Workers compensation reform to address psychological safety

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will today warn parliament that the State’s workers compensation system is unsustainable without reform to how it deals with workplace psychological injury.

Mr Mookhey will set out plans to make greater use of workplace health and safety laws to prevent psychological injuries, instead of relying solely on the state’s workers compensation system as the main response. 

In a Ministerial Statement, the Treasurer will also advise Parliament that:

  • If claims continue growing at recent rates, the State insurer icare expects an additional 80,000 people will make psychological injury claims over the next five years,
  • For every $1 needed to care for injured workers, the State’s main workers compensation scheme currently holds only 85 cents in assets, and
  • Without reform, premiums for businesses facing no claims against them are forecast to rise by 36 per cent over the three years to 2027-28.

Mr Mookhey will outline a program of consultation with Business NSW and Unions NSW, as well as other interested parties, to create the reform. The model he will outline will see NSW:

  1. Give the NSW Industrial Relation Commission a bullying & harassment jurisdiction ahead of requiring those claims to be heard there first before a claim can be pursued for compensation. This will allow the Commission to address psychological hazards, fostering a culture of prevention.
  2. Define psychological injury, as well as ‘reasonable management action’, to provide workers and businesses with certainty – rather than let the definitions remain the subject of litigation.
  3. Align whole-person-impairment thresholds to standards established in South Australia and Queensland.
  4. Adopt some of the anti-fraud measures recently enacted by the Commonwealth to protect the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
  5. Respond further to the recommendations retired Supreme Court justice Robert McDougall made in his independent review of Safe Work NSW.

The Treasurer has been working closely with Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib on the reform.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Our workers compensation system was designed at a time when most people did physical labour – on farms and building sites, in mines or in factories.

“A system that approaches all psychological workplace hazards the same way as physical dangers, needs to change.

“Allowing the system to stay on autopilot will only trap more employees, employers, and the state of NSW to a fate we can avoid.

“We must build a system that is fit for purpose – one that reflects modern workplaces and modern ways of working.”

Treasurer’s tax hit: Australians paying thousands more in tax under Labor

Jim Chalmers has today confirmed that he does not know how much he is taxing Australians. 

Australian taxpayers are being smashed under Labor’s economic mismanagement with the average taxpayer in this year alone forking out $3,500 more in tax compared to when Jim Chalmers became Treasurer. That’s $7,000 more in tax for a dual income household.

This analysis includes Labor’s Cost of Living Tax Cuts and is based on the numbers in Jim Chalmers’ own Budget. 

The Treasurer is more interested in fighting the Opposition than he is in fighting for Australians. For Jim Chalmers, the tax paid by Australians is just something he can spend – not something Australians work hard for. 

Australians are paying more because of Labor’s reckless policies and irresponsible spending. 

The Treasurer confirmed today despite higher taxes and higher inflation, he has turned windfall surpluses into ongoing deficits, which will only put further pressure on prices and further pressure on debt. Ultimately, Jim Chalmers and Labor are relying on hard-working Australians to pick up the tab through higher taxes. 

Jim Chalmers is patting himself on the back while Australians suffer the largest fall in living standards on record. 

This yet another example of a distracted government focusing on the wrong priorities. 

Treasury analysis of Labor’s changes to the stage 3 tax cuts showed that over the decade, taxes would increase by $28 billion by 2034 compared to the original policy. 

Analysis of PBO data shows that on a household level, that impact will be profound. The average taxpayer will be paying over $8,900 in more tax from the 2028-2029 tax year compared to 2021-22 levels, if Labor’s Budget settings continue for another four years. That’s almost $18,000 for a dual income household. 

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Chalmers’ gaffe proves the Treasurer’s speciality is spin, not economics. 

“Australians are paying the price for this out-of-touch Treasurer who does not even know how much tax Australians are paying,” Mr Taylor said. 

“Labor’s only plan to fix the budget is to take from family budgets to bolster their own. 

“Labor has broken every promise on tax it made before the last election, and hard-working Australians are paying the price. 

“This is the biggest spending, biggest taxing government in Australian history. It is clear taxes are on the rise if Labor’s policy settings continue. 

“Labor abolished the tax cap in its first budget, the Coalition will restore it. 

“This upcoming budget must restore a tax to GDP cap and fiscal guardrails to reduce wasteful spending so Australians don’t face higher taxes on top of higher inflation. 

“Australians cannot afford another three years of Labor’s economy.”

Fatal unit fire – Newcastle

A man has died following a unit fire in Newcastle East this afternoon.

About 3.50pm (Monday 17 March 2025), emergency services were called to a unit on Colliers Close, Newcastle East, following reports of a fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, which caused extensive damage to the unit.

A man was located inside the unit suffering burns. He died at the scene and while he is yet to be formally identified, he is believed to be aged in his 60s.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District have established a crime scene, and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police investigate drowning at water hole near Dungog

Investigations are underway after a man drowned in a water hole near Dungog today.

About 3.45pm (Sunday 16 March 2025), officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were called to a swimming hole at Ladies Well at Upper Allyn – about 48km north west of Dungog – following reports of concern for the welfare of a swimmer.

Police arrived and, following an operation with assistance from, NSW Ambulance paramedics, Police Divers and Police Rescue, a man’s body was retrieved from the water.

He is yet to be formally identified; however, is believed to be aged in his 20’s.

A crime scene has been established and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death are underway.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Statement on ‘Coalition of the Willing’ leaders’ meeting

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia joined a Coalition of the Willing virtual meeting hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, along with President Zelenskyy and leaders from Europe, Canada and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Albanese reiterated Australia’s strong and steadfast support for Ukraine and restated that Australia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Leaders agreed to continue working on delivering concrete actions to support Ukraine now and into the future.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

Australia stands with Ukraine and we will continue to do so for as long as it takes. It is the right thing to do and it is in Australia’s national interest. Because what happens in the Euro-Atlantic has serious implications for our region – the Indo-Pacific – and vice versa.

This is a struggle not just for the people of Ukraine and their national sovereignty. This is a struggle for the international rule of law.

President Putin’s regime has imperialist designs, for Ukraine and beyond.

We must ensure Russia’s illegal and immoral actions are not rewarded through any peace process.

Australia supports all meaningful progress towards a just and enduring peace in Ukraine and for broader security in Europe. But pressure will need to be applied on Russia to engage in good faith.

Australia is always open to considering any new proposals to support Ukraine – which we do so based on our capacity and comparative strengths.

Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including $1.3 billion in military support and through vital equipment and training of Ukrainian forces.

Australia is open to considering any requests to contribute to a future peacekeeping effort in support of the just and lasting peace we all want for Ukraine. 

We have a proud tradition of supporting peace through 80 years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions. Of course, peacekeeping missions by definition require a precondition of peace.

Road blitz delivers for South-East Melbourne

The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are fixing roads across Victoria, improving safety and better connecting Melbourne’s suburbs, Victoria’s regions, and surrounds.

The Australian and Victorian Governments will deliver two new road projects in a big win for the south-east:

  • Nepean Highway and Overton Road Intersection Upgrade ($50 million)
  • McLeod Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway Intersection Upgrade ($25 million)


The Nepean Highway and Overton Road Intersection Upgrade will enhance road safety for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists by installing traffic signals and improving footpath connectivity to the existing Kananook Creek Trail.

The McLeod Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway Intersection Upgrade will deliver improvements to this intersection, supporting journeys between the south-east suburbs and the coast.

These will be transformative projects for Melbourne’s south-east, improving the lives of residents from Carrum to Frankston and beyond.  

The projects are part of the Albanese Labor Government’s $1 billion Road Blitz, matching the existing near-billion dollar road blitz campaign by the Allan Labor Government, who have since added an additional $200 million.

This money is ready, right now, to fix roads in need of critical upgrades.

This follows funding already allocated to three projects under the Road Blitz, including:

  • Sealing and upgrading 5.6km of Old Sydney Road from the Mitchell/Hume boundary, Mickleham, to Camerons Lane, Beveridge.
  • Completing the duplication of Evans Road, Cranbourne, between Duff Street and Central Parkway.
  • Delivering further works at the intersection of McLeod Road and Station Street, Carrum, including adjustments to improve signalisation and traffic flow.

Delivery timeframes for the projects will be determined in consultation with the Victorian Government.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese:

“My Government is building Australia’s future – and that means building Victoria’s future too. We want to make sure all Victorians have the services and the infrastructure they need now and into the future.

“We will continue to partner with the Victorian Government to deliver critical road upgrades to provide immediate congestion relief now.

“This is good for local jobs, good for local businesses and good for commuters.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan:

“Every Victorian wants to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with family – that’s why we’re delivering major road upgrades across Melbourne’s south-east and faster and safer journeys for decades to come.”

“As we build more homes, we are making sure our fastest growing communities have the transport infrastructure they deserve now and into the future.”

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

“We’re fixing roads right across Victoria; from Ararat to Gippsland to Melbourne, we’re giving Victorians the infrastructure they deserve after being short-changed by the former Coalition government. 

“These will be transformative projects for Melbourne’s south-east, better connecting these growing suburbs with the city and the region.

“The Road Blitz will fund projects to improve network efficiency, travel times and road safety in key areas of Melbourne and its surrounds, to match the Victorian Government’s Road Blitz which is largely focused on the regions.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams:

“After ten years of neglect from the federal Liberal National Party, it’s fantastic to have a partner in Canberra that can find Victoria on a map and deliver critical investments to keep our state moving.”

“Our growing communities deserve the very best road connections, which is why we are investing more to improve traffic flow and boost safety.”

Member for Dunkley Jodie Belyea:

“As a local who travels frequently across our community, I know this investment will make a major difference for pedestrians and road users.

“These upgrades will enhance safety for pedestrians and road users in our local community.

“These upgrades will make our local roads safer and get people moving faster.

“This money is ready right now, to deliver two major road upgrades in our community.

“Only the Albanese Labor Government is continuing to invest in roads and infrastructure in our local community, building Australia’s future.”

Violence in Syria

The Australian Government condemns the recent horrific violence in Syria’s coastal region.

We are deeply concerned by UN reports that many civilians from the Alawite community were summarily executed and understand the community’s distress. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

Australia condemns the murder of innocent civilians. All minorities must be protected, including those from the Alawite, Christian, Druze and Kurdish communities. 

The Government has urged all parties to protect civilians, exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue.

We are closely monitoring the words and actions of Syria’s interim authorities, including their pledge to hold accountable all those involved in the bloodshed.

The persistent conflict, oppression and displacement that Syria’s population has long endured must end.

Australia calls on Syria’s interim authorities to lead an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process that fully respects the rights of all minorities and establishes a representative, non-sectarian government.

We will continue to engage with the UN and our international partners to encourage lasting political change and inclusive governance to deliver long-overdue peace and stability for the Syrian people.

Teen charged following alleged pursuit – Belmont

A teenage boy will face court today charged over an alleged stolen vehicle and pursuit on the Central Coast.

About 4am today (Sunday 16 March 2025), police were patrolling at Long Jetty when they attempted to stop a white Nissan Pathfinder for the purposes of a roadside breath test.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated which continued through the suburbs of The Entrance, Toukley, Budgewoi, Lake Munmorah, Pelican, Swansea and Belmont.

Road spikes were successfully deployed on the Pacific Highway, Pelican and five teenagers were arrested at the scene.

They were taken to Belmont Police Station where a 14-year-old boy was charged with:

Take and drive conveyance w/o consent of owner
Custody of knife in public place – first offence
Enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner
Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
He was refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court today, Sunday 16 March 2025

The other four occupants of the vehicle, two girls aged 15, one girl aged 12 and one girl aged 14 were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Committing to our calendar of crowd favourite events

Fourteen iconic events from Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to the TCS Sydney Marathon and Tamworth’s Country Music Festival, will benefit from less red tape in recognition of their importance to our state’s identity.

The Minns Labor Government is introducing a new events framework, and announcing the first round of Foundation Events, to secure our calendar of events, including the Sydney Festival, the Parkes Elvis Festival, Vivid Sydney and the Bathurst 1000.

Events are a significant contributor to the NSW visitor economy. In 2023-24, events supported by the Destination NSW alone delivered $1 billion in visitor expenditure for the state. In classifying these events as foundation, we not only protect them but also ensure their ongoing contribution to the NSW visitor economy, support for local businesses and role as jobs creators.

The new framework complements the NSW Government’s focus on experience tourism to keep visitors coming back to enjoy our iconic events time and again.

The event framework recognises that foundation events contribute not just economically but to the cultural fabric and tradition of the state. For example, the NRL Grand Final should be assessed and supported differently to a travelling Premier League match due to its significance over many decades to NSW. 

Beyond generating economic value through direct event visitation, the framework will assess the social contribution and community benefits, as well as social and cultural legacy of events.

The event framework gives event organisers certainty, which allows them to innovate with programming, drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.

Foundation Events will be assessed differently, and provided additional support –

  • Prioritised for a minimum 3-year Strategic Investment Agreement with Destination NSW (or 3 events for bi-annual events) with renewals negotiated one year prior to the last event. This gives events greater certainty and room to plan.
  • A more favourable regulatory environment will support events to maximise benefits for the community.
  • An event assessment approach which provides greater consideration of strategic, economic, marketing and brand, social and cultural benefits.

Events included in the first round of Foundation Events

  • Bathurst 1000
  • Biennale of Sydney
  • Bluesfest
  • Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
  • Deni Ute Muster
  • NRL Men’s & Women’s Grand Final
  • Parkes Elvis Festival
  • Sydney Festival
  • Sydney Fringe Festival
  • Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
  • SXSW Sydney
  • Tamworth Country Music Festival
  • TCS Sydney Marathon
  • Vivid Sydney

This list will be reviewed periodically, and more events will be announced in the future.

Minister for Arts, Tourism, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said:

“We are building the calendar and investing for growth. These events light up the calendar, they have become part of who we are, and it’s time we give them the recognition and certainty they deserve.

“The NSW calendar has an incredible line up of events, special times in our annual calendar that allow us to come together for iconic moments. The foundation events framework gives these festivals certainty so they can keep producing these important experiences for us all to share.

“What these incredibly fun and unique events speak to, is government supporting local communities to play to their strengths and then tell their local story to the world. Locals know what works in their patch. We support them to do it!

“The foundation events framework gives events certainty, which drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.”

Background

  • The three new event categories
    • Foundation Events: Regular, recurring events that may grow in size and significance over time. These events are often essential to NSW’s identity and visitor economy.
    • Major Events: Large-scale events that bring in significant visitor economy and economic benefits. They could happen once or several times and have a major impact on an area.
    • Local Events: These events are typically smaller in scale and contribute to a local visitor economy and the community.
  • The stage process:
    • Step 1: Classify the event
    • Step 2: Assess the event based on criteria
    • Step 3: Make a recommendation and prioritise

Aboriginal-led cancer programs among NSW Govt’s $10m research boost

The Minns Labor Government has awarded funding to a Newcastle-based researcher focussed on improving outcomes for regional and rural cancer patients as part of a $10 million boost to cancer research across NSW.

The 18 grants, delivered by the Cancer Institute NSW, include $798,790 to the University of Newcastle’s Dr Jennifer Mackney to improve patient access to prehabilitation services in rural and regional NSW.

Surgery is essential in cancer care. In 2024 approximately 165,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in Australia, around 132,000 of these people will need surgery, often multiple times.

Greater physical fitness and wellbeing is associated with better cancer surgery outcomes. However, the impact of cancer and associated treatments reduces physical activity, nutrition, and fitness resulting in an increased risk of poor cancer outcomes.

The pre-surgery program developed by Dr Mackney will help overcome this via exercise, nutrition and psychological support which has been shown to dramatically improve patients’ physical function, reduce complications and time in hospital post-op.

The hybrid model of care will be delivered by health providers via in-person care within the participant communities, along with a telehealth team based out of Newcastle.

The grant will enable Dr Mackney to extend access to the prehabilitation program for cancer patients across five regional and rural hospitals, three in the Hunter New England LHD and two in the Mid North Coast LHD.

The NSW Government, through the Cancer Institute NSW, is one of the largest funders of cancer research in NSW, having invested more than $470 million in the past 20 years across nearly 1,000 competitive research awards and grants.

This year’s grants cover four categories, with Dr Mackney one of two Accelerated Research Implementation Grant recipients totalling almost $1.6 million to support teams to rapidly transition research into clinical practice to improve cancer care in regional and rural NSW.

The category’s other recipient is a program to reduce the incidence and increase survival of anal cancer of people with HIV in the regions run by Associate Professor Vincent Cornelisse from the University of New South Wales.

The other three categories comprise:

  • 11 Early Career Fellowships
  • 3 Career Development Fellowships
  • 2 Aboriginal Cancer Research Grants.

To view all 2024/2025 Cancer Institute NSW grants recipients go here: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/grants/grants-we-ve-funded

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“Ensuring patients in our regional and rural communities receive better access to medical care is a priority of the Minns Labor Government and programs funded by the Cancer Institute NSW grants are helping achieve this.

“The NSW Government is proud to be supporting researchers and projects designed to reduce the impact of cancer and save lives.

“Our researchers strive every day to improve the lives of people in NSW and across the world, and we’re proud to invest in them to continue their work and help improve cancer outcomes for all.

“We’re committed to doing what is needed to prevent cancer, improve access to care and support our expert clinicians and researchers to make the discoveries needed to save lives.”

NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien AM said:

“Our dedicated and inspirational cancer researchers are key to improving our understanding of a disease which touches the lives of so many of us.

“While significant progress has been made in understanding and treating cancer, it remains the leading cause of death in NSW with sadly one in two people being diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

“NSW is recognised as a global leader in tackling cancer with people, communities and organisations coming together to support all people impacted by cancer and help rewrite the future of cancer.”

Accelerated Research Grant recipient Dr Jennifer Mackney said:

“Prehabilitation before cancer surgery – including exercise, nutritional optimisation, and psychological support – has been shown to improve physical function, halve postoperative pulmonary complications, and reduce postoperative hospital length of stay.

“A model of care for the delivery of prehabilitation using in-person and telehealth intervention has been developed in Newcastle over the past five years and utilised clinically. However, currently rural and regional patients don’t have equitable access to formal prehabilitation programs.

“The grant awarded to our team by Cancer Institute NSW will enable us to extend this work to improve access to multimodal prehabilitation services for cancer patients across five regional and rural hospitals in NSW.”