he Greens welcome the government’s review to improve prevention of violence against women, but frontline services remain underfunded and women continue to be killed by men’s violence.
Australian Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women, Larissa Waters
“Prevention must be prioritised to stop women being killed by men’s violence and to dismantle our persistent rape culture. We welcome this review of existing prevention programs but are alarmed there is no funding in the Budget for whatever the review recommends.
“We need well-funded, effective national education campaigns for the prevention of violence against women, including efforts in sporting clubs, workplaces and other places where adults gather. Early evidence is that saturating local areas with prevention and behaviour change programs can reduce violence, so these local saturation programs should be evaluated and amply funded.
“For school aged children, consent and respectful relationships education is now mandatory in our national curriculum, but additional funding is needed to properly resource public schools and specialist third-party providers to deliver and implement this essential education.
“Stopping violence against women will take systemic action to tackle root causes and transform harmful social norms, but it also requires adequate funding of the organisations that do the hard work on the frontlines of this epidemic.
“Violence against women is a national emergency, but Labor refuses to fund it like one – crisis accommodation, accredited men’s behaviour change programs, trauma-informed training for first responders and judicial staff – all of these prevent women from being killed by men’s violence.
“Raising the rate of income support would be an immediate act of prevention, noting 60% of single mums have experienced abuse.
“Funding crisis housing and long term affordable housing is another crucial means of preventing violence against women by ensuring women aren’t choosing between violence and homelessness.
“Funding frontline responses services to meet demand is necessary if we are to have any chance of keeping women and children safe. The women’s safety sector has called for $1 billion per year for frontline services to be able to help everyone who seeks it, Labor has so far only committed less than two thirds of this amount.
“How many reviews will it take before Labor stumps up the funding for frontline services to ensure no one who needs help is turned away?”
Calls by Cabinet Minister Ed Husic to lower the corporate tax rate show that Labor are massively out of touch and have the wrong priorities, the Greens say.
“Ed Husic’s call for lower corporate taxes is massively out of touch, and ignores the struggles of millions of Australians facing rising costs and stagnant wages,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“One in three of Australia’s biggest corporations pay no tax at all – this is where Mr Husic and his Labor colleagues should be focussing.”
“The Greens are fighting for a tax system where big corporations pay their fair share so we can fund essential public services like housing, healthcare and education.”
“Instead of reducing corporate taxes, we should be introducing a super profits tax to make sure that the corporations who have driven inflation contribute to a fairer society.”
“Lowering corporate taxes would also sabotage our climate efforts, rewarding industries that pollute our environment.”
“Fossil fuel corporations already enjoy substantial subsidies. Our priority should be holding them accountable for their environmental impact.”
Following the devastating attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah, and with Norway, Ireland and Spain set to formally recognise Palestine tomorrow, the Greens say that Labor must formally support Palestinian statehood in a vote tomorrow, saying failure to do so would be inexcusable and a broken promise by Labor.
The motion simply formally acknowledges that the House of Representatives recognises the State of Palestine. No further or more complicated process is required for Australia to join 143 other nations in recognition.
Last week Norway, Ireland and Spain announced they will formally recognise Palestine tomorrow, following Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados earlier this year and joining 140 countries from around the world.
Text of the motion:
“I shall move that: This House recognise the State of Palestine.”
Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:
“Labor made an election promise to support Palestinian statehood, but words are meaningless unless they vote for it and join the 143 other nations that recognise Palestine, including Norway, Ireland and Spain,” Mr Bandt said.
“Recognition alone won’t stop the invasion or end the occupation, but it will be a big step towards ensuring that Palestinians have the same rights as Israelis to live in peace and security with full rights under international law.
“Instead of making hand-wringing statements while backing the invasion of Gaza, Labor should vote to recognise Palestine, back a permanent ceasefire, sanction Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, end the two-way arms trade with Israel and expel the Israeli Ambassador until this horror ceases.”
Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson:
“Labor needs to stop simply offering hollow words – platitudes that mention weak concern with no conviction or action underpinning them. People are seeing through their inaction.” Senator Steele-John said.
“Recognising statehood is not just accepting the reality that Palestinians deserve to be able to live in peace, security and equality. It demonstrates that the Australian government is willing to go beyond words into genuine action.
“This needs to just be the first step. Australia must expel the Israeli ambassador, end the arms trade with Israel, and sanction Netanyahu and his war cabinet.”
Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 28 May 2024. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Condolence motion – Professor Lyndall Ryan AM
A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported acknowledging with profound sadness the passing of Emeritus Professor Lyndall Ryan AM on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.
The Minute recognised the significant impact Professor Ryan made throughout her remarkable career, as an activist, scholar and educator.
City of Newcastle sends sincere condolences to Professor Ryan’s family, friends and colleagues.
NSW Government Inquiry – Ability of Local Governments to Fund Infrastructure & Services
A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported acknowledging that the NSW Government is currently undertaking an inquiry into the ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services.
City of Newcastle has made a detailed submission to the NSW Government Inquiry.
City of Newcastle grants and sponsorship program
A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported noting that City of Newcastle’s 2024/25 annual Grants and Sponsorships and Special Business Rate programs will soon open for applications, funding approximately $900,000 across a number of streams.
The Minute asked that in light of the current cost of living crisis, up to $100,000 in additional funding be considered for eligible Social Inclusion grant applications should the program be oversubscribed.
Ordinary business
Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest
Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest (for the period 1 February to 30 April 2024) by the Chief Executive Officer.
March Quarterly Performance Report
Council received the 2022-2026 Delivery Program – March Quarterly Performance Report and voted to adopt the revised budget.
Endorsement of draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy for public exhibition
Council voted to place the draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy on public exhibition for 42 days, noting the supporting documents including the Local Infrastructure Discussion Paper and the Interim Aboriginal Engagement Outcomes Report. Council will receive a report on the outcomes of the exhibition.
St James Primary development – transport infrastructure amendments
Council voted unanimously to approve the transport infrastructure amendments in Vista Parade and Princeton Avenue Kotara to support the St James Primary School development. The proposed transport infrastructure amendments are consistent with the Planning Agreement endorsed by the Council in February 2023.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for April 2024.
Tender report – asphaltic concrete and pavement services
Council voted unanimously to accept tenders for the provision of asphaltic concrete and pavement services required by Civil Construction and Maintenance to deliver pavement maintenance and renewal as required across the Newcastle local government area.
Tender report – Smith Park sports field upgrade
Council voted unanimously to accept the tender for the construction of the Smith Park sports fields upgrade.
Late item
Winten developments in Newcastle
Council voted unanimously to accept a late item that reiterated the previous concerns of the elected Council over the many inadequacies of Winten’s current and future proposed work in the city between Fletcher and Minmi, that suggest a disregard for the potential significant impacts on the local community.
An urgent traffic investigation will be undertaken by City of Newcastle staff on the operation and capacity of Minmi Road including potential funding mechanisms, to service current and future populations across a range of transport modes.
Notices of Motion
Public Art Reference Group items
Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that noted the success of City of Newcastle’s Public Art Reference Group and requested that the draft 2024/25 Budget consider funding a resource to achieve coherence of City of Newcastle’s public art policy and subsequent art outcomes.
The motion requested that the Director of the Newcastle Art Gallery, in consultation with the Executive Director of City Infrastructure, implement an appropriate process for the curation, conservation and maintenance of public art owned by City of Newcastle.
The motion further requested that City of Newcastle’s draft 2024/25 budget consider whether additional funding is required to enable the repair of the Michio Ihara ‘Wind’ sculpture on Newcastle Foreshore.
City of Newcastle is inviting the community to provide feedback on a 30-year plan that outlines how housing, employment opportunities and public spaces are developed in Broadmeadow.
Councillors voted unanimously last night to place the Draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy on public exhibition next month for six weeks.
The Strategy presents a shared vision to revitalise the 313-hectare precinct, with up to 20,000 new homes for 40,000 people, and 15,000 jobs to be created, while retaining Broadmeadow as the region’s premier sport and entertainment destination.
It was developed by City of Newcastle in collaboration with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) in response to the NSW Government’s Rezoning Pathways Program, which identified Broadmeadow as one of 10 precincts to significantly contribute to housing supply across NSW.
The precinct includes areas of Broadmeadow, Hamilton, Hamilton North, and Hamilton East.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Broadmeadow Place Strategy will help set the vision, direction and guide where key infrastructure and services should be located.
“Broadmeadow offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver vital affordable housing, jobs and infrastructure to support our housing strategy, as well as access to quality public open spaces and improved leisure facilities in the heart of Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The NSW Government has been working in partnership with City of Newcastle to develop the Place Strategy. We are the only Council in NSW involved in such a partnership, ensuring early input into the strategic planning for the renewal of the Broadmeadow precinct.
“Our vision for Broadmeadow is to be a vibrant destination with highly connected neighbourhoods that balance the needs of a dynamic community and growing Newcastle.
“The draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy provides strategic direction on how to achieve that vision.”
“I encourage the community to take this opportunity to have their say so that together we can plan for Broadmeadow’s future and create a new and enhanced place for people to live in and visit for years to come.”
To support the supply of new housing, DPHI will also release a discussion paper that proposes the development of more than 3,000 new homes on certain parcels of government-owned land as part of the first stage.
This will be placed separately on public exhibition by the NSW Government.
Cr Nelmes said feedback from the community and stakeholders will help ensure the Place Strategy is fit for purpose and comes with the social, community and transport infrastructure required for a growing community.
“There have been many plans and promises for this site for many years, it’s great to have the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure now leading community engagement to ensure that all our current users and future residents are included in the plans,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It’s vital that any future changes incorporate the continued operation of the PCYC, Newcastle Basketball, Newcastle Tennis, Broadmeadow Magic and Newcastle Show in the precinct, together with significantly enhanced public community open space, indoor sports and leisure and aquatic facilities.
“We support the advocacy from the Hunter Community Alliance for a minimum of 30 per cent of new homes to be set aside as social and affordable homes in perpetuity as part of any residential development that goes ahead.
“We also support the integration of transport planning principles via the inclusion of the extension of the light rail corridor to Broadmeadow. Increases in population must come with commensurate investment into public transport infrastructure across the city.
“It is really important to advocate strongly and clearly our expectations for this 30-year vision, and for what is delivered in the next decade in particular.”
The outcomes of the Draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy public exhibition will be reported back to Council later this year.
The NSW Government today announced new crop breeding technology, which promises to revolutionise crop protection and yield enhancements, has been developed by scientists from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
The innovative new approach enables scientists to pin-point plant defence mechanisms and select superior resistance combinations against pathogens.
This will result in the development of crop varieties that are resistance to fungal diseases and deliver higher yields.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty today visited DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute to see trials that have demonstrated the ability of the new breeding technology.
Breeding varieties with resistance has been estimated to contribute $2.6 billion per year in protection to Australian wheat crops alone.
This revolutionary technology will help protect those existing gains and accelerate the discovery of new resistances.
In a significant leap forward for plant pathology across Australia, the technology is in the final step of patenting in Australia, with DPI scientists now calling for expressions of interest to commercialise and conduct further research.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
“This exciting breakthrough in plant breeding technology highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to undertake research and development that maximises outcomes for NSW agriculture.
“The new technology will enable industry to adopt disease-resistant crop varieties faster and easier, resulting in increased profitability and productivity for our growers.”
New housing targets that rebalance housing across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, the Hunter and Central Coast and regional NSW have been released today as the Minns Government announces an incentive scheme to encourage councils to meet these new targets.
This builds on the significant steps that the government has already taken to tackle the housing crisis NSW is facing.
Housing Crisis
Housing is the biggest single cost of living pressure people are dealing with right now, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.
Without action now, we are at risk of being a city with no young people.
A recent Productivity Commission report found between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. These are the people who open businesses, have families, build our communities and contribute to the local economy.
The NSW Government is absolutely committed to confronting the housing crisis head on – and that means building more well-located homes; close to infrastructure and transport links; next to amenities and work opportunities.
Faster Assessments Council Incentives and Grants program
To support this the NSW Government is today announcing the first stage of an incentive program for local governments which meet and beat their housing targets.
The NSW Government’s program will reserve $200 million in grants for councils to fund more green space such as parks, sporting facilities and smaller pocket parks, plus maintenance of local streets and footpaths which Councils maintain.
The infrastructure that builds better communities for NSW.
This is in addition to support already announced including through reforms to developer contributions of $1 billion over the forward estimates, and up to $700 million per year beyond that.
This funding is reserved by the NSW Government to help fund schools, hospitals and roads to support the population growth that comes with new housing.
An additional $1 billion raised through this contribution will also be directed to local councils over 10 years for housing enabling infrastructure.
Fairer Housing Targets
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to address the housing crisis by rebalancing housing growth across the state with a focus on well-located homes close to transport, jobs and existing infrastructure.
For a long time, Western Sydney has accepted the overwhelming burden of new housing in our city without proper infrastructure to cope with the increase in population.
This plan ensures we are now building more housing around established infrastructure; in places that are connected to work and transport; in communities that already have schools and hospitals.
These five-year targets ensure that while all areas would see an increase in homes being built to help address the housing crisis, new housing will be more fairly rebalanced from the West of Sydney towards the East and North of Sydney.
These targets do not mean additional housing over and above recently announced planning reforms – instead they will provide guideposts for local governments as well as access to financial support for future housing.
This rebalancing has been developed with consideration of:
Homes already in the pipeline
The additional homes to be delivered from new planning reforms including Transport Orientated Developments and low and mid rise reforms.
Constraints due to environmental risks like floods or bushfires
Over the next five years 82 per cent of the housing targets come from infill areas with 18 per cent to come from greenfield locations.
These targets will be ambitious. Last year NSW delivered 48,393 homes, and the previous record number was 74,683 in 2018/19 but we can’t sit back and do nothing.
This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better homes, and better communities for the state. To build a better NSW.
For more information on the housing targets, visit Housing targets.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
“We’re losing too many young people, people who make the city vibrant, essential workers and young families because they can’t afford a place to live in NSW. This has to change.
“I’ve talked a long time about the need to ensure we have a fairer balance of housing across the state – so housing is built close to already established transport links, schools and hospitals.
“While these targets are required to be released, the government has already acknowledged that they will be difficult to meet.
“That’s why this government is pulling all levers required to reforming planning and setting targets for housing growth, while providing the infrastructure needed to build better communities.”
Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:
“These targets are ambitious but realistic, because they’re based on evidence.
“We all need to be accountable. For too long, housing has been delivered without a plan.
“The new targets make for a fairer distribution across Sydney and NSW, with growth in areas where jobs and transport exist or are planned for.
“The good news is that nearly two thirds of homes are either planned, under assessment or under construction.
“The State has already reformed the planning laws to improve efficiency and speed approvals. We’re also investing $200 million to support councils with the infrastructure that builds better communities.”
The NSW Government is investing in regional development including the $212 million Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct as part of a long-term vision to create sustainable employment opportunities for generations to come.
The Wagga Wagga precinct is supporting businesses and investors through master planning, enabling infrastructure, accelerated planning pathways and business concierge.
These unique offerings are driving down costs for private sector development and transforming the region into a hub of high value agriculture, manufacturing, freight and logistics, renewable energy and recycling industries.
Businesses that set up in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct have access to new industrial roads, freight rail links, digital connectivity, a streamlined planning process and the certainty of being located in a government precinct.
The private sector has already leveraged the NSW Government’s investment in the Wagga Wagga precinct, with more than $50 million in new investments committed since its inception in 2019.
Fulton Hogan, one of Australia’s leading infrastructure services, construction, roadworks and aggregate supplier company, is capitalising on the unique offerings of the Wagga Wagga precinct through an expansion to its facility.
The expansion will include the creation of a new resource recovery facility specialising in recycling and processing of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) materials.
The expansion will:
divert up to 12,000 tonnes of asphalt material from landfill annually
help decrease Fulton Hogan’s carbon footprint by up to 163 tonnes CO2 annually
create on site storage for 2500 tonnes of RAP materials
provide asphalt with recycled content for government road projects
reduce demand for raw construction materials due to reuse and recycling.
Fulton Hogan worked with the Wagga Wagga precinct’s business concierge service to secure their Activation Precinct Certificate earlier this year and utilised the streamlined planning pathway.
The expansion of Fulton Hogan and other high valued investors within the Wagga Wagga precinct is testament to the government’s commitment to job creation, regional prosperity and growth, with substantial investment and strategic planning being dedicated to its realisation.
Special Activation Precincts in Moree, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains are part of the NSW Government’s regional development and major infrastructure program. Get more information.
Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“Creating jobs and driving investment in regional NSW is a major priority of the NSW Government and the Special Activation Precincts are an important part of our plans.
We want to create sustainable jobs and foster generational change that will benefit the Wagga Wagga community, and the broader region, for years to come.
“Businesses and investors who choose to set up or expand in our Special Activation Precincts will benefit from development-ready infrastructure, technical studies and streamlined planning.
“By removing regulatory barriers for investors, we’re helping them to save time and money, and our concierge service supports them through the entire planning process.
“We’re giving businesses and investors confidence to invest in regional NSW, and I’m pleased to see Fulton Hogan taking advantage of these unique offerings.
“I commend Fulton Hogan on their investment to build a resource recovery facility, and I look forward to seeing the Wagga Wagga precinct continue to grow.”
Independent member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr said:
“Government support and private investment are driving an exciting future for Wagga Wagga’s industrial base at the Special Activation Precinct.
“The Fulton Hogan expansion is one very welcome example of how Wagga can lead the way in developing the unlimited circular economy while government support of the SAP continues to underwrite confidence in the precinct, encouraging further growth towards a target of 6000 new jobs across a range of industries.
“The challenge now will be to continue to develop the transport services and housing options that industry and workers will need to realise the SAP’s full potential and I look forward to working with the government to achieve those aims.”
Fulton Hogan Infrastructure Services CEO Peter Curl said:
“Fulton Hogan are investing further in our facility located in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct to improve sustainability outcomes for the community.”
“We thank the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW for providing this innovative approval process, through streamlined planning pathways.
“Fulton Hogan believes the NSW Government’s Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct will support accelerated investment for manufacturing, agribusiness, freight and logistics companies.”
Firefighters, NRL stars and other top athletes are urging households across the state to make sure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes, as Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) launches its annual Winter Fire Safety Campaign.
New figures reveal that last winter, nearly half (49%) of the 1080 homes that were impacted by fire did not have a working smoke alarm, or any alarm, in place.
The most residential fires last winter occurred in Canterbury-Bankstown (243), closely followed by the inner city (Sydney – 241), the Central Coast (235) and Blacktown (228), with kitchen fires the most common.
Winter in 2022 was particularly deadly for house fires, with a record 17 deaths – more than 4 times the total of the previous winter – and 87 people injured.
During that season, exactly half of the 959 houses that caught alight did not have a working smoke alarm.
FRNSW is amping up its efforts to warn people about the dangers of smoke alarm complacency, enlisting the help of sports stars in a social media campaign to better connect with communities and establishing its own awareness day, Smoke Alarm Action Day.
Sports stars including netball star Maddy Turner (NSW Swifts/Australian Diamonds) and a range of NRL players including Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jaydn Su’A (St George Illawarra Dragons), Stephen Crichton and Georgia Ravics (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), and Suia Wong and Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters), will feature in social media video messages encouraging households to fit a smoke alarm in their home or have their existing alarm checked.
FRNSW will hold its inaugural Smoke Alarm Action Day on 1 June to kick off the agency’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign and mark the commencement of a dangerous period for house fires.
FRNSW also conducts community outreach programs to engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities in smoke alarm and fire safety messaging.
Residents can book a home fire safety visit when firefighters can install smoke alarms free of charge and find further advice on the FRNSW website.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said: “Having at least 1 working smoke alarm installed in your home will help safeguard your loved ones and provide peace of mind.
“But the alarms must be in working order to be effective, and we are finding this isn’t the case a lot of the time. In their home safety visits, firefighters have been finding outdated and broken smoke alarms, with some even hanging from ceilings by wires.
“I encourage residents to book a fire safety visit from a firefighter, who can install an alarm for free or make sure your alarm is functioning properly.”
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: “We understand that people are busy these days but making sure you have a functioning smoke alarm in your home should be a priority, especially as we enter winter.
“We’re particularly concerned about the number of fires occurring in the kitchen, which was 44% of cases last winter.
“You’ve got to keep looking while you’re cooking – don’t get distracted and if a fire breaks out, whatever you do, don’t throw water onto it, the flames will flare up dramatically.
“Keep a fire blanket near the kitchen to smother flames if they occur.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgley said: “It is important that people in rural and regional areas have a working smoke alarm and know what to do if there is a fire in their home.
“In rural areas, emergency services often have to travel considerable distances to respond to house fires.
“Smoke alarms and a home escape plan can give you valuable seconds to make it out alive.
The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) quarterly results show NSW hospitals are under unprecedented pressure.
The BHI report reveals 810,201 emergency department presentations in the January to March quarter – up 5.2% from the same quarter last year – the highest on record.
There were 6,677 triage 1 (resuscitation), 123,935 triage 2 (emergency) and 297,456 triage 3 (urgent) presentations to NSW EDs – all the highest on record.
Ambulance activity was also the highest of any quarter since BHI began reporting in 2010, with 383,341 responses. Of these, more than 17,000 were priority 1A or life-threatening cases, another record level of activity.
Despite the record demand for ambulance services, the median response time for life-threatening cases in NSW was 8 minutes, which is within the 10-minute benchmark and a testament to the professionalism of our hard-working paramedics.
Just days after being sworn in, Health Minister Ryan Park established the NSW Surgical Care Taskforce dedicated to improving the delivery of surgical services and reducing the state’s planned surgery wait list.
Throughout the first quarter of 2024, more than 51,000 planned surgeries were performed, with 86.2% of all planned surgeries performed on time – an improvement of 11.2 percentage points when compared with the same quarter in 2023 (75%).
Of these surgeries, almost all urgent planned surgeries (98.7%) were performed on time.
Additionally, the NSW Government has delivered 16 Urgent Care Services since July 2023 to ensure that patients have fast access to the urgent care they need without having to turn to a busy emergency department.
The NSW Government remains committed to alleviating pressure on the state’s busy hospitals through:
Boosting staff and treatment spaces;
Creating more pathways to care outside our busy hospitals via HealthDirect and urgent care services;
Reducing overdue surgeries by safely increasing short stay procedures;
Empowering pharmacies to prescribe low complex medications, relieving pressure on our GPs; the Emergency Department and Surgical Care taskforces.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
“Our hospitals are confronted with unprecedented pressure.
“And everyone knows that it is becoming more difficult to access a GP.
“But we are undertaking the structural reforms to our health system to ensure our community receives the care they need and deserve – by delivering the single largest boost to our workforce in the history of our health system, and creating more pathways to treatment and care outside the hospital.
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated frontline staff who continued to perform exceptionally well throughout this extremely busy period.”
