Category: NSW News

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes today’s announcement that public spaces, parklands and transport hubs across the state will undergo a safety overhaul under a re-elected Liberal Government as part of a $30 million boost to the Safer Cities program to ensure women and girls feel safe in public.

“This investment means women in Parramatta will benefit as the Safer Cities program is doubled to deliver important safety upgrades right across NSW.” Ms Mullens said.

“Every single person in Parramatta has the right to feel safe in public and that is why the Perrottet Liberal Government is doubling its investment to boost safety infrastructure in our parks and on our streets so that everyone, but particularly women, feel safe.”

“This funding builds on the Liberal Government’s $787 million investment to deliver important initiatives that boost the safety of women and girls across our state and new initiatives, including the ‘Right to Ask’ scheme.”

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the program was important to improve safety and reduce harassment on our streets.

“This is not a one-off fix and it is critical we continue to engage with women and girls to identify areas that can be improved so women and girls can feel safe in our cities, especially after dark,” Mrs Ward said.

“That’s why a re-elected Liberals and Nationals Government will work with the Women’s Safety Commissioner to roll out a reporting system so women can identify places that feel unsafe.

“I have also instructed the Secretary of Transport undertake a review to consider how existing practices and infrastructure could be bolstered to improve the safety, comfort and confidence of women who use public transport.”

The Safer Cities Program has three goals, which are aligned with the UN Safer Cities for Girls program:

• Increasing women and girls’ safety and access to public spaces
• Enabling women and girls to move freely and alone in their community
• Increasing women and girls’ engagement with how the spaces around them are designed and managed

Final locations to receive funding will be recommended by NSW Government agencies based on a range of factors including BOCSAR data.

These announcements build upon the NSW Liberal’s recent commitments to boosting women’s safety, including:

• $20 million for up to 200 additional electronic monitoring devices to monitor domestic violence offenders;
• Rental bonds to help victim-survivors of domestic violence to help rebuild their lives;
• Reviewing all sentences for domestic violence related offences;
• Funding a specialise Domestic and Family Violence list in three locations and give additional magistrates; and,
• Undertaking a feasibility study into establishing a dedicated Domestic and Family Violence court.

The NSW Liberal Government has also introduced the ‘Right to Ask’ scheme, where people can find out if their partner has a history of domestic violence offences.

Liberal candidate for Riverstone Mohit Kumar has met with Schofields Junior Rugby League Club to talk about the benefits they’ll receive from more than $8,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s Local Sports Grants Program.

Funding for the popular rugby league club would help turbocharge participation across all age groups and bring the community closer together.

“It is so important we continue supporting our local sporting clubs. They are the life-blood of our communities and key to ensuring our kids live a healthy and happy lifestyle,” Mr Kumar said.

The Local Sport Grant Program aims to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access, and enhance sport and recreation facilities.

Grants of between $2,000 and $10,000 per project were available with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the program will encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation.

“This funding will provide a cash injection to help improve sport facilities, enhance accessibility and hold new and exciting events and development programs,” Mr Henskens said.

“No government has invested in community sport like the Liberal and Nationals, and this program is another example of the more than $2 billion we’ve pumped into grassroots community sports infrastructure and programs.”

Schofields Junior Rugby League Club President Robert Mckinlay said the funding would help to lead training initiatives and purchase field equipment to attract and support premier coaching staff.

“We want to make sure we continue attracting the best coaching talent in the area to support our junior players in their athletic development and their appreciation of the game,” Mr Mckinlay said.

More information about the program is available online.

Liberal candidate for Ryde, Jordan Lane, welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement today that North Ryde and Gladesville libraries will receive $100,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Liberal Government’s Public Library Infrastructure Grant program.

“Funding will be used to upgrade furniture and shelving at both North Ryde and Galesville libraries.” Mr Lane said.

“Thanks to the Perrottet Liberal Government, our Ryde electorate will have upgraded Library facilities in both North Ryde and Gladesville that will continue to offer services to the local community.

“I am delighted that see the continued investment of the Perrottet Liberal Government in the local Ryde community.”

NSW Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said 21 local councils across the State will share in $6 million in funding for infrastructure projects this year to extend and improve public library buildings, spaces and information technology for local communities.

“Well-resourced libraries contribute to community resilience with quality facilities, great collections and access to the Internet, and we are pleased to help councils to upgrade these critical services,” Mr Franklin said.

“An overall record investment of over $40 million will be provided to councils this year in support of libraries, with further increases locked in for next year and beyond. This is in addition to the record $165 million that the NSW Liberal Government has committed for the next four years, ensuring that our libraries can continue to thrive

Liberal candidate for Ryde, Jordan Lane, is delighted with the Perrottet Liberal Government’s announcement today that Ryde will benefit from $55,000 for the refurbishment of the North Ryde School of Arts thanks to the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program.

The refurbishment of the North Ryde School of Arts is one of 82 projects sharing in a total of $11.7 million funding under the second round of Minor Works and Equipment Projects. These projects are the latest to receive funding as part of the $72 million Creative Capital initiative launched in 2021.

“The North Ryde School of Arts is the primary community performance space in Ryde.” Mr Lane said.

“Refurbishment will include stage, lighting, audio systems and performer facility upgrades that will increase the functionality of the venue to accommodate a greater range of performance and creative activities for the people in the Ryde electorate and surrounds.

“I welcome the NSW Government’s investment to improving arts and cultural venues to be fit-for-purpose for the Ryde community, enhancing access and supporting the local economy.

“This funding will help us deliver state-of-the-art improvements and ensure our local audiences and visitors enjoy high quality cultural experiences. I am delighted the Perrottet Liberal Government has made this possible for Ryde.”

Minister Franklin said this Creative Capital funding will pay dividends for the community of Ryde by delivering a much-needed facility upgrade.

“The NSW Government’s $72 million Creative Capital program aims to boost equity and access to arts and culture facilities for the people of NSW. With 165 projects across the state, more people will have access to top-class arts and cultural experiences,” Mr Franklin said.

“NSW is known for producing world-class arts and cultural experiences. It’s critical that the cultural infrastructure in our state matches our artistic aspirations, and we have gold-standard facilities to showcase this extraordinary creative talent,” Mr Franklin said.

“Everyone deserves access to high-quality creative experiences, and the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s ongoing commitment to creating world-class arts and cultural infrastructure ensures the NSW creative sector has the capacity to innovate, reach new audiences and develop skills.”

Further details on the Creative Capital program are available on the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Households and business customers are paying less for their electricity network charges today compared to pre-privatisation, according to new analysis of Australian Energy Regulator data.

Electricity network charges are $251 lower today compared to 2015 for the average household and $1,769 lower for the average small business.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the new analysis was proof the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s record of strong financial management was delivering for consumers.

“Network charges have fallen by 26 per cent for the average household and 49 per cent for the average small business since the long-term lease of Ausgrid and Endeavour,” Mr Kean said. 

“Chris Minns has been lying to the people of NSW, and now his grubby scare campaign that asset recycling raises customer bills is taking on water when you look at the cold hard facts. The Liberal and Nationals Government has ruled out future privatisation, yet NSW Laborcontinues with this shameful scare campaign.”

This is backed up by a 2013 Commonwealth Productivity Commission report on electricity networks, which stated, “[t]here is no evidence that the productivity, reliability, quality or cost performance of private sector electricity network businesses is worse than their public sector equivalents. To the contrary, the evidence in Australia and internationally suggests that such private sector enterprises are more efficient.”

More recently, the Grattan Institute’s 2018 Down to the Wire report highlighted that

“[e]vidence over the past decade shows that publicly-owned network businesses have not been as efficient as privately-owned businesses, increasing costs for consumers.”

In December last year, Opposition Leader Chris Minns signalled his plans to nationalise the NSW electricity grid.

Mr Kean said Labor’s plan for greater government intervention in the energy market is the biggest risk facing NSW when it comes to electricity reliability and affordability over the next decade. 

“Our nation-leading Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is driving $32 billion of private investment into the State’s electricity system, which is the best way to deliver affordable and reliable energy,” Mr Kean said.

“But Chris Minns’ ideological vendetta against private investment in the NSW electricity system risks driving away that capital, threatening our energy security and leaving households paying more.

“By his own admission, Chris Minns’ proposed government energy bureaucracy won’t deliver households any savings for seven years.

“Only the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has a long-term economic plan to build infrastructure, create jobs and provide energy rebate support for households.

“It would be a disaster for energy bills if NSW Labor get their way with nationalising our electricity sector, and would threaten to undo much of the network savings that have been achieved over the past six years.”

Source: Australian Energy Regulator, Office of Energy and Climate Change (NSW)

Source: Australian Energy Regulator, Office of Energy and Climate Change (NSW)

Older people across NSW will be better protected from scams, as part of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s comprehensive plan to support seniors.

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will provide an additional $2 million to double funding for the Tech Savvy Seniors Program, with a focus on boosting scam-awareness and enhancing training for Service NSW staff who interact with older customers.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this additional support for digital education and training builds on the Liberal and Nationals strong record of delivery for seniors living in NSW.

“We will ensure more seniors have access to scam-awareness training and that customer service representatives can better support them when they need to access government services,” Premier Perrottet said.

“This funding boost is about ensuring elderly people have the support they need when using technology in our rapidly changing digital world and that our government services are the most accessible in the country.

“Better protecting the elderly from scams builds on the Liberal and Nationals comprehensive plan to support the growing number of seniors in NSW through dozens of rebates and thousands of discounts through the NSW Seniors Card.

“Whether it’s the Senior Savers Card, Pensioner Water Rebate, Gold Opal Card  or the Seniors Energy Rebate, the Liberal and Nationals will continue to help relieve household budgets and back seniors across NSW.”

Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring that our older Australians feel safe, protected, and included.

“When our society changes, we need to make sure everyone, especially our seniors, are not left behind, and our plan will ensure that doesn’t happen,” Mr Coure said.

“That is why we launched the Tech Savvy Seniors Program ten years ago, and by expanding it, we will ensure more seniors can access what they need to stay active and protected in our increasingly digital world.”

The Tech Savvy Seniors Program provides free and low-cost classes to seniors to help build their skills and confidence when engaging with the digital world, and is part of a raft of initiatives and programs to help keep seniors socially active, safe and resilient.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s comprehensive plan to support the growing number of seniors in NSW includes our:

–       Seniors Card and Seniors Savers Card, which give almost 1.9 million older people in NSW access to discounts at more than 6,600 businesses, travel, entertainment, and professional services;

–       Regional Seniors Travel Card, a prepaid $250 card which helps regional seniors with the cost of travel;

–       Gold Opal Card which gives seniors in NSW unlimited travel for no more than $2.50 a day;

–       NSW Seniors Energy Rebate which is available to self-funded retirees to help cover the cost of electricity, up to $200; and,

–       Dozens of savings measures that are available through the Service NSW Savings Finder Program, including 67 rebates for eligible pensioners and 39 rebates for eligible self-funded retirees.

The number of seniors in NSW is expected to grow from 1.9 million today to more than 2.4 million by 2031. 

Seniors can go to the NSW Savings Finder Program homepage to find out more on how they can save.

A re-elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will shine a spotlight on deadly cancers affecting women by providing $7 million in research grants for ovarian and other gynaecological cancers.

This will include the provision of a $5 million Translational Research Grant and four $500,000 fellowships to support research and pave the way for future improvements to treatments.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this will help shine a spotlight on two of the most deadly cancers affecting women.

“We want to give women affected by these terrible diseases, which often have very poor prognoses, the best chance of survival,” Mr Perrottet said.

“These grants are important in enabling the very best researchers to continue their work to help improve survival rates for these awful cancers.

“The better we can understand these deadly diseases, the better we can tailor treatments for women and improve their chances of being able to overcome them.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said gynaecological cancers vary in prevalence and can have very poor prognoses.

“For ovarian cancer specifically, just over half (51 per cent) of women diagnosed will not survive five years. This is a tragic statistic we need to turn around and by investing in research we can try to achieve this,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Translational research helps us understand how innovations may work in the real world and on a large scale and aims to quickly bring these new ideas from benchtop to bedside and improve outcomes for patients.”

Minister for Women and Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the $7 million in additional funding will bring new hope for women suffering from cancers of the female reproductive system.

“Fellowships fund researchers to continue their important work at an early-middle stage of their career, ensuring we maintain a pipeline of world-class researchers right here in NSW,” Mrs Taylor said.

“By investing in early-mid career researchers with a focus on gynaecological cancers, we aim to accelerate the journey toward potential new treatments and interventions for these deadly women’s cancers.”

Gynaecological cancers include ovarian cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, cancer of the fallopian tubes, primary peritoneal cancer, cervical cancer and vaginal cancer.

50,000 kids across the state will have access to free preschool sooner, with a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8 billion universal pre-Kindergarten program.

The commitment will bring forward $1 billion to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the second half of this year, with the first 500 to be complete within four years.

By 2030, every single child in NSW will have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school.

A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will also legislate the right to universal pre-Kindergarten in the next term of government.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of kids across the state, setting them up for future success.

“NSW is leading the nation with our universal pre-Kindergarten program, which will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school,” Mr Perrottet said.

“More than a third of communities across the state are experiencing an undersupply of childcare centres, with families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest centre.

“That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, cutting childcare waiting lists and getting our kids learning sooner.

“The benefits of this are huge. Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their education earlier, we’re giving more time back to busy parents.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the accelerated delivery of universal pre-Kindergarten represented a huge investment in regional communities.

“The bush is leading the charge on this major education reform, with 34 of the universal pre-

Kindergarten pilot sites and more than half of the first 500 universal pre-Kindergarten schools being in regional communities – helping kids from Kempsey to Coonamble take the first steps to a brighter future,” Mr Toole said.

“Universal pre-Kindergarten is an investment in families now and in setting the next generation up for the long-term.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting ours kids up for lifelong financial success.

“Because of our universal pre-kindergarten policy, thousands more children are expected to go to preschool, adding $123,000 on average to their lifetime earnings,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that she was pleased to be able to unveil the first 500 schools that will have purpose-built infrastructure for universal pre-Kindergarten.

“Universal pre-Kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on school sites alone,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our experience and capacity to deliver quality school infrastructure means we’ve been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.

“Cementing universal pre-Kindergarten as a new part of the education journey for children in NSW will be the first thing on the legislative agenda for a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

“Under a Liberals and Nationals Government families have certainty. Labor’s commitment of 150 ‘new or upgraded’ preschools creates less than 6,000 places – a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver. Chris Minns will leave young families with less.”

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.

This includes the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief.

A significant upgrade at Clovelly Public School has been welcomed by Liberal candidate for Coogee, Dr Kylie von Muenster, to give school kids the best start in life and state-of-the-art infrastructure for teachers.

The multi-million dollar upgrade will be delivered by a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

“This is terrific news for the students and teachers at Clovelly Public School,” Dr von Muenster said. “The school needs an upgrade and the new facilities will improve the learning environment for generations to come.

“Only a Liberal Government has the financial record to deliver a project like this for the community and only a Liberal Government can keep NSW moving forward with important investment in school upgrades like this.”

The NSW Liberal Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW.       

This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

Liberal candidate for Drummoyne, Stephanie Di Pasqua, welcomes the Perrottet Liberal Government’s announcement today that Concord’s Queen Elizabeth Park will receive a $500,000 upgrade under a re-elected NSW Liberal Government to improve facilities for local women and girls soccer.

“This investment by the Perrottet Liberal Government in our local community will not just deliver upgraded facilities but also empower the growth of local supporting clubs.” Ms Di Pasqua said.

“Concord’s Queen Elizabeth Park ground is home to Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club, the only female sports club in the Canterbury District, and set to benefit from the cash injection.

“When women and girls feel comfortable they are more likely to stick with their chosen sport, and this upgrade will ensure the club has fit-for-purpose facilities so more women and girls in our community can join in.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said this investment will deliver improved lighting, new clubhouse facilities and female change rooms, to support growth in female participation.

“We’re seeing huge numbers of women and girls getting involved in sport across our state and these new female-friendly facilities will make sure local sport remains accessible to women and girls in the Inner West.” Mr Henskens said.

“Investments like this in local community sport infrastructure are only possible because of the Liberal Government’s long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”

Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club President Mariam Fabia said these upgraded female-friendly facilities would increase girls’ participation in soccer.

“This investment by the NSW Government will help give our members fresh, fit-for-purpose facilities that will encourage women and girls to get involved and stay involved,” Ms Fabia said.

Since 2017, the NSW Liberal Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sport infrastructure and programs across the state, including over $600 million in female sporting facilities.