Month: February 2023

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will appoint a new Supply Chain Commissioner to work closely with industry to unblock supply chains across the state and help drive down the cost of groceries and goods.

The Commissioner will immediately move to establish a freight and logistics taskforce to look at innovative ways to drive down transport costs for goods to get the best deal for families across NSW.

Under the plan, the Commissioner will work closely with the NSW Productivity Commissioner, NSW Agriculture Commissioner and industry to:

•       Tackle truck driver shortages by subsidising heavy vehicle course fees by up to $1,000 for 7,000 people aged under 30, including for new truckies and upgrading existing heavy vehicle licence class holders;

•       Ensure the delivery of the Liberal and Nationals’ $300 million Fast Tracking Freight program which will tackle freight pinch points on the road and rail network; 

•       Drive national reform around packaging to cut red tape and create consistency to reduce packaging costs; and

•       Address pinch points at our ports by ensuring goods are checked and cleared faster, reducing storage costs for businesses.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Liberal and Nationals Government was tackling current supply chain challenges head on in order to help ease family budgets.

“Family budgets across the state are doing it tough, with a perfect storm of global economic pressures driving up the price of food, groceries and everyday goods,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know that supply chain issues have been one of the biggest contributors to inflation, with the pandemic, war in Ukraine and extreme weather events wreaking havoc on our freight industry. 

“That is why we will move quickly to appoint a new Supply Chain Commissioner who will be specifically tasked with finding innovative ways to unblock our supply chains and ensure families get the best deal at the checkout.

“By tackling our supply chain issues head on, we will provide long term relief to families feeling the pinch from rising inflation.

“This is on top of more than $7 billion already provided by our Liberal and Nationals Government to help ease the pressure on household budgets, which is only possible thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said boosting the number

of truckies will help get produce from farms and factories to our ports and supermarket shelves quicker, meaning lower costs for producers and lower prices for families.

“We know the industry is feeling the pressure from worker and skills shortages especially in our regions, which is in turn putting pressure on our freight and logistics lines and driving up prices,” Mr Farraway said.

“Slashing the cost of heavy vehicle licences courses by up to 50 per cent for people under the age of 30 will allow these young drivers to more easily upskill and upgrade to a Multi Combination licence, which will allow them to drive bigger trucks like road trains and b- doubles, and will help tackle driver shortages. 

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is already getting on with the job of upgrading key supply chain routes like our major highways and rail freight lines. 

“This is about testing the efficacy and streamlining the process of what currently takes place outside of the farm gate to make life easier for households now and into the future.”  

If re-elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government has also committed $300 million to Fast Track Freight by tackling freight pinch points and improving the capacity and resilience of the road and rail network.

Road Freight NSW CEO Simon O’Hara welcomed the announcement and said better planning and more collaboration across the sector was key to having a superior supply chain network. “Freight is a $66 billion industry and COVID, bushfires and the recent floods have made it very clear we must invest in upgrading our freight corridors to be more resilient so we can keep goods moving and our economy ticking,” Mr O’Hara said.

Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells said: “Resilient supply chains are essential for ensuring all Australian’s receive access to food and other basic necessities. “We welcome the appointment of a Supply Chain Commissioner and remain committed to working with the government and Productivity Commission on strengthening our local supply chains and building greater long term resilience.” 

Community sport organisations across South Coast and Bega are set to benefit from more than $80,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grants Program.

Liberal candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, and Bega, Russell Fitzpatrick, welcomed the announcement and said the 16 projects funded across South Coast and Bega would turbocharge participation in sport across all age groups and bring the community closer together.

“It is so important we continue supporting our local sporting clubs on the South Coast. They are the life-blood of our communities and key to ensuring our kids live a healthy and happy lifestyle,” Mr Sikora said.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “Sporting clubs play a terrific role linking the community together. This funding injection will be put to good use to support these organisations across the Bega area.”

Grants of between $2,000 and $10,000 per project were available with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.

Local sporting organisations benefitting in South Coast include:

• Bay and Basin Amateur Swimming Club
• Conjola Stingrays Outrigger Canoe Club
• Jervis Bay Outrigger Canoe Club
• Mako Paddle Club
• Milton Ulladulla Touch Football Association
• Nowra Warriors JRLFC
• St Georges Basin Junior Rugby League Club   

Local sporting organisations benefitting in Bega include:

• Dalmeny Boardriders Association
• Eden Whaler Football Club INC
• Eurobodalla Netball Association
• Malua Boardriders Inc
• Moruya Skydivers Club Incorporated
• Sapphire Coast Outrigger Canoe Club
• Tathra Mountain Bike Club

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the program will encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation.

“This funding will provide a cash injection to help improve sport facilities, enhance accessibility and hold new and exciting events and development programs,” Mr Henskens said.

“No government has invested in community sport like the Liberal and Nationals, and this program is another example of the more than $1 billion we’ve pumped into grassroots community facilities and infrastructure.”

More information about the program is available online.

Women who undergo egg freezing will be able to claim a $2,000 rebate in an Australian first, thanks to a $4 million expansion of the NSW Government’s $80 million Affordable IVF Initiative. 

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will expand the eligibility criteria of the Fertility Treatment Rebate to cover egg freezing procedures and boost the number of places to 14,000.

Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said more than 1,000 women undergo egg freezing each year in NSW, and the NSW Liberal Nationals Government is committed to supporting them.

“This is all about giving women more choice and taking some of the stress away from undergoing fertility treatments,” Ms Sloane said.

“With one egg freezing cycle costing up to $10,000, this rebate will help thousands of women choose what is best for them.”

Liberal candidate for Coogee Dr Kylie von Muenster said that more than 2,200 rebates have already been paid to women undergoing IVF treatments since applications opened on 1 January, with story after story of couples finally being able to make their dream of starting a family a reality.

“NSW is already one of the most affordable places in the world to have fertility treatments thanks to our IVF rebates, and we hope these new egg freezing rebates set a precedent for further Commonwealth investment in women’s health and fertility treatments.” Dr von Muenster said.

To be eligible for the $2,000 rebate from Service NSW you must:

• be a resident of NSW
• have incurred an out-of-pocket cost from a registered Assisted Reproductive Treatment provider who has determined the procedure is in your best interests
• have accessed the treatment from 1 July 2023.

The NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, announced as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget, also includes:

• providing a $2000 rebate for fertility preservation, IVF or other assisted reproductive technology treatments
• extending the $250 rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing
• expanding statewide access to lower cost IVF treatment through publicly-supported clinics
• boosting fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other   medical needs

Liberal candidate for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad has welcomed the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $10 million over four years to boost safety and security for faith communities.

Ms Ayyad said the funding would be put to good use for various faith communities who make a valuable contribution to the Holsworthy area.

“This funding will deliver various safety improvements for faith communities who are vital to the fabric of Holsworthy area,” Ms Ayyad said.

“It’s important that everyone in our community feels safe as they move around the area and live their lives.”

Through a $10 million grants program, faith organisations will be supported to strengthen safety and security at religious institutions where there is a demonstrated risk, including places of worship, schools, community centres, and buildings with religious symbols.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said everyone across NSW should be able to follow and practice their faith freely and without fear or concern for their safety and wellbeing.

“No matter where you’re from, what language you speak, or the faith you follow, everyone deserves tolerance and respect in our state,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This commitment will build on this principle to protect communities, increase tolerance and ultimately help people feel safer.”

The $10 million program will provide capital and operational funding for a range of safety measures to strengthen preparedness and response to safety risks, including security and detection software and systems, communal security services, lighting, fencing, CCTV, training staff, and well-being programs for community members. Importantly, support for guards and management of security at high-risk venues or particularly at-risk sites will also be eligible for funding, as assessed by NSW Police.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said this investment will empower faith groups and organisations to do what they need in order to keep their communities safe.

“We have worked incredibly hard over the years to foster a multicultural and multi-faith society built on mutual respect, understanding and harmony. This investment forms part of our vision to ensure that continues,” Mr Coure said.

Welcoming the announcement, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said anti-Semitic incidents are at their highest levels NSW has ever seen.

“An attack on one faith is an attack on us all, and this much-needed funding will go a long way to keeping all communities in NSW safe from harm,” Mr Bark said.

“Hate leads to violence, and today’s announcement ensures faith communities are equipped to deter violent attacks, and assists authorities with the prosecution of the offenders.

We thank the NSW Government and the members of the Religious Communities Advisory Council, who have made this a reality.”

Australian National Imams Council President Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman also welcomed the announcement.

“Islamophobia and other faith-based hate is on the rise, and all of our institutions need ongoing support in order to be protected,” Mr Alsuleiman said.

“Safety and security was identified as a priority when the Council was formed, and with increasing threats to our communities from right-wing extremists. We are very grateful to the NSW Government for this important funding.”

This commitment complements a range of measures implemented by the NSW Liberals and Nationals to improve community safety and social cohesion, including prohibiting the public display of Nazi symbols and creating a new offence of publicly threatening or inciting violence against people on several grounds, including race and religious affiliation.

The NSW Government consulted with the new Religious Communities Advisory Council on safety and security during its inaugural meeting on Monday, 23 January 2023.

The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are working together to fast track more beds at Flinders Medical Centre, as planning for the $400 million jointly funded upgrade commences.

An extra 26 new acute inpatient beds will open at Flinders Medical Centre in the next few weeks helping ease pressure on the hospital’s emergency department.

A further 16 beds – from the 136 that will be added as part of the $400 million upgrade – will be fast tracked to open in the first half of 2024, four years ahead of schedule.

The additional 26 acute inpatient beds will be rapidly brought online at Flinders in a space vacated by a less-acute ward shifting to a more suitable location at the Repat.

These beds are in addition to the State Malinauskas and Federal Albanese Labor governments’ 50/50 investment of $400 million for a 136-bed upgrade of Flinders.

These 16 beds will be created by clearing and refurbishing an existing admin area – which is being shifted to other spaces within or directly adjacent to the FMC site.

Clinical consultation and design for these fast-tracked beds will begin in coming days, with works expected to start later this year.

The $400 million upgrade also includes new surgical and procedural spaces, and updated site infrastructure.

Extra MRI and CT scanners are also due to come online in mid-2023 to improve access to radiography and reduce scan wait times for both the ED, inpatients, and outpatients. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

Our partnership to provide a once-in-a-generation upgrade at Flinders Medical Centre is part of Labor’s commitment to addressing the ramping crisis and ensuring Flinders is well-equipped to deliver high quality care.

My Government is committed to working with all State and Territory Governments to put patients first and strengthen Medicare.

We’ve already slashed the cost of PBS medications, saving South Australians more than $1.2 million over the month of January, and have opened up Expressions of Interest for five new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in South Australia.

Health Minister Mark Butler said:

The Albanese Government is working with the Malinauskas Government to strengthening Medicare.

People in the southern suburbs deserve the best clinical care and this will enable our highly trained staff to do their very best for the community.

We know how vital it is to open every extra bed that we can, to boost services for the expanding southern suburbs.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said:

Our Government has been clear that one of our main priorities is addressing the ramping crisis that we inherited from the previous Liberal government which failed to take any action.

We are delivering a generational investment to rebuild the health system. 

We are building more than 200 beds in the south, and we are working hard to bring those beds online as soon as possible. 

South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said:

We know a major cause of ramping is bed block and hospital overcrowding, so this significant boost in bed numbers will help ease the strain on our health system.

While the Liberals’ solution to ramping at Flinders was to cut acute beds, only making the problem worse, we are delivering more acute beds, ensuring people who need hospital admission will be moved to a bed faster. 

SALHN Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Freeman said:

Our staff are so pleased that these much-needed beds are being fast-tracked for delivery.

The beds will enable our dedicated clinical staff to improve access to care by being able to move people from the emergency department into a bed in a timely manner.