Month: March 2023

Families set to save with voucher swap scheme

Parents will have more choice when it comes to cost of living support thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Active Kids and Creative Kids voucher swap initiative.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said families would be able to use the two vouchers interchangeably from Term 2, letting kids do more of what they love.

“Our Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers have been incredibly popular with parents across the state, with almost 7 million vouchers already downloaded and redeemed saving families $694 million,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want to give our kids the opportunity to do more of the things they love the most, which is why we’re making our voucher program more flexible to better suit each family’s needs.

“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can take pressure off family budgets thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the change would allow families to lean in to the activities their kids loved.

“Whether it’s playing netball, footy or the violin, we want kids to be able to extract the most out of every day. Helping families with costs like these means they can focus on seeing their kids grow and kick goals, no matter what they love doing,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said families across the State could use the digital voucher in just a few clicks through the Service NSW app.

“Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government, parents will be able to switch an unused Active Kids voucher for a Creative Kids voucher, or vice versa,” Mr Dominello said.

“This is all part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to supporting families with more than 70 waysto save across the Savings Finder program.”

The voucher swap program will commence from the start of Term 2 (26 April) and only apply to:

· $100 Active Kids voucher for sport and recreation costs including school holiday programs.

· $100 Creative Kids voucher for arts and cultural activities costs including school holiday classes and workshops.

Families can download their child’s vouchers via the Service NSW app or website and by calling 13 77 88.

For further information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/concessions-rebates-and-assistance/vouchers

Coogee and Maroubra motorists collect toll relief support

More than 2,500 motorists in the Coogee and Maroubra area have registered for the NSW Government’s Toll Relief Rebate Scheme to receive up to $750 back in their hip pocket.

Liberal candidate for Coogee, Dr Kylie von Muenster, and Maroubra, Bill Burst, welcomed the financial support which provides relief for family budgets.

The average payout across NSW is $413.

“This program is great news for family budget relief. It means more money for petrol, bills, groceries, new school uniforms and other costs,” Dr von Muenster said.

“There are 2,949 motorists in the Coogee and Maroubra area who have registered to get money back in their bank accounts as a result of this scheme, and that’s great news for their hip pocket,” Dr von Muenster said.

Mr Burst said taking the pressure off family budgets is a key priority of the Liberal Government.

“These are real savings motorists can make on the Service NSW website that leaves more money for the family budget,” Mr Burst said.

“These programs are only possible because the Liberal Perrottet Team have a financial plan to keep NSW moving forward.”

A total of 65,266 total claims have been paid to motorists to the value of more than $25,000,000.

For more details on the new Toll Relief Scheme please click here.

Road improvements coming to critical roads in eastern suburbs

Critical roads in Sydney’s east will be upgraded under a $10 million commitment by the Perrottet Liberal Government to future proof the area.

The election funding commitment will be targeted towards road resurfacing and other amenity improvements along key points of the road corridors.

Liberal Candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said this would ensure the 90,000 who use the corridors every day would have a quicker, more reliable and safer journey along Bondi Road, New South Head Road and Old South Head Road.

“Having listened to the community, I’m proud to say if re-elected the Perrottet Government will invest in upgrading these roads for the Vaucluse Community,” Ms Sloane said.

“We want to ensure the roads in and around our community are as good as they should be so locals can get to work and home, visitors can enjoy a great day out and tradies can earn their living.

“An average of 90,000 vehicles use this critical corridor every day which is why we need to ensure it can cope well into the future with both traffic and the risk of flooding.

“Delivering vital upgrades for our community like this is only possible through the Government’s strong economic management and track-record of infrastructure delivery.”

NSW Liberal Four Point Plan to address bus driver shortages in Coogee

Liberal candidate for Coogee, Dr Kylie von Muenster, has welcomed the Perrottet Liberal Team’s four point plan to improve bus services and tackle the current bus driver shortages.

“Benefits for drivers, reducing course fees, new recruitment initiatives and community feedback are key aspects of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s plan to deliver more bus drivers into the Coogee area,” Dr von Muenster said.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the NSW Liberal four point plan would address the severe staff shortages experienced by bus operators across Australia.

“The bus driver shortage is a national, and even international, problem which we are committed to addressing with four important strategies,” Mr Elliott said. 

“As part of the NSW Liberal plan, there will be a focus on increasing the number of drivers by securing proficient drivers from overseas, waiving training fees, offering bus drivers in Greater Sydney subsidised travel and giving local communities the opportunity to have input into bus services.”

Key aspects of the Liberal plan to address the acute shortage:

  • provide free public transport to and from work with an Opal card to be issued to all new and existing drivers across Greater Sydney
  • waive the Bus Driver Authority fee and subsidise training course fees
  • establish a recruitment taskforce to attract skilled bus drivers from overseas
  • invite the community members to ‘have their say’ on what improvements they would like to see across the bus network, including routes and timetables.

“We will continue to work with BusNSW on the future of the bus industry in this state, in addition to the recommendations we’re committing to today,” Mr Elliott added.

The Liberals will: establish a recruitment taskforce to develop further strategies to recruit and retain bus drivers, including individuals from interstate and overseas; and also assist with the recruitment of bus and coach drivers via support for specific funding for new recruits to upgrade to a Heavy Rigid or Medium Rigid licence to obtain a Bus Driver Authority (BDA) at little or no cost.

Community members are also encouraged to have their say on improvements such as new routes and timetabling as this feedback will inform Transport for NSW’s review of bus services.

Since 2011, the Liberals have introduced close to 47,000 extra bus services in Greater Sydney and outer metropolitan areas.

We encourage anyone interested in becoming a driver to find out more here.

$260 million more for Concord Hospital campus

Liberal candidate for Drummoyne, Stephanie Di Pasqua, welcomed the Perrottet Liberal Government commitment to deliver a further $260 million investment for new and expanded critical care services at Concord Hospital.

Ms Di Pasqua said the continuing investment in health services for the Drummoyne community will help the hospital grow in line with the community’s needs.

“Continued support by the Perrottet Liberal Government will mean that our community has access to great health services right on our doorstop, and can only be delivered because of the strong economic management and long term plan that has kept this state and our community moving forward.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding commitment is on top of the $341 million the NSW Government already invested delivering stage one of the hospital redevelopment.

“Concord Hospital has a such a rich history and is not only much loved by those in the inner west but also by our Defence Force personnel and veterans,” Mr Perrottet said.

“In my first Budget as Treasurer, I had the pleasure of announcing the $341 million upgrade to Concord and now as Premier, I am happy to say we are offering more funds.”

“Where Labor failed the Concord community, we promised and delivered a magnificent world class facility, and stage two will further transform this iconic hospital campus.”

Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government Stage 2A will deliver:

  • A new and expanded Emergency Department
  • An additional 24 bed inpatient ward
  • An expanded Intensive Care Unit
  • Expanded Cardiology Investigation Unit
  • Refurbishment of the existing ICU for the new operating theatres.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a significant amount of clinical service planning has already been done by the Sydney Local Health District for the proposed expansion.

“Once planning has been finalised for the site, a new building will link to the clinical services building, which itself was only opened less than a year ago,” Mr Hazzard said.

“In addition to delivering an expanded new emergency department, inpatient and critical care services, the redevelopment will also deliver hundreds of building jobs.”

Once planning has been finalised for the site it is anticipated that early works will commence in early to mid-2024

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital works projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

Liberal candidate for Drummoyne, Stephanie Di Pasqua, welcomed the Perrottet Liberal Government commitment to deliver a further $260 million investment for new and expanded critical care services at Concord Hospital.

Ms Di Pasqua said the continuing investment in health services for the Drummoyne community will help the hospital grow in line with the community’s needs.

“Continued support by the Perrottet Liberal Government will mean that our community has access to great health services right on our doorstop, and can only be delivered because of the strong economic management and long term plan that has kept this state and our community moving forward.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding commitment is on top of the $341 million the NSW Government already invested delivering stage one of the hospital redevelopment.

“Concord Hospital has a such a rich history and is not only much loved by those in the inner west but also by our Defence Force personnel and veterans,” Mr Perrottet said.

“In my first Budget as Treasurer, I had the pleasure of announcing the $341 million upgrade to Concord and now as Premier, I am happy to say we are offering more funds.”

“Where Labor failed the Concord community, we promised and delivered a magnificent world class facility, and stage two will further transform this iconic hospital campus.”

Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government Stage 2A will deliver:

  • A new and expanded Emergency Department
  • An additional 24 bed inpatient ward
  • An expanded Intensive Care Unit
  • Expanded Cardiology Investigation Unit
  • Refurbishment of the existing ICU for the new operating theatres.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a significant amount of clinical service planning has already been done by the Sydney Local Health District for the proposed expansion.

“Once planning has been finalised for the site, a new building will link to the clinical services building, which itself was only opened less than a year ago,” Mr Hazzard said.

“In addition to delivering an expanded new emergency department, inpatient and critical care services, the redevelopment will also deliver hundreds of building jobs.”

Once planning has been finalised for the site it is anticipated that early works will commence in early to mid-2024

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital works projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

Parramatta kids get early access to one year free pre-school

Liberal Candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the Perrottet Liberal Government’s announcement today that tens of thousands of kids across the state will have access to free preschool sooner, with a re-elected NSW Liberal Government to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8 billion one-year free pre-Kindergarten program.

The commitment will bring forward $1 billion to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the second half of this year, with the first 500 on public school sites to be completed within four years.

This includes new preschools connected to Ermington West, Melrose, Oatlands and Rydalmere public schools in the Parramatta electorate.

By 2030, every single child in NSW will have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school.

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will also legislate the right to one-year free pre-Kindergarten in the next term of government.

“Free pre-Kindergarten is a landmark reform that means certainty for families and a real commitment by the Perrottet Liberal Government to empowering local communities in Parramatta” Ms Mullens said.

“This is a significant change that will make all the difference for working parents and offer our kids a head start in their social and educational interactions”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of kids across the state, setting them up for future success.

“NSW is leading the nation with our pre-Kindergarten program, which will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know there is significant demand for childcare and preschool services across NSW, with many families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest facility.

“That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, making it easier for working parents and getting our kids learning sooner.

“The benefits of this are huge. Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their early learning, we’re giving more time back to busy parents.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting ours kids up for lifelong financial success. 

“Because of our universal pre-kindergarten policy, thousands more children are expected to go to preschool, adding $123,000 on average to their lifetime earnings,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that she was pleased to be able to unveil the first 500 schools that will have purpose-built infrastructure for universal pre-Kindergarten.

“Universal pre-Kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on public school sites alone,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our experience and capacity to deliver quality school infrastructure means we’ve been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.

“Cementing universal pre-Kindergarten as a new part of the education journey for children in NSW will be the first thing on the legislative agenda for a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

“Under a Liberals and Nationals Government families have certainty. Labor’s commitment of 150 ‘new or upgraded’ preschools creates less than 6,000 places – a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver. Chris Minns will leave young families with less.”

The NSW Liberal Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.    

This includes the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief.    

Holsworthy kids get early access to free pre-kindergarten

Liberal Candidate for Holsworthy, Tina Ayyad, welcomes the Perrottet Liberal Government’s announcement today that tens of thousands of kids across the state will have access to free preschool sooner, with a re-elected NSW Liberal Government to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8 billion one-year free pre-Kindergarten program.

The commitment will bring forward $1 billion to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the second half of this year, with the first 500 on public school sites to be completed within four years.

By 2030, every single child in NSW will have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school.

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will also legislate the right to one-year free pre-Kindergarten in the next term of government.

“Free pre-Kindergarten is a landmark reform for families and education across Holsworthy.” Ms Ayyad said.

“This is a game changer for working parents and businesses, but most importantly for our kids getting a head start in their social and educational interactions.

“The commitment to our kids and families in Holsworhty with the construction of a new pre-school connected to Hammondville Public School, is a true reflection of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s focus on empowering local communities.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of kids across the state, setting them up for future success.

“NSW is leading the nation with our pre-Kindergarten program, which will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know there is significant demand for childcare and preschool services across NSW, with many families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest facility.

“That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, making it easier for working parents and getting our kids learning sooner.

“The benefits of this are huge. Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their early learning, we’re giving more time back to busy parents.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting ours kids up for lifelong financial success. 

“Because of our universal pre-kindergarten policy, thousands more children are expected to go to preschool, adding $123,000 on average to their lifetime earnings,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that she was pleased to be able to unveil the first 500 schools that will have purpose-built infrastructure for universal pre-Kindergarten.

“Universal pre-Kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on public school sites alone,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our experience and capacity to deliver quality school infrastructure means we’ve been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.

“Cementing universal pre-Kindergarten as a new part of the education journey for children in NSW will be the first thing on the legislative agenda for a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

“Under a Liberals and Nationals Government families have certainty. Labor’s commitment of 150 ‘new or upgraded’ preschools creates less than 6,000 places – a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver. Chris Minns will leave young families with less.”

The NSW Liberal Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.  

This includes the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief.    

Bipartisan NO campaign tour launched with Tamworth event

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson will join former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, former Labor minister Gary Johns and veteran broadcaster Alan Jones in Tamworth this month to launch a bipartisan campaign for the NO vote in the coming referendum on the voice to Parliament.

Senator Hanson said opposition to the proposed voice was increasing as concerns grew over revelations it would have much more power than the Albanese government has let on, and was only the first step towards permanently dividing and separating Australia on race and the creation of an Aboriginal state.

“Labor has repeatedly downplayed the powers and scope of the voice despite increasing evidence it has the potential to hold Parliamentary supremacy hostage in the High Court,” she said.

“More recently however, advocates for the voice have revealed just how powerful they want it to be. In fact they anticipate the High Court will play a prominent role in deciding – and expanding – its powers.

“Make no mistake, black nationalism activists will not stop with the voice. They will continue until they have their own nation within Australia, one which the rest of us pay for and one which has sovereignty over the rest of us.

“Advocates have also come clean that this is precisely why they want to enshrine this race-based voice in the Constitution.

“They do not believe all Australians should have an equal say in how their country is governed. They believe that Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders should have more power than the vast majority of the Australian people, based solely on race. They saw how the corrupt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was abolished in 2004 and they don’t want that to happen to their voice.

“Anthony Albanese refuses to reveal planned details like this because he knows the Australian people won’t like them. Fortunately, sensible opposition to the voice has been raising these and many other problems for months now. We could easily be heading into a series of constitutional crises which could effectively make Australia ungovernable until they’re sorted out.

“Tamworth will host the first of many speaking events bringing these hard facts to people all over Australia. I have always fought for equality among all Australians, which is why I oppose the voice in all forms and why I’m pleased to play a role in this vital campaign for the NO vote.”

NSW election an opportunity to end new Sick Tax on patients in the Hunter region 

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is warning that unless the New South Wales Government acts on new payroll tax obligations for general practice, patients in the Hunter will face higher fees to see their GP and some practices may be forced to close.

The RACGP has been advocating for a fair go for practices for more than a year after a new interpretation of payroll tax law in a NSW tribunal ruling. The tribunal found that tenant GPs, who pay a percentage of their earnings to a clinic rather than being paid a wage, count as employees for payroll tax purposes. This disrupts established business models for practices, which now face the unenviable choice of charging patients more or shutting up shop.

The Queensland Government has agreed to a grace period until 2025, giving GPs and practice teams two-and-a-half years to ensure they are tax compliant. However, other jurisdictions, including NSW, have so far remained silent. Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has been “in talks” with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean on this issue, but there is no sign yet of any relief for hardworking practices in NSW.

A recent survey of almost 1,300 GPs and practice staff found that:

  • just 3% of practices are in a position to absorb the costs associated with GPs becoming liable for the tax
  • almost one in five respondents said that their practice would close should state and territory governments change the current payroll tax interpretation and start considering tenant doctors as employees
  • a staggering 78% said they would be forced to raise fees, meaning patients would be paying more for every GP consult.

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said the NSW Government needed to act decisively to save general practice care.

“This Sick Tax could cripple general practice care in Newcastle and the broader Hunter region,” she said.

“While practices around the country, including in the Hunter, already pay payroll tax on employees such as receptionists and administrative workers, a sweeping extension of payroll tax following the New South Wales tribunal ruling will represent a huge increased tax burden beyond the margins of most practices.

“Practices in the Hunter will have little choice but to either pass the cost on to patients by charging more or face the prospect of shutting up shop. Some patients won’t be able to afford increased out-of-pocket costs, so they will delay or avoid the care they need and end up in a hospital bed with a far more serious condition. As a result, the entire health system will suffer for years to come. I believe that all patients deserve better, everyone should be able to access high-quality general practice care regardless of their postcode.”

RACGP NSW Chair Professor Charlotte Hespe said that the NSW Government should pay close attention to what GPs and practice teams are saying.

“Patient care must come first,” she said.

“I’m not surprised that respondents to the survey are so alarmed and that more than three quarters of those surveyed said that they would be forced to raise patient fees if new payroll tax obligations are imposed on them. That includes some practices ending bulk billing and moving to a private billing model and others substantially increasing their private billing fees. It is also no shock to learn that so many practices would have to shut up shop at a time when we face a GP shortage in many communities, particularly outside of major cities.

“In rural and remote areas, this will leave some communities with no practice to turn to. This is a disaster just waiting to happen and something that must be averted at all costs.”

Newcastle GP Dr Fiona Van Leeuwen said that any new payroll tax obligations would have a host of complex and unintended consequences.

“The closer you look at this, the more worrying it all gets,” she said.

“The ruling potentially has many impacts, including the ability to share complex chronic care of patients, being able to teach, as well having an after-hours roster. State and territory leaders have been on the record as saying that our health system is broken, and Mr Perrottet said fixing it is ‘our most urgent national priority’. The very least the NSW Government can do is take steps to protect patient care by exempting practices from this new tax burden.

“I will say it until I am blue in the face – practices should not be slugged with this additional tax on top of everything else we are dealing with. Medicare rebates have not kept pace with the costs of providing high-quality care and the Medicare freeze has taken $2 billion from general practice care.

“We are urgently repeating our calls for an exemption in every state and territory, including NSW. The NSW Government must act to ensure people in Newcastle and the broader Hunter region can access high-quality affordable general practice care when they need it.”

FEDERAL FUNDING KEY TO TACKLING INVASIVE SEA URCHIN

The Tasmanian Government’s allocation of an additional $5.1 million to the Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund is welcome, but must now be backed up by Federal funding. 

Federal funding will be critical for the containment and management of the invasive sea urchin and ensuring the recovery of our abalone and rock lobster fisheries habitat. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“Long-spined sea urchins have been range-shifting down our east coast with climate change over recent decades, decimating southern ocean marine ecosystems and fisheries in their wake, yet virtually nothing has been done by the federal government to research, manage or mitigate this risk.

“At the last federal election both influential recreational and commercial fishing groups called for federal government attention and assistance on this critical problem. The state government can only do so much, it’s time the federal government acted. 

“I initiated a Senate inquiry into the spread and impacts from the invasive long-spined sea urchin, and evidence presented at the inquiry’s hearings so far suggests the need and strong appetite for state and federal government cooperation on this most challenging issue.

“Scientific modelling predicts that by 2050 half of lutruwita/Tasmania’s reefs will be turned into urchin barrens if we don’t take immediate action on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

“Stopping the formation of new urchin barrens is critical to the recovery of federally endangered Giant Kelp forests. Funding for pest urchin removal could be part of an EPBC recovery plan for this marine habitat.

“The Greens call for a federally coordinated funding approach to managing climate invasive marine pests through a Great Southern Reef Research Centre of Excellence. The Great Barrier Reef rightly receives billions of dollars in funding to help tackle the invasive crown of thorns starfish. A $40m commitment to a Great Southern Reef Research Centre of Excellence would be just a drop in the ocean in comparison.”