2021 PDI report is available from the NSW DPI website.
2020-21 Fast Facts:
- NSW primary industries had an estimated total industry output of $20.9 billion
- Cropping achieved $8 billion output, including;
- Wheat up 541% year-on-year, with an estimated GVP $4.2 billion
- Cotton up 383% year-on-year, with an estimated GVP $847 million
- Oilseeds up 527% year-on-year, with an estimated GVP $844 million
- Barley up 170% year-on-year, with an estimated GVP $769 million
- Pulses up 527% year-on-year, with an estimated GVP $359 million
- Poultry achieved $855 million output, up 1% year-on-year
- Dairy achieved $659 million output, up 2% year-on-year
NSW Police Statement regarding missing Hunter boy
In September 2021, a three-year-old boy went missing at a rural property in the Hunter Valley.
Following a three-day multi-agency search, the boy was found by PolAir in bushland and reunited with his family.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the boy’s disappearance.
That investigation has now concluded, and the incident has been determined to be as a result of misadventure.
Greens launch new discussion paper on future of universities
Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has today launched a new discussion paper, The University of the Future: Higher Education Built on Democracy and Equity. The policy ideas and research in the paper will provide a starting point for richer, more radical conversations about the future of universities.
Contained in the report is Parliamentary Library data analysed by the Greens has revealed that over the past twenty years, the number of elected members on the governing bodies of Australian universities has decreased by 43% from 274 elected members in 2000 to 155 elected members in 2020. As a proportion, in 2000, more than one-third of positions on these bodies were elected. By 2020, it was down to fewer than one in four.
The paper presents research and proposes a number of policy ideas, discussion questions and political actions relating to:
- University democracy and reclaiming campuses for staff and students; Secure jobs and reversing casualisation;
- Encouraging student activism and campuses as political spaces;
- Equity and anti-racism;
- First Nations knowledges, research, and leadership;
- Academic freedom; and
- Free education and abolishing student debt.
Senator Faruqi said:
“For too long, short-sighted governments and private interests have dominated conversations about what higher education should look like in this country.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and reimagine the very purpose of universities. And we have to take the power back from the anti-intellectual governments and private interests that currently run the show.
“The corporatisation of universities by government and neoliberal university management has occurred while staff and student representation on governing bodies has shrunk massively.
“Universities are at a crossroads. They can continue hurtling down a path of corporatisation, austerity and job insecurity, or they can chart a new course based on principles of democracy and equity.
“Universities are a public good. It’s time to start treating them this way once more.”
The full report is available here.
New centre provides local care and makes Dubbo more attractive for doctors
Cancer patients across Western New South Wales now have access to life-saving treatment and diagnostic services closer to home, following the opening of the $35 million Western Cancer Centre.
Regional Health Minister Dr David Gillespie and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton today toured the newly-opened facility at Dubbo Hospital.
Mr Coulton said it was wonderful to see the Western Cancer Centre complete and open to patients.
“After years of campaigning for this centre, it’s so exciting to be here today to see it in action,” Mr Coulton said.
“This facility is providing crucial care and support to cancer patients across regional NSW, allowing people in the bush to stay closer to loved ones during treatment.
“It’s so heartening to hear how it’s already benefitting people throughout the region, people like Tracey Brown from Wellington who was the very first patient to receive radiation therapy treatment in the new facility.
“Living only 30 minutes away from the new Cancer Centre, and requiring treatment for prostate cancer every day for four weeks, Tracey was able to be treated in the morning and be back home for lunch, making the whole experience much more positive.
“This is exactly why this facility is so important – it means regional people no longer have to travel to metropolitan centres to access the treatment they need and deserve.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating with everyone who helped make this happen at the official opening early next year.”
As a former regional doctor, Dr Gillespie said it was important that locals could access care and treatment in their community and be treated by local doctors and health professionals.
“Country people have a strong affinity with their community and their local hospital, so for patients to now be able to have this treatment here instead of travelling is one-less burden for people going through cancer,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Additionally, having a strong local hospital helps to attract more doctors, nurses and health professionals to the region, as it gives them with more exposure to new technologies and increases their range of clinical skills.”
In addition to the radiation therapy bunker, the Western Cancer Centre Dubbo includes 16 chemotherapy spaces – doubling capacity – as well as new consultation rooms and a wellness space to provide support and well-being services to patients and their families.
The cancer centre opened to patients on 20 September 2021, with the clinic rooms and reception opening first, followed by the new chemotherapy treatment spaces and radiation therapy on the 19 October.
On the ground floor beside the radiation therapy bunker is the PET-CT Scanner. Providing advanced diagnostic services for the Cancer Centre and other specialist services at Dubbo Hospital, the PET-CT Scanner is one of only a handful in the state. It is currently being commissioned and will open at full capacity in the coming months.
The Australian Government provided $25 million for the state-of-the-art health service, with the NSW Government contributing the remaining $10 million.
The project supported 500 jobs during construction and it creates another 70 ongoing jobs in medical, nursing, allied health, administration and support services.
Dubbo health training facilities helping to boost bush doctor numbers
More than $57 million from the Federal Government to the University of Sydney (USyd) is giving trainee doctors and health professionals the opportunity to live, work and study in Dubbo and the central west region of NSW and in turn increasing access to healthcare for local patients.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton and Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie today visited the Dubbo Rural Clinical School, operated by the University of Sydney (USyd), to hear firsthand about the high-quality education and training opportunities being offered at the school.
Mr Coulton said Federal Government funding provided to USyd provided employment for local staff, in addition to training the next generation of regional and rural doctors and health professionals.
“The clinical school in Dubbo employs 27 local staff, who supported 33 trainees to complete 12-month medical placements last year,” Mr Coulton said.
“Local opportunities like this are so important. Research shows that those who train in the bush are more likely to stay on in the regions or consider practising rurally at the end of their training, which is why this Government is investing heavily in rural education opportunities.”
Minister Gillespie, who practised as a regional doctor for much of his 30-year-career, said The Liberal and Nationals Government is providing more than $57.5 million to the University of Sydney to enable regional training as part of the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.
“The Nationals thoroughly understand the benefits of regional training for medical students and the training offered here as part of the RHMT is far superior and more hands on than that offered anywhere in the cities,” Dr Gillespie said.
Mr Coulton said in addition to the Rural Clinical School, the University of Sydney operates the Western NSW Regional Training Hub in Dubbo.
This facility helps to build training capacity in the region by supporting local medical practitioners to become supervisors and assisting health services to gain accreditation for new training posts, as well as offering more support for rural medical students and trainees.
“USyd has partnered with the local hospitals and health services through this hub to improve the coordination, continuity and capacity of rural clinical training,” Mr Coulton said.
“This support helps medical students to complete most of their studies and training in rural and remote areas and generates a sustainable medical workforce which meets the health needs of people living and working in the region.”
Dr Gillespie said USyd also received $9.27 million for capital works to establish a new rural graduateentry medical program based in Dubbo through the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network (MDMSN).
Mr Coulton said the Dubbo medical school will welcome its first students in 2022, with 24
Commonwealth Supported Places each year.
“Pleasingly, more than 500 students applied for the first intake of the program, which indicates a high demand for regional training,” Mr Coulton said.
Twenty-one universities are currently participating in the RHMT program across Australia. Seven universities in NSW and Victoria have participated in the establishment of the MDMSN.
Dr Gillespie said by investing in the MDMSN and the RHMT program, the Federal Government is highlighting the professional and personal benefits of practising in regional, rural and remote communities.