Category: NSW News

Customers and businesses have saved time, money and now have a gold standard experience when interacting with the State Government, thanks to the nation-leading Service NSW, delivered by the Liberal and Nationals a decade ago this month.

Minister for Customer and Digital Government Victor Dominello said March marks the ten-year anniversary since Service NSW was created in 2013 as a one-stop-shop for government transactions, with customers completing more than half a billion transactions in store, on the phone or online.

“Prior to Service NSW, customers had to take a book with them to get their rego or licence renewed or get a copy of their birth certificate,” Mr Dominello said.

“Service NSW today is an evolutionary leap from the time-wasting, paper-hoarding swamp that was the old RTA.

“Gone are the days of waiting in long queues at different agencies to be confronted with bullet-proof glass at the counter and then having to travel across town to multiple locations to complete linked transactions like changing your name and then needing to update your licence.

“We’ve transformed how customers interact with government, bringing together more than 1000 NSW Government transactions and solutions including cost of living programs and disaster relief grants under the one roof.

“We’ve evolved our digital offerings by creating the Service NSW app, which makes a range of services available at your fingertips, whilst also being inclusive and providing non-digital solutions for those who need them.

“For well over 80 per cent of people the Service NSW app has become the mainstream, making it much easier to access licences, vouchers and credentials without needing to carry a wallet, purse or paper.”

Mr Dominello said since the first Service Centre opened in Kiama in 2013, more than $1.5 billion has been invested into 114 Service Centres with another four to be rolled out across Sydney this year – Eastgardens, North Rocks, Glenmore Park and Tallawong.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to build Service Centres across the State so there is always a friendly face to help. We’re investing in Service NSW buses to not only get to harder-to-reach communities but also respond to emergencies,” Mr Dominello said.

“Increasingly the problems Service NSW is dealing with are more complex and we have brought in hypercare teams to work on those.

“Service NSW has truly become the flagship when it comes to service delivery, with a 96 per cent satisfaction rating. Whether you’re a family, student, retiree or small business, you can receive personalised support and assistance.

“NSW is not just the figurehead for best practice in this nation but is now globally-recognised.

“And customers can look forward to new offerings in 2023 and beyond, with world-leading Digital ID and the Digital Birth Certificate two of many exciting projects being rolled out.”

For more information about Service NSW, please visit service.nsw.gov.au

This link provides a video of Service NSW’s work over the past decade and photos of old RTA centres: https://we.tl/t-Ia5ipgPznM

Service NSW Fast Facts

• More than 8000 phone lines were streamlined to just one – 13 77 88 – and more than 800 websites have been simplified to one website.
• There have been more than 797 million customer visits since 2013 with more than 55 million calls answered by the Contact Centre, 54 million visits to Service Centres and 688 million website visits.
• There has been more than 4.4 million downloads of the Digital Driver Licence, accounting for about 75 per cent of all motorists in NSW.
• Four Mobile Service Centres travel across the State to people in locations where there is no physical Service NSW presence along with visiting disaster-impacted communities during times of need. The buses travel more than 151,000 kilometres a year and have already served about 40,000 customers.

· The top transactions people visit Service NSW for are driver licence and registration renewal, to transfer a vehicle registration, complete their knowledge and driving tests and Working with Children Checks.

· More than $7.5 billion has been saved by NSW residents since the Savings Finder program was launched in 2018.

· $750 is the average saving per appointment with a Service NSW Savings Specialist.

· We have received about 95 per cent thumbs up across all of our digital programs since 2018.

Top five Service Centres for Savings Finder appointments completed:

1. Ryde (5379 appointments)
2. Hurstville (3418 appointments)
3. Bankstown (3245 appointments)
4. Hornsby (3027 appointments)
5. Albury (2734 appointments)

Liberal candidate for Paramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the announcement that people diagnosed with breast cancer will benefit from an additional $1 million to refurbish the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute under a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

“The service sees more than 15,000 patients in any given year and offers a comprehensive and holistic service from the time of diagnosis through to five years of breast cancer follow ups,” Ms Mullens said.

“Its only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in more modern and fit for purpose facilities that make a difference for patients in Parramatta and across the state who need care.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project forms part of the Liberal’s $1.2 billion commitment to upgrade hospitals and health facilities across NSW.

“This investment will deliver modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, and will support best practice management of breast cancer patients during what is a very challenging and often uncertain time,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Significant investments like this in our hospitals and health facilities are only possible because of the Liberal’s long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the upgrade will create a more modern facility to provide comprehensive state-of-the art breast imaging and interventional service for women in Western Sydney.

“It will provide private spaces for consultations, improved telehealth capability to reduce the need for women to travel to hospital and facilities that better support collaboration between consultants,” Mr Hazzard said.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this is an incredible service that brings together surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, specialised breast cancer nurses and allied health teams.

“The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute manages more than 580 surgical procedures per year, offering patients a comprehensive range of surgical options for their breast cancer care, including sophisticated plastic surgery.” Mrs Taylor said.

The Institute’s comprehensive research program spans lab-based, translational and clinical research focused on immediate improvements to patient outcomes.

The Stage 2 upgrade will enable:

• Modernisation of the multidisciplinary room and enable modern communications technology and digital technology advancements to conduct multidisciplinary meetings, consultations, and collaboration in real-time;
• Improve the ability of the various disciplines involved in breast cancer management to collaborate online and in person in the day-to-day management of patients, treatment planning, and follow up;
• Improve the ability to conduct telehealth consultations, enabling confidential virtual consultations with patients, reducing the need to attend the hospital;
• Enable radiotherapy planning in quiet dedicated spaces for radiation oncologists;
• Improve functionality and workspaces for medical and nursing staff; and
• Improve educational facilities for practicums, virtual education sessions, and pre-recorded education sessions.

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will commit to supporting the Somali Welfare and Cultural Organisation to host its annual Africultures festival.

Liberal Candidate for Parramatta Katie Mullens welcomed the commitment, saying it would be a major win for the African community.

“We have a rich and diverse African community here in NSW, which has played a major role in promoting our rich multicultural society,” Ms Mullens said.

“By supporting this event, we are helping the community build bridges and find ways to connect people from all walks of life.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said in the next term of Government, the NSW Liberals will invest $80,000 over four years into the running of the major event.

“Africultures is Australia’s largest celebration of African culture, and it is fitting its home is in Australia’s most successful multicultural society,” Mr Coure said.

“Going on 15 years now, this event has been helping African communities across the state and across Australia promote and share their culture with everyone.”

Mr Coure said as part of the commitment, Somali Welfare and Cultural Organisation would receive $20,000 a year for four years to host the event.

“This event captures the essence of African culture and showcases it for all to enjoy, from art and music to fashion, food and even sport,” Mr Coure said.

“Over the years, this event has drawn in thousands of people, and the NSW Liberals want to help the organisers promote their culture to even more people in our state.”

The state’s Chinese communities will once again be supported to hold cultural celebrations and festivals by a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said a re-elected Liberal Government will invest $900,000 over four years to help Chinese communities celebrate major events and festivals across the state.

“We believe in helping our state’s diverse communities be proud of who they are, and one of the ways we do that is by helping them celebrate their culture with everyone,” Mr Coure said. 

“We are once again committing to support to Chinese communities by providing $225,000 a year for four years to do just that.”

Over the past four years, the Perrottet Liberals invested more than $800,000 into Chinese community groups and organisations to host events and festivals throughout the state.

Liberal Member for Willoughby, Tim James, said it is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in local communities and support cultural celebrations.

“Holding major cultural festivals and events is one way to showcase that pride, but also to bring people together, share the spirit of many cultures and celebrate the great harmony and diversity we all treasure” Mr James said.

Liberal candidate for Davidson Matt Cross said the Chinese community has long been an integral part of the state’s multicultural society.

“For generations, the Chinese community has been helping build our state, especially in my local area, to be the great place it is today and has a lot to be proud of.” Mr Cross said.

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will support The Christian Alliance Collective to host its inaugural Easter Festival with $50,000.

The event, which will be hosted by the alliance that’s made up of a collaboration of 70 different Christian groups all from different denominations and cultures across Sydney’s south, will aim to create a fun and family-friendly environment to celebrate Easter.

Liberal Candidate for Kogarah Craig Chung welcomed the commitment to support Sydney’s south region’s Christian groups.

“We have such a rich diversity within the Christian community and it is really pleasing to see this group wanting to bring everyone together to celebrate Easter,” Mr Chung said.

Minister for Multiculturalism said the collective of different Christian groups coming together to celebrate Easter with the whole community reflects how successful NSW is as a multicultural and multi-faith society.

“This coming together to celebrate the importance of Easter really shows that while we are all different, there is still a great deal that unites us all,” Mr Coure said. 

“It is this vision to bring everyone together in the spirit of Easter that the Perrottet Liberal Government is proud to commit $50,000 to running the event in 2024.”

Fishing and boating enthusiasts will have access to better community facilities with a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government to deliver more than $25 million in upgrades across the state’s waterways and regions.

As part of the commitment, $20 million will be spent to upgrade boating ramps and build new fishing facilities including platforms, kayak ramps, parking, access paths, fish cleaning tables and interactive signage across the state.

An additional $5.5 million will be committed to open up more waterways in Western Sydney for recreational use and boost fishing facilities, including in the Penrith Lakes Parkland, and along the Georges and Parramatta Rivers.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this will make the state’s lakes, rivers and waterways more accessible for fishers and families alike.

“NSW is home to the most spectacular outdoors experiences in the world, providing the perfect environment for fishing, boating, camping and exploring,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want to make sure that fishers, boaties, campers and families have access to the facilities they need to enjoy the outdoors across NSW.

“That’s why we’re committing more than $25 million to upgrade boat ramps, jetties, and fishing facilities across our state but particularly in Western Sydney, where there is demand for more fishing spots.

“This is not only good news for those who love to explore the outdoors, but it will provide a boost to local economies by driving tourism, supporting local jobs and providing lifestyle benefits to families.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said this commitment will provide a major boost to the State’s $3.4 billion recreational fishing sector by creating more opportunities to drop a line.

“NSW is a fishing state. Both up and down our coast, in our cities and our regions, one million people enjoy the popular past time,” Mr Saunders said.

“These significant upgrades will take the high quality fishing that NSW has to offer to the next level and encourage even more people to get involved including more women and children.

“No matter whether you want to catch a feed or just want to get outdoors and go for a fish with your family and friends, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to protect and improve our waterways for years to come.” 

The funding allocation will be managed by the Department of Primary Industries.

Netball NSW are delighted to announce that long standing partners DOOLEYS and HART Sport have renewed their partnerships with Netball NSW in multiyear agreements.

DOOLEYS have continued as naming rights partner of DOOLEYS Metro League for the next 2 years, while HART Sport renewed for 3 years as a major partner of Netball NSW, naming rights partner of the HART Junior and Senior State Titles and official ball and equipment partner of Netball NSW.

DOOLEYS Catholic Club in Lidcombe is a proud supporter of Metro League which has seen a host of NSW talent hone their skills before going on to higher honours in Netball NSW Premier League and subsequently Suncorp Super Netball via the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.

HART Sport continues their connection with the Junior and Senior Titles, both flagship events within the Netball NSW pathway.

Netball NSW Executive General Manager of Communities and Pathways Tim Fava is excited to continue the relationships with both DOOLEYS and HART Sport.

‘Netball NSW recognises the fantastic support and commitment to grassroots and pathways to netball in NSW’ said Tim Fava, ‘and we look forward to working closely with both DOOLEYS and Hart Sport to help lead and support our netball community to grow and thrive’.

Yael Reed, Netball NSW Executive General Manager – Commercial & Marketing added
‘To continue our long-standing partnership with both DOOLEYS and HART Sport shows their commitment to the Netball NSW Pathway and we welcome their ongoing support’

DOOLEYS: https://www.dooleys.com/lidcombe

HART Sport: https://www.hartsport.com.au/

Liberal candidate for Londonderry, Samantha Talakola, welcomed local families saving more than $154,000 on swimming lessons to boost water safety and relieve budgets, as part of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s First Lap voucher scheme.
 
Ms Talakola said the program was delivering huge results for Londonderry families.
 
“A total of 1,541 vouchers have been redeemed for swimming lessons meaning young children are more confident in the water and there is less of a strain on family expenses,” Mr Talakola said.
 
“A $100 voucher goes a long way when you are managing your budget and having this relief takes a bit of pressure off the family while improving a child’s swimming skills.
 
“Only Premier Dominic Perrottet and the NSW Liberals have a long-term plan to keeping NSW moving forward.”
 
A total of 75,075 vouchers have been redeemed to the value of more than $7,400,000.
 
For more information about First Lap vouchers visit the Service NSW website here.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal Government will invest $200,000 over four years into the running of the Let’s Go Greek Festival in Parramatta.

“This is a wonderful initiative for the Greek community in Parramatta and across New South Wales,” Ms Mullens said.

“It is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in people, enhancing local communities and celebrating diversity in Parramatta in beyond.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the commitment represents the NSW Liberal Government’s belief in supporting communities across the state to celebrate their culture with everyone.

“The Greek community certainly knows how to bring people from all walks of life together, and this festival is a perfect example of that,” Mr Coure said.

“We are proud to help the Greek community celebrate such a vibrant culture and share it with $50,000 a year for four years.”

Let’s Go Greek Festival organiser John Bris welcomed the announcement.

“This investment ensures we can continue to deliver a remarkable event that brings everyone together to celebrate all things Greek in the heart of Parramatta,” Mr Bris said. 

“Each year, this one-day festival attracts over 35,000 people, and we look forward to continuing to share the best that Greek culture and cuisine have to offer.”

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will support the State’s Filipino community to host major events and festivals.

Liberal candidate for Riverstone, Mohit Kumar, said the Filipino community is an important part of Riverstone electorate.

“I am so pleased to see this investment of $400,000 to encourage and support the celebrations and festivities of the Filipino community.” Mr Kumar said.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens welcomed this announcement.

“It is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in cultural festivities to enhance local communities in Parramatta and across the state.” Ms Mullens said.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said in the next term of government, the NSW Liberal Government will invest $400,000 over four years to support major Filipino events and festivals, including the Philippine Pasko Festival, Fiesta Kultura, and Filipino Fiesta.

“While each of these events is a celebration and chance for the Filipino community to be proud of their culture, it is also an opportunity for people from all walks of life to get involved,” Mr Coure said.

“Whether it be the Philippine Pasko Festival in Darling Harbour, Fiesta Kultura in Fairfield, or Filipino Fiesta in Randwick, all of these events can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Mr Coure said the organisers would share in $100,000 a year for four years to help host their events.

The Philippine Community Council of NSW, Philippine Australian Sports and Culture Inc and Filipino Australian Community Association of Eastern Sydney welcomed the investment and thanked the NSW Liberal Government for their ongoing support.

“The success of our Philippine Christmas Festival would not have been possible without the continued dedication and support of the NSW Government,” Alric Bulseco from the Philippine Community Council of NSW said.

Marivic Ayap-Flores from the Philippine Australian Sports and Culture Inc added that their organisation is pleased the NSW Liberals have chosen to support the Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura over many years. 

“We are glad that we can continue to share the unique Filipino culture with those right across New South Wales for many more years to come,” Ms Marivic Ayap-Flores said.

Precy Santos from the Australian Community Association of Eastern Sydney was also appreciative for the commitment to their organisation’s event.

“The critical support provided by the NSW Liberals will ensures the community can continue to celebrate the vibrant Filipino culture and heritage for everyone,” Ms Santos said.