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SafeWork NSW’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy has been relaunched today, aiming to improve workplace mental health in response to significant shifts in ways of working due to COVID-19.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson said the re-designed strategy is focused on helping every type of business in NSW become mentally healthy.
“SafeWork has already done a fantastic job in supporting businesses implement mental health plans for their workplaces and have trained up more than 14,000 employees, but there’s a lot more work to be done,” Mr Anderson said.
In the last two years SafeWork NSW received more than 5,000 calls for assistance and information in relation to bullying and other psychosocial risks as well as how to get started in creating a mentally health workplace.
“The re-designed strategy is about helping employers move from a model of only prioritising mental health at work following an incident, to offering targeted and proactive support to their employees throughout the year,” Mr Anderson said.
One new initiative in the strategy is “direct practical coaching” for small and medium businesses, providing business leaders with one-on-one training from experts on workplace mental health.
“Through the pilot, every business, at a time convenient to them, can receive tailored guidance on how to address risks related to mental health at work, as well as identify actions and plans to mitigate the issues,” Mr Anderson said.
Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor said knowing how to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of staff is increasingly important in the wake of COVID-19, and can also make a big difference to morale and productivity.
“Most of us spend about one-third or more of our adult lives at work. It’s a huge part of what we do and can have a significant impact on our mental health in a positive or negative way,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This new and improved strategy is designed to help us ensure we are meeting the needs for every single workplace in NSW to provide an environment that promotes and encourages good mental health.
“Good mental health begins in the community and in the places and times we gather from day-to-day. From high-risk sectors to small and medium businesses, this means equipping each and every one to confidently deliver tailored, practical support to meet the unique needs of their staff from the ground up.”
This strategy comes on top of the NSW Government’s record investment of $2.4 billion on mental health in 2020-21.
The NSW Mentally healthy workplaces strategy can be accessed at https://www.mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au/committing-to-leading-change/the-strategy

Small and medium businesses will benefit from faster payments and savings when sending and receiving invoices with the NSW Government, with e-invoicing to be made mandatory for all government agencies from 1 January 2022.
The mandate will apply to the delivery of goods and services up to the value of $1 million.
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the mandate will help reduce payment times, paperwork and manual errors, and save buyers and suppliers a significant amount of money.
“This is great news for SMEs who are the backbone of the economy. There is an estimated shared saving of around $20 each time e-invoicing replaces a paper invoice and around $17 each time it replaces a pdf invoice,” Mr Dominello said.
“Based on the 4.2 million invoices across NSW Government in 2019, a shared saving between the suppliers and NSW Government is estimated to be $71 million.
“This means the Government can spend more time helping customers and businesses can focus on their operations.”
Funding was allocated through the Digital Restart Fund to set up an e-invoicing service.
The NSW Government is leading efforts to see e-invoicing adopted across Australia.
Research indicates that e-invoicing rates in Australia range from 15 per cent for small businesses to 23 per cent for large businesses, compared with 28 per cent across Europe and 40 per cent in Denmark and Finland.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said this would improve the way SMEs interact with the Government.
“This mandate will enhance the Government’s existing Faster Payment Terms Policy, by ensuring that the accounts payable teams in Government agencies receive invoices within minutes, enabling payment to eligible small businesses within 5 business days,” Mr Tudehope said.
“One of the biggest issues for small businesses across NSW is cashflow and we want to take steps to ensure that properly rendered invoices reach and are actioned by the right teams as quickly as possible.”
Suppliers will have the option to use e-invoicing or continue to invoice Government agencies through existing means.

Students with disability are benefitting from more than $89 million invested by the NSW Government in three new schools for specific purposes in Sydney’s South West.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and Member for Camden Peter Sidgreaves today visited the new Yandelora School and toured the construction site of Passfield Park School.
Yandelora School is a $21.8 million dollar purpose built school providing specialised educational setting for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Ms Mitchell said the three schools are catering to a growing community and their specific needs.
“The facilities at these schools are specialised and world-class. They will change lives,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I have seen firsthand the difference a purpose built SSP can make. It helps teachers deliver quality education and helps students gain independence both at school and for their future endeavours.
“The NSW Government is investing in facilities like we see at Yandelora School to ensure every child in NSW has the opportunity to flourish at school, no matter their circumstances.”
Member for Camden Peter Sidgreaves was pleased to visit the local schools.
“I am proud that the NSW Government has delivered this school for our community, and it’s great to have the Minister officially open it,” Mr Sidgeaves said.
Ms Mitchell and Mr Sidgreaves also visited the construction site of the new Passfield Park School.
The mutli-million dollar investment will deliver 16 new permanent learning spaces within four hubs, a library, play areas, sensory gardens, landscaping and an indoor sports facility including a hydrotherapy pool.
The relocation of Mainsbridge School to purpose built facilities was also completed, with doors opening to students on Day 1 Term 2 this year.
“These three new schools are part of the NSW Government’s historic school building program,” Ms Mitchell said.
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion in four years to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW

Vivid Sydney 2021 will invigorate the Harbour City this August, with an innovative floating light walk, widespread celebration of Aboriginal culture and themes of resilience and diversity throughout.
Sydneysiders and visitors are invited to join the celebration of creativity, innovation and technology as one COVID-safe community from 6 to 28 August.
The 2021 program features more than 50 dazzling light installations and 3D projection artworks, over 50 eclectic music events and 90+ thought-provoking ideas talks and workshops across Barangaroo, Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Luna Park and The Rocks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there was a special kind of enthusiasm surrounding this year’s Vivid Sydney 2021 festival.
“Vivid is a terrific way to show how resilient Sydney has been after the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a festival like no other and will deliver a wonderful celebration of our city this August,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The full program is packed with creative and exciting displays using state of the art technology. I’m certain this year’s Vivid will be the best ever.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney 2021 was an open invitation for locals, visitors and businesses to uncover the magic of the Harbour City once again.
“Now more than ever, Vivid Sydney will be a beacon of creative endeavour and vibrancy for our city, a global celebration and an event pioneered by the NSW Government that delivers significant social and economic benefit for NSW.
“In its 12th edition, the Vivid Light Walk will centre around Circular Quay, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour – including our first-ever floating Light Walk in Cockle Bay – giving visitors three spectacular locations to explore over several nights in a COVID-safe way.
“The installations and projections have been produced by 129 light artists from 19 countries and many will offer an immersive and interactive experience through voice and motion controls.
“We are putting community safety first, working with NSW Health to ensure everyone is safe so we can all enjoy our Vivid Sydney experience and encourage our visitors to do the same by following the health advice,” Mr Ayres said.
The highly anticipated Lighting of the Sails of the Sydney Opera House is a digital rendition of an iconic Aboriginal painting, Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, created by the Martu Artists of the Pilbara region, transformed by Sydney’s Curiious Studio.
Vivid Music events will take over some of Sydney’s most-loved venues including rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard headlining the Carriageworks program, singer-songwriter Mia Rodriguez performing at Luna Park and R&B sensation Ngaiire taking over Parliament House.
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House features more acts and dates than ever before including Australian exclusives from Sampa the Great and performances by Golden Features & Hermitude.
Meanwhile, Vivid Ideas will celebrate the mavericks and misfits of the world, sparking conversation and debate across the program of events including the highly anticipated Game Changers at Sydney Town Hall featuring acclaimed actor and model Jameela Jamil streaming from the US to explore body positivity and the language of inclusivity; actor and comedian Magda Szubanski exploring resilience and the role of nature and the arts in healing; Australian hip hop pioneer Briggs; and comedian, rock musician and You Tube star Nat’s What I Reckon talking about music, mental health and self-expression.
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program opens today for applications, providing CBD businesses with free assets to dress city shopfronts with the Vivid Sydney spirit. Local retailers and businesses are also invited to promote exclusive experiences and offers during the festival. Applications close on 21 June.
“Vivid Sydney is an event that fills the city with energy and excitement, and in 2021, that connection and celebration is all the more important for us all, from visitors to businesses, locals to fans following from afar,” Mr Ayres said.
“We are calling on people to come to Sydney, stay a night or more, explore the program of Vivid Sydney events, support local businesses and wander through the Harbour City at its absolute best and brightest.
“It’s wonderful to have industry and Government working together for the benefit of the NSW visitor economy – this event would not be possible without the support of our creative industries, event owners and commercial partners.”
In 2021, the official Vivid Sydney charity partner is The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF), a national charity dedicated to raising language, literacy and numeracy standards in Australia.
Vivid Sydney is an accessible and inclusive event owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
For information about the event and to see the full program, go to vividsydney.com.
NEW media assets are available for download at: www.vividsydney.com/news-room
COVID-SAFE MEASURES ACROSS THE VIVID LIGHT WALK INCLUDE:

• Over 50 Service NSW check-in QR codes that can be scanned from a distance (up to 20m)
• Some sections of the Light Walk will be managed through one-way pedestrian flow to keep pedestrians moving
• COVID marshals throughout the Light Walk to assist visitors
• Hand sanitation stations throughout the Light Walk
• Touchless digital information kiosks
• Immersive and interactive installations through no-touch controls such as voice and movement
• Visitors are asked to observe instructions given by marshals and volunteers, and pay attention to the variable message signs when visiting the Light Walk
• Please follow the health advice in terms of physical distancing, practicing good hygiene, and staying home if feeling unwell.

Sexual consent laws will be strengthened and simplified under NSW Government reforms designed to protect victim-survivors and educate the community.
Attorney General Mark Speakman acknowledged the growing calls across the community for reforms to respond more effectively to the scourge of sexual violence in this country.
“No law can ever erase the trauma of sexual assault, but we can send the message that survivors’ calls for reform have been heard,” Mr Speakman said.
The key reforms include stipulating that:

1. a person does not consent to sexual activity unless they said or did something to communicate consent, and
2. an accused person’s belief in consent will not be reasonable in the circumstances unless they said or did something to ascertain consent.

The reforms respond to recommendations made in NSW Law Reform Commission (LRC) Report 148. In May 2018, Mr Speakman asked the LRC to review consent laws. The LRC’s final report was published in November 2020, following significant community engagement with this issue.
The LRC received 110 preliminary submissions, 36 submissions in response to its Consultation Paper, and 51 submissions in response to its draft proposals. Almost 3900 people accessed its online survey.
The Government is supporting, or supporting in principle, all 44 of the LRC’s recommendations, except to go further by clarifying that an accused person’s belief in consent will not be reasonable in the circumstances unless they said or did something to ascertain consent.
“This means we will have an affirmative model of consent, which will address issues that have arisen in sexual offence trials about whether an accused’s belief that consent existed was actually reasonable,” Mr Speakman said.
“No one should assume someone is saying ‘yes’ just because they don’t say ‘no’ or don’t resist physically. Steps should be taken to make sure all parties are consenting.
“I particularly thank survivor Saxon Mullins for her extraordinary bravery in sharing her story and tireless advocacy for victim-survivors, which have contributed to this historic reform.”
Survivor Advocate and Director from Rape & Sexual Assault Research & Advocacy, Saxon Mullins, welcomed the proposed reforms, which she described as a huge leap forward for consent laws in NSW.
“After so many years fighting for this, it’s almost hard to believe we’ll actually have affirmative consent laws in NSW,” Ms Mullins said.
“I know there’s so much more to do in this space, but this is a huge win for survivors, and I’m so grateful for all the survivors and academics who’ve paved the way for this to happen.
“I thank the Attorney General for going the extra step to ensure affirmative consent will be law in NSW.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said police are committed to preventing sexual assaults and supporting victims who come forward.
“As police, our primary role is to support victims who courageously come forward to police to report sexual assault and any reform that improves confidence in the judicial process is supported,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“I have already stated publicly that I have real concerns about low prosecution rates for sexual assault matters, and a clear definition of consent is integral to improving better outcomes for victims.
“I support the Government’s reforms to consent laws, which will provide certainty to victims and police as we embark upon prosecutions of these degrading and violent crimes.”

Amongst other changes, the reforms also introduce five new jury directions available for judges to give at trial to address common misconceptions about consent.

“These directions will support complainants by ensuring their evidence will be assessed fairly and impartially, and that juries will be able to better understand the experiences of sexual assault survivors,” Mr Speakman said.
“I thank the Law Reform Commission and lead Commissioner, the Honourable Acting Justice Carolyn Simpson AO, for a thorough and thoughtful report.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that schools and parents play significant roles in changing societal attitudes and will be important partners in supporting these reforms.
“All school sectors have committed to tackling the issue of consent through a Statement of Intent, promising increased engagement with students, staff, police and parents on the challenges of sexual assault and consent for young people,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The Government will improve the resources available for teachers and students, updating both the curriculum and the resources used to support students’ understanding, to reflect the changes brought about by these legal reforms.
“We will also work with parents and carers to develop specific resources so that families are part of the solution as we continue towards a culture where sexual violence is never acceptable.”
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said while anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, statistics show that women and girls are far more likely than men and boys to experience sexual offences.
“Women and girls are more likely to experience sexual violence and this is particularly the case for women with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those in regional NSW,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Today marks a turning point for our State. We have a chance to address the systemic issue of sexual violence and improve access to justice for all victim-survivors across NSW.”
The NSW Government today also committed to fund a research project designed to improve our understanding of victim experiences with the criminal justice process, and a targeted education program for judges, legal practitioners and police.
Another public education campaign is also under development to commence later this year, which will build on the success of the Government’s #makenodoubt campaigns.
A Bill to give effect to the reforms will be introduced to NSW Parliament later this year.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available from those who are trained to help: call NSW Rape Crisis on 1800 424 017 or  1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.