$4.9 Million Animal Studies Training Centre Opens at TAFE NSW Wyong

The future of animal care just got brighter on the Central Coast, with Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan, and Minister for the Central Coast and local Member, David Harris today officially opening the new $4.9 million Animal Studies Training Centre at TAFE NSW Wyong.

This state-of-the-art facility is set to become the go-to-hub for more than 480 Central Coast students enrolled in animal care and veterinary nursing courses this semester.

These students will have access to a simulated veterinary-style clinic, theatre and radiology rooms, as well as grooming and hydrotherapy facilities, and specialist animal habitats.

By equipping students with real-world skills in animal care services, veterinary nursing, and even wildlife and exhibited animals, the new centre is unlocking exciting career pathways into the booming animal care industry.

With the number of veterinary nurses in Australia expected to grow by 5.9% from 2023 to 2028, and an ongoing shortage of animal care and veterinary nursing professionals, this new facility will help address workforce demand across the Central Coast region.

Animal studies courses now being delivered at TAFE NSW Wyong include:

  • Certificate II in Animal Care 
  • Certificate III in Animal Care Services 
  • Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animals 
  • Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing 
  • Certificate II in Animal Care (TVET)

This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuilding TAFE NSW. In addition to the new Animal Studies Centre, TAFE NSW Wyong is set to receive more than $2.6 million to upgrade campus facilities ensuring students have access to top-tier education and training. 

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding TAFE NSW to provide education and training focused on priority industries and the critical skills our communities need.

“The new Animal Studies Training Centre at TAFE NSW Wyong is proof of our unwavering commitment to restoring TAFE NSW as a leading provider of vocational education and training aligned to local industry and community needs.

“This state-of-the-art facility is a game-changer for the Central Coast, giving students access to cutting-edge equipment and specialised training that mirrors real-world industry standards. We’re setting them up for success with job-ready skills that will open doors to rewarding careers in the growing animal care industry.”

Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris said:

“Like many regional communities, Wyong and the Central Coast rely heavily on TAFE NSW to deliver education and training to support local business and industry.

“Wildlife attractions, animal hospitals, and pet-loving residents contribute to the demand for skilled animal care workers and veterinary nurses.  

“After touring the facility late last year it’s exciting to see that the doors are finally opening to bolster tertiary education on the Central Coast.

“The NSW Government’s investment in the new animal services training centre at TAFE NSW Wyong will ensures Coasties have access to top quality educational facilities on the doorstep.”

Major work to start on Sturt Highway upgrade at Wagga Wagga

The Minns Labor Government is building a better Sturt Highway in Wagga Wagga by starting work on a $13.9 million upgrade to the road east of the city.

Work is due to begin on Tuesday March 4 to upgrade a 1.8 kilometre section of the Sturt Highway (also known as Hammond Avenue) on the eastern approach to Wagga Wagga’s CBD.

Work will include completely reconstructing the road with a new surface and new kerb on the northern and southern sides, lane widening and configuration changes to provide dedicated turning lanes. The changes will provide a smoother surface that is less prone to road damage and potholes and provide a safer and more comfortable journey for all road users.

Shoulders will be provided for cyclists on the northern and southern sides of the highway.

The first stage of this project – between Tasman Road and Blaxland Road – will start Tuesday 4 March and is expected to take 11 weeks to complete.

The second stage – from east of Blaxland Road to Stuart Road – will be delivered in the 2025-26 financial year.

This location is a high traffic area and Transport will plan to carry out work with as few impacts as possible. All work will be carried out under traffic control with lane closures and reduced speed limits in place. Detours around the work area will be in place at various stages of the project. Most of the work will take place between 7am and 6pm, with some night work also planned.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of traffic control and signage.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Sturt Highway provides a strategic freight and access link from Sydney via the Hume Highway to Mildura in Victoria and on to Adelaide in South Australia.

“It also serves as a local and regional access corridor to and from regional centres along the route, especially Wagga Wagga, to enable customers to access goods, services and employment.

“The Minns Labor Government is pleased to be investing in building a better section of highway in Wagga Wagga and we want to thank the community in advance for its patience and understanding while this work is carried out for the long-term benefit of all who live, work and visit the area.”

Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

“These works, coupled with the work now underway to redevelop the Marshalls Creek Bridge, are welcome improvements that will deliver a safer, smoother Sturt Highway for thousands of users every day.

“I acknowledge Transport for NSW’s efforts to liaise with businesses in the area and urge them to maintain that focus on reducing construction impacts, especially in Lawson Street during the closure period.

“The works will cause some disruption so I appreciate the patience of residents and motorists during a construction process that will cause inconvenience but will also deliver improvements that have been identified as important to the community.

“A renewed east/west link means better travel for local business and residents, and moving forward, I’ll also be advocating for major north/south improvements, including a second river crossing which will be critical to Wagga Wagga’s future.”

New Recreational Fishing Trust Advisory Council to oversee expenditure on recreational fishing funds

The Minns Labor Government has delivered on its election commitment to improve oversight of how NSW fishing licence fees are spent, with new regulation now in place to establish a Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council to oversee the spending of the funds.

The new Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will be responsible for providing advice to the NSW Minister for Agriculture on all expenditure from the Recreational Fishing Freshwater and Saltwater Trusts.

Revenue raised from recreational fishing license fees, around $16 million annually, is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing experiences, opportunities and habitats in NSW.

Since 2001, the Recreational Fishing Trusts have supported funding for more than 3,300 large and small projects, with almost 3,000 projects completed.

By providing advice directly to the Minister, the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will increase the confidence of recreational fishers in the way trust funds are spent, by improving the decision-making transparency.

In addition to members with expertise in recreational fishing, the new Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will look to have members with expertise in other important areas, including fisheries science and infrastructure construction, to assist with the review of the many diverse types of funding applications that are received each year.  

The existing advisory council on recreational fishing will continue to provide a key role with its focus on advising the Minister on recreational fishing issues, while the new council will focus on how expenditure is allocated to projects and ensuring they benefit recreational fishers.

Appointment to the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will be made following an open and transparent recruitment process that can now get underway following the change to the regulation.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“In 2023-24, over 400,000 NSW recreational fishing licences were issued, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring that recreational fishers fishing fees are used transparently and deliver the greatest benefit to saltwater and freshwater fishers.

“Projects funded through the Recreational Fishing Trusts—ranging from improvements to fishing access and facilities, to the annual stocking of millions of fish into waterways—play a crucial role in enhancing fishing opportunities for both current and future fishers in NSW.

“The new Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will bring specific expertise to decision making processes and ensure that recreational fishers can have confidence in the way funds from the Recreational Fishing Trusts are used and invested.

“I look forward to welcoming applications and appointing members to the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council following an open and transparent recruitment process this year.”

Minns Government sets high expectations for schools with new system-wide targets

The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to improve education outcomes for all students as ambitious academic, HSC attainment and school attendance targets are introduced to public schools to lift outcomes for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

New system-wide measures will provide clear guidance for school leaders, and are designed to lift outcomes for all students, including at comprehensive primary and high schools, selective schools, regional and rural schools, and Schools for Specific Purposes.

Our long-term plan to improve outcomes for students is in sharp contrast with the former Government’s failed approach, which was criticised in an OECD report for its “top-down” approach, which focused solely on lifting the outcomes of those already achieving the top results.

Schools will be required to strive for ambitious new goals, including:

  • Increasing the average NAPLAN reading and numeracy scores in 2027 by:
    • 10.2 points for Year 5 Reading
    • 5.8 points for Year 9 Reading
    • 11.5 points for Year 5 Numeracy
    • 5.7 points for Year 9 Numeracy
  • Increasing the proportion of NSW students attaining Year 12 from 70.5 per cent in 2022 to 74 per cent in 2027.
  • Growing the number of students taking up university, training or work for school leavers from 88.1 per cent to 92 per cent in 2027
  • Increasing the average student attendance rate from 87.8 per cent in 2023 to 88.8 per cent in 2027

These new system-wide targets reflect specific improvement targets required of schools in the areas of reading, numeracy and completions. With NAPLAN tests scheduled two academic years apart, data is now available to measure year group improvement after the Commonwealth introduced new NAPLAN baselines in 2023.

Correcting the course of our education system is vital for our state’s future, after 12 years of neglect under the Liberals and Nationals led to a stagnation in academic results, and a fall in our international rankings in Reading, Science and Mathematics. Under the former Government, disadvantage gaps also continued to widen, particularly in rural, regional, and remote areas.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to reversing this decline and setting high expectations for academic results and educational outcomes like attendance and school completion for every child and every public school. This ongoing work includes:

  • Bringing teacher vacancies to a four-year-low, or a 40 per cent reduction since when we came to Government in 2023, ensuring all students have a teacher in front of them
  • Making Small Group Tuition permanent in all NSW public schools to support all students with critical foundational literacy and numeracy skills
  • Trialling a Number Screening Check for Year 1 school children
  • Valuing the workforce by delivering the largest pay rise in a generation to NSW’s 95,000 teachers
  • Giving teachers job security by making 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contacts permanent
  • Implementing the new knowledge-rich NSW Curriculum, underpinned by evidenced-based explicit teaching

Alongside new academic targets, the Department has introduced a suite of system-focused measures to support teachers, schools and school-support staff wellbeing and retention, as well as prioritising key school infrastructure projects.

These measures include reducing teacher administrative time, cutting teacher vacancy rates, and attracting and retaining teachers, as part of our recognition that a strong teaching workforce is critical to improving student learning. The complete set of 16 measures is available on the Department’s website.

Progress made to date during 2024 can be found here.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“We were elected with a commitment to rebuild public education in NSW by fixing a broken system and lifting outcomes. That is exactly what we are doing.

“We cannot undo 12 years of neglect overnight, but we are working hard to ensure that no matter your postcode, parents know their children are receiving a world-class education.

“This is about setting high expectations of our public education system and every one of our students.

“No longer will targets be focused simply on the top-achieving students – these ambitious measures will help lift outcomes for all students across the state.”

Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“We have high expectations for achievement for our public education system, with ambitious reading and numeracy improvement measures being put in place by every school during term 1 this year.

“All public schools aim to ensure all students show growth in their literacy and numeracy skills. We recognise that this is the cornerstone for a successful schooling experience for every student.”

“Our new measures will account for the achievements of all students, not just those in the highest bands.

“The pathways improvement measure will capture the transitions of all students into meaningful post-school pathways, whether that is tertiary education, technical and further education or paid employment.”

Three years on, Australia stands with Ukraine

Today marks three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

For three years, Ukraine has bravely resisted Russia’s illegal and immoral war of aggression.

Australia mourns the loss of life of Ukraine’s citizens and defenders, and the generational toll of Russia’s brutality.

Australia continues to stand with Ukraine.

We have committed over $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $1.3 billion in military support through vital equipment for the battlefield and the training of Ukrainian forces.

Australia has been clear since day one that Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion, will face consequences.

The Australian Government has today imposed further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 79 entities.

This constitutes Australia’s largest sanctions package since February 2022.

The new sanctions target individuals propping up Russia’s illegal administrations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including so-called “ministers”, judges and prosecutors, and individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

The sanctions also target persons and entities involved in deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield.

Deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation is a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security.

Targets in Russia’s defence, transport and finance sectors, and those spreading disinformation to undermine Ukraine and governments around the world, have also been sanctioned.

Australia has now imposed a total of more than 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Government has taken decisive action to ensure Australians are not inadvertently fuelling Russia’s war economy.

Today we have further tightened trade bans on Russia by prohibiting the supply of commercial drones and components, including the provision of related services.

Guidance on the operation of these bans can be found on the sanctions guidance webpage.

Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.

Working with Ukraine and our partners, Australia supports a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

Appeal to locate teenager missing from Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from Newcastle.

Emily Kildey, aged 11, was last seen at honeysuckle Light Rail Stop, Newcastle, about 5.10pm on Sunday (23 February 2025).

When she was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Emily’s welfare due to her young age.

Emily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with light brown hair and black eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt, short overalls and a backpack.

Albanese Government provides tax relief to support investment and jobs

The Albanese Labor Government will provide tax relief for Australia’s distillers, brewers and wine producers.

Currently brewers and distillers get a full refund of any excise paid up to $350,000 each year. The Government will increase the excise remission cap to $400,000 for all eligible alcohol manufacturers. The Government will also increase the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) producer rebate to $400,000.

Adjusting the taxation arrangements will back an important local industry as well as supporting regional tourism, investment and job creation. Currently around 1,500 brewers and distillers and 3,000 wine producers access these tax incentives.

The proposal will apply from 1 July 2026.

In addition to the tax relief, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) will be providing Australian distillers, brewers and wine producers with additional support to help them grow their exports in high priority overseas markets.

This support includes the opportunity to join in trade missions, expert advice and connections to help our small and medium size exporters tap into fast growing markets, including in Southeast Asia and beyond.

The tax relief is estimated to decrease tax receipts by $70 million over five years from 2024-25.

the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“To build Australia’s future, we need strong small and medium sized businesses generating jobs and economic opportunity for Australians.

“This common sense measure will back thriving local industries and open the way for growth.”

the Treasurer Jim Chalmers:

“We’re pleased to have found room in a tight budget to provide some tax relief for a really important industry creating jobs and opportunities around Australia.

“Brewers, distillers and winemakers play a large role in many local economies and this support will help them invest and grow.”

the Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell:

“Supporting small distillery, brewing and wine businesses is not just about producing exceptional products – it’s about creating jobs, fostering local economies, and building a better Australia.

“By boosting our export support for these businesses, we are helping fast-track their success in international markets which will create even more jobs at home.”

Greens plan to create the position of Disability Minister

The Australian Greens have announced today that they would establish a Minister for Disability within the Federal Cabinet, and establish an Office for Disability and a Department of Disability.

The Department of Disability would be responsible for coordinating Federal disability services and would take responsibility for implementing the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Disability

“From the cost of housing to groceries to transport and healthcare – disabled people, our families, and support workers are being pushed to the brink right now. We need cross-government action to urgently improve the lives of disabled people across the
country.

“The creation of a Cabinet Minister for Disability and the establishment of a Department of Disability would ensure it is clear who is responsible for urgently improving the lives of disabled people in this country.

“In Australia, we have a Federal Minister for Women, a Minister for Young People, but no Federal Minister for Disabled People. States and Territories have a Minister for Disability, but the major parties have refused to create a Federal Government Ministry.

“Around 1 in 6 people in Australia identify as disabled. These millions of Australians deserve to have a Federal Government Minister responsible for disability issues. This role would be responsible for the NDIS, and the Quality and Safeguard Commission
and would ensure there are significant reforms undertaken across government including in housing, transport, healthcare and education.

“We know there’s much work to do to improve the lives of disabled people. Disabled people continue to be excluded, exploited and neglected.

“Something has to change, we need better leadership, ideally this role should be held by someone with lived experience of disability.”

PREMIER PANICS WHEN PUT ON THE SPOT OVER NO PLAN FOR ANY NEW PUBLIC HOUSING

In an astonishing display of avoidance, the Premier panicked when asked a simple question from the Greens during Question Time yesterday. 

The Victorian Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Gabrielle de Vietri asked if the state had plans to build a single genuinely public home at the sites where the towers are going to be demolished. 

Ms de Vietri made it explicitly clear that her question referred to public housing, not social housing. 

Despite the clear distinction, the Premier’s initial response referred to social housing anyway, and when pulled up on a point of relevance to address public housing specifically, the Premier refused to get up again and finish her answer. 

Ms de Vietri says that the performance the Premier gave just to avoid her question is extremely telling that her government clearly doesn’t have any plans to build more public housing at the tower sites, despite the plan wiping out a total of 7000 public homes. 

It comes the same week after the Housing Minister Harriet Shing also explicitly avoided answering the question about public housing in an article in The Age that exposed that ministers within Labor’s own ranks think the plan to demolish the towers has ‘no justification’.

Victoria has the least amount of public housing and spends the least on public housing out of any state in the country. 

Despite a ballooning public housing waitlist, the Victorian Labor Government is planning to demolish 7000 public homes across the 44 public housing towers. 

To date, the Victorian Labor Government hasn’t committed to a single public home being rebuilt at the tower sites. 

Victorian Greens Renters’ Rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“We’ve seen Labor continuously dance around this question, and yesterday the Premier just flat out refused to answer it. What that tells me is that they have absolutely no plan to build a single public home at the tower sites. 

“We’re in the middle of a housing crisis where the public housing waitlist is ballooning out of control. We should be building more public housing, not less, but this Labor government is selling off public land and knocking down the public housing we already have, it makes no sense. 

“There’s absolutely no evidence to back up the demolition of the towers and Labor knows it. It’s no surprise that the Premier can’t answer simple questions when the wheels are clearly falling off this disastrous plan.”

KEEPING KIDS OUT OF OUR BROKEN YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM

WA’s youth justice system is broken, likely to increase reoffending and causing devastating harm, with the deaths of two children in detention in the last 18 months.

The Greens (WA) are calling for the system to be completely overhauled with a massive increase of government funding for justice reinvestment, alongside preventative and therapeutic programs for young people to keep them out of prison.

The Greens plan includes:

  1. Closing Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison by 30 June 2025.
  2. Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
  3. The creation of a new lead agency for Youth Justice that is separate from Corrective Services, as per recommendations by the Coroner, Inspector of Custodial Services and in line with every other State and Territory.
  4. $120 million to develop a Youth Justice Strategy and invest in preventative and therapeutic programs to keep young people out of prison and supported in their community.
  5. A commitment to fast-track delivery of the Marlamanu on-country diversionary program in the Kimberley and an additional $100 million to work with First Nations to progress similar facilities in the East Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Mid West and South West regions.

WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt:

“Western Australia’s justice system is broken; it is harming kids, not helping them to thrive. 

“Over the course of 2024, WA locked up almost 750 children with evidence suggesting almost all of those kids have some kind of neurological disability. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result!

“After the tragic deaths of two young people that could, and should, have been avoided the time has come to acknowledge the system is not working for kids and commit to systemic reform with a focus on rehabilitative and therapeutic measures that divert at-risk young people away from the criminal justice system before it is too late.

“Unit 18 is a maximum security facility designed to hold 124 adult prisoners yet right now it holds just a handful of young people while the rest of our adult prisons, including Casuarina, are at breaking point.

“At an average cost of more than $1.1 million per year for every young person in Unit 18, there is simply no benefit to keeping this facility open. Imagine if we invested this money instead into diversion and prevention as a matter of priority, helping to break the cycle of reoffending before kids are locked up.

“Right now the administration of justice reinvestment is piecemeal, with various programs run by the Justice, Communities and WA Police. That’s why we’re calling for a dedicated agency to take the lead on youth justice and develop a holistic, statewide strategy for reform.

“At the end of the day, the Greens want to see increased investment in prevention and early intervention, place-based community services and diversionary programs for young people, both as a gross figure and a proportion of overall spending, that is based on what the evidence says is needed.

“Incarceration should be a last resort; especially for kids. Both major parties are so blinkered by wanting to appear ‘tough on crime’ that they refuse to listen to the experts, to the community and to the overwhelming and growing body of evidence nationally and internationally that this approach does not work.”

WA Greens First Nations spokesperson and Legislative Council candidate, Clint Uink:

“Jailing is failing and here in Western Australia, more than two-thirds of the kids who interact with the criminal justice system are First Nations, WA Labor are desperately failing to support and nurture kids who are falling through the cracks.

“There is no justification for locking up kids as young as 10 years old, which is why the Greens are reiterating our call for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised to at least 14 years of age.

“But more than that, we are calling for urgent reform of the justice system that puts the health and wellbeing of our kids first, and recognises that incarceration of children is not making our community safer.

“The Marlamanu on-country diversionary program in the West Kimberley was first proposed in 2017 and this Labor government promised it would be completed in 2023, yet here we are two years on and construction has not even begun.

“The current system causes incredible harm by isolating kids from their community and support networks – we want to see the Marlamanu program fast-tracked and further programs across the state rolled out as a priority.

“Young people need culturally-appropriate support to break the cycle of reoffending. Torturing children in solitary confinement in a maximum-security adult prison is a recipe for disaster. Jailing is failing us all; there is a better way, we’re calling for the courage to choose it.”