Category: NSW News

Investment NSW, a new NSW Government agency, is open for business from today, reinforcing the State’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
Premier Berejiklian says the new agency will drive local and global investment and create the jobs of the future for NSW, showing the world that the State is open for business.
“Investment NSW is a one-stop-shop for the private sector – attracting and growing Australian and global companies, overseas capital, talent, tourists and students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, Investment NSW is up and running, with a mission to enhance NSW’s global position as a safe place to do business, attracting investment capital and creating jobs for our State.
“It will act as a concierge for businesses and investors to help them navigate the many options available for partnering with the NSW Government, whether that’s payroll exemptions, co-funding great ideas, providing connections to global export markets and more.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is the blueprint that will reinforce NSW’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many challenges – bushfires, drought, flood and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“Now is the time to be confident and on the front foot in attracting investment, talent and visitors who will drive us to new heights as we look beyond economic recovery to growth.”
Investment NSW will be led by Chief Executive Amy Brown, who was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, heading the economic and commercial leadership team.
“As a central agency, Investment NSW will drive all trade and investment attraction activities as a one-stop-shop to maximise economic benefits and jobs growth across NSW,” Ms Brown said.
“From day one we will be reaching out to key industry partners and investors – both domestic and international – to start work on their top priorities for government to partner through the COVID recovery.”
The establishment of Investment NSW brings together a number of groups from across government into the Premier and Cabinet cluster including the Jobs, Investment and Tourism group from NSW Treasury (includes Jobs Plus and the 24 Economy Commissioner), Destination NSW, Study NSW, R&D NSW and Global NSW.
Investment NSW will be jointly responsible to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade and the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.
For more information about Investment NSW visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/

The NSW Government congratulates Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC on her election as the NSW Legislative Council’s 22nd President.
The Presidency became vacant after John Ajaka MLC announced his retirement and the House was compelled to elect a new President before conducting any further business.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Don Harwin said Ms Maclaren-Jones was an outstanding and highly competent member of the Legislative Council and would make a fair and impartial President.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones has the demonstrated temperament, character and expertise to be the President of this House. She was elected to the House 10 years ago in 2011 and has served for a decade with distinction.
“As Government Whip, Ms Maclaren-Jones has been remarkably capable, with a flair for organisation of government members and also has shown a level of leadership to ensure the Chamber and its processes function effectively,” Mr Harwin said.
The Government’s position, reinforced by legal advice from the Crown Solicitor, is that Natasha Maclaren-Jones is the legitimately elected President of the Legislative Council. The Government relies on the construction of the standing orders – specifically standing order 13(2) which says,
“When 2 members have been proposed as President, ballot papers will be distributed by the Clerks to all members in their places. Members must write on the ballot paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote, and deposit it in the ballot box provided by the Clerk. The candidate who has the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President, and will be conducted to the Chair.”
The Government notes that standing order 13(3) – under which the Clerk declared the ballots on Wednesday – only applies where there are more than two candidates.
The legal advice received by the Government from the Crown Solicitor has been sent to the Clerk of the Parliaments and distributed to members of the Legislative Council.
Minister Harwin said, “The Standing Orders are clear. In the case of a ballot where there are only two candidates, the candidate with the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President.”
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Sarah Mitchell congratulated Ms Maclaren-Jones.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones is a champion for female representation – not only in Parliament but in politics generally. She is a great role model, especially for the next generation of women and is an exceptional choice for the Presidency of the Legislative Council,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Her wealth of experience includes five years as a Temporary Chair of Committees, working with boards of women’s refuges in the Northern Beaches community and being a part of the Parliamentary Friends for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.”

Free menstrual hygiene products will be available to students in two pilot regions in NSW ahead of a wider rollout.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor announced the locations of the trial today at Birrong Girls High School.
Ms Mitchell said the pilot will run in 30 schools across Western Sydney and Dubbo for two terms.
“It’s important no female student feels like they can’t fully participate in all aspects of school life because they do not have access to menstrual hygiene products,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I want to make sure there are no barriers to education for female students just because they get periods.
“Once the pilot is finished we can look at how we roll this service out to all schools in the state.”
Dispensers will be provided with sanitary products including pads and tampons at no cost to schools or students. The department will trial two types of dispensers, which will be placed in the female student’s bathrooms.
Minister for Regional Youth and Women, Bronnie Taylor said this is something that many young girls have been asking for.
“I know that women and girls’ physical, social and economic potential is maximised when they are healthy, and their health needs are addressed,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Providing sanitary products has the potential to positively impact educational engagement and attainment, whilst reducing shame and embarrassment.”
Information about the products and their availability has been supplied to principals and schools will educate students who are likely to access the products as well as distributing materials to their community.

Investment NSW, a new NSW Government agency, is open for business from today, reinforcing the State’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
Premier Berejiklian says the new agency will drive local and global investment and create the jobs of the future for NSW, showing the world that the State is open for business.
“Investment NSW is a one-stop-shop for the private sector – attracting and growing Australian and global companies, overseas capital, talent, tourists and students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, Investment NSW is up and running, with a mission to enhance NSW’s global position as a safe place to do business, attracting investment capital and creating jobs for our State.
“It will act as a concierge for businesses and investors to help them navigate the many options available for partnering with the NSW Government, whether that’s payroll exemptions, co-funding great ideas, providing connections to global export markets and more.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is the blueprint that will reinforce NSW’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many challenges – bushfires, drought, flood and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“Now is the time to be confident and on the front foot in attracting investment, talent and visitors who will drive us to new heights as we look beyond economic recovery to growth.”
Investment NSW will be led by Chief Executive Amy Brown, who was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, heading the economic and commercial leadership team.
“As a central agency, Investment NSW will drive all trade and investment attraction activities as a one-stop-shop to maximise economic benefits and jobs growth across NSW,” Ms Brown said.
“From day one we will be reaching out to key industry partners and investors – both domestic and international – to start work on their top priorities for government to partner through the COVID recovery.”
The establishment of Investment NSW brings together a number of groups from across government into the Premier and Cabinet cluster including the Jobs, Investment and Tourism group from NSW Treasury (includes Jobs Plus and the 24 Economy Commissioner), Destination NSW, Study NSW, R&D NSW and Global NSW.
Investment NSW will be jointly responsible to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade and the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.
For more information about Investment NSW visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/

Work has started on the upgrade to the Warringah Freeway, which will pave the way for the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, and transform the way the community moves between western Sydney and Sydney’s north.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said more than 15,000 jobs will be created during construction for the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link Program, with about 600 people working on the freeway upgrade.
“Workers are donning hard hats for the first time on this city-shaping project to begin work on the Warringah Freeway, which includes service and utility relocations, before major work starts later this year,” Mr Constance said.
“The Warringah Freeway upgrade is just the first stage of this massive program, which will connect western Sydney to Sydney’s north and help slash travel times for thousands of commuters by up to 56 minutes.”
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the four kilometre upgrade, between North Sydney and Naremburn, will reduce lane merging, boost safety, and improve traffic flow for the 250,000 vehicles who use the freeway every day.
“This upgrade is part of our commitment to ease congestion on local roads and it will streamline the Warringah Freeway to connect to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link,” Ms Wilson said.
“Transport for NSW will deliver a continuous southbound bus lane from Miller Street to the Harbour Bridge, which will improve bus links to the North Sydney CBD and the new Sydney Metro, while also building new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said the community will be kept updated throughout all phases of this massive program.
“The Warringah Freeway is the main artery from Sydney’s north into the heart of the CBD, and this game-changing project will help people spend less time sitting in traffic and more time with family and friends,” Mr Griffin said.
“Community feedback on the entire program has been valuable in helping understand and deliver positive changes. We will continue to work closely with the local communities through every stage of this major program.”
The Western Harbour Tunnel will deliver major travel time savings, including

• Up to 20 minutes from Sydney Olympic Park to North Sydney.
• Up to 20 minutes from Leichhardt to North Sydney.
• Up to 15 minutes from North Sydney to the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
• Up to 20 minutes on the city commute from locations such as Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Forestville, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Cromer and North Narrabeen.

Combined with improvements to the wider network, future forecast travel time savings for Beaches Link include:

• Up to 38 minutes from Balgowlah to Sydney CBD.
• Up to 56 minutes from Dee Why to Sydney Airport.
• Up to 54 minutes from Frenchs Forest to Rozelle.

Drivers are encouraged to visit the online portal at nswroads.work/whtportal to have a virtual experience of what their commute will look like when the program is complete.

Aptly named after the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) motto ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’, meaning ‘through adversity to the stars’, a new exhibition featuring veteran treasured memorabilia has launched at Anzac Memorial to celebrate the RAAF’s 100^th birthday.
Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said the exhibition is a celebration of RAAF personnel past and present, and a way to recognise the service and sacrifice of those who have helped to shape the modern force we know today.
“Australia was among the first nations to create an independent branch of its defence forces dedicated to military aviation in 1921”, Mr Lee said.
“From 1920s aerial survey flights to modern peacekeeping, every individual who has served over the past 100 years has contributed to the vital defence service of our nation and helped to form the state-of-the-art force we know today.”
Visitors can view invaluable items such as souvenirs of a pilot who bombed German positions at Hamel just days before a battle that influenced the Great War outcome.
The Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to Flight Lieutenant Doug Millar for his daring low-level flight will also be on display, along with an extremely rare Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force uniform worn by a nurse at the RAAF Hospital in Tocumwal.
The commemoration is a partnership between the NSW Air Force Association on its 101^st birthday and the Anzac Memorial Board of Trustees. In addition to the launch of the RAAF Centenary exhibition, the event also included a ceremony and the donation of the RAAF Memorial Book to the Royal United Services Institute of NSW Library of Military History.
For more information, visit: anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/event/raaf-centenary-exhibition

A multiagency Strike Force has mobilised with equipment and crews heading out to commence the clean-up following extreme floods across the State.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the scale of rainfall over the past week and subsequent flooding requires dedicated recovery efforts.
“Our emergency services personnel and volunteers have been outstanding in dealing with the wild weather and the floods, but the scale of rainfall has been enormous and the recovery process will be challenging,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our focus is to make sure affected residents are safe and get back on their feet as soon as possible and the Deputy Premier, backed by Resilience NSW, will be the Minister responsible for the disaster recovery, as he was following the 2019/20 bushfires.”
Mr Barilaro said the Recovery Strike Force is comprised of personnel from the Australian Defence Force, NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire & Rescue NSW, with clean-up efforts beginning yesterday on the Mid North Coast following the all clear from the SES.
“Our priority right now is to ensure roads are accessible, places are safe for people to return, and to assist with washout and clean-up by removing bulk waste,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The 2019/20 bushfires and the clean-up and recovery efforts that followed taught us a great deal, and having worked on bushfire recovery for the past 15 months I will take that experience and those lessons with me to steer recovery following these extreme floods.
“With large parts of NSW impacted by flooding on a scale not seen for decades, our focus remains on protecting life and property,” Mr Elliott said.
“I want to commend our emergency services for their tireless work in these extremely challenging circumstances, and reassure communities that we will continue doing everything in our power to protect them as this event unfolds.”
Service NSW is working in partnership with Resilience NSW and other state agencies, local government and the Australian Government to provide impacted people with information on and access to:

• Accommodation advice;
• Relevant charitable services;
• Mental health and wellbeing services;
• Support for businesses;
• Clean-up services;
• Financial assistance and
• Insurance and legal support.

The one-stop shop, administered by Service NSW, was created as a response to the unprecedented 2019/20 bushfire season, and has also been utilised for COVID-19.
To connect with a Customer Care specialist, call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88. The Contact Centre hours have been extended to include weekends while communities recover. Information about the Customer Care service is also available in Service NSW Centres.

Sydney’s city centre is set for a new playlist with 39 projects to benefit from more than $1 million in funding through the Play the City (Sydney) NSW Round Two Grants.
The funding is part of the CBD Revitalisation program to help reactivate the Sydney CBD by supporting individuals, venues and arts organisations to present live performances to help rebuild visitor numbers following the pandemic.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program would play an important part in revitalising our city by encouraging people back to the city was critical to our COVID recovery.
“Getting the arts and entertainment industry back up and running will not only provide our economy with a much needed boost it will give Sydney its soul back,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Reviving this vital industry will help create jobs and get our city humming again ensuring we keep more businesses in business and people in jobs.”
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Play the City (Sydney) will bring the beat back to the centre of Sydney through live performance throughout 2021.
“Restoring Sydney city’s cultural life and supporting businesses hit hard by the pandemic is a priority for the NSW Government, and Play the City (Sydney) is one initiative in a range of measures that will support live performance and encourage audiences back to the CBD over the coming months,” Mr Harwin said.
“Through 39 projects, this funding will support over 900 artists and the broader live music and performance scene, including diverse and inclusive Australian music events spanning Sydney venues such as the Oxford Art Factory, Darling Square and TAFE NSW Eora, which will be activated by emerging contemporary musicians, Neo Pop performances, album launches, and of course live music.
“After a tough year for our arts and cultural sector and businesses in Sydney’s CBD, this inspiring initiative will boost jobs and activate spaces all across the city over the coming months.”
The Play the City (Sydney) funding program is supporting a program of activities, events and performances that activate the Sydney CBD, and provides an opportunity for audiences to experience artists presenting new work and live performance events.
A full list of recipients is available here. For further information on arts, screen and cultural funding, including targeted support opportunities, visit the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Up to 200,000 accommodation vouchers worth $100 each will be available to NSW residents as part of a new $51.5 million economic package designed to encourage people back into the Sydney CBD, re-ignite live music across the State, and support jobs in the accommodation, entertainment and tourism sectors.
The NSW Government’s latest COVID-19 response package will also include $24 million for eligible live music venues, a support package to help the business events industry in Sydney and regional NSW, and a funding boost for tourism marketing.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new package recognised the Sydney CBD and workers in accommodation, live entertainment and tourism industries had been especially hard hit by COVID-19.
“With international, interstate and business travelers virtually non-existent for the past year, the CBD, and in particular the accommodation industry, has done it tough,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This new program will be in addition to our other stimulus measures such as the Dine & Discover scheme, and will provide a boost to accommodation providers in what is a traditionally very quiet period.”
Mr Perrottet said the new funding would boost both the CBD economy and assist the accommodation, entertainment and tourism industries.
“Thousands of businesses in the Sydney CBD lost significant revenue with so many people working from home, when you add in almost no overseas or interstate travel, it’s been a tough 12 months for them,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This scheme will encourage people to explore more of what the Sydney CBD has to offer, and spend a little bit more on the way through, and support local jobs.”
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said supporting the live music and business events industry was vital as NSW continued its economic recovery.
“Everyone has missed live music, the industry is coming out of hibernation, and this package will ensure our much loved venues are there to host the gigs people want to see as they celebrate NSW emerging from the pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“There will also be support for business events and more money to market local tourism attractions as part of the Love NSW platform.
“Our success in containing COVID-19 means we can now focus on assisting these vital industries get back to business.”
The key components of the program are:

• $20 million for up to 200,000 x $100 CBD accommodation vouchers;
• $24 million to Destination NSW for a Live Music Support Package to be administered in partnership with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner;
• $5.5 million for a Business Events Industry Support package to assist businesses in Greater Sydney and across NSW;
• $2 million for a Tourism Industry Marketing Support package through the Love NSW campaign.

The $100 accommodation vouchers will be allocated on a first in, first served basis, and is expected to commence in June during the quieter winter period.
Accommodation providers will need to register for the program and operate within the City of Sydney to participate.
More details on how businesses can register and how people can apply for the accommodation vouchers and their release date will be announced in coming weeks.
More information package will be made available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/tourism-support-package.

Democracy. Aristotle. The Olympics. The delicious dish of Souvlaki, but most importantly my Yia Yia and Papaou. What do all these things have in common?
They originated from Greece! It is important to acknowledge the role our heritage and personal history have in shaping our ways of leadership. My grandparents were outstanding examples of everyday, ordinary leaders—leaders who served their families and communities.
I mention them, for on this day we mark 200 years of Greek Independence.
Two centuries ago, Greece launched their campaign for independence from the Ottoman Empire. What followed was the flourishing of a proud country, spreading its culture throughout the world. Australia’s first group of Greek migrants came in the form of seven prisoners in the early 1800s. Through the gold rush years of the 1850s and then post world war two, thousands of Greek men and women immigrated to Australia.
Today there are nearly 400,000 people of Greek ancestry in Australia. Many of whom resident in my electorate of Reid! Burwood is home of the Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Parish. Established in 1970, it serves the spiritual, educational and social needs of the local Greek community.
Plato once said, courage is knowing what not to fear. The Greeks who have migrated to Australia put aside fear, showing immense courage leaving their homes in search of a better life.
Without the Greek community, Australian society wouldn’t be what it is today.