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Motorists in some of the most car-reliant parts of NSW, including western Sydney and the Central Coast, are benefiting most from the first year of the NSW Government’s demerit point return trial that rewards safe driving.

Data broken down by local government area (LGA) shows the Central Coast was the single biggest beneficiary, with 54,971 drivers having a demerit point removed from their licence.

Overall, more than 1.2 million drivers qualified for the demerit point reward for maintaining a spotless record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024.

Five of the top 10 LGAs were in Sydney’s west where workers and families rely heavily on their cars compared to other parts of the city served by established public transport alternatives.

The LGAs of Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Liverpool, Parramatta, The Hills, Penrith and Fairfield, have received a total of 290,287 demerit points wiped.

Western Sydney has a disproportionately higher number of people who rely on a driver’s licence for their livelihood, including taxi, rideshare and delivery drivers.

LGA	Number of drivers who received a demerit point wiped
Central Coast	54971
Blacktown	52511
Canterbury-Bankstown	49258
Northern Beaches	46529
Sutherland	36460
Cumberland	35539
Liverpool	35233
Lake Macquarie	33815
Wollongong	31937
The Hills	31526

Northern Beaches motorists have qualified for 46,529 points back, while Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Sutherland each have more than 30,000 motorists rewarded.

Outside the larger centres, the demerit trial has been just as enthusiastically embraced, with almost 1400 people getting the reward in Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina and Broken Hill combined.

The demerit return trial has been extended for a second year as the NSW Government continues to sharpen its focus on road safety in 2024 amid a rising road toll across Australia. Other measures include:

• removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• the introduction of seatbelt enforcement by existing mobile phone detection cameras from July 1
• doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same
• hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts.

The NSW Government draws on industry innovation to improve road safety, including world-first mobile phone detection cameras that from 1 July will begin enforcing the use of seatbelts.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The reward of a demerit point removed is most valuable in areas where people depend on their car to get to work and to get their families around like in western Sydney, the Central Coast and our regional areas.

“If you drive for a living then the reward for safe driving could be the difference between ongoing employment and losing your livelihood.

“People are used to the stick of enforcement and double demerits but this is the carrot of reward for good behaviour.

“Every demerit point wiped from a licence under this trial is the result of a full 12 months of safe driving by a motorist on NSW roads.

“This is what we need at a time when fatalities on our roads have been rising just as they are in all other states and territories.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Many people in regional NSW depend on driving for their livelihood or just to get around and often do not have public transport options at all.

“The reward of a demerit point being removed will be meaningful to those people.

“This trial is unapologetically about encouraging safer driving and that’s exactly what we need in the regions where we have a third of the state’s population but more than two-thirds of all road fatalities.

“It’s good to see thousands of drivers from Albury to the Tweed, to Broken Hill and everywhere in between is being rewarded for their safe driving.”

The NSW Government will host a social media summit to address the increasing harm online platforms are having on children and young people.

Scheduled for October 2024, the summit will bring together senior officials, policy makers, academics, as well as representatives from other jurisdictions, leading social media platforms and digital technologies.

The summit will aim to examine the latest evidence and develop a response to growing community concern about the mental health impacts of social media, especially for young kids.

The NSW Government recognises that social media platforms provide benefits through increased access to social connection, however there is also a significant body of evidence detailing negative impacts on young people.

A study found that adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety._¹

Young people also have significant safety concerns in the online environment relating to contact from unknown people, privacy issues, cyberbullying, and security:

• 31% of 16 to 19-year-old Australians report being victims of image-based sexual abuse²
• Around 66% of young Australians expect to encounter privacy or security issues³ and 
• 85% think it’s likely they will have negative interactions with strangers.⁴ 

The summit will provide an opportunity for the NSW Government to hear from a wide range of experts and importantly, from young people to understand what can be done to support safety and wellbeing.

NSW community members will be invited to add their voice to the conversation on social media through the Have Your Say platform in the lead up to the summit.

The NSW Government will collectively use the findings to inform any regulatory and legislative changes.

The summit is one of many measures the NSW Government is putting in place to minimise the negative impacts of social media and devices on young people including:

• A mobile phone ban in all NSW public schools implemented in October 2023
• A $2.5 million research fund to investigate the impacts of excessive screen time, video games and mobile phone use on young people and their learning
• Recruiting 250 additional school counsellors as part of the NSW Labor Government’s election commitment to student wellbeing
• A review into evidenced-based practice and school policy which can address school student’s online behaviour, led by NSW Chief Behaviour Advisor Professor Donna Cross.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I know the biggest issue facing parents is kids access and exposure to devices and social media – it’s certainly a conversation happening in my own household.

“I hear from parents all the time – they are worried about their kids seeing something they can’t unsee, online bullying, online predators, and the general increase in anxiety about what other friends say, do and show on their on social media.

“I’m convinced we need more conversations and solutions for parents, schools and communities about how to manage this. This summit will bring together experts and parents alike to talk about what more we can do to protect the wellbeing of our children.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Young people are accessing social media earlier and earlier, which is why it is vital we facilitate a discussion about what is the best path forward.

“Many families are concerned about the impact social media has on their children – whether that be on their schooling, or their mental health.

“Banning mobile phones in public schools has been a positive start for NSW and it’s important we also look at the broader impact of social media.”

Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:

“It’s critical that young people are part of shaping the social media conversation in NSW – from what they love about it, to what isn’t working.

“We know young people are prolific on social media – these channels are important to platform ideas and build communities. In turn, issues such as body image, increased anxiety and bullying are common themes young people are exposed to.

“There is substantial evidence that social media harms young people’s mental health and safety. It is our job to step up to help protect young people. We will collaborate with the next generation to help strike a better balance and to ensure the views of young people are included in these important reforms.”

References:

1. Riehm, K, Feder, K and Tormohlen, K 2019, ‘Associations between time spent using social media and internalizing and externalizing problems among US youth‘, JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 76, no. 12, pp.1217-1319.
2. Australian Institute of Criminology 2019, ‘Image-based sexual abuse: Victims and perpetrators‘, Trends & issues in criminal justice, No. 572 March 2019.
3. Moody, L, Marsden, L, Nguyen, B & Third, A 2021, ‘Consultations with young people to inform the eSafety Commissioner’s Engagement Strategy for Young People‘, Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University: Sydney.
4. Ibid

More than 670 vulnerable children were supported in safe homes following the NSW Government’s drive to increase the number of emergency foster carers across the state.

Emergency foster carers provide a safe environment for a child or sibling group at short notice and mean fewer children end up in hotels and motels.

Many emergency foster carers go on to become long term carers for children who cannot live safely with their own families.

The Liberal National government stopped recruiting foster carers 10 years ago, increasingly relying on non-government organisations to place children with foster families.

Since then, thousands of children have been placed in high-cost emergency arrangements (HCEAs), including hotels, motels and caravan parks because foster care placements could not be found.

The NSW Labor Government is determined to reduce the number of children going into these arrangements.

HCEAs, first introduced under the former government, can cost upwards of $2 million a year for each child, costing taxpayers more than $38,000 a week.

Over the past 12 months, the government has been taking urgent action to address the issue through targeted foster care recruitment campaigns.

This has resulted in the recruitment of 189 emergency foster care households, with another 145 carer households going through the eligibility process.

Already, this has seen 674 children placed in stable, loving homes instead of HCEAs, like hotels, motels and caravan parks.

Additionally, the NSW Labor government established an urgent review of the foster care system following a damning report that details the first-hand experiences of the state’s most vulnerable young people in HCEAs. It is expected to report back by the end of the year.

Get more information about becoming an emergency foster carer by emailing DCJ at fosteringwithdcj@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“I’m grateful to everyone who’s responded to our campaign by becoming emergency foster carers and changing children’s lives.

“I encourage people who want to help vulnerable children to become a foster carer – the lifelong impact is immeasurable.

“Foster carers can come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. They can be single or partnered, young or old, in or out of the workforce.

“As an emergency foster carer, you can look after a child in need for a couple of days, a couple of weeks or a couple of months.

“It’s so important that the community knows that there are options when it comes to foster caring and that they can be part of the solution by providing stable, loving homes to vulnerable kids.”

The NSW Labor Government has delivered a wages offer to recruit, reward and retain essential workers, with a 10.5% increase that outpaces forecast inflation, along with a cost-of-living supplement.

More than 400,000 employees would benefit from the offer to public sector workers.

It includes:

• a 10.5% pay increase over 3 years (inclusive of superannuation)
• annual $1000 ‘cost-of-living’ protection payment if inflation exceeds 4.5% in that year
• a collaborative approach to bargaining, which includes negotiating productivity gains, and the right to have the independent umpire assess and determine union and department claims.

This landmark proposal meets or is higher than public sector wage offers currently available in other states, and gives certainty to public sector workers and their families across NSW for the first time in more than a decade.

It was budgeted for in 2023 as part of the Essential Services Fund.

It is the next major step in upholding Labor’s election promise to fairly pay essential workers, including hospital staff, school staff and all other public sector employees.

This consistent approach to baseline wage increases, across the sector, will allow negotiations between Government agencies and unions to focus on identifying productivity reforms and offsets in exchange for further pay increases. This will further strengthen services for the people of NSW.

Crucially, unions and agencies can now sit down to find these mutually-agreed improvements during the life of an agreement – something unavailable under the former government.

The NSW Labor Government has now delivered on its election mandate to scrap the unfair wages cap, to build a new bargaining stream for genuine negotiation with frontline workers, and to provide recourse to an independent Industrial Relations Commission.

The offer delivers wages growth that would beat projected increases in the cost-of-living over the next 3 financial years, as measured by the Sydney Consumer Price Index.

The cost-of-living payment is unavailable to senior executives – whose salaries, along with those of members of parliament, remain frozen.

The offer includes a 0.5% structural adjustment pay rise that is not available to those who have recently entered into work value agreements.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is about giving certainty for hard working families across NSW, with a 3-year offer to see pay and conditions improve.

“It creates a new, fair framework that can deliver a better outcome for everyone.”

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“We said we would scrap the wages cap – and we did. We promised to deliver certainty – and we have.

“After 12 years of neglect – of no industrial relations reforms and no award reforms – we are now fixing the system.

“The work of rebuilding essential services is now well underway.

“This baseline offer, lays the foundation for a fairer system for workers and their families in NSW.”

Aboriginal communities in regional and remote NSW will soon have better access to government services and transactions, such as driver licence and vehicle registration renewals, Seniors Card applications, and driver testing, with a dedicated Service NSW Mobile Service Centre.

The “Kangaroo Bus” is expected to hit the road in mid-June 2024 and will visit more than 40 locations as part of a regular 10-week loop, visiting 10 more communities than previous Mobile Service Centre routes.

Communities that will get a vist from the Kangaroo Mobile Service Centre are typically 30 minutes or more away from the nearest Service NSW Centre, with the new Mobile Service Centre helping people save time and money.

The full suite of 1300 NSW Government transactions and services will be available on the spot, whether it is vehicle and driving transactions, applying for a Working with Children Check, or accessing support for cost-of living initiatives.

Revenue NSW Aboriginal Outreach officers and the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages community engagement team will also be available at certain locations to provide further assistance to customers.

A Business Concierge from the Service NSW Business Bureau will also be available to provide personalised guidance on how to start and grow a business, as well as navigate relevant business regulations and licence applications. Customers can also get connected with an independent Aboriginal business advisor for free one-on-one coaching and advice on topics including business planning, selling to government, marketing and cash flow.

More information on the new Mobile Service Centre route including schedule and community locations is available on the Service NSW website.

Appointments can be made for driver testing, Business Concierge and cost of living support by calling 13 77 88.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“We are committed to ensuring all customers, from every corner of the State, can access the same high-quality service no matter where they live.”

“This dedicated Mobile Service Centre will make it easier for communities to access critical services, like driver licence renewals or getting a birth certificate, saving them time and money if they don’t live near a Service NSW Centre.”

“Service NSW already has Mobile Service Centres visiting rural and regional areas, and now the dedicated Kangaroo Bus makes government services and transactions even more accessible.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Kangaroo Bus seeks to make government services and transactions that bit more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote parts of NSW, who might not live near a Service NSW Centre.”

“The Kangaroo Bus is a great initiative that will provide additional support for government transactions like licence and registration renewals, as well as guidance to access cost of living or business support.”

“This bus is helping overcome the tyranny of distance, making sure more people can be reached with important government service delivery and support.”

People across NSW are being reminded of the essential role our dedicated palliative care health staff and volunteers play in ensuring high quality and compassionate palliative care is made available to the community when and where it is needed, this National Palliative Care Week (19 – 25 May 2024).

Health Minister Ryan Park today extended his gratitude to the many dedicated and highly regarded health staff and volunteers who support patients and their families throughout what is often the most challenging time in their lives.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring all people across NSW have access to the highest quality palliative care, and we have introduced a range of measures to better support patients and their families living with a life-limiting illness.

This includes a $93 million investment in capital works as part of our World Class End of Life Care program, which will deliver new or redeveloped palliative care facilities at five health facilities across the state including Wyong, Westmead, Tamworth, Nepean and Orange hospitals.

The government is also committed to growing our specialist palliative care workforce, and are employing extra nurses, doctors and support staff, estimated at more than 570 additional full-time equivalent positions by 2026-27.

National Palliative Care Week is an opportunity to increase awareness about the importance and benefits of accessing end of life and palliative care services, and to begin conversations with family and friends about how one might to plan for their future requirements, including their own end-of-life care.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“High quality end-of-life and palliative care is available to all those who require it in NSW, whether it is provided at home, in residential aged care facilities, in the community, or in an inpatient environment such as a hospital.

“Whilst all Health staff might have a role to play in palliative care, people with more complex needs may well require specialist palliative care services, staffed by multidisciplinary teams who have advanced skills and knowledge in palliative care.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to our specialist palliative care workforce, which is comprised of doctors, allied health professionals and nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers and volunteers for the compassionate care they provide to their communities every day.”

More information on palliative care services available in NSW.

Young people at Cobham Youth Justice Centre in Western Sydney are getting hands-on experience in simulated work environments that provide an avenue to the automotive industry post-release.

The donation of an MX5 motor by the Motor Trades Association (MTA) will help young people at the Putland Education and Training Unit, located within Cobham, gain useful mechanical skills, while dedicated Try a Trade Days and workshops provide further opportunities for young people to try their hand at new skills.

The MX5 motor is a readily accessible resource young people can tinker with and it complements the skills and training initiatives jointly provided by NSW Youth Justice, the Department of Education (which operates schools within each of the six Youth Justice Centres) and Training Services NSW.

In April, the Motor Trades Association ran a four-day panel workshop to provide accreditation opportunities for young people, while the Cobham Youth Justice Centre held its biggest Try a Trade Day yet, with 10 trades on offer.

Through Try a Trade, young people can experiment with concreting, hospitality, traffic control, gyprocking, bricklaying, barbering, roofing, plumbing and bike mechanics and fencing.

Try a Trade days are run across all six Youth Justice Centres and they enable young people to experience what a day in the life of a ‘tradie’ feels like, while also setting up potential business connections in the outside world.

Since December 2022, more than 200 young people have taken part in Try a Trade days and several young people have taken up trade apprenticeships upon release.

Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said:

“It is important that during their time in the youth justice system, young people have every opportunity to find a more positive pathway upon release.”

“The skills and training initiatives available in these centres are a great example of the work Youth Justice is doing, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training Services NSW, to provide new experiences and options for young people.”

“The generous donation of a MX5 motor by the Motor Trades Association gives young people in Cobham a resource they can use to hone their mechanical skills, providing a potential pathway into the automotive industry.”

“Specialised schools, such as the Putland Education and Training Unit within the Cobham Youth Justice Centre, are essential in providing pathways for young people. Through education and training, we aim to empower students to make positive contributions to society.”

“This course is more than just a training opportunity; it’s a lifeline for these students. It offers a tangible pathway to success, opening doors to apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.”

“In creating these opportunities, we’re offering a pathway to young offenders who may not have supportive environments to return to. Here, they can flourish and thrive, building brighter futures for themselves and the community.”