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The NSW and Australian Governments are today holding a joint roundtable on the future of rail manufacturing, bringing together more than 100 of the most important and influential representatives of Australia’s rail manufacturing industry.

An initiative of the NSW and Australian Governments, this is another step in the process of mapping out a plan to restore and strengthen this critical industry in NSW and across Australia.

The roundtable will include a wide range of representatives including rollingstock manufacturers along with small- and medium-sized businesses and unions involved in the wider rail manufacturing supply chain.

It will also involve academics, companies involved in research and development, along with transport and infrastructure department representatives from the Commonwealth, NSW and other states.

The Minns Labor Government will use the roundtable as an opportunity to hear directly from the rail manufacturing industry about what is working while also discussing barriers to further industry investment.

NSW supports the development of a nationally-coordinated approach to rail manufacturing, supporting the development of a sustainable, ongoing work-stream for industry.

NSW will work with the Australian Government, industry and other states to see where we can put aside state rivalries and work together in the national interest.

When the Australian rail manufacturing industry is strong, the NSW rail manufacturing industry has a better chance to thrive.

The NSW Government welcomes the national coordination and leadership the Australian Government is providing in this space.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is a critical first step on the path to our commitment to build the next generation of trains that replace the Tangaras here in NSW.

“The only way we can rebuild our NSW rail manufacturing industry in a sustainable way is if we work with the Federal Government on a coordinated, national approach.

“We make some of the best trains in the world.

“This important work will give our companies and workers the best chance to compete with their overseas rivals.

“I want to thank Assistant Minister Ayres and the Albanese government. Today is a really good start.”

Assistant Federal Minister for Manufacturing Senator Tim Ayres said:

“We want trains and rollingstock that are built and designed in Australia for Australian conditions.

“After countless bungles under the previous state government, NSW is now heading in the right direction. I commend the Minns Government for their commitment to build the next generation of trains locally.

“The National Rail Manufacturing Plan is the key component of the Albanese government’s plan to see more trains built and designed by Aussies.

“Our plan will ensure the sector is better placed to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities in rail procurement by driving a more nationally coordinated approach to rail manufacturing, to provide the certainty industry needs to invest in Australia.”

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“After 12 years of a Liberal government that abandoned manufacturing in NSW, it’s critical that the industry has confidence we are serious about repairing the damage they did. Bringing the industry together like today sends that message loud and clear.

“And just as importantly, it lets us hear directly from the industry and their supply chains about what’s working, as well as the barriers to further industry investment.

“Those insights will directly influence how we will approach the procurement of trains in NSW.”

Hazard reduction burns are underway across the state as rural firefighters try to take advantage of favourable conditions to help keep local communities safe ahead of the 2023–2024 bushfire season.

Only 20% of planned hazard reduction burns were able to be completed during the past year due to the prolonged wet weather and severe flooding across large areas of NSW.

The NSW Government and its fire services are working to complete as much hazard reduction as possible with a $10 million program to develop a statewide mobile workforce to accelerate this critical work ahead of the coming fire season.

The funding will enable the Rural Fire Service (RFS) to employ an additional 100 mitigation crew members to carry out vital hazard reduction and mitigation works in identified high-risk areas of the state.

The extra mitigation crew members will be based mainly in regional areas of NSW to help take advantage of every possible opportunity to conduct hazard reduction work.

The crews will help prepare areas for hazard reduction, such as preparing trails and establishing control lines, and assist with burns during the week when volunteers may not be as readily available.

The Bureau of Meteorology has declared an El Nino Alert, meaning a likely return to hot, dry and windy conditions this summer. Under these conditions, NSW can expect a return to a more traditional fire season compared to the last 2 summers which have been extremely wet.

The roles will include a mix of casual and temporary roles, starting with existing RFS members who are trained and able to travel to any part of the state where hazard reduction is taking place.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“With warm, dry conditions expected to return in coming months, we are potentially looking at a serious fire season and it’s important we do everything we can to support our fire services and land managers to prepare.

“Due to recent rain over the past few months, we are facing a significant backlog in hazard reduction burns, so we need to accelerate our efforts heading into the next fire season and these additional crews will help make a difference.

“It is important to plan ahead and come up with a proactive approach to maximise our narrow window for hazard reduction, as a result of unfavourable weather conditions.

“We are implementing a range of hazard reduction options, this is just one way we can complement existing efforts and enhance our ability to respond to future fires.

“I want to thank our hard-working RFS mitigation crew members and volunteers for their efforts as they work hard to keep each of us safe.”

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said:

“With the change in weather systems seeing an end to frequent rain and the return of dry, windy conditions, we need to get our teams out there doing hazard reduction burns at every opportunity.

“Over the last 3 months, almost 55,000 hectares of work has been completed, work critical to protect more than 50,000 properties and safeguard lives.

“There is plenty more to be done and this boost in mitigation personnel will enable even more vital work to be undertaken.

“While we are doing what we can, home and property owners also need to assess what they can do to prepare for the upcoming fire season as well.”

People across NSW are being urged to “donate a minute, donate a lifetime”, because 1 minute is all it takes to register as an organ and tissue donor.

Anyone aged 16 and over can register online to become an organ donor in just 1 minute at donatelife.gov.aulaunch, or with 3 taps in the Medicare app.

For those who think they’re already registered, it takes just 1 minute to double-check.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said DonateLife Week is the perfect time to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor.

“NSW has the highest rate of registrations on the Australian organ donor registry but opportunities for transplants are often missed because families are uncertain of their loved one’s wish to be a donor,” Mr Park said.

“Organ donation saves lives and increasing awareness and consent is critical to lifting our donation rate.

“There are around 1800 people on the organ waitlist and to help them we need more Australians to register and tell their families they want to be a donor.”

A total of 54,769 NSW residents registered as organ and tissue donors in 2022, bringing the total number registered to 2,670,875.

Around 42% of the NSW population has registered to be a donor, well above the national average of 36%.

In Australia, families are always asked to support someone’s decision to be a donor before donation goes ahead.

Families are much more likely to agree if their loved one is registered and they knew their loved one wanted to be a donor.

The NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service will officially launch DonateLife Week on Monday at Campbelltown Hospital.

The South-West Sydney Local Health District, which includes Campbelltown and surrounds, has one of the highest end-of-life notification rates in NSW, which helps identify potential donors.

Local MP and Member for Camden, Sally Quinnell, said every Australian can make a difference by choosing to become an organ donor and telling their family of their wish.

“One organ donor can save up to 7 lives, along with helping many other people through the gift of eye and tissue donation,” Ms Quinnell said.

New data from the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) reveals the top 5 local government areas in NSW where the most people are registered as donors:

• Bellingen – 61%
• Blue Mountains – 60%
• Mosman and Weddin – 59%
• Kiama, Lockhart, Ballina, Eurobodalla, Murrumbidgee, Yass Valley and Bega Valley – 58%
• Edward River, Federation, Lake Macquarie and Lismore – 57%.

Fight fans from around Australia and the world can secure their spot at UFC 293 in Sydney when tickets go on sale on Friday.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper today joined UFC Executive Vice President David Shaw at Qudos Bank Arena to announce on-sale dates for tickets to the highly anticipated event on 10 September at which the UFC Middleweight crown will go on the line.

UFC 293 is expected to be a sell-out event, providing a boost to the NSW visitor economy and delivering Sydney valuable global exposure as a tourist and major events destination through UFC’s huge global audience.

UFC 293 will be the first of 3 Pay Per View events to be held in Sydney over the next 4 years, as part of a first-time agreement between UFC and the NSW Government.

The 3 UFC Pay Per View events are anticipated to inject more than $30 million into the state’s visitor economy over the 4-year period.

Hosting the UFC in Sydney gives NSW exposure to 900 million households watching around the world, all potential future visitors to the state.

UFC 293 will mark the return of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation to Sydney for the first time since 2017 and is the first mega Pay Per View event to be held here since 2011.

Tickets will be available for purchase for the public from 12pm Friday 28 July via Ticketek. Fight Club members will be able to buy tickets from 12pm Wednesday 26 July. 

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“Sydney is gearing up to welcome thousands of passionate UFC fans in September for what is one of the most-watched sporting events of the year.

“Following a record-breaking Vivid Sydney and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, UFC 293 will be another shot in the arm for Sydney’s visitor economy and night-time economy.

“Australian and international visitors arriving for this Sydney showdown can visit Sydney’s many attractions and eat and drink in our world-class restaurants supporting jobs in the visitor economy.”

NSW Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper said:

“Sydney is undoubtedly Australia’s premier host city for world-class sporting events and UFC 293 adds another remarkable chapter to that reputation.

“Labor made a promise to bring 3 UFC Pay Per View events to Sydney because we know the value major global sporting shows like this bring to the state’s economy.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be offering thousands of UFC fans the chance to attend one of our biggest sporting spectacles and I encourage them to get in quickly so they don’t miss out on this event on home soil.”

The Albanese and Minns governments have launched a $9.1 million grant program for community organisations and non-government organisations as they help flood-affected regions on their road to recovery.

The NGO Flood Recovery Program funding will go to service providers and non-government organisations in the Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England districts as they continue to rebuild following the floods which began in August and September 2022.

The grants are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The grants will provide a range of support, including staffing costs to meet increased demand for help, operational costs, and funding to help people remain safe during recovery:

• $6.5 million will go to community and volunteer-based non-government organisations across the Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England districts.
• $1.5 million will be allocated for administration and local support, including on-the-ground flood support officers deployed on the ground to support grant recipients throughout the life of the grant.
• $1.1 million will be available for applications from current NSW Department of Communities and Justice service providers.

Find out how to apply herelaunch

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt said:

“We are providing support for local and non-government organisations as they help lift communities back on their feet after these disasters.

“This funding is another way the Albanese and Minns governments are investing in much-needed recovery services delivered through community-led social recovery programs across the state.”

NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“Flood affected communities have shown a great deal of resilience and courage dealing with the major flooding events of 2022. This funding will help deliver more support to people still struggling.

“Local services are crucial in supporting and strengthening communities during times of hardship. These grants will bolster their efforts in providing valuable assistance to families and businesses still recovering from the floods.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“While storms may last a few days, the recovery efforts can take several years, from rebuilding homes to re-establishing businesses.

“Once emergency services leave disaster-affected areas, community and non-government organisations play a crucial role in helping people recover and rebuild.

“It is important we support these on-the-ground organisations who assist NSW communities, and these grants will mean they can continue to provide vital services.”

The Liberal Party has appointed a Senior Counsel, who is conducting an independent investigation into matters raised in a formal complaint. At all times, the Party has respected the agency and wishes of the person who has come forward, to treat the matter confidentially. Public commentary on this investigation could deny procedural fairness to those involved in this process. The Party will not be making any further comment while the independent investigation is taking place and respectfully asks others to do the same.