Category: NSW News

Liberal candidate for Bega, Russell Fitzpatrick, welcomes the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal Government will invest $15.3 million to roll out six new state-of-the-art mobile dialysis buses across rural and regional NSW, which will see dialysis services boosted in Bega. 

“This will ensure patients can get the care they need as close as possible to home.” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“Living with chronic kidney disease can be difficult and incredibly demanding on patients and their families.

“We know that the majority of patients who receive dialysis need treatment three to five times a week. For patients and their carers in regional areas this can mean hours on the road every week, and time away from their loved ones and communities.

“This will not only make life easier for patients and their families, but also reduce out-of-pocket costs.”

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said establishing mobile dialysis services will mean for weeks at a time people will be able to receive treatment in their local community.

“These buses will be fitted out with dialysis machines and comfortable chairs for patients to receive the care they need, and will be staffed with specialist nurses,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Patients will be able to receive the same level of care from highly trained renal nurses in the buses as they would in a dialysis unit in our hospitals, making a huge difference to so many across the Bega electorate.”

As part of this commitment, four state-of-the-art mobile dialysis units will be built, and will operate right across regional NSW including parts of Western NSW, across the Riverina and Murray, Southern NSW, the Upper Hunter and the Northern Tablelands.

A re-elected NSW Liberal Government will also provide additional funding to Kidney Health Australia to expand coverage across the North Coast and the South Coast.

The Liberal Government last year significantly increased the financial support available to patients from regional communities travelling for medical treatment as part of a major investment in the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.

The $149.5 million expansion of the scheme means eligible patients are now receiving almost double the subsidy towards accommodation costs and private vehicle use where they travel more than 100 kilometres for care.

In the first six months of the expanded scheme, 2347 patients in Bega received more than $1.1 million in financial support.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested $3.2 million in a shared walking and cycling path that will connect the Goulburn city centre to its south and east as part of the Get NSW Active program.

Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said the project was part of the Government’s $1.2 billion investment in walking and cycling and was an example of the state’s recently-released Active Transport Strategy in action.

“People in regional NSW have just as much right to decent walking and cycling infrastructure as people in Sydney and the Get NSW Active program ensures that regions get their fair share,” Mr Stokes said.

“Regional cities like Goulburn have become really car-dependent. This investment will give locals and tourists more freedom to get to and from the city cheaply, safely and easily.”

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman welcomed the investment in Goulburn’s community infrastructure that will make the city a better place to live, work and play.

“This proposal was put forward by the Goulburn Mulwaree Youth Council, a group of community minded young people between the ages of 12-24 and then supported by Goulburn Mulwaree Council,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“It is incredibly encouraging and affirming to see the next generation not only thinking about the importance of active transport in their community, but making it happen.”

The 1.9km path will connect the existing shared pathways that currently end at Lansdowne Street and Sloane Street. Construction is set to begin in early 2024. More successful Get NSW Active recipients will be announced in the coming months.

More than $310 million has already been allocated to almost 700 projects over the past six years. For more information about Get NSW Active, visit: Get NSW Active | Transport for NSW.

When Federal Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced a 56 per cent increase in energy prices over two years in his October budget, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government acted to protect NSW residents by capping coal prices.

As a result, contract prices have fallen by up to 50 per cent since the Commonwealth budget announcement, leading to today’s reduced draft Default Market Offer that caps price rises for 2023-24 at 22 per cent.

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver $250 in household energy bill relief. Chris Minns has said he will cut this assistance for around 1.5 million households.

I would also note today’s announcement that Victorian household bills are expected to increase by up to 31 per cent which is higher than NSW and every other eastern mainland state in the National Energy Market.

Given Chris Minns has signalled his intention to copy Victorian Labor’s approach to energy policy here in NSW, this should be a cause of concern for every single electricity consumer in our state who cannot afford the price of a Labor government.

Federal Labor delivered a budget announcement of huge energy bills, and to date zero dollars in cost of living relief. State Labor and Chris Minns have promised to slash our $250 bill relief while also admitting their energy plan will deliver no bill relief for seven years. It’s clear that Labor is all rhetoric and no action.

Every child in NSW will gain a financial head-start under a life-changing Liberal and Nationals plan to futureproof the finances of generations to come, giving them the best start to life.

This is the most significant financial security investment in NSW history.

Under a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government, every child in NSW aged 10 and under in 2023 – and continuing each year with every newborn child – will be eligible for a Kids Future Fund account, which will receive a $400 starting payment from the Government. 

Parents will be able to contribute to the fund each year, with payments matched by the Government up to $400 per year, with interest also earned over time.

Once the child turns 18 they will be able to withdraw from their fund – which could be worth between $28,000 and $49,000 per child – for either education and housing so they can begin to secure their own financial future.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this landmark initiative is the first of its kind in Australia and will help provide financial security to an entire generation.

“This investment will change the lives of millions of children in NSW forever, Mr Perrottet. 

“It will give generations to come the financial foundation for their entire life.

“By making small investments over time, we will be able to grow the wealth of our children so they can secure their financial future through education and housing.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government recognised parents and carers worked hard to do their best by their kids and set them up for the future.

“This is a way for families and Government to work together to invest in the next generation – from their first steps to their first home and first career,” Mr Toole said.

“As a Government, we’re not just tackling cost of living pressures now, we’re creating better opportunities for tomorrow.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the Kids Future Fund was an investment in the dreams and aspirations of the children of the State.

“We know that long term financial security starts by saving early and letting compound interest work its magic,” Mr Kean said.

“It shouldn’t matter who your parents are or where you live – every child across NSW should have the financial security to pursue their own ambitions, contribute to their community and build a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

“Just as superannuation gave a generation the means to end their careers with dignity, the Kids Future Fund will give the next generation the financial platform to embark on their careers with confidence.”

The Kids Future Fund:

·       Each fund will receive an initial $400 contribution provided by the Government when it is created.
·       Each year, the child’s parents will be able to contribute up to $1,000 per year to the fund. The Government will match these contributions up to $400 per year until the child turns 18.  
·       If parents make a contribution of $400 each year, alongside the Government’s co-contribution, the fund is expected to be around $28,500 by the time the child turns 18. 
·       If parents contribute the maximum amount of $1,000 per year, the fund is expected to be around $49,000.
·       For families receiving Commonwealth Family Tax Benefit A, the Government will automatically contribute $200 a year to the child’s account without requiring a matched contribution from parents. 
·       If the parents also contribute $200 each year, the Government will match this with an additional $200.
·       Contributions can be made to the fund after the child turns 18, however the Government will not provide any further matched contributions. 
·       When the child turns 18 they will be able to draw down on the fund for only two purposes:

• Housing – e.g. a contribution towards purchasing a residential property
• Education – e.g. textbooks and other learning materials, laptops, private tuition fees, micro-credentials, tools required for getting a qualification

·       The fund will be open for children aged up to 10 years old (in the 2023 calendar year). From 2024, new accounts will only be created for newborns.
·       There are around 974,000 babies and children aged up to 10 years old in NSW in 2023.
·       There are around 100,000 babies born in NSW each year.

Grandparents will have the opportunity to help secure the future of their grandkids as part of a re-elected Liberal and Nationals plan to futureproof the finances of a whole generation through Kids Future Fund accounts.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would give grandparents the opportunity to give their grandkids a headstart in life.

“We know that grandparents want the best for their grandchildren, which is why we’re giving them the opportunity to help set their grandkids up financially for the future,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Through the Kids Future Fund, grandparents will be able to partner with parents to make contributions to their children’s future and help change the lives of the next generation of kids across NSW.

“For some kids in NSW, there could be up to six adults contributing to their fund, making small investments over time to grow their wealth and help secure their financial future.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said even a small contribution could help grandparents build a sizeable nest egg for their grandkids over time.

“Nothing brings greater joy to a grandparent than seeing their grandkids grow up and knowing they’ve got what they need. Any money they chip in to their grandkids’ Future Fund will grow right along with them, setting them up for the future,” Mr Toole said.

“Plenty of us remember getting cash inside a birthday card from gran or pop. Getting a nest egg that could help set you up to buy your first home or train for your first job is a gift with lasting impact.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said enabling grandparents to contribute to the Kids Future Fund would help bolster their grandchild’s wealth and help them on the path to financial security.

“A small cash birthday or Christmas present placed in the fund would deliver big dividends down the track,” Mr Kean said.

“This initiative will help build financial security for a whole new generation.”

As part of the Kids Future Fund, parents and grandparents together will be able to contribute up to $1,000 annually to each fund.

The Kids Future Fund:

• Each account will receive an initial $400 contribution provided by the Government when it is created.
• Each year, the child’s parents (or grandparents) will be able to contribute up to $1,000 per year to the account. The Government will match these contributions up to $400 per year until the child turns 18.
• If parents (or grandparents) make a contribution of $400 each year, alongside the Government’s co-contribution, the fund is expected to be around $28,500 by the time the child turns 18.
• If parents (or grandparents) contribute the maximum amount of $1,000 per year, the fund is expected to be around $49,000.
• For families receiving Commonwealth Family Tax Benefit A, the Government will automatically contribute $200 a year to the child’s account without requiring a matched contribution from parents (or grandparents).
• If the parents (or grandparents) also contribute $200 each year, the Government will match this with an additional $200.
• Contributions can be made to the fund after the child turns 18, however the Government will not provide any further matched contributions.
• When the child turns 18 they will be able to draw down on the fund for only two purposes:
  • Housing – e.g. a contribution towards purchasing a residential property
  • Education – e.g. textbooks and other learning materials, laptops, private tuition fees, micro-credentials, tools required for getting a qualification
• The fund will be open for children aged up to 10 years old (in the 2023 calendar year). From 2024, new accounts will only be created for newborns.
• There are around 974,000 babies and children aged up to 10 years old in NSW in 2023.
• There are around 100,000 babies born in NSW each year.

School students in NSW will be given the opportunity to fine tune their financial literacy skills and learn about ways to secure their own future, including through initiatives like the new Kids Future Fund account, under a plan from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Under this Liberal and Nationals plan:

• The NSW Treasurer’s Financial Literacy Challenge, launched in 2022 for students from Kindergarten to Year 10, will be expanded to include Years 11 and 12 students under a new partnership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. 
• Content for Kindergarten to Year 10 students will also be updated to ensure students understand, and are able to make the most of, financial initiatives such as the new Kids Future Fund account. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said that boosting financial literacy skills of students would help give them a head start in securing their own financial security. 

“Students in Years 11 and 12 often have casual or part-time jobs, and are considering their next steps after school whether that be university, vocational education and training, or work,” Mr Perrottet said.  

“This initiative will ensure students in all year groups can get crucial knowledge about managing their money, including taxes and super, emerging technology, and financial cyber security.

“We will ensure students have access to vital skills so they can futureproof their finances and give them a head start in life.

“This is all about empowering our children with the knowledge they need to set themselves up financially and ensuring they’re able to make the most of initiatives like the new Kids Future Fund, so they can make informed financial decisions based on their own circumstances.”

Treasurer Matt Kean welcomed the new partners and the increased focus on job-ready skills the expanded Challenge would deliver.

“This expansion will be targeted at older students who are our future entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders,” Mr Kean said.

“The Challenge provides students with the skills they can use when they enter the workforce and throughout their life as they make important financial decisions.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Challenge activities would complement the existing financial literacy learning that senior students do in the classroom.  

“The activities in the expanded Treasurer’s Financial Literacy Challenge will be aligned to the NSW curriculum and provide students with a chance to dive deeper and gain more industry-approved knowledge,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“The current Challenge has already proven a success, with more than 14,000 students across the State registered in 2022, so we know this expansion will be warmly received by senior students.” 

The Challenge will remain online, self-paced, and voluntary. Students will be issued with a certificate when they have completed the Challenge. 

The expanded Challenge would be available for the 2024 school year.  

Plans to transform and expand the Sydney Jewish Museum will become a reality through a $10 million investment by a re-elected NSW Liberal Government.

Liberal candidates for Vaucluse, Coogee and Davidson welcome this investment that will support the Sydney Jewish Museum with an additional $6.5 million to create two centres in one precinct – a Sydney Holocaust Museum to share the history and testimonies of survivors and a Centre for Contemporary Jewish Life to share the community’s culture, traditions and contributions to Australia.

Liberal Candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said the Sydney Jewish Museum plays an incredibly vital role in helping bridge gaps and foster mutual respect and understanding between all people.

“Education and storytelling are key to building tolerance and understanding. This is so important for encouraging harmony for all people in our community,” Ms Sloane said.

Liberal candidate for Coogee, Dr Kylie von Muenster, said the Sydney Jewish Museum has provided a voice for Jewish heritage in Sydney.

“This continued support by the Perrottet Liberal Government will elevate the experience for those who visit the museum by enhancing the platform to share in the Jewish community’s culture and contribution to Australia.” Dr von Muenster said.

Liberal candidate for Davidson, Matt Cross, said this is an investment that will benefit generations to come in better understanding Jewish heritage and will pave the way forward with state-of the art facilities.

“This is a great investment for not only the Jewish community but for the wider community who will now be able to learn and understand more to foster greater respect for all people.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the commitment is part of the Government’s long-term plan for a united and harmonious multicultural and multi-faith society.

“Once completed, our investment will be returned significantly through helping current and future generations lead our state forward in eliminating racism, hatred and faith-based intolerance,” Mr Perrottet said.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was committed to honouring the memories of the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, while also promoting and celebrating Australian Jewish culture.

“The Sydney Jewish Museum gives a voice to victims of the Holocaust and to the incredible survivors who still guide visitors through the exhibitions and help educate and inspire thousands of school children each year,” Mr Kean said.

“The museum is crucial to ensuring that the atrocities of the Holocaust are never repeated and that racism and hatred have no place in Australia or anywhere else.”

The $6.5 million commitment will add to the $3.5 million already invested by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government in the project.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the NSW Liberals and Nationals are proud to partner with the Jewish community to strengthen the state’s multicultural and multi-faith society.

“The Sydney Jewish Museum stands to ensure that, as a society, we learn and remember the terrible lessons of the Holocaust. This investment continues this important work, while also providing new spaces to better tell the stories of Jewish-Australians,” Mr Coure said.

President of the Sydney Jewish Museum Greg Shand said the recent upsurge in anti-Semitism only serves to highlight the importance of the Museum seeking to double its impact by doubling the number that visit annually.

“The support of the Government, for which the Museum is enormously grateful, will contribute in a material way to creating a larger, state-of-the-art facility, and will greatly assist the Museum in achieving this objective,” Mr Shand said.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said as Holocaust survivors dwindle, keeping their stories alive and educating future generations about the horrors of the past has never been more important.

“Today’s announcement will help the Sydney Jewish Museum open its doors to twice as many Australians, particularly school students, showing them where racism, hate speech and intolerance can ultimately lead,” Mr Bark said.

“We thank the NSW Government for its commitment to stamping out anti-Semitism and discrimination and ensuring that the worst atrocities in our history are not forgotten, and never repeated.”

The support for the Sydney Jewish Museum comes as a proposed partnership between the Department of Education and the newly formed Religious Communities Advisory Council is progressed to recommend best-practice teaching of the Holocaust in all NSW schools.

Netball NSW has today published its Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2025, which provides a clear pathway to ensure that netball is the State’s leading sport of choice and opportunity.

Netball has proudly been the leading high-performance and community sport for NSW women and girls for over nine decades and the clear message in the new Strategic Plan is that the game plans to retain its number 1 position in women’s sport, whilst ensuring it is adapting and evolving to welcome a more expansive participation base and audience.

“It is our vision to make netball the leading sport of choice and opportunity across the State,” Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott says.

“This means continuing to be leaders in women’s sport, focusing on innovation and inclusivity in terms of how we deliver the game and prioritising supporting our incredible volunteer community.

“We are excited for the next evolution of netball in NSW as we look to ensure our game continues to grow and thrive.    

“When you look at our market-leading grassroots numbers, and the success of the Australian Diamonds on the world stage, coupled with the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball on the national front, the game is really the premier sport of choice across the State.

“We are already in every community, in every region from Albury in the south to Tweed Heads in the north.   

“Over 20 million play netball worldwide and we have 20 of the world’s best in the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball – that is the calibre of athlete our game is producing year in and year out.”

With a meaningful commitment to capacity building, inclusivity and growth, a key strategic focus in the plan is to facilitate compelling opportunities to empower everyone in the community to nurture their love of the game. 

“Netball gave women an equal voice and opportunity when they had no other avenues to pursue and we will always remain proud of this heritage. However, that has led to a perception at times that netball is a female-only sport, which is simply not the case,” Scott added.

“Visit any netball venue during the week and you will see men’s and/or mixed netball, while boys divisions in our Schools Cup have been highly popular. We now also have male divisions at our Junior and Senior State Titles.  We have made some good progress over recent years and we want to accelerate this.

“Finally, more broadly, we feel it is our responsibility to unleash netball’s potential in NSW, and a fundamental part of achieving this is to ensure that we create environments and opportunities that meaningfully ensure netball is a sport for all communities, ages, genders and abilities.

“Netball is the most popular team sport in NSW and provides more health and social benefits to the community than any other code in the State.

“We must champion the game and market it properly as the major player it is on the NSW sporting landscape.”

To view the full Netball NSW Strategic Plan please CLICK HERE

Up to three million households and small businesses across NSW could be saving on their energy bills by switching to a cheaper deal, according to new Government analysis of retail performance data from the Australian Energy Regulator.  

The percentage of customers switching their electricity plans in NSW each quarter has hovered at a low average of 5 per cent over the last year, leaving up to 3 million customers potentially paying more than they should by staying with their provider and not shopping around.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Energy Bill Saver program would help millions of families and small businesses across the state.

“Our program will help millions of hardworking families and small businesses save hundreds of dollars on their energy bills just by shopping around for a better deal,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“We will provide an immediate $250 saving for every household, while helping them potentially save hundreds of dollars more by switching to a cheaper plan.

“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver bill relief for families because of our long-term economic plan to support NSW families and keep our state moving forward.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said this type of cost of living support was only possible because of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s strong economic management and responsible stewardship of the State’s finances.

“This cost of living relief is not bipartisan – the Labor party has announced that it will cut the Energy Bill Saver if it is elected, denying households a guaranteed $250 in energy bill relief and up to $400 more in potential savings the Coalition will deliver,” Mr Kean said.

“The Labor Party does not have a long term economic plan to manage the State’s budget and so they are coming after the budgets of NSW families, denying them cost of living relief that they cannot afford to lose.”

NSW lagged far behind Victoria, where the average switch rate was 22 per cent higher than NSW’s over the same period, representing thousands of customers that had saved on their bills by finding a cheaper alternative.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said that under a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government the $250 payment would be offered via Service NSW from July to eligible account holders who use the Energy Switch comparison tool.  

“Customers will be able to claim their $250 payment using the MyService account, making it as seamless as possible to prove your eligibility when completing an online application,” Mr Dominello said.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has the most comprehensive cost of living program in the country. Using Service NSW as the platform, our goal is always to ensure everyone who is eligible knows about these great initiatives and when they go to apply it’s intuitive and simple.”

Source: Energy Made Easy, February 2023

Liberal candidate for Wakehurst, Toby Williams, has welcomed a major boost to frontline emergency care for residents on the Northern Beaches, with a new ambulance station set to be built near Dee Why.

“A new ambulance station in Dee Why will significantly boost access to frontline health care. It is a gamechanger for our community. As the brother of a paramedic, I have enormous admiration for the amazing work paramedics do in our community,” Mr Williams said.

“A new station in Dee Why will ensure our paramedics have the state of the art infrastructure they deserve, while improving access to care for local residents.  This crucial investment is only possible because of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s strong financial record and plan to keep NSW moving forward”.   

Minister for Health and Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said the announcement forms part of a record $1.76 billion NSW Government investment which will transform NSW Ambulance services over the next four years with more than 2,000 extra staff, including 1,858 paramedics, and 30 new ambulance stations across NSW.

“Ambulance services are experiencing unprecedented demand and this new station will not only keep us ahead of the curve but provide our hardworking paramedics with first-class facilities as they assist communities in their time of need,” Mr Hazzard said. 

“The NSW Government is investing in ambulance stations right across the state to ensure communities continue to receive emergency care when they need it, no matter where they live.”

Member for Manly James Griffin welcomed the news which he says will ensure that the local community has improved access to emergency care when and where they need it most.

“Not only will this new ambulance station boost local health services and bring more jobs to the local area, it will also provide a better working environment for our paramedics who are doing their utmost to serve our community,” Mr Griffin said.

“The new station will feature internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, vehicle wash facilities, multipurpose spaces to support staff education and rest, logistics and storage spaces, an office area for administration as well as staff amenities.”

NSW Ambulance identifies suitable locations to improve ambulance response times  for patients using best practice modelling software that maps Triple Zero call demands

Mr Griffin said the exact location for the new ambulance station at Dee Why will be determined once further planning is completed which includes working with key stakeholders to identify a suitable site.

“We will shortly commence a process to identify potential sites for the new ambulance station. This process will ensure we best meet the needs of the Northern Beaches community and our emergency staff.”

The NSW Government is committed to increasing the capacity of NSW Ambulance. In total, more than $1 billion is being invested across three major NSW Ambulance infrastructure programs, with more than 100 projects announced since 2014.

The NSW Government’s $1 billion investment in NSW Ambulance infrastructure includes:

• Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy ($184 million) – 19 projects – 18 projects completed to date with one due for completion late 2023. Program began 2014
• NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program ($615.5 million) 30 projects – 8 in early planning. Program announced in 2022-23 State Budget.
• RAIR program Stage 1 & 2 ($232 million) – 54 projects – 39 complete, 15 underway. Program began 2015.

The new ambulance station at Dee Why is being delivered as part of the $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure program, and is additional to local health investments including the Australian-first $19.5 million Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice completed in December and the $600 million Northern Beaches Hospital opened in late 2018.