Month: May 2025

The Opposition has today offered its support for the Government’s changes to the way people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can access treatment in NSW.

These changes will enable GPs to provide ongoing ADHD prescriptions for children and adults who are on stables doses of medication, without the need of a formal arrangement. A smaller number of GPs will be enabled to diagnose and initiate medication where appropriate. 

Under the Minns Labor Government our mental health system is in crisis and families know it has never been harder or more expensive to access mental health support. 

These changes recognise the expense and length of time it can take for children and adults to receive a diagnosis as well as prescription medication for ADHD, particularly in regional NSW. 

A timely ADHD diagnosis for a child can mean the world of difference to their development and mental health. 

Given the nature of these changes and the prescribed medications involved, the Opposition will be seeking assurances around what professional training and what evaluations and ongoing clinical oversight will be undertaken to ensure the changes are meeting their intended outcomes.

Significant reforms to the state’s victims registers passed the NSW Parliament last night, ensuring victim-survivors of serious crimes receive a mandatory notification about their right to sign up as a registered victim, to receive critical information about an offender.

The three NSW victims registers include the Corrective Services NSW Victims Register, Youth Justice Victims Register, and Specialist Victims Register for victims of forensic patients.

Those who opt-in will receive timely, accurate and trauma-informed updates regarding the perpetrator’s progress through the custodial system. 

This may include details about the offender’s location, sentence, parole eligibility, and any changes that may affect the victim’s safety and well-being. 

Registered victims also have the right to make a submission about an offender’s parole where relevant.

Over several months, Corrective Services NSW has hosted consultation meetings with victim-survivors, victim advocates, and victim support services to ensure these changes reflect the views of the people the registers serve.

Eligible victims of serious offenders will receive a mandatory notification letting them know about the relevant register and their eligibility to opt-in.

If victim-survivors do not want to make a decision at the time, they will have the option to be contacted at a later date to discuss the benefits of registration and decide whether they would like to be registered.

Generally, the serious offenders that will cause a mandatory notification about the Victims Register to be sent to a victim-survivor or family member will be:

• An offender who has committed murder
• An offender who is serving a sentence of life imprisonment
• An offender who is serving one or more sentences, totalling a minimum of 12 years in custody, for offences such as attempted murder, serious sexual assault, abduction, and aggravated robbery.

Ensuring victim-survivors continue to have the choice to register is considered to strike the appropriate balance between ensuring that victim-survivors are aware of their right to be on the register, while importantly maintaining victims’ choice and avoiding re-traumatisation.

Work will also be done to make the sign-up process simpler, with fewer technological or communication barriers for non-English speakers.

The Minns Labor Government acknowledges the severe impacts for people directly or indirectly exposed to crime.

A person who has experienced personal violence can suffer long-lasting trauma and the feeling that their safety and security are under threat.

It is for this reason the Minns Labor Government has passed these important reforms to the three victims registers to bolster support for victim-survivors of serious crimes.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Community safety is the top priority of the Minns Labor Government.

“Now that these significant reforms have passed the NSW Parliament, they will ensure victim-survivors of serious crimes know about the victims registers, and have a clear opportunity to sign up and benefit from being registered.

“We have listened to the voices of victim-survivors, and we are responding to their call to improve the system, whilst balancing the critical need to avoid re-traumatising those victim-survivors who do not wish to be re-exposed to the heinous crimes of their offenders.

“Signing up to the victims registers allows victim-survivors or their family members to receive vital information and a choice to engage in fundamental legal processes that will directly impact their lives – things like opposing the perpetrator’s parole and being informed if they are going to be released from prison.

“No-one chooses to become the victim of a violent crime, and that is why the NSW Government is doing everything within our power to support and empower victim-survivors.

“Eligible victims of serious offenders deserve the choice to be on the victims registers and be given the knowledge and agency to engage with the justice system, ensuring no-one is left behind.”

Attorney General Michael Daley:

“Community safety is at the heart of this reform allowing victim-survivors to opt-in to the relevant register and receive important updates about an offender’s location, sentencing and parole.

“This is an important step to help victim-survivors engage in the legal process in a way that is empowering, trauma-informed, and promotes recovery.”

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM:

“Corrective Services NSW works tirelessly to support victim-survivors through the CSNSW Victims Register. 

“Our highly trained, trauma-informed staff have seen first-hand the impact that good communication can have on the healing process.

“From the moment an offender enters custody, we keep registered victims up-to-date on all significant information about the perpetrator’s progress through the custodial system.

“We can also assist victim-survivors to have their voices heard and make submissions when important decisions are being made regarding an offender’s release.

“Our aim is to give victim-survivors back some of the power they lose when they are directly or indirectly exposed to crime.

“A person who has experienced personal violence can suffer long-lasting trauma and the feeling that their security is under threat.

“Knowing that information will be made available at key milestones, particularly around the timing of release to the community, can provide reassurance to those victim-survivors who choose to receive such information and help them to better plan for their safety.”

Victims Advocate Howard Brown OAM:

“These reforms will ensure that victim-survivors of serious crimes have knowledge and information about the victims registers, and the opportunity to sign up to them if they choose to.

“The victims registers provide the kind of timely, accurate and trauma-sensitive information that victim-survivors may feel that they need to be able to take back control of their lives and well-being, sometimes many years after a serious crime has been committed against them.

“Maximising free and full access to such a vital resource like the victims registers is a major step toward healing for victim-survivors of violent crimes.”

The Minns Labor government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, with two new refuges in south-west Sydney opening their doors this month.

Muslim Women Australia will operate two new Core and Cluster refuges in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, providing secure, self-contained crisis accommodation that caters for larger families with children, including multi-generational households.

The NSW Government recognises the unique needs of migrant and refugee women who face multiple challenges that increase the impact and severity of violence and add barriers to seeking support and securing safety.

With that in mind, the government has invested $5.1 million into these two sites to ensure the design and support services provided are sensitive to families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The new refuges are designed to enhance privacy, flexibility and support, while ensuring culturally safe environments for clients with diverse needs, including women and children with disability.

Both sites have access to a nearby service hub, where residents will receive culturally appropriate, trauma-informed support that prioritises their safety and recovery.

Other services will include immigration advice and spiritual support alongside counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment assistance.

The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program to ensure support for more than an additional 2,900 women and children fleeing domestic and family violence across the state each year. The program will see 49 new refuges built across NSW.

The NSW Government is addressing domestic and family violence from all angles, with last year’s budget of $245.6 million invested in boosting crisis and frontline response, justice reforms, earlier intervention and primary prevention.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“It’s our absolute priority that women and children who take the significant step of leaving violence and abuse can find the support they need in a community they feel safe and familiar with.

“Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence should never have to choose between homelessness or staying in an abusive relationship.

“These latest refuges will mean more women and children in south-west Sydney can access safe, emergency accommodation and support to heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“People from multicultural backgrounds, including migrant and refugee women’s, experience of domestic and family violence can be overlaid and compounded by many factors, and they are less likely to seek help.

“This new refuge in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA will ensure that women and children who flee violence will have a safe place to sleep at night, and support to rebuild their lives in their communities.

“It’s vital that women and children from all diverse backgrounds have access to safe spaces that encourage recovery and healing, and culturally appropriate support.”

Maha Abdo CEO of Muslim Women Australia said:

“Informed by client voices and frontline experience, this significant expansion of MWA’s crisis accommodation services ensures privacy without isolation, cultural and faith-informed care, and flexible, dignified support for recovery and healing.”

Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson said:

“This is an important initiative for women and children escaping domestic and family violence in my electorate of East Hills.

“MWA are empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and create better futures by providing secure accommodation alongside comprehensive support services. This crucial work and funding will save lives and make a difference in our community for generations.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.