Category: NSW News

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) NSW has condemned the NSW Government’s latest attack on the right to protest in the form of its Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 which was introduced in NSW Parliament with little notice last night.

“With penalties of up to two years in gaol or up to $22,000 in fines, this proposed legislation potentially criminalises and prohibits any protest that occurs without police approval on any major road in NSW,” NTEU NSW Secretary Dr Damien Cahill said. 

“Despite amendments passed by Labor, the Bill also potentially criminalises many activities that union members take as part of protected industrial action. 

“It is not just industrial action but other forms of protest such as around climate change that may be criminalised by this Bill. 

“The Bill diminishes civil and industrial liberties and should be opposed.

“People who are protesting and calling on governments to take more urgent action around climate change will be considered heroes by future generations. 

“It is reckless and disgraceful that the NSW Government is attempting to silence their voices.”

The 2022-23 Commonwealth Budget has delivered a raft of measures that will further assist NSW small businesses to rebound after two challenging years.
 
Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos said that measures outlined in the Federal Budget complement NSW Government initiatives already assisting the 800,000 small businesses across the state.
 
“The Federal Budget delivers strong incentives and measures to help NSW small businesses look to the future whilst navigating current challenges posed by the pandemic, floods and cost of living,” Ms Petinos said.
 
“NSW small businesses will benefit from measures to improve their cash flow, reduce red tape and provide greater convenience with reporting and meeting their tax obligations.
 
“Tax incentives to invest in skills, training, digital and cyber security will allow small businesses to adjust their operations to meet the modern business landscape.”
 
Measures announced by the Federal Treasurer that will assist NSW small businesses include:
 

• Additional tax deductions for digital uptake and training;
• Fuel excise cut by 50% saving 22.1 cents per litre;
• Lower tax instalments for pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and GST instalments for the 2022-23 income year;
• Changes to the PAYG system to improve small business cashflow;
• Improvements to the reporting of taxable payments;
• Allowing small and medium businesses who manufacture, import and distribute in the alcohol and fuel sectors to lodge and pay excise and excise-equivalent customs duty on a quarterly basis from 1 July 2023.

 
Further information can be found at budget.gov.au.

Treasurer Matt Kean welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s 2022-23 Budget, which delivers $2.6 billion for infrastructure projects across NSW, tax relief and measures to ease cost of living pressures to fuel the COVID-19 economic recovery.
 
“I congratulate Josh Frydenberg on a Budget that delivers vital infrastructure, tax and cost of living relief, and also important spends on preschools, aged care and domestic violence prevention,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This budget provides skilled training for in-demand industries, supports first home buyers and will help our state bounce back stronger than ever.
 
“NSW is helping drive the improvement in the Commonwealth Budget with our current record low unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent.
 
“This is a strong foundation to build upon as we continue to pursue the NSW Government’s priorities ahead of our State Budget in June.”
 
Key funding for NSW in tonight’s Federal Budget includes:

• $2.6 billion in additional funding for infrastructure over the four years to 2024-25. The Budget funds longer-term commitments including $1 billion to create a faster rail link between Sydney and Newcastle, $352 million for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass and $336 million for upgrades to the Pacific Highway at Wyong.
• More than $1 billion over the four years from 2021-22 for the flood recovery effort.
• Additional tax relief worth $420 for low-to-middle-income earners and $250 one-off payments for pensioners and welfare recipients.
• A share of $2.7 billion towards a temporary six-month cut to the fuel excise for immediate relief, saving motorists 22.1 cents per litre.
• $346.1 million over five years to extend the Paid Parental Leave scheme to 20 week

NSW Treasury is now examining the details of the Commonwealth Budget, which will feed into the NSW 2022-23 State Budget.

“As a state we will continue to partner with the Commonwealth to ensure NSW remains the lifeblood of the national economy, and continues to drive Australia forward through the pandemic,” Mr Kean said.

“We’ll also be looking for further opportunities help make people’s lives better, relieve cost of living pressures, and break down barriers to create a fairer society.”

The NSW Government has launched the Digital Individual Contractor Licence in the Service NSW app, allowing tradies to easily access their work licences and contractors and consumers to quickly check credentials.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said after a successful trial of more than 1400 tradies the Digital Contractor Licence was now available free across the State for individual Contractor Licence holders who wanted to go digital.

“This is about a smart NSW making it easier for people to do business across the State and for consumers looking to check a tradie,” Mr Dominello said.

“Security is baked in to the digital licence which includes an animated NSW Government logo, auto-refreshing date and time, QR code that expires and reloads, and a Waratah hologram.

“But for those who want to keep using their existing card that will always be an option.

“And we have heard loud and clear from tradies during the trial that they also want access to digital Qualified Supervisor and Tradesperson Certificates and we are planning to roll these out in late April.”

The Digital Contractor Licence is the second trade licence and credential to be digitised following the launch of the Digital White Card in April 2021, which has more than 185,000 people using it in the Service NSW app.

Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said the new licence app will strengthen consumer safeguards against prospective tradies.

“Digital contractor licences will make it convenient for consumers to assess the qualifications of a tradesman prior to entering into a contract,” Ms Petinos said.

“The Digital Contractor Licence is a quick and secure way for contractors to display their credentials on site and for consumers to check a licence when engaging a tradie.

“A digitised licence adds another layer of protection for consumers by allowing them to quickly check details such as name, date of issue and any conditions.

“This is a perfect case of a licensing regime keeping pace with modern technology, making it easier for tradies to do business while protecting consumers from dodgy scammers.”

Funded by the Department of Customer Service’s Digital Restart Fund, the NSW Government’s Licensing Program is working to digitise trade licences and create end-to-end licensing journeys with the aim of improving customer service, providing convenience and making compliance with legislation easier.

Customers can now add the Digital Contractor Licence in the Service NSW app, which is available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It is currently available for individual contractor licence holders only and they will need a MyServiceNSW account.

For more information, please visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au

Recovery Centres and assistance points continue to open their doors to flood-affected communities across NSW, with new facilities now operating in Cessnock, Nimbin, Ulladulla and Woodburn.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said Recovery Centres provide individuals, families, farmers and business owners easy access to a range of Government support, services and advice.
 
“We now have 14 Recovery Centres and assistance points in the Northern Rivers, four in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, three on the Central Coast, two on the South Coast, two in the Hunter region and one in the Southern Highlands,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Each Recovery Centre is operated by Resilience NSW staff and bring together a range of NSW Government agencies, community organisations and service providers under one roof.
 
“The trauma our flood-affected communities right across the State continue to suffer is immense. This is why we are doing everything possible to help residents kickstart their recovery journey.”
 
Recovery Centres and assistance points provide access to accommodation, lost document replacements, mental health and wellbeing services, business support, clean-up services, financial assistance, and insurance and legal support.
 
To view the opening hours of each Recovery Centre and assistance point, go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery-centres.
 
For those wanting to be assisted remotely, Service NSW is operating as an online one-stop shop, with Customer Care specialists also available on the phone via 13 77 88.

 
List of Recovery Centres and assistance points:

1. Ballina: Ballina Surf Club, Lighthouse Beach Parade, East Ballina;
2. Casino: Casino Community and Cultural Centre, 35 Walker Street, Casino;
3. Cessnock (assistance point): Wollombi Tennis Club, 2979 Paynes Crossing Road, Wollombi;
4. Chinderah (assistance point): Kingscliff Seventh Day Adventist Church, 85 Phillip Street, Chinderah;
5. Evans Head: Evans Head Recreation Hall, Kirkland Court, Evans Head;
6. Grafton: Old St George Bank, 32 Prince Street, Grafton;
7. Kyogle: Kyogle Memorial Institute, 131 Summerland Way, Kyogle;
8. Lismore: V Block, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore;
9. Londonderry (assistance point): Londonderry Community Hall, 360 Carrington Road, Londonderry;
10. Lower MacDonald (assistance point): St Albans School of Arts and Walmsley Road, Lower MacDonald;
11. Maclean (assistance point): Maclean Community Centre, 50A River Street, Maclean;
12. Mount Olive (assistance point): Mount Olive Community Centre, 135 Carrowbrook Road, Mount Olive;
13. Mullumbimby: Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall, 55 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby;
14. Murwillumbah: Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium, 10-14 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah;
15. Nimbin (assistance point): Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre, 81 Cullen Street, Nimbin;
16. Riverstone (assistance point): Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, 9 Park St, Riverstone;
17. Shoalhaven (assistance point): Kangaroo Valley Hall, Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley;
18. South Golden Beach (assistance point): South Golden Beach Hall Corner Helen St and, Pacific Esplanade, South Golden Beach;
19. South Windsor: South Windsor Family Centre, 6 Greenhills Way, South Windsor;
20. Spencer (assistance point): Spencer Community Hall, 4776 Wisemans Ferry Road, Spencer;
21. The Entrance (assistance point): Diggers at The Entrance, 315 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty;
22. Ulladulla (assistance point): Ulladulla Civic Centre, 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla;
23. Upper Main Arm (assistance point): Kohinur Hall, 1297 Main Arm Road, Upper Main Arm;
24. Upper Wilsons Creek (assistance point): Lilium Café, 10 Huonbrook Road, Upper Wilsons Creek;
25. Wingecaribee (assistance point): Moss Vale Civic Centre, 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale;
26. Wisemans Ferry: The Retreat, 5564 Old Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry; and
27. Woodburn (assistance point): Woodburn Op Shop, Corner of River and Cedar Streets, Woodburn.

Hundreds of people sleeping rough will be assisted into longer-term housing as part of the NSW Government’s $35.5 million partnership with the community housing sector.

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the Together Home Transition program will fund nine community housing providers (CHPs) to deliver 142 social housing, and eight affordable housing properties in 11 locations across the state.

“The $122.1 million Together Home program is a nation-leading initiative that has already assisted 728 people with housing needs and 870 with support services to help transform their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“This transition program will assist Together Home tenants into longer-term social housing with wrap around supports. It builds on the work we are doing to help people rebuild their lives.

“In partnership with the community housing sector, the Together Home Transition program will help more people break the cycle of homelessness for good.”

The NSW Government will provide $35.5 million and the contracted CHPs will co-contribute funds to deliver the 150 homes around the state.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said this was great news for the Central Coast.
This program is helping lift people out of homelessness and it’s creating local construction jobs at the same time,” Mr Crouch said.  

“East Gosford, Warnervale and Canton Beach are all getting new accommodation thanks to Together Home and this government’s continued investment in social housing.”

Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch said the three projects combined are worth more than $11.4 million, including the NSW Government’s $4.9 million Together Home Transition program co-contribution, and will deliver 25 properties, including 17 social housing units.

“Not only will this supply accommodation for people in need, but it will also provide a welcome boost for the local economy,” Mr Lynch said.

The Together Home program was first rolled out in July 2020 and will support over 1,054 people sleeping rough into stable housing.

The number of hospitality workers is being boosted to help NSW businesses struggling with staff shortages.

The Automatic Mutual Recognition initiative allows certified Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) staff from Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the ACT  to work in NSW without needing new credentials.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the hospitality sector is continuing to struggle with staff shortages post the COVID-19 pandemic, so creating a wider talent pool will help ease some pressure on the sector.

“The industry has experienced incredible hardship over the past two years and that’s why we need to do everything we can to support it and get businesses booming and the sector thriving once again,” Mr Anderson said.

“Previously, hospitality workers who wanted to temporarily work in NSW had to spend time and money getting additional RSA certification. This initiative makes it easier for RSA holders to get working as soon as they arrive,” Mr Anderson said.

The Automatic Mutual Recognition program is part of a new Federal Government program called JobPass, which aims to support and improve occupational mobility across Australia. 

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said this adds to the NSW Government’s recent funding of 10,000 fee-free RSA courses to get more workers into the sector.

“Whether you’re a school-leaver or looking for a career change, now is the perfect time to enter the dynamic NSW hospitality industry,” Mr Henskens said.

For more information go to: Making it easier for registered professionals to work interstate | NSW Government.

Today the Federal Executive of the Liberal Party resolved unanimously to intervene and appoint a Committee to take over the management of the NSW Division, in accordance with clause 12.3 of the Federal Constitution of the Liberal Party.

The term of the appointment of the Committee commenced immediately upon the passing of this resolution and ends at 6.00pm on Saturday 2 April 2022.

The intervention ground is based on the circumstance that decisions have not been made in relation to the endorsement of candidates where there is one or more nomination from candidates, namely in the seats of Eden-Monaro, Fowler, Grayndler, Greenway, Hughes, McMahon, Newcastle, Parramatta and Warringah.

The Committee may select and endorse a candidate for each of these seats.

The Committee shall be comprised of Mrs Christine McDiven, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Dominic Perrottet.

The Western Sydney Aerotropolis is set for take-off after the NSW Government today released the final Precinct Plan which will support more than 100,000 jobs and 11,400 new homes.
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the finalised plans give the community, investors and developers the certainty they need to plan for the future.
 
“The final Precinct Plan will enable the development process to begin in the Aerotropolis, and kick start the benefits and opportunities that a new international airport will bring to Western Sydney,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“The finalisation of the plan for the initial precincts lays the foundation for the transformation of 6,500 hectares of land, with new homes, jobs and open spaces, supported by the right infrastructure.”
 
The package released today includes finalised plans for the Aerotropolis Core, Badgerys Creek, Northern Gateway, Agribusiness and Wianamata-South Creek precincts following extensive consultation.
 
Mr Roberts said developer contributions under the special infrastructure contribution framework will fund up to $1.1 billion in infrastructure like roads, public transport, health facilities and schools, to support the new city.
 
“The Aerotropolis will be our newest, thriving commercial city to rival the world’s greatest, that’s why we took time to get the planning right, setting us up for success over the decades to come, ” he said.
 
“We’ve listened to the community and the Independent Community Commissioner, and finalised these plans in line with their feedback.”
 
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the feedback from the community has created a better balanced Aerotropolis plan, that will create more jobs closer to where people live.
 
“This is a once-in-a generation opportunity to deliver a thriving new city for Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“Infrastructure investment in the airport, roads and the new Metro will make the Aerotropolis one of the best-connected areas in the country, making the Western Parkland City the best place to live, work and invest in for generations to come.
 
“The revised Open Space Network will ensure more than 95 per cent of homes in the future Aerotropolis are located within 400 metres, or five minutes walk of open space.”
 
For more information and to view the final plans visit:
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/aerotropolis

The NSW Government will immediately put in place tougher regulations to crack down on illegal protests disrupting Greater Sydney.
 
The Roads Amendment (Major Bridges and Tunnels) Regulation 2022 will be made to make it an offence to disrupt any bridge or tunnel across Greater Sydney. The regulation is made under s144G of the Roads Act 1993, but currently only applies to disruption on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
 
The NSW Government will then bring legislation to Parliament to expand s144G beyond bridges and tunnels to roads and industrial and transport facilities more generally.
 
Section 144G carries a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units ($22,000) or imprisonment for two years, or both.
 
Acting Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said these measures were critical to deter future illegal protests across Sydney. 
 
“The penalties currently in place have clearly not deterred protestors who continue to block roads across Sydney, disrupting transport networks, freight chains, production lines and everyday commuters getting to work or to school – and it can’t keep happening,” Mr Toole said.
 
“Unauthorised protests have no place in our State, and these tighter laws and tougher penalties we’re introducing prove we have zero tolerance for this selfish, disruptive and unruly behaviour.”
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said it was essential to quickly expand the existing regime.
 
“Following the events of recent days, I worked with Minister Ward to urgently review existing laws. We are strengthening them to deter mayhem being inflicted upon ordinary citizens,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the change to the regulation will ensure there are severe penalties for future protestors looking to block bridges and tunnels across Greater Sydney.
 
“Protestors who stop daily commuters getting to work in the morning and home in the afternoon put themselves and drivers at risk and have no place on NSW roads,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Under these changes, protestors who block major routes including the Spit Bridge and the Western Distributor will now face harsher penalties, aligned to the disruption they create across the road network.”