Millions of Sydney and NSW rail commuters will now be able to catch a train without being unfairly hit by union disruption, following an agreement between the NSW Government and the Combined Rail Unions.
For too long school kids, people going to work and small businesses have had their lives and businesses turned upside down by industrial action by the rail unions.
Today we have put the people of Sydney first.
We have now agreed to a Fair Work Commission process which will result in a vote by the Combined Rail Unions and an ongoing arbitration process on a small number of outstanding items.
While these Fair Work Commission processes are underway, the Combined Rail Unions have agreed not to undertake any industrial action.
Getting life-saving tools to local sports clubs
Vaucluse sports clubs and organisations are encouraged to apply for new life-saving devices through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.
Liberal candidate for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, welcomed the Perrottet Government program providing $2 million over four years to local sporting organisations and councils, so they can get equipped with defibrillators to respond to life-threating emergencies.
“We’re told by medical experts that the first eight minutes after a cardiac arrest are critical to a person’s survival, so early access to CPR and a defibrillator is essential in case of such an emergency,” said Ms Sloane. “With the Perrottet Government covering the full cost of up to three devices, I’m calling on all local clubs to apply to this potentially life-saving program.”
“With ten clubs across this electorate already participating, from the Bondi Bowling Club to Maccabi Hakoah Club, I think many more should also apply.
“Double Bay Sailing Club was awarded a grant for a defibrillator, which has been placed on response boats, so that when the club holds competitions it is accessible if there is ever an incident on water. I think it’s great how the club is looking after the safety of its members.”
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said that since 2017 more than 2,000 devices have been installed at sports facilities across the State.
“Whether you’re at your local sailing club or playing footy with your mates, when someone has a cardiac arrest, time is crucial – they can happen to anyone, anytime, or anywhere so it’s vital
that a defibrillator is readily accessible,” Mr Henskens said.
“Through this funding, the NSW Liberals and National Government is ensuring our sport clubs and venues are safe environments for everyone, both on and off the field.”
The Local Sports Defibrillator Program is available to sport and recreation clubs, associations and organisations as well as councils and service clubs. Up to $3,000 is available per device with organisations able to apply for up to three devices.
Applications are open and close Friday, 10 February 2023. For more information on the Program, visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants.
Investing in training for dental technicians
The Perrottet Government is investing $774,000 in upgrading dentistry facilities and teaching equipment at TAFE NSW Randwick that will help train the next generation of dental technicians as part of a for students and staff.
Liberal candidates for Coogee and Vaucluse, Dr Kylie von Muenster and Kellie Sloane, welcomed this investment in the local TAFE and future health professionals.
“Dental and prosthetic technicians need to get a good handle on the tools of their future trade, and the Government’s investment in upgrading TAFE NSW Randwick gives our students an edge as they embark on their promising dental careers,” said Dr von Muenster.
“As someone who spent many years undertaking training to deliver allied health services, I know that my education really benefited from access to great equipment and facilities.”
“This funding for industry-leading equipment, such as new laboratory chairs, articulators, and micro-motors will support the delivery of in-demand training for dental technicians in Randwick, as students gain hands-on skills in denture making and the construction of mouthguards and orthodontic appliances.”
“The Perrottet Government has invested $3 million in TAFE NSW Randwick since 2019, to boost the quality of education for a variety of courses” said Ms Sloane. “The campus had recently received two Connected Learning Points to support virtual learning and new cameras, making our local TAFE the place to be for aspiring future cinematographers.”
“This funding clearly demonstrates the Perrottet Government’s commitment to giving this community great fit-for-purpose learning spaces they need to build their skills and get future jobs.”
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is leading the nation in supporting people to get the skills they need for the jobs they want, which is helping grow the economy, securing a brighter future for the people of NSW.
“TAFE NSW trains 44 per cent of government funded TAFE students in Australia. It is the nation’s largest and best training provider, and we have invested record funding in TAFE NSW to ensure it continues to deliver a pipeline of skilled and job-ready workers,” Mr Henskens said.
“Our record skills budget is delivering more fee-free training which is helping people find indemand jobs and contributing to NSW’s low unemployment rate.”
For more information about courses available at TAFE NSW Randwick, visit www.tafensw.edu.au.
QLD CLIMATE COSTS CAN’T BE IGNORED
The Climate Council report released today shows that the costs of climate change-driven weather events cannot be ignored. The Greens are once again calling for the government to stop approving new coal and gas projects, and stop the $42.7 billion of fossil fuel subsidies that are turbo charging climate destruction.
Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said:
“The Climate Council report released today shows that my home state of Queensland has suffered more economic damage from extreme weather and natural disasters than any other state or territory.
“The economic cost to Queensland from the floods in February and March alone was $7.7 billion, not to mention the emotional toll of seeing your home flooded again and again.
“Last week’s State of the Climate report found changes to weather and climate extremes are happening at an increased pace across Australia.
“We already knew this continued support for the coal and gas industry was leading us to environmental disaster, now we know it’s a wrecking ball for the economy as well.
“We’ve been disappointed that under the new Labor government, Australia has continued to open up new coal and gas mines, and is sticking to targets that will see the world go beyond a disastrous 2C of warming.
“There are 114 new coal and gas projects headed to the Environment Minister’s desk for approval – not a single one should be approved without considering the impact its emissions will have on the climate.
“Unless we stop opening up new coal and gas, Australia’s children will inherit a country that is wracked by devastating fires, floods, and heatwaves.
“The Greens bill to add a climate trigger to our federal environmental laws means that climate impacts of polluting projects would need to be considered, and importantly that the Minister would have to refuse approval for new large fossil fuel projects.”
THEIA ENERGY WANTS TO ACCELERATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Today Theia Energy announced it will resubmit its application to frack the Canning Basin.
Theia has changed its plans multiple times in an attempt to dodge Western Australia’s EPA laws, but is betting the McGowan government’s review on onshore fracking will favour companies over the environment.
Greens spokesperson for resources Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox said:
“The McGowan government should care about its constituents equally. The ban on fracking should extend across all of WA not just the metropolitan regions and southwest.
“The government is allowing manufactured consent for fossil fuel projects. If they won’t invest and support regional communities they are effectively forcing Traditional Owners to agree to these projects.
“The International Energy Agency’s ‘World Energy Outlook 2022’ report doesn’t support the idea of gas as a transition fuel.
“Black Mountain Energy’s exemption from the export of onshore gas shows the McGowan government is happy to sell out our environment and fuel the climate crisis.
“A report released today by The Climate Council showed Queensland is bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. We cannot allow Western Australia to suffer the same fate by opening up new fossil fuel projects.
“A recent poll showed 63% of Australians want to accelerate the shift to renewables. Rather than open up new polluting projects we need to invest in cleaner, greener renewable energy sources.
“We can’t trust the WA Labor government to do the right thing. We must strengthen our Federal environmental protection laws to ban fracking across all of Australia.”
‘ECONOMIC INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE’ NEEDS TO FOCUS ON HOW MUCH PEOPLE NEED TO LIVE – NOT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT FEELS LIKE GIVING
The Greens respond to formal review process on the rate of income support, warning that it needs to be independent and include the voices of people living in poverty.
Greens spokesperson for government services and social services, Senator Janet Rice said:
“The ‘Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee’ could be great if it leads to meaningful change, it can’t be an excuse for more delays or a pathetic raise to the rate that still leaves people living in poverty.
“This review needs a clear methodology with a focus on how much people actually need to live, not what the Government feels like allocating in the budget.
“It should be genuinely independent with public terms of reference, public hearings and public reporting. And it needs to hear from people actually living in poverty.
“Last week the Greens provided the Government an easy opportunity to raise the rate and do something concrete for the people that need it most, and they joined the Liberals to vote it down.
“The cost of living crisis isn’t waiting for a review – people are living in poverty right now, they can’t afford to put food on the table right now, they can’t afford their medical bills right now.
“The Greens will keep pushing to get concrete outcomes for people on income support so Australians don’t have to make decisions like which meals to skip because they have to pay the rent this week.”
Record $117 million for walking and cycling in NSW
There’s never been a bigger year for active transport in New South Wales, with $117 million now invested this year towards walking and cycling paths as part of the Get NSW Active program.
Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said the third and final tranche of the 2022 program would see $77 million in funding delivered for 161 projects across 45 councils.
“NSW is leading the nation when it comes to investment in new active transport infrastructure, building better footpaths and bike lanes in our cities and regions,” Mr Stokes said.
“More than $18 million has been committed to projects in Western Sydney and $20 million in regional NSW, where we’re seeing a growing demand for infrastructure that helps people walk and cycle safely.
“For children, older people, parents pushing prams or people with disabilities – a street without a footpath isn’t an inconvenience – it’s a barrier to moving freely in public space.
“That’s why we’ve already opened applications for Get NSW Active 2023 and we’re encouraging all councils to apply now.”
Key projects to be delivered across the state include:
- $11.6 million to build a new permanent, separated bike lane along Oxford Street and Liverpool Street, providing a critical link between Taylor Square and the CBD.
- $3.8 million to build a boardwalk and shared path along the Hawkesbury River waterfront connecting Brooklyn Road with Kangaroo Point in Brooklyn.
- $3.2 million to build a two-way separated bike path on Kelly and Mary Ann Streets in Ultimo.
- $2 million to build the 4.6km Albury CBD Bike Loop, including on-road bike lands and eight raised pedestrian crossings.
Get NSW Active 2022 received 474 applications from councils across the state with 125 Greater Sydney projects and 158 regional projects receiving funding.
More than $200 million has already been allocated to more than 400 projects over the past five years of the Program, including Parramatta Escarpment Boardwalk, Inner West Greenway and Newcastle Light Rail Shared Path Stages 2 & 3.
A full list of the successful applicants is available here https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2022/2022-2023-Get-NSW-Active-Approved.pdf
Free development checks to give NSW kids the best start in life
Nine preschools across New South Wales will take part in a new study, providing free health and development tests for children before they start school.
The study will start today, with services expanded to 15 more locations in early 2023 before being offered to every NSW preschooler in 2024.
The state-wide program is an Australian first, with checks assessing hearing, vision, physical and cognitive development, social and emotional development, communication and skills.
The study will help inform the state-wide rollout of the program and will include different types of tests in different locations.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was leading the nation with a $15.9 billion investment in early childhood commitments including health and development checks for children in preschools, to help ensure kids across the state reach their full potential.
“This is about giving every child in our state the best start to life as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The first few years of life are some of the most important for long-term health and development, which is why we are investing in this important program to help identify and minimise health and development issues or delays early on.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the study will run from late November 2022 until February 2023 in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
“Education is the door to a brighter future, and these development checks are the keys for children across NSW to access the benefits of quality education,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I have witnessed the difference these early checks make first-hand after one of my children was identified with a speech impediment, and they are now thriving at school.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the program aims to give more families the support they need if it is discovered their child is not on track to meet key milestones.
“Child and family nurses, allied health professionals and early childhood educators will work together to support families so all kids are ready for school,” Mr Hazzard said.
“A child’s health and development plays an important part in their school journey and these checks will identify issues early so that action plans and support measures can be put in place early.”
Click here for information on the NSW Government’s Early Years Commitment.
Nine preschools taking part the study:
- Oorunga Wandarrah MACS Centre, Airds
- Uniting Fredrick St Preschool, Rockdale
- Forbes Preschool, Forbes
- Bourke and District Children’s Services, Bourke
- Mindaribba Preschool, Metford
- Woodberry Preschool, Woodberry
- Gloucester Preschool, Gloucester
- Barrington St Preschool, Gloucester
- Stroud Preschool, Stroud
New ferries to fly the Aussie flag for Western Sydney
A new fleet of Australian-designed ferries are set to hit the water in Western Sydney, with the NSW Government investing in new vessels to service commuters and visitors along the iconic Parramatta River to Sydney CBD route.
Tenders will open tomorrow for the local construction of seven new ferries to ensure superior transport infrastructure for the people of Greater Parramatta.
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the NSW Government was committed to boosting local manufacturing and encouraging local content as part of the State’s record $76.7 billion investment in transport infrastructure over the next four years.
“It is vital to our economy and the domestic market that we back Australian ingenuity, design and local manufacturing,” Mr Elliott said.
“These new state-of-the-art vessels will fly the flag for our Western Sydney commuters and deliver a first-class service to the thousands of commuters who use the ferry network each day to travel to and from work, school, or leisure activities.”
Mr Elliott said the seven new Parramatta River ferries, were designed in Australia by experienced local ship designer, Incat Crowther.
“I strongly support local manufacturing and am excited by the opportunity this tender will provide for local businesses to help deliver Australian-designed vessels for our world-class city,” Mr Elliott said.
“While we already have a record low unemployment rate in NSW, the more we can design and also build things right here in Australia, the more jobs and opportunities we will create for our community.”
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said the new design would ensure the 200 person capacity was maintained, but vessels would be more fuel efficient than older models with improved seating and access for passengers.
“These vessels will make a trip along the Parramatta River not just one of the most iconic commutes in the world, but a must-do for visitors who come to our wonderful city,” Mr Collins said.
“These Parramatta River ferries will also be future-proofed for conversion to electric propulsion when the network infrastructure is ready.”
The seven new ferries will predominantly run the F3 Parramatta River route, replacing seven RiverCat vessels after 30 years of service.
To encourage bids from local ship builders of all sizes, tenderers will be able to submit proposals for each and/or multiple vessels (of the seven required).
RESPECT@WORK PASSES PARLIAMENT
The Albanese Government is acting to make workplaces safe from sexual harassment with the passage of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation (Respect@Work) Bill through Parliament.
Sexual harassment is not inevitable – it is preventable.
This historic Respect@Work legislation significantly progresses gender equality by ensuring women are able to earn a living in safe, sexual harassment-free workplaces.
The legislation closely follows the recommendations of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, left unfinished by the former government.
The new laws will:
- Place a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sex discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation, as far as possible;
- Strengthen the Australian Human Rights Commission with new functions to assess and enforce compliance with this new requirement, including the capacity to give compliance notices to employers who are not meeting their obligations;
- Expressly prohibit conduct that results in a hostile workplace environment on the basis of sex; and
- Ensure Commonwealth public sector organisations are also required to report to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency on its gender equality indicators.
Over the past five years, one in three people experienced sexual harassment at work, with women experiencing higher rates of harassment than men.
Everyone has the right to a safe and respectful workplace and the fact that workplaces have not been safe or respectful for so many Australians is unacceptable.
The Government would like to thank Ms Jenkins for her work, as well as all victim-survivors who came forward to share their stories and to inform the Respect@Work Report.
This is a Government that listens to women – and acts.