Month: January 2024

Australia Day is a day to count our blessings. We share a stable, peaceful, democratic, culturally rich and diverse, prosperous, free and beautiful country – I think the luckiest country in the world.
 
When we see the turmoil around the world, we have a daily reminder about just how lucky we are to call ourselves Australians – not in hubris but in gratitude for our good fortune and for those in our history on whose shoulders we rest. We often take our freedoms for granted, but they were hard fought for and it’s our joint responsibility to protect and enhance them.
 
While Australia Day is a day to count our blessings, it’s also the occasion to engage in a constructive reminder about what needs to improve. In particular, we still have a long way to go to in reconciliation and closing the gap of Indigenous disadvantage.
 
Australia is a remarkable fusion of three strands.
 
There is our Indigenous strand – the world’s oldest living civilisation, the ancient custodians of our vast continent, whose ancestors go back 65,000 years.
 
There is our British strand – the structures of government and civic society, the rule of law, scientific and technological advancement, language and literature, faiths and creeds, which came with the early settlers and evolved locally.
 
And there is our multicultural strand – waves of arrivals on our shores who have enriched Australian society in the arts, sciences, sport, education, business, public life and so many other ways.
 
My greatest enjoyment on Australia Day is seeing, at citizenship ceremonies, our newest citizens make the choice to declare their allegiance to Australia and our core democratic values.
 
How ever you spend it – whether in a quintessentially laid back Australian way at the beach or at a BBQ, or in a more serious way – let’s reflect, respect and celebrate.
 
Happy Australia Day!

Communities across NSW are benefitting from a major boost to the state’s medical workforce – with more than 1000 medical graduate interns starting work in NSW public hospitals this month.

Minister for Health Ryan Park today met with some of the more than 120 new junior doctors working across hospitals in south-western Sydney.

Interns are medical graduates who have completed their medical degree and are required to complete a supervised year of practice in order to become independent practitioners.

The interns will work with and learn from NSW Health’s experienced and highly skilled medical staff in one of the world’s best health systems.

The new doctors starting their internship will be entering a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, providing formal and on-the-job training.

They receive 2-year contracts to rotate between metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals to ensure the diversity of their experience.

They also rotate across different specialties during the intern year, including surgery, medicine and emergency medicine.

The NSW Government is undertaking an ambitious plan to rebuild the state’s health workforce, including through:

• implementing safe staffing levels of nurses and midwives beginning in our emergency departments
• saving 1112 temporary nurses by making them permanent
• abolishing the wages cap and delivering record pay increases for nurses, paramedics and other health workers as well as salary packaging
• beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities
• doubling the health worker study subsidies.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“I wish these new junior doctors all the very best for a long and rewarding career in the NSW public health system.

“NSW employs more than 170,000 people in public hospitals across the state – making us the largest health system in Australia and a very attractive choice for young doctors looking to train in a diverse range of clinical settings.

“From doctors, to nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals – we are rebuilding an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

“When we boost and support our health workforce, we will see improved health outcomes, it’s as simple as that.”

The Minister for Transport has announced an ambitious policy reform program to address the key issues facing the freight industry in NSW.

The program will deliver prioritised and practical policy reform focused on the key current and emerging challenges facing the NSW freight task.

It will be led by Transport for NSW under the leadership of an Independent Advisory Panel of eminent experts all who have deep experience in the freight and logistics sector reporting to the Minister who will assist in the development of a new freight strategy for the State. 

The panel will consist of:

• Kerry Schott AO
• Lucio Di Bartolomeo
• Hermione Parsons

This policy reform will focus on the different parts of the supply chain, with ports, rail, road and intermodal facilities all considered as part of a coordinated supply chain to determine the right policy framework to optimise safety, sustainability and productivity.

A more productive freight sector makes it easier for businesses to operate and can also deliver lower retail prices for customers right across NSW.

Immediate priorities for the panel will include consideration of the determination of compensation to be paid by the Port of Newcastle for increasing container operations as part of NSW port policy.

The panel will also review and consult with industry on the recommendations made by Mr Ed Willett’s review of the port regulatory framework and the regulation of the movement of containers at Port Botany.

The program will identify short, medium and long-term actions for Government to support the ongoing improvement of freight transport across NSW.

The freight task in NSW is a complex and evolving with a need to respond to advances in technology and a move toward net zero emissions, the ongoing development of major infrastructure, the changing ports landscape, national harmonisation policies and global trade fluctuations.

The Freight Reform Program will deliver a comprehensive strategic reform agenda to optimise freight transport to benefit NSW communities.

There will be comprehensive stakeholder consultation undertaken as part of this program. It is intended that the first phase will follow release of a Discussion Paper and is expected to occur in in the first quarter of next year. 

Find out more about freight reform

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Safe, sustainable, and productive freight transport is critical to support the people, businesses and industries of NSW. A more productive freight sector can deliver reduced costs for businesses and lower retail prices for ordinary people right across NSW.”

“Our freight network is still too disjointed and inefficient with policy and infrastructure bottlenecks right across the supply chain.

“I am pleased to be able to announce the beginning of this significant reform agenda to inform government policy and provide an evidence-based action plan that will optimise the freight transport network in NSW.

“The appointment of the Independent Advisory Panel will work with my department and provide independent and expert advice on the Program. 

“I have confidence that with their diverse expertise in their fields, the Panel is well placed to lead us through this significant reform in freight transport policy.”

Refunds are on the rise for people who cop a dodgy taxi fare, with data showing a jump in calls and cashback for passengers since the NSW Government made it mandatory for Taxi Fare Hotline stickers to be displayed in and on all vehicles.

The government mandate came into effect in September 2023, making it easier for passengers to report complaints.

This has resulted in a significant surge in Hotline usage, with 679 calls and 874 sticker QR code scans in the months of November-January, compared with 473 and 97 for the same period in the previous year.

In the past five months, 528 refunds have been issued by taxi companies – making up more than half of all refunds issued since the hotline was introduced in November 2022.

An estimated 1 million people are expected to catch taxi and ride share services, known as point to point (P2P) trips, in Sydney this long weekend.

Public holidays and major events traditionally see a spike in opportunistic behaviour from a small minority of taxi drivers who break the rules. Hotspots include the Airport and Sydney CBD.

The P2P Transport Commissioner’s team of on-street Authorised Officers will be out in force this long weekend, conducting plain clothes and highly visible operations to make sure taxi and rideshare drivers are doing the right thing.

All passengers are encouraged to use simple tips to make sure they have a safe and positive experience getting to and from their destinations:

• Always match registration details to your booking.
• Check the driver’s name and photo.
• Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you on the street or at the airport claiming to be a driver.
• Let a friend or family member know you are on your way or consider sharing your location with them.
• Always wait for your ride in a well-lit area.

In the 2022-23 financial year in NSW:

• More than 68 million P2P trips, a return to pre-pandemic levels
• 6541 taxi licenses
• P2P transport compliance team conducted around 5500 checks of taxis and ride share vehicles
• 2300 complaints passed onto taxi companies, with 90 per cent resolved
• 570 fare-related fines issued to drivers by on street Authorised Officers
• 30,000 taxi hotline stickers issued.

Since the Taxi Fare Hotline launched in November 2022 to December 2023:

• 892 refunds issued
• 53 drivers suspended
• 33 drivers fired.

Read the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s Annual Review 2022-23 

Passengers can report complaints and issues by calling the 24-hour Hotline on 1800 500 410

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“No matter where and how you’re traveling around this long weekend, we want every ride to be a safe ride.

“Public transport is a great, cheap option – but for those taking a taxi or ride share service, there will be Authorised Officers out on the streets to keep you safe and ensure drivers are doing the right thing.

“We know people feel like they’re paying more for everything right now – and the last thing we want is to see passengers get taken for a ride by dodgy drivers.

“If you’ve been ripped off, you deserve that money back in your pocket. That’s why our government mandated Taxi Hotline stickers being displayed and increased the fine for those caught doing the wrong thing from $300 to $1000.”

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said:

“There are more than 15,000 taxi drivers in NSW and I want to thank the majority of them who do the right thing.

“Over this long weekend my message to the minority of drivers doing illegal activity is – you’re on notice. I have more officers out conducting compliance operations than ever before.

“This long weekend, and every day, I want everyone to receive a fair fare. The Hotline allows passengers to talk to our helpful staff and report any issue, which is passed on directly to the taxi company.

“Fare compliance rorts to watch out for include not using the meter, overcharging, or refusing a passenger if they don’t agree to a fixed fare or because the trip is too short.”