Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has made it clear that Parliament will resume on October 12, to  help restrict the spread of COVID-19.
As the Premier has indicated, the NSW Government is looking forward to resuming Parliament sitting in October as we move towards higher vaccination rates and safe sittings.
I formally notified the President of the Legislative Council on Friday, 10 September 2021, that no Government Minister or Parliamentary Secretary would attend the Legislative Council sitting this week, given the clear risks.
I further requested that the President of the Legislative Council postpone this week’s sitting of the House to help protect the health of Members, Parliamentary staff and the families of Parliamentary staff who would be required to attend Parliament unnecessarily, as no business of the House can be conducted without a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary present.
Instead of putting local communities and the health of Parliamentary staff and their families first, Labor and the Crossbench joined forces to ensure the Legislative Council has resumed sitting today, even in circumstances where no formal business can be conducted.
This is a political and selfish stunt, a move which only satisfies their own agenda and as a result puts Parliamentary staff, their families and our communities at risk of transmitting COVID-19.
I call on the Leader of the Opposition Chris Minns to maintain his bipartisan support for the NSW Government’s focus on the health and safety of the people of NSW. Mr Minns should direct the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and all Labor MLCs and their staff to stay at home.
It should be noted a Legislative Assembly cross-party committee agreed to follow the health advice and postpone the scheduled sitting period in September.
Mr Minns and Labor cannot have one policy for the Legislative Assembly and a different policy for the Legislative Council.
Background
During COVID-19 restrictions, the NSW Parliament has conducted eight Budget Estimates hearings and three Public Accountability Committee Hearings.
Currently, there are 24 inquiries open, all of which the Government is cooperating with.
Members of the Legislative Council are still able to ask questions on notice on any weekday.
The NSW Government has made it clear it would make up the lost sitting days.

ADF personnel have joined the NSW Police Force in the Illawarra, as part of an expansion of the COVID-19 welfare and compliance checks across NSW.
Police officers will be assisted by ADF personnel as they conduct daily welfare checks and support the wellbeing of those self-isolating.
ADF personnel have been deployed to assist Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police Districts over the coming weeks.
Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM, has welcomed the arrival of troops in the Illawarra.
“The troops are here to support the community alongside police. Locals can expect to see them checking on the welfare of our most vulnerable people.
“Our officers and ADF personnel will be making daily visits and checking in on those who are self-isolating and making sure they’re okay during lockdown,” Assistant Commissioner Cassar said.
“I ask everyone across our region to continue complying with the Public Health Orders and do everything you can to help us prevent further spread of the Delta variant.”
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
 

The NSW Government today announced an additional $287.5 million in COVID-19 financial support to assist workers and vulnerable communities in metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
The additional funding will see the COVID-19 emergency hardship payments, test and isolate support payments and community empowerment grants expanded across all of NSW.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the funds will assist workers and vulnerable people under financial strain due to the COVID-19 restrictions across the State.
“The expansion and extension of the emergency hardship payment will provide assistance to people across all of NSW who are under severe financial strain but are not eligible for other support payments and grants,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The test and isolate payment will help people to test early and isolate if they have COVID symptoms. This payment will help take the pressure off if an individual does not have access to leave entitlements or other support payments.
“Grants for culturally and linguistically diverse groups have also been expanded to connect multicultural communities with essential services throughout the pandemic.”
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the new $287.5 million funding commitment is in addition to the NSW Government’s existing commitment of $7.7 billion in COVID-19 support measures.
“As lockdown continues, we want to make sure support is provided where it’s needed and no communities are forgotten,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We’re providing those under severe financial strainmoney in their bank accounts to help them through the lockdown and we’re supporting workers to test early and isolate so we can save lives and livelihoods across the State.
“We’re also supporting multicultural organisations which are best placed to connect migrant communities with vital health services to ensure our vaccination rate keeps climbing – as that’s really key to our State’s recovery.”
The NSW Government’s additional $287.5 million funding commitment includes;

• The emergency hardship, one-off payment of $400 administered by the Red Cross which has been expanded to temporary visa/no visa holders in NSW who are facing severe financial hardship and are not eligible for other government income. To apply visit: https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/help-for-migrants-in-transition/help-for-migrants-in-transition/nsw-relief
• The test and isolate payment of $320 which has now been expanded state-wide. It is available for eligible workers aged 17 and over, who have symptoms of COVID-19, to get tested and isolate until a negative result is returned. The payment is available to NSW workers who do not have sick, carer’s or pandemic leave. To apply visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-test-and-isolate-support-payment
• Community supports grants which have been expanded across NSW to help organisations deliver emergency food relief, promote vaccination and testing services, and provide culturally appropriate support and care to diverse communities.

People are being encouraged to shine a light on the life-changing work of foster and kinship carers by nominating them for a Carer Recognition Award to mark the start of Foster and Kinship Care Week.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said more than 18,000 carers across NSW have opened their hearts and homes providing safety and stability to vulnerable children and young people.
“Foster and kinship carers provide vulnerable children with a solid foundation on which they can grow and thrive,” Mr Henskens.
“During the pandemic, they’ve stepped up and taken on extra challenges like remote learning, and the Carer Recognition Awards are an opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary contribution and to say thank you.”
The NSW Government is strengthening support for foster and kinship carers, prospective adoptive parents and guardians through My Forever Family NSW, which provides information, education, training and support to carers.
My Forever Family NSW is also leading a renewed recruitment drive to recruit new adoptive parents, guardians and foster carers.
“We need more people to open their homes and hearts to children in out-of-home care either in a permanent or part-time way,” Mr Henskens said.
“The support you give now can last a lifetime and I encourage anyone who is up for a rewarding and life-changing experience to consider becoming a carer.”
To find out more about the Carer Recognition Awards and for more information about becoming a foster carer, visit https://www.myforeverfamily.org.au/.

Applications have opened for eligible grassroots organisations to share in a $10 million funding package, to support vulnerable people and multicultural communities living in priority areas during the current COVID outbreak.
Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said the program would support non-Government organisations (NGOs) to link those in need with vital support services, including family and parenting supports, food and essential items, and specialist counselling to address issues such as mental health concerns, drug and alcohol abuse and family and domestic violence.
It will target those needing urgent help in the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern, including those who are required to isolate due to COVID-19.
“This program will boost the delivery of more critical services that vulnerable people and multicultural communities are increasingly relying on,” Mrs Ward said.
“The current outbreak is amplifying hardships for already vulnerable people in our community including recent migrants, young people and seniors.
“We know more emergency support is needed now, and the NSW Government is responding quickly.”
The $10 million COVID-19 Partnership Grants program is part of a $18.8 million emergency relief package being delivered by the NSW Government, a record amount during this current outbreak.
Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said listening and responding to community feedback during the pandemic has been a top priority for the Government.
“So many are doing it tough right now, and that includes women and children impacted by domestic violence whose abuse may have been exacerbated due to the lockdown restrictions,” Mr Speakman said.
“Importantly, this program will help those who must isolate due to COVID-19, to make sure they can continue to have access to the support services they need at this critical time.”
Eligible organisations, who already provide proven support services to vulnerable members of the community in the 12 LGAs of concern, will be directly invited by the Department of Communities and Justice to participate in the program.

A police officer has been charged with alleged domestic violence-related offences.
Officers from Parramatta Police Area Command commenced an investigation into an alleged domestic-related incident involving two women, aged 44 and 24, at a home in Sydney’s west earlier this month.
Following inquires, the 44-year old senior constable, attached to a specialist command, was issued a court attendance notice for common assault (DV).
She is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 27 October 2021.
The officer’s duty status is currently under review.

People are being encouraged to shine a light on the life-changing work of foster and kinship carers by nominating them for a Carer Recognition Award to mark the start of Foster and Kinship Care Week.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said more than 18,000 carers across NSW have opened their hearts and homes providing safety and stability to vulnerable children and young people.
“Foster and kinship carers provide vulnerable children with a solid foundation on which they can grow and thrive,” Mr Henskens.
“During the pandemic, they’ve stepped up and taken on extra challenges like remote learning, and the Carer Recognition Awards are an opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary contribution and to say thank you.”
The NSW Government is strengthening support for foster and kinship carers, prospective adoptive parents and guardians through My Forever Family NSW, which provides information, education, training and support to carers.
My Forever Family NSW is also leading a renewed recruitment drive to recruit new adoptive parents, guardians and foster carers.
“We need more people to open their homes and hearts to children in out-of-home care either in a permanent or part-time way,” Mr Henskens said.
“The support you give now can last a lifetime and I encourage anyone who is up for a rewarding and life-changing experience to consider becoming a carer.”
To find out more about the Carer Recognition Awards and for more information about becoming a foster carer, visit https://www.myforeverfamily.org.au/.

As students and staff are preparing for a return to face-to-face learning in NSW public schools next month, the NSW Government is ensuring that all schools are safe, clean and secure.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Department of Education is carrying out a systematic review of all learning spaces, including libraries and halls, to ensure all schools continue to operate in the safest ways possible.
“We are working with our schools to develop their specific return to school plans and implement the relevant on site restrictions; while this occurs we are also making sure each room is suitable for students return,” Ms Mitchell said.
The review will focus on ventilation in classrooms and also provide support to schools to adapt lessons to make full use of school facilities including outdoor learning areas.
“Most NSW public schools have openable windows. The review will ensure that all windows operate efficiently allowing natural ventilation, and that ceiling fans and air conditioning systems  are operating effectively and serviced regularly,” Ms Mitchell said.
Schools with air conditioning systems are also being checked to ensure they are fully operational, and the frequency of filter servicing and cleaning will be increased.
“This is a mammoth task, as we have 2,200 schools in the public system with more than 50,000 learning spaces.”
“The health of students and staff has always been our priority and parents should feel confident their child’s school is well equipped to keep them as safe as possible,” Ms Mitchell said.
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have made significant increases in the cleaning of schools and distributed large quantities of additional hygiene and safety supplies, including face masks, hand sanitiser and surface wipes.
Advice and supplies will continue to be provided to principals to support ventilation, personal hygiene, school activities, mask wearing and cleaning to ensure they can operate their school in a COVID safe way.
The review is informed by the expertise of NSW Health and latest research including the NCIRS report: COVID-19 Delta variant in schools and early childhood education.

Thousands of specialist staff are supporting the wellbeing and mental health of school communities during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government has been prioritising the mental health of students during the difficult lockdown period by ramping up wraparound wellbeing support.
“We know how difficult the last 18 months have been for our students, which is why there are more than 3,000 non-teaching staff available – including school counsellors, school psychologists, student support officers and a network of specialist facilitators, wellbeing nurses, school chaplains and school learning support officers – to make sure children feel as supported as possible while they learn from home,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We also continue to work closely alongside key mental health organisations such as headspace, Reach Out, Kids Helpline and the Black Dog Institute to provide evidence-based resources to our staff and students.”
Schools across the state are running workshops, “wellbeing days” and events to help students look after themselves and each other.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the holistic approach was designed to help students stay mentally fit and build resilience during tough times.
“This is all about empowering families with the tools they need to look out for each other, especially during this challenging time of home schooling,” Mrs Taylor said.
“These resources have been developed with leading youth mental health organisations to ensure we are equipping parents, carers, teachers and children with the confidence and knowledge of when and where to seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed or particularly stressed out.”
Ms Mitchell added the mental health and wellbeing of school staff during the remote learning period was also paramount.
“Our teachers, leaders and school staff have done a tremendous job during this difficult period, and the NSW Government has implemented a specialised mental health program called ‘Being Well’ to support our educators,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The ‘Being Well’ program is running workshops for staff to learn how to spot the signs of struggle amongst colleagues and find methods of improving their own mental health along the way.
“We have also introduced a series of ‘wellbeing check ins’ for staff to connect and share ideas on sustaining their wellbeing with colleagues and wellbeing coaches.”
The Care and Connect Hub also continues to provide practical and targeted support by age group – from pre-school to end of high school – with information and guidance on how and what students, families and staff can do to take care of themselves and others.
Links to wellbeing resources can be found
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/wellbeing/wellbeing-at-home

For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

ROADMAP TO FREEDOM UNVEILED FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED

• Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
• The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.
• The freedoms for vaccinated adults and those with medical exemptions include the following.
• Gatherings in the home and public spaces:
  • Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
  • Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
• Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
  • Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
  • Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
  • Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
  • Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
  • Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
• Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
  • Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
  • Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
  • Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
• Weddings, funerals and places of worship:
  • Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
  • Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
  • Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
• Travel:
  • Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
  • Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
  • Carpooling will be permitted.
• Masks:
  • Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
  • Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
  • Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
• Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.
• Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.

LOCKDOWN LIFTED IN PARTS OF REGIONAL NSW

• Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.
• Local Government Areas (LGAs) still seeing COVID case numbers will continue to follow stay-at-home orders and will be monitored by NSW Health with updates provided as circumstances develop.
• For a list of freedoms available to people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have lifted, see the attached media release.
• For a list of LGAs where stay-at-home orders will remain in place, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/lockdown-lifted-parts-of-regional-nsw.
• For more information, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/

NSW QUEENSLAND BORDER BUBBLE REINSTATED

• Northern border residents will be able to cross the Queensland border from 1am on Monday 13 September for essential work and essential reasons with the reinstatement of the border bubble, following discussions between the NSW and Queensland Governments.
• The 12 LGAs included in the border bubble are Ballina, Byron Bay, City of Lismore, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Inverell, Kyogle, Moree Plains, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.
• Essential work means any work or volunteering that cannot be reasonably done from home and people crossing the border for essential work will need to have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. NSW residents are not able to cross the border for recreation or social visits.
• Residents will still require a Border Zone Travel (X Pass) to cross the border, which can be obtained at www.qld.gov.au/border-pass.

FULL HSC TO GO AHEAD

• All HSC students will get the opportunity to complete their studies in 2021, with the full complement of HSC exams to go ahead from 9 November 2021.
• The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has issued a revised timetable, with 110 exams taking place over 19 days, ending on 3 December. Students will receive their ATARs on 20 January 2022, with their HSC results released on 24 January.
• Strict COVID-safe protocols supported by NSW Health will be in place to protect students, exam supervisors and school staff when HSC exam start on 9 November 2021.
• 68,710 students are on track to receive the HSC in 2021, according to the HSC Enrolment Snapshot, which will be released on Monday by NESA.
• View the 2021 HSC exam timetable: https://www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/key-dates-exam-timetables/hsc-written-exam-timetable.
• View COVID-safe exam protocols: www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/covid-19-advice.

NEW LAWS SET TO TACKLE RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION

• The NSW Government will introduce a bill in Parliament to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), adding religion to existing protected grounds of disability, sex, race, age, marital or domestic status, homosexuality, transgender status and carer’s responsibilities. These reforms will see NSW join other states and territories in making religious discrimination unlawful.
• In June 2021, the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to introduce a Religious Discrimination Bill to protect against discrimination based on religious belief or activity in key areas of public life into Federal Parliament by the end of this year.
• The NSW Government plans to await the passage of the Commonwealth Bill through Parliament before finalising the detail of NSW reforms, to enable it to consider the interaction of Commonwealth law with NSW reforms and to avoid constitutional inconsistency.

WESTERN SYDNEY FORUM TO KICK-START RECOVERY

• Plans to kick-start the State’s economic recovery will be enhanced and more targeted following feedback and ideas put forward by Western and South-Western Sydney business and community representatives at a virtual forum.
• Representatives from chambers of commerce, peak bodies and community organisations and local businesses outlined the issues people are facing on the ground and presented potential solutions to reignite our economy during the two-hour event.
• A range of ideas were presented at the forum including; a reopening package tailored to the region, upskilling young people for the post-lockdown economy, small infrastructure projects and housing affordability opportunities.
• Ideas and proposals put forward at the forum will help shape the NSW Government’s economic recovery efforts for Western and Southwest Sydney as well the rest of the State.

ZERO EXTINCTIONS TARGET SET FOR NSW NATIONAL PARKS

• Koalas, rock wallabies and the Nightcap Oak are some of the iconic species set to be protected under an historic National Parks plan to declare 221 sites as Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS) and set a target of zero extinctions of species on the NSW National Park estate.
• The new AIS have been identified as home to species at risk from feral animals, bushfire and climate change, and follow the first AIS declaration earlier this year to protect the ancient Wollemi Pines.
• The AIS initiative is a key pillar of the National Parks Threatened Species Framework, which will align NPWS with the global biodiversity agenda and position the agency as a world leader in threatened species conservation.
• An interactive map of all AIS sites can be found via https://ais-map-dot-npws-ais-portal.ts.r.appspot.com/map.

GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS RETURNS TO REBOOT LIVE MUSIC IN 2022

• The NSW Government is amping up the State’s live music scene once again with the return of Great Southern Nights in March and April 2022.
• ARIA-award winning indie pop artist Amy Shark and Yolngu rapper Baker Boy join Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins and Peking Duk as the first artists of the line-up, with shows to be held from 18 March to 10 April 2022.
• Following its hugely successful debut in 2020, Great Southern Nights will again create jobs and revenue for artists, venues and crew in Sydney and across regional NSW, highlighting the State’s rich live music culture.
• Venues can apply to be part of the Great Southern Nights program via the website. For information: www.greatsouthernnights.com.au.

$1.49M FUNDING BOOSTS FOUR COUNCILS AND THEIR COASTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS

• The NSW Government has announced $1.49 million in funding to four local councils under the 2020-2021 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to assist with increasing the resilience and health of coastal communities and their coastlines.
• The successful recipients are:
  • Central Coast Council Awarded $644,560 to complete stages two and three of its Coastal Management Program (CMP) for Tuggerah Lakes Estuary, and $326,667 to complete stage two of a CMP for open coast and coastal lagoons.
  • MidCoast Council Awarded $40,000 for a scoping study for Great Lakes, Karuah and Khappinghat estuaries, and $31,600 to review the current framework for management of Jimmy’s Beach.
  • Maitland City Council Awarded $381,667 to review and reset the strategic direction of the management of the Hunter River Estuary by developing a CMP. This project will bring together Maitland City, Newcastle City, Port Stephens and Dungog Shire Councils.
  • Georges River Council Awarded $66,666 to complete a detailed design for foreshore protection works required at Donnelly Park, Connells Point.