Fairer housing targets announced with incentives to councils to build better communities for NSW

New housing targets that rebalance housing across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, the Hunter and Central Coast and regional NSW have been released today as the Minns Government announces an incentive scheme to encourage councils to meet these new targets.

This builds on the significant steps that the government has already taken to tackle the housing crisis NSW is facing.

Housing Crisis

Housing is the biggest single cost of living pressure people are dealing with right now, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.

Without action now, we are at risk of being a city with no young people.

A recent Productivity Commission report found between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. These are the people who open businesses, have families, build our communities and contribute to the local economy.

The NSW Government is absolutely committed to confronting the housing crisis head on – and that means building more well-located homes; close to infrastructure and transport links; next to amenities and work opportunities.

Faster Assessments Council Incentives and Grants program

To support this the NSW Government is today announcing the first stage of an incentive program for local governments which meet and beat their housing targets.

The NSW Government’s program will reserve $200 million in grants for councils to fund more green space such as parks, sporting facilities and smaller pocket parks, plus maintenance of local streets and footpaths which Councils maintain.

The infrastructure that builds better communities for NSW.

This is in addition to support already announced including through reforms to developer contributions of $1 billion over the forward estimates, and up to $700 million per year beyond that.

This funding is reserved by the NSW Government to help fund schools, hospitals and roads to support the population growth that comes with new housing.

An additional $1 billion raised through this contribution will also be directed to local councils over 10 years for housing enabling infrastructure.

Fairer Housing Targets

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to address the housing crisis by rebalancing housing growth across the state with a focus on well-located homes close to transport, jobs and existing infrastructure.

For a long time, Western Sydney has accepted the overwhelming burden of new housing in our city without proper infrastructure to cope with the increase in population.

This plan ensures we are now building more housing around established infrastructure; in places that are connected to work and transport; in communities that already have schools and hospitals.

These five-year targets ensure that while all areas would see an increase in homes being built to help address the housing crisis, new housing will be more fairly rebalanced from the West of Sydney towards the East and North of Sydney.

These targets do not mean additional housing over and above recently announced planning reforms – instead they will provide guideposts for local governments as well as access to financial support for future housing.

This rebalancing has been developed with consideration of:

  • Homes already in the pipeline
  • The additional homes to be delivered from new planning reforms including Transport Orientated Developments and low and mid rise reforms.
  • Constraints due to environmental risks like floods or bushfires

Over the next five years 82 per cent of the housing targets come from infill areas with 18 per cent to come from greenfield locations.

These targets will be ambitious. Last year NSW delivered 48,393 homes, and the previous record number was 74,683 in 2018/19 but we can’t sit back and do nothing.

This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better homes, and better communities for the state. To build a better NSW.

For more information on the housing targets, visit Housing targets.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We’re losing too many young people, people who make the city vibrant, essential workers and young families because they can’t afford a place to live in NSW. This has to change.

“I’ve talked a long time about the need to ensure we have a fairer balance of housing across the state – so housing is built close to already established transport links, schools and hospitals.

“While these targets are required to be released, the government has already acknowledged that they will be difficult to meet.

“That’s why this government is pulling all levers required to reforming planning and setting targets for housing growth, while providing the infrastructure needed to build better communities.”

Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:

“These targets are ambitious but realistic, because they’re based on evidence.

“We all need to be accountable. For too long, housing has been delivered without a plan.

“The new targets make for a fairer distribution across Sydney and NSW, with growth in areas where jobs and transport exist or are planned for.

“The good news is that nearly two thirds of homes are either planned, under assessment or under construction.

“The State has already reformed the planning laws to improve efficiency and speed approvals.  We’re also investing $200 million to support councils with the infrastructure that builds better communities.”

A chart showing distribution of new homes in eastern LGA's

Wagga Wagga precinct paving the way for business expansion across Wagga Wagga and the Riverina

The NSW Government is investing in regional development including the $212 million Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct as part of a long-term vision to create sustainable employment opportunities for generations to come.

The Wagga Wagga precinct is supporting businesses and investors through master planning, enabling infrastructure, accelerated planning pathways and business concierge.

These unique offerings are driving down costs for private sector development and transforming the region into a hub of high value agriculture, manufacturing, freight and logistics, renewable energy and recycling industries.

Businesses that set up in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct have access to new industrial roads, freight rail links, digital connectivity, a streamlined planning process and the certainty of being located in a government precinct.

The private sector has already leveraged the NSW Government’s investment in the Wagga Wagga precinct, with more than $50 million in new investments committed since its inception in 2019.

Fulton Hogan, one of Australia’s leading infrastructure services, construction, roadworks and aggregate supplier company, is capitalising on the unique offerings of the Wagga Wagga precinct through an expansion to its facility.

The expansion will include the creation of a new resource recovery facility specialising in recycling and processing of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) materials.

The expansion will:

  • divert up to 12,000 tonnes of asphalt material from landfill annually
  • help decrease Fulton Hogan’s carbon footprint by up to 163 tonnes CO2 annually
  • create on site storage for 2500 tonnes of RAP materials
  • provide asphalt with recycled content for government road projects
  • reduce demand for raw construction materials due to reuse and recycling.

Fulton Hogan worked with the Wagga Wagga precinct’s business concierge service to secure their Activation Precinct Certificate earlier this year and utilised the streamlined planning pathway.

The expansion of Fulton Hogan and other high valued investors within the Wagga Wagga precinct is testament to the government’s commitment to job creation, regional prosperity and growth, with substantial investment and strategic planning being dedicated to its realisation.

Special Activation Precincts in Moree, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains are part of the NSW Government’s regional development and major infrastructure program. Get more information.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Creating jobs and driving investment in regional NSW is a major priority of the NSW Government and the Special Activation Precincts are an important part of our plans.

We want to create sustainable jobs and foster generational change that will benefit the Wagga Wagga community, and the broader region, for years to come.

“Businesses and investors who choose to set up or expand in our Special Activation Precincts will benefit from development-ready infrastructure, technical studies and streamlined planning.

“By removing regulatory barriers for investors, we’re helping them to save time and money, and our concierge service supports them through the entire planning process.

“We’re giving businesses and investors confidence to invest in regional NSW, and I’m pleased to see Fulton Hogan taking advantage of these unique offerings.

“I commend Fulton Hogan on their investment to build a resource recovery facility, and I look forward to seeing the Wagga Wagga precinct continue to grow.”

Independent member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr said:

“Government support and private investment are driving an exciting future for Wagga Wagga’s industrial base at the Special Activation Precinct.

“The Fulton Hogan expansion is one very welcome example of how Wagga can lead the way in developing the unlimited circular economy while government support of the SAP continues to underwrite confidence in the precinct, encouraging further growth towards a target of 6000 new jobs across a range of industries.

“The challenge now will be to continue to develop the transport services and housing options that industry and workers will need to realise the SAP’s full potential and I look forward to working with the government to achieve those aims.”

Fulton Hogan Infrastructure Services CEO Peter Curl said:

“Fulton Hogan are investing further in our facility located in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct to improve sustainability outcomes for the community.”

“We thank the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW for providing this innovative approval process, through streamlined planning pathways.

“Fulton Hogan believes the NSW Government’s Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct will support accelerated investment for manufacturing, agribusiness, freight and logistics companies.”

Households warned against smoke alarm complacency this winter

Firefighters, NRL stars and other top athletes are urging households across the state to make sure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes, as Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) launches its annual Winter Fire Safety Campaign. 

New figures reveal that last winter, nearly half (49%) of the 1080 homes that were impacted by fire did not have a working smoke alarm, or any alarm, in place.

The most residential fires last winter occurred in Canterbury-Bankstown (243), closely followed by the inner city (Sydney – 241), the Central Coast (235) and Blacktown (228), with kitchen fires the most common.

Winter in 2022 was particularly deadly for house fires, with a record 17 deaths – more than 4 times the total of the previous winter – and 87 people injured.

During that season, exactly half of the 959 houses that caught alight did not have a working smoke alarm.

FRNSW is amping up its efforts to warn people about the dangers of smoke alarm complacency, enlisting the help of sports stars in a social media campaign to better connect with communities and establishing its own awareness day, Smoke Alarm Action Day.

Sports stars including netball star Maddy Turner (NSW Swifts/Australian Diamonds) and a range of NRL players including Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jaydn Su’A (St George Illawarra Dragons), Stephen Crichton and Georgia Ravics (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), and Suia Wong and Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters), will feature in social media video messages encouraging households to fit a smoke alarm in their home or have their existing alarm checked.

FRNSW will hold its inaugural Smoke Alarm Action Day on 1 June to kick off the agency’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign and mark the commencement of a dangerous period for house fires.

FRNSW also conducts community outreach programs to engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities in smoke alarm and fire safety messaging.

Residents can book a home fire safety visit when firefighters can install smoke alarms free of charge and find further advice on the FRNSW website.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“Having at least 1 working smoke alarm installed in your home will help safeguard your loved ones and provide peace of mind.

“But the alarms must be in working order to be effective, and we are finding this isn’t the case a lot of the time. In their home safety visits, firefighters have been finding outdated and broken smoke alarms, with some even hanging from ceilings by wires.

“I encourage residents to book a fire safety visit from a firefighter, who can install an alarm for free or make sure your alarm is functioning properly.”

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: 
“We understand that people are busy these days but making sure you have a functioning smoke alarm in your home should be a priority, especially as we enter winter.

“We’re particularly concerned about the number of fires occurring in the kitchen, which was 44% of cases last winter.

“You’ve got to keep looking while you’re cooking – don’t get distracted and if a fire breaks out, whatever you do, don’t throw water onto it, the flames will flare up dramatically.

“Keep a fire blanket near the kitchen to smother flames if they occur.”

NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgley said: 
“It is important that people in rural and regional areas have a working smoke alarm and know what to do if there is a fire in their home.

“In rural areas, emergency services often have to travel considerable distances to respond to house fires.

“Smoke alarms and a home escape plan can give you valuable seconds to make it out alive.

Alleviating record pressure on our hospitals

The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) quarterly results show NSW hospitals are under unprecedented pressure.

The BHI report reveals 810,201 emergency department presentations in the January to March quarter – up 5.2% from the same quarter last year – the highest on record.

There were 6,677 triage 1 (resuscitation), 123,935 triage 2 (emergency) and 297,456 triage 3 (urgent) presentations to NSW EDs – all the highest on record.

Ambulance activity was also the highest of any quarter since BHI began reporting in 2010, with 383,341 responses. Of these, more than 17,000 were priority 1A or life-threatening cases, another record level of activity.

Despite the record demand for ambulance services, the median response time for life-threatening cases in NSW was 8 minutes, which is within the 10-minute benchmark and a testament to the professionalism of our hard-working paramedics.

Just days after being sworn in, Health Minister Ryan Park established the NSW Surgical Care Taskforce dedicated to improving the delivery of surgical services and reducing the state’s planned surgery wait list.

Throughout the first quarter of 2024, more than 51,000 planned surgeries were performed, with 86.2% of all planned surgeries performed on time – an improvement of 11.2 percentage points when compared with the same quarter in 2023 (75%).

Of these surgeries, almost all urgent planned surgeries (98.7%) were performed on time.

Additionally, the NSW Government has delivered 16 Urgent Care Services since July 2023 to ensure that patients have fast access to the urgent care they need without having to turn to a busy emergency department.

The NSW Government remains committed to alleviating pressure on the state’s busy hospitals through:

  • Boosting staff and treatment spaces;
  • Creating more pathways to care outside our busy hospitals via HealthDirect and urgent care services;
  • Reducing overdue surgeries by safely increasing short stay procedures;
  • Empowering pharmacies to prescribe low complex medications, relieving pressure on our GPs; the Emergency Department and Surgical Care taskforces.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Our hospitals are confronted with unprecedented pressure.

“And everyone knows that it is becoming more difficult to access a GP.

“But we are undertaking the structural reforms to our health system to ensure our community receives the care they need and deserve – by delivering the single largest boost to our workforce in the history of our health system, and creating more pathways to treatment and care outside the hospital.

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated frontline staff who continued to perform exceptionally well throughout this extremely busy period.”

Impact of Labor’s health cuts revealed

The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s cuts to health funding for putting major pressure on the state’s hospital system and creating an emergency department crisis.
 
Shadow Minister for Health Matt Kean said that the health system is falling apart because of Labor’s cruel cuts. 
 
“Data released by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) today show a hospital system under immense strain. People are waiting longer to be seen and their health is at risk,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The number of people treated at emergency departments within four hours is in freefall, with the January to March quarter producing a record low.”
 
“This is a consequence of Labor’s budget mismanagement. They have lost control of the Budget and as a result have embarked on a rampage of health cuts hitting palliative care, frontline services and emergency departments.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the latest BHI data shows waiting times are up and the elective surgeries backlog is growing.
“While the Government are focused on cutting ribbons on health facilities that were delivered and funded by the former Liberal and Nationals Government, patients are left waiting in emergency departments around the state,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Across our regions our dedicated frontline workers are holding together a healthcare system in rapid decline under the Minns Labor Government.
“AMA (NSW) President Dr Kathryn Austin described this as a catastrophe waiting to happen. I urge Chris Minns to immediately reinstate critical health funding and stop putting politics and photo opportunities before the health of our state.”
 
The Opposition has also criticised Ryan Park for failing to acknowledge the impact of Labor’s cuts including:
 

  • An increase in the number of people leaving emergency departments without treatment
  • Record high emergency department overcrowding numbers
  • An increase in the average length of stay in hospitals
  • An increase in mental health admissions
  • An increase to the backlog of elective surgery and
  • Stagnant ambulance response times

 
“The Minns Labor Government has no plan to address this health crisis, which is of their own making. Shamefully the Minister failed to even acknowledge the emergency department crisis today in a pathetic attempt to sweep it under the rug,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Chris Minns and Ryan Park must reverse these cuts and restore hospital funding in next month’s Budget otherwise this crisis will only deepen.”

Working to end violence against women with rapid review into prevention approaches

The Albanese Labor Government is working to end violence against women and children in one generation and has appointed an Expert Panel to conduct a rapid review into best-practice prevention approaches.

The Panel will meet for the first time today and deliver a report to Government later this year.

The Panel will:

  • Provide practical advice to Government on further action to prevent gender-based violence.
  • Look at opportunities to strengthen prevention efforts and approaches across all forms of violence against women and children, with a focus on homicide.
  • Consider targeted approaches to preventing violence, with a focus on identifying what works across the life cycle and for different groups of people.
  • Engaging with determinants, risk factors, pathways and intersecting factors for gender-based violence, including different and emerging forms of violence, and the role of key industries.
  • Whole of system opportunities for prevention and intervention, including stronger accountability and consequences for people who choose to use violence.
  • Opportunities to effect attitudinal change and accelerate progress to prevent violence against women and children, including at a local level.

The Panel will be co-convened by Australia’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Ms Micaela Cronin, the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Office for Women, Ms Padma Raman PSM, and the Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC.

The Panel includes:

  • Jess Hill – journalist, author and educator globally renown for ground-breaking work on gendered-violence;
  • Dr Zac Seidler – Global Director of Men’s Health Research at Movember and Senior Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne;
  • Dr Todd Fernando – diversity and inclusion consultant with extensive experience working with First Nations and LGBTIQ+ communities;
  • Dr Anne Summers AO – author and journalist who had a formative role in the Women’s Liberation Movement in Australia, including the establishment of Australia’s first refuge for women and child victims of domestic violence;
  • Elena Campbell – Associate Director of Research, Advocacy and Policy at RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice; and
  • Dr Leigh Gassner APM – Assistant Commissioner at Victoria Police who has managed significant cultural and organisational change processes, including undertaking a previous review of policing responses into violence against women.

It will consult with Our Watch, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), the National Women’s Alliances, states and territories, and other stakeholders.

Targeted stakeholder consultations via a series of roundtables will also be conducted by the Panel including with members of the National Plan Advisory Group, the First Nations National Plan Steering Committee, people with lived experience of violence, frontline services, and academics and data experts.

The Panel’s recommendations will be considered by the Government as it looks to build on the $3.4 billion in investments to women’s safety over three successive Budgets.

In Australia, one in four women and one in eight men have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member. One in five women and one in 16 men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. This is unacceptable, and it must end.

In addition to the Expert Panel the Government will also task ANROWS to extract insights from existing research to assess the breadth of risk factors for pathways into and out of family, domestic and sexual violence perpetration, intervention points and program effectiveness.

These insights will deliver practical recommendations on where government investment should be targeted for maximum impact, including where additional targeted research is needed.

Part one of this research will be completed by the end of June to feed into the Expert Panel’s final report.

Both the Expert Panel and the research by ANROWS were outcomes from this month’s National Cabinet and funded in the 2024-25 Budget.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Violence against women is a national crisis and it needs to end.

“We recognise that governments need to act, but we also recognise that this is an issue for the whole of society. Women should not be responsible for ending violence against women.

“This rapid review will bring together experts and provide practical advice to Government to help us end the scourge of domestic violence.”

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher:

“This review will provide important advice to the Commonwealth, and all governments through National Cabinet, on more effective, targeted ways to prevent violence, including to stop women being killed.

“We know this is a crisis and this violence must stop. The advice from this review will inform the Government’s approach to enable us to adopt further evidence-based, targeted ways to stop violence, both before it starts and from escalating.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:

“Violence against women and children is a national shame. One life lost to intimate partner homicide is one too many.

“In order to reach our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation we must have a considered focus on perpetrator intervention and prevention activities.

“It’s vital we get this right and the work of the Expert Panel and ANROWS will help build on the significant investments and work we have done since coming to government.”

  
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit .

Dr Iain Ross announced as acting Chair of Net Zero Economy Agency

Dr Iain Ross AO has been appointed as the acting Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, replacing outgoing Chair Mr Greg Combet.

Dr Ross will take up the position on 1 June 2024, with the Government to appoint Dr Ross as the inaugural Chair of the Net Zero Economy Authority once legislation to establish the Authority passes the Parliament.

The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Combet for his leadership and commitment in setting up the Net Zero Economy Agency.

Dr Ross brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of labour markets and economics.

He has served as a former President of the Fair Work Commission and as a Judge of the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Victoria. His career experience includes Vice President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Partner in the workplace relations practice group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and Assistant Secretary of the ACTU.

As Chair of the Authority, Dr Ross will be supported by an independent Board, with members to be appointed following legislation passing the Parliament. An open recruitment process for the CEO of the Authority will be advertised in June.

In the 2024-25 Budget, the Government provided an additional $209.3 million for the work of the Authority. It will support Australia’s economy-wide net zero transformation by acting as a catalyst for private and public investment, major project development, employment transition, skills and community development.

Global efforts to reduce emissions have already started transforming traditional industries, creating new opportunities to broaden Australia’s industrial base and strengthen our sovereign capability.

The Albanese Government is already delivering a strong policy agenda to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

This Authority will be pivotal to delivering this goal and promoting an orderly and positive economic transformation as the world decarbonises.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“There is no nation on earth better placed than Australia to achieve the energy transition here at home and power it in the world.

“The Net Zero Economy Authority will play an important role in one of the most significant economic events in Australian history and help position us as a renewable energy superpower.

“I would like to thank Mr Combet for his work in setting up the agency, and I welcome incoming Chair Dr Ross.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“The appointment of Dr Ross to the NZEA is a significant step in steering Australia towards a net zero future. His vast experiences will be invaluable in this transformative journey.

“We are on the cusp of one of the biggest economic shifts since the Industrial Revolution, and I’m confident Dr Ross will play a critical role in helping Australia seize the opportunities of the transformation to becoming a renewable energy superpower.”

outgoing NZEA Chair Mr Greg Combet AM:

“Reflecting on my tenure as Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. We have made significant strides in advancing Australia’s net zero initiatives, laying a solid foundation for a sustainable future. It has been an honour to lead a team of dedicated individuals committed to this cause.

“As I pass the baton to Dr Ross, I am confident that his wealth of experience and deep understanding of labour markets and economics will steer the Authority towards new heights. His leadership will undoubtedly catalyse the significant economic transformation Australia requires to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”

the newly appointed NZEA Chair Dr Iain Ross AO:

“I am honoured to take on the role. This is a pivotal moment in our history, as we steer the nation on the road of transformation towards a net zero future.

“The task ahead is monumental, but I am confident that with our collective efforts, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for Australia. We have the potential to not only achieve net zero emissions by 2050 but also to establish the nation as a leader in renewable energy.

“I am committed to leveraging my experiences to guide this transformation. Together, we will navigate the net zero revolution, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for all Australians.”

Swansea Channel Dredging Underway

Lake Macquarie boaters can look forward to the Swansea Channel remaining safe and navigable with stage two of dredging underway.

13,000 cubic metes of sand will be removed from the Drop Over, Swan Bay entrance and Dog Leg over the coming weeks.

Dredging is expected to be completed in July, provided there are no delays. The sand will be placed on Elizabeth Island. 

This is the second of a two-stage dredging campaign funded by the NSW Government last year.

These works follow a successful first round of dredging which saw 16,690 cubic metres of sand removed from the three areas to create a 30-metre-wide channel, extending from the Dog Leg southeast of Elizabeth Island, up to the Drop Over northwest of the Swan Bay Entrance.

Work continues on a 10-year strategy to ensure timely, regular dredging work is conducted and allow the dredged sand to be used to revitalise Blacksmiths Beach.

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

“This clearly demonstrates a shift in the approach to dredging under the NSW Labor Government with proactive dredging taking place before the Channel becomes unnavigable. 

“This latest campaign is welcome news for the community, and I look forward to working with Minister Haylen in advancing the 10-year dredging strategy to deliver long-term certainty for local boaters”.

Magic Round comes to Newcastle 

Olympians Natalie Burton, Simon Orchard, Kate Jenner and Zoe Newman will be in Newcastle this week cheering on nearly 700 of the state’s best primary school athletes for Magic Round, as the city plays host to the NSW Public Schools Sports Association boys and girls state hockey and basketball championships.

The championships kick-off with an opening ceremony at Newcastle Basketball Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 28 May and run through to Friday 31 May.

The boys and girls hockey championships will feature the best 364 primary-aged players in the state, representing each of the different regions.

Muswellbrook-born Olympian and Kookaburras player, Simon Orchard, will join Hockeyroos Kate Jenner and Zoe Newman in cheering the players on as they contest the pool rounds and finals at the Newcastle International Hockey Centre in Broadmeadow.

At Newcastle Basketball Stadium, 280 players will be vying for the state championship in both boys and girls competitions with Opals star Natalie Burton courtside in support.

The Executive Director of the NSW Department of Education’s School Sport Unit, Dr Sylvia Corish, said having the Olympians in town to support the championships was a massive thrill for our young athletes and for the adults too.

“Natalie, Simon, Kate and Zoe are in Newcastle for the championships as part of the Olympics Unleashed program,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for some of our best up-and-coming young athletes to meet an Olympian and talk about the pathways they took on their journey to be among the very best in their chosen sports”.

In addition to the nearly 700 athletes, more than 2000 supporters are expected to attend the championships.

The finals of the championships will take place on Friday 31 May, where the NSW teams to contest the national basketball and hockey titles will also be announced.

For more information about the Olympics Unleashed program, visit https://www.olympics.com.au/olympics-unleashed/

Historic global agreement recognising First Nations’ cultural knowledge

Australia welcomes the conclusion of a landmark treaty that recognises the use of Indigenous peoples’ genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge such as medicinal plants and agricultural crops, in patent systems. The Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge was agreed among members of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The treaty establishes a new form of legal recognition for Indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge in the international intellectual property system. For the first time, patent applicants will be required to disclose the origin or source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications. While genetic resources themselves cannot be directly protected as intellectual property, inventions developed using them can, often through patents.

The treaty enables Australian First Nations peoples to benefit from their cultural heritage, promote their unique and diverse export offerings, and is an important step toward further protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional knowledge within Australia.

The Australian Government commends the significant contributions of Australian First Nations people over many years in bringing this negotiation to a conclusion. The treaty demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deliver a First Nations approach to Australia’s foreign policy.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“First Nations Australians have been innovating for thousands of years. This landmark treaty will recognise Indigenous peoples’ contributions in the international intellectual property system for the first time.

“This new and historic treaty is a key outcome of the Government’s commitment to a First Nations approach to foreign policy.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell: 

“Australia’s First Nations people are Australia’s first traders. The Government is proud to deliver on our commitment to represent Australian First Nations interests in our trade and economic policy on the world stage.

“Protecting first nations intellectual property is a practical step that will help First Nations people, business and exporters share in the benefits of trade.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP:

“The recognition under this treaty brings us one step closer to protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional knowledge.

“The Government is committed to supporting efforts to recognise First Nations intellectual property rights and will continue this work in partnership with First Nations peoples across Australia.”