Category: NSW News

$400 million will be invested over the next four years in Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), bringing the NSW Government’s investment in emergency services in 2022-23 to more than $4.2 billion to make communities safer and stronger.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said funding emergency services was critical to protect communities from natural disasters.
 
“Our volunteer and paid first responders are on the front line of emergencies, standing between danger and the community to keep people safe,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“They have been confronted with every challenge imaginable in recent months and years, whether it’s bush fires, a global pandemic, floods or storms.
 
“This Budget will help them continue their life-saving work with the equipment, resources and facilities that they need, and deserve, to protect communities across NSW.
 
“As severe weather events increase it is important, now more than ever, to make sure our emergency services like FRNSW, RFS and SES are better-prepared for the challenges of natural disasters that lie ahead.
 
“Today’s record Budget supports our emergency services to build resilience by completing the majority of funding in response to the Bushfire Inquiry and pledging the biggest-ever single investment in the SES.”
 
The 2022-23 NSW Budget includes:

• $1.4 billion for Resilience NSW for previously announced programs in response to the February and March 2022 storms and floods, with this funding to be provided to various Government agencies.
• $200.3 million for existing disaster recovery programs.
• $191 million for the RFS in response to the Bushfire Inquiry, including:
  • $105.6 million to replace or retrofit fire trucks;
  • $75.4 million to expand the number of mitigation crews; and
  • $10 million to enhance strategic fire trails.
• $132.7 million for the SES, including:
  • $58.7 million to upgrade 18 critical priority unit facilities;
  • $43 million to create two new zones;
  • $11.7 million to establish Zone Headquarters in the two new zones with Level 3 Incident Control Centre capabilities;
  • $18 million to upgrade existing Zone Headquarters to Level 3 Incident Control Centres; and
  • $1.3 million to develop a Facility Strategy and complete further detailed business cases to address the remainder of the recommendations from the independent review into the 2021 flood event.
• $56.5 million for the RFS to construct six fire control centres.
• $30 million for FRNSW, including:
  • $21 million over four years to undertake capital works that will address minimum gender-separation provisions, equipment-cleaning facilities and contamination management; and
  • $9 million to complete the recommendations of the Bushfire Inquiry by acquiring 16 firefighting tankers.

The NSW Government is committing $700 million for construction and improvement to Western Sydney’s road network, including major projects such as the Western Harbour Tunnel.

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the 2022-23 NSW Budget investment would build upon the Government’s commitment to deliver transformative developments while upgrading existing infrastructure.

“The funding delivered today is all about investing in local communities, creating thousands of local jobs and delivering projects that will improve the daily lives of motorists,” Mrs Ward said.

“Western Sydney is the heart of the NSW economy. We are investing to provide safer more reliable trips and cutting journey times to enable people to spend less time in the daily commute and more time with loved ones.

“One of the first actions of this government was to improve how Western Sydney is connected through WestConnex. This budget is about connecting motorists to our major roads with $614 million over next four years in State and Commonwealth funding for the Mulgoa Road upgrade.”

The Government’s commitment to Western Sydney includes:

• $866 million in capital expenditure ($1.2 billion over four years) to continue construction of the WestConnex Motorway, including delivery of the final stages of the project, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels and Rozelle Interchange by 2023
• $206 million in capital expenditure ($1.2 billion over four years) for NSW and Commonwealth Government-funded road upgrades to support the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, including The Northern Road between Narellan and Penrith, and the M12 Motorway
• $31 million ($614 million over four years) of State and Commonwealth government funding for the Mulgoa Rd Upgrade Stages 1, 2, 5A and 5B
• $2.6 million ($223 million over four years) of State and Commonwealth Government funding for M5 Motorway – Moorebank Avenue – Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade
• $10 million ($50 million over three years) of State and Commonwealth Government funding for Richmond Road Stage 1 – Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road, Marsden Park

Mrs Ward said this year’s Budget included key investments in roads right across Greater Sydney.

“The ultimate goal of our roads infrastructure program is to make it easier for people to move around the network safely and in as little time as possible,” Mrs Ward said.

“This budget is about looking at the other projects that are required across Sydney, making it easier for motorists to get to and from work and ensuring parents have more time to get their kids to sport on the weekend.”

Additional infrastructure commitments for wider Sydney include:

• $1.5 billion in capital expenditure ($3.7 billion over four years) to continue construction of the Sydney Gateway project and M6 Stage 1 Extension
•  $557 million ($4.1 billion over four years) to progress the Western Harbour Tunnel
• $116 million in capital expenditure ($357 million over four years) for pinch points
• $79 million in capital expenditure ($243 million over four years) to continue planning the duplication of Heathcote Road between The Avenue and Princes Highway, start construction between Infantry Parade and The Avenue, and start early works for Woronora River Bridge
• $17 million ($108 million over four years) for the construction of Henry Lawson Drive widening between Tower Road, Georges Hall and Auld Avenue, Milperra (Stage 1A) to double capacity and reduce congestion and continue development of Stage 1B between Keys Parade and the M5 Motorway
• $12 million ($124 million over four years) for the Epping Station Bridge Widening
• $25 million ($340 million over four years) for the Mona Vale Road West Project
• $40 million ($150 million over three years) for Wakehurst Parkway
• $30 million ($144 million over four years) for King Georges Road Stage 1 and 2a
• $74 million ($243 million over three years) for Prospect Highway, Reservoir Road to St Martins Crescent widening
• $4 million ($32 million over three years) for the Jervis Bay Road Intersection (State and Commonwealth funded)

Services to support small business will receive a cash injection in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.   

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said as a key provider of goods, services, and jobs, small business is at the heart of local communities, and that this funding from the NSW Government is vital. 

“The number of small businesses in NSW grew by four per cent last year to almost 800,000 and about 98 per cent of all businesses in NSW, so it is critical to the economy and our communities that they have strong support,” Ms Petinos said. 

The NSW Small Business Commission will receive $9.5 million over the forward estimates to boost mediation and support services for small businesses. The additional recurrent funding would provide ongoing support for small businesses as they recover from COVID-19. 

“In 2021 the Commission received a record 47,500 enquiries and over 2,300 applications for mediation, helping thousands of small businesses resolve lease issues and negotiate rent deferrals under the COVID regulations.  

“Thanks to the work of the Small Business Commission about 90 per cent of disputes are able to be resolved without the cost of going to court.” 

Additionally, the Business Connect program will receive a further $5 million over the next three years to provide dedicated services to women-led small businesses. 

“Since 2017, Business Connect has already helped more than 44,000 small businesses by providing them with personalised and tailored support to help them to start, adapt and grow their operations.”  

“We’re expanding this program to upskill these leaders with the tools they want, whether it be marketing, social media, business planning, and digital literacy.” 

Businesses across the State will be also supported to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, following the launch of a SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Taskforce.  

The taskforce will receive $9.7 million over four years to deliver on Kate Jenkins’ Respect at Work Report by ensuring employers comply with their duty under Work Health and Safety laws to prevent sexual harassment at work. 

“Sexual harassment is not just a cultural problem, it is also an economic problem given lost productivity, staff turnover and other associated impacts. 

“With almost 40 per cent of women having been sexually harassed at work in the past five years, the taskforce will develop a suite of resources and target high-risk industries and workplaces where gender-based harassment is prevalent. 

“This investment will provide employers, including small businesses who may need the extra support, with best-practice guidance on ways to create workplaces that are free from sexual harassment.” 

For more information on the Small Business Commission, please visit: smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

For more information on Business Connect, please visit: nsw.gov.au/working-and-business/about-business-connect

For more information on the SafeWork NSW Respect at Work taskforce, please visit: safework.nsw.gov.au/compliance-and-prosecutions/respect-taskforce

Public spaces, parklands and public transport will undergo a women’s safety overhaul as part of a $30 million anti-street harassment initiative to be co-designed with women and girls in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said recent surveys show 90 per cent of young women don’t feel safe in public spaces after dark.
 
“I have heard too many stories of women taking the long way home to avoid dark streets, or calling a friend while walking in case something goes wrong,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Safety shouldn’t depend on who you are or where you are.”
 
The NSW Government will launch an anti-street harassment campaign and pilot solutions such as lighting, CCTV and foot traffic upgrades at Parramatta Park and The Rocks, with more locations to be announced in coming months. 
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said it was important to start with Parramatta Park because of its tragic history.
 
“We will work with women and girls to design safer cities for everyone, designing solutions across our public spaces, parklands, precincts and public transport system,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“The measures we’ll implement range from better lighting to boosting foot traffic, with the aim of improving the way we build and design infrastructure across the board.”
 
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the program was important to improve safety and reduce harassment on our streets.
 
“This program seeks to address both the symptoms, as well as the cause of why so many women feel unsafe in our cities, especially after dark,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“This is why funding will also go towards education campaigns that seek to shift community attitudes, and reaffirm that harassment and assault on our streets is not acceptable.”
 
The program will include up to 10 pilot projects across the State, with the development of a policy tool-kit to assist Local and State Government in the design of future public space and infrastructure projects.

NSW will be at the forefront of cutting edge health treatments as part of a $270 million boost to biomedical research in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
The funding for two new facilities – the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator Complex in Camperdown and the Viral Vector manufacturing facility at Westmead – will transform the industry and help develop treatments for rare, life-limiting diseases as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to driving world-leading health and research precincts.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this was a significant investment in a growing industry that will help deliver what matters to make daily life better for the people of NSW.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to putting this state at the very forefront of innovative health care by continuing to invest in state-of-the-art health and research precincts,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This investment in biomedical technology will attract world-leading researchers, scientists and clinicians to our medical precincts, and we hope deliver breakthroughs that create a brighter future for people everywhere.”
 
The $270.3 million investment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget includes:

• $143.3 million for the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator Complex over four years, a state-of-the-art biomedical research complex co-located at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney;
• $51.8 million over four years to accelerate NSW’s commercial scale viral vector products for both research and clinical trials purposes;
• $49.6 million to build a commercially viable Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility (VVMF) which will manufacture viral vectors, essential components for most gene replacement therapies, and
• $25.6 million for 2022-23 for innovative and lifesaving gene-based therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said expanding to commercial scale viral vector manufacturing will ensure faster access to life-saving therapies.

“These advanced therapeutics are cutting-edge and are offering new hope for remission and long-term survival for patients with rare, and previously untreatable, conditions,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It will also mean NSW patients have greater access to locally-based clinical trials and can receive highly innovative treatment options, to help ease the burden they face as they fight diseases which previously had very limited treatment options.”

Viral vectors are viruses that have their genetic material replaced by a genetic medicine. They are increasingly being used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines but are also vital in providing life-saving gene replacement therapies to patients such as CAR T-cell therapy.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the investment will establish NSW as a leader in this medical technology, as well as grow production capacity to support the demand for viral vectors in clinical trials.

“These investments will enhance NSW’s advanced bio-manufacturing presence and will help cultivate a dynamic ecosystem of innovation, education and research now and into the future,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said this new investment is in addition to the $119.1 million being invested over 10 years into RNA research and development initiatives in the 2022-23 Budget, as well as the $95.8 million RNA Pilot Manufacturing Facility announced in October 2021.

“The gene therapy and cell therapy sectors are experiencing huge growth and this further investment in the industry will not only boost jobs for NSW but provide access to groundbreaking therapies and treatments as well,” Mr Henskens said.

The NSW Government has invested $25.6 million into medical and scientific innovation to help fight diseases in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

The funding will support access to:

• CAR T-cell therapy, which modifies a person’s own immune cells to attack their cancer. The therapy offers hope for remission and long-term survival for people with blood cancers;
• Gene therapy for people with the genetic blinding eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa. This potentially sight-saving therapy is the first gene therapy to be publicly funded in Australia; and
• Monoclonal antibody therapy for neuroblastoma. This therapy improves long-term outcomes for children with this type of cancer.

 
This Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility project located at the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct is a collaboration between NSW Treasury, Investment NSW, and various NSW Health entities, including Health Infrastructure, Office of Health and Medical Research, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and with support from Children’s Medical Research Institute and Western Sydney Local Health District.

Teachers, nurses, police, single parents and older singles will be helped to realise their dream of home ownership under a $780.4 million investment in a shared equity scheme to be trialled by the NSW Government.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said under the scheme, the NSW Government would contribute an equity share up to 40 per cent for a new property or up to 30 per cent for an existing property purchased by eligible buyers.
 
“One of the Government’s priorities is to make home ownership a reality for more people across our State and allow people to live closer to where they want to work, live and raise a family,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This Budget continues our focus on significant and important reform to create a brighter future for NSW families.
 
“We are continuing to invest in our people to transform our State as we embark on delivering what matters to make daily life better for people across our State.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said many older singles struggled to find secure housing, with the number of women aged over 55 among the fastest growing cohort of homeless people in the nation.
 
“Housing security is the bedrock of financial security,” Mr Kean said.
 
“A safe and secure home is fundamental to allow people to earn an income, care for their loved ones and pursue their own interests and aspirations.”
 
Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said this scheme would not only help participants overcome the deposit barrier to home ownership, but reduce the size of their mortgage and its repayments.
 
“This scheme forms part of a broader housing package of $2.8 billion,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“It marks another step in the Government’s plan to ensure that every person in NSW has a place to call home.”
 
Under the NSW Government’s shared equity trial:

• Up to 3,000 spots will be available each year for two financial years;
• Key worker first home buyers who are nurses, teachers or police – as well as older singles over 50 and single parents with a child or children under 18 years old can apply;
• Participants must have a maximum gross income of $90,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples;
• Participants must have a minimum deposit of 2 per cent of the purchase price;
• The Government will take a maximum equity contribution of 40 per cent for a new home and 30 per cent for an established home, and
• The maximum value of the property that can be purchased under the scheme is $950,000 in Sydney and regional centres including the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the North Coast of NSW, and $600,000 in other parts of NSW.

The scheme is planned to begin in January 2023.

For more information visit https://nsw.gov.au/shared-equity-scheme

Women in small business will have access to free TAFE courses and professional advice thanks to $15 million over the next four years in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said more than 95 per cent of businesses in NSW were small businesses, however only a third of these businesses are run by women.
 
“Many people dream of owning their own business, however we know that cultural and structural barriers like access to professional networks and capital can hold women back from taking the leap,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The NSW Budget is focused on giving women more opportunities for their future. That’s why we’re investing $15 million to help women translate their business ideas into reality.”
 
The 2022-23 NSW Budget will invest in the following programs over four years:

• $3.5 million to provide fee-free TAFE NSW Women in Business courses
• $2.0 million in grants to industry associations and chambers of commerce to run professional networking programs for women in small business
• $5.0 million to expand the Business Connect program to provide dedicated services to women-led small business
• $4.5 million for the Service NSW for Business program to provide targeted support for women-led small businesses.
•  
  Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this investment is another fantastic example of the NSW Government supporting women-led small businesses.
   
  “From Ballina to Braidwood and everywhere in between, this package empowers women to start and grow their businesses, because we know when women succeed, NSW succeeds,” Mrs Taylor said.
   
  Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the fee-free TAFE courses will give women in small business access to a wide range of online learning topics and webinars, which can be studied anywhere, any time.
   
  “The Women in Business TAFE program will provide women in every corner of NSW with access to fee-free online training on how to start or build a business,” Mr Henskens said. 
   
  “More than 15,000 women have already benefited from the program, and this investment will help support a pipeline of female-led start-ups to boost their budget and grow the economy.”
   
  Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said the Business Connect program will be expanded to provide dedicated services to women-led small businesses.
   
  “Since 2017, Business Connect has already helped more than 44,000 small businesses by providing them with personalised and tailored support to help them to start, adapt and grow their operations,” Ms Petinos said.
   
  “We’re expanding this program by providing a further $5 million over the next four years to women-led small businesses to upskill these leaders with the tools they want, whether it be marketing, social media, business planning, and digital literacy.”
   
  Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the Service NSW for Business program will provide targeted support for women-led small businesses.
   
  “The Budget is expanding the Service for Business program to provide further funding to female-run small businesses to make their business journey easier. This includes access to our Business Concierges, Online Information Hub and Business Profile Digital Platform,” Mr Dominello said.

Balancing work and life for families will become easier thanks to a $37.9 million investment in before and after school care services announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
The NSW Government is investing $16.2 million in transport grants to connect students to a service if one is not available nearby. The government will also ensure there are viable before and after school care options for families in areas with no current services through a $20.2 million package.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said accessing before and after school care services in regional NSW was crucial for parents juggling work and family commitments.
 
“Gone are the days of the 9 to 5, so this funding will be crucial to ensure parents in regional communities have access to more flexible childcare services,” Mr Toole said.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said this funding will support both parents balance work and family.
 
“We know that working families are impacted by a lack of before and after school care services, and that this often has a flow-on impact to parents participating in the workplace,” Mr Kean said.
 
“That’s why investments like these are so important to give parents more flexibility in their day.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this investment will support the NSW Government’s commitment to ensure that all parents with public primary school students have access to before and after school care if they need it.
 
“Great before and after school care services deliver an essential service to communities and young children, providing a safe place to play and socialize,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“This funding is in addition to the existing $235 million commitment to help support and grow the before and after school care sector to improve access and affordability for NSW families.”
 
The BASC package includes:

• More than $20 million to expand BASC provision in regional schools
• More than $16 million for grants to improve transport services to BASC services

A former NSW pharmacist has been sentenced to more than six years’ imprisonment for his role in conspiring to defraud taxpayers more than $19 million through falsely claiming benefits under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The former pharmacist was sentenced before the Sydney Downing Centre District Court (17 June 2022) to six years and four months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four years. In April 2021 a jury found the man guilty of conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth. He had been remanded in custody since that time.

The sentencing outcome shows the serious consequences of attempts by trusted health providers to defraud taxpayers.

This is the culmination of the strong collaboration between the Department of Health, the Australian Federal Police and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, using information received via the Department’s tip-off hotline.

The Department of Health takes allegations of fraud and non-compliance by health providers very seriously.

We recognise that the overwhelming majority of health providers are aware of and comply with their obligations to claim benefits honestly and correctly.

The Department has a strong health provider compliance program that protects the integrity of Australia’s health payments system through the prevention, identification and treatment of incorrect claiming and fraud.

Anyone with information about suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers can make a report via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs or by calling the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.

Today we embark on the greatest transformation of early education in a generation.
 
A long-term policy commitment that will change lives.
 
It will mean that, in the next 10 years, every child in Victoria and NSW will experience the benefits of a full year of play-based learning before their first year of school.
 
A year dedicated to growing and learning, new friends and new experiences. A year devoted to helping our kids be the very best they can be. Giving them the skills they need for school, but just as importantly, the skills they need for life.
 
At the same time, it will benefit hundreds of thousands of working families.
 
Helping more mums and dads return to work on terms that work for them.
 
Building a system that works for women, not against them.
 
It means a brighter future for our kids – and their families too.
 
And two great states working together to deliver it.
 
This won’t be a short-term fix, or a temporary solution.
 
Instead, it will take years of collaborative, hard work to get it right.
 
Really, it’s an investment in children, some of whom are yet to be born.
 
We begin today by planting the seeds, knowing the benefits won’t be known for years to come. But knowing they’ll be shared by everyone.
 
An investment in our children’s tomorrow. An investment in ours too.
 
And a commitment co-authored, because simply: our kids deserve nothing less.