Month: September 2022

Last night, the NSW Government lodged a section 418 application in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to have the destructive action proposed by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to turn off or short circuit Opal machines declared ‘unprotected’.
 
The application to the independent FWC has been made following legal advice received by the Government that the proposed action is prima facie unlawful.
 
Sydney Trains and NSW Train Link believe the notified action is also unsafe and could cause financial impacts on commuters.
 
The submission comes after the Combined Rail Unions rejected a number of formal requests from transport officials to withdraw the action.
 
The matter is expected to be heard within the next 48 hours.
 
The NSW Government remains committed to bargaining in good faith but will take all measures available to ensure taxpayer assets are not tampered with as part of the union’s Labor endorsed campaign of strikes and disruption for commuters.

Major construction works for the $344 million expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW is now complete, with the new build on track to open its doors on Saturday 3 December. 
 
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project was part of the NSW Government’s record investment in arts and culture.
 
“Sydney is Australia’s only global city and the expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW bolsters our reputation as one of the world’s cultural capitals,” Mr Perrottet said. 
 
“The new building is an architectural masterpiece, befitting of some of the world’s finest artworks and we can’t wait to welcome the public in December.
 
“Our $244 million investment into this project will attract tourism, help inject $1 billion into the NSW economy and most importantly, inspire the next generation of artists.”
 
The $244 million contribution was made possible by the NSW Government’s successful asset recycling program, which Labor has always opposed.
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said delivery of the Art Gallery of NSW expansion created 540 construction jobs and was completed to an incredibly high standard.
 
“Cultural infrastructure is crucial to creating great cities and the Project expands one of Australia’s leading landmarks, nestled in one of our finest public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“This is an incredible building that combines striking design features with excellence in sustainability, recognised with a Six Star Green Star design rating.
 
“It has been designed to accommodate the artworks of the 21^st century, with a fritted glass canopy, feature galleries and a unique 250-metre rammed earth wall sweeping through two levels of the building, made from NSW-sourced materials.”
 
Minister for Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said the spectacular new building will double the space for art, with floor space increasing from 9,000 square metres to 16,000 square metres.
 
“Along with enjoying leading exhibitions from around the world, visitors will also be able to enjoy new outdoor spaces, including a public art garden, all set in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“It’s also exciting that in addition to the new building by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, the Art Gallery’s much-loved original building is being revitalised for everyone to enjoy.
 
“The expansion will include the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, showcasing the Art Gallery’s internationally renowned collection in a permanent gallery, the first to be encountered by visitors on entrance level of the new building, as well as across the expanded art museum.”
 
Together with the NSW Government’s $244 million in funding, the Art Gallery has raised more than $100 million from private donors to support the extension. It is Australia’s largest government and philanthropic arts partnership of its kind to date.

A Blue Plaque has been installed for the first time ever in NSW as part of the popular NSW Blue Plaques program, which recognises extraordinary people and events from our State’s history.
 
Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the Caroline Chisholm Blue Plaque in the suburb of East Maitland was the first of 21 Blue Plaques so far to be installed.
 
“Caroline Chisholm embodied the Australian spirit and was an advocate for women and immigrant families, so it’s fitting that her Blue Plaque is the first to be unveiled,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Her tireless work towards improving conditions for countless immigrant women and families arriving in Australia is a history that we are proud to commemorate.
 
“Caroline Chisholm Cottage in East Maitland is now the permanent home for the first NSW Blue Plaque, and it’s just the first of many more sites around the state that will feature the plaques.
 
“Our $5 million Blue Plaques program is all about getting communities involved in local heritage, and recognising the extraordinary people and stories that helped shape NSW.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said Caroline Chisholm Cottage is believed to be the only surviving site of her charitable works, dating back to 1842.
 
“Caroline Chisholm was an astounding person who dedicated her life to service,” Mr Martin said.
 
“After immigrating to Australia, she helped other newly arrived migrants, especially young women, and would meet every incoming ship to offer support in finding employment and housing for them.
 
“She encouraged immigrants to move inland where there were more jobs, and had employment agencies and hostels set up in rural areas right across the State, including the one now known as Caroline Chisholm Cottage on Mill Street, East Maitland.”
 
So far, 21 Blue Plaque recipients have been named, and the NSW public will be invited to nominate more noteworthy people, stories and events when a second round of nominations opens.
 
With Caroline Chisholm’s Blue Plaque now in place, the other 20 Plaques will be installed in yet to be announced locations in the coming weeks.
 
A new website that shares the stories and photos of each recipient has also been launched. To learn more, visit blueplaques.nsw.gov.au

More women at risk of homelessness have a roof over their head with tenants moving into new units in Bankstown, acquired as part of a $2.8 million investment to support vulnerable people into housing.
 
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the seven dwellings were being delivered under the Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF) – a partnership with the community housing sector to provide more social and affordable housing.
 
“We know that stable housing is key to empowering at-risk women to improve their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“It’s wonderful to see these women move into their new home, providing a life-changing space for those who need it most.”
 
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, said the NSW Government had worked closely with CHIF to deliver these dwellings, which have been specifically designed to meet the needs of vulnerable women.
 
“We know that domestic and family violence is tragically one of the main causes of homelessness for women,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Our government remains focused on breaking that cycle of family violence by investing in important initiatives like this and supporting women to overcome barriers of inequality.”
 
The CHIF offers grants to community housing providers who also co-contribute resources. The $2.8 million investment includes $2 million from the CHIF and $800,000 from the Women’s Housing Company.
 
Women’s Housing Company CEO Debbie Georgopoulos thanked the NSW Government for partnering with community housing providers to deliver solutions for people in need.
 
“When secure and affordable housing is available, this can be a game changer,” Ms Georgopoulos said. 
 
“We are very proud of our Bankstown Project, where tenants will be supported by the Women’s Housing Company to settle into the community and focus on the future.”
 
Muslim Women Australia Chief Executive Officer Maha Abdo says this announcement is a major step towards increasing the support for victim-survivors who are from multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.
 
“Our partnership with the state government is a partnership in purpose, providing hope for our diverse multicultural, multifaith community through access to stable, secure accommodation while also providing support through our unique healing framework,” said Ms Abdo.

Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from Wednesday 21 September.
 
The NSW Government will remove the requirement for people to wear masks on public transport, including taxis and rideshare services, in transport waiting areas and the indoor areas of cruise terminals.
 
“This is a common sense approach that brings the rules into line for people travelling on buses or trains with those for planes and airport terminals,” Premier Perrottet said.
 
NSW Health continues to recommend that people wear masks where they cannot physically distance from others, and in settings where there are vulnerable people and those who are at high risk of severe illness.
 
Minister Brad Hazzard said masks still play a significant role in reducing the risk of transmission.
 
“Continuing to wear a mask in crowded areas will be particularly important for people who have underlying health conditions or who are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection for other reasons. Wearing a mask in these settings will not only protect those around you, but will also reduce your risk of infection,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“We can all continue to help protect each other, but particularly those most vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, by staying at home when feeling unwell, taking a COVID-19 test straight away and self-isolating.”
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said he welcomed the decision to bring the mask mandate for commuters in line with arrangements in other states, domestic travel, venues and events. 
 
“Everyone has demonstrated throughout this pandemic that they will do what is required to protect themselves and each other from COVID-19 and I have no doubt they will continue to do so,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“Commuters will be pleased to hear this news as they will now able to make a personal decision and have a choice about when they wear a mask – particularly in outdoor public transport areas.”
 
Mask wearing will remain mandatory at public hospitals, private health facilities and residential aged care facilities.
Taking the following steps will help combat against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases:

• Staying home if unwell, taking a COVID-19 test straight away and self-isolating;
• Getting together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows;
• Practising good hygiene by washing or sanitising often;
• Taking a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events and
• Staying up to date with vaccinations – for both flu and COVID-19.

NSW Health will also continue to work with SafeWork NSW and business groups to support workplaces to safely manage COVID-19.

Projects to boost the employability of international students, promote wellbeing and support the recovery of the NSW international education sector are set to share in $400,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Partner Projects grant program.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said six projects will receive funding through the program, which engages industry with the international education sector to enhance the student experience in NSW.
 
“Prior to the pandemic, international education was NSW’s largest services export, generating more than $14 billion in revenue and supporting over 95,000 jobs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“International students play a vital role in enhancing our global connections, enriching communities and providing an invaluable talent pipeline for NSW businesses, connecting them with the world.
 
“This program aims to build on NSW’s standing as an attractive study destination for international students and encourage more people to come to NSW and learn at our world leading education providers.
 
“NSW attracts more than 37 per cent of Australia’s international student population, and this program will support existing international students already in NSW and help with wider efforts to promote our State as a destination to prospective students.”
 
CEO of The FRANK Team Natasha Munasinghe said the support will enable the company to add to and improve on the range of student experiences on offer in NSW, and to support efforts to attract the best candidates from around the globe.
 
“This funding will help us to expand our multidisciplinary knowledge and mentorship program across the state, providing students with life-changing connections,” Ms Munasinghe said.
 
Since launching in 2014, Study NSW’s Partner Projects has invested $2.8 million across 67 partner projects and attracted industry co-funding of $8.8 million. More information is available online.
 
MEDIA: Miki Nicholson | 0477 089 657
 
The following organisations will lead industry consortia and co-invest to deliver six Study NSW Partner Projects in 2022/23:
 

• English Australia (will lead two projects) – the leading English language industry association will conduct research into emerging international markets to help diversify the markets international students come from. The association will also lead a project to support NSW education providers to expand their reach using edtech solutions.
• Global Study Partners – the international student recruitment company will develop a careers toolkit to grow international student numbers in regional NSW.
• Insider Studios – the media and production house will produce an online multimedia-based pre-arrival resource to help transition international students to life in NSW.
• The FRANK Team – training provider FRANK will lead a project to enhance entrepreneurial thinking and communication skills for international students.
• University of Technology Sydney – will lead a project to facilitate the volunteer placement of international students across Sydney and regional NSW in community and charity organisations.

A Minns Labor Government will begin the long task of repair and structural reform of the delivery of health care services across New South Wales, beginning with a boost to rural and regional paramedics.
 

The first phase is a $150 million commitment to fund an additional 500 paramedics in Labor’s first term, to ease the burden of chronic paramedic shortages and the unprecedented strain on our rural and regional health system.  
 

This new workforce will be spread across areas with the most need – to be determined following significant consultation with health care professionals.
 

Labor in government will also be working to progressively upskill new and existing paramedics to intensive care and extended care paramedics – meaning they can deliver more life-saving and compassionate care 24 hours a day, and ease pressure on our hospitals.
 

For the last decade under the NSW Liberals and Nationals, health care in the regions has been in a state of crisis.
 

A landmark parliamentary inquiry, which Labor fought to establish, shone a light on a decade of mismanagement, leading to significant gaps in service delivery and a dire shortage of clinicians and healthcare professionals across our regions.

The lack of access to highly skilled paramedics and slower ambulance response times was an issue that was raised consistently in the inquiry. It found that rural and regional NSW was underserved by paramedics of all levels, and in particular there were entrenched policy barriers that prevented Intensive Care and Extended Care Paramedics working in rural and regional NSW.
 

Ambulance response times have been trending down in NSW for a decade. The latest data from the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) for the April to June 2022 quarter found that patients waited longer even for an ambulance, than any time since reporting started.
 

For the highest priority life threatening callouts, only 57.6 per cent meet the clinical benchmark – down from 72.6 per cent 12 years ago.
 

Sadly, the issue is worse outside our cities. In the most recent quarter, 58.9 per cent of callouts reached the 10-minute benchmark in metro areas, but only 54.7 per cent in rural areas.
 

Right now, NSW has the second-worst ambulance response times in Australia.  We also have the second-fewest number of paramedics per person, well below the national average, and substantially behind states like Victoria and Queensland. 
 

As a result, our paramedic-attended heart attack survival rates are the second worst in the country, at only 43.6 per cent (compared to over 58 per cent in Victoria and Queensland).
 

NSW Labor will also seek bipartisan support for an in-principle agreement to the outcomes of the NSW Government’s taskforce that has been established to look at professional recognition for paramedics across the state.
 

Professional recognition for paramedics will formally acknowledge the change in education, training and skills required of paramedics over the years.
 

Professional paramedics will offer significantly enhanced scope of emergency health care across NSW, and help to ease pressure on emergency departments.
 

This follows an announcement recognising paramedic practitioners in Victoria, and is modelled on the United Kingdom, where paramedics attend more complex callouts, can give more medications, and use more advanced equipment than they currently do.
 

NSW Labor looks forward to the findings of the taskforce, and will look to implement the findings in government.
 

This commitment is the first of many required steps to repair the New South Wales health system – in crisis after a decade of mismanagement and underinvestment.
 

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

The New South Wales system cannot cope with another four years of Band-Aid solutions.”
 

“We need long term, structural repair and this announcement from Labor today is only the beginning.”
 

“I want to thank the hardworking paramedics, especially those in the regions who go to work every day and do the very best they can in difficult circumstances.
 

“I’m interested in finding long term solutions to the health crisis in New South Wales. It’s not an easy task but I am determined to do it.

 NSW Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Our ambulance services, but particularly those in rural and regional areas are in desperate need of an injection of resources to fix the mess, and the shortages crippling our health network.
 

“It’s like going to work with one hand tied behind your back.
 

“This Government has had 12 years – and they’ve failed to address chronic issues in our health system. This has meant chronic shortages and an overstretched and overwhelmed ambulance network across the state.”
 

“A Minns Labor Government will begin the task of repairing that”.