Summer sport registrations are officially open and families are being encouraged to take advantage of the State’s enormously successful Active Kids Voucher program, so children can get back to playing sport without breaking the family budget.
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said there is an exciting summer ahead and families are being reminded to use these excellent NSW Government cost-saving measures.
“Getting kids out of the house to be active is vitally important for health and wellbeing. Signing your child up for sports allows for them to make new friends, learn important skills and stay healthy,” Mr Henskens said.
“Whether it’s, tennis, dance, cricket or nippers there are over 11,000 Active Kids providers across the State, so now is the perfect time to download your voucher and register your child in their favourite sport or active recreation activity.”
School-enrolled children in NSW can access two $100 Active Kids vouchers each year towards the cost of sport and active recreation fees.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said NSW families have embraced the Active Kids program, and is one of more than 70 Government savings to help ease cost of living and boost household budgets.
“We are improving the application and redemption process for parents and providers, with a digital version of the voucher on the Service NSW app now available,” Mr Dominello said.
“Active Kids has been an overwhelming success, with almost 100 per cent of parents giving it the thumbs up.”
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said the program offered greater opportunities for kids to play sport.
“Our Cricket NSW purpose is to inspire everyone to play and love cricket and the Active Kids Voucher program makes it easier for families to do that,” Mr Germon said.
“Anything we can do to provide greater access to the game is a positive, particularly in that 5-12 year old age group that we are focused on, so our thanks go to the NSW Government for this program.”
More information about Active Kids is available online.
App helps drivers save on petrol as fuel excise discount ends
NSW drivers are being urged to use the FuelCheck app to find a cheaper servo and save up to $10 a tank as the fuel excise discount ends on Wednesday.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the app can save drivers up to $800 a year and is just one of the measures contributing to the almost $7 billion delivered in cost of living savings to NSW residents since July 2017.
“Prices can vary greatly between petrol stations so if you’re filling up a 50L tank and there’s a 20 cent difference between service stations, you’d save $10 by filling up at the cheaper one,” Mr Kean said.
“Driving a couple of hundred metres down the road to a cheaper servo can really pay off and boost your budget.
“New data from the past six months shows independents consistently offer drivers the cheapest fuel.”
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said Sydney’s cheapest petrol is often found in the western and southwestern suburbs.
“FuelCheck has been an overwhelming success, with more than 2.2 million drivers downloading the free app, and 93 per cent giving it the thumbs up,” Mr Dominello said.
“With high petrol prices right now, drivers can find the cheapest fuel anywhere in NSW in real-time in the palm of their hand.
“Do yourself a favour these school holidays and get the app. You could save up to $800 a year by using it regularly.”
Aspiring teachers to earn while they learn
The state’s top university graduates will be the target of a bespoke program designed to attract high achievers into teaching careers in high demand areas across NSW.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said Teach for Australia, which has a successful track record in other states, has created a unique model for our public schools.
“The modern workforce has changed but pathways into the teaching profession have become more siloed, with students spending most of their time at university and unable to earn an income until they complete their placements,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We want to attract the best candidates to our classrooms and this model actively seeks out the best graduates and helps them make the jump into teaching.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said a particular focus of the program is mid-career professionals, who, once they have completed intensive Masters units, will be supported to work in a school while they complete their study.
“Not only do tailored mid-career programs ease the burden of months of unpaid leave, they also provide future teachers with instrumental experience in the classroom – which teachers constantly tell us is where their most valuable learning takes place,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This is not about cutting corners; it’s about rethinking the way we do teacher training to ensure future teachers have the hands-on experience they need to build their confidence and improve their practice.”
Under the NSW Teach for Australia pathway, participants complete their Master of Teaching degree at Australian Catholic University while they are employed in a school. They receive holistic coaching, mentoring and classroom observations to provide teaching students with a continuous cycle of feedback and improvement.
As part of the program, Principals will also have greater say in how the model is implemented in their school to ensure it meets the needs of a diverse range of school contexts.
Under the partnership, a pilot cohort will be recruited next year commencing in NSW public schools in 2024.
$1.1 million firefighting boost for the Blue Mountains
Rural Fire Brigades in the Blue Mountains are benefitting from the delivery of three new appliances, worth a combined $1.1 million, ahead of the official Bush Fire Danger Period beginning on 1 October.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke joined Rural Fire Service (RFS) staff and volunteers at Katoomba today to hand over the keys to Category 1 tankers for the Blaxland, Hazelbrook and Lawson Brigades.
“Each of these appliances, worth $385,000, will assist our volunteers in providing an even greater level of fire protection to the local community,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Blaxland, Hazelbrook and Lawson Brigades are very active and do a wonderful job protecting people and property in one of our State’s most bush fire prone areas, as well as responding to building fires, vehicle accidents, and storm and flood responses.
“I am confident the new state-of-the-art appliances will prove to be invaluable assets, ensuring volunteers have access to modern firefighting technology when responding to fires and other incidents.”
RFS Acting District Manager, Inspector Rob Vinzenz, said the efforts of volunteers do not go unnoticed and the new Category 1 tankers will support their work.
“The men and women of the RFS remain on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their contribution,” Inspector Vinzenz said.
Since the 2019-20 Black Summer bush fires, the NSW Government has funded more than 400 fire trucks for RFS Brigades across the State.
NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION
The Albanese Government will introduce legislation this week to establish a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission.
This shows the Government is delivering on its promise to tackle corruption and restore trust and integrity to federal politics.
The Government has committed $262 million over four years for the establishment and ongoing operation of the Commission.
This funding will ensure the Commission has the staff, capabilities and capacity to properly consider referrals and allegations, conduct timely investigations and undertake corruption prevention and education activities.
The Albanese Government’s National Anti-Corruption Commission will investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the entire federal public sector.
It will be built on the following design principles:
- Broad jurisdiction: The Commission will have broad jurisdiction to investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the Commonwealth public sector by ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, statutory officer holders, employees of all government entities and government contractors.
- Independent: The Commission will operate independent of government, with discretion to commence inquiries into serious or systemic corruption on its own initiative or in response to referrals, including from whistleblowers and the public.
- Oversight: The Commission will be overseen by a statutory Parliamentary Joint Committee, empowered to require the Commission to provide information about its work.
- Retrospective powers: The Commission will have the power to investigate allegations of serious or systemic corruption that occurred before or after its establishment.
- Public hearings: The Commission will have the power to hold public hearings in exceptional circumstances and where it is in the public interest to do so.
- Findings: The Commission will be empowered to make findings of fact, including findings of corrupt conduct, and refer findings that could constitute criminal conduct to the Australian Federal Police or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Procedural fairness: The Commission will operate with procedural fairness and its findings will be subject to judicial review.
The legislation also provides strong protections for whistleblowers and exemptions for journalists to protect the identity of sources.
Following the introduction of the Bill the Government will propose the establishment of a joint select committee to examine its provisions.
We look forward to support from across the Parliament for a National Anti-Corruption Commission with real power and authority.
Australian Greens express their solidarity with the women of Iran
The Australian Greens remain deeply concerned at the recent crackdown on dissent in Iran, with official reports of at least 22 protesters killed and more than 1,000 Iranians detained.
Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Two weeks ago, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody. Mahsa had been arrested by Iran’s morality police for failing to comply with a new national code requiring women to wear a hijab. She was allegedly beaten and died from her injuries.
“Following Mahsa Amini’s death, women across Iran have taken to the streets to stand up to the oppressive regime, demanding freedoms that have been denied to them.
“In a country with harsh penalties for public protest, this is an incredible show of bravery and solidarity. Human Rights Watch has described the scale of protest, particularly on issues of women’s choice and police accountability, as unprecedented.
“The gendered impacts of authoritarian rule, whether by the Iranian government, the Taliban, Russia or others, cannot be ignored.
“The Australian Greens are in solidarity with the women of Iran. We will always protect the right to protest. And we will always fight for women’s rights to choose their dress, their partner, their religion, their career, and what they do with their bodies.”
Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Peace said:
“The Iranian authorities’ suppression of the rights of women, LGBTIQA+ people, and other minorities, including the Bahai, must end. People should not have to protest to protect their basic human rights.
“The Australian Greens are calling upon the international community to condemn the ongoing abuses of freedom and human rights. Those responsible for Mahsa Amini’s death must be held accountable through a criminal investigation.
“The Australian Government should meet with the Iranian ambassador as soon as possible to raise these concerns directly.”
Senator Steele-John’s response to NDIA Leadership changes
After years of campaigning with a united voice of Nothing About Us Without Us, the disability community and Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John welcome the appointment of more disabled people into leadership positions in the NDIA.
Senator Jordon Steele-John, Disabled Person and Australian Greens spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services said:
“Today, like many in our community, I am feeling relief that finally, we have some more disabled people in leadership positions within the National Disability Insurance Agency.
“Many are pleased to see Kurt Fearnley take on the Chair of the Board for the NDIA. His experience as a physically disabled person will add a great perspective, and I hope that he continues to listen to people with a range of disabilities and advocate for major, transformative change in the culture and operations of the NDIA.
“The appointment of the new CEO is progress, it’s good to have a woman with a background in public service take on the role. I see it as a missed opportunity to have a disabled person as CEO.
“It remains that two of the three leadership roles; the Minister, the CEO and the Chair, who make decisions every day that impact the lives of disabled people do not have lived experience of being a disabled person.
“The Australian Greens continue to call on the new leadership team to make big changes to the culture of the NDIA, ensuring that the scheme is no longer one of fear for participants. Disabled people, wherever they are across the country, regardless of how old they are, must be able to get the supports they need through the NDIS.
Newcastle leading race to host a FIFA Women’s World Cup team
Newcastle’s premier No. 2 Sportsground has been short-listed as a dedicated team base camp training site during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
More than 30 nations will be travelling to Australia and New Zealand for the month-long tournament kicking off on 19 July through to 20 August 2023, and Newcastle’s No. 2 Sportsground could become a home-away-from-home for one of the teams.
For the first time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, 35 short-listed team base camp options are available for selection by Participating Member Associations to be used as a dedicated training site during the competition for their entire delegation.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle has cemented its reputation as a major sporting and events host destination and would jump at the chance to welcome a FIFA Women’s World Cup team.
“City of Newcastle is committed to elevating women in sport and we are excited at the prospect of welcoming some of the world’s best female footballers to Newcastle in their preparation for a month of elite and exciting international competition,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle’s No. 2 Sportsground is a world-class facility, home to the A-league Womens’ Jets and regularly welcomes elite-level sporting fixtures like the USA national soccer team who trained on the grounds in preparation for their games against the Matildas last year.
“In 2019, No. 2 Sportsground also played host to a women’s international rugby game between the Wallaroos and Japan.
“As the world’s biggest women’s sporting event, it is expected that more than one billion people across the world will tune in to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and City of Newcastle would be thrilled to welcome one of the teams for their preparations.
“Hosting a team would provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase Newcastle’s broader attractions to players and their large support contingent whilst offering invaluable flow-on effects for the city’s local economy.
“In the event that Newcastle is selected by FIFA as a team base camp, City of Newcastle will work closely with impacted user groups.”
FIFA are expected to confirm team base camps by 15 December 2022.
City of Newcastle presents vision for sustainable waste future
Summerhill Waste Management Centre will be transformed into an innovative regional recovery hub under a 20-year vision to reduce waste, increase recycling rates, strengthen the economy and create new jobs in Newcastle.
The vision has been outlined in City of Newcastle’s (CN) draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy, which will be tabled at tomorrow’s Council meeting ahead of a proposed six-week public exhibition period.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said developing a sustainable solution for waste was crucial for the future of our planet, our people and our prosperity, while also ensuring we’re able to manage the waste generation associated with ongoing population growth.
“During the next 20 years, Newcastle’s population is expected to grow by more than 15 per cent, which in turn will lead to an increase of almost 18 per cent in waste generation,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our Sustainable Waste Strategy focusses on reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and changing the way we return, reuse, repair and recycle resources.
“Our draft Strategy will deliver significant benefits to the planet by preserving our finite resources and reducing emissions, while also protecting and creating new jobs in Newcastle and unlocking economic opportunities for local businesses and industry through the circular economy.”
“This is an important milestone for City of Newcastle in our journey to reduce our emissions, protect our environment and implement our commitments to sustainability under our adopted Climate Action Plan and Community Strategic Plan.”
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Strategy proposes a mix of infrastructure and service provision supported by educational campaigns and includes construction of the planned material recovery facility and organics processing facility at Summerhill.
“We’re committed to increasing our capabilities for the recycling and reuse of products in order to meet the State and Federal targets of diverting 80% of recycling and 50% of food waste from landfill,” Cr Clausen said.
“This includes investing in the infrastructure needed at Summerhill to allow residents to easily increase their recycling rates, with a recent kerbside waste audit showing that more than half of the waste in our red-lidded bins has the potential to be recovered in an organics processing facility, which can then be processed into compost for reuse in agriculture, landscaping and home gardens.
“By capturing more of the value from more of our waste, we’re localising a new resource steam, which may have significant benefits to local businesses and industry, kick-starting a local circular economy.
Pending approval from Councillors at tomorrow night’s meeting, the draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy will be placed on public exhibition for six weeks before returning to Council later this year for adoption.
Regional Roadshow gives cricket fans a taste of the World Cup action
From Woolgoolga to Murrumbateman, and everywhere in between, cricket fans in regional NSW will kick off the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with the help of a ‘biggest hit’ virtual reality experience.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the T20 World Cup Regional Roadshow will make 11 stops over the next month and include a range of interactive activities and displays, plus a number of prizes will be up for grabs.
“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport’s most exciting format and the Regional Roadshow gives cricket fans across the State the chance to experience the buzz of the tournament first-hand,” Mr Toole said.
“This is about giving cricket fans in the bush a taste of the action. With Sydney hosting six World Cup matches including a semi-final, the Regional Roadshow brings the action to fans who mightn’t otherwise be able to travel to matches and gives students a chance to get involved during the school holidays.”
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Regional Roadshow will start by taking the T20 World Cup silverware to northern NSW, and is an example of the benefits of the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.
“Regional NSW is the heartland of cricket in our State, and the Regional Roadshow has hit the sweet spot by providing entertainment and inspiration for bush cricket fans across NSW ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia,” Mr Henskens said.
“Despite having a smaller population than Sydney, regional NSW accounts for around half of the state’s registered players, more than 250 adolescent cricketers in the Cricket NSW pathway system, and produces over 50 per cent of NSW’s contracted professional cricketers.”
With less than a month to go until the first game of the tournament, the Regional Roadshow was launched to cricket fans at Curryfest in Woolgoolga today.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said with 16 national teams competing, the T20 World Cup would bring communities and cultures together through sport.
“Sport has the power to unite communities, and the T20 World Cup will bring fans from many cultural backgrounds together in a celebration of sport,” Mr Singh said.
“What better place to launch the Regional Roadshow and celebrate the amazing communities that make up the tournament than here at Curryfest.”
More information on the T20 World Cup can be found online.