Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has invested $5.3 million in The Orchard Dubbo, a new Core and Cluster refuge for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

Under the Core and Cluster program, the NSW Government is investing $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across NSW for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

In addition, the 2024-25 NSW Budget has committed $5.1 billion to new social housing, with 50 per cent prioritised for domestic violence victim-survivors.

The Orchard Dubbo comprises 4 self-contained homes that promote secure independent living around a ‘core’ of on-site support services, such as safety planning, legal advice and ADVO support, parenting programs and referrals to local services.

Aboriginal residents will also have access to an Aboriginal domestic and family violence specialist worker.

Community Housing Provider Housing Plus has delivered the refuge, with specialist support services to be provided by Plus Community and the Western Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

The Orchard Dubbo is one of 26 Core and Cluster refuges in regional NSW.

Once all Core and Cluster refuges come online, they will support an additional 2,900 women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.

The NSW Government is acting to reduce domestic and family violence in the state with a $245.6 million package that focuses on crisis response, early intervention and prevention, so women and children can feel safe at home and in the community.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Family and domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. No woman should have to choose between staying in a violent relationship or becoming homeless.

“Experiencing violence can significantly impact a woman’s financial security and access to stable housing.

“This refuge will help victim-survivors feel safe and supported as they leave abusive relationships, and provide a secure place to heal before moving into stable accommodation.”

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

“The NSW Government is supporting women and children leaving domestic and family violence and making sure they have access to the services they need, particularly in regional and rural areas.

“Refuges like The Orchard are crucial in helping women and children take their first step towards escaping violence.

“The innovative Core and Cluster model will help women and children feel safe and supported while they rebuild their lives in their community.”

The Orchard’s Manager Rebecca Bohun said:

“The Orchard provides an important option for victim survivors to stay in their community, where they have established support networks including family, friends, and services, ensuring they can continue existing employment and education.

“Once a family is safely accommodated at The Orchard, they remain with us until they are supported to access safe, affordable long-term accommodation.”

The NSW Government will provide $14.578 million in grants to maintain and upgrade Crown land reserves and community facilities to support the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW communities.

The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) grants will fund more than 140 community projects across the state.

These upgrades will improve community facilities, including sporting clubs, recreation areas, walking tracks, cycleways, public halls, museums, childcare centres, swimming pools, showgrounds, cultural institutions, camp sites, and racecourses.

The 2023-2024 grants, from Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), will support projects in the Sydney region, from the Northern Beaches in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west and north to the Hawkesbury.

Crown reserves support communities by providing land for recreation, such as parks, ovals and walking tracks. They provide land for organisations and facilities such as public halls, showgrounds, campgrounds, racecourses, surf life saving clubs, PCYC clubs, and Scouts and Girl Guide groups.

Reserves support tourism and local jobs, businesses and economies through activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and wildlife watching.  They also protect sensitive areas of environment for native plants and animals, and areas of cultural and heritage significance to local and Aboriginal communities.

For more information, please click here

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) will provide grants to Crown land managers right across our state to maintain and improve public reserves for the benefit of hundreds of local communities and many thousands of residents.

“This year more than $14.6 million in grants will support 144 projects to maintain and upgrade reserves and community facilities, enhancing the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW residents.

“Maintaining and enhancing our Crown reserves is vital for community health and well-being to allow residents to enjoy quality open spaces, access community and recreation facilities, and immerse themselves in nature.”

Communities in Sydney’s south west are being invited to learn more about the new Bankstown Hospital, with community information sessions taking place this week.

The Minns Labor Government has committed $1.3 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital to help meet the future health needs of one of Sydney’s fastest growing regions.

Master planning is underway for the new hospital, which will be built on Chapel Road at Bankstown, located close to the city centre, public transport networks and the future Sydney Metro.

Information sessions will be taking place at Bankstown Central Shopping Centre outside Kmart on:

• Friday 5 July 2024 from 10.00am – 2.00pm
• Saturday 6 July 2024 from 10.00am – 2.00pm

Members of the community are encouraged to drop in any time to meet the project team and ask about the new hospital.

The community is also being invited to provide feedback via an online survey until 31 July 2024, which can be found here:  bit.ly/newbankstownhospital-survey

The scope of the New Bankstown Hospital will be determined through the ongoing planning process, and is expected to include:

• Emergency services
• Intensive care
• Surgery and interventional procedures
• Women’s and Children’s Health
• Aged health
• Mental health
• Ambulatory care services. 

The new hospital will integrate with the existing Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital site, which will remain as a health facility, to deliver contemporary healthcare and a better healthcare experience across a broad range of community and hospital-based services.

The site offers precinct opportunities for health, education, research partners, including TAFE NSW and universities, to meet the learning needs of the local community, improve educational outcomes and support the state’s priority skills need.

The project is being delivered by South Western Sydney Local Health District and Health Infrastructure. The scope of the project and indicative timing of the works will be finalised during planning and design of the new hospital.  Staff, stakeholders, and the community will be kept informed and consulted as the project progresses.  

The new Bankstown Hospital is possible as the Minns Labor Government is investing in essential services that communities rely on, and is part of $3 billion investment in new and upgraded hospitals across greater Western Sydney.

This includes:  

• An additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital 
• $550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989.  
• $120 million investment by the NSW Government to expand capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals
• $350 million to expand Canterbury Hospital and upgrade existing infrastructure.

For more information about the project visit the website: www.newbankstownhospital.health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Health Ryan Park

“We’re delivering health infrastructure for communities, across NSW, in particular focusing on parts of the state that need it.”

“The new hospital will transform healthcare for the Bankstown and surrounding communities and is the first major investment in the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital since the hospitals merged in 1997.

The Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Member for Bankstown

“This new hospital is a great outcome for the local community and we want to make sure they have their say on delivering a new health facility that meets their needs.”

Quotes attributable to Kylie Wilkinson, Member for East Hills

“With planning and consultation underway, we encourage anyone who lives and works in the local area to attend an information session and share their views or complete the online survey.”

“This feedback can help ensure that the hospital delivers what our community needs.”

Lynda Voltz, Member for Auburn

“This is a great opportunity for the community to have their say about how healthcare is going to be delivered to the growing region.”

In an Australian-first, bicycle riders in NSW will be able to pick a helmet based on a simple safety rating from one to five stars.

Modelled on ANCAP safety ratings for motor vehicles, the Helmet STAR (Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings) will provide an easy-to-understand safety rating for new helmets based on comprehensive testing.

The first set of ratings proves helmet safety is not determined by price alone, with a $22 Bluey helmet for toddlers deemed the safest on the market in its category.  

Each helmet is impact tested at the NSW Crashlab where Transport for NSW technicians conduct examinations including vertical drops, a strap strength test, and drop tests with moving platforms. The helmet’s ability to protect the user’s head in each scenario is tested and a star rating assigned.

The new rating will provide bicycle riders, and parents buying a helmet for their child, with a clear guide to the safest helmets available in their price range. Helmets tested include models specifically for skaters and foot scooter riders.

One star means the helmet “meets the crash protection required by recognised helmet standards” in Australia, while five stars means the helmet is “exceptional in crash protection and well above the recognised helmet standards.”

The first round of testing has been completed, with ratings for 61 helmets now publicly available in categories including mountain bike, road, recreational/skate, general and children’s helmets.

Helmets with price tags of $17 to $499 have been put under the microscope. The top-rated helmets in each category, with four or five-star ratings, are:

Helmet Type	Make & Model	Price
Mountain Bike	FOX Proframe RS (HFB6)	$550
Road	BELL XR Spherical MIPS	$379
General	MET Veleno	$200
Child	BLUEY Toddler	$22
Wheeled Recreation Device	TRIPLE 8 The Certified (Skate 2 MIPS)	$150

And while all helmets tested have met the Australian standard, these helmets are the lowliest performers, receiving a one-star rating:

Helmet Type	Make & Model	Price
Mountain Bike	BELL Super Air R Spherical	$350
GIRO Fixture	$80
ENTITY MH15	$70
SPECIALIZED Camber	$80
Road	GIRO Agilis MIPS	$170
General	GIRO Register	$85
AZUR (Flite Helmets) MX11_L61	$55
Child	BELL Lil Ripper	$80
BANWOOD Classic	$70
99 Bikes (FLITE) Speedy Fireman	$45
Wheeled Recreation Device	TSG Evolution	$80
PRO-TEC Classic Certified	$110
NUTCASE Street MIPS	$160

The Helmet STAR program fulfills a coronial recommendation out of an inquest into the death of Sydney man James Roberts who suffered head injuries following a bicycle crash and tragically passed away on the 11 February 2019.

Mr Roberts was wearing a bicycle helmet that met the Australian Standard, but the NSW Coroner determined that Standard should be treated as a baseline minimum performance requirement and a new star rating system should be introduced to give people a more informed choice.

During the 10 years from 2013 to 2022, there were an average of 794 crashes each year involving bicycle riders in NSW – or 5% of all crashes.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides consumers with independent and transparent safety ratings for new light vehicles. These ratings assess the safety of new light vehicles based on the level of protection provided by different vehicle models in most crashes and the presence of safety features, helping consumers make informed decisions about which vehicles to purchase.

The launch of the Helmet STAR program for bicycle helmets joins a number of other rating programs that Transport for NSW already have available to consumers. These programs, include the MotoCAP program which provides ratings on motorcycle gear and the CREP program which provides ratings on children’s car seats. All of these star rated programs test products above and beyond the required legal standards and help consumers make the safest choices for their individual situations.

To view the ratings visit Helmet STAR – Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“We’ve had star safety ratings for new cars since 1993 which has given people confidence that they’re purchasing a vehicle that will protect them and their family in a crash. In NSW, we also issue ratings for motorcycle safety gear, including helmets, and children’s car seats.

“It is good news for riders and parents that this new star rating program brings the same simplicity and peace of mind to bicycle helmets.

“By wearing a five-star rated helmet you are two to two and a half times less likely to sustain a serious head injury than if you were wearing a one-star helmet. This puts the power of choice in the hands of consumers.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen:

“The price of a new helmet doesn’t always indicate how safe it is. This new safety rating gives bike riders and parents the information they need to make an informed choice on what helmet is safest, and best for them.

“All helmets sold in Australia do meet a minimum standard, and they are safe to use, but some have features and designs that make them even more safe in an incident.

“This new program, launched by the NSW Government gives people that information in an easy to follow way.

“Everyone should check out the Helmet STAR program and pick up the best helmet in their price range.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We want people to have fun while cycling, scootering or skating, and know that their helmet provides the best crash protection they can afford.

“It’s important that safety rating information is available to people looking to purchase helmets, because the price of a helmet doesn’t relate to its safety.”

“This is another way the NSW Government is finding ways to keep people safer on our roads, but we can’t do it alone. When you’re cycling or using a scooter or skateboard, always wear a helmet – it could save your life.”

From today, victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence have stronger protections in New South Wales, with the criminalisation of coercive control and stronger bail laws coming into effect.

The New South Wales Government is working to provide enhanced, ongoing, wraparound support for victim-survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence, and strengthened laws are an important foundation for this work.

As of today, New South Wales is the first Australian jurisdiction to have a standalone dedicated offence of coercive control.

Significant bail reforms, introduced to Parliament by the Minns Labor Government in May, will also come into effect from today, making it more difficult for those accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail.

Criminalisation of Coercive Control

Following the passing of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022, if found guilty, perpetrators can face up to seven years in prison.

Coercive control is an insidious form of abuse which can manifest in different ways. It is a pattern of behaviour that may include financial and emotional abuse, violence and intimidation, threats against pets or loved ones, tracking someone’s movements, or isolating them from family and friends.

Coercive control has been strongly linked to intimate partner homicide. The NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team has found that 97% of intimate partner domestic violence homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2018 were preceded by the perpetrator using emotional and psychological abuse as a form of coercive control towards the victim.

Training has been provided to ensure this law is appropriately implemented and prosecuted, and accompanied by support for victim-survivors:

• NSW Police have undergone, and are continuing, training to recognise and respond to the complex and nuanced signs of coercive control.
• The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judicial Commission of NSW and Legal Aid have delivered training on coercive control to judicial officers, legal staff and key justice agencies.
• A free training program is being delivered to approximately 1,000 specialist domestic and family violence workers which will cover behavioural indicators, practical interventions, and how coercive control may be experienced in different communities.

Training and implementation have been overseen by the Implementation and Evaluation Taskforce and its reference groups.

Stronger bail laws to protect victim survivors

Under the new laws, people charged with serious domestic violence offences will be required to show cause why they should not be detained until their case is determined.

This will apply to those charged with offences, in the context of intimate partner relationships, that carry a maximum penalty of 14 or more years jail.

These offences include sexual assault, kidnapping, and choking to render someone unconscious with intent to commit another indictable offence.

The show cause test will also apply to the coercive control offence.

The unacceptable risk test in the Bail Act is also strengthened from today. Under these changes, before granting bail, bail decision makers must consider:

• ‘Red flag’ behaviour that could constitute domestic abuse, such as behaviour that is physically abusive or violent; behaviour that is sexually abusive, coercive or violent; behaviour that is stalking; behaviour that causes death or injury to an animal; behaviour that is verbally abusive; or behaviour that is intimidation.
• The views of victims and their family members about safety concerns in domestic violence matters involving intimate partners.

The commencement of this legislation also means that from today:

• The categories of offences for which bail decisions can be ‘stayed’ are expanded to include serious domestic violence offences, the coercive control offence, and serious sexual assault offences. This means that the accused person remains in custody while prosecutors bring a detention application before the Supreme Court.
• It is easier to prosecute perpetrators who use tracking devices in a domestic violence context.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“From today, coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships will be a crime punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment.

“Abuse against a current or former intimate partner is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“In terms of the bail laws, we believe in the presumption of innocence, but it is also important to recognise the right of victim survivors to be safe from harassment, intimidation or violence at the hands of a current or former intimate partner.

“The safety of victim-survivors must be a paramount consideration.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“The criminalisation of coercive control in NSW is a significant day for victim/survivors. Not only does it add further legal weight to their experiences but gives the NSW Police Force another mechanism to address domestic and violence.

“NSW is leading the country with these laws. Criminalising coercive control sends a strong message: this vile, criminal behaviour is not tolerated.

“The mandatory training is thorough, it shows how seriously the NSW Police Force are taking this, and it ensures all operational police can identify and take action against coercive control offences in NSW. The feedback I’m getting from the police on the ground is that the training is valuable, comprehensive and officers feel well supported.”

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

“The NSW Government is committed to keeping women and girls safe and reducing the incidents of domestic and family violence.

“Today’s commencement of coercive control and bail laws sends a strong message to perpetrators that abuse is unacceptable.

“We have listened to the lived experience of victim-survivors about reforms that are needed in the system, including implementing a Primary Prevention Strategy to address the drivers of violence and stop it before it starts.”

A new set of draft guidelines that will assist councils to develop localised Disaster Adaptation Plans (DAPs) that reduce the risk and impact of climate related hazards and help communities recover faster are now out for community consultation.

Disaster Adaptation Plans are a key pillar of the State Disaster Mitigation Plan, which was launched by the NSW Government in February 2024, and provide the roadmap for reducing risk.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is leading the development of the draft guidelines, which propose that DAPs are shaped locally, coordinated regionally and facilitated by the state.

The guidelines also recognise the role of collaboration and engagement with stakeholders from a variety of sectors when developing DAPs, including local councils, community, the insurance and banking industries and private businesses.

The consultation period provides the opportunity for feedback on the draft guidelines before they are introduced formally in late 2024. The consultation period starts on Monday 1 July and closes on Friday 23 August.

For more information on DAPs, visit the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’re shifting the dial on how we address disasters, focusing on prevention, by making planning decisions that do not put people in harm’s way.

“Historically, the state’s ability to prevent and prepare for disasters hasn’t worked as there has been only three per cent of funding spent on prevention and 97 per cent spent after an event.

“But we know that every dollar we invest in better preparing communities reduces future costs and will help make communities more resilient.

“And to make that happen, we need to work collaboratively across all levels of government and closely with the community to help address these challenges and reduce our risk.”

Minister Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Successive years of Natural Disaster Declarations have highlighted the need for NSW to meet the challenges of the future, by working with local communities to identify ways to better address natural hazards.

“The increasing risk of natural disasters also increases pressure on our emergency services staff and volunteers, who are responding to these events to keep communities safe. These plans will help to manage that risk by identifying opportunities to reduce the impact of disasters before they occur.

“These guidelines are an important first step towards the development of DAPs, which will help reduce the risk to human life and make communities stronger.”

Acting CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon said:

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the first entity of its kind in NSW with the dual responsibility of proactively reducing the impact of future disasters before they happen, as well as recovering communities after a disaster.

“These guidelines are an important first step towards the development of DAPs, which will reduce the risk to human life and make communities stronger.”

Motorists will benefit from safer, smoother and more reliable journeys on the Central Coast Highway between Point Clare and the West Gosford Lookout on Kariong Hill, with safety improvement work now completed.

The NSW Government provided $2.4 million from the Safer Roads Program to upgrade a section of the Central Coast Highway between Brisbane Water Drive Interchange, Point Clare, and Woy Woy Road at Kariong Hill.

The work included line marking, installation of new guard rails, signage and vehicle activated signs.

Transport for NSW started work in February 2024 and completed the safety improvements in June 2024.  

This is another example of the NSW Labor Government continuing with its commitment to improve safety on our regional and rural roads.

Regional Roads and Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison:

“Safety is our number one priority on all NSW roads and the work completed on the Central Coast Highway reflects our commitment to making much-needed improvements wherever they are needed.

“This upgrade will provide a stronger and safer road network for the 37,000 motorists who use this section of road each day.

“The NSW Government is proud to be investing in improving regional roads to serve the needs of the community now and into the future.”

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris:

“The Central Coast is a rapidly growing area which is why we need road upgrades such as these.

“This improvement work will make a big difference helping to reduce crashes and that’s going to help motorists not only be safer but feel safer while driving on this busy section of road.

“The project has also provided a welcome boost to the local economy by supporting between 30 and 50 jobs.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch:

“This safety upgrade is a win for motorists, visitors and freight operators travelling to, through and around the Central Coast.

“With new line marking and guard rails installation, all road users will benefit from a safer and more reliable section of road.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that’s funding projects that will save lives and improve the commute of the thousands of people who use the Central Coast Highway each day.”

The future of popular Tumut to Wagga Wagga and Wyangala to Canberra bus services has been secured thanks to a commitment by the Minns Labor Government to continue investing in delivery of the services.

During an extensive four-year trial which commenced under the former government but was never funded to continue into the future, demand for both services has been strong.

Now, as more people opt to catch the bus to access healthcare, education, employment and social opportunities, the Tumut to Wagga Wagga service operated by Goodes Coaches has been confirmed as an ongoing service with a three-year contract put in place.

Patronage for this service, which also has stops at Adelong and Tarcutta and connects with NSW TrainLink services at Wagga Wagga Station, has grown after the addition of a new service on Saturdays in addition to the original Wednesday service.

The trial Wyangala to Canberra service operated by LiveBetter Services which runs each Friday has been extended for another year.

Bookings for this service, travelling via Darby Falls, Cowra, Koorawatha, Bendick Murrell, Murringo, Boorowa have grown strongly following a targeted information campaign.

Through the 2024-25 Budget the NSW Labor Government confirmed a record $44.5 billion spend over four years on regional transport and roads.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“These services are giving isolated country communities the opportunity to better connect with regional centres for essential healthcare, education, employment and social opportunities.

“They’re also providing people with better connections with other modes of transport to travel to Sydney and other major cities.

“Investments in these services are all part of the NSW Labor Government’s plan to build better communities while ensuring we have the roads and transport infrastructure we need to improve the lives of people in NSW.”

Labor’s Duty MLC for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence said:

“It’s fantastic to see more and more people taking advantage of these great public transport options the NSW Labor Government is delivering.

“In the country where people have to travel long distances to access essential services, we know investment in public transport is critical to help reduce disadvantage and open up opportunities.”

Labor’s Duty MLC for Goulburn Bob Nanva said:

“Not everyone has access to a car and for some people these bus services provide their only link to better healthcare, education, employment and social opportunities. That’s why we’re backing them in for isolated communities.”

“I encourage more people to take advantage of this important service that the NSW Labor Government is investing in.

Independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

“The success of the trial shows that the Tumut-Wagga bus service is greatly valued as an important link between the Snowy Valleys and Wagga, allowing passengers to easily access services, shops, transport links and other facilities.

“The confirmation that the service is locked in for the next three years is great economic and social news for communities along the route and provides certainty to passengers who can continue to travel to and from Wagga safely, reliably and affordably.”

NSW and the ACT today become the first jurisdictions in Australia to adopt new national laws to modernise defamation law for the digital age with legislation coming into effect.

Changes in the Defamation Amendment Act 2023 (NSW) will improve the balance between freedom of speech and protection of reputation when someone publishes content through a digital intermediary.

Social media platforms, review websites, search engines, content hosts and service providers are examples of digital intermediaries, along with organisations and individuals who use online platforms to host forums inviting third-party comments (known as forum administrators).

These reforms address the High Court’s decision in Fairfax Media Publications v Voller. This case involved several media companies acting as forum administrators. The High Court found the media companies to be publishers of comments posted on their social media pages by third-party users responding to their content.

Under the new laws, the media companies, as forum administrators, may be able to rely on a new defence. This defence is for digital intermediaries who ‘innocently disseminate’ defamatory content.

Many forum administrators are ordinary people, rather than media companies. For example, a parent might host a Facebook page for other parents to discuss issues relating to the school which their children attend. A member of a local sporting club might host a Facebook page for members to share information about upcoming games.

These forum administrators may also be able to rely on the new innocent dissemination defence if a member of the forum posts defamatory content on the Facebook page. To access the defence, the forum administrator must do certain things, such as providing an email address or other easily accessible way for people to complain of defamatory content. 

The reforms will also benefit victims of online defamation. The reforms establish a simple process by which a person can submit a complaint to a digital intermediary. If the digital intermediary does not take down the content within seven days, they can lose access to the innocent dissemination defence.

The reforms also empower courts to order digital intermediaries who are not party to defamation proceedings to take down defamatory content.

The legislation implements reforms developed through Part A of the Stage 2 Review of the Model Defamation Provisions, led by the NSW Government.

The Act also extends the defence of absolute privilege to reports made to police, such as a complaint of sexual assault. This would address any chilling effect the threat of defamation proceedings could have on making a complaint.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“The previous defamation laws were passed at a time when the sort of digital access we now enjoy could not have been imagined by most of us.

“It is essential our laws reflect the world in which we live, and these changes aim to address the challenges posed by the rapid spread of defamatory information online and clarify the legislation for complainants and publishers.

“In designing the new laws, it was essential to strike a balance between not unreasonably limiting freedom of expression in circumstances where third parties publish defamatory matter via digital intermediaries and protecting reputations.

“It was crucial, too, that freedom of speech was protected. This is a basic tenet of open democracy such as the one we enjoy in Australia and allows for the exchange of ideas and opinions. However, it must be balanced with the right to protect one’s reputation and people must also be able to seek redress if they believe theirs has been unjustly damaged.”

The Industrial Court of New South Wales today commences operations as a one-stop shop for industrial justice as well as work health and safety matters.

The court and the Industrial Relations Commission will be independent umpires for industrial relations in NSW, with the power to force unions and government agencies to come together, mediate disputes and arbitrate final outcomes in pay disputes.

Established last year by the Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2023, the Industrial Court will act as a superior court of record, with equivalent status to the Supreme Court and the Land and Environment Court.

Three eminent and respected practitioners of the law were formally appointed by the Governor earlier this year.

Ingmar Taylor SC, a nationally recognised expert in employment law and work health and safety, will be appointed President of the Industrial Relations Commission and a judge of the Industrial Court.

David Chin SC, a specialist in work health and safety, industrial, employment and discrimination law, who co-authored The Modern Contract of Employment, will be the commission’s Vice-President and a judge of the Industrial Court.

Jane Paingakulam, who has practiced primarily in criminal law and provided advice to government agencies on public sector issues, will be the commission’s Deputy President and a judge of the Industrial Court.

The NSW Industrial Court will hear all industrial relations matters relating to NSW state government and local government employees. Private sector employees will remain in the commonwealth’s jurisdiction under the Fair Work Commission.

The Industrial Court will hear matters relating to work health and safety in New South Wales and will again have jurisdiction over matters that were transferred to other courts when the Industrial Court was abolished in 2016.

The new court will be temporarily located in Bridge Street, Sydney whilst the commission’s premises in Parramatta undergo refurbishment.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“The Minns Labor Government has delivered for working people with this court, ensuring state and local government employees have access to an independent umpire.

“Today, three eminent legal practitioners have been sworn-in, commencing work in NSW’s newest one-stop shop providing access to justice in industrial and work, health and safety matters.”

Acting Minister for Industrial Relations Tara Moriarty said:

“This is a historic day for industrial relations in NSW. The Minns Labor Government promised meaningful reforms and we have delivered.

“I congratulate The Honourable Justice Taylor, President, The Honourable Justice Chin, Vice-President, and The Honourable Justice Paingakulam, Deputy President, on their swearing in today.”