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More Teachers in NSW Classrooms

Teacher vacancy numbers in NSW public schools have fallen to a three-year low under Labor as the Minns Labor Government works to address the teacher shortage, with 24 per cent fewer vacancies at the start of Term 3 than the same time last year.

The continuing improvement in teacher numbers comes alongside new data indicating resignations and retirements have dropped, as changes made by the Minns Labor Government stem the flow of teachers leaving NSW schools.

It follows a 20 per cent drop in teacher vacancies at the start of this year compared with the previous year, indicating a firm downward trend.

With teacher vacancies across the state’s 2,200 schools now numbering 1,698, there is more work to do to turn the shortage around – but it’s a 35 per cent drop in vacancies compared to the same time in 2022 when the Liberals and Nationals were in office, and the lowest number since 2021.

At the height of the teacher shortage crisis under the former Liberal National government, vacancies rose above 3,000 and resignations outstripped retirements for the first time. Now, the rate of attrition is trending down for both as more teachers – including those with decades of experience – see the value of remaining in the profession.

The numbers also reflect the success of the Government’s election commitment to provide permanent roles to more than 16,000 temporary teachers and support staff, who were left with insecure work by the Liberals and Nationals.

Permanent teachers now make up 72 per cent of the teaching workforce, up from 64 per cent in 2022.

The Minns Government is pulling out all the stops to address the teacher workforce shortage, including by:

Delivering NSW public school teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.
Improving teachers’ workload and conditions, including by making more than 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contracts permanent.
Attracting and retaining teachers through programs such as the Grow Your Own Teacher Training program, which supports aspiring teachers to study while working in a local public school, and the Teachers in the Field program, which supports regional, rural and remote schools to access teacher relief cover.
Expanding the department’s Priority Recruitment Support model from 79 to more than 110 schools, including an additional 26 in regional, rural and remote areas, providing targeted support to fill vacancies.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Labor was elected to rebuild essential services after a decade of neglect under the former Liberal National government, and while we still have much to do to turn around the teacher shortage, we have seen a sustained drop in vacancies since the start of this year.”

“These further improved figures show the steps we are taking to address the teacher shortage crisis, ignored by the former Liberal National government, are making a difference.”

“These include delivering a once-in-a-generation wage rise to NSW public school teachers, focussing on easing teacher workload, and improving student behaviour.”

“The drop in resignations and retirements shows teachers are hearing that we value their work and are supporting them to focus on delivering quality teaching and learning.”

“Having a qualified teacher at the front of every classroom is vital to delivering improved academic outcomes for our students.”

Bulk-billing Support to deliver Cost-of-living Relief for Households across NSW

The Minns Labor Government’s $189 million Bulk-Billing Support Initiative commences today, helping ensure the cost of seeing a GP remains accessible for families and households across NSW.

Introduced in the 2024/25 NSW Budget, the program protects bulk-billing for people needing a GP and reduces the strain on our emergency departments. It is the first time the NSW Government has made a direct intervention to protect bulk-billing rates.

The package provides a new, ongoing payroll rebate to clinics for contractor GPs that meet the bulk-billing thresholds of 80% of services in metropolitan Sydney, and 70% in the rest of NSW.

Clinics will also benefit from the waiving of $104m of historical payroll tax liabilities, which began accruing for contractor GPs under the previous government.

There are more than 2,300 GP clinics across NSW. The NSW Government’s Bulk-Billing Support initiative will protect the bulk-billing rates at GP clinics for families across the state, saving households money and reducing the strain on emergency departments.

NSW Health estimates that a 1 per cent decrease in bulk-billing equates to around 3,000 additional emergency presentations.

For large clinic networks like ForHealth, with 37 clinics across NSW, the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative will enable them to continue to serve their communities and keep bulk-billing rates high. ForHealth bulk-bills roughly 5 million patient visits each year around Australia, 2.5 million of which are in NSW. They are the largest bulk-biller in the country.

GP clinics in metropolitan Sydney must bulk-bill at least 80% of their patient services to be eligible for the ongoing payroll tax rebates. For GP clinics outside of metropolitan Sydney, a lower bulk-billing rate threshold of 70% applies to ensure broader access to the initiative.

Since the announcement in June, Revenue NSW, the AMA and RACGP were engaged in a specially formed working group to develop a practice note to assist clinics, their accountants and legal advisors.

Following these discussions, Revenue NSW released a comprehensive list of LGAs and suburbs in NSW where the 80% threshold is applied, as well as the Commissioner’s Practice Note and a flow-chart to assist clinics.

Previously, the AMA’s Dr Michael Bonning said of the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative that: “Legislating ‘no retrospectivity’ will provide certainty for practices and will minimise the risk of more closures of general practices in NSW.”

With this Initiative, the Minns Labor Government is keeping GP clinics open and appointments bulk-billed for families and households amid the cost-of-living crisis, while also reducing the strain on emergency departments.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We know that the federal Coalition’s freeze on Medicare rebates as well as the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ inaction on GP payroll tax had severe consequences for the access of GPs in NSW.”

“With GPs becoming more difficult to access, people are either putting off seeing a doctor and allowing their conditions to deteriorate, or they are presenting to hospitals with non-urgent conditions.”

“The lack of GP access is having severe impacts on our emergency departments.”

“The Bulk-Billing Support Initiative will stem declining bulk-billing rates, and foster greater access to GPs, and in turn, relieve pressure on our busy hospitals.”

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos:

“The Bulk-Billing Support Initiative comes after extensive consultation and cooperation with the peak-bodies to deliver a solution that alleviated financial stress for GP clinics and delivered real cost-of-living relief for families.”

“This is the first-time the NSW Government is making a strategic investment to support bulk-billing rates and protect family budgets.”

CEO of ForHealth Andrew Cohen:

“At ForHealth we understand how important access is in healthcare, and especially in the current economic context. We are proud to be one of the largest bulk-billing general practice providers in NSW with roughly 2.5 million bulk-billed patient visits each year.”

“This initiative from the NSW Government will help protect bulk billing accessibility at clinics like ours, throughout outer metropolitan and regional NSW. In many of these practices we are expecting the level of bulk-billing to increase as a result.”

“The removal of any retrospective payroll tax liability for all medical centres is a weight off the shoulders of the industry as clinics will no longer be at risk of closure due to large historic tax bills.”

Greens Introduce Bill to Make Price Gouging Illegal

The Greens will introduce a bill to the Senate to make price gouging illegal, with big penalties for corporations who charge excessive prices.

“Australians are being smashed by rising costs for essentials like rent, food and energy, while corporations are raking in massive profits,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“There is rampant price gouging and it needs to end.”

“Our bill will put an end to corporate price gouging by making it illegal for corporations with substantial market power to charge excessive prices for goods and services.”

“This will rein in corporate greed and reduce the cost of food and groceries.”

“Since Labor took office, the cost of living has skyrocketed, but they’ve done nothing to stop big corporations from exploiting this crisis.”

“They’ve allowed banking, supermarket and energy corporations to rake in billions in profits while millions of Australians struggle to make ends meet.”

“We’re taking a stand against the unchecked greed that’s fueling the cost-of-living crisis, and we’re urging the Parliament to support this critical reform.”

“The choice is clear: side with the big corporations who are profiting from people’s pain, or side with the Australians who are struggling to get by.”

The bill will target corporations that abuse their market power by charging prices beyond what is justified by costs or competitive conditions.

The proposed law mirrors successful provisions in the European Union, which have protected consumers from unjustified price hikes.

Under the Bill, the ACCC will be able to apply to the Court for an order where it believes a corporation has abused its market power by price gouging.

If a corporation is found to have illegally price gouged, the court can then impose orders under section 76 of the Competition Act, which include a maximum civil penalty of $50 million.

Under section 87(B) of the Competition Act, the ACCC can also require enforceable undertakings by a corporation.

The undertakings the ACCC may impose are sufficiently broad to allow the ACCC to require a corporation to lower the price of a product to the price it would cost if it was sold in a competitive market, for a specified period of time while guaranteeing supply of the product.

The Greens will give notice of the Bill today and formally introduce it next week.

Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission established, with less transparency than hoped

Today legislation to establish an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission has finally passed the Senate, and will now commence on 1 October 2024.

Recommendation 22 of the Set the Standards report was that an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) to enforce codes of conduct should be established within 12 months. While years overdue, the establishment of this body is welcomed by the Greens.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters

“This has been such a long time coming, but I am pleased we will now see the establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to enforce codes of conduct endorsed by both houses of parliament – and finally have some consequences for misbehaving politicians, who have been immune until now.

“Throughout this lengthy process, the Greens pushed for stronger sanctions including higher fines for MPs and consequences for Ministers, and for more transparency over politicians sanctioning themselves.

“It is disappointing the Greens’ amendments did not pass to give the IPSC power to suggest sanctions, and if Privileges depart from that suggestion, table an explanation as to why. That guidance and transparency was needed to give the public confidence that politicians won’t just close ranks and protect their own. Only time will now tell.

“I deeply thank the brave staff who spoke out against the appalling and horrific misconduct that has occurred in parliament, for pushing as hard as you have to get us here, including Brittany Higgins, Dhanya Mani, Chelsey Potter, Rachelle Miller, Tessa Sullivan and Josie Coles.

“The Greens support the review of this framework at the start of each parliament to track how well the IPSC is working to clean up this place, with genuine consultation with staff. Because this should not be a set and forget.

“Australians need to trust that their elected officials will be held responsible if they misbehave, and a strong and transparent process is needed for that confidence.

“It’s now up to parliamentarians to start setting the standard and not continue to be a national shame.”

Final Parliamentary and Governing Agreement update highlights achievements

The ACT Government has released the fourth and final report on the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement (PAGA) for the 10^th Legislative Assembly, highlighting commitments delivered across the parliamentary term.

Major achievements over the past four years include:

Nation-leading action on climate change as we transition to an all-electric city and phase out fossil fuel gas, working towards a net-zero-emissions future.
Modernising transport in Canberra with nation-leading uptake of electric vehicles and progress toward the next stage of light rail through the city to Commonwealth Park
A new Territory Plan that will unlock more and better housing options including public housing
Establishing universal access to early learning for three-year-old children
Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to divert Canberra’s children away from harm, toward the support they need to be part of a safer and more connected community

The PAGA was signed by all ACT Labor and ACT Greens MLAs, summarising the shared priorities and commitments of the two parties for the parliamentary term.

This fourth and final PAGA report includes the addition of delivery statements, outlining how each initiative has been, or is being, delivered.

The report is available on the ACT Government’s Cabinet and Assembly website: www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/policystrategic/cabinet/cabinet-office

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury:

The final update on the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement demonstrates how the ACT Government has continued to address major social, economic, and environmental challenges.

We have built on our previous achievement of reaching 100 per cent renewable electricity by taking the next steps to reduce greenhouse emissions as we work towards a net-zero-emissions future, including transitioning away from gas to electricity.

Throughout this parliamentary term we have worked hard to make a real difference to the lives of Canberrans and ensure Canberra continues to be a happy, healthy and connected community.

*Quotes from the ACT Labor Leader has been removed from the original ACT Government media release at their request.

Government all talk no action in response to NSW Police review

Today the NSW Police Force released a summary of its review into mental health incidents in the community, more than eleven months after it was first foreshadowed by the Police Commissioner. In a Media Release (attached) the Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmine Catley and Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson both agreed Police should not be first responders to mental health crises, and that the Government would explore other options, but stopped short of committing to an alternative.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “NSW Labor continues to echo what the experts have known for years, and yet makes no commitments to make critical changes that will save lives. Something is going very wrong in the Minns Labor Government,”

“This Government is inert and asleep at the wheel when it comes to delivering health professionals as first responders to mental health incidents in the community,”

“The review that has been released today is 5 months old and identifies, in no uncertain terms, that police should not be responding to mental health incidents. Involving the Police increases the risk of adverse outcomes for people experiencing mental health issues and no amount of training for Police will change this,”

“Police are not supposed to do this work, and they don’t want to either. Yet this Government has no plan to change things. This review feels like a lead balloon, it does nothing other than talk about the problems,”

“The Government have their finger on the failing pulse of the problem, but they refuse to respond with the right remedy and urgency required. The families of people who were killed by the police deserve better, and we won’t stop until the Government understands this,”

“In the UK, they just did it. The Police there threatened to stop showing up to mental health call outs, which saw the introduction of the Right Care, Right Person model, which from all accounts is a good system. When the next Wrong Care, Wrong Person results in the wrongful death by Police, it will be squarely on the Minns Labor Government,” Ms Higginson said.

Humanitarian assistance to Vietnam

The Australian Government will provide Vietnam with $3 million for humanitarian relief, emergency supplies and other essential services in response to the devastating Typhoon Yagi.

Typhoon Yagi is the most powerful storm to hit northern Vietnam in over three decades. Ongoing heavy rainfall in the mountainous regions has led to severe flooding and landslides causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

More than 150 deaths have been reported and more than 9,500 houses and 550 health facilities damaged. Around 19 million people live in the affected provinces. Two million school children are at risk of disruption to learning.

Australia’s assistance will include services delivered through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership in concert with local organisations supporting the most affected communities and the most vulnerable.

Last night Australia delivered emergency relief supplies on a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster, including essential provisions for families such as shelter and hygiene kits.

Our contribution complements the Vietnam Government’s efforts and will be guided by local needs and priorities. Our support will focus on rapid response and early recovery for the most vulnerable, including women, children and people with disabilities, and communities in isolated rural and remote regions.

City of Newcastle funds youth-led climate action projects to empower next generation

City of Newcastle is amplifying the voices and actions of the next generation to drive local climate solutions, by awarding a total of $75,000 for 12 innovative, youth-led climate action projects.

Ranging from leadership training and mentoring, a youth climate action summit, upcycling and recycling programs and multi-media climate action projects, the funded initiatives are all designed to foster a resilient and climate-conscious community.

(l-r) Isabelle Huber of Hunter Intrepid Landcare with Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

The funding is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, which selected City of Newcastle to deliver the youth-led program as part of its global initiative.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes highlighted the significance of this funding and the impact the local projects can have on the community.

“As one of only three Australian cities to receive this funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Newcastle is leading by example in its efforts to engage young people in designing and delivering climate solutions and ensuring their voices and priorities are at the forefront of the city’s climate strategy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We are incredibly proud to support such a diverse range of youth-led projects, which are not only addressing immediate environmental challenges but also building a stronger, more resilient community for the future.”

Among the recipients is Hunter Intrepid Landcare, who have received funding to host two activities aimed at building climate resilience among young people in the region.

The group, which caters specifically to individuals aged 18-35, will use the grant to alleviate climate anxiety through practical, nature-focused initiatives.

This includes a workshop led by local herbalist Pat Collins at Fletcher on 23 November, which will focus on identifying edible plants, particularly those commonly considered weeds.

The workshop is designed to help participants build a deeper connection with nature, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency and respect for the environment.

The second activity will be a coastal community clean-up, not only benefiting the environment but also promoting social connectedness among like-minded individuals.

One of the coordinators of Hunter Intrepid Landcare, Kate Mannell, said the grant would help them reach more young people through this project.

“This funding from City of Newcastle is crucial for us as an entirely volunteer-run group. It allows us to bring our vision to life by providing young people with the tools and knowledge they need to feel empowered and resilient in the face of climate change,” Miss Mannell said.

“Our goal at Hunter Intrepid Landcare is to create opportunities for young people to connect with nature and each other in meaningful ways. By addressing climate anxiety and building resilience, we hope to inspire the next generation to take action and lead sustainable lives.”

Other projects funded under this round include Lambton High School, which will enhance student skills and engagement with solar energy and electric vehicle technologies at the upcoming mini-EV festival in November.

Surfers for Climate will organise a Youth Climate Leaders’ Summit to empower young people to take proactive steps in environmental advocacy, while not-for-profit organisation The Purple Card Project will host a youth-led clothes swap and repair event, promoting sustainable fashion and reducing textile waste.

Upcycle Newcastle will mentor young people in sustainable practices through upcycling, while Music Therapy Australia will support young Novocastrians to produce music videos exploring themes of climate action and sustainability.

Surfest rides wave of support back onto international stage

Newcastle will receive unprecedented exposure in 2025 when Surfest is upgraded to become one of the top 16 surfing contests in the world as part of the Challenger Series.

The event was today officially added to the second highest tier on the World Surfing League (WSL) calendar in a move that will see more than 120 of the best up-and-coming surfers on the planet drop-in to Merewether Beach from 1 to 8 June next year.

The announcement follows strong support from City of Newcastle, with Council unanimously backing a Lord Mayoral Minute last month to advocate for the international event, which will be broadcast to an audience of millions.

Surfers Jackson Baker and Philippa Anderson, Surfest founder Warren Smith, WSL President Andrew Stark, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Stephen Crowe from Port of Newcastle and surfer Ryan Callinan at the Challenger Series announcement.Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle has a proud history of supporting surfing in the region.

“City of Newcastle has been a sponsor of Surfest for almost 40 years and also helped to attract the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup to the city in 2021,” Cr Nelmes said.

“That event showcased Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million people and injected an estimated $15 million into our economy, even without the international tourists who couldn’t attend because of the pandemic.

“Since then, surfing has only grown in popularity. In 2023, the 16 WSL events attracted more than 120 million television viewers globally and social media engagement surpassed 500 million interactions across various platforms.

“Adding Surfest to the Challenger Series for 2025 will provide substantial economic, cultural, and tourism benefits to Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.”

Warren Smith said Surfest will become round one of the Challenger Series in 2025, featuring explosive, high-risk surfing.

“The Challenger Series is where surfing dreams are realised and shattered,” Mr Smith said.

“At the end of the six-event series, the top ten male and top five female surfers qualify for the 2026 Championship Tour, so every heat at Merewether Beach will be like a final.

“The series features an incredible mix of young and experienced talent from Australia, North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. It also boasts the men’s and women’s Junior World Champions, as well as the men and women from the Championship Tour who don’t make the mid-season cut.

“Some of the big names featured on this year’s Challenger Series include Callum Robson, Sally Fitzgibbons and Macy Callaghan, as well as our local contingent of Merewether Surfboard Club members Jackson Baker, Morgan Cibilic and Philippa Anderson.

“I must thank Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and City of Newcastle, the Port of Newcastle and all our event partners for their support.

“I’d also like to thank the WSL, especially WSL APAC President Andrew Stark, for having the confidence in Newcastle to present the Challenger Series event as a part of Surfest 2025.”

Merewether local and world number 13 Ryan Callinan said the Challenger Series is an intense experience.

“I competed on the Challenger Series full time in 2022 and it just made me so motivated to get back to the Championship Tour,” Mr Callinan said.

“I ended up finishing second at the Sydney Surf Pro that year which really set me up for the season.

“Having an event at home is going to provide a massive boost for my clubmates Jackson Baker and Philippa Anderson, as well as my good mate Julian Wilson who’s making his return to competition.”

World Surf League President Andrew Stark said the 2025 version of Surfest will feature the biggest international field the event has hosted since 2020.

“The WSL is extremely excited to see such a historic event like Surfest return to the world stage as a Challenger Series competition in 2025,” Mr Stark said.

“The sport’s biggest names have competed at this event for almost four decades, and the continued success of Surfest is a testament to the passion of the local surf community.

“We can’t wait to see the world’s best come back to Newcastle and battle it out for the Mark Richards Trophy once again.

“We’d like to thank Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and the City of Newcastle, as well as the Port of Newcastle, for getting behind this event and bringing international professional surfing back to one of its heartlands.”

CEO Craig Carmody said Port of Newcastle is proud to bring back elite surfing back to Newcastle.

“This iconic Hunter event is synonymous with the city and raising the event to Challenger Series status ensures surfing in Newcastle again reaches a global audience,” Mr Carmody said.

“With diversity and inclusion a strategic pillar in Port of Newcastle’s workforce, the support of this event, that promotes elite competition in both men’s and women’s fields, is in line with the Port’s values, ensuring equal opportunity for all competitors.”

Jennifer Black appointed as the new Mental Health Commissioner of New South Wales

Jennifer Black has been appointed as the new Mental Health Commissioner. With over 30 years of experience in mental health advocacy, policy development, and service reform, she will lead the Mental Health Commission of New South Wales in its efforts to improve mental health outcomes across the state.

The Commission, an independent statutory agency, works with government and communities to ensure accessible mental health support, particularly for those at risk. Central to its mission is amplifying the voices of individuals with lived mental health experiences and their families.

Ms. Black previously served as CEO of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, where she championed greater collaboration between government agencies, service providers, and the community to improve mental health services across Queensland.

In addition, Ms. Black held leadership roles as the Victorian Deputy Mental Health Complaints Commissioner, to help improve accountability and transparency in the mental health system, and she was seconded to the Victorian Ombudsman’s office, focusing on systemic reform and advocacy for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Her appointment is expected to bolster the Commission’s leadership in improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes across the state by strengthening mental health services and policies in NSW, ensuring that people have access to the support they need during times of distress.

Ms. Black will begin her role as Mental Health Commissioner on Monday, October 14, 2024.

About the Mental Health Commission of NSW
Established under the Mental Health Commission Act 2012, the Commission promotes collaboration among public agencies to provide comprehensive services for those with mental illness, reporting directly to the Minister for Mental Health.