Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government has caved under union pressure to sign a one-year deal with the Teachers Federation, driving the NSW Budget further into the red with unfunded wage offers.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the deal is another example of a broken election promise by the Minns Government.

“Before the election, Chris Minns promised that public sector wage increases wouldn’t cost anything – they would be paid for with productivity offsets,” Mr Speakman said. “Now we know that the Labor Government promises to its union bosses will cost the NSW Budget billions of dollars, and the Government has yet to tell us which programs, services and infrastructure will have to be cut,” Mr Speakman said.

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope criticised the Treasurer for not revealing the true cost of this deal with the Teachers Federation, which is tipped to exceed over $1.4 billion over four years, in addition to the cost of any future wage increases.

“The Government seems to be confused about exactly how much this offer will cost, because they have a Treasurer who just makes things up as he goes along,” Mr Tudehope said.

“This Budget won’t be worth the paper it’s written on because we know that Labor will give into every other union’s demands, no matter the expense.”

Shadow Education Minister Sarah Mitchell called for more certainty for teachers into the future.

“We all want the best outcome for our teachers, but there is a serious concern here about what will happen in 12 months when a new deal will have to be negotiated”, Ms Mitchell said.

“The union was adamant that 2.5% in the years ahead was not enough, so Labor needs to come clean about what have they promised for future years and what price they will pay to deliver those promises.”

The NSW Opposition has welcomed today’s announcement by the Minns Labor Government that it is committed to delivering the Coalition’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that the Government has wasted nearly six months commissioning a review which tells us what we already knew.

“Our Roadmap is the right approach to ensure NSW has a successful transition to reliable, clean and affordable energy,” Mr Speakman said.

“The Government needs to get on with its job of delivering the Roadmap – and it needs to stop looking in the rear-view mirror for excuses.”

“We know the energy industry and market needs certainty to operate as effectively as possible and every day that NSW Labor sat on their Energy Check Up was another day of uncertainty.”

Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change James Griffin stressed that keeping the lights on and having affordable energy were paramount.

“What today’s report doesn’t tell us is how much consumers or taxpayers will pay if Eraring’s life is extended. Nor has the Government sufficiently outlined the need to extend Eraring and if so for how long, in light of what AEMO’s 2023 Electricity Statement of Opportunities, released 31 August, told us about reliability in NSW,” Mr Griffin said.

“Any decision to extend the life Eraring comes with consequences and what is needed from the Government now is an open and transparent process between the Government and the owners of Eraring to ensure taxpayers get the best outcome.”

Since the election of the Minns Labor Government, households across NSW have been left to fend for themselves as Labor still can’t explain what support they will be providing, how their state-owned energy corporation will function or when it will begin providing relief.

“After six months Chris Minns has finally realised that reliable, cheap and clean energy should be the focus of his Government, so it’s time the Premier stops trying to score cheap political points. NSW led the nation and we can continue to do so if the Government gets on with the job,” Mr Griffin concluded. 

The Opposition will consider the NSW Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up and its recommendations in detail.

The Minns Labor Government is on track to make the state’s 95,000 public school teachers the best paid in the country which will help tackle the teacher shortage crisis after positive discussions with the teachers’ union.

The NSW Teachers Federation is now considering an offer made by the Minns Labor Government.

If agreed to, the offer will see teachers jump from being among the worst paid, to being the best paid in the country, and restore competitiveness. 

The 4 year agreement will see the starting salary for a NSW teacher increase from $75,791 to $85,000 and the salary for top of the scale teachers increase from $113,042 to $122,100. 

All teachers will benefit from a restructuring of the pay scale. 

Wages in the following 3 years will continue to rise in line with the Minns Labor Government’s wages policy. 

This offer recognises the value of the work that NSW teachers do and was informed by findings of the Gallop Report. 

Previously, teachers in NSW were constrained by the former Liberal National government’s now defunct wages cap, degrading their pay to among the worst in the nation and creating a teacher shortage crisis. 

In fact, under the former Government, for the first time in recent memory, teacher resignations outstripped retirements in NSW. 

The offer will require the agreement of the Teachers Federation Council on Saturday.  

The Minns Labor Government was elected with a mandate to improve the pay and conditions of teachers in NSW, and to fix serious issues in our education system. 

The Minns Labor Government is setting out a long-term plan to repair the budget in a sustainable way, to rebuild the essential services we all rely on and to reinvest in our essential workers. 

There is nothing more important than educating the future generations of kids and ensuring there are teachers in front of classrooms.   

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

“The Minns Labor Government is hopeful this agreement will be made, so NSW teachers can get the pay rise they so urgently deserve. 

“Negotiating an outcome that demonstrates respect to teachers has always been my highest priority. 

“In order to tackle the teacher shortage crisis we must restore respect to the teaching profession, so teachers are free to do their jobs without additional stress.” 

“While there is much more to do, today marks an important step forward as we continue working to rebuild our state’s education system.” 

With the cost of living on the rise, around 6% of the general population are struggling to access enough nutritious food to support a healthy lifestyle. For Aboriginal communities, however, this figure rises to an alarming 33%. This is known as ‘food insecurity’.

Leaders from across government, academia, industry and the community sector have come together to tackle the issue of food insecurity in Aboriginal communities at the first ever Food Equity Symposium in NSW.

Aboriginal peoples continue to experience health inequalities and a life expectancy of almost 10 years lower compared with non-Indigenous Australians.

Improving nutrition and food security along with community support is essential for addressing these health disparities and Closing the Gap.

The NSW Government is committed to finding new ways of working with Aboriginal communities to enact positive and lasting solutions.

The idea of a food equity symposium evolved from Aboriginal Affairs NSW’s pandemic food relief work, which identified and addressed major service gaps in Aboriginal communities.

Food projects were established, resulting in the equivalent of 1.6 million meals delivered directly to Aboriginal households over 2 years.

Read more about the Food Equity Symposiumlaunch.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris, who opened the symposium said:

“Food insecurity is an issue that disproportionately affects Aboriginal communities but requires a whole-of-community solution to resolve.

“That is why this symposium is important. This is the first time we have brought all the experts together to test ideas and find solutions to give our communities the food security they need and deserve.

“The health gap between Aboriginal people and the rest of the community will continue to widen unless action is taken to address availability and affordability of nutritious food.

“The NSW Government is committed to Closing the Gap and that means thinking and acting differently and working with Aboriginal communities on solutions.

“We know when we work with Aboriginal people on issues that affect them, we get better outcomes. That is what I am looking forward to out of this symposium.”

Transport for NSW has been working with the new operator In Region 10, U-Go Mobility on a stabilisation plan, after the department was forced to step in when the operator failed to deliver the expected level of service for the community.

While there is still much more to be done before services in Region 10 return to normal, this has resulted in reduced unplanned service cancellations, reduced complaints, and increased levels of community engagement, particularly with local school communities.

There are dedicated Transport for NSW resources on the ground at U-Go Mobility depots to improve reliability, safety and action taken to improve service delivery, including prioritisation of key services.

Since the adjusted temporary timetable was put in place in Region 10 on 31 July 2023, unplanned service cancellations are down from an average of 400 per week-day to an average of 86 per weekday.

Bus marshals are deployed at key interchanges, including Hurstville, Bankstown, Sutherland and Miranda to assist passengers.

Transport for NSW is also working with U-Go Mobility to ensure robust recruitment plans are in place to manage driver shortages and a recruitment pipeline, to assist in service delivery.

The operator has prioritised dedicated school services to reduce impacts on school students. Public service routes used by large numbers of local school students have also been identified and prioritised.

U-Go Mobility now has a dedicated school’s liaison officer working with local schools to provide regular communication, capture feedback and proactively manage school issues, including real-time contact regarding impacted school services.

From 17 August 2023, Transit Systems has temporarily taken over the operation of 18 dedicated school bus services, to improve their reliability. 

Nightride services are being supported by other contracted operators’ buses when needed. 

Transport for NSW is also working on providing additional support for elderly or vulnerable passengers, or those without access to travel apps. Hard copies of timetables have been issued to MP Electorate Offices to provide to constituents.

Transport Management Centre Commanders will also patrol back routes to provide greater visibility/presence and ensure passengers are not left waiting for long periods at bus stops due to cancellations.

Transport for NSW has worked with the operator to put a cure plan in place that will bring the region back to required performance later this year.

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen:

“We still aren’t satisfied with the level of service in Region 10, but we are seeing some significant improvements for passengers.”

“Thanks to Transport’s intervention in Region 10, we’re seeing fewer service cancellations and fewer complaints but bus services still haven’t returned to normal.”

“We now have a cure plan in place to bring back the level of bus services that the community expects and the government will continue to hold the operator to account until that happens.”

The NSW Government today released its strategy to secure the reliable supply of clean and affordable renewable energy for NSW.
 

The government’s response to the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up conducted by Cameron O’Reilly from Marsden Jacob Associates commits to a whole-of-government effort to deliver the energy transition for NSW households, businesses and communities.

The check up makes 54 recommendations to keep the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap on track. The government has accepted 50 recommendations; 44 in full, 3 in part and 3 are already underway or complete.

The NSW Government will take action in 3 key areas.

Firstly, the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap has been endorsed as a strategic priority of the government. This means there will be a whole-of-government effort to make sure that as coal-fired power retires, NSW households and businesses have enough renewable energy, transmission and storage to replace it as quickly as possible.

Secondly, a new Energy Security Target Monitor will actively scrutinise the plans of NSW’s remaining private coal-fired power stations as they approach retirement to ensure ongoing reliability at the lowest cost.

The check up finds there will be reliability challenges for NSW in the next couple of years. The government will engage with Origin on its plans for Eraring, at the same time as pursuing all alternative solutions to deliver the renewable generation, transmission and storage solutions that NSW needs.

Finally, the NSW Government will streamline renewables approvals in the planning system as well as enhance and coordinate community benefit sharing. It will unlock opportunities to connect new renewables to the existing grid outside Renewable Energy Zones. A Consumer Energy Strategy will be developed to unleash the potential of households and businesses to further embrace small-scale renewables like solar in the short-term, without shifting focus and momentum from the delivery of large-scale projects.

The whole-of-government approach will also address housing, transport, skills and workforce and supply constraints in the Renewable Energy Zones.

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) will continue as the lead agency to deliver the Renewable Energy Zones that will power NSW into the future. EnergyCo will be enhanced with a statement of priorities and a reformed governance framework.

Read the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Uplaunch and the NSW Government response.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“One of the biggest challenges facing NSW is ensuring we can keep the lights on while managing the biggest change in energy mix and consumption in the shortest period of time in our nation’s history.

“This challenge is made worse by privatisation, cost overruns and delays under the previous government.

“NSW is committed to meeting its net zero ambition and transforming our electricity system to renewables as soon as possible.

“This report and the government’s response rescues the renewables mission and puts the transition back on track.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“NSW has no time to waste as coal-fired power retires and needs to be replaced by renewable energy generation, transmission and storage.

“The check up by Cameron O’Reilly and his team is a clear-sighted assessment that has kicked the tires of energy policy in NSW.

“It provides the practical and achievable next steps to rescue the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, and let NSW get on with it.

“I want to thank Cameron O’Reilly and his team for their work on the check up and those who have provided their insights to both Cameron and the NSW Government as we have been finalising our response.”

The health system is showing signs of improvement as NSW public hospitals continue to face major pressures, according to the latest release of Bureau of Health Information (BHI) data.

Across the state, the number of surgical patients waiting longer than clinically recommended have decreased from 14,067 to 9142 between the end of March and the end of June.

Just days after being sworn in, Health Minister Ryan Park established the NSW Surgical Care Taskforce dedicated to improving the delivery of surgical services and reducing the state’s planned surgery wait list.

The taskforce has brought together some of the state’s leading clinical experts, working in both the public and private health sectors.

It continues to examine a range of best-practice models, including safely increasing day-only surgery, boosting virtual care and remote monitoring of patients, enhancing systems of referrals and assessment of patients by multidisciplinary teams, and maximising the efficiency of operating theatres for planned surgery.

The latest BHI data shows continuing high levels of demand for emergency care, including record NSW Ambulance activity.

Throughout the second quarter of 2023, there were 117,949 triage category 2 (emergency) presentations to NSW public hospitals, the highest number on record.

Despite the increase in more complex presentations, the majority of patients, 65.8%, started their treatment on time, an improvement on the same quarter last year.

Throughout the quarter, more than 7 in 10 patients (74.1%) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark time, also an improvement on the same quarter of last year.

The newly elected Minns Labor Government is undertaking a comprehensive suite of structural reforms to rebuild the state’s health system, including:

• Building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, beginning with implementing safe staffing levels, with a memorandum of understanding signed with nurses just last week.
• Improving health workforce conditions, including with the abolition of the wages cap and the rollout of study subsidies.
• Enhancing the accessibility and delivery of healthcare across rural and regional NSW, including with a boost to regional paramedics; doubling rural health incentives and expanding the single employer model.
• Safely delivering the essential health services our community deserves, including through a special commission of inquiry into health spending.
• Reducing surgery wait times with the establishment of a surgical care taskforce.
• Providing the health infrastructure and technology for communities across NSW, including by embracing urgent care and virtual care, relieving pressure on our hospitals.

The Minns Labor Government remains committed to improving the essential health services our community deserve and building an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We’ve inherited a health system facing great pressure and significant strain. I’ve always said there are no quick fixes and it will take time to address these challenges.

“I want to thank our health workforce and NSW Health for their tireless efforts and persistence, in delivering essential services across our community.

“We are determined to begin rebuilding our state’s health system with a comprehensive and ambitious agenda.

“I want to make sure all people in NSW receive the right level of healthcare, service and access and have confidence in their hospital and health system.”

Suicide prevention training will be provided for up to 700 rugby league clubs across the state as part of a plan to give people essential skills to have a conversation about suicide.

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said the suicide prevention skills training funded by the NSW Government will be delivered by LivingWorks in partnership with the NSW Rugby League to help keep more young people safe.

Ms Jackson made the announcement at the grand final games of the Sydney Shield (St Marys Saints vs Hills Bulls) and Ron Massey Cup (St Marys Saints vs Wentworthville Magpies) in Kogarah.

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and ensuring as many people as possible have access to core skills which can help support someone during one of their most vulnerable moments is critical to saving lives,” Ms Jackson said.

“Suicide is a complex issue and ensuring people have the tools they need to tackle these complexities when it is needed most can change the course of someone’s life.

“This training, run by Australia’s leading suicide prevention skills training organisation LivingWorks, is open to entire club communities to wrap essential support around young people to keep them safe.”

Ms Jackson said the training is also being delivered to teachers and schools, parents and carers and NSW Police through the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Mental Health Recovery package.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper highlighted the importance of utilising existing community connections to deliver this important program.

“Sports bring communities together right across the state, so it presents the perfect opportunity for people to learn skills to prevent suicides.

“Sport is much more than what happens on the field. Sporting clubs are the backbone of communities across the state and have the direct line needed to deliver important mental health programs, at a grassroots level.”

LivingWorks Australia CEO Shayne Connell said the right course is available for everyone aged over 16 years, with 90 minute sessions available online or a half-day in person.

“Sporting communities are renowned for their camaraderie and collective spirit to support one another. What better community to receive this training and extra confidence boost to know how to have the all important conversation about suicide,” Mr Connell said.

“The training will help people recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide, engage with that person, and connect them to further help, such as a club wellbeing leader or a community mental health provider.”

NSW Rugby League Mental Fitness and Wellbeing Manager, former NRL coach and premiership-winning player, Paul Langmack will oversee the training rollout to clubs and believes rugby league presents a unique opportunity to support this.

“Youth suicide is a big problem in society and LivingWorks offers a unique preventative program fully funded by NSW Health,” Mr Langmack said.

“We have an incredible opportunity to use rugby league as a vehicle to amplify the important work being done by LivingWorks and the NSW Government.

“We plan to take the program to rugby league clubs all over NSW, especially in regional areas which are more isolated and have to deal with this issue far too often.”

If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please call Lifeline 13 11 14launch or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467launch. The NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511launch is a 24/7 service that can advise you on appropriate local mental health services for you or a loved one.

The NSW Government is committing $115 million to properly resource the NSW Reconstruction Authority and better ensure NSW communities are prepared for natural disasters and can recover faster.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority was established with bipartisan support in November 2022 after Resilience NSW was dissolved.

It was established in line with recommendations from the independent 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry, led by Professor Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller.

Despite the expanded responsibilities to include adaption, mitigation and preparedness for natural disasters, the former government left the NSW Reconstruction Authority as a shell – failing to fully fund and resource this vital agency.

This $115 million commitment will see the NSW Reconstruction Authority become the first entity of its kind in NSW with the resources needed to proactively reduce the impact of future disasters before they happen, as well as respond effectively after. 

The investment will take the NSW Reconstruction Authority budget to $321.3 million over 4 years.

It means the agency can also start on a State Disaster Mitigation Plan and Disaster Adaptation Plans.

Other projects include:

• supporting clean-ups and damage assessments
• organising safe temporary housing
• coordinating the repair and reestablishment of critical infrastructure such as schools and healthcare services
• supporting councils and state agencies in rebuilding essential assets and infrastructure such as roads and bridges
• public education and awareness campaigns
• distributing state and Commonwealth disaster recovery funding.

The authority currently facilitates more than $6.8 billion in state and Commonwealth grant programs offering support and practical help to those who need it most.

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe as we deal with the impacts of climate change.

Since 2019, NSW has seen more than 60 declared disasters, costing the state $5 billion, with 20,000 homes damaged in 2022 alone.

The financial costs of responding to natural disasters is only increasing. That is why we are properly funding and resourcing the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The NSW Government has made the careful and necessary decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the former government, including reprioritising funding to ensure the NSW Reconstruction Authority is properly resourced.

We are setting out a long-term plan to repair the budget in a sustainable way, to rebuild the essential services we all rely on – and funding disaster preparedness and recovery is an essential service.

Premier Chris Minns said:  

“We’ve all seen the devastating impacts of floods and fires across NSW, I am determined to take the action needed to save lives and ensure NSW has resilience in preparedness and response to natural disasters. 

“We know future natural disasters aren’t just a remote possibility – more are coming. It’s why we need to invest now to reduce the risk to communities, and then be ready and prepared to respond when disaster strikes.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“Being prepared doesn’t seem important or urgent until a disaster strikes, and then its value becomes very clear, very quickly. 

“This investment will allow the NSW Reconstruction Authority to be there for communities long before a disaster strikes and long after the disaster has passed.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We know we can’t stop natural disasters from occurring, but we can do more to prepare and prevent the worst of impacts.

“We’re lucky enough to have some of the country’s best and most experienced emergency service workers and this funding will make their jobs safer by reducing risks and better planning for the future.

“This is a smart, staged investment to make sure communities are better prepared for disasters, and so we can deliver cost-effective reconstruction programs and responsibly manage billions in state and Commonwealth disaster funding.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Preparedness in all its forms at all levels of community and government is key and with the NSWRA we now have the opportunity do this. 

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority was needed to be the overarching agency that could take a whole-of- government planning approach to the preparation, response and recovery to disasters, so that recovery plans and packages are in place before the disaster and the work on local adaptation plans and state mitigation actions scales up.

“In the Northern Rivers there was a scramble to prepare the response and the recovery in the midst of the largest humanitarian and most costly natural disaster Australia has seen. The painful lessons learned are all being utilised in the consolidation of the NSWRA, as is the now 12-year successful experience of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

“Such groundwork ensures that agencies are ready to do the response and recovery work and that local communities who drive recovery can work in close collaboration with state and regional agencies.”

The importance of physical activity for culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) is the focus of this year’s Multicultural Health Week.

Launching Multicultural Health Week at Parliament House today, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the NSW Government was proud of its partnerships with communities to help people live healthier and more active lives, as he announced this year’s theme, Celebrate Culture Through Movement: Every Move Counts.

“Multicultural Health Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the immense contributions from our culturally and linguistically diverse communities while recognising ways we can all improve our health and wellbeing,” Mr Park said.

“We must also work to address health issues increasingly faced by multicultural communities, including the importance of being healthy and well, and prioritising physical activity to prevent illnesses.

“This week is an important reminder to everyone that physical activity with friends and family is not only a benefit to overall wellbeing, but also an opportunity to help celebrate and strengthen connection to culture.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said as part of this year’s Multicultural Health Week, a range of in-language resources have been developed to encourage people to be physically active together with their family and friends.

“The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, the NSW Ministry of Health and the Cancer Institute NSW have worked together to develop a host of great new resources to encourage more people to get physically active,” Ms Pearce said.

“Not only is it fun, but it can also help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.”

Evidence shows that people from CALD backgrounds typically have lower levels of physical activity or exercise than the general population. A range of factors influence participation rates including settlement issues.

The NSW Population Health Survey data from 2021 reports that rates of insufficient physical activity for adults are higher in those born in mainly non-English speaking countries (42%) than those born in Australia (36.3%).

Professor Tracey O’Brien, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Cancer Institute NSW CEO, said physical inactivity is one of the top 4 causes of cancer.

“Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and wellbeing, and for preventing cancer,” Prof O’Brien said.

“We are proud to partner with the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service to help deliver this important message, to celebrate culture through movement, and to highlight that even small amounts of exercise can help to reduce risk of cancer.”

This year’s theme is further supported by the Multicultural Health Week 2023 Small Grants program.

Grants of up to $2000 each have been provided to 15 organisations for community engagement activities across NSW.

Director of the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, Lisa Woodland, said a range of multilingual resourceslaunch have been produced to encourage CALD communities to engage in physical activity as part of Multicultural Health Week 2023. 

“Our aim was to create resources that bring people from all communities together in a joyful, upbeat manner. We want to celebrate culture through movement, taking a family-centred approach that is inclusive of all generations,” Ms Woodland said.

The resources include:

• A 1-minute video to promote Multicultural Health Week 2023
• Multiple testimonial videos highlighting culture and movement
• Factsheet available in English and 19 other languages (Arabic, Bangla, Burmese, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Kurdish Kurmanji, Mandarin, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Ukrainian and Vietnamese)
• A Multicultural Health Week poster and social media assets in English and 19 other languages.

These multilingual resources are available to download for free by visiting the Multicultural Health Weeklaunch webpage, YouTube and social media platforms.