Community sport organisations across South Coast and Bega are set to benefit from more than $80,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grants Program.
Liberal candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, and Bega, Russell Fitzpatrick, welcomed the announcement and said the 16 projects funded across South Coast and Bega would turbocharge participation in sport across all age groups and bring the community closer together.
“It is so important we continue supporting our local sporting clubs on the South Coast. They are the life-blood of our communities and key to ensuring our kids live a healthy and happy lifestyle,” Mr Sikora said.
Mr Fitzpatrick said: “Sporting clubs play a terrific role linking the community together. This funding injection will be put to good use to support these organisations across the Bega area.”
Grants of between $2,000 and $10,000 per project were available with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.
Local sporting organisations benefitting in South Coast include:
Bay and Basin Amateur Swimming Club
Conjola Stingrays Outrigger Canoe Club
Jervis Bay Outrigger Canoe Club
Mako Paddle Club
Milton Ulladulla Touch Football Association
Nowra Warriors JRLFC
St Georges Basin Junior Rugby League Club
Local sporting organisations benefitting in Bega include:
Dalmeny Boardriders Association
Eden Whaler Football Club INC
Eurobodalla Netball Association
Malua Boardriders Inc
Moruya Skydivers Club Incorporated
Sapphire Coast Outrigger Canoe Club
Tathra Mountain Bike Club
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the program will encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation.
“This funding will provide a cash injection to help improve sport facilities, enhance accessibility and hold new and exciting events and development programs,” Mr Henskens said.
“No government has invested in community sport like the Liberal and Nationals, and this program is another example of the more than $1 billion we’ve pumped into grassroots community facilities and infrastructure.”
More information about the program is available online.
Women who undergo egg freezing will be able to claim a $2,000 rebate in an Australian first, thanks to a $4 million expansion of the NSW Government’s $80 million Affordable IVF Initiative.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will expand the eligibility criteria of the Fertility Treatment Rebate to cover egg freezing procedures and boost the number of places to 14,000.
Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said more than 1,000 women undergo egg freezing each year in NSW, and the NSW Liberal Nationals Government is committed to supporting them.
“This is all about giving women more choice and taking some of the stress away from undergoing fertility treatments,” Ms Sloane said.
“With one egg freezing cycle costing up to $10,000, this rebate will help thousands of women choose what is best for them.”
Liberal candidate for Coogee Dr Kylie von Muenster said that more than 2,200 rebates have already been paid to women undergoing IVF treatments since applications opened on 1 January, with story after story of couples finally being able to make their dream of starting a family a reality.
“NSW is already one of the most affordable places in the world to have fertility treatments thanks to our IVF rebates, and we hope these new egg freezing rebates set a precedent for further Commonwealth investment in women’s health and fertility treatments.” Dr von Muenster said.
To be eligible for the $2,000 rebate from Service NSW you must:
be a resident of NSW
have incurred an out-of-pocket cost from a registered Assisted Reproductive Treatment provider who has determined the procedure is in your best interests
have accessed the treatment from 1 July 2023.
The NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, announced as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget, also includes:
providing a $2000 rebate for fertility preservation, IVF or other assisted reproductive technology treatments
extending the $250 rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing
expanding statewide access to lower cost IVF treatment through publicly-supported clinics
boosting fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other medical needs
Liberal candidate for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad has welcomed the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $10 million over four years to boost safety and security for faith communities.
Ms Ayyad said the funding would be put to good use for various faith communities who make a valuable contribution to the Holsworthy area.
“This funding will deliver various safety improvements for faith communities who are vital to the fabric of Holsworthy area,” Ms Ayyad said.
“It’s important that everyone in our community feels safe as they move around the area and live their lives.”
Through a $10 million grants program, faith organisations will be supported to strengthen safety and security at religious institutions where there is a demonstrated risk, including places of worship, schools, community centres, and buildings with religious symbols.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said everyone across NSW should be able to follow and practice their faith freely and without fear or concern for their safety and wellbeing.
“No matter where you’re from, what language you speak, or the faith you follow, everyone deserves tolerance and respect in our state,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This commitment will build on this principle to protect communities, increase tolerance and ultimately help people feel safer.”
The $10 million program will provide capital and operational funding for a range of safety measures to strengthen preparedness and response to safety risks, including security and detection software and systems, communal security services, lighting, fencing, CCTV, training staff, and well-being programs for community members. Importantly, support for guards and management of security at high-risk venues or particularly at-risk sites will also be eligible for funding, as assessed by NSW Police.
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said this investment will empower faith groups and organisations to do what they need in order to keep their communities safe.
“We have worked incredibly hard over the years to foster a multicultural and multi-faith society built on mutual respect, understanding and harmony. This investment forms part of our vision to ensure that continues,” Mr Coure said.
Welcoming the announcement, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said anti-Semitic incidents are at their highest levels NSW has ever seen.
“An attack on one faith is an attack on us all, and this much-needed funding will go a long way to keeping all communities in NSW safe from harm,” Mr Bark said.
“Hate leads to violence, and today’s announcement ensures faith communities are equipped to deter violent attacks, and assists authorities with the prosecution of the offenders.
We thank the NSW Government and the members of the Religious Communities Advisory Council, who have made this a reality.”
Australian National Imams Council President Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman also welcomed the announcement.
“Islamophobia and other faith-based hate is on the rise, and all of our institutions need ongoing support in order to be protected,” Mr Alsuleiman said.
“Safety and security was identified as a priority when the Council was formed, and with increasing threats to our communities from right-wing extremists. We are very grateful to the NSW Government for this important funding.”
This commitment complements a range of measures implemented by the NSW Liberals and Nationals to improve community safety and social cohesion, including prohibiting the public display of Nazi symbols and creating a new offence of publicly threatening or inciting violence against people on several grounds, including race and religious affiliation.
The NSW Government consulted with the new Religious Communities Advisory Council on safety and security during its inaugural meeting on Monday, 23 January 2023.
One Nation stands as an opponent to the race-based ‘Voice’ referendum that will divide Australia. Anthony Albanese and his elitist mate’s ‘Voice’ is the opposite of what Australia needs right now.
We are opposed to dividing Australia along racial lines. We are one, but we are many. We are not an elitist country.
One Nation proposes all Australians unite, and respect our nation as equal citizens, under one flag.
No one race is above another race, nor should one race get preferential treatment over another.
It is clear that the voice will be used to usher in new taxes, like the abhorrent race-based ‘Rent Tax’, aimed at non-Aboriginal landholders.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are working together to fast track more beds at Flinders Medical Centre, as planning for the $400 million jointly funded upgrade commences.
An extra 26 new acute inpatient beds will open at Flinders Medical Centre in the next few weeks helping ease pressure on the hospital’s emergency department.
A further 16 beds – from the 136 that will be added as part of the $400 million upgrade – will be fast tracked to open in the first half of 2024, four years ahead of schedule.
The additional 26 acute inpatient beds will be rapidly brought online at Flinders in a space vacated by a less-acute ward shifting to a more suitable location at the Repat.
These beds are in addition to the State Malinauskas and Federal Albanese Labor governments’ 50/50 investment of $400 million for a 136-bed upgrade of Flinders.
These 16 beds will be created by clearing and refurbishing an existing admin area – which is being shifted to other spaces within or directly adjacent to the FMC site.
Clinical consultation and design for these fast-tracked beds will begin in coming days, with works expected to start later this year.
The $400 million upgrade also includes new surgical and procedural spaces, and updated site infrastructure.
Extra MRI and CT scanners are also due to come online in mid-2023 to improve access to radiography and reduce scan wait times for both the ED, inpatients, and outpatients.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:
Our partnership to provide a once-in-a-generation upgrade at Flinders Medical Centre is part of Labor’s commitment to addressing the ramping crisis and ensuring Flinders is well-equipped to deliver high quality care.
My Government is committed to working with all State and Territory Governments to put patients first and strengthen Medicare.
We’ve already slashed the cost of PBS medications, saving South Australians more than $1.2 million over the month of January, and have opened up Expressions of Interest for five new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in South Australia.
Health Minister Mark Butler said:
The Albanese Government is working with the Malinauskas Government to strengthening Medicare.
People in the southern suburbs deserve the best clinical care and this will enable our highly trained staff to do their very best for the community.
We know how vital it is to open every extra bed that we can, to boost services for the expanding southern suburbs.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said:
Our Government has been clear that one of our main priorities is addressing the ramping crisis that we inherited from the previous Liberal government which failed to take any action.
We are delivering a generational investment to rebuild the health system.
We are building more than 200 beds in the south, and we are working hard to bring those beds online as soon as possible.
South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said:
We know a major cause of ramping is bed block and hospital overcrowding, so this significant boost in bed numbers will help ease the strain on our health system.
While the Liberals’ solution to ramping at Flinders was to cut acute beds, only making the problem worse, we are delivering more acute beds, ensuring people who need hospital admission will be moved to a bed faster.
Our staff are so pleased that these much-needed beds are being fast-tracked for delivery.
The beds will enable our dedicated clinical staff to improve access to care by being able to move people from the emergency department into a bed in a timely manner.
The Albanese Government is working to unlock renewable energy jobs, energy security and job security for the Hunter region, with consultation now open on a new offshore wind zone in the Pacific Ocean off the Hunter.
This proposed offshore wind area sits alongside the Hunter, which is an Australian manufacturing powerhouse and home to the nation’s largest smelter. Establishment of an offshore wind industry in this region could support the decarbonisation and future of onshore manufacturing powered by cheaper, cleaner energy.
This new renewable energy industry has the potential to create 3000-8000 jobs in Australia every year. Where international offshore wind farms have been established, the main pathways into the industry have been from the energy sector and existing offshore industries.
The Hunter is already known for its strong industrial base, with mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, proving this region already has the skill base for the new industry.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said he’s looking forward to hearing from the community about the best way offshore electricity can be harnessed in the region and is encouraging locals to engage with community discussions and online submissions.
“The world’s climate emergency is regional Australia’s jobs opportunity, and the Hunter is uniquely placed to capitalise on this,” Minister Bowen said.
“An offshore wind zone in the Hunter presents significant opportunities to create new energy sector and manufacturing jobs, drive economic growth and reduce emissions.”
“I’m encouraging residents from across the Hunter to have their say on the proposed area and what they would like to see from this offshore zone.”
Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, said:
“This proposed offshore wind zone presents an exciting opportunity for Newcastle to diversify and strengthen our regional economy, while also bringing new energy jobs.”
“Newcastle’s world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce, abundant resources and energy smarts means our region is poised to lead the nation as a renewable energy superpower.
“Newcastle and the Hunter has powered Australia for generations, and the Albanese Labor Government is committed to ensuring that it will continue to do so for generations to come.
“I encourage Novocastrians to have their say on offshore wind through the public consultation process.”
Despite having some of the best wind resources in the world, Australia doesn’t currently have any offshore wind generation.
The IEA classifies offshore wind as a “variable baseload technology” which makes it closer to the capacity of gas and coal-fired power plants, than onshore wind and solar PV. For context just one rotation of one offshore wind turbine provides as much energy as an average rooftop solar installation generates in one day, with less fluctuation than onshore wind.
The consultation process is an opportunity for all community members, workers, residents, industry groups and chambers of commerce to provide feedback. Submissions will run from February 23 to April 28.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will also facilitate community information sessions, which will be held throughout the region during the consultation period.
The Hunter is one of six priority regions around Australia with world-class offshore wind potential. The Commonwealth recently declared Gippsland off the La Trobe Valley as the first region in Australia to be home to a new offshore wind industry.
The government has previously announced a further four regions earmarked for offshore wind zones. These include the Pacific Ocean region off the Illawarra in NSW, the Southern Ocean region off Portland in Victoria, the Bass Strait region off Northern Tasmania, and the Indian Ocean region off Perth/Bunbury.
Almost a year since the devastating floods in Lismore, the committee heard from locals about the ongoing impact on their communities, and how they feel they’ve been left in the lurch by governments at both the state and federal level.
Greens spokesperson for social services and Chair of the Community Affairs References Committee, Senator Janet Rice said:
“Hundreds of people are still living in pod villages and there’s still a huge number of people in temporary accommodation, couch surfing, and living in cars.
“We heard evidence that rents in some areas have tripled since the floods, and it now costs the same to rent a room in a sharehouse in Lismore as it does in Sydney.
“We are seeing the housing crisis get worse across the country, and it’s being exacerbated in places like Lismore that are being hit by climate disasters and completely inadequate government support to help communities rebuild.
“We heard the same thing in Lismore as we’ve been hearing at every poverty inquiry hearing to date: people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and they need help to make it through this cost of living crisis.
“Between low wages, no affordable housing, and starvation-payments of about $47 a day for people on JobSeeker, communities across the country are facing dire financial circumstances.
“Labor has a housing bill before the Senate that will make the housing crisis worse. The Treasurer is planning to give $254 billion in Stage 3 tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, while refusing to raise welfare above the poverty line for the people who need it most. Labor say they’re on the side of struggling Australians – it’s time they show it.
“That’s why the Greens are pushing Labor to invest $5 billion a year in public and affordable housing, and raise income support to $88 a day in May’s Budget.”
Greens candidate for Lismore, Adam Guise said:
“Over three thousand homes in the Lismore LGA alone were impacted by the 2022 floods, with thousands of people still displaced and homeless. People are living in tents, caravans or in the gutted shells of their houses.
“Rents have skyrocketed and people who have lost jobs since the flood are struggling to pay the bills.
“The government needs to urgently address this humanitarian crisis by acquiring land to build social, affordable and public housing.
“Leaving it to the free market to fix the housing crisis will not solve the problem. It will entrench further inequality and see people forced out of our community.
“The government needs to make affordable land available to flood impacted residents and businesses in order to enable landswaps, house relocations and affordable homes.
“Providing safe homes for people is about keeping our community together.
Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that a new NTEU report on $83 million of stolen wages at universities was a wake-up call for the federal government.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
“These numbers are shocking but not surprising. Wage theft has been widespread and systemic in higher education, and I’ve pushed the investigation of this in a number of Senate inquiries.
“The link between wage theft and casualisation is undeniable. Not everyone who is underpaid at our universities is a casual, but if you’re a casual you are at much higher risk of having your wages stolen.
“The brutal reality is that the corporate university of today can only function on the back of the unpaid labour of thousands of casual staff. That must change.
“It’s time to get serious about tackling both wage theft and casualisation at our universities. I’m glad last week the Government confirmed that these issues are being looked at as part of the Universities Accord, but this shouldn’t prevent action right now. Staff have suffered the scourge of job insecurity, overwork and underpay for too long.
“The government should require universities to set publicly-available targets for increasing permanent employment, and link this to funding. There should be clearer reporting requirements with respect to employment statistics and improved rights of entry for trade unions.
“Moreover, our universities are in desperate need of a massive investment of public funding after years of neglect, and we need an overhaul of university governance to shift the balance of power from university management back to staff and students.”
Today I announce the launch of the inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants round to support greater exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian creative industries.
Maitri – friendship – will underpin the series of partnerships and grants to promote Australia-India relations.
The Maitri Cultural Partnerships program will foster on-going relationships between Australian and Indian artists, performers and cultural organisations to deepen understanding and connections between our two countries.
The Maitri Cultural Partnerships grant round is divided into three programs supporting:
major Australian cultural organisations to engage Indian and partner institutions;
cultural collaboration that supports First Nations’ participation; and
small to medium sized Australian cultural organisations and community groups engagement.
Both Australian and Indian cultural and creative industries are major economic drivers with internationally renowned film, music and performing arts sectors. This funding will help the Australian creative sector collaborate with India’s thriving cultural industries.
The Cultural Partnerships are one of a suite of Maitri initiatives. This flagship program also includes Maitri fellowships, scholarships and grants.
The Maitri program will be administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations which will open later this year.
The Centre will serve as a national platform to strengthen business, policy, institutional, cultural and community engagement with India.
Applications for the Maitri Cultural Partnerships grant round will open on 20 February and close on 3 April 2023. Grant guidelines are available on GrantConnect.
Six hundred high-achieving public school teachers from across NSW will be the first to earn salaries of up to $152,000, thanks to a $100 million commitment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.
The first cohort of 200 teachers across more than 50 schools will start in 2023, helping shape the career pathway before it is expanded across NSW.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was future-proofing education by attracting the best teachers into the profession, and keeping them in the classroom to lift student outcomes across the State.
“This is seismic reform that will modernise the teaching profession and ensure we have the best teachers in our classrooms to benefit students for generations to come,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We want our children to have the best start in life and that all starts with a world-class education. The Rewarding Excellence in Teaching career pathway recognises outstanding work and ensures teachers stay in the profession.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said if re-elected a NSW Liberal and Nationals Government would create 600 additional roles for highly-effective teachers over four years with a vision of growing the roles further.
“Our vision is for Rewarding Excellence in Teaching to be an integral part of the classroom career pathway in NSW schools, which is why we are doing the work now to get this right and making a clear commitment to delivering this reform longer-term,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Parents and students engage with amazing teachers every day in our schools and this commitment means those teachers stay in the classroom.”
Professor John Hattie, who has been the lead independent adviser on the reform, said the scale of 600 teachers over four years was the right step towards system-wide reform, based on extensive research and consultation.
“The best evidence says you need to co-design these roles in partnership with schools to get the biggest uplift in student outcomes. Over time, we would want to see this scaled up to around 10 per cent of teachers, or about 6,600 roles, to have the biggest impact,” Professor Hattie said.
“To help ensure these higher paid positions are as effective as possible, an initial group of more than 50 schools will be working with us to co-design the roles and what works best in different school contexts.”
The Rewarding Excellence in Teaching Program has been the subject of one of the largest consultation processes ever undertaken by the NSW Department of Education, as detailed in the ‘Rewarding Excellence in Teaching – Consultation Playback Report’ published today.
The consultation included:
117 roundtables held across every school network in NSW
1,267 teachers from 849 schools directly consulted
4,554 online surveys completed
Schools involved in the first phase of the program represent a cross-section of school settings from across the State:
