Category: NSW News

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today announced two of NSW’s most prominent Sydneysiders will work together to develop a long-term vision for the historic Macquarie Street East Precinct on the eastern fringe of the CBD.
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating will join forces with the Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission, and former Lord Mayor of Sydney, Lucy Turnbull to work on the landmark project.
The review will look at ways to improve the amenity and public usage of one of Sydney’s most historic precincts, which includes Hyde Park Barracks, State Library, Sydney Hospital and NSW Parliament.
“I am delighted two of the most passionate advocates for Sydney have agreed to work together on ways to enhance what is already one of the jewels in this city’s glittering crown,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our aim is to make this area, with its historic buildings and beautiful gardens, an even more vibrant place for locals and tourists to enjoy.”
Mr Perrottet said Mr Keating and Mrs Turnbull were both strong advocates for Sydney, with a keen desire to improve the city and make it more welcoming and accessible for everybody.
“The Macquarie Street East Precinct is home to some of Sydney’s most important public buildings and iconic open spaces,” Mr Perrottet said.
“With two such passionate people working together on this project I am sure we will be able to make the area even better, unlock potential for new ways to connect the precinct to the rest of the CBD, and improve the public’s experience and usage.”
Mr Keating and Mrs Turnbull both welcomed the opportunity to provide ideas and direction for the Macquarie Street East Precinct.
“This precinct is of central importance to the city and there is scope for rationalisation in the further dedication of public space,” Mr Keating said.
Mrs Turnbull said as Sydney continued to grow it was important to ensure the use of open space evolved and adapted.
“I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to help create a long term vision for a precinct that encapsulates so much history, beauty and cultural relevance dating back tens of thousands of years,” Mrs Turnbull said.
“It has long deserved better connections and access, so that more Sydneysiders and visitors can enjoy this precious precinct.”
An initial report from Mr Keating and Mrs Turnbull is expected to be completed by mid-2019.

NSW families will soon be able to access the new $100 Creative Kids voucher unlocking the creative abilities of a new generation across the State from 1 January 2019 when the program takes effect.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today called on relevant providers to register with Service NSW so they can participate in the program.
Parents will be able to use one voucher for every school-age child per year to help meet the cost of structured creative and cultural activities, such as music lessons, languages, coding, drama and theatre, photography and graphic design.
“The NSW Government has returned more than $200 million to households this calendar year through various cost of living incentives. Creative Kids will provide parents with even more hip pocket relief,” Mr Dominello said.
“There are thousands of organisations out there who could be eligible for the program. We are calling on them to register with Service NSW so that parents can claim their $100 vouchers with them in the New Year.”
Mr Perrottet said: “This is a fantastic initiative that is only made possible because of our strong economic management.”
“We can afford to deliver real savings that help the working families of NSW and reduce barriers to healthy activity.
“This program compliments the hugely popular Active Kids voucher and for a family with two children, Creative and Active Kids combined will save you $400 a year.”
Creative Kids is one of a raft of NSW Government initiatives helping to ease cost of living pressure for households. Others include cheaper Green Slips and refunds, free car registration for regular toll users and the FuelCheck app.
Further information including guidelines for providers is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/creativekids

Tens of thousands of students will have new air conditioning systems installed in their classrooms and libraries, with the NSW Government today announcing the first schools to benefit from the Cooler Classrooms Fund.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes today announced more than 900 schools would be the first to receive funding under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s record $500 million program – the largest investment of its kind in NSW history.
“We’re thrilled to be delivering on our commitment to provide healthy learning environments in which our students and teachers can thrive, no matter the weather,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From Tumbarumba to Mullumbimby, Bathurst South to Cecil Hills, students and teachers around NSW will benefit from new air conditioning in their school.
“Delivering air-conditioning to more schools than ever before is only possible due to the strong economic management of the Liberals & Nationals Government.”
Schools in areas like Penrith, Camden, and Dubbo – that have an average maximum January temperature of 30 degrees or more – will now automatically receive air conditioning in their classrooms and libraries, while all other schools can apply for funding under the Cooler Classrooms Fund on a needs basis. Previously only schools with an average maximum January temperature of 33 degrees or more were air conditioned.
The first round of applications took place throughout Term 3 this year. A second round will open in the new year.
Mr Stokes said, unlike Labor’s plans, the NSW Liberals & Nationals’ Cooler Classrooms program was both economically and environmentally sustainable.
“We’re installing solar panels and ‘smart systems’ alongside the air conditioning units, so schools can offset their additional energy use and efficiently heat and cool their schools,” he said.
In addition to the hundreds of schools benefiting under the Cooler Classrooms program, air conditioning will be delivered in all new and upgraded schools under the Government’s record $6 billion school building program over the next four years.
“Every one of our 170 new and upgraded schools, including more than 2000 new classrooms, will also receive the new sustainable air conditioning systems,” Mr Stokes said.
Schools that will have their classrooms and libraries air-conditioned under round 1 are attached, including:
Regional

• Mullumbimby High School
• Batemans Bay High School
• Moss Vale Public School
• Albion Park High School
• Tomaree Public School
• Glenroy Public School
• South Wagga Public School
• Kelso Public School
• Narrabri High School
• Anson Street School

Metro

• Randwick Public School
• Picnic Point High School
• Engadine West Public School
• Hurstville South Public School
• Cecil Hills High School
• Parramatta East Public School
• Mount Druitt Public School
• Blaxland High School
• Canterbury Girls High School
• Georges River College: Penshurst Girls and Oatley Senior Campus

School principals are encouraged to apply to the second round of the Fund, which will open on Day 1 of Term 1 next year. More information can be found at www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au.

In an Australian-first innovation, customers catching a train on the Opal network can now choose to tap on and off with their credit or debit card, in a new way to pay for their fare.
Following a successful trial on light rail and ferries, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance announced that from today contactless transport payments will be available to customers across the entire Sydney Trains network and on any NSW Train Link Opal service.
“Integrating contactless transport payments into the Opal ticketing system is about choice and convenience, giving customers another option for accessing public transport and the ability to pay as you go without ever having to wait in a queue at the station,” Mr Constance said.
Fares purchased with credit cards will be the same cost as the standard Opal distance-based fare, which is a win for regular commuters, especially those who have simply forgotten their Opal card but want to get straight on a train.
“Contactless payments will also make purchasing higher one-off fares a thing of the past for occasional train customers and visitors to NSW,” Mr Constance said.
Mobile wallets on smartphones, tablets and wearable devices linked to an American Express, Mastercard or Visa card, can also be used to tap on at train station Opal readers.
Mr Constance reaffrimed the introduction of contactless payments is not in any way about replacing the Opal card, which remains the foundation of digital payments.
“Opal is not going anywhere and is still the most affordable way to pay for your fares, this is the NSW Government providing greater flexibility and convenience.”
Opal, which is used to complete almost 14 million trips a week, will continue to be the product that provides frequent users the most savings, as well as serving students, concession holders and senior Opal Gold card holders.
Contactless customers will also be entitled to daily, weekly and Sunday travel caps but the weekly travel discount, concessions and the transfer discount will still only be available through Opal.
The contactless transport payment trial will continue to run through 2018 with the expansion to the bus network earmarked for mid-2019. Transport for NSW is also working with EFTPOS to consider how they can be included in the trial.
For more information about the contactless transport payments visit transportnsw.info

Perpetrators of online bullying could face up to five years’ prison time under tough new laws passed by NSW Parliament today.
Attorney General Mark Speakman thanked the parents of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett for allowing the NSW Government to give their daugher’s name to the amendments to the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act. Dolly took her own life following a campaign of abuse at school and online.
“No parent should have to go through this devastating experience. This is why we are committed to protecting everyone in our community from online abuse – whether that be school children, victims of domestic violence or anyone else whose safety is put at risk by cyberbullies and online trolls.”
“’Dolly’s Law’ is now putting online abusers on notice that if their actions cause people to fear physical or mental harm, they face a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment,” Mr Speakman said.
Tick and Kate, who established ‘Dolly’s Dream’ to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of children, have welcomed the NSW Government’s steps to address cyberbullying.
“Following the death of Dolly earlier this year after sustained cyberbullying, we are pleased that NSW has strengthened the penalties associated with this behaviour,” Kate Everett said.
“‘Dolly’s Law’ is an important signal to everyone using technology. Dolly’s Dream aims to prevent cyberbullying and educate children and parents about the serious harm it can do. They need to know that there are penalties, as well as consequences, of cyberbullying,” Tick Everett said.
The laws cover sending abusive emails, posting threatening or hurtful messages, photos or videos online or repeatedly sending unwanted messages. It also provides a basis for victims of cyberbullying to seek apprehended violence orders.
Education Minister Rob Stokes said the new laws reinforce the Government’s zero tolerance approach to bullying, harassment or violence of any kind in schools.
“Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and secure environment. Our schools are places where communities come together. No child should ever feel isolated or harassed,” Mr Stokes said.
Last year the NSW Government committed $6.1 million to create the nation’s most comprehensive anti-bullying strategy, with online resources available to all Catholic, independent and public schools.
In June, Mr Stokes also commissioned world-renowned child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg to launch Australia’s first review into the use of mobile digital devices in schools. The findings of the review will be presented to the Federal, State and Territory Education Ministers in December.
Today’s new cyber harassment laws, combined with a best in class anti-bullying strategy and mobile digital device review, illustrate the commitment of the NSW Liberals & Nationals to increase youth mental health awareness.
Since 2010 the NSW Government has invested more than $200 million dollars in additional programs for student wellbeing. This includes a targeted approach to increase school counselling services with an additional 236 fulltime equivalent position (FTE) school counselling positions created over the past three years, bringing the current total to 1,044.
This year’s State budget also provided an additional $56.7 million in funding for the Supported Students, Successful Students program, allowing for a further $6.2 million in funding to deliver an additional 55 fulltime equivalent counselling positions.
The measures taken by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government are the first enhancement to school counselling positions since 1996.
If you or anyone you know needs help please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Western Sydney is experiencing a jobs bonanza with the region adding more jobs since 2011 than all of Queensland.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals employment has grown for Western Sydney residents by more than 212,000 over the past seven and a half years.
The Western Sydney unemployment rate currently sits at 5.0 per cent, just above last month’s record lows.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the new jobs figures demonstrated the strength of the NSW economy with the state’s unemployment rate sitting at 4.4 per cent – the lowest among the states for 41 straight months.
“Since 2011, more new jobs have been created in Western Sydney than the whole of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania combined,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Western Sydney is reaping the rewards of our unprecedented levels of infrastructure investment.”
“Game-changing projects like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will help create thousands more employment opportunities for people across the region well into the future.”
Across the rest of NSW women continued to lead the way with an impressive 237,700 jobs added since 2015 with women responsible for almost 63 per cent of new jobs during that time.
“An economy that is creating jobs provides stability for families allowing them to plan for the future and enjoy the fruits of their labour,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I am delighted to say the unemployment rate for women in NSW has set a record low of just 4.1 per cent.”
“These are numbers people could have only wished for under the last Labor government.”
“Thanks to our strong economic management there have been more jobs added for women in the last three and a half years than were added between 2003 and 2011 under Labor.”
“The only thing growing under NSW Labor will be the unemployment queues because of Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s reckless plans to cancel projects.”

Western Sydney is experiencing a jobs bonanza with the region adding more jobs since 2011 than all of Queensland.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals employment has grown for Western Sydney residents by more than 212,000 over the past seven and a half years.
The Western Sydney unemployment rate currently sits at 5.0 per cent, just above last month’s record lows.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the new jobs figures demonstrated the strength of the NSW economy with the state’s unemployment rate sitting at 4.4 per cent – the lowest among the states for 41 straight months.
“Since 2011, more new jobs have been created in Western Sydney than the whole of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania combined,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Western Sydney is reaping the rewards of our unprecedented levels of infrastructure investment.”
“Game-changing projects like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will help create thousands more employment opportunities for people across the region well into the future.”
Across the rest of NSW women continued to lead the way with an impressive 237,700 jobs added since 2015 with women responsible for almost 63 per cent of new jobs during that time.
“An economy that is creating jobs provides stability for families allowing them to plan for the future and enjoy the fruits of their labour,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I am delighted to say the unemployment rate for women in NSW has set a record low of just 4.1 per cent.”
“These are numbers people could have only wished for under the last Labor government.”
“Thanks to our strong economic management there have been more jobs added for women in the last three and a half years than were added between 2003 and 2011 under Labor.”
“The only thing growing under NSW Labor will be the unemployment queues because of Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s reckless plans to cancel projects.”

After eight years of strong financial management, the NSW economy has staged a remarkable turnaround, emerging from a disastrous slump under the previous Labor government and surging to a winning position.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Liberals & Nationals have put the runs on the board and the scorecard makes for happy reading.
“Our State’s economic performance when Labor lost office was a national embarrassment, and the sense of hopelessness in NSW was palpable,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Labor’s mismanagement was a kick in the guts for every family, every worker and every business trying to get ahead.”
“Fast forward to today and our economy has been totally transformed. From the budget to the economy to infrastructure to employment, the contrast between then and now is remarkable.”
Mr Perrottet said secure finances and a sensible policy of swapping old assets for new ones had given NSW a renewed ability to power ahead with record investments in schools, hospitals, rail lines, roads and other infrastructure right across the State.
“In 2010-11 the NSW budget posted a meagre surplus of $153 million, and was headed for deficit. As of 2017-18, our surplus now stands at almost $4.2 billion – a sound platform for a strong, secure future.”
“In the same period, the State’s net debt has plummeted from a staggering $8 billion in 2010-11 to a record low of negative $11.1 billion in 2017-18.”
“Despite Labor’s stubborn opposition to asset recycling, that policy has helped lift the value of public assets in NSW to more than a quarter of a trillion dollars – a massive increase from the State’s $165.9 billion net worth when Labor left office.”
“Record infrastructure investment has boosted economic growth, and given the private sector the confidence it needs to invest too.”

“State final demand growth is up from 2.8 per cent in 2010-11 to 3.4 per cent in 2017-18 – which is now higher than the long run average. That resurgence is reflected in critical industries like the retail sector, where sales growth has risen from 2.5 per cent in the five years to March 2011, to 3.7 per cent since we came to office.”
“Export growth has almost tripled, rising from 1.8 per cent in the five years to 2010-11, to 4.6 per cent between 2010-11 and 2017-18, as dynamic NSW businesses export their goods the world.”
“Housing construction has also boomed, after our Government was lumped with Labor’s legacy of chronic housing shortages that sent house prices skyrocketing.”
“Since March 2011 we have steadily clawed back ground, more than doubling annual housing completions from 31,400 in the twelve months to March 2011, to 65,100 in the 12 months to June 2018.”
Mr Perrottet said the real importance of the economic scorecard is that every number represents the opportunities that are now on offer in NSW for people to get ahead.
“Strong finances and a strong economy mean jobs, jobs, jobs. For families across the State paying off mortgages and covering bills, nothing is more important, and right now there is no better place to find a great job than NSW.”
“Unemployment in 2010-11 was above the national average, but today it is at decade lows and has the lowest in the nation for more than three and a half years.”
“Employment growth is up from just 2.3 per cent in March 2011 to 3.6 per cent today, and more people are in work – including record numbers of women – with the participation rate rising from 63.8 per cent to 65.2 per cent.”
Mr Perrottet said a NSW Liberals & Nationals government had the discipline and determination to maintain NSW’s steady winning streak, but Labor simply isn’t up to the task.
“Our record speaks for itself. Not only is the economy booming, our fiscal discipline has meant we can steadily ease the pressure with tax cuts and cost-of-living initiatives like car rego rebates and Active and Creative Kids vouchers,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The biggest threat to our State and its people is NSW Labor. Michael Daley was an integral part of the dysfunctional Labor government that brought our state to its knees, and by handing him the reins, Labor have shown they haven’t learned a thing.”
“For our Government, the economic runs are on the board, and that is important for one reason only – so we can keep delivering what the families of NSW need: great jobs, better opportunities, a better standard of living, and security for the future.”

The Supreme Court of New South Wales today sentenced Mr Milad Atai to 38 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 28 years and six months, for his part in helping source the firearm that was used in an act of terrorism.
Mr Atai, 22, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting 15-year-old Mr Farhad Mohammed commit an act of terrorism when he shot and killed Mr Curtis Cheng outside Parramatta Police Headquarters on 2 October 2015.
Mr Atai also pleaded guilty to two other charges of intentionally making funds available to the terrorist organisation Islamic State. A further charge of intentionally being a member of the terrorist organisation Islamic State was also taken into account on sentence.
Mr Atai played a critical role in the lead up to this terrorist act. He attended a number of meetings with his co-offenders in an effort to source and fund the purchase of the firearm used to kill Mr Cheng. He also attempted to have an extremist flag made with the intention it would be used in this terrorist act.
The day before the terrorist act in which Mr Cheng was killed, Shadi Mohammad (Farhad’s sister), left Australia for Syria. Her travel was organised and paid for with funds raised by Mr Atai. Mr Atai was also involved in raising a further sum of $5,000 for Islamic State.
Mr Atai was also part of an online WhatsApp closed chat group where members shared radical Islamist views and discussed their support of Islamic State. The chat group was called the ‘Bricks Forum’ and the group’s profile picture was an Islamic State flag.
During his sentence hearing in September, Mr Atai gave evidence and said that he was “sorry” to Mr Cheng’s family. However, prior to sentence, Mr Atai wrote letters to the Australian Federal Police and Crown counsel in which he said he was “not sorry”, “nor regretful”, for his actions. He indicated he did not want a discount on his sentence for remorse.
In sentencing, Justice Johnson of the Supreme Court of New South Wales said the comments in these letters were cruel, devoid of basic humanity and were evidence of a “warped and criminal belief system”.
Justice Johnson said Mr Atai had shown no contrition or remorse and his prospects of rehabilitation were not favourable.
He said the Victim Impact Statement from the Cheng family illustrated how Mr Curtis Cheng was a fine man and a beloved father. The Court was told that the day her husband was murdered was the longest and most painful day of Mrs Selina Cheng’s life. Justice Johnson said it was clear that Mrs Cheng had suffered enormously.
He said the “fortitude, strength, courage, humanity, decency and dignity of the Cheng family” had “manifested themselves constantly” as the Cheng family had attended “what are undoubtedly difficult and challenging court proceedings for them”.
Summary of charges:

• One offence of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence by Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad against s 101.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), namely that Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad did commit a terrorist act, contrary to sections 11.2(1) and 101.1(1) of the Criminal Code. [Sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment starting 22.3.24 and finishing 21.3.54.]

• Two offences of intentionally making funds available to a terrorist organisation, namely Islamic State, knowing that the organisation was a terrorist organisation, contrary to section 102.6(1) of the Criminal Code. [Sentenced to 10 years and six months’ imprisonment starting 23.3.19.]

• One offence of intentionally being a member of a terrorist organisation, namely, Islamic State, knowing that the organisation was a terrorist organisation, contrary to section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code was taken into account when passing sentence pursuant to section 16BA of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). [Sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment starting 23.3.16]