Category: NSW News

The state’s rich multicultural society and its communities are set to benefit from a record level budget spend.

A $28 million package, secured through the upcoming NSW Budget, will support whole-of-Government Language Services, boost community cultural events and festivals, and increase engagement with multicultural and multi-faith communities.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the multi-year funding will benefit the state’s diverse cultures by providing important information in many languages, and bringing different communities together to celebrate their shared values.

“One of the key takeaways from the pandemic is the critical role of multicultural and faith communities in ensuring we are all connected, engaged and supported,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We are now acting on those learnings and investing in areas that will enable a stronger and brighter future for multicultural communities across the state.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said today’s announcement represents the single biggest budget allocation any government has provided to support Multicultural NSW, and was only possible because of the government’s strong economic management.

“This is investing in the state’s greatest asset, its people. We want to respect cultural diversity while at the same time celebrating the values we all share,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the financial boost to the Government’s Language Services alone is a massive win for the state’s multicultural society.

“This will greatly improve our Government’s translation capabilities, which in turn will make sure vital information is accessible to everyone no matter the language they speak.

“Importantly, we will also be investing in a scholarship program, which will secure our state’s translation and interpreting capabilities into the future.”

As part of the initiative, the NSW Government will establish a Religious Communities Advisory Council. Its first order of business will be addressing concerns regarding the safety and security of places of worship, which is a priority for the faith communities.

It will be faster and more convenient to travel in New South Wales with a $567.9 million investment in upgrades to the Opal system funded through the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said travellers will be able to put the Opal card on their digital wallets as part of the Opal Next Gen upgrade which ensures we will have a modern, reliable, world-leading ticketing system.
 
“Since 2012 more than four billion trips have been taken using Opal, which has transformed the way we travel and it is now time to invest in keeping this system in line with our evolving needs and expectations,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This gives us a window into the future, setting up the Opal network to keep pace with our changing needs whether that be a train, bus, e-bike, e-scooter, rideshare or even electric vehicle charging.”
 
Investment into Opal Next Gen will also enable the trial of a new world leading Mobility as a Service app, known as Opal Plus.
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said 10,000 people would also be selected to take part in the 12-month trial, which allows subscribers to bundle together public transport, rideshare, ebike rental, taxi and parking.
 
“This app will revolutionise the way we travel in NSW because it factors in first and last mile journeys, making it simpler and easier to leave the car at home and get from door to door,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“Opal Plus will free up people to choose their own adventure when it comes to transport, laying the ground work for an even more intelligent transport system that puts the citizen at its heart.”
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the NSW Government’s investment into Opal Next Gen will see services tailored to better meet the needs of commuters.
 
“This state-of-the-art new Opal system will enable commuters to travel from A to B a whole lot easier, it will allow families to seamlessly plan, book and pay for a range of different transport services in one place,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“The current Opal system has delivered an exceptional service for nearly a decade, but it is time to take it to the next level.”
 
Transport for NSW will be running competitive tender processes starting in the next two months.

More than 260 regional, rural and remote schools will have access to a dedicated local pool of relief teachers they can call on to help cover when teachers are away.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the expansion of the Casual Supplementation Program was a win for schools in the bush.
                                                                                                    
“As a former teacher, I know that regional schools can often struggle to source relief teachers at the last minute to cover absentees. This has been exacerbated during COVID-19,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The NSW Government is addressing this need through an innovative program that offers teachers a three year, full-time role as a relief teacher with the benefits of job security, professional learning and leave entitlements.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the program was already proving a big success.
 
“Staffing our schools, particularly our regional ones, is complex and I am very pleased to say that we are seeing great results where the program is already up and running, including in very remote areas across the state that are traditionally hard to staff,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
The program groups schools in geographic clusters with a commute time of around an hour from a central ‘hub’ school where the relief teacher is based.
 
The program is being implemented in schools with the highest need for casual teachers in regional and rural areas from the North Coast to the Central West and the Riverina, as well as in hard to staff areas on the outskirts of Sydney.
 
The Casual Supplementation Program is part of the NSW Government’s $125 million Teacher Supply Strategy to create new pathways into teaching, place high-quality teachers where they are needed most, and ensure a steady pipeline of teachers entering the workforce, now and in the future. The strategy is on track to deliver its commitment to recruit an additional 4,600 teachers over the next four years.
 
Subject to eligibility, teachers in rural and remote locations are able to access a suite of financial and non-financial incentives, including up to $40,000 on top of their base salary annually and an additional $20,000 if the position is eligible for a recruitment bonus.

Three state-of-the-art High Clearance Vehicles are now in permanent operation for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), expanding flood rescue capability by helping volunteers get to hard-to-reach places. 
 
The vehicles, known as Unimogs, have been handed over to the SES by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after being used on deployment in military operations.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the delivery of the Unimogs means the SES now boasts the most advanced fleet of flood operations vehicles in Australia.
 
“These high clearance vehicles will allow our SES volunteers to go where they haven’t been able to go before when helping people in floodwaters,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The Unimogs have been refurbished, in partnership with the ADF, and have already been put to good use in the recent floods and storms across NSW. They’re able to operate in more than a metre of water and can also function as a mobile communication hub, which makes them well-suited to flood response.
 
“An additional three vehicles are also on the way, and securing these specialty vehicles helps improve the SES’s ability to respond to future flooding emergencies and better protect our communities.”
 
SES Commissioner Carlene York thanked the ADF for their support in helping boost rescue capability.
 
“These vehicles have already proven to be life-saving when they were used by our volunteers to assist with the rescue of people during the catastrophic Northern Rivers floods earlier this year,” Commissioner York said.
 
“One example was when a Unimog was used to rescue 12 people trapped in their house by rising floodwaters. The two families, including a young baby and their pets, were all rescued by SES volunteers who could only access the property using the specialty vehicle.”

Campbelltown and Camden will be awash with activity this Queen’s Birthday weekend as the 2022 HART Senior State Titles take centre stage in what is set to be a brilliant illustration of the power of grassroots netball.

Thousands of players, officials, umpires, volunteers and fans will converge on South Western Sydney with Campbelltown District Netball Association welcoming teams from Divisions 1 Opens and 1 & 2 of the 17U and 15U and Male team categories, while Camden & District Netball Association will host Opens Division 2, and Divisions 3 & 4 of the 17U & 15U age groups.

The Senior State Titles are second only to the Junior State Titles in terms of size and scope, and among the largest community sporting events NSW has to offer.

For the first time in State Titles history Male divisions have been added, a move which would have happened sooner had it not been for the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senior State Titles take place from Saturday to Monday, 11-13 June, with the winners of Division 1 in each of the Opens, 17U, 15U and Men’s categories crowned State Champions at the end of play.

With the wider community slowly starting to emerge from the cloud cast by COVID-19, Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan said it was wonderful to see the event back bigger than ever in 2022.

“Having come through two hugely disrupted seasons as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been truly refreshing for our community to finally have the chance to properly prepare for an event of this scale, which remains one of the largest and most important on the Netball NSW calendar,” she said.

“While COVID-19 remains part of our everyday lives, we have thankfully reached the point where we’ve learned to live with the virus. It was uncharted territory for all of us when the pandemic started in 2020 but I remain proud of how our game did its part to aid the wider community.

“Nothing can make up for the disappointments of missed opportunities over the past two years, but 24 months of hardship can make us appreciate this year’s competition all the more.”   

Sullivan also reflected on the importance of introducing Male divisions to events of this kind.

“This is a ground-breaking development and comes as netball in NSW looks to continue expanding the game’s reach beyond its traditional playing base,” she added.

“A frontrunner in terms of playing numbers when it comes to grassroots sport, netball has long been recognised as the leading team sport for women and young girls, as well as the standout leader in high-performance space for the same demographic.

“However, as part of Netball Australia’s State of the Game Review, a compelling case was made for netball to be more inclusive in many areas including gender.

“The inclusion of male divisions in the Junior and Senior State Titles – the sport’s showpiece events at grassroots level – is a vital part of securing our game’s future by ensuring it is a safe space for all.

“We are exceptionally proud to have our inaugural male State Titles teams competing this weekend, and I encourage everyone to take the time to see what brilliant skills and athleticism they bring to the game.”

Netball NSW would like to thank both the Campbelltown District and Camden & District Netball Associations for their efforts to bring the event to life, as well as HART Sport – the Naming Rights Partner of the 2022 Senior State Titles

NSW residents will have access to the highest quality care and pain management services at the end of their life, with palliative care and specialist health services to receive a record $743 million funding boost over the next five years.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the 2022-23 funding boost is on top of the $300 million the NSW Government invests each year in palliative care.
 
“We’re committed to ensuring NSW has the best palliative care services and support in Australia, if not the world,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This is about providing the greatest possible comfort and dignity to people who are at the end of their life, whether that’s in hospital, at home or in the wider community, right across the state.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding will deliver an additional 600 health staff across NSW to support those in their final stage of life once the program is fully rolled out.
 
“The funding boost will allow us to employ an extra 600 nurses, allied health professionals, doctors and support staff to care for people at their most vulnerable time, who will be of great comfort to patients and families alike,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This funding will allow more people to live at home and close to loved ones when they need them most. It will improve access to new treatments, world-leading pain management services and medications, and community-based services to reduce unnecessary stays in hospitals.”
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the investment will also increase the number of short-term, high-care beds in rural, regional and metropolitan hospitals.
 
“We will be providing more palliative care beds for people requiring short-term hospital stays right across the state,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“We will also build new dedicated palliative care units in two of our major hospitals, Westmead and Nepean, which will dramatically improve services for these local communities in Western Sydney.”
 
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government is placing a strong focus on caring for people in regional communities.
 
“As a former palliative care nurse, I know how significant this package will be for patients and their loved ones,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“Everyone has the right to die with dignity, and this package will provide better access to palliative care no matter where you live.”
 
The package includes $650 million over five years to:

• employ an extra 600 nurses, allied health professionals, doctors, and support staff
• boost hospital capacity and implement best-practice models for supportive and palliative care
• improve access to pain management services for patients with life-limiting illness, to help patients and their family and carers
• improve services for people with late stage chronic and degenerative conditions, and cancer
• further strengthen outpatient and community health services
• support consumer choice and excellence in end-of-life and palliative care
• strengthen virtual care, transport and equipment programs
• improve partnership with non-Government organisations, primary care and aged care services. 

A further $93 million will be used for capital investment, to redevelop and refurbish NSW Health facilities, including new dedicated palliative care units at Westmead Hospital and Nepean Hospital.

Women looking for work will be able to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to fund a new work wardrobe, technology and training to help them return to the workforce, thanks to a $32 million investment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

Premier Dominic Perrottet encouraged eligible women to apply for the Return to Work Program grant and tailored support from a Return to Work Coordinator.

“The program is already helping thousands of women to meet their employment and education goals – I want this program to support as many women as possible to find secure employment,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This is an opportunity to build the confidence and financial independence for women who need it most.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said women who are experiencing barriers re-entering the workforce can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help cover the cost of common financial obstacles such as work clothes or an internet connection.

“Female-dominated industries and workers were hit hard by the pandemic and it highlighted the importance of women to the long-term health of our economy,” Mr Kean said.

“Now, more than ever, we need to support women to get into, and return to, the workforce. This program helps equip women with the information, technology and financial support they need to get back to work.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the positive results of the program demonstrated the value of this investment.

“The feedback from over 1,500 women who have completed the program was that it works because of its flexibility and tailored approach. 65 per cent of women secured employment, 73 per cent applied for or started education and training while an incredible 98.5 per cent found the program helpful,”  Mrs Taylor said.

“I am proud to be part of a NSW Government that looks at unique solutions for the big issues affecting women’s workforce participation through the Women’s Economic Opportunities Review.”

The new Return to Work Toolkit is available on the NSW Government website to provide additional employment resources and information for women. For more information, or to apply, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/toolkits-and-resources/return-to-work-toolkit

The Return to Work program was initially announced as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget in response to the number of women who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Return to Work Program will continue next financial year. Consideration will be provided to priority groups.

The NSW Government will accelerate the translation of local RNA research into new products, services and jobs through an historic $119 million investment over 10 years in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding would support R&D initiatives to be undertaken, including at the recently announced $96 million RNA Pilot Manufacturing Facility, ensuring the establishment of a globally significant RNA R&D ecosystem in NSW.
 
“This funding provides strategic support to strengthen NSW’s sovereign capability in designing and manufacturing RNA therapeutics to combat everything from pandemics to cancer and genetic diseases,” Mr Kean said.
 
“It will continue to build NSW’s globally-competitive innovation ecosystem by attracting global investment and international businesses, and creating a stronger and more skilled workforce.”
 
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said that the NSW Government was working in partnership with the NSW RNA Bioscience Alliance, an unprecedented collaboration between all 14 NSW and ACT universities.
 
“We want to create a brighter future for the people of NSW and turbocharging R&D opportunities is an essential mechanism to achieve that goal,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“The value of RNA technology has been proven throughout the pandemic through the use of mRNA vaccines, but we know that vaccines are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to RNA.
 
“By bringing together our world-leading universities and industry leaders, we can deliver innovative solutions to some of the most the important and complex challenges facing the world.”
 
Head of the NSW RNA Bioscience Alliance Professor Pall Thordarson from UNSW Sydney welcomed the announcement.
 
“This investment is crucial to our shared vision to advance NSW as a global leader in the RNA ecosystem,” Professor Thordarson said.
 
“With the State government’s investment, the NSW research community will be able to address a range of current health challenges and attract a number of national and international industry collaborators and jobs to the state.”

A community open day followed by a festival of football, with three blockbuster events in five days, will headline the opening of Sydney’s new world-class sport and entertainment venue, Allianz Stadium.
 
The opening schedule of events will kick off with a free community open day on August 28, then it is game on for the NRL’s famous rivalry between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday September 2. The Wallabies will then take on the reigning Rugby World Cup winners South Africa on Saturday, September 3 and to cap off an unforgettable opening series of events, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas will host Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medal winners Canada on Tuesday, September 6 in an international friendly.
 
Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said it’s officially game on at Allianz Stadium.
 
“We’re opening Allianz Stadium earlier than scheduled with a free community day before the biggest names in world sport from three major football codes kick off an unforgettable opening series of events at Sydney’s new world-class venue,” Mr Ayres said. 
 
“It’s been a long time coming for sports fans but we’re so incredibly excited to open Allianz Stadium and welcome the community back to what will be the best sports and entertainment venue in Australia.”
 
“Over 150,000 fans are expected to visit the new precinct over the course of the four events, providing a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy.
 
“Having a world-class stadium in the heart of a thriving sport, entertainment and hospitality precinct on the cusp of the CBD positions Sydney as the events capital of Australia,” Mr Ayres said.
 
The new 42,500 seat Allianz Stadium has been designed and built for the fans, with a 360-degree open concourse inside and outside the venue, steep seating angles providing unrivalled views of the field, the very best Merivale food and beverage offering, world-class player facilities and new community spaces to explore, just some of its many features.
 
Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said: “The honour of hosting the inaugural event to be held at our home, the new Allianz Stadium, is one of which we are most proud. We have a deep connection to the precinct dating back to our foundation in 1908. Our Members and fans will have the very first opportunity to experience the new world-class facility and we would like to extend our thanks to the NSW Government for this addition to our Club’s rich history.
 
“The Roosters hosted the final event at the ground before it was demolished in 2018 and it is quite fitting that our return fixture will be against the same team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The 42,500 spectators there for the game will be able to reflect on being a part of history on what is sure to be an unforgettable event.”
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said: “It’s fantastic to see big sporting events with huge crowds returning to Sydney such as last night’s sell-out crowd at the State of Origin match at Accor Stadium and we’re certain that our 31,000-plus Members and countless supporters will paint Allianz Stadium red and green at this match.
 
“We’re fully supportive of the NSW Government’s investment in sporting infrastructure, creating state-of-the-art stadiums that provide the best facilities for not only the players, but also the Members and fans, and we’re all looking forward to christening the new Stadium in September.”
 
Rugby Australia CEO, Andy Marinos said: “We’re extremely excited to be able to host the first ever International event at the new Allianz Stadium.”
 
“To have the Wallabies taking on the World Champion Springboks in front of 42,500 supporters is going to be an amazing experience and one I’m sure those who are there will never forget.
 
“I’d like to thank the NSW Government for their support in hosting the Test and congratulate them on what is a truly world-class stadium build here in Sydney.”
 
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said: “It’s only fitting that the Commonwealth Bank Matildas are the first football team to play at the new Allianz Stadium, as this state-of-the-art facility will be a host venue for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ through the ongoing support of the NSW Government.
 
“Football enthusiasts, Matildas fans and event goers alike are in for a real treat on September 6, as our ever-popular Commonwealth Bank Matildas host defending Olympic champions and world number six, Canada in what will be ideal preparation ahead of next year’s tournament.
 
Exact details of the community open day, including how to secure entry to the free ticketed event, will be announced over the coming weeks, while ticket details to the Roosters v Rabbitohs, Wallabies v South Africa and Commonwealth Bank Matildas v Canada can be found via the respective club/code websites.
 
The opening series of events aren’t the only fixtures to look forward to, with Allianz Stadium to host Sydney FC’s first A-League game of the 2022-23 season, the Sydney Super Cup featuring Scottish champions, Celtic, and international superstar Justin Bieber performing live.

The NSW Government has today announced a new public sector wages policy to provide increased pay for public sector employees including nurses, teachers and paramedics.
 
The new two-year policy provides among the highest public sector wages growth in the country with employees offered a 3.0 per cent remuneration increase per annum in 2022-23 and 2023-24, with a possible further 0.5 per cent on offer in 2023-24 for employees that make a substantial contribution to productivity enhancing reforms. This provides for remuneration increases of up to 6.5 per cent over two years under the new policy.
 
The policy will apply to new industrial agreements that are struck from 1 July 2022.
 
In addition, a one-off payment of $3,000 will be provided to employees in the NSW Health Service in recognition of their work on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The payment covers paramedics, midwives, cleaners and all other permanent staff employed by the NSW Health Service.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the new wages policy which continues the NSW Government’s record of strengthening frontline services.
 
“A strong public service is essential to delivering what matters to make daily life better,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Our sound economic management allows us to invest in our people through higher wages and more frontline workers and continue to deliver the best services in the country and a brighter economic future for the people of NSW.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the increase in wages was fair and sustainable in the current economic climate.
 
“NSW is currently enjoying the lowest unemployment on record and it is important to maintain competitive wages to attract and retain the best talent. In the context of a strong and growing economy this two-year increase to wages is an affordable and sensible policy.”
 
Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said a $3,000 one-off payment to Health workers was recognition of a workforce that has stepped up above and beyond.
 
“The health workforce went to extraordinary lengths during the pandemic and has earned the admiration and gratitude of the entire state,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
The new wages policy has been developed to support productivity enhancing reforms and modernisation of the public service.
 
“To deliver the best public services we need to adapt to new technology and ways of working. In this wages policy we are putting additional pay increases on the table for workplace reforms that deliver better outcomes for the public – a win for workers and the community.” Mr Tudehope said.
 
The Government’s position is to limit executive remuneration increases to 2.0 per cent in the next year.