Category: NSW News

The NSW unemployment rate has reached a record low, falling to 3.2 per cent (3.0 per cent seasonally adjusted) in October, the lowest across the nation this month and the lowest since monthly records began in 1978.
 
According to the latest ABS data released today, the NSW jobless rate was down 0.3 percentage points from September, driven by a rise in full-time employment of 42,200 people.
 
Overall, NSW created 34,600 jobs in October, helping keep the nation in positive territory with 32,200 jobs created across Australia.
 
The State’s participation rate increased strongly by 0.3 percentage points to a record high 66.3 per cent. Women’s participation is also at a record high of 62.1 per cent.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the NSW Government’s strong economic management put the State in a position to continue to create full-time jobs despite the current economic headwinds. 
 
“The pace of employment growth has increased month on month with October the strongest rate of growth since May 2022,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Our robust NSW economy means our record low unemployment rate continues to sit below the national unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent.
 
“The record high women’s participation rate comes on the back of the 2022-23 Budget measurs to increase women’s economic opportunities.
 
“NSW is maintaining the lowest levels of unemployment on record, despite the challenges of rising interest rates and inflation.” 

The NSW Government’s Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Amendment Bill 2022 has passed Parliament, guaranteeing taxi licence holders an additional $760 million in financial assistance from early next year, taking the combined package value to $905 million.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the Government can now complete the deregulation of the NSW Point to Point industry and deliver taxi licence holders a record package of financial assistance.
 
“The financial assistance comes after significant consultation with the taxi industry, including the NSW Taxi Council and A2B Services, and I’m pleased both industry bodies have backed in the package unconditionally,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“The Opposition has no position on the Government’s policy. They did not put forward a single financial assistance package. Yet they lined up to take the credit when the Government passed the Bill to provide taxi licence holders with a record amount of funding.”
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said payments from the $905 million taxi financial assistance package will be in the bank accounts of taxi licence holders as early as February 2023.
 
“The NSW Government has offered the most generous assistance package in the country, if not the world,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“I am glad the NSW Taxi Council accepted our final offer and it was good to see roughly 90 per cent of members of Parliament vote in favour of this Bill giving certainty to taxi licence holders and their families.”
 
Transport for NSW will continue to work with the NSW Taxi Council concerning an ATO ruling on the Capital Gains Tax treatment arising from this package.
 
Under the Bill:

• Taxi licences will be available on application for an administrative fee and be able to operate anywhere across the State
• There will be a seamless transition process for existing taxi licence holders to the new licensing system
• Financial assistance will be offered to the owners of ordinary perpetual taxi licences, which will have zero value as a result of these reforms, and will be cancelled.

 
The new package provides $150,000 for every Sydney metropolitan taxi licence holder with a cap of six plates. Each regional taxi plate will be paid between $40,000 and $195,000, with no cap on the number of plates.
 
The industry financial assistance package is funded by the ongoing operation of the Passenger Service Levy for every point to point transport journey.

Legislation to establish a new authority responsible for overseeing the State’s preparedness, resilience and recovery from natural disasters, has been passed by NSW Parliament today.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the passing of the historic Bill, will enable the NSW Reconstruction Authority to be set up with the powers needed to ensure communities can be better prepared for and recover more quickly from the impact of flooding, fires, droughts and more.

“As soon as I received the Independent Flood Inquiry from Professor Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller, I knew that passing the legislating and establishing the Reconstruction Authority was vital to achieve this year,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This is one of our last – but one of our most important – pieces of legislation this year. We have worked constructively with all members of parliament to achieve this outcome that ensures in the future, protecting communities and helping them rebuild is at the forefront of our Governments’ response to natural disasters.”

“Setting up the Authority means will be able to act quickly and decisively in helping affected residents get back on their feet – and one which can provide immediate on-the-ground support without getting caught up in unnecessary red tape.”

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Authority would be an advocate and ally for the people of regional NSW.

“Floods have damaged around 10,000 homes in northern NSW in recent times, with hundreds more homes, communities and businesses devastated in the central and far west,” Mr Toole said.

The authority will draw on the experiences of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation which is focused on Lismore and surrounds and ensure we have a state-wide body with the right powers to prevent and recover from the impact of natural disasters.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said one of the authority’s first tasks will be to develop a new set of appropriate flood planning levels across the State.

“Targeting our planning responses to the local risks, rather than using a blanket approach, is our commitment to better align disaster management with strategic land use planning, and was a recommendation of the Independent Flood Inquiry,” Mr Roberts said.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said establishing a Reconstruction Authority will help communities to be better prepared for natural disasters.

“While our emergency services organisations continue to lead the response to natural disasters, the new Reconstruction Authority will focus on the crucial tasks of long-term rebuilding and risk mitigation,” Ms Cooke said.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the centre piece of the Government’s response to the 2022 Independent Flood Inquiry, with the full response to be released in coming weeks.

More than 5,500 aspiring early childhood educators are set to receive a financial boost as the NSW Government announces a new scholarship program.  
 
The NSW Government is investing $23.5 million to provide scholarships worth up to $3,000 for students studying a Certificate III and up to $5,000 for a Diploma qualification.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new VET scholarships are part of the NSW Government’s $281.6 million package announced in the Budget early this year to attract, retrain and support early childhood educators and teachers in NSW.  
 
“Our early childhood workforce is critical to delivering a quality early learning for our youngest learners, and these scholarships will help attract and retain this important workforce,” Ms Mitchell said.  
 
“The scholarships will work in conjunction with the 25,000 fee-free places for a Cert III or Diploma qualification, which means scholarship recipients will receive a cash boost to support their studies in addition to not having to pay course fees. 
 
“I encourage our existing Certificate III workforce to take up this extra support on offer, whether you’re in the public, private, long day care, preschool, family day care or outside school hours care (OSHC) sectors. 
 
“Early childhood education and care professionals make all the difference to the lives of children and families in NSW, and this new initiative will help this critical workforce to grow and upskill.”  
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the scholarships will work in conjunction with the 25,000 fee-free training places for a Certificate III or Diploma qualifications.
 
“Since August, the NSW Government has delivered thousands of fee-free places to bolster the pipeline of skilled and job-ready workers for the early childhood education sector,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“These scholarships will help people upskill and provide a welcome cash boost to assist with their studies, which in turn supports their ongoing education and employment pathways.”
 
The scholarship round will be open from 15 November 2022 to 15 January 2023. 
 
The NSW Government has committed $15.9 billion to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW through a revolutionary transformation of early childhood education, child development and women’s economic participation over the next decade. Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiative, workforce package and affordable preschool funding, the Liberals and Nationals Government are ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family. 
 
Current and aspiring educators are encouraged to explore the new dedicated Early Childhood Careers section of the Department of Education’s website by visiting education.nsw.gov.au/EarlyChildhoodCareers. 

The Wakehurst Parkway will undergo safety and traffic flow improvements as the NSW Government outlines how $75 million in funding will be spent along the Northern Beaches road.

This funding is in addition to the $18.1 million already provided to Northern Beaches Council to improve flood mitigation on Wakehurst Parkway.

Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes said works along the 9.5km section of the Parkway from Narrabeen to Frenchs Forrest would include localised widening and additional turning lanes to reduce crashes and improve the efficiency of the corridor.

“Sections of Wakehurst Parkway are some of the most dangerous black spots on the Northern Beaches, which is why we’re pressing ahead with our $75 million funding commitment,” Mr Stokes said.

“These works will help reduce crashes, improve access to Northern Beaches Hospital, and save commuters time by improving the overall efficiency of the wider road network.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the upgrades would have positive flow-on effects for the adjoining road network.

“The works will improve traffic signals at the Dreadnought Road intersection, upgrade the Oxford Falls Road West intersection, improve southbound lane capacity on approach to Frenchs Forest, and improve safety at Elanora Road,” Mrs Ward said.

“Wakehurst Parkway is nestled within an incredible bushland setting so these important safety improvements will be designed and delivered to minimise impacts on the local environment and community, with updates every step of the way.”

Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said the first round of community consultation would occur in 2023.

“This is a key corridor for the Northern Beaches and these works will make the Wakehurst Parkway a safer and more reliable road,” Mr Hazzard said.
Essential roadworks, including the asphalting of a 2.8 kilometre section of the Wakehurst Parkway, are also being undertaken through the NSW Government’s $147 million Greater Sydney State Roads Assets Restoration Program.

The work will be carried out between Judith Street and Aquatic Drive from 23 November 23 2022.

The NSW Government is looking to maximise the more than eight million square metres of roof space across the state’s public schools to provide renewable energy solutions.
 
NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said an Expression of Interest (EOI) is open for companies that can deliver ways to finance and operate solar and battery systems under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
 
“With roof space equivalent to around 500 Sydney Cricket Grounds available across 2,200 NSW public schools, this exercise will help us harness the power potential of our schools,” Mr Kean said.
 
“We have to be smart about how we finance and operate these resources so we maximise the financial returns for NSW and help make the electricity system more secure.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the EOI is being run alongside the Smart Energy School Pilot Project.
 
“The project is testing solar and battery energy storage systems at 60 schools across the state and the feasibility of operating them as part of a virtual power plant,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“We want to reduce our state’s carbon emissions, cut school electricity costs and help students to learn more about renewable energy, and these programs are an exciting opportunity for schools to benefit from renewable energy technology.
 
“NSW Public Schools have the roof space and it is a no brainer that we look at how we can start utilising that space to benefit NSW energy market.”
 
Companies with experience in delivering a range of renewable energy solutions are being invited to register for the Smart Energy Schools Pilot Program via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process – the largest procurement exercise of its kind in Australia.
 
Non-binding proposals received during the EOI will be shortlisted in early 2023.The short-listed proposals will be considered as part of a potential future large scale roll out across the NSW public school asset portfolio.
 
Interested participants should https://www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/  to register their interest in the program and participate in an online briefing session.

NSW is one step closer to becoming the first state or territory in Australia to have a mandatory notification scheme for its government agencies to respond to personal data breaches.
 
The NSW Government’s Privacy and Personal Information Protection Amendment Bill 2022 passed the Legislative Assembly last night.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the bill fulfils the Government’s 2020 commitment to introduce a mandatory notification of data breaches scheme to strengthen privacy protections for the citizens of NSW.
 
“Unlike Labor’s past forays into the area, this bill is the product of extensive consultation and consideration,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“This consultation has resulted in a carefully considered scheme that will affect the operations of hundreds of NSW public sector agencies, including principal government departments, statutory bodies, local councils and universities.
 
“I acknowledge Labor’s support for these reforms and note that they have been long awaited.
 
“However, as I said during debate of Labor’s half-baked private member’s bill on 1 August 2019, any decision to introduce a mandatory notification scheme in NSW must be informed by proper analysis and consultation.
 
“Even before Labor’s bill was debated, the NSW Government was inviting community submissions on a discussion paper asking whether a mandatory data breach reporting scheme should be adopted in NSW and, if so, how the scheme should operate.
 
“Twenty-three submissions were received, including from NSW public sector agencies, members of the public, local councils, universities and various advocacy and professional groups.
 
“Following extensive development and drafting consideration, including consultation with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and Cyber Security NSW, the NSW Government released an exposure draft of this bill for public consultation in May 2021.
 
“That exposure draft proposed a specific model for a mandatory notification of data breach scheme. Thirty-two submissions were received on that draft.”
 
Mr Speakman said a number of significant amendments were made to the bill following the consultation, including:
 

• Amending the wording of the assessment threshold to make it identical to the Commonwealth Privacy Act
• Establishing additional requirements for the approval of an extension to the assessment period to ensure this only occurs where appropriate
• Expanding the circumstances where an agency is required to issue a public notification.

 
“This scheme will establish new standards of accountability and transparency around the protection of citizens’ personal information,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“It will make NSW the first Australian state or territory to introduce a mandatory notification of data breach scheme for its government agencies.
 
Every day, the people of NSW offer their personal information to government agencies, which is a significant undertaking of trust. In return, the government has a responsibility to effectively and proactively protect and respect that personal information in a way that is workable and practical for those agencies.
 
“This bill will make that responsibility law.”

NSW is set to pilot photo verification technology which will empower customers to have more control of their personal information while enabling convenient and secure proof-of-identity transactions online with both government and business. 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the technology will always be opt-in and will put customers in charge of their personal information like never before.

“Recent cyber breaches have underlined the need to keep the control of our private information in the hands of the customer, and stop the need for the continual oversharing of our personal details,” Mr Dominello said.

“We have put privacy, security and customer control at the heart of the NSW Digital ID, and its pilots.

“Customers will be able to store their encrypted personal information securely on their own device meaning it will not be held centrally by Government or a private entity.

“And customers can be confident that no biometric or photo data will be stored once successfully verified.

“This will give customers more control over their personal information and reduce the oversharing of physical identity documents and credentials.”

Mr Dominello said the NSW Digital ID program will build and improve on the work already done by the Federal myGovID program.

“The NSW Digital ID program will provide customers with the ability to prove their identity through a secure digital channel when transacting with government, businesses or non-government organisations.

“In doing so, it will unlock a range of possibilities for more inclusive and secure digital government services.

“NSW customers have already embraced the Digital Drivers Licence with over 75 per cent of licence holders opting in to access their licence via the Service NSW app.

“The NSW Digital Identity will take things to the next level, increasing convenience and customer control over what personal information and credentials are shared with whom.”

The pilots commencing in November will enable customers to renew their Working with Children Check remotely via the Service NSW and conduct proof of age checks for online alcohol purchases via the Service NSW app.

Ongoing tests will continue throughout the piloting of this technology with Privacy Impact Assessments including regular consultation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Fraud Risk Assessments, Security Risk Assessments, compliance with the NSW AI Assurance Framework and other safeguards, to ensure the privacy and security of customers.


For more information on NSW Digital ID go to: www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-and-initiatives/future-digital-identity

Workers at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo will stop work on Thursday November 17th over chronic pay issues.

For 18 months maintenance workers at the tourist attraction have endured underpayments, late payments and consistent problems with their leave entitlements and allowances.

The workers will stop work tomorrow (Thursday) at 8.30am.

Australian Workers Union NSW Branch Secretary Tony Callinan says it’s a kick in the guts for those who make sure the zoo is a fun place for families to visit day after day, year after year.

“We know the zoo have implemented a new pay system, but after 18 months of stuff ups it’s time to get some clarity as to what’s happening because our members have had a gutful,” says Tony Callinan.

“Our members tell me they want to be paid on time and for the hours they’ve worked.

“They want their leave balances rectified, they want to be consulted as part of that process, and they want the new pay system finalised this year.

“This zoo is operated by the Department of Environment which should have the expertise, resources and wherewithal to at least pay their employees correctly,” says Australian Workers Union NSW Branch Secretary Tony Callinan.

Dubbo City regional councillor Josh Black will attend the event:

“I’m proud to support the AWU members and their stop work meeting at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Is it too much to ask to be paid correctly? These issues need to be addressed immediately.”

Stephen Lawrence ALP candidate for the NSW Legislative council and local barrister will attend the stop work meeting in support of AWU members.

The NSW Government is making it easier to access more medications through a local pharmacy to ease the pressure on patients who find it difficult to get an appointment with a GP.
 
The landmark reform will expand the number of vaccinations pharmacists can administer, trial pharmacists prescribing medication for urinary tract infections and also develop a pilot for trained pharmacists to prescribe medications for a range of other conditions.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the proposed reforms aim to relieve pressure on emergency departments and wait times to see a GP, by giving the community more access to primary care services.
 
“By giving the community greater access to  medications and vaccines through their local pharmacist, we are taking pressure off our hardworking GPs by giving them more time for patients with other medical issues,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“We are stepping up to provide yet another innovative policy to improve the lives of people by offering more support for primary care.
 
“The Federal Government should be providing more support for GPs and a greater amount of free bulk-billing services but we can’t sit around and wait for them to catch-up and meet the growing demand.”
 
The NSW Government will increase the community’s access to primary care through:
 

• Authorising pharmacists to administer a wider range of  public health and travel vaccinations from 14 November 2022, including Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, Typhoid and Zoster.

• Funding a 12-month trial to evaluate allowing pharmacists to prescribe medication for urinary tract infections; and

• Supporting  a state wide pilot where appropriately trained pharmacists can prescribe medications for certain conditions, such as skin ailments, ear infections, and hormonal contraception.

 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the trials were in step with pharmacist reforms being implemented in Queensland and would be open to pharmacists in NSW who undertook appropriate additional training.
 
“While some in the primary care sector have firm views on the role of pharmacists, their positive contribution to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that they are able to deliver more for their communities,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“NSW Health will work with the pharmacy sector, and its regulators, to inform training to ensure we maintain high safety standards, while also providing the community with more convenience.”
 
Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said these reforms will be transformational for healthcare in the regions, particularly for women.
 
“Pharmacies are part of the fabric of our regional communities and empowering our trusted pharmacists to work their full scope of practice will be a gamechanger for so many,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“The NSW Government has heard loud and clear that the process of getting a script for things like a urinary tract infection or birth control must be made easier. This reform delivers on that as well as eases the burden on our GPs.”
 
NSW Health will work with pharmacists to support the expansion of the vaccination program with education modules and materials for both themselves and their customers.
 
NSW pharmacists are currently able to administer six vaccines, including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
 
An expression of interest process for participation in the urinary tract infection trial will commence on 14 November 2022.