Category: NSW News

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.

Vietnamese communities across NSW will be supported to host cultural events and festivals by a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

Member for East Hills, Wendy Lindsay, said the electorate is so diverse and the Vietnamese community is an integral part of it.

“It is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in local communities and contribute to cultural celebrations making East Hills and NSW a wonderful place to live.” Ms Lindsay said.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said in the next term of government, the NSW Liberals will invest $150,000 over four years to help Vietnamese communities celebrate their culture.

“We have an incredibly strong Vietnamese community here in NSW, which helps liven our streets with events and festivals,” Mr Coure said.

“These events are incredibly important in strengthening our multicultural society, helping break down barriers and fostering harmony.”

Mr Coure said $37,500 a year for four years would be made available to the Vietnamese community to host events, including the annual Tết or Lunar New Year festival.

“This will continue to build on the $150,000 we have invested into the Vietnamese community over the past four years,” Mr Coure said.

New South Wales has maintained the lowest unemployment rate among the states for the sixth consecutive month, according to today’s ABS labour force data.

The figures show employment in NSW grew by 15,900 in February after losing 7,000 jobs in January, while the participation rate grew to 66.3 per cent.

The NSW unemployment rate is 3.2 per cent, the lowest of all the states.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the figures showed employment in NSW is now at 242,300 above pre-Covid levels.

“The figures also show a record number of women employed in the state and a record low youth unemployment rate,” Mr Kean said.

“This is what good economic management delivers. Only a Liberal and Nationals Government has a long term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”

Since federal Labor came to power there have been nine consecutive rate rises and inflation has risen to 7.4 per cent.

Consumer sentiment has fallen 19.2 per cent in NSW over the last year, and fallen 22.1 per cent in Australia. Meanwhile, retail sales have fallen 2.0 per cent since November, down 2.2 per cent nationally.

Mr Kean said NSW cannot risk a Labor Minns Government which would stall the economy and send the state backwards.

“Labor has already announced they will cancel major infrastructure projects like the two western Sydney metro lines and that means jobs will be lost,” Mr Kean said.

“Now is not the time to risk a Minns-Mookhey Labor government that has no experience and no plan for job creation; the only plan it has is to axe projects and axe jobs.”

Hammondville Park in South Western Sydney will be transformed into a state-of-the-art sports precinct thanks to a $21.8 million commitment from the Perrottet Liberal Government.

Liberal candidate for Holsworthy, Tina Ayyad, welcomed the funding for the creation of a sporting super centre that will deliver exciting new sports infrastructure to be enjoyed by lovers of sport across the community.

“The reinvigorated Hammondville Park sporting precinct will encourage more people, of all ages, into local sporting clubs and cater for growing participation,” said Ms Ayyad.

“From upgraded fields to a brand new aquatic centre, the Perrottet Government’s investment will cater for Holsworthy sports clubs and player, and will attract lots of new participants and fans. This is where Australia future Olympians will be made – from our next Freddy Fittler to Australia’s first Football World Cup winners.

“The new sporting facilities is a perfect example of the positive impact on our communities that the Perrottet Government’s strong economic management and long term planning have delivered – ensuring that people from all walks of life have the opportunity to play sport, get healthy and have fun.

“This facility is already home to so many great local sporting clubs and organisations, and I can’t wait to watch it grow in the years to come.”

The Liberal Government’s commitment towards the $50 million Liverpool City Council project would upgrade existing sporting fields and create a new aquatic centre for the growing community.

The new aquatic centre will include a 25 metre indoor pool, a splash park and fitness facility. In addition, upgrades to the surrounding sporting precinct will feature new hybrid turf and synthetic fields, upgraded lighting, additional cricket nets, female-friendly changerooms and improved amenities for players and spectators.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal Government’s funding commitment would help create a modern and diverse sporting precinct for both locals and visitors.

“The NSW Liberal Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sport infrastructure and programs since 2017, delivering an enormous boost to sporting clubs and organisations right across our state,” Mr Henskens said.

“In comparison, Labor invested only $22.6 million in sport during its last full year in government. Under Labor, our record investment in sport will stall and our community can’t afford that to happen.”