16,700 NSW teachers and school-based staff given permanent roles under Minns Labor Government

The Minns Labor Government is exceeding its commitment to convert more than 16,000 temporary teachers and support staff to permanent positions, delivering on one of its signature election promises.

The commitment aims to turn around the workforce crisis in NSW public schools, which last year saw a record 1,854 teachers resign.

Some teachers who were considering leaving the profession are now staying thanks to the initiative, according to feedback given to the NSW Department of Education.

In just six months, more than 16,700 temporary teachers and support staff accepted a permanent position at their current school, exceeding the Government’s expectations and moving ahead with the goal of improving education outcomes for students in the state’s public schools.

Under the first tranche of offers, some 10,000 teachers were offered permanent roles, with almost 9,000 accepting a permanent position so far.

Some 7,700 temporary school support staff have also accepted a permanent role, which goes above the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to deliver 6,000 of these roles.

Work is now underway on preparing for the next tranche of offers.

This work reverses the decade of systemic casualisation of the teaching workforce by the former Government, where the number of temporary teachers exploded from 11,700 in 2011 to more than 24,000 in 2023.

When the Minns Labor Government came to office, only about 60 per cent of the teaching workforce had permanent and stable employment.

The OECD recently released a damning report into the former Government’s record in education, stating that “the high proportion of temporary contracts” caused “adverse effects for schools, teachers and students”.

In its report, the OECD also found casualisation was “a barrier to retaining graduate teachers”, negatively affecting their motivation, and was one of the reasons behind the “growing number of newly qualified teachers leaving the profession”.

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

“After just over six months in office not only are we delivering on our commitment to make thousands of temporary teachers and support staff permanent – we are going even further.

“We have exceeded our expectations on where we thought we would be in our efforts to provide job security to temporary teachers and staff.

“I am so pleased that an overwhelming majority of 10,000 offers we have made to teachers so far have been accepted.

“Bringing job security back to teaching is just one way we are restoring pride in the profession and keeping our best teachers in front of classrooms.

“As we continue to provide more permanent roles in schools, I look forward to providing more teachers and support staff the certainty they need to make teaching their life’s work and make long-term plans like applying for a mortgage or putting down roots”.

Relieving our busy emergency departments by diverting drug and alcohol presentations

The NSW Government is acting to take pressure off of some of the state’s busy emergency departments by diverting drug and alcohol presentations to specialised units.

Safe assessment units are designed to better support people presenting to emergency departments with behavioural disturbances associated with alcohol and drugs.

Two of these units will be rolled out at the Prince of Wales and Nepean hospitals.

People presenting with behavioural disturbances are often vulnerable and become overwhelmed by the environment in the ED.

These units will provide a safe, low stimulus environment in which patients can be admitted, assessed, and treated.

They will allow patients to be treated by a multidisciplinary team of clinicans working across mental health, clinical pharmacology and alcohol and drug teams.

Similar models of care have resulted in improved patient outcomes, reduced need for sedation and restraint, as well as a reduction in the length of stay and time to be seen in EDs.

Both Units are expected to be ready to start seeing patients early next year, and will complement the existing Psychiatry and Non-Prescription Drug and Alcohol (PANDA) Unit within St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

The PANDA Unit, established in 2020, is co-located with the St Vincent’s ED and was the first service of this kind in Australia.

To ensure patients receive ongoing support after discharge, care will be provided through collaboration with the community alcohol and other drug sector, the community mental health sector and other health and community services.

The units will be co-located within each ED.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We are acting to reduce pressure on our busy emergency departments by providing more appropriate care and treatment to drug and alcohol presentations.

“These units create a safe environment, not only for patients presenting with disturbances associated with alcohol and drugs, but also our frontline health workers and other patients presenting to our emergency departments.

“As Health Minister, I am embracing new and innovative initiatives to relieve pressure on our emergency departments by ensuring people receive the appropriate care when and where they need it.”

NSW residents reminded to put their heart health first

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in Australia, NSW residents aged 45 and over, or 30 and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, are reminded to book in for their regular heart health check.

Health Minister Ryan Park joined fellow Members of Parliament at an event hosted by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in NSW Parliament to promote 10-minute Heart Health Checks.

“Heart disease, as we well know, is the leading cause of death in Australia. Simple initiatives like this one by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute are an ideal opportunity for early intervention – and they are literally saving lives,” Mr Park said.

“The Heart Health Check is really easy and it takes just 10 minutes and included tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

“Picking up on problems early means you and your doctor can better manage and prevent other health issues from occurring further down the line.

“Nearly 40 per cent of the disease burden in Australia is due to risk factors such as the ones being measured in Heart Health Checks.”

“Anyone looking for check-up on their heart health can book in with their GP for a Heart Health Check, who will help you better understand your risk of a heart attack or stroke and support you to lower this risk.”  

CEO and Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Professor Jason Kovacic, said the good news is that all three of these early indicators of possible heart disease can be changed by making improvements to your lifestyle.

“Making even small positive changes to your lifestyle, including your diet and activity levels can make a big difference to these risk factors and a person’s overall heart health,” Professor Kovacic said.

“The results of the test are presented to the person and if any measure is outside the normal range, they are recommended to make an appointment to see their GP.”

Along with keeping physically active, the World Health Organisation recommends:

  • Quitting smoking or not smoking at all
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Drinking alcohol in moderation
  • Looking after your weight

The NSW Healthy Eating and Active Living Strategy 2022-2032launch outlines steps for achieving better health outcomes for all. The Strategy sets the foundation for collaboration between NSW Health, partner organisations and agencies to support keeping people healthy and well over the next decade.

The strategy includes a range of initiatives that support healthy living, including the Get Healthy Service, a free phone and online health coaching service, staffed by qualified health coaches.

It provides personalised support to anyone 16 years and over to maintain healthy eating habits, get active, reduce alcohol, and reach a healthy weight.

Landmark National Skills Agreement between Albanese and Minns governments

The Albanese and Minns governments have signed a landmark agreement that will deliver billions of dollars to build the skills and prosperity of NSW.

The landmark 5-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) – which will take effect from January next year – was developed under principles agreed by National Cabinet and will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in the NSW vocational education and training sector.

NSW is set to benefit from over $3.81 billion of investment from the Albanese Government, supporting investment by the Minns Government to expand and transform access to the VET sector.

The 5-year agreement places TAFE at the heart of the VET sector, providing the funding certainty required to support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs. 

The NSA will provide for $1.055 billion of additional funding to NSW, enabling NSW to complete significant reform to the skills and training sector. This will support the Minns Government’s commitments to investing and rebuilding TAFE NSW and the broader skills sector. 

This includes investing in TAFE Centres of Excellence, boosting foundation skills in language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy and Closing the Gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In an historic first, a new national stewardship model will coordinate strategic investment in skills across the economy and support delivery of skills needed in national priority areas, as well as providing states and territories with flexibility to meet local industry skills needs.

Nationally, the $12.6 billion investment by the Commonwealth includes an extra $2.4 billion in flexible funding to support state and territory skills sectors with capacity to deliver skills for critical and emerging industries. Priorities include:

  • clean energy and Net Zero transformation of the economy.
  • Australia’s sovereign capability, including advanced manufacturing skills, national security, food security and construction.
  • care and support services.
  • ensuring Australia’s digital and technology capability

This new investment is on top of $414 million already committed nationally for the delivery of 300,000 fee-free TAFE places from 2024.

Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor said:

“This landmark agreement will kickstart real change”

“I’d like to thank my counterpart Skills Ministers for their genuine cooperation in looking to rebuild national vocational education and training, with TAFE at its heart.”

“The TAFE sector has endured periods of underfunding, impacts of deregulation, loose rules of VET market entry, a lack of national cohesion and an obsession for competition at the expense of collaboration.”

“By providing genuine national leadership in partnership with states and territories, we are building a system that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

“A high performing and world class VET sector is crucial for achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy.” 

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP said:

“The National Skills Agreement marks a united commitment from the Commonwealth and NSW Government to train key workers in priority industries and build a robust and scalable skills-force.”

“Over the next 5 years, we will have the tools to rebuild TAFE, proactively manage skills shortages and support some of our state’s most disadvantaged students.”

“TAFE has experienced years of uncertainty. This agreement will ensure its long-term stability. Through TAFE, we will be able to upskill in-demand workers and maximise opportunities in the skills system.”

“It is particularly pleasing to see the close alignment in priorities between the NSW and Federal governments, with support provided for Minns Government commitments such as TAFE Centres of Excellence, Closing the Gap initiatives, ensuring access to literacy and numeracy training, and improving course completions.” 

Education authority to improve students’ education outcomes and support NSW teachers

Addressing the teacher shortage crisis and easing workload will be a priority for the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) as the Minns Labor Government issues its first Statement of Expectations.

For the first time, the NSW Government’s expectations for NESA will explicitly ask the regulatory body to reduce unnecessary workload and ensure the accreditation process for teachers is not overly burdensome.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving educational outcomes for students, and ensuring every child in NSW receives a high-quality education.

Having an education system that values and supports teachers is key to delivering this promise.

The Statement of Expectations will also require NESA to focus on clear and concise language and ensure its requirements of teachers are explicit.

Taking these steps will help avoid duplication and the creation of unnecessary work, as well as any misunderstanding about what is required of educators in NSW.

Other points include working with higher education providers to ensure high-quality programs are being delivered that properly prepare graduate teachers for the classroom.

NESA will also be asked to work on streamlining processes and removing unnecessary barriers for teachers in the areas of greatest need while maintaining NSW’s high standards for the profession.

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

“We know NESA shares the NSW Government’s commitment to improving student educational outcomes, but that won’t happen while we have overworked and burnt-out teachers.

“Addressing the teacher shortage crisis requires all parts of our system to be working together to relieve the burden on our teaching workforce.

“NESA is already doing great things to support our teachers, and we look forward to working with the authority to do more to ease teachers’ workload, providing a benefit to all the state’s students.”

Try a Trade giving young people in custody a chance for transition

Young people in custody are being given the opportunity to learn new skills to help them transition back into the community thanks to the Try a Trade program, jointly run by Youth Justice NSW and Training Services NSW.

The young people at Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre in Kariong can try a range of trades including bricklaying, plastering, barbering, mechanics, carpentry, warehousing and plumbing.

Local businesses such as Colonial Painting and Decorating Service at Gosford have volunteered to teach participants plastering and painting to build connections with a potential new workforce.

The first Try a Trade day was held at Cobham Youth Justice Centre with 10 workshops held across a range of trades including carpentry, painting, and landscaping.

A second session ran at the Riverina Youth Justice Centre, where 5 businesses across different trades visited the centre to teach a range of skills including plumbing, carpentry, painting, traffic control and mechanics. 

As a result of the previous Try a Trade days at Cobham and Riverina Youth Justice Centres, 10 young people have gained employment in their chosen pathway, 2 young people have commenced apprenticeships, and over 30 have identified a set trade as a career option when they hadn’t previously done so.

Try a Trade days will be run across all 6 youth justice centres around the state throughout the remainder of 2023. These are in addition to the skills and trades programs already running in youth justice centres.

Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said:

“A key focus for Youth Justice is supporting young people to transition from custody back into the community.

“The Try a Trade days not only allow young people to sample a few trade options and learn some new skills, but they also help them build community connections and links that will still be there when they leave custody.

“This is a great initiative because it finds a way to upskill young people for their reintegration into community, and the success stories we have heard so far show it is working.”

Minister for Skills Steve Whan said:

“Providing people training and a career is a critical part of setting people onto a more positive path in their lives.

“Initiatives like Try a Trade provide a real opportunity to engage in life changing educational opportunities.”

LANDMARK NATIONAL SKILLS AGREEMENT TO UNLOCK BILLIONS

Last night’s National Cabinet agreed to unlock billions of dollars to build Australian skills and prosperity.

The landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA), which will take effect from January next year, was developed under principles agreed by National Cabinet and will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in our vocational education and training sector.

The Albanese Government is prepared to invest $12.6 billion to expand and transform access to the VET sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs. If States and Territories access all the Commonwealth funding available under the NSA, the combined investment by governments would exceed $30 billion.

In an historic first, a new National Stewardship model will coordinate strategic investment in skills across the economy, and support delivery of skills needed in national priority areas, as well as providing States and Territories with flexibility to meet local industry skills needs.

The agreement places TAFE at the heart of the VET sector, with TAFEs to be supported by baseline funding commitments.

Major reforms will include the establishment of nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence involving partnerships between TAFEs, universities, Jobs and Skills Councils and industry.

The $12.6 billion investment by the Commonwealth includes an extra $2.4 billion in flexible funding to support State and Territory skills sectors with capacity to deliver skills for critical and emerging industries. Priorities include:

  • Clean energy and Net Zero transformation of the economy.
  • Australia’s sovereign capability, including advanced manufacturing skills, national security, food security and construction.
  • Care and support services.
  • Ensuring Australia’s digital and technology capability.

There is up to an additional $1.3 billion of Commonwealth funding to implement agreed reforms including:

  • $325 million to establish nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence and strengthen collaboration between TAFEs, universities and industry.
  • $100 million to support, grow and retain a quality VET workforce.
  • $155 million to establish a National TAFE leadership Network to promote cutting edge curriculum.
  • $214 million for Closing the Gap initiatives to be designed in partnership with First Nations peoples and led by them.
  • $250 million to improve VET completions including women and others who face completion challenges.
  • $142 million to improve foundation skills training capacity, quality and accessibility.
  • $116 million to improve VET evidence and data.

This new investment is on top of $414 million already committed for the delivery of 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places from 2024.

The Albanese Government values and supports TAFE and Australians getting the skills the country needs. The previous Government was defined by nearly a decade of dysfunction and mismanagement, and nowhere was this more evident than in the VET sector.

In a significant shift away from the short-term, transactional working relationships of the past decade, a new National Stewardship approach on skills will provide a framework for cooperation across state borders and across national and State and Territory priorities. 

Shared National Stewardship of VET will ensure funding under the National Skills Agreement is used more effectively to achieve opportunities for all Australians, and ensure social and economic inclusion, especially for those historically locked out of the labour market.

The Agreement delivers on the Vision and Principles endorsed by National Cabinet which requires Skills Ministers to focus on gender equality and women’s economic participation, Closing the Gap for First Nations people, and ensuring more opportunities for young people, mature age Australians, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and regional and remote learners.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“The National Skills Agreement is consistent with so much of what my Government does – bringing people together from all over the country to address the common challenges faced by all of us.

“We need to train Australians for the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow.

“This important National Skills Agreement, alongside our very successful Fee-Free TAFE places, will mean more boilermakers, more chefs, more aged care workers, more child care workers, and more Australians with the skills that they need, but also the skills that our economy needs.”

the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor said:

“This landmark agreement will kickstart real change.

“I’d like to thank my counterpart Skills Ministers for their genuine cooperation in looking to rebuild national vocational education and training, with TAFE at its heart.

“The ineffectual Coalition Government failed to land a national skills agreement with any State or Territory.

“The TAFE sector has endured periods of underfunding, impacts of deregulation, loose rules of VET market entry, a lack of national cohesion and an obsession for competition at the expense of collaboration.

“By providing genuine national leadership in partnership with states and territories, we are building a system that is greater than the sum of its parts.

“A high performing and world-class VET sector is crucial for achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy.”

MEETING OF NATIONAL CABINET

National Cabinet met virtually today to discuss issues of national importance and agree to a new National Skills Agreement.

National Skills Agreement

First Ministers endorsed the new National Skills Agreement, building on National Cabinet’s close cooperation on other priorities, such as housing and planning.

The Agreement will support a new way of working together to deliver the nation’s social and economic priorities through shared stewardship of the vocational education and training (VET) system.

The new Agreement will see the Australian Government invest up to an additional $3.7 billion in VET over five years, bringing total Commonwealth investment through the Agreement up to $12.6 billion.

First Ministers noted that the National Skills Agreement delivers on the vision and guiding principles previously endorsed by National Cabinet. It will support a shared skills reform agenda that drives improved outcomes nationally, while recognising each state and territory’s unique circumstances and VET systems.

First Ministers also recommitted to fee-free TAFE, noting that almost 215,000 places were delivered in the first six months of this year. The Commonwealth and states and territories will partner to make a further 300,000 TAFE and VET places fee-free from January next year.

National Cabinet noted the shared challenges of skills shortage in every state and territory, and committed to keep working together through the National Skills Agreement and other avenues to ensure Australians are trained for the jobs of the future and the jobs the economy needs right now

This highlights the commitment of First Ministers to deliver high-quality, responsive and accessible vocational education and training to boost productivity and support Australians to obtain the skills they need to participate in rewarding work.

This media statement has been agreed by First Ministers and serves as a record of meeting outcomes.

2023 PRIME MINISTER’S PRIZES FOR SCIENCE CELEBRATE QUANTUM COMPUTING

Australian quantum science, biotechnology and outstanding teaching are all being recognised and celebrated in this year’s Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

Leading Australian quantum scientist Professor Michelle Simmons AO from UNSW Sydney has received the $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for her pioneering developments in quantum computing.

Professor Simmons has championed breakthrough advancements to electronic parts for quantum computing, including components as small as one atom.

Professor Simmons founded Australia’s first quantum computing company, Silicon Quantum Computing, and alongside her team pioneered a new precise style of manufacturing that forms the basis for a new approach to quantum computing.

Professor Simmons’ efforts have the potential to be applied across several other fields, including therapeutic drug design, reducing the cost of airline fuel, and creating better fertilisers for agriculture.

Professor and entrepreneur Glenn King from the University of Queensland received the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation for his ground-breaking discovery that the venom of the Australian funnel web spider can be used to make pharmaceuticals to treat chronic pain, epilepsy and stroke.

Judith Stutchbury received the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools. Ms Stutchbury is a teacher at Kalkie State School in Bundaberg, and has taught students about the importance of marine turtle conservation in the Great Barrier Reef, and authored an award-winning fiction book to promote environmental science.

Donna Buckley received the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools for inspiring students with diverse backgrounds by applying mathematics to real-world problems and introducing them to career paths in science related fields.

The achievements of all 2023 prize recipients can be found at Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP said:

“The achievements of the 2023 recipients reflect the world-class quality of Australia’s science and research sector and the dedication of our STEM teachers. It confirms the future of Australian science is stronger than ever.

“On behalf of all Australians, I want to thank and congratulate all the 2023 prize recipients for their remarkable contribution to Australian science, and to improving our lives.”

the Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic said:

“Excellence in Australian science and technology is on display again this year.

“Behind every great scientist is a dedicated science teacher.

“Australians put huge stock in our world-class scientists, and understands science and innovation is at the heart of human progress.

“Quantum computing has the power to transform industries and solve important challenges.

“From automation on factory floors to rapidly advancing AI, the science and innovation sector is creating secure and well-paid jobs.”

Find out more at Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

CCTV images released as inquiries continue by Strike Force Mealing

Police have released CCTV images as they investigate an alleged assault in the CBD last week.

About 7.30pm on Monday 9 October 2023, a 45-year-old man allegedly became involved in an argument with a group of men near the Sydney Opera House.

An argument ensued during which the man was allegedly assaulted and spat on.

Police intervened and the group, including the alleged victim, dispersed and left the area.

The man later reported the assault to Maroubra Police.

Strike Force Mealing has since been established to investigate offences committed during protest activity.

As those inquiries continue, police have released CCTV images of five people they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into the assault.

The first man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 20s, of solid build, and has tattoos on both legs. He was wearing black sunglasses, a white and blue keffiyeh (head-covering garment), a white shirt, black shorts, long black socks and black shoes.

The second man is described as Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 20s, of a medium build, has a moustache, and was wearing a white and blue keffiyeh, a white shirt with both Aboriginal and Palestinian flags print, black pants, and black and white Vans.

The third man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his early 20s, of a tall build, with medium-length curly black hair, and a stubbly goatee, and was wearing a white and blue keffiyeh, and a white shirt.

The fourth man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 20s, of a medium build, with short black hair, and a black beard, and was wearing a white and blue keffiyeh, a black tracksuit and white shoes.

The woman is described as Caucasian appearance with long blonde hair, and was wearing a black hoodie featuring a red and yellow print, black leggings, long white socks, and pink shoes.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.