Category: NSW News

Labor is calling for toll signs to be installed to inform motorists of how much they will pay and how much time they will save, when using a specific toll road.

The proposal comes ahead of another hearing of a parliamentary inquiry into the NSW Government’s tolling regime.
 
NSW Labor is prepared to introduce legislation that would require the installation of signs at toll tunnel entrances – known as decision point signage.
 
The practice of decision point signage would allow motorists to make an informed decision on whether they actually need to use the tolled road.
 
A trial of decision point signage has been conducted on Melbourne’s Citilink toll road. Those electronic signs feature travel times, but the Opposition would like to see the signs include toll prices as drivers approach toll road entrances. 
 
Tolling company Transurban in its submission to the Parliamentary Toll inquiry indicated it was open to introducing decision point signage to NSW toll roads, saying “Transurban would be open to a discussion with NSW Government to adopt a similar approach in NSW to provide customers with more data to inform their travel choices when using the motorway network.”
 
The Melbourne trial was well received by drivers according to Transurban customer feedback, which found “almost 70 per cent of people said they would use the sign to inform future travel choices, and about 40 per cent said the signs helped inform their travel choice on the spot.”
 
Labor MLCs will pursue the matter in its questioning at the tolls inquiry hearing on Monday.
 
The NSW Government’s revenue from tolls have surged as drivers are taking one million toll trips a day. Drivers are paying more than $2 billion a year in tolls – with Western Sydney household budgets impacted the hardest.
 
NSW Labor is calling on the NSW Government to support the introduction of decision point signage.
 
Chris Minns said:
 
“This is a common sense measure which helps drivers. 
 
“This should have happened earlier, as Sydney becomes the most tolled city in the world. We are calling on the Government to put these signs in place now.
 
“This is about being honest with drivers. We want to be upfront about the costs and travel time savings of toll roads, so that people can make the right choice for them.”
 
John Graham said:
 
“If you go shopping at any store in the city, the price of the goods will be displayed on a sticker. We believe the same should apply to toll roads.
 
“Toll prices change so often. This is one way drivers could make an informed choice about how they travel around Sydney.
 
“I know the Government would prefer to keep toll prices a state secret, but we think it is time to be honest about the costs, along with the benefits.”

The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet’s secret new toll has been exposed after confidential documents reveal that his new Western Harbour Tunnel is only viable with new tolls.

The NSW Opposition is calling on the NSW Government to come clean about whether they will put yet another brand new toll on existing the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, along with the Western Harbour Tunnel.
 
Current tolls on the existing harbour crossings are due to expire this year, but revelations today show the NSW government’s planned Western Harbour Tunnel is not financially viable without slapping new tolls with huge yearly increases into both the new road and the existing Harbour Bridge and Tunnel.
 
Documents reveal the assessment that the planned Western Harbour Tunnel “is not financially viable on its own, the additional value from the harbour crossings is not adequate to fund the project unless there is a material increase in toll prices with future escalation.”
 
Road users in NSW have consistently been slugged with 4 per cent annual toll increases – more than double the long term inflation rate – under the NSW Liberals.
 
In almost all the cases, toll revenue goes straight into the hands of private toll road owners, while drivers are forced to pay some of the highest tolls in the world.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:
 
“With Dominic Perrottet all roads seem to lead to higher tolls.”
 
“The government needs to come clean on whether they plan to put yet another toll road, this time on the new harbour crossing.”
 
“Sydney is already the highest tolled city on the face of the earth.” 
 
“Cost of living pressures are already at record highs and getting worse every day. The NSW Government has to stop signing up Sydney motorists to 4 per cent toll increases.”
 
Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham said:
 
“Questions are mounting on the government’s approach to tolling.”
 
“Harbour tunnel toll arrangements expire in August this year, but the public has no idea what is proposed. It seems the Government has no idea either.”
 
“The one thing we can guarantee with Dominic Perrottet, is it will lead to higher tolls.”

A new report to be released by the McKell Institute has highlighted the need to close the gap on infrastructure inequality that disproportionately affects Western Sydney.

The report titled “Funding the infrastructure of tomorrow” shows how lack of access to infrastructure exacerbates social inequalities and disadvantage.
 
Western Sydney is the fastest growing population centre in New South Wales – it’s the third largest economy in Australia behind the Sydney CBD and Melbourne.
 
But it has serious challenges – it’s lagging in infrastructure, jobs and there are major pockets of disadvantage.

For too long the NSW Government has ignored Western Sydney’s infrastructure challenges.
 
Alarmingly, the report notes that “Of the 33 Sydney Local Government Areas (LGAs), the third with the best access to public transport are all in the East or North districts as determined by the Greater Sydney Commission. Meanwhile all eight Western Sydney LGAs are located in the bottom third.”
 
What this report shows is the Government cannot continue to ignore the west when it comes to building the infrastructure to keep pace with areas of growth.
 
Parramatta’s population is set to increase by 140,000, Camden by 180,000, Liverpool by 190,000 and Blacktown by 201,000, over the next two decades.
Combined, there will be more growth – over 1.1 million people – in the suburbs of Blacktown, Liverpool, Camden, Parramatta, Penrith, Canterbury Bankstown, Cumberland, and Campbelltown – than across the rest of New South Wales combined.

Meanwhile over the same period, Northern Beaches will grow by just 27,000 and Mosman by just 999 people over the same period – and yet the NSW Government is still committed to building the Northern Beaches link – a $10 billion project, with a business case that barely stacks up.
 
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:
 
“The NSW Government’s priorities are all wrong.
 
“Economic growth is being generated in the west, but this Government is spending it in the east.
 
“This isn’t rocket science – where there is growth we need the infrastructure to keep up, and what we know for sure is the growth over the next few decades will be in Western Sydney – not in the east.
 
“And it’s not just infrastructure in the traditional sense – we need schools, hospitals, libraries, parks, roads and public transport links to open up economic, job and social opportunities.
 
“It’s why Labor will scrap the Northern Beaches Link – a $10 billion project with limited wider economic benefits.
 
“Instead, a Minns Labor Government will direct infrastructure spending to where it is more needed – out west.
 
“This Government just wants to push hundreds of thousands of people into Western Sydney without any infrastructure to match – it’s time the west gets its fair share”.

Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“The people of Western Sydney have it the hardest when it comes to access to public transport services, and when they finally get to their bus stop or train station there are fewer trains and buses available to them and their families.”
 
“Families in the west deserve a real and reliable alternative to paying tolls that go up by 4 per cent every year in what is now the most tolled city in the world.”
 
“The Liberals have been in Government for eleven years, but in that time they’ve only delivered one genuinely new public transport service for the people of Greater Western Sydney.”
 
“Instead of building another toll road that Sydney doesn’t need, Labor will focus on delivering public transport services in the rapidly growing suburbs of Western Sydney where they are needed the most.”

Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Greg Warren said:

“The priorities of the NSW Government are all wrong when it comes to transport and western Sydney.”
 
“The Government is projecting major population growth for western Sydney without the infrastructure or public transport investment to match.”
 
“That is why NSW Labor will prioritise new infrastructure in Western Sydney over building the Northern Beaches link.”

NSW Labor is today calling for the establishment of a significant memorial in Sydney to honour all those who served in the Middle East campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan.

We know the challenges that Australian veterans from these recent conflicts face.
 
Each conflict has its unique set of circumstances and controversy, but that in no way lessens the strength of feeling and support that Australians have for those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
NSW Labor is also calling for bipartisan support for a national war cemetery in Sydney or New South Wales. This was first proposed by the NSW Government last year. Both Federal and NSW Labor support the proposal in principle.
 
Successive Federal Governments have done tremendous work in honouring the sacrifice of Australian service men and women where they fell in foreign theatres of war.
 
It is time for that same focus to be concentrated in Australia with the scoping, funding and construction of a national war cemetery in New South Wales.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:
 
“Anything we can do to support our veterans and respect their service is a good thing.”
 
“Across Australia memorials have been erected dedicated to remembering the sacrifice of Australian soldiers, nurses, personnel and those who have died in war, as well as the men and women who have served for our country.
 
“It is time that NSW has a significant memorial for the recent Middle East conflicts too.”
 
‘We support the work of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the Shadow Minister for Veterans, Greg Warren has made a submission to this inquiry on behalf of the NSW Opposition.”
 
Greg Warren MP, Shadow Minister for Veterans said:
 
‘Whilst Australia has withdrawn from Afghanistan, some soldiers will not return, and many who did will carry the scars of that war for the remainder of their lives.
 
‘We call on the Liberal National Government to stand with us in a bipartisan way to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought and served in Australia’s most recent war.
 

They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.

A scathing government review into NSW’s child protection services has found that Aboriginal children remain over represented in care, workers are under resourced and overstressed, and urgent reforms remain unimplemented.

In 2019 the Davis Review found the NSW child protection system is overly complex and difficult to navigate for Aboriginal children and families. It called for signifiant reform, in particular the introduction of Aboriginal Case Management Policy (ACMP) which aims to support Aboriginal people and communities to make decisions about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of their children, families, and communities.

The recent Office of the Children’s Guardian’s special report found that the Davis Review-driven reform, particularly ACMP, requires urgent action and an injection of funding and resources to support a more effective implementation approach.

“A generation of Aboriginal children are currently being lost in a system that needs proper investment and reform – but the latest report says that’s not happening,” said Troy Wright, assistant secretary of the Public Service Association.

“The Office of the Children’s Guardian’s special report is utterly disheartening reading and confirms exactly what our members are constantly telling us – there aren’t the people to meet the needs of the community.”

On 30 June 2021, 43% (6,829) of the children and young people in out-of-home care in NSW were Aboriginal, an increase from 41.4% (6,688) from the year earlier. (NSW Budget Estimates 2020-21).

“Nationally, NSW accounts for a third of all Aboriginal children in care. They are over represented in our child protection system and it is a crisis.

“Yet despite this we know caseworkers are only seeing a third (29%) of kids at risk of serious harm. We need 1,000 more case workers to meet demand.”

The union is calling for the urgent hiring of 1000 further case workers to deliver relief to the existing workforce already suffering extreme burnout, and to assist with better delivering the overdue reforms.

“The only responsible way to improve the child protection and out-of-home care system is resourced recruitment, training, and retention of and properly supported foster carers and case workers through a publicly-funded system.

“Of course it’s not just child protection that has been cut to shreds. Services we know help people rebuild their lives – like drug rehabilitation facilities and domestic violence shelters – have also been stripped of funding.

“Many child protection services have effectively been privatised – with out-of-home care foster placements undertaken through external providers. The total reliance on this sector for service delivery has led to price gouging, cherry picking of clients, and a lack of accountability.

“We want social workers and case workers working with families who need help, not negotiating contracts with unaccountable, untransparent private providers.”

A multi-million upgrade to RSPCA NSW Adoption and Education Centre in Western Sydney has been opened today by Premier Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman, and RSPCA CEO Steve Coleman.
 
The new state-of-the-art Sydney Adoption and Education Centre has been jointly funded by the NSW Government and RSPCA NSW’s community of animal lovers, with the State Government investing $12 million in the upgrade to transform the shelter for animals and expand the organisation’s capacity.
 
Mr Perrottet, the RSPCA NSW Patron, said the investment from the NSW Government demonstrated its ongoing commitment to animal welfare.
 
“This is the largest animal shelter in NSW, and it’s been helping families find their forever pets for more than 40 years,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“The NSW Government is very proud to support the great work being done by RSPCA NSW, and I congratulate CEO Steve Coleman and his team for creating a centre that will continue to strengthen animal welfare standards, following the changes to the law last year meaning NSW now has the strongest suites of penalties for animal welfare in Australia.
 
“The upgraded facilities at Yagoona will also help them continue their wonderful work caring for animals in need and enable even more families to discover the joy of adopting a pet.”
 
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the new Education Centre will host veterinary, staff and volunteer training, community events, and school education programs that will benefit future generations by educating them on animal welfare.
 
“Animals are such an important part of our lives, and each year RSPCA NSW manages the veterinary treatment, care, rehabilitation and rehoming of almost 45,000 cats, dogs, horses, livestock and other animals,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
 
“Our investment in the shelter also supported local jobs, utilising locally made prefabricated concrete”
 
RSPCA NSW CEO Mr Steve Coleman said that this would not have been possible without the NSW Government and thanked them for their ongoing support.
 
“It’s an honour to have the Premier here today opening the centre which is central to our mission, providing a place of refuge for animal and animal lovers alike,” Mr Coleman said.
 
“The Premier first took an interest when he was Treasurer and ensured funding for animal welfare was a priority. This modern facility is the outcome of hard work by our donors and the State Government.
 
“Thanks to the support of the NSW Government and the community, we continue to deliver the largest animal welfare enforcement unit in Australia, with a team of inspectors dedicated to investigating instances of animal cruelty across NSW, responding to over 15,000 cruelty complaints per year.”
 
The $29 million upgrade will assist RSPCA NSW in continuing to prioritise the physical and emotional wellbeing of their animals, with state-of-the-art innovations including acoustic-controlled kennels, hydronic underfloor heating, and environmental enrichment mechanisms in the design.
 
Animal lovers, neighbours, friends, families, the community at large are welcome to visit RSPCA NSW, meet the animals, adopt or foster care, volunteer, donate, and be a part of creating a better future. For more information visit www.rspcansw.org.au

Thousands of students have returned from the Easter holidays to benefit from a $376.1 million investment in school infrastructure, with five new or upgraded public schools opening their doors today.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell officially opened two of the new schools – the relocated Meadowbank Public School and Marsden High School – in the Meadowbank Education and Employment precinct.
 
Mr Perrottet said the new precinct is an incredible asset for the entire Ryde community and a flagship for public education in NSW.
 
“This site offers an exciting future for thousands of students, with first-class facilities that can take them from kindergarten to tertiary education at the one location,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This is a result of our historic $15 billion school infrastructure pipeline of projects, which is more than any other government has ever spent building and upgrading schools, to give our kids the best start in life.”
 
Ms Mitchell said the new facilities are mind blowing and showcase student centred learning by housing primary, secondary and tertiary education on the one site.
 
“Already this year the NSW Government has delivered an investment of more than $690 million in school facilities with 12 school communities enjoying brand new teaching and learning spaces,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“This means we have more than 350 new classrooms, new halls and libraries benefitting more than 10,000 students.
 
This government has now delivered 125 new and upgraded schools since 2019, and there are more to come.”
 
Major upgrades to Fairvale High School and Greystanes Public School, as well as a new multipurpose hall at Jamison High School have also been launched today.
 
The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW.
 
Term 1 2022  ($319.1 million)
Alexandria Park Community School
Croydon Public School
Dapto Public School
Kyeemagh Public School
Lake Cathie Public School
Passfield Park School
Porters Creek Public School
 
Term 2 2021 ($376.1 million)
Fairvale High School
Greystanes Public School
Jamison High School
Two schools at Meadowbank Education & Employment Precinct

The Independent Education Union of Australia expresses its full support for the NSW Teachers Federation and its members who are taking industrial action on Wednesday 4 May. The IEU also supports the Federation’s bans on implementing new government policies.

“It’s time for meaningful action now,” said IEUA NSW/ACT Secretary Mark Northam.

The IEUA NSW/ACT Branch represents more than 32,000 teachers, principals and support staff in non-government schools as well as early childhood teachers.

“Teachers and support staff across the government and non-government sectors are dedicated professionals who have been pushed to breaking point,” Northam said. “The sharply rising cost of living, lack of real wages growth, ever-increasing workloads and global pandemic have led to crippling staff shortages. Our members are exhausted and burnt out.”

The IEU is in the process of negotiating new enterprise agreements for its 18,000 members in Catholic diocesan schools. The union’s campaign, Hear Our Voice, calls on employers to:

·       Pay teachers what they’re worth (an increase of 10% to 15% over two years)

·       Give support staff a fair deal (pay parity with colleagues in public sector schools)

·       Let teachers teach – cut paperwork

·       Allow time to plan

·       End staff shortages.

To take industrial action, the IEU is bound by federal legislation requiring a formal, complex and time-consuming balloting of its members in Catholic diocesan schools. But this process is well under way.

“The union has obtained a Protected Action Ballot Order in the Fair Work Commission to enable balloting of members,” Northam said. “This will proceed during May and, pending its outcome, will authorise similar industrial action in late May.”

“We urge employers to Hear Our Voice,” Northam said. “It’s time for a fair deal for teachers and support staff – it’s the only way to attract and retain the right people to fix the critical shortages and guarantee teaching and learning for our students now and into the future.”

IEUA NSW/ACT Branch President Chris Wilkinson said: “For too long the needs of teachers and support staff have been ignored, and now increasing workloads, growing class sizes, lack of casual staff and constant data collection requirements have hit crisis point. School staff deserve pay and conditions that reflect the complex work they do each and every day.

“We stand with our colleagues in the NSW Teachers Federation. We all need our voices to be heard.”

It was a historic moment on the final day of the 2022 National Netball Championships in Hobart, as New South Wales went two for two in heart stopping gold medal matches.

Kickstarting the day’s gold medal matches, New South Wales and Victoria met for their chance to be crowned as winners of the 17/U division. Victoria were first out of the gates, taking the first centre pass and score of the game. The Victorians seemed in control of their grand final nerves as they tested New South Wales’ game play.

New South Wales managed their first goal of the game, with goaler and captain Monika Otai getting her team on the scoreboard. This ignited New South Wales’ fire as they took the next three goals of the quarter. Victoria reacted quickly, determined to shut down any advance from their opponents.

Gutsy Victorian wing defender Montaya Sardi was dominant around the defensive circle, collecting multiple intercepts. The end of the first quarter saw Victoria maintain their momentum as they led New South Wales, 10 to 9 goals.

The intensity only grew as both teams fought tooth and nail in a tight second quarter. New South Wales fielded the first goal, but Victoria immediately answered with another. Both teams went goal for goal, giving rise to a 19-goal tie at half time.

The roars of a passionate crowd filled the stadium as New South Wales and Victoria continued to battle it out for gold. New South Wales applied some fantastic ball movement and unrelenting defensive pressure to get ahead of Victoria. Dynamic defenders Frederika Schniedeman and Eugenie Little stayed hungry for the win, managing many valuable turn overs. This valiant team effort allowed New South Wales to move in front by three-quarter time, leading 30 to 26 goals.

With only ten minutes left to secure the match, both teams utilised every moment of the final quarter. It was New South Wales who kept control of the game, dominating in both attack and defence. This unsettled the Victorians, as they lost multiple possessions due to inaccurate passing and rushed plays.

Quickly regaining their composure, Victoria managed to remain firmly in the fight for gold with a last-minute surge. Victorian team captain, Mia van Wyk led her team in what was an exhilarating final quarter effort. This was not enough to stop New South Wales, as they charged home to a 38 to 35 goal victory, confirming them as the winners of the 17/U gold medal match.

New South Wales 17/U head coach, Amber Cross, commended her team’s relentless efforts across each quarter.

‘There is a real belief in this team of girls, a belief in each other and their ability to win in any situation,’ Cross said, also highlighting the significance of the win, as the last time New South Wales won the 17/U championship was over ten years ago.

New South Wales dynamo Grace Whyte took out the MVP award for the 17/U gold medal match after a stellar grand final performance. Whyte said she could not have done it without her teammates.

‘It means so much to win after all the hard work we have done,’ Whyte said.

In a 2019 rematch, New South Wales and South Australia got off to a shaky start in the 19/U gold medal final. Neither team was able to capitalise on their possessions in the early minutes of the game, despite some determined passages of play.

South Australia broke the New South Wales centre pass to take the first score of the game. The contest remained tight, as both teams forced each other to reset plays across the court. South Australian goalers Poppy Gilfillan-Silk and Kayla Graham showed their incredible shooting ability to help their team take the lead at the end of the first quarter, 6 to 4 goals.

Scores remained low throughout the second quarter, as both teams gave and received unrelenting pressure. There were several clever intercepts from both teams, but these were counteracted by rushed decisions and inaccurate passes. New South Wales goaler Millie Roach was a reliable target in the goal circle as she attempted to lift her team’s position. Scores remained close as the game reached half time, with South Australia maintaining an 11 to 9 goal lead.

Regrouped and ready to take on the game, New South Wales put in a courageous third-quarter effort. Early on, mid-court powerhouse Audrey Little managed two back-to-back intercepts to help her team claw their way back. This fighting spirit from New South Wales put them in front at three-quarter time, 18 to 15 goals.

As the final quarter of the gold medal match ensued, both teams locked horns in a final bid for the win. The intensity soared as neither team took their foot off the gas in all areas of play. South Australia took three consecutive goals to close the gap with New South Wales.

Several strong rebounds from South Australian goal keeper Jessie Grenvold gave her team a much-needed final quarter surge. It was New South Wales who managed to fend off an unrelenting South Australian side, sealing the win, 26 to 24 goals.

New South Wales 19/U head coach Jennifer Wright said it was relieving to take the win after a massive week of competition.

“I am thrilled that the girls were able to get it over the line today,” Wright said.

“Their composure and trust in one another was really the deciding factor.”

The MVP award for the 19/U gold medal match went to New South Wales team captain and NSW Swifts Training Partner Audrey Little, whose dynamic cross-court abilities were unmatchable.

Little credited her MVP win as a team effort saying, “it is obviously such a privilege, but I would be nothing without the girls”.

Earlier in the day, Queensland defeated South Australia in the 17/U bronze medal match, 34 to 24 goals. Western Australia proved too strong for Tasmania, taking fifth position overall after a 31 to 23 goals win. The ACT beat the Northern Territory, 39 to 21 goals, to secure seventh place.

In the 19/U bronze medal match, Victoria came out on top against Western Australia, winning 40 to 34 goals. Fighting it out for fifth place, Queensland defeated Tasmania, 40 to 23 goals. The ACT managed to overcome the Northern Territory, 33 to 26 goals, to finish in seventh place.