16 News

After strong pressure by the Kiama community and advocacy by the Kiama Liberal candidate Serena Copley, Labor has been dragged kicking and screaming to guaranteeing the future of David Berry Hospital.
 
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said that while the NSW Liberals had been committed to saving David Berry Hospital, the Labor Government had only agreed to keep delivering public health services at the Hospital because of the pending by-election.
 
“When legislation was introduced into Parliament to protect David Berry Hospital, the Liberals supported it but Labor didn’t,” said Ms Sloane.
 
“We’ve always wanted to safeguard David Berry Hospital’s health services for the people of Berry.
 
“This community deserves quality healthcare delivered in the community, rather than being sold off by the Labor Government.
 
“This is how the Labor Government has been treating Kiama for the last two years, they’ve been ignoring the community’s needs and wishes – and are only paying attention now that there’s a by-election.
 
“Kiama voters have a clear choice at this by-election, and Labor should not be rewarded for ignoring this community for two years.”

The Minns Labor Government’s long-term vision to transform the State Library of NSW’s forecourt into a new 3,000 square metre public domain is one step closer with development approval by the City of Sydney.

The plans allow for nearly double the size of the existing forecourt, creating a vibrant public space with new native trees and plants, public art, and a central lawn plaza for library events and community activities. The design also incorporates improved lighting and wayfinding signage, seating, and space for a new kiosk.

The State Library Public Domain plan includes the realignment of Sir John Young Crescent and Hospital Road to increase safety for pedestrians and drivers and improve access to the Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain.

Under the plan, the Shakespeare Memorial will be relocated to the front of the Library’s Shakespeare Room where it can be more easily enjoyed by the public. New art works and interpretations will also be introduced as part of a comprehensive precinct public art program led by First Nations curators.

The revitalisation of the State Library forecourt is an initiative under the government’s 20-year vision to elevate the Macquarie Street East Precinct into a vibrant arts and culture destination, while protecting the precinct’s historic integrity and original character.

Situated on Gadigal Land, Macquarie Street features some of Australia’s most significant civic and cultural institutions housed in heritage buildings. These new public spaces provide opportunities to tell the long history of this place, sharing stories of Country and culture.

For more information, visit Macquarie Street East Precinct.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“For almost 200 years the State Library has been a central place of learning and ideas in our city – a home to the state’s readers, writers and researchers.

“The ambition to reimagine the forecourt looks to the next 200-years for the library and library precinct. The vision is to reset the civic space, to make entry from the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Domain or Art Gallery of NSW, easier and more welcoming.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Modern libraries are critical places for reading and research, but they are also important public spaces, so extending the forecourt will allow us to expand community use beyond the doors of the library.

“Bringing this vision to life with added native trees and plants will help create a seamless transition of open spaces from the State Library’s forecourt into The Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens.”

Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said:

“This project is part of a long-term vision to create spaces in the Macquarie Street East Precinct that celebrate our history and heritage, and that are welcoming and engaging for all.

“The revitalisation of the State Library forecourt will be the next step in the vision to create a vibrant, connected, people-friendly arts and culture destination for the people of NSW.”

State Librarian Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon said:

“The State Library of New South Wales is one of the great libraries of the world. Greatly loved, it is a hive of reading, research and creativity for over a million visitors who walk through our doors each year to use our collection, explore our galleries and enjoy our cultural and learning programs.

“The new public forecourt will further elevate the library as both a cultural destination and a welcoming and magnificent setting for discovery for everyone, every day of the week.”

The Minns Labor Government is backing in the vital role of local neighbourhood centres through a formal agreement signed this week outlining a shared vision for the future.

The Shared Commitment agreement between the Local Community Services Association (LCSA), Neighbourhood and Community Centres (NCCs) and the NSW Government sets out a collaborative approach to strengthen communities across the state.

There are more than 180 not-for-profit NCCs across the state, delivering vital local services such as family support groups, playgroups, counselling and youth programs.

The Minns Labor Government is proud to formalise this essential partnership with not-for-profit hubs and the role they play in building safe, strong and connected communities in NSW.

Co-designed by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and LCSA, the inaugural Shared Commitment agreement outlines 15 commitments and sets clear priorities to improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

In 2023–24, more than 436,000 people accessed group services at NCCs in NSW, with nearly 39,000 receiving individual support cementing their role as the heart of local communities.

The Shared Commitment agreement complements broader reforms being undertaken by the Minns Labor Government to strengthen community and social services across NSW. For example, the Secure Jobs and Funding Certainty roadmap provides longer-term funding in exchange for improved job security within non-government organisations and increased performance measurement.

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

“Local neighbourhood centres so often represent the heart and soul and generosity of local communities. This formal agreement is about acknowledging the important role of neighbourhood centres, and working together to ensure local communities are strong, safe and supported.

“Neighbourhood and community centres respond to the unique needs of their local communities, so they look different in every town and region. But they all serve a critical role in supporting families, building resilience, and connecting communities.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting the organisations and workers who support local families, and this agreement represents an important step in the right direction.”

LCSA CEO Can Yasmut said:

“We thank Minister Kate Washington for recognising the role of NCCs as vital social infrastructure and for embedding this recognition in social policy. This is a landmark acknowledgement that resilient communities are built when social infrastructure is valued, resourced, and sustained.”

“For too long, social infrastructure has been invisible in policy discussions, yet it is the foundation that enables communities to withstand crises and build stronger futures.”

“This partnership recognises that communities already hold the solutions and just need the right support to put them into action.”

The Minns Labor Government is making significant strides to boost standards and safety in the NSW corrective services system in response to recommendations made by Special Commission of Inquiry into the Offending of Former Corrections Officer Wayne Astill at Dillwynia Correctional Centre.

Marking one year from the Government’s formal response to the Inquiry, nine of the 31 recommendations have already been fully implemented, with the remainder making notable progress.

The Inquiry, led by Hon Peter McClellan AM KC and initiated by the Minns Labor Government, found multiple failings in the management and culture at Dillwynia Correctional Centre and across the Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) system.

In response to the Inquiry’s report the Government committed to undertaking the reform necessary to ensure inmates are properly protected, hard-working corrections officers are supported by sound management and strong integrity processes, and public confidence in the corrections system is restored. 

The NSW Government has made significant progress to deliver on that commitment, implementing the following initial reforms, supported by a $30 million investment over four years:

Stronger protections and support for inmates

• A Sexual Misconduct Reporting line offering a trauma-informed, confidential avenue for inmates to disclose allegations of sexual misconduct and seek support.
• Triaging of new allegations through the Sexual Misconduct Reporting line, including referral to relevant bodies for investigation such as the NSW Police Force, where appropriate.
• Specialised trauma counselling for victims who wish to access further support.
• Clear advice about managing privileged and confidential information issued to both staff and inmates.
• Assurance to both staff and inmates that phone calls to exempt bodies are not recorded or monitored, through changes to policy and procedure including a new automated message on the inmate telephone system and updated staff communications.

A safer workplace for staff supported by strong integrity processes and improved reporting and misconduct procedures

• New Machinery of Government arrangements to ensure that misconduct matters are managed in an appropriate external, more frequent and transparent manner.
• Enhanced probity checks for staff, including a standard of required conduct relating to persons relieving as Intelligence Officers.
• Records of any disciplinary processes or outcomes made available on all staff personnel files and in a centralised database.
• An updated direct form for reporting misconduct, now including the option to report to the Governor of the relevant correctional centre.
• Improved mechanisms for reporting allegations of serious misconduct.
• A new training program for existing staff and new recruits, including standards for ethical practice, handling privileged or confidential information, identifying and reporting misconduct and complaint handling.
• New laws to make all sexual relationships between staff and inmates illegal.
• The appointment of a stand-alone Governor to Dillwynia Correctional Centre.

This is in addition to several other changes that have been made to better support inmates in direct response to the Special Commission’s findings, including the provision of sexual assault trauma counselling for the victims of Astill’s offending, increased CCTV coverage and body worn cameras for uniformed staff who work directly with inmates at Dillwynia Correctional Centre.

The Government accepted all the recommendations of the Special Commission in full or in principle.

The Government is implementing the most urgent recommendations while working through the longer-term reforms.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The NSW Government is committed to implementing the reforms needed to ensure that the deplorable and unconscionable crimes outlined by the Special Commission can never be repeated. 

“We take seriously our responsibility to reform the NSW prison system into one that properly protects inmates and ensures our hardworking staff are safe and supported.

“While many improvements are now in place, there is work still needing to be done.

“As we continue undertaking reform, our thoughts remain with the victims of Wayne Astill’s offending, and we thank the staff, inmates and advocates who had the courage to speak up against wrongdoing.

“We will continue to pursue the changes needed to fix the culture and system that has seen too many people let down.”