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A Minns Labor Government will Modernise NSW Law to Respond to the Rise of the Gig Economy

A Minns Labor Government is vowing to modernise New South Wales laws and respond to the rise of the ‘gig economy’ and precarious work by introducing worker’s compensation entitlements and a portable entitlement scheme for gig and other key New South Wales workers.
 
The proposals form the next planks of Labor’s long-term plan to rebuild the New South Wales economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
They follow the tragic deaths of four food-delivery riders who were killed on New South Wales roads in late 2020. All of their families fell prey to an out-of-date workers compensation system that denied them any type of statutory compensation because no gig platform chose to hire the riders as employees.  
 
Similar schemes have already been establish in Queensland and Victoria. They’ve also recognised the need for greater workers compensation protection for gig workers.
 
The policies also respond to the rise of insecure and precarious work in the disability, community and home care sectors in New South Wales. 
 
The Commonwealth government recently found that one-in-four disability workers quit to look for a new job every year – more than the three times the turnover of the rest of the health care and social assistance sectors. Most care workers on online platforms are also denied the leave an ordinary worker is entitled to accrue.   
 
 
 NSW Labor’s plan will see a Minns Government:
 

  1. Introduce a scheme that provides workers compensation benefits to gig platform workers akin to those currently provided to employees injured in New South Wales workplaces; and
  2. Create a portable entitlement scheme for gig, disability, home care and other precarious workers such as those in the community services sector that would allow all workers in these industries to accrue annual leave, long-service leave and other entitlements regardless of whether or not they are classified as employees; and 
  3. Extend Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 to include gig workers in the transport industry like rideshare and food delivery workers as well as those engaged to deliver bread, milk and cream so they too have access to minimum rates and conditions; and 
  4. Establish discrete and enforceable codes of conduct for WHS work performed by on-demand platforms in the rideshare, food delivery, parcel delivery and disability and home care sectors of the gig economy; and
  5. Review the grouping provisions of the Payroll Tax Act 2007 to ensure that on-demand platforms are not obtaining an advantage over other businesses who do not trade in the gig economy. 

 
Labor will tap the expertise of Unions, gig platforms, the state’s major business groups, as well as academics and other independent experts to roll out its plan. They will assist with preparing any necessary legislation, as well as the industry education packages associated with the reforms. For the disability and community service sector, Labor will use the knowledge of disability community representatives and the sector’s peak employer bodies.
 
These initiatives build on the Select Inquiry into the Future of Work NSW Labor set up in the Legislative Council in 2019. The Perrottet government responded by saying they would introduce a workers compensation scheme for gig workers. But their promise vanished after it unleashed a wave of Cabinet leaks and infighting. 
 
Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

The rise of the gig economy has revolutionised the way people can access work. But that shouldn’t mean workers should be left more vulnerable.

“Every single worker in New South Wales has the right to feel safe and supported at work. 

Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for the Gig Economy Daniel Mookhey said
 
“Work has changed, but our laws have not. 
 
“If we have another decade of drift, more New South Wales workers will come home injured. They will go without the support they need to go back to work.” 
 
“We need to act. We need to modernise our laws so they suit how people are working today.”
 
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Workplace Safety, Sophie Cotsis said:
 
“After 12 years of this Liberal and National Government we have seen an erosion of basic rights and entitlements of a growing segment of the working population, particularly women in these key care sectors.
 
“For many have felt abandoned by this Government which has created employment insecurity and hardship and feel deprived of basic entitlements which affects their ability to get a loan, secure rental accommodation and support their families.  
 
“NSW Labor’s policy provides security, dignity and acknowledges the significant contribution of these workers to our society.”    

Visit to Australia by India’s Minister of External Affairs

Today, I welcomed India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Australia for the annual Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.

This is Minister Jaishankar’s second visit to Australia this year, demonstrating the importance both Australia and India place on our partnership.

Australia and India are Comprehensive Strategic Partners, we are Quad partners and most fundamentally, we share the Indo-Pacific region.

We have a shared interest and a shared ambition in a stable and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected.

For Australia, our partnership with India is a critical part of shaping the region we want.

At the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, we discussed accelerating and deepening economic ties, including through our Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

We also discussed strengthening our people to people ties and education links, reinforcing our defence and security cooperation and enhancing our climate change and new clean energy engagement, including through the Quad.

We agreed to expand our diplomatic footprints, with Australia recommitting to open a Consulate-General in Bengaluru, and India planning an additional consulate in Australia.

I look forward to our continued engagement as we build and sustain our partnership and region.

Australia and Laos celebrate 70 years of diplomacy

Today, I was honoured to meet with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Saleumxay Kommasith.

Australia and Laos share a long history of bilateral cooperation, and this year celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations.

Our relationship is supported by a long-standing focus on education, human capacity building and infrastructure, as well as more recent cooperation in areas such as energy, economic resilience and connectivity.

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay and I had warm and productive discussions about how we can deepen the partnership between our two countries.

I reiterated Australia’s support as Laos prepares for its ASEAN Chair Year in 2024. I also discussed our shared commitment to ASEAN centrality, and our strategic interest in maintaining a region which is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and where sovereignty is respected.

Australia remains determined to work closely with our partners in Southeast Asia to respond to regional challenges including climate change and economic recovery from COVID-19.

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay and I planted a tree together in the Australian Botanic Gardens as an enduring symbol of the growth in our countries’ friendship.

Tenders called for Boscawen Street Bridge replacement

City of Newcastle is moving ahead with the next stage of its $20 million commitment to reduce flooding across Wallsend, calling tenders for the replacement of the Boscawen Street Bridge.

The project is one of the key elements of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan, which is designed to improve water flow and reduce the impact of flooding during major rain events.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was pleasing to see work progressing on City of Newcastle’s (CN) long-term, multimillion investment into improving the bridge infrastructure in Wallsend.

“The Boscawen Street Bridge replacement plays a key role in our $20.7 million commitment to addressing flooding across Wallsend through the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’ve already delivered significant upgrades through the construction of the $3.3 million Tyrrell Street bridge, which will be augmented by the replacement of both the Boscawen and Nelson Street bridges, as well as planned stormwater improvement upgrades at Cowper Street Bridge.

“These upgrades are critical to ensure we properly address the issue of flooding in Wallsend and will pave the way for our planned program of traffic improvements and amenity upgrades to the Wallsend town centre, which will support businesses and residents.”

Tenders for the construction of Boscawen Street Bridge replacement opened on 8 October 2022, with works scheduled to commence by mid-2023, while detailed design of the replacement of the Nelson Street Bridge is also underway.

Working together to achieve an inclusive, liveable city

City of Newcastle (CN) is inviting the community to have their say on how to address housing affordability, social isolation and access to public spaces.

The draft Local Social Strategy 2030, which has been placed on public exhibition, sets out a framework for CN and the community to remove barriers to inclusion and equal opportunity, encourage connection and participation, and strengthen community health and wellbeing.

Theresa Dargin, Chris Jones, Gary Christensen, Brad Larkin, Gaye Sheather and Councillor Carol Duncan at Hamilton South Community Centre's 42nd anniversary celebrations.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle has a leadership role to play in achieving a shared vision of a socially just and inclusive city for all.

“We’ve heard from the community about their ideas and opinions on social justice and inclusion issues such as community participation, satisfaction with wellbeing, and access to services, safety and inclusion in the Newcastle area,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The draft Local Social Strategy is based on one of the most heavily participated engagement programs in City of Newcastle’s history, with underrepresented groups such as people with a disability or from diverse cultural backgrounds providing key feedback.

“We’re now eager to hear what the wider community thinks about the draft strategy to help us further shape this important plan.”

In addition to the draft Local Social Strategy, CN is also seeking feedback on the draft Social Infrastructure Strategy, which aims to ensure Novocastrians have better access to community assets in their neighbourhoods.

The Strategy will plan for and support an equitably distributed network of community hubs, improve the amenity and activation of existing public facilities, parks and open spaces, and facilitate increased opportunities for valuable community inclusion and connection opportunities.

CN launched the exhibition period for both draft strategies amid the recent celebrations of Hamilton South Community Centre’s 42nd anniversary.

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said it was a fitting way to start the consultation process.

“Hearing from a diverse cross-section of our community is critical to ensuring these strategies reflect everyone, so the planning decisions we make support all Novocastrians,” Cr Duncan said.

“Individually, we may be very different but, together, we can all call Newcastle home.”

Both strategies are available on City of Newcastle’s website for the community to provide feedback on through to 26 October 2022.

Innovative partnership set to train the next generation of trades workers

The next generation of trades workers will be equipped with the skills fundamental to building the smart cities of the future, as part of the NSW Government’s revolutionary new TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology for Construction.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens today announced that Australasia’s leading construction company CPB Contractors and Western Sydney University will join forces with TAFE NSW to pioneer new ways of training at the state-of-the-art $84 million facility at Kingswood.
 
“This innovative partnership will pave the way for students to merge the knowledge gained through university study with the hands-on practical and technical skills acquired through vocational education,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“This is the future of skills and training and the NSW Government is leading the nation in investing in this critical infrastructure which will be a flagship educational centre, supporting the pipeline of major infrastructure projects which will grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for the people of NSW.”
 
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said together, these partners will revolutionise education and training in Western Sydney by creating industry-led and embedded training programs which will rapidly upskill the local construction workforce.
 
“To have a leader in construction like CPB Contractors as a foundational industry partner for the IAT for Construction puts real muscle behind this venture and will ensure we have a sustainable workforce that will service Western Sydney’s fast-growing population now and into the future,” Mr Ayres said.
 
Managing Director of CPB Contractors Jason Spears said he recognised the need for businesses to leave a lasting skills legacy through innovative collaboration with education providers.
 
“We are seeing unprecedented levels of construction, and this state-of-the-art training facility will equip students with real-world skills to meet current workforce needs while futureproofing Australia’s construction capability,” Mr Spears said.
 
“We are proud to work with TAFE NSW and Western Sydney University to build a new educational model and learning experience that is flexible, scalable, accessible, and promotes greater diversity of thought across the industry.”
 
Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University Professor Barney Glover AO said the Institute will leverage the university’s world-leading expertise in engineering, smart construction, architecture, design, and advanced manufacturing.
 
“This is an exciting new model for education and training. With this Institute, we will co-design and co-deliver highly flexible education programs that integrate research-
led learning with advanced technical and industry-based skills,” Professor Glover said.
 
The Institute of Applied Technology for Construction at TAFE NSW Kingswood is due to open in 2023.
 
For more information, visit https://www.tafensw.edu.au/instituteofappliedtechnology.

Tune in this World Mental Health Day

People across NSW are being urged to tune into their mental health and reach out to the many available services if they need support, this World Mental Health Day.
 
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor is encouraging people to pause and take a moment today to consider how they are feeling.
 
“We may often neglect our mental health to prioritise other areas of our busy lives, so this World Mental Health Day I’m encouraging everyone to take some time to check in with yourself,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“By taking just a few moments out of the day to focus on yourself, your environment and how you are feeling, you’re already taking small but beneficial steps to support your mental health and wellbeing.”
 
NSW Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Murray Wright, said World Mental Health Day is also a good opportunity to refocus on the things we can do that are good for our mental health.
 
“Working on your mental health gets easier and better with practice, so it is really important to have an awareness of what you can do to feel better,” Dr Wright said.
 
“This could be doing some exercise, taking time for reflection, getting good rest and maintaining social connections with family, friends and colleagues.
 
“We know that once you begin to open up to a trusted person, small chats can lead to really important conversations. Most importantly, if you need help, make sure you reach out for it, whether through your family, friends or mental health services.”
 
More information about Mental Health services and support is available here.
 
The NSW Government announced a record $2.9 billion investment into mental health services as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
For anyone who is struggling, you can call the below helplines for support and advice: Lifeline 13 11 14 | Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 | Beyond Blue 1300 224636.
 
To be connected with specialist mental health services, call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Damage reporting encouraged as wet weather ramps up

Farmers and landholders across the State are being urged to plan ahead and report any flood damage to their properties, with severe weather conditions predicted to surge over the next week.
 
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said it is critical that landholders are prepared for the wet conditions and encouraged them to report damage using the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) disaster damage survey.
 
“The wet weather period we are experiencing continues to be a real challenge at a critical time for our $21 billion primary industries sector in NSW,” Minister Saunders said.
 
“That’s why it is important for landholders across the State to report any flood damage to their properties, including land, infrastructure and animals.
 
“The survey feedback helps the NSW Government and communities understand the scale and regional distribution of the impact of a disaster on agriculture and better target resources and assistance.”
 
With the forecast for further rainfall and increased flooding over the coming days, livestock producers are reminded that the NSW Government Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) hotline, 1800 814 647, provides immediate assistance for affected farmers, landowners and communities in isolated areas.
 
“The AASFA hotline provides urgent support in the form of emergency fodder drops, aerial surveillance of your property and veterinary assistance for flood-affected animals and livestock,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“Since the heavy rain began last week, we have already assisted three farmers in Western NSW with emergency fodder drops because their livestock was stranded. We expect this number to increase in the coming days.
 
“I urge landholders needing help with animals to call the hotline so we send immediate help without any risk to their own safety.”
 
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin emphasised how important it was to report natural disaster damage so government assistance could be delivered where it was needed.
 
“Whether it’s flooding at Warren or hail damage at Mangrove Mountain, we need to report the situation to emergency services and NSW DPI to help get support moving as quickly as possible,” Mr Martin said.
 
“Emergency services, local land services and DPI have been very responsive to the needs of farmers and rural communities during the wild weather this year, it’s just unfortunate they’ve had so much practice.
 
“Ultimately we want to see people get through these situations safely and repair and rebuild as quickly as possible, so we can keep growing healthy food for people.”
 
To keep up to date with the latest flood information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods and to submit an online natural disaster damage survey, click here.
 
If you’re a beekeeper and have hives in an area described by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) as under a current flood warning, you can move the affected hives to higher ground under the Varroa Mite Emergency Group Permit. For more information, visit the Varroa mite FAQ page.

First home buyers can now calculate a faster path to home ownership

Making home ownership more achievable is one step closer with an online calculator now available to help eligible NSW first home buyers choose between a small annual property payment or paying a bigger upfront stamp duty.
 
Under First Home Buyer Choice, eligible first home buyers will have the choice of a smaller annual property payment or a traditional upfront payment for properties with a purchase price of up to $1.5 million.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said choice was central to this game-changing reform and will help put keys in the hands of more new home owners sooner by shaving years off the time it takes them to save for a deposit.
 
“Home ownership is the investment that starts paying dividends from the moment you walk through your front door for the first time and we don’t want people to have to wait an extra couple of years to reap those benefits,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Choice is at the heart of these game-changing reforms that will put keys in the hands of new home owners much sooner and allow young people to capitalise on the financial security that home ownership delivers.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the First Home Buyer Choice calculator will help first home buyers decide for themselves which pathway to home ownership best suits their financial circumstances and personal aspirations.
 
“Treasury analysis indicates half of all owner-occupiers sell their home within 10.5 years, with first home buyers likely to sell even sooner. That means for the majority of first home buyers that don’t already receive stamp duty assistance, First Home Buyer Choice will not only allow them to break into the property market earlier, but pay less overall,” Mr Kean said.
 
“First Home Buyer Choice will help young families take their goals of home-ownership into their own hands and fast-track their journey to the great Australian dream.”
 
Finance Minister Damien Tudehope said the calculator was an important tool that would make it easy for first home buyers to make the decision that was right for them.
 
“When you own your own home, you own a stake in our nation, and the First Home Buyer Choice will help more young people across NSW do exactly that,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“The calculator is easy to use and will find the land value of eligible properties under $1.5 million to calculate the options.”
 
Legislation for the First Home Buyer Choice, which was announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget as part of the Government’s integrated $2.8 billion housing package, will soon be introduced into Parliament.
 
For more information on the First Home Buyer Choice, go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/first-home-buyer-choice
 
To view the calculator, go to
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/calculate-your-property-tax

Record school building program continues

Thousands of students across NSW are settling into new classrooms and learning facilities for the first time today as more school upgrades have been completed for the start of Term 4.  

Six schools are the latest to benefit from the NSW Government’s multi-billion school building program, with Glenmore Park High School students celebrating the official opening of its new performing arts and learning centre with Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies.

Ms Mitchell said it was great to see Glenmore Park High School and other schools benefiting from the NSW Government historic investment in school infrastructure. 

“We have seen the delivery of 23 new and upgraded schools since the start of this year, with more than $1 billion invested in these project. More than any other government in Australia,” Ms Mitchell said.   

“It is great to be at Glenmore Park High School to officially open their new facility, which I know students and the wider community are excited to use. 

“We have delivered six upgraded schools for Term 4, despite the challenges of weather and COVID, and I am committed to making sure every student no matter where they live in NSW has access to a high-quality school.”  

Mrs Davies said the Glenmore Park High School community is thrilled to open the new multi-million-dollar facility.  

“This investment in delivering a new performing arts centre which can cater up to 400 people and is absolutely amazing,” Mrs Davis said.  

“ I am proud to be delivering on my election commitment, this is an incredible artistic and creative learning space for students of Western Sydney and I look forward to coming to a production in the new centre, but also see the current and future students enjoy access to this world class facility.”  

School projects delivered for Day 1, Term 4 2022 include:  

  1. Glenmore Park High School – upgrade 
  2. Milperra Public School – upgrade 
  3. Monaro High School – upgrade 
  4. Samuel Gilbert Public School – upgrade 
  5. Stanwell Park Public School – upgrade 
  6. Wentworthville Public School – upgrade 

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.