Record number of new nursing and midwifery graduates join NSW Health

More than 3,600 graduate nurses and midwives will begin their career across 130 NSW public hospitals and health services this year in a major boost for patients and communities throughout the state.

The latest intake of graduate nurses and midwives is an 18 per cent increase on last year. It is also the largest intake of any state or territory in Australia ever.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard today extended a warm welcome to the new nursing and midwifery recruits, many of whom start work across NSW public hospitals this month.

“This is an exciting time for the thousands of graduate nurses and midwives who are starting their careers in our world-class health system and it’s a terrific day for our state,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Our nurses and midwives are highly valued and it’s encouraging to see so many people joining their profession, perhaps inspired by the commitment shown by our frontline services in recent years.”

“The dedication and professionalism of our nurses and midwives across the state is nothing short of extraordinary,” Mr Hazzard said.

“These enthusiastic graduates have a unique opportunity to play a vital role in our healthcare system at a time when it continues to adapt and innovate to the changes and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said more than a third of the record number of graduates beginning their careers with NSW Health have chosen to work in our rural and regional hospitals.

“It is so wonderful to see so many nurses and midwives either choosing to move to the bush or returning home so they can care for their communities,” Mrs Taylor said.

“As someone who spent the best part of their nursing career at a regional hospital, I know the skills and experience these new nurses will gain will set them up for success into their future nursing career.

“On behalf of our regional communities, I am thrilled to welcome this next generation of nurses and midwives and wish all our new starters the very best of luck as they embark on their new career.”

NSW Health’s Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, Jacqui Cross, said the new graduates will make a big difference to the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve.

“Remember what you do as nurses and midwives is at the very heart of the public health system, caring for people in our hospitals, at home and in our communities,” Ms Cross said.

“The commitment, compassion and skills you bring to the role make a huge difference and contribute greatly to the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW.”

NSW Health has the largest health system in the country and employs more than 53,000 nurses and midwives, more than ever before.

Overall, between mid-2012 and mid-2022 NSW Health increased its workforce by an additional 25,700 full time equivalent staff – an increase of 25.2 per cent, including 9,340 more nurses and midwives, 4,140 more doctors, and 2,490 more allied health staff.

The NSW Government recently announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history in the 2022-23 Budget with a $4.5 billion investment over four years for 10,148 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to hospitals and health services across NSW.

LABOR’S PLAN TO SAVE STOCKTON BEACH 

A Minns Labor Government will shore up the future of Stockton Beach with $21 million committed to mass sand nourishment of the erosion-stricken coastline.

The commitment will also see a Labor Government lead the recovery through a Memorandum of Understanding with Newcastle Council, with Public Works NSW holding any required licences and approvals, breaking the current stalemate which has led to years of inaction.

City of Newcastle’s Stockton Coastal Management Plan recommended mass sand nourishment to address the erosion issue. Labor will allocate the required $21 million to ensure this happens. Funding and works will follow after the existing $6.2 million project to dredge sand from the entry of the harbour is concluded.

NSW Labor will also be seeking a contribution from the Port of Newcastle towards to project. 

Under a Labor Government the Stockton Beach Taskforce will also meet on a regular basis to ensure that the project remains on track.

NSW Labor’s commitment follows a long history of advocacy to progress works on the beach, including:

  • Working with the community to secure 10,000 signatures on a petition to have the issue debated in the NSW Parliament
  • Successfully lobbying for the support of the former Deputy Premier to progress the studies and surveys required to identify sand sources
  • Securing the establishment of the Stockton Beach Taskforce to work with stakeholders and community to progress mass sand nourishment

Greg Warren MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government said:
 

“This is a big win for Stockton Beach and the entire community of Stockton.

“Tim Crakanthorp, the wonderful Member for Newcastle and I, have worked tirelessly to develop a plan to save Stockton Beach and restore it to its former glory.

“For far too long, this Government has ignored the needs of Stockton. A NSW Labor Government will work with Newcastle City Council to save our beaches being washed away, protect infrastructure and public and private properties.”

“This is another example of how NSW Labor will deliver for the people of Newcastle.”

Tim Crakanthorp MP, Member for Newcastle said:

“Chris Minns and I promised the people of Stockton that we would present our commitment prior to the election and today we deliver on that promise.

“For too long this project has been caught up in bureaucracy, but a NSW Labor Government will see the talk stop and the work begin.

“Getting sand back on Stockton Beach has been a long-time focus of mine, and I am thrilled to say that a Labor Government will fix this.

“The Stockton community has waited long enough under this Liberal Government, and only NSW Labor will get it done.”

GOVERNMENT MUST STEP IN TO STOP RBA RATE RISE

Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, has responded to today’s decision by the RBA to raise interest rates for the ninth consecutive time.

“The RBA is failing in its duty to ensure the economic prosperity and welfare of the people of Australia.”

“The RBA is willing to smash Australia into a recession in pursuit of policy that is only benefiting the already wealthy.

“The Treasurer needs to do two things.”

“Firstly, he needs to ask Philip Lowe for his resignation.”

“Secondly, he needs to use the powers he has to reverse today’s decision by the RBA.”

“Consumer sentiment is at the lowest level since the GFC.”

“The volume of retail sales is falling.”

“Meanwhile, the stock market is at a near record high.”

“The rich are getting richer while mortgage holders, renters, workers and small businesses are all copping it.”

“This blast of interest rate increases were never the right response to inflation driven by supply shocks and corporate profiteering.”

“But with the evidence pointing to inflation having already peaked, the RBA is now just being belligerent.”

“Section 11 of the Reserve Bank Act gives the government the ‘ultimate power to determine the policy of the bank’.”

“It’s time for the Treasurer to stop ducking for cover and start using his power to bring into line an RBA board that is running cover for corporate interests.”

“It’s also time for the Treasurer to introduce super-profits taxes to tackle corporate profiteering and provide immediate cost-of-living, such as free childcare, putting dental into Medicare, and introducing a freeze on rents.” 

GONSKI’S A GONER

The Greens say new data from the Productivity Commission shows that Australian governments have abandoned the Gonski reforms, with funding growth to the private sector outstripping increases to public schools by 10% over the past decade.

The latest Report on Government Services shows that total per student funding from federal, state and territory governments to the public school sector rose from $17,920 in 2012 to $20,964 in 2021, an increase of 17%. During that same span governments increased total funding to private schools by 27%, from $9,686 per student to $12,309.

Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“This report proves what a disastrous decision it was for Labor to postpone the next National School Reform Agreement by a year.

“There is currently no pathway to full public funding for the vast majority of public schools in Australia. The decades-long failure by both old parties to invest properly in our public schools is seeing educational outcomes continue to fall for our poorest and most remote students.

“Eleven years ago David Gonski said that there was growing inequality in the school system, identified funding inequality as the root cause, and provided a model to fix that.

“But instead of embracing the Gonski recommendations, successive governments have shied away from directing funding away from the private sector towards the schools that desperately need it. It’s gutless and morally indefensible.

“Our public schools need more money, and they need it now. We don’t need more working groups or more reports to tell us what every public school teacher, parent and carer already knows.

 “The Greens will continue to fight to ensure that all public schools receive at least 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard at the start of the next NSRA.”

GREENS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE ALL DOCUMENTS ON AUSTRALIA’S ILLEGAL INVASION OF IRAQ

Today, Senator Jordon Steele-John will move a motion in the Senate ordering the production of all documents related to Australia’s decision to join the US-led coalition which invaded Iraq twenty years ago. 

This order for the production of documents includes the following:

  • The advice provided by the Department of Defence to the Prime Minister and Governor General concerning the decision to deploy the ADF to Iraq.
  • The advice provided by the Attorney General to the Governor General and the Federal Executive Council in relation to the decision to deploy the ADF into Iraq 
  • Correspondence between the Department of Defence and the United States Embassy about the Iraq invasion in March 2003

These documents will provide valuable insight into the Howard Government’s decision making which led Australia to join the US-led invasion of Iraq, a war that claimed over 600,000 lives and left millions displaced from their homes, according to some estimates. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Peace and Foreign Affairs said: 

“Twenty years on from the catastrophic invasion of Iraq and the circumstances that led us there are still vague and shrouded in secrecy.”

“Australians deserve to know who was making the decisions, what the basis for war was and whether any semblance of a legal process was even followed.”

“Hundreds of thousands have died, millions have been displaced and millions more have been left with lasting trauma. This was all based on a choice made in Australia’s name that lacks any accountability, form of transparency or oversight. ” 

“The decision-making process for sending the ADF to war requires major reform. I sincerely hope that the Labor government takes the opportunity to share with the community how such a devastating decision was made and what needs to change to ensure it never happens again.”

“These documents will provide valuable insight into what the Howard government knew, the time in which they knew it, and exactly what mechanism and authority they used to deploy Australian troops to Iraq, four of whom never came home”. 

Humanitarian assistance in response to earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

The Australian Government will provide an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that have struck Türkiye and Syria.

In Türkiye, Australia will provide $7 million in lifesaving assistance. $4 million of this will be provided through our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners for food and items such as tents and blankets to support those injured and evacuated. A further $3 million will be allocated as needs become clearer.

In Syria, Australia will provide $3 million through our longstanding partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for immediate needs including shelter, clean water and sanitation, with a focus on women and girls.

Australia’s assistance will target those in greatest need.

We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones, and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

Jail time for Pharmacist and Practice Manager

A Pharmacist and Practice Manager from across Australia were sentenced last week after fraudulently claiming more than $470,000 in payments under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The below outcomes are a culmination of a strong collaboration between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).

Victoria – 2 February 2023 – Carson Au

Victorian pharmacy practitioner Carson Au was sentenced to two years imprisonment after having made 76 false PBS claims between 25 February 2018 and 20 September 2019.

Au received PBS payments in the amount of $110,461.68 to which he was not entitled.  

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment commencing on the 2 February 2023 and will serve eight months in custody before being released on a $5,000 Good Behaviour Bond of two years.

All monies owed by Mr Au have been repaid.

New South Wales – 3 February 2023 – Amanda Leigh Blackburn

Former practice manager Amanda Blackburn of St Clair was sentenced to a maximum of four years imprisonment with a minimum two years to be served by the Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to defrauding taxpayers of almost $315,000 by lodging false MBS claims.

Ms Blackburn was found to have made 3,915 false or misleading MBS claims for 6,897 services between 26 March 2014 and 1 February 2021 that were not actually provided to patients.

A Restitution Order was issued by the Court for $314,253.60

The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare non-compliance very seriously and all tip-offs are reviewed.

Anyone with information about suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers can make a report via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs  or by calling the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.

Milestone for School HPV Vaccination

Parents are being offered a new tool to help them stay on top of their child’s school vaccinations as the new academic year gets underway.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW Health has launched a convenient new online portal for parents to consent to their child being vaccinated in the free school vaccination program.

Parents are also strongly encouraged to access any missed vaccines through their GP and pharmacist immunisers.

Mr Hazzard said the reminder comes as recent changes to the National Immunisation Program have reduced the HPV vaccination schedule to a single dose for the majority of people aged under 25. People who are immunocomprimised will need to continue with the recommended three-dose schedule.

“Almost one million students have been vaccinated against HPV since the school program was expanded to include both girls and boys in 2013,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused some disruption to the usually high take-up rates of HPV jabs, so the new school year is the perfect time to get back on track.

“Before COVID-19, around 85 per cent of students were vaccinated against HPV each year but that has fallen in 2022 with 71 per cent of males and 75 per cent of females in Year 7 being vaccinated. So 2023 is our chance to lift those rates again.

“The new online portal will help NSW Health to streamline registrations for all school-based vaccinations by removing any chance of parental consent forms getting lost or damaged in school bags, or forgotten.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell welcomed the milestone and the key role schools have played in the program.

“Schools are the centre of their communities and they’ve played a pivotal role in helping young people get vaccinated. Having the service at schools makes it easier for parents to make sure their child is protected and I’d encourage any parents with children who missed out to take up the opportunity,” Ms Mitchell said.

Schools will provide the link to the online consent portal directly to parents before the planned school vaccination visit.

The world-leading HPV school vaccination program, together with cervical screening, has Australia on track to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.

If vaccination rates get back to pre-COVID levels, the HPV school vaccination program is likely to see a reduction of cervical cancer of up to 90 per cent in the coming years.

Strains of HPV can lead to mouth cancer, throat cancer, cervical cancer and various cancers of the genital area in men and women. Signs of infection are often not visible.

NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urges parents to use the portal to ensure their kids are up to date with their school vaccinations to help keep them safe.

“The benefits of vaccination against HPV are greatest when given before exposure to the virus, which is why we offer vaccination to all students in Year 7,” Dr Chant said.

The change to a single dose is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which has considered the latest international scientific and clinical evidence showing a single dose gives comparable protection against HPV infection in healthy young people.

The Australian Government has provided HPV vaccine free to girls aged 12-17 years since 2007, through the national HPV vaccination school-based program.  Males were added to the program in 2013. The cervical screening program was established in 1991.

The NSW Government has invested approximately $148 million in the 2022-23 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.

WestInvest transforms western Sydney

The NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program is securing the best quality of life for the people of Western Sydney – one of the youngest, fastest-growing and most diverse populations in the nation.

Treasurer Matt Kean today revealed more than $250 million for local councils, community groups and Western Sydney University in Parramatta to provide 16 transformational projects.

It brings the total WestInvest funding allocated so far to more than $3.45 billion, with more to come.

New parks and walking tracks, youth hubs, libraries, school upgrades and sporting precincts are some of the projects that will benefit a huge cross-section of people.

The once-in-a-generation city-changing enhancements include:

· About $1.8 billion from the $3 billion WestInvest NSW Government Allocation to deliver new and improved schools and critical road upgrades;

· More than $1.3 billion for councils and community groups to deliver 100 projects in Western Sydney through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round, with more projects to be announced;

· More than $357 million for eligible councils to deliver 68 projects through the $400 million in Community Project Grants – Local Government Allocation, with projects still to be announced in Strathfield, The Hills and Hawkesbury.

Mr Kean said WestInvest is securing a brighter future for Western and Southwestern Sydney families through transformative local infrastructure that will benefit residents.

“Thanks to the NSW Government’s strong economic stewardship and successful WestConnex asset recycling program, we continue to deliver once-in-a-generation improvements to Sydney’s west,” Mr Kean said.

“Today in Parramatta we are announcing a new state-of-the-art Indigenous Centre of Excellence, a huge boost to walking and cycling paths, new parks and a revamp of the 30-year-old Riverside Theatre.”

Mr Kean said the projects will deliver more open spaces and help connect communities.

“We are forging a new era for this great region that will continue to benefit from WestInvest projects for many decades,” Mr Kean said.

“Western Sydney is one of the most diverse and dynamic economic centres in Australia. WestInvest will support the region’s growth and help spur local jobs to lift our State to even greater heights.”

NSW budget still on track for surplus despite more floods and economic headwinds

The NSW Budget remains on track to return to surplus in 2024-25, despite a challenging global economic landscape, unprecedented flooding across the State, high inflation and record cost of living.

Treasurer Matt Kean today released the 2022-23 Half Yearly Review, showing the State’s finances remain solid and economic growth has exceeded expectations, underpinning the Government’s continued investments to support families and build a brighter future.

The key updates include:

· The State remains on track to return to surplus in 2024-25

· Real Gross State Product (GSP), a measure of the State’s economic output, is expected to increase by 3¾ per cent in 2022-23

· The Government is continuing to support households by providing $7.2 billion  in cost-of-living relief in 2022-23

“The Budget remains on track to return to surplus, just as the Government first promised in November 2020, despite the Delta and Omicron outbreaks, the unprecedented flooding, high inflation and interest rate hikes our State has faced since then,” Mr Kean said.

“The fact that NSW remains the only Australian state with two triple-A credit ratings and leads the nation in business conditions speaks to this Government’s record of strong economic management.

“The strength of the NSW economy and budget underpins the Government’s plan to support households with cost-of-living relief and invest in economic reforms and infrastructure to boost productivity and crush inflation.”

The 2022-23 NSW Budget included $7.2 billion for cost-of-living support such as the Toll Relief Rebate Scheme, Back to School vouchers, Energy Bill Buster program and more than 70 rebates, vouchers and concessions to help households manage their budgets.

In the Half-Yearly Review, the State’s infrastructure program has increased to a record $116.6 billion over the four years to 2025-26, driven by investments in new and existing transport infrastructure and health facilities.

“Over the past 12 years the Government has delivered ground-breaking infrastructure projects that have transformed the lives of the NSW people, including 58 new and 155 upgraded schools and more than 180 new or upgraded health facilities,” Mr Kean said.


The Government is also continuing to invest in productivity enhancing reforms that will help grow the economy.

“Our $16.5 billion investment, over the next decade, to improve women’s economic opportunities and child development, is set to help unleash the aspirations of women across NSW, with the female workforce participation rate near record highs,” Mr Kean said.

“Our housing reforms are already clearing the barriers to home ownership, with 761 first home buyers opting into the First Home Buyer Choice in the fortnight after it launched on 16 January 2023.”

Read the Half Yearly Review here: https://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/2022-23/half-yearly-review