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Passengers already receiving service improvements thanks to Bus Industry Taskforce First Report

Transport for NSW has been working with the new operator In Region 10, U-Go Mobility on a stabilisation plan, after the department was forced to step in when the operator failed to deliver the expected level of service for the community.

While there is still much more to be done before services in Region 10 return to normal, this has resulted in reduced unplanned service cancellations, reduced complaints, and increased levels of community engagement, particularly with local school communities.

There are dedicated Transport for NSW resources on the ground at U-Go Mobility depots to improve reliability, safety and action taken to improve service delivery, including prioritisation of key services.

Since the adjusted temporary timetable was put in place in Region 10 on 31 July 2023, unplanned service cancellations are down from an average of 400 per week-day to an average of 86 per weekday.

Bus marshals are deployed at key interchanges, including Hurstville, Bankstown, Sutherland and Miranda to assist passengers.

Transport for NSW is also working with U-Go Mobility to ensure robust recruitment plans are in place to manage driver shortages and a recruitment pipeline, to assist in service delivery.

The operator has prioritised dedicated school services to reduce impacts on school students. Public service routes used by large numbers of local school students have also been identified and prioritised.

U-Go Mobility now has a dedicated school’s liaison officer working with local schools to provide regular communication, capture feedback and proactively manage school issues, including real-time contact regarding impacted school services.

From 17 August 2023, Transit Systems has temporarily taken over the operation of 18 dedicated school bus services, to improve their reliability. 

Nightride services are being supported by other contracted operators’ buses when needed. 

Transport for NSW is also working on providing additional support for elderly or vulnerable passengers, or those without access to travel apps. Hard copies of timetables have been issued to MP Electorate Offices to provide to constituents.

Transport Management Centre Commanders will also patrol back routes to provide greater visibility/presence and ensure passengers are not left waiting for long periods at bus stops due to cancellations.

Transport for NSW has worked with the operator to put a cure plan in place that will bring the region back to required performance later this year.

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen:

“We still aren’t satisfied with the level of service in Region 10, but we are seeing some significant improvements for passengers.”

“Thanks to Transport’s intervention in Region 10, we’re seeing fewer service cancellations and fewer complaints but bus services still haven’t returned to normal.”

“We now have a cure plan in place to bring back the level of bus services that the community expects and the government will continue to hold the operator to account until that happens.”

NSW Government rescues the Energy Roadmap to deliver the transition to renewables

The NSW Government today released its strategy to secure the reliable supply of clean and affordable renewable energy for NSW.
 

The government’s response to the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up conducted by Cameron O’Reilly from Marsden Jacob Associates commits to a whole-of-government effort to deliver the energy transition for NSW households, businesses and communities.

The check up makes 54 recommendations to keep the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap on track. The government has accepted 50 recommendations; 44 in full, 3 in part and 3 are already underway or complete.

The NSW Government will take action in 3 key areas.

Firstly, the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap has been endorsed as a strategic priority of the government. This means there will be a whole-of-government effort to make sure that as coal-fired power retires, NSW households and businesses have enough renewable energy, transmission and storage to replace it as quickly as possible.

Secondly, a new Energy Security Target Monitor will actively scrutinise the plans of NSW’s remaining private coal-fired power stations as they approach retirement to ensure ongoing reliability at the lowest cost.

The check up finds there will be reliability challenges for NSW in the next couple of years. The government will engage with Origin on its plans for Eraring, at the same time as pursuing all alternative solutions to deliver the renewable generation, transmission and storage solutions that NSW needs.

Finally, the NSW Government will streamline renewables approvals in the planning system as well as enhance and coordinate community benefit sharing. It will unlock opportunities to connect new renewables to the existing grid outside Renewable Energy Zones. A Consumer Energy Strategy will be developed to unleash the potential of households and businesses to further embrace small-scale renewables like solar in the short-term, without shifting focus and momentum from the delivery of large-scale projects.

The whole-of-government approach will also address housing, transport, skills and workforce and supply constraints in the Renewable Energy Zones.

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) will continue as the lead agency to deliver the Renewable Energy Zones that will power NSW into the future. EnergyCo will be enhanced with a statement of priorities and a reformed governance framework.

Read the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Uplaunch and the NSW Government response.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“One of the biggest challenges facing NSW is ensuring we can keep the lights on while managing the biggest change in energy mix and consumption in the shortest period of time in our nation’s history.

“This challenge is made worse by privatisation, cost overruns and delays under the previous government.

“NSW is committed to meeting its net zero ambition and transforming our electricity system to renewables as soon as possible.

“This report and the government’s response rescues the renewables mission and puts the transition back on track.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“NSW has no time to waste as coal-fired power retires and needs to be replaced by renewable energy generation, transmission and storage.

“The check up by Cameron O’Reilly and his team is a clear-sighted assessment that has kicked the tires of energy policy in NSW.

“It provides the practical and achievable next steps to rescue the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, and let NSW get on with it.

“I want to thank Cameron O’Reilly and his team for their work on the check up and those who have provided their insights to both Cameron and the NSW Government as we have been finalising our response.”

Coal royalties to deliver budget repair, fairer return for NSW

The Minns Government will update NSW coal royalty rates to make sure the state earns a fair return for its resources under modern market conditions.

The new scheme will see coal royalties increase by 2.6 percentage points from 1 July 2024. It will replace the emergency domestic coal cap and reservation measures the previous government introduced in December 2022.

The changes will improve the state’s budget position by more than $2.7 billion over the 4 years from 2024 to 2028.

Coal royalties have not increased since January 2009. Since then, international prices have surged, peaking well above $500 per tonne in late 2022 as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

International prices have since remained above average, trading consistently above $200 per tonne.

Existing discounts for underground and deep underground mining (deeper than 400m) will continue.

The decision also mitigates a $1.3 billion write-down in royalties revenue in the forthcoming budget.

The government will use the funds raised rebuilding the state’s essential services, as well as providing families with cost-of-living relief.

Under the new system the rates for open cut, underground and deep underground mining will be:

Type of miningOpen cutUnderground Deep underground 
Coal royalty rate from July 202410.8%9.8%8.8%
Current coal royalty rate8.2%7.2%6.2%

The new system was developed following extensive consultation with the mining industry as well as NSW’s key trading partners. The consultation included:

  • Two roundtables, attended by 13 mining companies.
  • Seven individual meetings between the Treasurer, the Minister for Natural Resources and major mine operators.
  • Twenty written submissions from representatives of the coal sector, including from coal mining companies and coal fired power generators.
  • Detailed consultation with affected companies on price forecasts, currency assumptions, volume growth and cost curves. The Treasurer and the Minister for Finance then met with an industry delegation to discuss feedback.
  • A roundtable with 4 major power companies, spanning the generation, distribution and retail sectors of the electricity industry.
  • Two detailed consultations between NSW Treasury and the Consuls-General of Japan and Korea.

The announcement is a key element in the government’s long-term plan to balance the need for budget repair, rebuild the state’s essential services and take pressure off NSW families and businesses.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is a fair outcome for the people of NSW. The old system is out of date. The market has moved on. That’s why we are modernising the state’s coal royalties.

“The new scheme will make sure the people of NSW share in the wealth their resources create.

“I want to thank all of the mining companies, the power companies, and our key trading partners for their extensive engagement with the NSW Government ahead of the forthcoming Budget.”

Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said: 

“Coal is an important part of the state’s energy mix and a key contributor to our economy.

“Having embarked on extensive consultations with mining companies, industry groups and our trading partners, we have struck the right balance.

“These changes will take effect on 1 July 2024 giving the industry time to adjust and upholding the Minns Labor Government’s commitment not to consider royalties changes while emergency measures were in place.

“The Minns Government is committed to ensuring the ongoing stability of the mining sector, while rebuilding essential services for the people of NSW.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said: 

“The coal price caps were an emergency measure to keep electricity prices under control during a global energy crisis.

“Going forward, it’s important our energy sector has certainty about NSW’s policy settings.”

Signs of improvement despite major challenges confronting health system

The health system is showing signs of improvement as NSW public hospitals continue to face major pressures, according to the latest release of Bureau of Health Information (BHI) data.

Across the state, the number of surgical patients waiting longer than clinically recommended have decreased from 14,067 to 9142 between the end of March and the end of June.

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.

The taskforce has brought together some of the state’s leading clinical experts, working in both the public and private health sectors.

It continues to examine a range of best-practice models, including safely increasing day-only surgery, boosting virtual care and remote monitoring of patients, enhancing systems of referrals and assessment of patients by multidisciplinary teams, and maximising the efficiency of operating theatres for planned surgery.

The latest BHI data shows continuing high levels of demand for emergency care, including record NSW Ambulance activity.

Throughout the second quarter of 2023, there were 117,949 triage category 2 (emergency) presentations to NSW public hospitals, the highest number on record.

Despite the increase in more complex presentations, the majority of patients, 65.8%, started their treatment on time, an improvement on the same quarter last year.

Throughout the quarter, more than 7 in 10 patients (74.1%) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark time, also an improvement on the same quarter of last year.

The newly elected Minns Labor Government is undertaking a comprehensive suite of structural reforms to rebuild the state’s health system, including:

  • Building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, beginning with implementing safe staffing levels, with a memorandum of understanding signed with nurses just last week.
  • Improving health workforce conditions, including with the abolition of the wages cap and the rollout of study subsidies.
  • Enhancing the accessibility and delivery of healthcare across rural and regional NSW, including with a boost to regional paramedics; doubling rural health incentives and expanding the single employer model.
  • Safely delivering the essential health services our community deserves, including through a special commission of inquiry into health spending.
  • Reducing surgery wait times with the establishment of a surgical care taskforce.
  • Providing the health infrastructure and technology for communities across NSW, including by embracing urgent care and virtual care, relieving pressure on our hospitals.

The Minns Labor Government remains committed to improving the essential health services our community deserve and building an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We’ve inherited a health system facing great pressure and significant strain. I’ve always said there are no quick fixes and it will take time to address these challenges.

“I want to thank our health workforce and NSW Health for their tireless efforts and persistence, in delivering essential services across our community.

“We are determined to begin rebuilding our state’s health system with a comprehensive and ambitious agenda.

“I want to make sure all people in NSW receive the right level of healthcare, service and access and have confidence in their hospital and health system.”

INVESTED IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The Australian Government has today launched Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 to deepen Australia’s economic engagement with our region and ensure our shared future prosperity.

The strategy, developed by Mr Nicholas Moore AO, Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, was announced by the Prime Minister at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta today.

It sets out a practical pathway to increase Australia’s two-way trade and investment with the region.

Southeast Asia is a centre of global activity and business, and one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. The strategy outlines how Australia can seize the vast opportunities our diverse and vibrant region presents. It also describes what Australia can offer our region, as a trusted and reliable partner.

The Special Envoy identified 10 priority sectors offering the most potential for growth: agriculture and food; resources; green energy transition; infrastructure; education and skills; visitor economy; healthcare; digital economy, professional and financial services; and creative industries.
The Prime Minister has committed to immediately support three initiatives that go to the heart of the strategy and are an investment in Australia’s economic future:

  • Investment Deal Teams ($70.2 million over four years) who will be based in the ASEAN region and will work with Australian investors, Southeast Asian businesses and governments to identify and facilitate investment opportunities.
  • Southeast Asia Business Exchange ($19.2 million over four years) to boost two-way trade and support Australian exporters to enter, compete and grow in the fast-growing markets of Southeast Asia. This will include a trade and investment campaign to promote opportunities in Southeast Asian markets to Australian business and consumers.
  • Placements and Internships Pilot Program for Young Professionals ($6 million over four years) which will help to build enduring links between Australia and Southeast Asian businesses.

This strategy reaffirms the Australian Government’s commitment to deepening our engagement with Southeast Asia.

The strategy is available at: Southeast Asia Economic Strategy | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au).

Implementation of the strategy will be led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Treasurer and the Minister for Trade and Tourism, supported by a joint taskforce between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Treasury.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Southeast Asia’s fast-growing economies present a major opportunity for Australian business, but we haven’t kept pace with their exponential growth.

“Our economic future lies with Southeast Asia. This strategy outlines how we can harness this growth, and seize the vast trade and investment opportunities our region presents.

“I thank Special Envoy to Southeast Asia, Nicholas Moore, for developing a comprehensive strategy based on extensive consultation across the region.”

the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong said:

“The Albanese Government is deploying all elements of our national power to make Australia stronger and more influential in the world, including by deepening our engagement in the region.

“Investing in priority sectors such as the green energy transition, infrastructure and food security is an investment in Australia’s future and the future of the region.

“The strategy reinforces that trade and investment diversification is key to our shared future prosperity and economic security. We seek genuine partnership with Southeast Asian economies to capture untapped opportunities for our mutual benefit.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said:

“Australians can be the beneficiaries of the some of the big shifts that are underway in the region by deepening our engagement in Southeast Asia.

“Whether it be the energy transformation, high-skilled manufacturing or world-class produce, we have the goods and services that the region needs to power its growth in the decades ahead.

“Greater integration with the dynamic markets of Southeast Asia will ultimately help deliver better jobs and better opportunities here at home.”

the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell said:

“This strategy reinforces our intent and priorities to expand and diversify trade and investment between Australia and Southeast Asia.

“It charts a pathway to help Australian exporters, investors, tourism businesses, higher education providers, and creative sectors make the most of the booming opportunities in our region.”

NSW public education celebrates excellence and achievement

Students, teachers and schools from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie have been acknowledged for their outstanding achievements, resilience and contribution to public education at the 2023 NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.  

Last night’s awards at Sydney Town Hall celebrated the best of public schooling, outstanding achievement of individuals and breakthrough school initiatives centred around literacy, numeracy, science, student wellbeing and community partnerships.

The 10 winners from the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area are:

  • Amanda Pleash – Heaton Public School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING 
  • Jovana Markelic – Lambton High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 
  • Ryan Robinson – Lambton High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
  • Kotara School – SECRETARY’S AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL INITIATIVE – Quality Teaching Round Special Education
  • Samuel Bloomfield – Merewether High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 
  • Noah Brown – Warners Bay High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 
  • Dakota Kellar Bridgart – Warners Bay High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 
  • Ashlee Dawson – West Wallsend High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 
  • Ryan Wood – West Wallsend High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT – 
  • Whitebridge High School – SECRETARY’S AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL INITIATIVE – VET Student Pathways for the Future

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said she was delighted to highlight the incredible achievements of the public system’s outstanding students and teachers.


“These awards are a great opportunity to call out the fabulous educators, who every day are making a difference in the lives of children, and the inspiring students demonstrating academic, cultural, sporting and leadership excellence.” 

The winners were selected in the following categories: 

  

  • Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement  
  • Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching  
  • Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service  
  • Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative  
  • Secretary’s School Achievement Award  
  • Public School Parent of the Year.  

Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the awards were a great opportunity to recognise outstanding initiatives and staff that were driving improvements across public schools. 

He said the number of regional schools showcased in the awards highlighted the Education Department’s commitment to equity of opportunity no matter where students lived.

Mr Dizdar also acknowledged the role parents played in supporting public schools and public school students.

“The awards also recognise 12 parents, guardians and caregivers who perform invaluable support roles and who contribute significantly to their local NSW public school community; contributions that are deeply appreciated.”

Public Education Foundation chief executive officer David Riordan said public education was the cornerstone of the future of NSW.

“I am so proud to be recognising excellence, not just in the performances and the personal stories but also in the achievements of students, teachers, and school staff from across NSW.”

Read the award citations on the Public Education Foundation website www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au   

GREENS INTRODUCE FAIRER GRANTS AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS BILL

Greens Leader in the Senate, Senator Larissa Waters will introduce the Greens Fairer Grants and Government Contracts Bill to the Senate today, to finally put an end to the influence of political donations on winning government contracts, grant money and environmental approvals. 

The Bill would ban political donations for 12 months before and after any contract tender, environmental or development application was made. 

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters

“This obscene merry-go-round of public money for political donors is an ongoing blight on our political system, and it needs to come to an end. 

“Money shouldn’t be able to buy government contracts, development approvals, political access or political influence. This is not a controversial idea.

“Yet it’s clear that’s what years of donations has been getting for organisations like PwC and the rest of the Big 4. It’s legalised bribery.

“The Big 4 donated $1.2million in FY21-22. In the financial year that followed, those same companies were awarded government contracts valued at over half a billion dollars. 

 FY21-22 donationsFY22-23 contracts
PwC$659,623$188,507,022.05
KPMG$267,270$5,834,245.70
EY$210,881$153,983,428.84
Deloitte$148,000$212,665,768.03

“Tamboran Resources donated $200,000 to the major parties in FY21-22, and in the same financial year, received $7.5 million in public grant money to frack for gas in the Beetaloo.

“And of course, who can forget Adani. Over $250,000 donated to the coalition in the same financial year as it received final environmental approval for its Carmichael coal mine, including donating $100,000 in the month after the approval was given.

“Is it any wonder that recent polling confirmed 74% of Australians, including 80% of Coalition voters and 70% of Labor voters, support banning political donations from organisations that receive funding from government contracts.

“Stopping donations effectively buying lucrative government contracts, grants or environmental approvals, would ensure tender processes are made based on merit, and help reinstate public trust in our political system.

“The Greens would still like to cap all political donations at $1,000 per year, but we are proposing this Bill as an urgent measure that should receive multipartisan support. Now we need to see Labor get on board.”

1. https://democracyforsale.net
2. Contracts published between 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 https://www.tenders.gov.au

Labor’s shocker Misinformation Bill to be debated in parliament today

The Coalition will today take the fight against Labor’s deeply flawed Misinformation Bill to the floor of Parliament.

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman will lead a debate in the House on the many problems with Labor’s plan and acknowledge the community leaders highlighting these faults.

This will be the first time that Members have had a chance to debate the merits of Labor’s draft Bill since public submissions closed last month.

“Labor has so far refused to release the thousands of submissions and comments which included serious, detailed critiques of the Bill,”Mr Coleman said.

“The Albanese Government has managed to unite civil liberties groups, lawyers, religious institutions and human rights groups against this appalling Bill.

“But the Government continues to sit on thousands of submissions. We only know about the opposition of so many groups because those organisations have self-published their views on the Bill.

“It’s time that the Government stopped playing games and just released the submissions to the public. Then, everyone will be able to see the full extent of the opposition to this attack on free speech.”

Today’s Private Member’s Motion will highlight the Bill’s appalling impact on free speech in Australia. Coalition Members will support a call to bin the Bill.

​Labor’s disastrous IR laws to be rushed through parliament

Labor’s plan to ram through the Parliament its draconian changes to Australia’s industrial relations system should alarm every Australian, Manager of Opposition Business in the House Paul Fletcher said today.

According to Labor’s legislative program, released on Thursday, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke is intending to introduce his Bill on Monday afternoon and then have debate on the Bill commence the very next day.

Scandalously, the full text of the Bill has still not been released. Instead, Labor has secretly shared it with a small group of selected recipients who have been forced to sign legally binding non-disclosure agreements.

The Parliament will have less than twenty-four hours to consider this detailed Bill before the debate commences – a Bill which is making fundamental changes to the rules governing Australian workplaces.

Mr Fletcher said Labor is trying to implement the agenda of their union bosses, even though only about eight per cent of private sector workers are members of a union.

“Labor wants to avoid proper parliamentary consideration of this Bill because they would prefer to put their political interests ahead of the national interest,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This Bill imposes new barriers to casual employment – even though many Australians prefer this mode of work – and aims to force all workers in a given role at a given workplace to be paid exactly the same, regardless of experience or performance.

“The Bill also amounts to a direct attack on the efficiency and flexibility of the digital economy.

“Millions of Australians have enthusiastically embraced digital platforms due their convenience and innovative offerings. Labor wants to return to a rigid 1950s style economy because that is what union bosses want.

“Mr Burke has called the gig economy a cancer and wants to impose new laws that he acknowledges will drive up consumer prices.”

Mr Fletcher said forcing through these radical industrial relations changes is Mr Burke’s calling card.

“When Mr Burke introduced his Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill last year, he similarly tried to condense debate and even threatened to have Parliament sit on a Saturday, at great expense to taxpayers,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Before the election, Mr Burke made many grand statements about upholding parliamentary accountability, but the reality is that the Albanese Labor Government has consistently used tricky tactics to quash debate and block questions.”

Suicide prevention training rolled out across rugby league

Suicide prevention training will be provided for up to 700 rugby league clubs across the state as part of a plan to give people essential skills to have a conversation about suicide.

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said the suicide prevention skills training funded by the NSW Government will be delivered by LivingWorks in partnership with the NSW Rugby League to help keep more young people safe.

Ms Jackson made the announcement at the grand final games of the Sydney Shield (St Marys Saints vs Hills Bulls) and Ron Massey Cup (St Marys Saints vs Wentworthville Magpies) in Kogarah.

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and ensuring as many people as possible have access to core skills which can help support someone during one of their most vulnerable moments is critical to saving lives,” Ms Jackson said.

“Suicide is a complex issue and ensuring people have the tools they need to tackle these complexities when it is needed most can change the course of someone’s life.

“This training, run by Australia’s leading suicide prevention skills training organisation LivingWorks, is open to entire club communities to wrap essential support around young people to keep them safe.”

Ms Jackson said the training is also being delivered to teachers and schools, parents and carers and NSW Police through the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Mental Health Recovery package.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper highlighted the importance of utilising existing community connections to deliver this important program.

“Sports bring communities together right across the state, so it presents the perfect opportunity for people to learn skills to prevent suicides.

“Sport is much more than what happens on the field. Sporting clubs are the backbone of communities across the state and have the direct line needed to deliver important mental health programs, at a grassroots level.”

LivingWorks Australia CEO Shayne Connell said the right course is available for everyone aged over 16 years, with 90 minute sessions available online or a half-day in person.

“Sporting communities are renowned for their camaraderie and collective spirit to support one another. What better community to receive this training and extra confidence boost to know how to have the all important conversation about suicide,” Mr Connell said.

“The training will help people recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide, engage with that person, and connect them to further help, such as a club wellbeing leader or a community mental health provider.”

NSW Rugby League Mental Fitness and Wellbeing Manager, former NRL coach and premiership-winning player, Paul Langmack will oversee the training rollout to clubs and believes rugby league presents a unique opportunity to support this.

“Youth suicide is a big problem in society and LivingWorks offers a unique preventative program fully funded by NSW Health,” Mr Langmack said.

“We have an incredible opportunity to use rugby league as a vehicle to amplify the important work being done by LivingWorks and the NSW Government.

“We plan to take the program to rugby league clubs all over NSW, especially in regional areas which are more isolated and have to deal with this issue far too often.”

If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please call Lifeline 13 11 14launch or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467launch. The NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511launch is a 24/7 service that can advise you on appropriate local mental health services for you or a loved one.