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The NSW Government is doubling family and domestic violence leave provisions for all NSW public sector workers with staff able to access 20 days of paid leave per calendar year from 1 January 2023.

The same paid leave provisions will also be provided to casual employees, while access to existing carers leave will be also extended to all employees providing support to a family or household member who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence.

The enhanced arrangements will apply across the NSW public sector and were developed after discussion with unions, Government employers and family and domestic violence policy experts.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the increase of family and domestic violence leave was a key priority of the Perrottet Government.

“As the largest employer in NSW, it is our Government’s responsibility to provide workers with the support and security to take time away from work to take the necessary steps to find safety for themselves and their family,” Mrs Ward said.

“That is why we have made this commitment to double the amount of paid family and domestic violence leave available to all public sector employees from 10 to 20 days, to give our workers greater support at a time when they need it most.

“Everyone has the right to be safe both at home and in the workplace, which is why we have made addressing the issue of women’s safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence a priority with record funding to increase support across the sector.”

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said the new leave provisions build on other family and safety oriented measures the NSW Government had already put in place for all public sector workers.

“NSW was the first Australian jurisdiction to include specific provisions for family and domestic violence leave in enterprise agreements and awards for its public sector employees and once again we will be leading the way with comprehensive leave provisions to support victim-survivors seeking safety and care,” Mr Tudehope said.

“This new leave provison is the latest in a raft of improvements our government has put in place to improve work environments for NSW public sector workers and sets the standard for other jurisdictions and the private sector to follow.

“Already our Government has enacted nation-leading measures to ensure families, women and children are front of mind in the public sector, including new parental leave policies, and leave in the event of a miscarriage.

Leave is available to NSW Government employees who give birth to a pre-term child (prior to 37 weeks). The parent with the caring responsibility is entitled to paid special pre-term parental leave from the date of birth of the child (or children from a multiple birth) up to the end of 36 weeks.

In the 2022-23 NSW Budget, the NSW Government announced new paid parental leave arrangements for public sector workers in which there will be no distinction between ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ carer, with both parents entitled to 14 weeks of paid parental leave and an additional 2 weeks leave where leave is more equally shared between parents. 

As part of the Budget, the NSW Government also announced five days of paid fertility treatment leave for public sector workers.

The improved family and domestic violence leave entitlement builds on the NSW Government’s record $687 million investment in 2021/22 for a range of for Women’s Safety initiatives, as well as a further $100 million in the 2022/23 Budget.

The NSW Domestic Violence Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 656 463 to explain services and support available. The 1800RESPECT online chat service is available as an alternative to calling.
Information about other services and support is available on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

More plastic will be recycled and turned into new products in NSW thanks to $9 million funding to support businesses transform their operations and access the latest plastic recycling technology.
 
Minister for the Environment James Griffin said the new Circular Plastics Program, part of the Circular Materials Fund, is all about boosting the circular economy for plastics in NSW.
 
“This program is a game changer for our State because it means we’ll be reducing the amount of plastic going to landfill, and turning it into a valuable resource instead,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“At the moment, NSW produces about 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year, and about 10 per cent is recycled. That figure should be much higher and I want to see plastic being repurposed and reused as many times as possible, rather than ending up in landfill or the environment.
 
“Through this $9 million program, we’re giving eligible businesses the support they need to recycle and reuse more plastic when making new products.
 
“This is business and government working together to create a cleaner future, and generate new market demand and value for recycled plastic.” 
 
The Circular Plastics Program is part of the NSW Government’s target to triple the plastics recycling rate by 2030 and will be delivered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
 
The matched funding will support small and medium businesses that may otherwise be challenged by initial capital costs involved in creating circularity in their business.
 
The program is part of the NSW Government’s $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, and the NSW Plastics Action Plan.
 
More information is available here https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/infrastructure-fund/circular-plastics-program. Expressions of interest close 17 November 2022.

The red and yellow is back on NSW beaches with more than 20,000 surf life saving volunteers ready to welcome beachgoers as the official patrol season begins.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet joined Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke, Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) President George Shales and volunteer lifesavers at Bondi Beach today to raise the red and yellow flags for the first time this season.
 
“The raising of the flags is a significant occasion for the people of NSW because it means we can get back out after a cold winter and safely enjoy all the beautiful coastline our great State has to offer,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Please listen to the advice of our Surf Life Saving experts, don’t take unnecessary risks and always swim between the red and yellow flags to make sure you and your family enjoy the water safely.”
 
Ms Cooke said $1 million worth of SLSNSW jet skis and support operations vehicles will be rolled out across the State to better support the work of volunteers.
 
“The addition of 11 jet skis and 11 fully kitted out support vehicles will further enhance the ability of our lifesavers to respond to emergencies in the water and help people when they get into trouble,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Our lifesavers from the 129 clubs up and down the NSW coastline are looking forward to being on patrol every weekend and public holiday between now and Anzac Day in April.”
 
Mr Shales said despite a third consecutive La Nina being declared, large crowds are expected at beaches throughout spring and summer.
 
“We had a very wet year last season but beachgoers need to remain vigilant after a record 55 lives were lost in the 12 months to June 2022,” Mr Shales said.
 
“We’re ready to help if you get into trouble but we need to work together to keep our beaches and coastal waterways safe for all to enjoy.”
 
Patrolled beach locations, patrol times and live weather updates are available on the BeachSafe app or website.

Powerhouse Ultimo is set to become an immersive education and professional hub for creatives thanks to a $10 million investment by Foundation University Partner the University of Technology Sydney.
 
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the partnership will complement the NSW Government’s investment into the renewal of Powerhouse Ultimo, and establish Ultimo as a leading creative industries precinct.
 
“The partnership provides an incredible boost to the NSW creative industries sector in the heart of a thriving precinct anchored by the landmark Powerhouse Ultimo renewal,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“It will support NSW creatives across all stages of their career and dramatically expand the profile of Australian design and fashion on the national and global stage.”
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the partnership speaks to the University’s reputation for practice-oriented education.
 
“This investment by UTS will generate incredible vocational opportunities for NSW local and regional students and emerging practitioners to develop lasting industry connections and skills that will serve them at the cutting edge of the global creative industries,” Mr Henskens said.
 
UTS Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Parfitt said the partnership will deliver world class immersive creative industry experiences for UTS students as well as students right across NSW.
 
“The potential to share facilities and generate collaborations between students, researchers, museum staff and creative industries residents will elevate the creative industry output of NSW,” Professor Parfitt said.
 
Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said the partnership offers a platform to activate the revitalised Ultimo precinct, through the delivery of major events, festivals and industry programs.
 
“The collaboration will elevate Powerhouse Ultimo’s renewed focus on fashion and design by connecting the museum with researchers and industry professionals at the forefront of design innovation. Together, Powerhouse and UTS will create a world-class Creative Industries Precinct in the heart of the CBD. We thank UTS for their visionary investment into the future of Powerhouse Ultimo,” Ms Havilah said.

A woman has been charged with domestic violence offences after a man was allegedly stabbed with scissors at a unit in the state’s south yesterday.

Police have been told a 50-year-old man and 32-year-old woman – who are known to each other – were arguing in unit on George Street, Deniliquin, about 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday 22 September 2022), when the woman allegedly stabbed the man in the face with a pair of scissors.

The man was treated at Deniliquin Hospital and has since been released.

Officers attached to Murray River Police District initiated inquiries and, about 30 minutes later, arrested a woman at the George Street unit.

She was taken to Deniliquin Police Station where she was charged with reckless wounding (domestic violence).

The Deniliquin woman was granted bail to appear in Albury Local Court on Tuesday 11 October 2022.