Month: February 2025

The NSW Opposition has today called on the Minns Labor Government to commit to providing free vaccines to all NSW residents this flu season, amid warnings of a potentially severe outbreak.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said 2024 had been one of the worst flu seasons on record for NSW with over 160,000 reported cases, and data out of Europe and the US showing 2025 could be even worse.
 
“We cannot afford to sit back and wait while flu cases skyrocket,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“The Minns Labor Government needs to step up and ensure every NSW resident can access a free flu vaccine—this is a simple, effective step to protect lives and ease pressure on our health system.”
 
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said the former Coalition Government successfully provided free flu vaccines in 2022, a program that was not continued by the Minns Government.
 
“With a monster flu season approaching, we need a vaccination blitz across NSW to save lives and ease the pressure on our already stretched emergency departments,” Ms Sloane said. 
 
“Flu isn’t just a bad cold—it can be deadly. Free vaccines mean fewer hospital visits, fewer sick days, and more lives saved. We need to make it as easy as possible for every NSW resident to get protected this flu season.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh says that declining vaccine rates in NSW in 2023 and 2024 showed that the Government needed to do more to help people access the flu vaccine.
 
“Flu Vaccination rates in NSW are lagging other states and declined 4.9% last year. In a cost-of-living crisis, the Government should be supporting families with access to free flu vaccines,” he said.
 
Health experts also support the Opposition’s calls for free vaccines.
 
Dr Rebekah Hoffman, specialist GP and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) NSW&ACT Chair, urged NSW families to fight vaccine fatigue and book an appointment with their GP.
 
“We too often forget just how devastating the flu can be,” Dr Hoffman said.
 
“Australia has been grappling with falling vaccination rates, and we’re seeing a resurgence of influenza and other preventable diseases as a result. We can’t be complacent. Viruses don’t suffer from ‘vaccine fatigue’ – they thrive in it. 
 
Founding director of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, Catherine Hughes AM says the NSW Government must act now to provide free flu vaccines.
 
“Cost should not be a barrier to protecting yourself and your family from influenza, a serious illness that can have devastating consequences, particularly for the vulnerable. A free flu vaccine program ensures equitable access for all members of our community, especially those most at risk, including the elderly, young children, and people with chronic health conditions”, said Ms Hughes
 
“We’ve seen the positive impact of free flu vaccine initiatives in other states, and it’s time for NSW to prioritize the health of its residents by making this essential preventative measure accessible to everyone.
 
 
BACKGROUND:
 

• In 2022, the Coalition Government ran a free vaccine program for all NSW residents in June and July. This was not continued in 2023 or 2024 by the Minns Labor Government.
• Health officials estimated the cost of providing these free vaccines in 2022 was between $20-$25 million.
• 3,417,365 people were vaccinated for Flu in 2022 in NSW. 2,649,895 people were vaccinated for Flu in NSW In 2024.
• In the July-September Bureau of Health Information data (which aligns with the peak of the flu Season) NSW saw 787,590 ED attendances a 2.1% increase and only 61.3% of patients starting their treatment on time – the lowest on record.
• According to the NSW Productivity Commission, making flu vaccines free for all could have major health and economic benefits for our community – saving around 500 lives and $530 million annually in NSW if just 55% of under 65s had the flu vaccine.
• The Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report found that those vaccinated were 62% less likely to attend a GP practice and 56% less likely to be hospitalised.
• Queensland is offering free flu vaccines for all residents from 1 March 2025 to 30 September.
• Western Australia offered free flu vaccines for all residents in May and June 2024.
• The United States is currently experiencing its worst flu season in 15 years.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s media statement issued 7:22 PM yesterday is another case of NSW Labor and Chris Minns being joined at the hip with Anthony Albanese and shows just how out of touch Chris Minns and Daniel Mookhey are with the cost of living crisis.
 
While families across NSW and Australia struggle with rising costs, Daniel Mookhey tried to spin the biggest private health insurance premium hike in seven years as a so-called win.
 
Daniel Mookhey and the Minns Labor Government stood by and cheered while the Albanese Government approved another hit to household budgets. More than 15 million Australians with private health insurance will now be slugged with higher premiums, at a time when they can least afford it.
 
Labor claims to stand for working families, but in two years Chris Minns and Daniel Mookhey have delivered little except re-announcements, cost of living pain, cuts, delays, excuses and spin.
 
The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) figures confirm emergency wait times have hit their worst levels on record, with just 61.3% of patients receiving treatment on time.

• 98,608 people are now stuck waiting for critical procedures, an increase of 7.7% in just 12 months.
• Labor’s failure to manage the health system is leaving frontline staff overworked and patients waiting longer than ever.

Two consecutive years of real cuts to the NSW health budget have led to poorer patient outcomes and a system under unprecedented pressure.
 
Instead of addressing these failures, Daniel Mookhey followed orders—backing in an above-inflation premium hike and attacking anyone who dares to question Labor’s failures.
 
The NSW Coalition warned the Treasurer last year about premium increases when Chris Minns and he went after the private health insurers to fix their own budget problems. 
 
Australia and NSW are worse off under Labor.

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to rebuild public education across New South Wales with the $20 million Innovative Teacher Training Fund to support NSW’s best and brightest students to embark on a successful teaching career.

In a NSW first, the NSW Government is establishing the Early Career Academy for Teachers, fulfilling an election commitment which will serve as a centre of excellence for new and future teachers, with expanded support, enhanced development opportunities and stronger partnerships with universities and across schools.

The Academy will be a one-stop-shop for attracting and supporting new teachers, featuring a digital hub, new scholarships, tailored learning and resources, and embedded department support with a dedicated employee stationed at key universities.

University Admissions Centre data shows growing interest in applications and offers for students studying Education degrees, following several years of decline.

Applications by school leavers for Education degrees have risen by 500 or 23 per cent compared to the same time last year, while offers have risen by 642 or 36 per cent compared to 2024.

The Early Career Academy will focus on making a teaching degree the first preference for more students, improving the classroom readiness of beginning teachers and retaining more early career teachers in NSW public schools.

This initiative builds on the historic pay rise in teachers’ salaries, which took NSW beginning teachers from the worst paid in the country to among the highest. Targeted strategies to address the unsustainable workloads of teachers are also bearing fruit, leading to a greater attractiveness of the teaching profession.

The Early Career Academy for Teachers will develop a range of programs and opportunities including:

• An enhanced scholarship program including early offers to future teachers in high priority regions and specialist areas
• Revamped professional experience placements to facilitate consistent and high quality experiences for pre-service teachers before they enter the classroom
• Greater system-led support for pre-service and beginning teachers, including enhanced resources and collaboration opportunities, to enhance the quality of assistance available to early career teachers
• Stronger strategic partnerships with universities, including Department of Education University Partnership Leads to provide tailored support with those seeking employment opportunities in NSW public schools
• Department-led professional learning to support classroom readiness, curriculum expertise and teaching practices
• A Digital Hub with personalised content to support new and future teachers throughout their educational and professional pathway

The Academy will also continue and expand existing, successful programs such as the school-based Future Teachers Club and rural and remote Beyond the Line study tours.

The Early Career Academy will formally commence in Term 1, 2026, following co-design and engagement with the profession, union and key stakeholders.

The NSW public education system is the largest employer of teachers in Australia with more than 96,000 educators working in our schools every year.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said: 

“The Minns Labor Government promised we would do everything we can to get more of our best and brightest into teaching and keep them in the classroom – and we are delivering.

“The Early Career Academy will be a game-changer for new and prospective teachers, provide co-ordinated, multi-faceted support and ensuring we have highly skilled, classroom-ready teachers getting jobs in NSW public schools.

“With the NSW Department of Education being the largest employer of teachers in Australia, it is crucial that universities understand the needs of our public schools, and the Academy will play an important role in ensuring partner universities offer the right courses for our future teachers.

“Our government has delivered nation-leading pay rises for teachers and reduced teacher vacancies by 40%, and we are building on this work to attract more of our best and brightest to teaching careers in our schools – while ensuring they are supported and valued to stay.

“The Academy is not just about getting more people to choose a career in teaching or ensuring they are prepared for the classroom from day one, it is about letting our early career teachers know that the Department and the Government is backing you to succeed.”

A large mobile crane has arrived on site to support the construction of the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

The crane’s arrival marks an important step in delivering a sustainable, modern and purpose-built hospital to support the needs of the Eurobodalla Shire community from Narooma to Batemans Bay.

With a maximum height of just over 70 metres, the crawler crane can lift up to 110 tonnes and will be used to carry a range of heavy building materials required for construction of the new hospital.

Unlike a traditional tower crane, which is fixed in place, a crawler crane moves on tracks, allowing greater flexibility around the building site.

The crawler crane will enable efficient access and movement of materials across the large footprint of the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital site. 

Local students are invited to take part in a competition to help name the crane. The winner of the Name the Crane competition will have their winning name displayed on the crane. Prizes are also available for runners up.

The colouring-in sheet can be downloaded from the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital project website and should be emailed to HI-EurobodallaHospital@health.nsw.gov.au.

Entries close at midnight on Tuesday 25 March 2025.

Construction for the new hospital is progressing and expected to be completed in 2027.   

For more information, visit www.eurobodallahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“This is an exciting milestone for the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital project, bringing us one step closer to delivering a world-class hospital which will provide high-quality healthcare for generations to come.

“The Eurobodalla Regional Hospital project is a prime example of how the Minns Labor Government is investing in critical rural and regional health infrastructure to support growing communities.

“This $300 million investment will deliver modern health infrastructure which will enable more complex clinical services to be delivered locally.”

Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland:

“The arrival of the crane will further support the great progress being made on this important and much-needed level 4 hospital for the community.

“It represents our commitment to building modern, accessible healthcare services for the people of the Eurobodalla region.

“The name the crane competition is a great way to connect young people with the new hospital and I encourage all primary schools in the Eurobodalla to have a go at naming our new crawler crane.”

The Minns Labor Government has announced that funding for fishing clubs and native fish stocking groups is now available for restocking regional rivers and dams with iconic native fish such as Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod.

These fish are also appreciated as highly sought after angling fish that support recreational fishing and local tourism.

The NSW Government is committed to delivering for recreational fishers and the NSW regional environment to preserve the many locations and lifestyles that are special for families and locals.

Two dollars in funding is provided from for every dollar raised by the community to purchase Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod from accredited commercial fish hatcheries for stocking into public waterways.

This program is part of the Government’s commitment to recreational fishers and helps boost native fish stocks to deliver enhanced fishing opportunities into regional waterways where factors such as carp and drought may have hindered native fish stock levels.

The program also supports the regional aquaculture ventures which produce the high-quality fish stock that are released release into public waters to benefit recreational fishers. These ventures provide local jobs in the regions at hatcheries and breeding sites.

Last year 70 grants were approved under the program and delivered fish stocks for local fishing clubs to restock waterways in places like Lake Cargelligo, Leeton, Walgett, Bermagui, Nowra, Goulburn, Tumut and Yass.

Australian bass live in coastal rivers along the east coast and downstream for breeding from may to August. Golden Perch occur throughout the Murray-darling river system and are migratory species following increases in water flow up stream during spring and summer.

Murray Cod encompass most of the Murray Darling Rivers and mature adults will travel long distances to spawn during spring and summer.

Fish stocking in NSW is carefully managed under a fish stocking fishery management strategy to ensure sustainability to ensure the activity is conducted with appropriate environmental controls and generates quality recreational fishing outcomes.

Groups interested in applying for the grants, can apply online before the closing dates for the Community Native Fish Stocking (CNFS) 2025/26 grants program. Fish stocking is expected to take place between November 2025 and April 2026.

A minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $6,000 per application per group is required.  Only one application per group may be submitted.

Applications to stock Australian Bass close on 28 March 2025. 

Applications to stock Golden Perch or Murray Cod close on 9 May 2025.

To apply https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/stocking/CNFS

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Our Government is focused on delivering great recreational fishing and environmental outcomes. This program delivers in every way for fishers by populating highly popular native sportfish in regional waterways.

“These fish stocking events will help diversify and enhance our valuable native fishery, increase fishing amenity and support local businesses.

“Millions of fish are produced and stocked by government and private sector hatcheries each year into rivers, streams and dams across the State to improve recreational fishing opportunities in NSW that create jobs for regional people.

“Native fish stocking provides many economic and social benefits, as well as positive environmental outcomes due to the importance of native fish in the landscape.

“This is another great example of your fishing licence fees at work. More information on fish stocking can be found online.”

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong has welcomed Building Commission NSW warning plumbers across the state to get up to speed on their supervision requirements or face fines in an upcoming targeted compliance campaign.

Only plumbers with a NSW Government-issued contractor licence or supervisor certificate can do plumbing work without immediate supervision* to ensure work is carried out to required standards.

To hammer home these requirements to industry, from June this year Building Commission NSW will conduct targeted compliance activities at sites across the state.

If workers without the right licence are found to be unsupervised, Building Commission NSW can issue fines of up to $1,500 per breach.

In the event Building Commission NSW finds repeated instances of workers being inappropriately supervised it can also suspend or cancel licences.

Since September 2024 Building Commission NSW has detected 17 instances of incorrectly supervised plumbing work, sparking concerns plumbers are not taking their obligations seriously.

In a recent compliance visit to an apartment building site in Port Macquarie, Building Commission NSW found five apprentices working unsupervised, resulting in the licensed plumber being fined $1,500.

Ahead of the compliance blitz, Building Commission NSW is rolling out a wide-ranging awareness campaign to ensure plumbers around the state know how to stick to the rules.

The awareness campaign will include direct emails to plumbers across the state, the distribution of newsletters, and engagement with peak bodies, industry and training organisations.

To further educate plumbers on the supervision requirements, TAFE NSW and Building Commission NSW have also launched a new Plumbing, Drainage and Gasfitting Regulation short course.

Developed in consultation with industry and subject matter experts, the new online short course also provides regulatory knowledge and best practice skills required by plumbing professionals.

TAFE NSW students undertaking their Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services can enroll in the course fully discounted until 1st October 2025.

For more information on the course, please visit the Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting regulation in NSW course webpage.

For more information on plumbing supervision requirements, please visit the Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting work webpage.

*Building Commission NSW views ‘immediate supervision’ as the relevant licence holder:

• Always being physically present and with clear line of sight of the work being carried out by the person they are supervising.
• Being readily available to provide specific instructions and guidance to enable the work to be undertaken correctly by the individual performing it.
• Directly overseeing and reviewing the work.
• Ensuring the completed work is compliant and meets all regulatory requirements.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong:

“The Minns Labor Government aims to keep every part of the building industry in check through a strong regulatory presence, while also supporting the workforce to comply with its obligations.

“Building Commission NSW inspections have revealed a concerning lack of awareness about plumbing supervision requirements or even some plumbers deliberately cutting corners. 

“The point of these requirements is to make sure young apprentices work in a safe environment supported by more experienced workers who will ensure work is done to the required standards while also passing on skills to the next generation of plumbers.

“We want to give fair warning to the plumbing industry in NSW to pull itself into line and brush up on their supervision requirements.

“But when the inspectors’ boots hit the ground later this year, plumbers should expect the full weight of the regulator will be put behind the penalties they issue.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan:

“The Plumbing, Drainage and Gasfitting Regulation Microskill course is the latest in a range of courses developed in consultation with industry and subject matter experts aimed at providing the regulatory knowledge and best practice skills required by plumbing professionals to meet the state’s high standards of construction.

“The course provides engaging, flexible, and industry-responsive learning where students can progress at their own pace and have access to the course for up to six months from the day of enrolment.

“By offering this Microskill fully discounted to Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services students, TAFE NSW and Building Commission NSW are helping graduates build the right skills from day one.”

NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard:

“Building Commission NSW is seeing a serious lack of awareness about plumbing supervision requirements, with inspectors consistently finding apprentices left on site unsupervised.

“What licenced plumbers need to remember, is that even if one of their workers has finished their studies at TAFE NSW, if they don’t have the right NSW Government licence they need to be supervised.

“These supervision requirements are in place to ensure the quality of plumbing work is maintained across NSW, protecting homeowners from expensive repairs down the track.

“In June our specialist trade inspectors will be out in force to ensure the industry is complying with the requirements, but in the meantime, plumbers are urged to get up to speed.”