More paramedics and call takers join NSW Ambulance

NSW Ambulance has today welcomed more new paramedics and Triple Zero call takers to the service, with a special graduation ceremony held at Sydney Olympic Park, attended by family and friends.

Nine new Graduate Trainee Paramedics and 13 new Trainee Emergency Medical Call Takers have officially joined the ranks, as part of the sixth graduate ceremony to take place this year.

Minister for Health Ryan Park extended a warm welcome to the graduates and said they will play a vital role in keeping the people of NSW safe and healthy.

“These new recruits join a cohort of more than 6700 NSW Ambulance staff who share a commitment to serving their communities all over NSW,” Minister Park said.

“I know all those who are graduating today have worked incredibly hard throughout their training. I thank them for their commitment and warmly welcome them to the NSW Ambulance service.

“I’m pleased to say these new starters will hit the ground running, commencing in their new roles from tomorrow,” said NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan.

“As demand for our services continues to grow, we remain committed to providing world-class care to our patients. We’re excited to have these new starters on board to help us to continue to provide the best possible care to the community.”

The graduate paramedics will be posted across NSW for 12 months to complete their on road internships before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas, while the emergency medical call takers will be posted to Triple Zero (000) control centres across the state.

Find out more information about joining the NSW Ambulance servicelaunch.

Building an innovation sector that delivers for NSW

The Minns Labor Government will work with the innovation sector, leading experts including universities and business to produce a blueprint to guide how we support the NSW innovation sector.

According to the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council, NSW’s performances in university-industry collaboration and commercialisation outcomes haven’t moved in years. At the same time R&D intensity is in freefall. 

As the NSW Government works to restore the state’s fiscal position and rebuild essential services, there’s no room in the budget for spending that might not be delivering for the people of NSW.

The Innovation Blueprint will be drafted alongside sector leaders and experts to give NSW the leading edge in the global battle to attract new investment, ideas, industries and talent.

As part of developing the blueprint, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology will lead roundtables, including on venture capital, non-monetary government support, how to best encourage startup growth, industry adoption of innovation and attraction of skills and talent. 

Roundtables discussions will help guide the development of the blueprint.

The Innovation Blueprint will put us in the best position to jump start innovation in new sectors and in important enabling technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, data, cyber, sensors and robotics across sectors like energy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and agrifood, all of which will be part of our future economic growth.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“We support a strong innovation sector that delivers new, higher paid and productive jobs in high growth industries for people in NSW. 

“Getting this right will help us foster a strong innovation sector, create the industries that will fuel the jobs of the future, and attract talent.”

Registrations open for revamped 30th annual Rural Women’s Gathering in Orange

Women from across rural, regional and remote NSW can register now for the revamped 30th annual Rural Women’s Gathering.

The milestone event was moved from August to the weekend of the 25 and 26 November 2023 to take advantage of the warmer weather, as it returns to the home of the first gathering in Orange.

The theme of this year’s gathering is ’30 years, still going strong and getting stronger’, and provides rural women with support, information and skills to address the myriad challenges they face living in a rural location in Australia.

The new-look event is set to bring women together to hear from and connect with inspirational women in sport, health and business.

It is also a valuable opportunity for women to share their insights and ideas for their communities with key decision makers in the NSW Government.

Opening the event will be NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison.

Keynote speakers include Australian Rugby Union Player Grace Hamilton and ABC News rural reporter Sarah Hawke, who both hail from Orange. Joining them is founder of The Rural Naturopath, Hayley Dawson.

The gathering is an annual state-wide, community-run event and includes a diverse program of speakers, display stands, workshops, networking and a gala dinner.

The event is hosted by Australian National Field Days and organised by a committee of volunteers, with support from the NSW Government’s Rural Women’s Network.

Tickets are $80 and limited, so register now at the NSW Women’s Gathering websitelaunch.

NSW Minister for Regional NSW and Agriculture Moriarty said:

“Women in our rural communities are doing extraordinary things. The Rural Women’s Gathering is the perfect space to share their experiences, and in turn help other women to better support their communities.

“I am already looking forward to celebrating rural women’s achievements and seeing everything that’s on offer at the relaunch of this exciting new look event.

“Over the last 30 years the gathering has brought women together to share experiences, learn and support one another and I urge women to register now to make sure they don’t miss out.”

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Our regional communities have seen more than their fair share of challenges over the past year, but they have never lost their spirit. Regional women continue to show resilience, strength and a sense of pride in where they come from.

“We are mindful of the increasing pressures of cost of living, so we have worked hard to keep ticket prices as low as possible. I think we have put together a great weekend of activities for regional women to enjoy.

“I’m looking forward to attending the relaunched Rural Women’s Gathering, my first as the Minister for Women, and excited to meet amazing women from across the regions and hear their stories and vision for the future.”

Labor failing our most vulnerable

The Minns Labor Government has put unions ahead of the state’s most vulnerable, failing to provide adequate funding to support homeless services.
 
Shadow Minister for Homelessness Natasha Maclaren-Jones said Specialist Homelessness Services were key to tackling homelessness in NSW and must be adequately funded.
 
“The NSW Labor Budget has failed our most vulnerable people leaving frontline homelessness services without adequate funding to deal with increasing demand for services,” Natasha Maclaren-Jones said. “Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) are the primary response to homelessness and under the Liberal and National Government investment in homelessness services more than doubled.”
 
Homelessness services have been left with a budget shortfall, they needed $50 million over two years to continue to operate and meet the increased cost of delivering services but instead Labor have given them only $5.9 million.
 
This budget is a stark reminder that under a Labor Government our most vulnerable will be forgotten.
 
“The Minns Government has failed to properly fund programs and initiatives to help people tackle the issues that have put them at risk of homelessness and provide a pathway out.” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
The Together Home program established by the Liberal and National supports people sleeping rough into stable accommodation with wrap around supports.
 
Mrs Maclaren-Jones said everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home and the Together Home program has supported over 1,000 people since it began in 2020.
 
“Last year, the Liberal and National Government invested an additional $55 million for the Together Home program, the Minns Government has provided only $11.3 million, leaving hundreds of vulnerable people without basic support and the chance to have a stable home. “Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
Under the Liberal and Nationals 2022-23 Budget we invested $1.2 billion towards homelessness and social housing programs, products and initiatives including $55 million to build on the success of the $177 million Together Home program to provide housing and support services to rough sleepers.

Housing policies with vision

In today’s Budget Reply the NSW Opposition Leader outlined practical housing policies that would make a real difference to tackling in NSW the Australia-wide housing crisis.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government’s projected $14 billion tax revenue windfall should have been used to deal with the housing crisis in a meaningful way.
 
“Chris Minns’ Budget has had $14 billion tax revenue windfall, but he’s chosen to put these funds towards union wage deals that he’d promised would cost nothing, missing a golden opportunity to help deliver the housing that NSW needs,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“We wouldn’t have squandered this opportunity – we would have delivered policies with vision for a better future for this state. That’s why my Budget Reply has outlined policies to tackle supply, improve housing affordability and reduce rental stress.”
 
“First home buyers deserve choice and that’s exactly what the Liberals and Nationals would have provided. We would have kept and sought to expand the First Home Buyer Choice scheme and kept the Government’s reduced threshold and rates of stamp duty – providing our next generation with choice in how they enter the housing market and giving them the best possible chance of realising the Australian dream.”
 
“The Minns Government has told communities to ’get out of the way’, while we would have sought to engage with local councils and communities to review housing targets and establish a Community Benefit Fund of $2 billion or more to incentivise and reward local communities which achieve their targets.”
 
“We also believe in supporting opportunities for one generation to help another – and would have sought to help empty nesters downsize and to free up appropriate housing supply for younger families, with a stamp-duty exemption for older downsizers,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Housing, Scott Farlow, said the Budget failed to deliver measures to support increased supply and address affordability.
 
“Under the National Housing Accord the NSW Government has signed up to deliver 314,000 homes and the Premier has recently committed to an increased target of 378,000 homes to be delivered by 2029,” Mr Farlow said. 
“Local communities and councils are going to be essential to achieving those targets and they should see the benefit. The Commonwealth Government has put $3 billion on the table and that needs to be directed to local communities.”
“Our Community Benefit Fund would be available to local councils that met their targets, to fund the improvement of public open spaces through new and improved walking and cycle paths, parks, trails, boardwalks, lookouts, foreshores, riverbanks, play spaces, civic plazas, and outdoor event spaces. The fund could also be used to upgrade local sporting facilities and community recreational facilities.”
 
“There are nearly a million people in NSW over the age of 55 who are occupying a home of three bedrooms or more either alone or as empty nesters.”
 
“By introducing a stamp duty exemption for older buyers, with appropriate thresholds, we have an opportunity to encourage seniors to downsize to a smaller property and help them in finding more suitable accommodation.”
 
“This could be a measure to stimulate additional supply instantly, reducing housing affordability pressures by making more suitable homes available to meet the needs of younger families.”
 
“The Government’s Budget was supposed to deliver more housing, but instead it delivered higher taxes and the mirage of more housing by 2040,” Mr Farlow said.

IMPROVING FUTURE PREPAREDNESS: INQUIRY INTO THE RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

An independent Inquiry will be held into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help better prepare and protect our country for the future.

Given the loss of life, dislocation, stress and expenditure resulting from the pandemic, we said it would be in the national interest to hold an Inquiry into the response.

It will review what worked well and what we can do better to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.

The Inquiry will consider Commonwealth responses to the pandemic. This includes the provision of vaccinations, treatments and key medical supplies to Australians, mental health support for those impacted by COVID-19 and lockdowns, financial support for individuals and business, and assistance for Australians abroad.

The Inquiry will consider the role of the Australian Government in responding to future pandemics, including the coordination of National Cabinet.

The Government has appointed an independent panel to conduct the Inquiry. The panellists have vast experience in public health, government and economic policy.

  • Ms Robyn Kruk AO, who has a wealth of experience in government and in leading independent reviews. Ms Kruk previously held roles as Director-General of the NSW Department of Health, Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and CEO of the National Mental Health Commission.
  • Professor Catherine Bennett, Deakin University’s current Chair in Epidemiology and the University of Melbourne’s former Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Director of Population Health Practice. Professor Bennett has also held senior positions in the New South Wales and Victorian state governments.
  • Dr Angela Jackson, a health economist with extensive experience in economics and government, including through her current role as lead economist for Impact Economics and Policy. Dr Jackson is a member of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee and is the National Chair of the Women in Economics Network. Dr Jackson was also previously a Board Member and Chair of the Finance Committee at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 2015-2021.

A Taskforce within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will support the Independent Panel.

The Inquiry will run for 12 months, with a final report to be delivered by 30 September 2024.

Key stakeholders and members of the community will be invited to share their views as part of a public consultation.

The Terms of Reference for the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant global crisis that we have faced in decades.

“Its impacts are still being felt throughout Australia.

“This Inquiry will look at the Government’s responses and will give advice on what worked, what didn’t, and what we can do in the future to best protect Australians from the worst of any future events.”

Health Minister Mark Butler said:

“This Inquiry will look at what went well in our response to COVID-19, and what we need to do better in the future.

“The Inquiry will help ensure we are better prepared for future pandemics.

“The panellists have the collective expertise to take a thorough look into all aspects of Australia’s response – and I encourage members of the public, when they have the opportunity, to have their say about what worked and what, with hindsight, we might have done differently.”

INDEPENDENT INTELLIGENCE REVIEW

The Australian Government has commissioned an Independent Review into Australia’s intelligence agencies.

The work of our intelligence agencies underpins Australia’s national security objectives, including safeguarding Australia’s sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment. Our intelligence agencies help protect Australia’s security, prosperity and values in complex and changing circumstances.

The National Intelligence Community (NIC) has undergone significant structural and transformational changes in recent years. The Review will ensure that our intelligence agencies remain well-placed to serve Australia’s national interest.

The Review will be co-led by Dr Heather Smith PSM and Mr Richard Maude.

Dr Smith is currently a professor at the Australian National University National Security College and has served as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and Deputy Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. In April 2023, Dr Smith was appointed the National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. Dr Smith has nearly 20 years’ experience in the public service at senior levels.

Mr Maude is currently Executive Director of Policy at Asia Society Australia and a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. He is a former senior Australian Government official with 30 years’ experience in foreign policy and national security, including as the former Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. In May this year, Mr Maude was appointed to the External Advisory Panel to oversee the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review.

The reviewers will consult widely, and welcome public submissions. The findings of the Review will be provided to Government in mid-2024.

Independent Reviews of the intelligence community have been commissioned periodically, with the last completed in 2017.

Public submissions on matters included in the Review’s Terms of Reference can be made to IIR2024@pmc.gov.au, or by post to ‘2024 Independent Intelligence Review’ c/o Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, PO Box 6500 Canberra, ACT 2600. The closing date for public submissions is 24 November 2023.

Further information, including the Terms of Reference, can be found here: 2024 Independent Intelligence Review.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Our intelligence agencies underpin our national security objectives, including helping to safeguard our sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment.

“This Independent Review will make sure that our intelligence agencies are best positioned to serve the Australian national interest, respond to future capability and workforce challenges, and continue to protect our security, prosperity and values.

“Dr Smith and Mr Maude are highly capable individuals with the specific skills needed to lead this Review.”

CHANGES TO INCOME SUPPORT PAYMENTS ARE TINKERING AROUND THE EDGES OF A BROKEN SYSTEM

Today the new rates of income support payments that were announced at the federal budget come into effect.

The government’s increase will be supplemented by an additional rate rise due to indexation.

These combined increases still leave people in poverty in a cost of living crisis.

The eligibility of the single parenting payment also expands today, to allow more parents to access the payment, but those with children aged 14 years or older have still been left with nothing.

Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Social and Government Services said:

“Even when Labor’s base rate increase is paired with the automatic rate rise due to indexation, the changes coming into effect today don’t bring Jobseeker, student and youth allowance payments close to the poverty line, let alone make them enough to live on.

“People on Jobseeker will still struggle to afford food as well as their medicine. More and more students will abandon their studies because they can’t afford to study and pay the rent.

“Labor’s increase to Jobseeker is less than even the Liberals did under Scott Morrison.

“While in opposition, Labor slammed the Morrison Government for its paltry increase and now in government, Labor is doing even less to help welfare recipients than the conservative party.

“We are in a cost of living crisis, and this government is choosing to leave people without heating or food as they struggle to pay the rent.

“Poverty is a political choice. Labor must scrap their stage 3 tax cuts for billionaires and the ultra-wealthy and lift all income support rates above the poverty line.

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Spokesperson for Women said:

“We were pleased to see Labor partially reverse the Gillard government’s decision to cut off Parenting Payment Single when kids turn 8, but single parenting doesn’t stop when a child turns 14.

“Now that the government has the final Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce report, they should revisit their decision to only partially reinstate Parenting Payment Single. Parents of kids who are 14, 15 and 16 deserve the same level of support.

“Our calls requesting the immediate implementation of changes to the Parenting Payment Single urgent support for parents were ignored by Labor, forcing 8,145 single parents – mostly single mums – onto JobSeeker if their child happened to turn 8 before 20 September.

“Labor is choosing to keep women and children in poverty, while they fund tax cuts for billionaires and nuclear submarines.”

GREENS SLAM ALAN JOYCE’S $21.4M PAY – 300X MORE THAN STAFF – WHILE QANTAS NOSEDIVED

Elizabeth Watson-Brown, MP for Ryan and Greens spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities said:

“It’s disgraceful that in a year where Alan Joyce presided over a company ripping off their customers, allegedly breaching consumer law, and mistreating and underpaying their staff, that he was paid an exorbitant salary 300 times what cabin crew and ground staff typically earn.

“The Qantas board should rule out handing Alan Joyce the extra $14.4 million in bonuses. Alan Joyce should pay back his extremely generous paycheque given Qantas nosedived under his watch.

“Under a publicly owned Qantas, the CEO’s salary could be capped.  We should not see exorbitant bonuses for executives and massive wealth inequality in what used to be our national carrier, but is now a private company clearly profiteering off an apparently cosy relationship with the government. 

“The Federal government should admit that privatising Qantas was a mistake and urgently consider bringing it back into public hands.”

Australia supports Ukraine in the International Court of Justice

Australia will today join 31 other countries delivering interventions before the International Court of Justice in support of Ukraine’s case against Russia in response to Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

Solicitor-General Dr Stephen Donaghue KC will deliver Australia’s intervention in the preliminary objections phase of the proceedings, arguing that the Court has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Australia strongly supports Ukraine’s decision to bring this case before the International Court of Justice, which alleges Russia has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Russia’s attempts to use false allegations of genocide as a pretext to justify its egregious violations of international law in Ukraine undermines the rules-based international order.

Australia stands against such attempts and is supporting Ukraine and the international community in holding Russia to account.

Australia continues to call on Russia to comply with the ICJ’s legally binding order of 16 March 2022 to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

We remind Russia that, as a member of the United Nations, it is legally obliged to comply with decisions of the ICJ in any case to which it is a party.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“Russia must be held to account for its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.”

“Australia’s intervention in the International Court of Justice today is just one way we are supporting Ukraine to hold Russia to account.”

“We stand with the people of Ukraine and the 31 other countries who are supporting Ukraine in this case – we are stronger when we work together to address shared challenges.”

Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP said:

“Australia stands unequivocally with Ukraine in its fight to hold Russia accountable for the despicable allegations used as the pretext for its illegal and immoral invasion.”

“Our intervention before the International Court of Justice demonstrates Australia’s unwavering commitment to upholding fundamental rules of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.”