Celebrating 10 Years of Premier League – NSW’s Elite Netball Pathway

This year marks a major milestone for one of New South Wales’ most important netball competitions-Premier League turns 10.

Launched in 2016, Premier League has cemented itself as the pinnacle netball competition in NSW, showcasing the state’s top current and emerging talent every Wednesday night at Netball Central.

Over the past decade, it has become the undisputed breeding ground for future stars of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) – athletes, umpires, coaches and bench officials – offering a fiercely competitive environment that mirrors the intensity of Australia’s elite domestic league, considered the best in the world.

SSN representatives such as GIANTS Netball players Amy Sligar, Maddie Hay and Erin O’Brien, NSW Swifts Sophie Fawns, Freddie Schneideman and Grace Whyte, Melbourne Mavericks stars Tayla Fraser and Amy Parmenter along with Emily Moore from the Queensland Firebirds are all alumni of Netball NSW’s Premier League.

“The exposure to week in week out competition of Premier League was an amazing stepping stone into the SSN,” former Premier League and current SSN GIANTS Netball player Amy Sligar said.

“I started Premier League as a 15-year-old and continued to play as I moved through Super Netball Reserves and into SSN. I was incredibly lucky to play with and against so many amazing players, including current and former Suncorp Super Netball players.”

As a high-performance stepping stone, Premier League provides crucial development opportunities for players, coaches, umpires and administrators, bridging the pathway between community netball and the elite stage of the Super Netball Reserves and Suncorp Super Netball.

“Premier League also provided an opportunity to work with many great coaches. The lessons I learnt on and off court have helped shape my career in Suncorp Super Netball,” Sligar concluded

NSW Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle reinforced the value of the Premier League in building the next generation of SSN talent.

“I love the Premier League and coached in it early on, and I really think it has helped hugely in the development of talent into SSN,” said Akle

“So many past and present Swifts have come through Premier League such as Sophie Craig, Tayla Fraser, Teigan O’Shannassy, Lili Gorman-Brown and Lauren Moore. Some of our players still play in it to get high-quality game-time.

“Today we have the likes of Sophie Fawns, Freddie Schneideman and Grace Whyte who’ve also had huge development in it.

“It’s not just Swifts, many Giants have emerged from being part of it too and I reckon it’s hands down the best league of its kind in Australia.” affirmed Akle

Stacy Harding, General Manager – Competitions at Netball NSW, said the competition is an essential part of the state’s high-performance system.

“Premier League is where NSW’s next generation of stars are tested. It offers the best and most fierce competition to blood athletes for the ferocity of Suncorp Super Netball. Week in, week out, it demands elite intensity and prepares our players for the next level.”

Over the past 10 years, dozens of Premier League athletes, umpires, bench officials and coaches have stepped up to Super Netball contracts, national honours, and even international representation. It’s a track record that reflects both the depth of talent in NSW and the critical role this competition plays in nurturing future stars.

To celebrate the milestone, Netball NSW is launching a fan-led campaign to name the Premier League ‘Team of the Decade’.

Across Netball NSW and Premier League social channels, fans can cast their votes for the best player in every position, as well as the Coach of the Decade-a fun and nostalgic way to honour the standout performers of the past 10 seasons.

The finals series for Premier League commences on Wednesday 23 July, with the Grand Final taking place on Sunday 3 August at Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. All matches are available to watch live and on demand at https://netballnsw.tv/

Clandestine Koala Translocation Program results in Koala Deaths – Labelled Animal Cruelty and calls on Minister and Premier to Explain

A NSW Government Koala Translocation project, claimed to promote genetic diversity in south-east NSW has gone horribly wrong with 13 koalas translocated and 7 dead, leading to calls to explain how the project got off the ground, halt all translocations of koalas in NSW and investigate whether any charges for animal cruelty should be laid against those responsible.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson says “What’s happened is deeply disturbing, tragic and cruel. How this even past muster as a Koala “conservation program” is unfathomable, something has gone radically awry and the Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe is staying quiet, but she and Premier Chris Minns must explain.

“This level of experimentation with our endangered koalas is cruel, was a catastrophic failure and should not have happened. The control settings around this translocation experiment were obviously fundamentally flawed and I don’t think the public would find this level of experimentation with our endangered koalas at all acceptable.

“The evidence over many years shows that translocation of koalas is fraught with risk and failure. It is deeply concerning that the Government allowed thirteen healthy koalas to be taken from their habitat in the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area all the way to South East Forest National Park where there are no koalas. Given the outcome, it’s clear they shouldn’t have.

“Koalas are not expendable, any and all translocation programs must be immediately stopped and the ethics and controls around such programs need to be reviewed transparently and publicly. In this case there needs to be an investigation as to whether animal cruelty laws have been breached. It is hard to reconcile that only a few months ago wildlife carer Tracey Dodds was prosecuted for animal cruelty charges for caring for a rescued kangaroo that had to be euthanized.

“It’s a stark and tragic reminder that the only sure way to protect koalas and avoid their current dire trajectory of extinction is to protect them from predation, road strike and disease now, where they currently live and to improve and extend that very habitat.

“It’s deeply distressing and sends a very cynical message that the Government is focussed on high risk and failed koala program effort while it continues to allow the destruction of core koala habitat for development and logging of high quality koala habitat in the forests of the promised Great Koala National Park, with no end in sight.

“The Minns Labor Government promised to protect koalas, but it’s been over 2 years, they haven’t established the Great Koala National Park, changed any laws to better protect koalas, they haven’t even completed the review of the NSW Koala Strategy and the Minister for the Environment is staying quiet about what has happened here.

New high-tech Western Harbour Tunnel facility brings manufacturing jobs to Sydney’s West

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a better NSW, today opening a high-tech facility that will fabricate the new Western Harbour Tunnel and create around 700 quality manufacturing jobs in Western Sydney.

The new, purpose-built facility at Emu Plains will precast individual concrete segments and culverts. They will then be put in place by the two largest tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in the Southern Hemisphere as they excavate under Sydney Harbour.

The walls, roof and floor of the huge tunnel, which is the size of three Metro tunnels, will be fitted together from thousands of concrete pieces made by skilled local workers and fitted together like a giant precision-cut jigsaw.

More than 13,000 concrete segments and nearly 1,400 culverts will be custom built in the state-of-the-art facility in Emu Plains, before being transported to the tunnels via the M4 and WestConnex.

The Emu Plains site is an Australian first. It is expected to operate for up to three years for the project and has the potential to be used by other projects or businesses in future, making it a lasting legacy of the tunnel project.

The tunnel boring machines are expected to arrive in Sydney later this year, before being assembled deep underground below Birchgrove. They will tunnel 1.5km from Birchgrove to Waverton, under the Sydney Harbour seabed, connecting the northern and southern ends of the project.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $4.2 billion over four years to deliver Sydney’s first road crossing of the harbour in almost 30 years.

The 6.5 kilometre tunnel will connect the Warringah Freeway in North Sydney to the WestConnex M4 and M8 at Rozelle Interchange, helping drivers bypass the CBD and making it easier, faster and safer to get around Sydney.

As the Government continues to champion women’s economic opportunities, particularly in historically male dominated industries, of the 700 jobs created at this facility there will be a target of 50 per cent women. Over 7,000 construction jobs will be created through building the Western Harbour Tunnel.

Due to open to traffic in 2028, under the Minns Labor Government this city shaping Project will remain in public hands. This is in direct contrast to the former Liberal National Government who sold off roads which were paid for and owned by the People of New South

Wales, resulting in rising toll prices controlled by a private company and have continued to champion privatisation from opposition.

You can find more details on the project here

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said: 

“This is a city shaping project which is literally being manufactured piece by piece in Western Sydney.

“We know that Sydney is growing, and we are working hard to address the housing crisis and bring Sydney’s CBD back to life – the fact is we can’t do any of that if we don’t have the roads we need to get people safely and quickly from A to B.

“Today’s announcement is a big milestone in our work to deliver this major project. At the same time this will provide a massive boost for our states manufacturing capability, bringing more jobs and opportunity to Western Sydney.

Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“It’s exciting to see this facility open for business today and ready to build Sydney’s second harbour tunnel with local talent and world’s best technology.

“We are proud of the work to encourage more women into construction through this new facility.

“The Western Harbour Tunnel is one of 23 Government pilot projects trialing increased targets of for women in trade and introducing a new target of 7% for non-traditional roles.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said:

“Delivering a project of this scale requires specialised manufacturing and state-of-the-art technology. We’re investing in smart, modern manufacturing right here in Emu Plains to lift our capabilities.

“This project is another example of how our Minns Labor Government is spending our government procurement dollars to create more well-paid, highly skilled jobs right here in NSW.

“We’re backing Western Sydney workers by providing them the tools, opportunities and facilities to deliver this critical piece of infrastructure, right at their doorstep.”

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown said:

“Emu Plains has a long and proud history of manufacturing quality infrastructure, and it’s great to see that continue with this new facility.

“700 quality, manufacturing jobs right here in Western Sydney is a massive win and I’m proud of the Government’s work to promote gender equality in a historically male dominated industry.

“The opening of this factory in Emu Plains proves yet again that we are the engine room of the state.”

NSW can’t afford this Government

The Minns Labor Government has spent $11 billion more on public sector wages than it told the people of New South Wales it would. Meanwhile, it has cut infrastructure funding for schools, hospitals, transport and water, the very things families need to keep moving, working and living well.
 
Acting Leader of the NSW Opposition Leader Damien Tudehope said the Government has lost all sense of balance.
 
“We have always backed fair pay for the frontline workers who serve this state and we always will, but when pay increases come with delays, cuts and crumbling services, the people paying the bill start asking where their money is going,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
Ten percent of people in New South Wales are public servants. The other ninety percent of NSW rely on the public services that are now being squeezed.
 
Under this Minns Labor Government:
 
Transport infrastructure has been cut by $21 billion since 2022
 
Water infrastructure is facing a $5.9 billion hole under the regulator’s draft ruling
 
$1 billion has been stripped from the health capital budget
 
Hospital projects been shelved or stalled or re-announced with micro updates to appear as if the government is doing something.
 
Elective surgery waiting lists have returned to near-COVID levels, with more than 100,000 patients waiting
 
Labor went to the election claiming wage increases would come at no cost, offset by productivity. That never happened. The result is a government that has run out of runway — high wages, low delivery, and no long-term plan.
 
Frank Sartor, a former Labor minister, warned of this very risk in his book The Fog on the Hill. He wrote:
 
“From 1997 to 2010 public sector wages and salaries in New South Wales grew at a rate way above not only their interstate counterparts, but those in the Commonwealth public service and the NSW private sector in real terms… NSW public sector workers were being indulged compared with their counterparts… Because of union control of the Labor government, a very significant economic rent was being paid… This annual extra cost severely restricted the government’s capacity to fund vital infrastructure projects such as new rail links.” (Frank Sartor, The Fog on the Hill, p. 45)
 
That is what is happening again, and it is happening faster.
 
Budget papers show that by 2028, wages will consume 55 percent of discretionary spending, up from 46 percent just two years ago. That leaves less than half the budget to serve everyone else.
 
We need to support our workers and the people they serve. Labor has forgotten the second half of that promise.

Maitri Grants recipients announced promoting Australia–India ties

Today, I am pleased to announce the 34 recipients of this year’s Maitri Grants, Fellowships and Scholarships.

The Maitri (meaning friendship) Grants, administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, aims to support greater exchange and collaboration with India across technology, business, education and culture.

Each project will cultivate deeper connections between our two countries, including:

  • The Lowy Institute’s first-ever India Chair, which will lift the quality of research and conversations around India’s role as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Best-practice playbooks by Asialink Business to support collaboration, capability training and the sharing of successful partnership models in cleantech and agtech.
  • A world-class exhibition featuring rare artworks by renowned Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.
  • An incubator of untold narratives from Australia’s South Asian diasporas that will showcase Australian-Indian experience to global screen audiences, led by Bodhi Studios.

The 2024-2025 Maitri Grants also includes 13 Maitri scholarships supporting innovative research across fields such as quantum computing technologies and clean energy solutions and three Maitri fellowships dedicated to exploring opportunities between Australia and India in biomanufacturing, maritime cooperation and digital governance.

Australia and India’s relationship is closer and more important than ever. We are deepening cooperation across priority sectors that are vital to both nations’ futures, including in defence, trade, education, and technology.

For the full lists of Maitri Grants:

Greens welcome Murujuga rock art World Heritage listing, but industrial threats persist

The Greens welcome UNESCO including Murujuga on the World Heritage List and hope Labor will now ensure its survival by cancelling the draft approval for the North West Shelf.

Leader of the Australian Greens and First Nations spokesperson, Larissa Waters:

“The Murujuga Cultural Landscape is an awe inspiring illustration of culture and stories beginning tens of thousands of years ago. 

“It truly deserves World Heritage listing, just as it deserves protection from North West Shelf’s acidic emissions so its ancient stories can continue to be told. 

“A word of warning to Minister Watt, the world is now watching. Cancel the draft approval for the North West Shelf and prove Labor is willing to stand up for the oldest art gallery in the world.

“We applaud staunch advocates Raelene Cooper and Save Our Songlines for fighting to ensure Murujuga’s strictest protection from Woodside’s money grab.

“UNESCO had warned that Woodside’s gas plant threatened the longevity of the rock art prior to the listing, but Minister Watt successfully lobbied other nations when he should have simply rejected Woodside’s climate bomb extension in the first place.

“This highlights why World Heritage laws need to be strengthened, and once again shows Labor needs to bolster Australia’s limp environmental laws.”

From plans to pavement: federal and state governments to deliver a major upgrade for the M5 and Western Sydney

The Albanese and Minns governments are getting on with delivering the critical infrastructure Western Sydney needs, with the NSW government today signing a contract to upgrade an infamous traffic chokepoint in Sydney’s south west with Seymour Whyte.

The project includes a new three lane toll-free bridge over the Georges River and train lines at Liverpool, improving the connections between the M5 Motorway, Moorebank Avenue and the Hume Highway.

The upgrade includes the removal of the weave on the M5 Motorway between Moorebank Avenue and the Hume Highway to improve safety and traffic flow for road users entering and exiting the M5 Motorway.

The project will also include a new underpass at Moorebank Avenue, connecting the M5 Motorway westbound to the Hume Highway, and upgrade the intersection between the M5 Motorway and Moorebank Avenue.

The existing bridge over the Georges River, which connects the M5 Motorway to the Hume Highway and Moorebank Avenue, sees more than 2,500 trucks a day move from the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal Precinct onto the Sydney motorway network.

Afternoon peak sees traffic bank up, as cars and trucks entering the motorway westbound at Moorebank Avenue attempt to merge with traffic already on the motorway that is looking to exit at the Hume Highway. Truck numbers on the interchange are also expected to increase as new sections of the expansive Moorebank Intermodal Terminal Precinct come online.

The Albanese and Minns governments are partnering to build a better NSW through investments in major infrastructure. Both have each committed $190 million towards this project as part of the ongoing Western Sydney infrastructure blitz.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“This upgrade will ensure the conga-line of trucks coming in and out of the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal Precinct can flow more freely, keeping goods moving to their destinations, while delivering real benefits for commuters during peak periods.

“Western Sydney is growing quickly and the Albanese Government is investing over $19 billion to deliver the transport infrastructure Western Sydney needs.”

Acting Premier Ryan Park:

“Western Sydney is the economic powerhouse of our state, and investments like this M5 upgrade ensure we’re building the infrastructure backbone to support continued growth and prosperity.

“We’re not just building roads, we’re building opportunities for families, businesses and freight operators who depend on efficient connections across the growing region.”

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

“Today’s contract signing is a major milestone that brings us one step closer to getting shovels in the ground on the infrastructure Western Sydney needs.

“This upgrade will slash congestion and create a safer driving environment for the thousands of motorists who use this critical interchange every day.

“The contract is signed, the builders are ready, and soon we’ll be improving connections across our region. The extra lanes will remove the need for around 3,900 vehicles per day to weave between lanes, making journeys safer and faster for families and freight operators alike.”

Member for Hughes David Moncrieff:

“This is fantastic news for my community in south west Sydney. For too long, locals have been stuck in traffic at this congestion pinch point, especially during afternoon peak periods.

“This upgrade will eliminate a major bottleneck and help traffic flow along the M5, making a real difference to the daily lives of families and workers in our area. It’s great to see both levels of government working together to deliver the infrastructure we need.”

Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley:

“This is great news for residents of Werriwa who utilise this road every day.

“The improvement in traffic flow will save commuters time and stress. I look forward to the completion of this long awaited and necessary section of road.”

More paramedics, more nurses & more doctors join the NSW health system

More paramedics, more nurses and more doctors will be joining the NSW health system including almost 70 new paramedic interns from today.

It comes as 24 NSW public hospitals have either achieved or are in the process of implementing safe staffing ratios in their emergency departments, with the NSW Government announcing yesterday that Campbelltown Hospital had been the latest to complete its rollout.

The NSW Government has also recruited more doctors for the bush, and will soon commence its campaign inviting junior doctors to join the NSW health system.

Paramedics

NSW Ambulance will today welcome 67 new paramedic interns and 6 new paramedic inductees following an official ceremony at the State Operations Centre, Sydney Olympic Park.

They join almost 600 new paramedics who have entered the service since the beginning of the year.

The new recruits come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including Rylie Muirhead who was inspired to join NSW Ambulance after being a carer for her mum and experiencing frequent interactions with paramedics, and Carissa Johnson who is following in her paramedic father’s footsteps.

The 67 paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships, before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.

The 6 paramedic inductees, who previously worked as paramedics interstate or overseas, will be posted across metropolitan and regional locations in NSW for nine weeks, prior to becoming registered paramedics with NSW Ambulance. 

Safe staffing in emergency departments

Campbelltown Hospital became the latest hospital to achieve safe staffing ratios, the government announced.

It joins 9 other NSW public hospitals to complete the rollout of safe staffing ratios, including:

  • Gosford
  • Liverpool
  • John Hunter
  • Nepean
  • Royal North Shore
  • Royal Prince Alfred
  • Tamworth
  • Tweed
  • Westmead Children’s

This is in addition to the 14 NSW public hospitals which are in the process of implementing safe staffing ratios, including:

  • Port Macquarie
  • Lismore
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Bankstown
  • Wollongong
  • St George
  • Wagga Wagga
  • Orange
  • Westmead
  • Blacktown
  • Hornsby Ku-ring-gai
  • Sutherland
  • Concord
  • Prince of Wales

Rural doctors

The NSW Government will also welcome more doctors to boost the regional health workforce.

The Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway (RGSEP) supports future rural generalists in their training across both primary care and hospital settings, through a length-of-training contract which allows them to keep and accrue entitlements across both settings; as well as receive the same pay and conditions as their hospital trained counterparts.

Last year, the program recruited 29 trainees across regional local health districts, joining a broader cohort of 142 working in regional NSW.

Positions for the 2026 clinical year are available in Far West, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, Southern NSW and Western NSW LHDs.

Applications for the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway program open on 15 July and close on 5 August 2025.

Junior doctors

Junior doctors from Australia and abroad are being encouraged to become part of the country’s leading public health system, with the 2025 NSW Health Junior Medical Officer (JMO) recruitment campaign opening next Tuesday, 15 July 2025.

NSW Health is inviting junior doctors who have completed their first two postgraduate years of medical practice to apply to develop their skills in the country’s largest and most advanced public health system.

Junior doctors are encouraged to consider roles in rural and regional areas, with incentive packages available for those looking to support these communities and gain experience in a different setting.

Junior Medical Officers provide essential frontline medical care to the millions of people who use health services across the state.

Those recruited will start in their new roles at the beginning of the 2026 clinical year and will be offered positions in a range of specialties including general medicine, intensive and emergency care, pain management, psychiatry, pathology and more.

Rebuilding the health workforce

The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding an engaged, capable and supported workforce, by:

  • Saving 1,112 nurses which the Liberal Government planned to sack;
  • Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the largest wage increase to healthcare workers in a decade;
  • Supporting our future health workforce through providing them with study subsidies;
  • Investing $274 million to deliver an additional 250 healthcare workers at upgraded hospitals left with inadequate staff by the previous government;
  • Deploying 500 regional paramedics to the bush; and
  • Bringing more health workers to country NSW through the Rural Health Worker Incentive Scheme.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“From day one, we said that our top priority was to rebuild a capable and supported health workforce.

“We abolished the wages cap, undoing a decade of wage suppression; rolled out safe staffing ratios; recruited more paramedics; and brought more health workers out to the bush.

“Under the Minns Labor Government, the NSW health workforce is experiencing the most significant structural reform in its history.” 

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“These new paramedics have learned to think fast, act fast, and to deliver the clinical expertise they have learned.

“Today, they are graduates – but from tomorrow, they are clinicians ready to think clinically, treat confidently, and care completely.

“With every call, assessment and intervention, these recruits will become part of a patient’s journey.”

paramedic intern Rylie Muirhead:

“As a child observing paramedics tend to my mum, I was inspired by their compassion and kindness.

Being part of a patient’s journey through healthcare will be very rewarding”

paramedic intern Carissa Johnson:

“To be a paramedic and continue a family legacy is the culmination of a long-held ambition.

The training has been intense but fun, and I am looking forward to putting my skills into practice”.

$5.14 million to build John Fordham House for people living with disabilities in South Jerrabomberra

The Minns Labor Government is partnering with the Ricky Stuart Foundation to deliver the John Fordham House in South Jerrabomberra, a new best practice accommodation home for people living with a disability.

$5.14 million is being invested as part of the Government’s ongoing work to build a better New South Wales, with greater opportunities, inclusion and understanding of peoples living with a disability.

The House will be made up of private living spaces with indoor and outdoor areas including a breakout room, kitchen, living, dining, courtyard and a carers office with live in facilities.

The home will include design features that ensure an accessible home including wider corridors, and will be completed with fittings, fixtures and finishes specifically designed to ensure safety.

Residents will be encouraged to engage in their local community and grow their networks by participating in local events, sports, social activities and by working locally.

The project will be led by the Ricky Stuart Foundation which has demonstrated experience in the design, development and delivery of disability accommodation and support projects, having constructed Ricky Stuart House in 2016 and Emma Ruby House in 2018, providing local families with access to state-of-the-art disability respite care and accommodation.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to making NSW a more inclusive and accessible place for people with disability. As part of this commitment, the Government last year announced the largest investment in accessible housing in the state’s history — a $5.1 billion package to deliver 8,400 new social homes, all of which will meet National accessibility standards.

The Ricky Stuart Foundation was created in 2011 by former Kangaroos and NSW Blues halfback and now Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and his wife Kaylie.

Following their daughter Emma’s autism diagnosis at age 11, Ricky and Kaylie became aware of the lack of awareness, services and support for families in similar situations. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of raising a child with autism, Ricky and Kaylie knew more needed to be done to support local families.

The project has been named in honour of Ricky’s mentor and manager, the late John Fordham, who is remembered for his legacy of dedication across many charities including the establishment of the Head and Neck Foundation and work with the Cauliflower Club.

For more information, go to: www.rickystuart.org

Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This is a fantastic initiative which will help improve quality of life and economic independence for people living with disability.

“The home will provide inclusive accommodation to help residents build skills, independence and social connection as well as much-needed peace of mind for families worried about safety and security for their loved ones.”

Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“Everyone deserves a place to call home — a home that supports independence, inclusion and connection. This project is a great example of how we can create spaces that truly reflect the needs of people with disability and help them thrive in their communities.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to building a more inclusive NSW, where people with disability are supported not only to live well, but to belong.”

Local Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:

This is such a fantastic project for South Jerrabomberra, and I know it will mean a lot to many local families. Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and connected with their community, and that is exactly what John Fordham House will offer to those who access the facility.

I’ve seen the difference that the Ricky Stuart Foundation has made through its other accommodations, and I’m proud to see that kind of care and commitment coming to our region.

John Fordham House will give families peace of mind, knowing their loved ones have access to the right support in a caring space that has been designed with care and dignity at front of mind. I’m thrilled that the NSW Government is backing this important work.”

Chairperson and Founder of Ricky Stuart Foundation, Ricky Stuart said:

“Emma’s journey to independent living has taught us so much about what young people need to thrive. John Fordham House is built on that experience. It will give others the same opportunity, a safe and supportive home where they can grow, feel proud of who they are and be part of their local community.”

“The $5.14 million commitment from the NSW Government means we can get on with delivering the promise we made to local families. This is about more than building a home. We are creating a blueprint for supported living that puts dignity, inclusion and community at the centre. I’m proud we’re doing that right here in Queanbeyan.”

Boost to early support services for families escaping violence

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are creating safer communities for women and children impacted by domestic and family violence by boosting access to an early intervention program which aims to build resilience in families and stop the cycle of abuse.

Under the National Partnership Agreement for Family, Domestric and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-30, stage two of the Safe and Strong Families program will be delivered in an additional 16 sites, with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) providing culturally safe services in ten locations across New South Wales.

Stage one rolled out in late 2024 with 11 ACCOs delivering the program in 10 priority locations.

Funded with $13 million under the National Partnership Agreement, Safe and Strong focuses on supporting both victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and their children as victims in their own right.

The program is a crucial entry point for victim-survivors to receive early family and domestic violence support, and recognises that children who experience family violence need tailored support.

Case workers help develop personal, family and community level strengths and capacity to increase individual and family safety. This includes counselling, education and skills training, Indigenous social participation, information/advice/referral, intake/assessment, material aid, mentoring/peer support, and supported playgroups.

Importantly, Aboriginal-led, trauma-informed and culturally safe strategies recognise the importance of culture, connection to Country and the role of men’s and women’s business in responding to and healing from family violence.

Service providers are encouraged to work with victim-survivors and their children for as long as required to achieve positive outcomes.

Since service commencement, stage one Safe and Strong providers have supported about 77 families and 200 individual clients.

Locations for delivery of Safe and Strong were selected using domestic violence crime and child protection data, to identify areas of the highest need.

Federal Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek said:

“The Albanese Labor Government wants Australia’s children to grow up safe and supported in their families, communities and culture.

“Early intervention programs are key in the fight against domestic and family violence, helping to stop violence at the start. And we know the best programs are those developed by community for community.

“The next stage of the Safe and Strong program builds on existing work to address the drivers of violence and provide tailored First Nations-driven solutions and supports to victim-survivors.

“Ending domestic and family violence is going to take all of us working together with frontline services and out whole community. That’s why we’ve doubled funding for frontline services to ensure families and children experiencing violence can access the supports they need.”

NSW Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington said:

“Children who experience violence in their homes carry that trauma with them and without the right support, it can shape the rest of their lives.

“That’s what this program is all about — stepping in early, wrapping the right supports around children and families at risk of, or experiencing, violence; so they can recover, rebuild and thrive.

“The NSW Government is investing in programs like Safe and Strong because we want to support families to stop the cycle of abuse.”

NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government recognises the need to respond to the impacts of domestic and family violence on Aboriginal people.

“We know the best way to close the gap is by Aboriginal people shaping and driving outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“Having Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations run the Safe and Strong program it ensures that women and children escaping domestic violence can receive healing in a culturaly safe space and while feeling connected to country.”

NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government recognises the urgent need to do more to meet the needs of children and young people who experience domestic and family violence and break the cycle of intergenerational violence.

“Safe and Strong Families delivers just that with its child- and family-focused approach to providing early intervention and support services that treat children as victim-survivors in their own right.

“Women and children who are impacted by violence and abuse deserve to live free from violence and the fear of violence.”

General Manager of the Youth Family and First Nation Languages Service Division at Regional Enterprise Development Institute (REDI.E) Kevin Jones says:

“As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation with a long-standing history of delivering vital services in Walgett, REDI.E is proud to have secured the Safe and Strong Families funding to strengthen our work addressing domestic and family violence in both community and school settings.

“This funding allows us to continue working in close partnership with the Department of Communities and Justice, local Aboriginal governance groups, schools, and the broader community to create a safer, stronger future for the families of Walgett.

“Importantly, this funding will also enhance the school-based support services REDI.E already provides—ensuring culturally responsive, early intervention and support continues to be accessible for those who need it most.”

Senior Program Manager at Anglicare Sydney Lee-Anne Page said:

“Anglicare is deeply committed to supporting families, particularly those impacted by domestic and family violence.

“The Safe and Strong funding provides a vital opportunity to enhance our services and deliver targeted, compassionate, holistic support.

“Through this initiative, we aim to create safer, stronger futures for children and families across the Cumberland community.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.