Month: October 2024

$19.5 million in hidden grants to Hornsby Shire Council

The current Minister for Local Government was not informed of an additional $19.5 million in grants awarded by the Berejiklian Government to Hornsby Shire Council (HSC) for a range of projects and some of which have not commenced 4 years after the money was provided to the Council. In answers to questions asked by Greens MP Sue Higginson in budget estimates, Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig was advised that OLG was not responsible for the administration of any grants paid to HSC other than the Stronger Communities Fund grants, that information was inaccurate.

The Government has launched a review into how this incorrect information was produced in response to Ms Higginson’s questions, and whether more recovery attempts would need to be made by the NSW Government, along with the $36 million of unspent grants to HSC as part of the discredited Stronger Communities Fund.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Planning and Environment Sue Higginson said “It is deeply concerning that the Minister for Local Government was given inaccurate information by the Office of Local Government in response to very specific questions. This one group of grants is worth $19.5 million, how many other secret pork barrel grants of the former Liberal National Coalition are still out there?”

“The grants identified in these documents seem to be a pre-election gift to Hornsby Shire Council from then treasurer and Member for Hornsby, Matt Kean. The payment of monies to the Council were being made while a Parliamentary inquiry, chaired by the Greens, was looking into the Stronger Communities Fund where documents were shredded by the Premier’s office. This takes brazen pork barrelling to a new level,”

“While understandably the Government is taking this revelation seriously, I am concerned that there is a possible conflict of interest in the review that has been started. The Planning Secretary responsible for this review, was also Coordinator General for Planning and Local Government in Office of Local Government (OLG), in 2021 – when OLG was administering these grants. In fact, one of the letters obtained under freedom of information is signed off on by the Coordinator General at the time,”

“These grants were required to be spent within two years of the money being received and we know that at least one of the projects that was supposed to receive money has not commenced – Westleigh Park, which controversially would see the development through the rarest critically endangered woodlands communities of the Sydney Basin. Other pork barrel funds for Westleigh Park are already the subject of recovery action by the NSW Government, to get back the unspent $36 million that was handed to Hornsby Shire Council. These other funds should be included in that recovery before the Council rushes ahead to spend this money that they shouldn’t have,”

“The Minister for Local Government should take this opportunity to look closely at what other State Government monies have been thrown to Liberal controlled councils as part of this so far unknown grant stream. The Greens want local communities to receive funding for important projects, but the awarding of these grants occurred in the shadow of corruption and pork barrelling. Where conditions of grants have not been met, those monies should be returned to the Government and redistributed in an open and transparent way,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens launch plan to put mental health into Medicare

At a time when the cost of living crisis is both making mental health worse and causing an increasing number of people across Australia to delay or miss out on essential mental health care, the Greens have announced a fully costed plan to provide unlimited mental health in Medicare as part of a plan for free mental healthcare.

The plan, one of the party’s ‘Robin Hood’ reforms, will be paid for by taxing big corporations that are profiting off price gouging during a cost of living crisis. It will provide significant cost of living relief and enable all Australians to get the mental healthcare they need, with recent ABS data showing that 43% of people will experience mental health issues in their life and 24% of people who needed to see a psychologist delayed or didn’t do so because of the cost.  

The Greens’ plan to get mental health into Medicare follows the Greens’ commitment to build 6 Free Local Healthcare Clinics in each electorate, where publicly-employed psychologists, GPs and nurses would be available to provide healthcare for free, as well as a costed plan to get dental into Medicare. 

This next step in the Greens’ plan for “Free and Unlimited Mental Healthcare” will be announced by Greens Leader Adam Bandt, health spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John and Greens candidate Sonya Semmens in the key Greens target seat of Macnamara on Thursday. Macnamara is one of the closest electoral contests in the country. If 298 voters had changed their vote in the last election, the Greens would have won this seat. In 2022 the Greens received a 5.5% positive swing in Macnamara, while Labor’s vote was almost stagnant with a swing of 0.9%.

With a minority Parliament looming, the Greens say that free healthcare will be a key policy for the Party this election and will be on the table and pushed in any minority Parliament negotiations after the next election.

THE GREENS’ PLAN FOR FREE AND UNLIMITED MENTAL HEALTHCARE INCLUDES:  

  • UNLIMITED MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS ON MEDICARE: Currently, Australians can access a maximum of just 10 subsidised mental health sessions through the Better Access Scheme (this number was halved from 20 by the Albanese Government in late 2022, resulting in the number of subsidised psychologist visits plummeting, by almost a quarter of a million sessions). The Greens will remove the cap, so you can access unlimited clinically relevant appointments.
  • FREE PSYCHOLOGIST SESSIONS at 1000 free Local Healthcare Clinics across Australia
  • INCREASED MEDICARE REBATE: The Greens will ensure you get a Medicare rebate of at least $150 for each session with a clinical or registered psychologist.
  • SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE: The Greens will enable Provisional Psychologists to access Medicare subsidised sessions, and are committed to investing in lived experience by increasing the number of peer workers by 1000 workers, including First Nations peer workers. This will give people who need mental health care but don’t need to see a psychologist more options.

The previously announced Greens plan to establish 1000 Free Local Healthcare Clinics across Australia, involves government-employed psychologists and nurses providing free services alongside GPs and dentists. There will be at least 6 Free Local Healthcare Clinics per electorate. These Free Local Healthcare Clinics will save the average psychology client up to $430 a year, though more frequent users will save up to $1720.

Each of these policies has been independently costed by the PBO. Based on this analysis, our plan would be expected to cost approximately $5.9b over the coming decade, as well as $31.7b already announced for Free Local Healthcare Clinics.

This election, the Greens are campaigning to hold their existing Senate seats and grow in the House of Representatives, in seats including Macnamara, Wills, Richmond, Sturt and Perth. In addition to stopping new coal and gas mines and ending native forest logging, the Greens will have a strong economic offering, centred around a series of ‘Robin Hood Reforms’ to tackle the housing and cost of living crises: a Big Corporations Tax on large companies’ excessive profits, which will raise $514b over the decade, and fund ‘Free and Unlimited Mental Healthcare’, ‘GP for Free’, as well as other measures to come.

Mr Adam Bandt, Leader of the Australian Greens: 

“If you’re putting off mental healthcare because you can’t afford it, you’re not alone.

“Under Labor and Liberal, big corporations are price gouging and making massive profits during a cost-of-living crisis. Meanwhile, everyday people are forced to choose between getting mental healthcare and keeping a roof over their heads.

“1 in 3 big corporations pay no tax. The Greens will make big corporations pay their fair share of tax so you can see a psychologist for free and get unlimited mental health appointments through Medicare.

“Labor halved mental healthcare in Medicare, but the Greens’ plan will make mental healthcare free and unlimited by expanding Medicare. 

“This election, voters in Macnamara will have a choice between a Labor MP who’s cut their access to mental healthcare and a Greens candidate who will fight to get mental health fully into Medicare and make it free.”

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Health spokesperson and Senator for WA:

“The Greens have a bold plan that will improve the health of our community, and bring down the cost of living. 

“Too many people in our community are not able to access mental healthcare simply because it’s too expensive. The Greens plan, which I am proud to announce today, will see people being able to get mental healthcare when they need it. 

“Under Labor, the number of Better Access Scheme sessions has been cut from 20, to 10. This is leaving too many people unable to get Medicare-subsided Mental Healthcare. The Greens want to ensure that if you need more sessions with your psychologist, you’ll be able to get them. 

“We’ll also increase the rebate and expand the range of providers able to offer Medicare sessions to include provisional psychologists. 

“This plan to expand the Better Access Scheme sits alongside our plan to open 1000 local healthcare centres across the country where people will be able to see a psychologist for free. 

“Today’s announcement is the latest commitment from the Greens that will save the community thousands of dollars a year in healthcare costs. Our plan to get Mental Healthcare into Medicare sits alongside our plan to get Dental into Medicare and to get back to the GP for Free; these will bring us closer to a universal healthcare system.”  

Greens candidate for Macnamara Sonya Semmens:

“Everyone who lives in Macnamara should be able to access mental healthcare when they need it, but so many in our community are going without.

“Like 1 in 4 Australians I’ve experienced anxiety.
Like 1 in 5 Australians, I’ve had periods of depression.
Like 1 in 10 Australians, I’ve survived an eating disorder, the deadliest of all mental illnesses.

“As a parent I worry about how I’d afford to give my kids the mental health care that my parents could access for me when I was young – and which may have saved my life. It’s an awful thing to do the maths on how much help you can afford to give your kids. We know early intervention is critical as a preventative for lifelong or severe mental illness, I’m absolutely determined that no person should put off getting the care they need.

“Every day people tell me the cost-of-living crisis is taking a massive toll on their mental health, while at the same time making it harder to get the mental healthcare they need. This is absolutely heartbreaking, and not the way it should be in our wealthy country.

“I’m so proud of our life-changing plan to deliver unlimited mental health on Medicare and enable people in Macnamara to see a psychologist with no out-of-pocket costs at a Free Local Healthcare Clinic.

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. If you want free and unlimited mental healthcare, the first step is to vote for someone who’ll fight for you.”

Peter Dutton & Labor must rule out high & intermediate nuclear waste dumping near Port Adelaide: Greens

The Greens have called on Peter Dutton and the Labor Party to unequivocally rule out storing high and intermediate level nuclear waste at Osborne near Port Adelaide after SA Defence Minister Stephen Mullighan refused to do so on ABC Adelaide radio this morning.

Peter Dutton and Labor combined to pass the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill which designates Osborne in SA as a nuclear dump zone, allowing for the dumping of US and UK intermediate-level waste and other high-level nuclear waste. Adelaide residents will tonight attend a community forum in the marginal seat of Sturt to discuss Peter Dutton’s nuclear agenda, 6:30pm at Burnside Town hall.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment & Senator for South Australia:

“Adelaide residents have a right to know if our suburbs will become a dumping ground for high and intermediate level nuclear waste from the US and UK. 

“There should be no room for secrecy or tricky answers here: Peter Dutton and Labor must come clean now and unequivocally rule out storing high and intermediate level waste in Adelaide suburbs. Adelaide residents deserve an answer: yes or no. 

“The law Peter Dutton and Labor voted for clearly makes Osborne, a mere stones throw from suburban Port Adelaide, a nuclear dump ‘zone’, with both major parties voting against the Greens amendment to stop high level waste being dumped there. 

“Peter Dutton not only wants nuclear reactors across Australia – he wants Adelaide to be an international dumping ground for nuclear waste. 

“Exposure to even intermediate-level waste is lethal to humans and the risk lasts for hundreds of years.

“Peter Dutton doesn’t care about Adelaide and this law is a dangerous disaster for our State. This time, SA voters have the chance to send a message by voting Green: don’t turn Adelaide’s suburbs into Peter Duttons nuclear waste dump.”

Greens announce election plan to get mental health into Medicare for SA patients

At a time when the cost of living crisis is both making mental health worse and causing an increasing number of people across Australia to delay or miss out on essential mental health care, the Greens have announced a fully costed plan to provide unlimited mental health in Medicare as part of a plan for free mental healthcare.

The plan, one of the party’s ‘Robin Hood’ reforms, will be paid for by taxing big corporations that are profiting off price gouging during a cost of living crisis. It will provide significant cost of living relief and enable all Australians to get the mental healthcare they need, with recent ABS data showing that 43% of people will experience mental health issues in their life and 24% of people who needed to see a psychologist delayed or didn’t do so because of the cost.  

The Greens’ plan to get mental health into Medicare follows the Greens’ commitment to build 6 Free Local Healthcare Clinics in each electorate, where publicly-employed psychologists, GPs and nurses would be available to provide healthcare for free, as well as a costed plan to get dental into Medicare. 

With a minority Parliament looming, the Greens say that free healthcare will be a key policy for the Party this election and will be on the table and pushed in any minority Parliament negotiations after the next election.

THE GREENS’ PLAN FOR FREE AND UNLIMITED MENTAL HEALTHCARE INCLUDES:  

  • UNLIMITED MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS ON MEDICARE: Currently, Australians can access a maximum of just 10 subsidised mental health sessions through the Better Access Scheme (this number was halved from 20 by the Albanese Government in late 2022, resulting in the number of subsidised psychologist visits plummeting, by almost a quarter of a million sessions). The Greens will remove the cap, so you can access unlimited clinically relevant appointments.
  • FREE PSYCHOLOGIST SESSIONS at 1000 free Local Healthcare Clinics across Australia.
  • INCREASED MEDICARE REBATE: The Greens will ensure you get a Medicare rebate of at least $150 for each session with a clinical or registered psychologist.
  • SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE: The Greens will enable Provisional Psychologists to access Medicare subsidised sessions, and are committed to investing in lived experience by increasing the number of peer workers by 1000 workers, including First Nations peer workers. This will give people who need mental health care but don’t need to see a psychologist more options.

Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Senator for South Australia:

“Too many people in South Australia are not able to access mental healthcare simply because it’s too expensive. Mental health should be part of Medicare and the Greens have a plan to fix it.

“The Greens plan will see people being able to get mental healthcare when they need it. 

“Under Labor, the number of Better Access Scheme sessions has been cut from 20, to 10. This is leaving too many people unable to get Medicare-subsided Mental Healthcare. The Greens want to ensure that if you need more sessions with your psychologist, you’ll be able to get them. 

“Our plan to get Mental Healthcare into Medicare sits alongside our plan to get Dental into Medicare and to get back to the GP for Free; these will bring us closer to a universal healthcare system.

“We’ll also increase the rebate and expand the range of providers able to offer Medicare sessions to include provisional psychologists. 

“Under Labor, the number of Better Access Scheme sessions has been cut from 20, to 10. This is leaving too many people unable to get Medicare-subsided Mental Healthcare. The Greens want to ensure that if you need more sessions with your psychologist, you’ll be able to get them. 

“This plan to expand the Better Access Scheme sits alongside our plan to open 1000 local healthcare centres across the country where people will be able to see a psychologist for free.

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. If you want free and unlimited mental healthcare, the first step is to vote for someone who’ll fight for you.”

$7.2m boost for little learners – more free health checks rolled out for preschoolers

More children will get free health and development checks with the Minns Labor Government today announcing $7.2 million for 881 early childhood education and care services across NSW.

The NSW Government opt-in Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood and Care program supports health professionals to visit early childhood education and care services to conduct the checks for four-year-olds to help identify additional support the children may need before school.

More than 7,000 children have received a free health and development check in their early childhood education and care service since the program began in 2023.

The checks assess various aspects of the child development, including problem solving skills, listening, talking and, social skills. Physical growth and dental health will also be monitored.

The program aims to make it easier for more services to offer the checks.

Eligible services received up to $7,500 to support:  

1.  Staffing to support services to deliver the health and development checks

2. Provision of private space to conduct the checks.

3. Support to address health and development needs identified through the checks.

The checks offered through early childhood education and care services provide families with a free alternative to visiting a doctor or Child and Family Health service.

Nearly half (44 per cent) of NSW children are not developmentally on track when they start school, according to the most recent Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data.

All preschools and long day care services can participate in the Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood Education and Care program by contacting their local health district.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to give kids across NSW the best start in life.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Health and development checks provide families with valuable information about their child’s growth and development.

“Offering the free checks at early childhood education and care services makes it easier for working families to participate and ensures there is early intervention for students who need it.

“The Minns Labor Government is supporting long term health and development outcomes for all children across NSW, regardless of their family’s postcode, income or circumstances.”

Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park said:

“Starting school is an exciting time, but with two in five children starting school developmentally off track we need to do more to support young children and their families.

“Providing health and development checks for four-year-olds in preschools or long day care centres makes it far more convenient for busy families to help their children have the best start to school.

“These checks especially in the first 2,000 days help families get the information they need to support their child’s development and to seek help, if needed.”

Light bulb moment as town switches on state’s most sophisticated traffic lights

New high-tech traffic signals to test the latest lifesaving vehicle systems have been switched on in the NSW Central West, as the Minns Labor Government continues to focus on making our roads safer into the future.

While Cudal is a small town that doesn’t have any traffic lights itself, it is home to the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre (FMTRC), a NSW Government facility focused on global innovation in road safety.

The signals, installed at two intersections within the research centre, are a crucial part of Transport for NSW’s new advanced safety testing of connected vehicles.

The eight traffic signals equipped with the latest Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) systems will enable safe scenario testing of wireless alerts that notify drivers if they are likely to run a red light, if there is a cyclist or pedestrian on the road, or of upcoming road work.

The signals can also receive transmissions to notify them of an approaching emergency vehicle that should get priority passing through the intersection.

The Minns Labor Government has invested $600,000 in the new traffic lights infrastructure to broaden connected technology tests at the Cudal facility, including new fibre optic wiring and site-wide 5G capabilities.

The improvements follow an announcement in August that the facility would quadruple in size to 100 hectares to expand the current track to a four-kilometre loop circuit able to test heavy vehicle safety systems at highway speeds.

Plans for the expansion are expected to go on public exhibition in coming months with work due to start in 2025.

Upgrading the research centre improves Transport’s capacity to become a global leader in innovation by exploring cutting-edge technologies to improve road safety and efficiency.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“These are the first traffic lights for the facility at Cudal but, as we strive to drive down the road toll in NSW, they definitely won’t be the last safety initiative the teams will help to develop, test and refine here.

“Adding this connected infrastructure to Transport’s world-class testing site gives local and international researchers and developers a place to run real-world scenarios without risk. The other cars, pedestrians and cyclists using the intersection at our Cudal site are soft targets, not real people, cars or bicycles.

“There is a wonderful community curiosity and pride in this facility and the groundbreaking work happening in here the Central West. It’s fantastic to be sharing the site with the community at an open day today.”

Independent Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“This month marks 91 years since Australia’s first automated traffic lights were installed in Sydney.

“At the time it was a massive leap into the future and it’s exciting to see this research into the new frontier of smart traffic signals and phasing happening right here in the NSW Central West.”

NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence said:

“We want our roads to be as safe as possible. There are already vehicles coming off production lines with the ability to receive and send information to traffic signals and by developing and improving our own smart traffic systems in NSW it puts us in the front seat to bring the safety outcomes to our streets.

“This work complements and expands on the real-world trials of connected traffic systems underway in Sydney, and helps us work with our partners in other states and local industry to align advancements for safer outcomes on Australian roads.”

Independent Member for Calare Andrew Gee said:

“It’s amazing to see the Central West play a leading role in research that will help determine the path ahead for connected vehicles and intelligent transport systems in this country, and advance international research in this field.

“At a national level, work is underway to develop a safe, consistent and harmonised approach to coordinated and connected systems on our roads. The Transport team here at Cudal have been making key contributions towards this, that will be enhanced and advanced by the new CITS system at the testing centre”

TfNSW Director Future Mobility Evan Walker said:

“This site and our in-house team are a pillar of integrity in the global vehicle testing landscape.

“Our work bridges the gap between research advancements and seeing how this technology practically performs on our roads to make sure new vehicles and transport technologies meet the highest performance and safety standards, and deliver what they promise.

“We are NSW Government owned and operated and everything we do, design and deliver at the site is geared towards safety and sustainability improvements across the board. This includes testing emerging software and hardware solutions from across the globe, including the ongoing advancement of systems like Transport’s world-leading SCATS system to deliver those outcomes.”

New board members appointed to Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority

The NSW Government has made appointments to the board of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), including a deputy chairperson and two new members.

Associate Professor Amelia Thorpe and Nicholas Nichles have been appointed following a rigorous public expression of interest selection process. Additionally, existing member Chris Honey has been appointed deputy chairperson.

ILGA is a statutory decision-maker responsible for a range of liquor, registered club, and gaming machine regulatory functions including determining licensing and disciplinary matters.

The appointments follow the end of the term of appointment for outgoing deputy chairperson Sarah Dinning, and also fill vacancies that existed on the board.

Mr Honey, who was appointed a member of ILGA earlier in 2024, has been named deputy chairperson until the end of his current appointment term (11 February 2027). Mr Honey has extensive experience in the advisory and restructuring field, including working extensively in highly regulated sectors.

Associate Professor Thorpe and Mr Nichles have both been appointed for four years commencing 6 November 2024.

Associate Prof Thorpe is with the Faculty of Law & Justice at the University of New South Wales and an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Mr Nichles was previously a Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Australian Government agency Austrade, based in the US.

The new appointments bring the ILGA board membership to seven.

The new appointments will join chairperson Caroline Lamb, new deputy chairperson Mr Honey and current members Cathie Armour, Jeffrey Loy APM and Dr Suzanne Craig.

For more information about ILGA, visit: https://www.ilga.nsw.gov.au/

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“I would like to thank Sarah Dinning for her contribution to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, including during her service as deputy chairperson.

“ILGA has an important role to play as the administrative decision-making authority for liquor, registered club and gaming machine licensing decisions in NSW.

“An exhaustive selection process was undertaken for these new appointments in accordance with legislative requirements and including the engagement of an independent probity advisor.

“Chris Honey has brought significant expertise to the board since his appointment and Amelia Thorpe and Nicholas Nichles will bring their substantial experience, expertise and leadership to ILGA.”

ILGA chairperson Caroline Lamb said:

“Mr Honey joined the ILGA board earlier this year and has proven himself to be an invaluable board member with his energy and considerable skills and experience in the advisory and restructuring field.

“The ILGA board also welcomes A/Prof Thorpe and Mr Nichles to the board.

“People appointed to the ILGA board must be of the highest integrity and promote fair, transparent and efficient decision-making.”

Western Sydney suburbs pass $1 million in NSW Government toll relief

Motorists in the Western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown and Baulkham Hills have collectively claimed more than $1 million in toll relief for each suburb under the Minns Labor Government’s $60 weekly toll cap.

Blacktown last week became the first suburb to pass $1 million in total toll relief claimed, followed by Baulkham Hills this week.

Other car-reliant suburbs like Auburn, Merrylands and Marsden Park are now closing in on the same milestone for toll relief.

More than 3,000 motorists in both Blacktown and Baulkham Hills have claimed toll relief so far – evidence that Labor’s $60 weekly toll cap is getting relief to where it is needed in the most heavily-tolled areas of Sydney.

More than 224,000 claims have been made, with $60.5 million already returned to motorists. The average rebate is $284.

More than 11,000 motorists have received quarterly toll relief rebates of more than $1,000 since the program started.

Tolling data shows it is the motorways that get people in and out of Western Sydney that are most commonly used by those claiming toll relief. They are:

  • WestConnex
  • M2 Hills Motorway
  • Westlink M7

Data shows motorists claiming toll relief are generally hitting the $60 toll cap by midweek, with journeys on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the most common days on which toll journeys are refunded.

There is $60 million in relief available to be claimed for trips made in the third quarter of the year between 1 July 2024 – 29 September 2024.

Toll relief is supporting motorists as the NSW Labor Government works on tolling reform to fix the damage wrought by the toll road privatisation of the former government.

The Liberal Party legacy left a total toll bill of $195 billion in nominal terms that must be paid by motorists out to 2060, on top of the billions they have already paid.

The NSW Government is currently preparing its response to the independent Toll Review of Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins, which described Sydney’s toll road network as an unfair and poorly-functioning patchwork of numerous different price structures, with those in Western Sydney financially impacted the most.

Eligible drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips since 1 January can claim the toll relief via the Service NSW website with the rebate calculated and claimed each quarter.

Once your toll account details are linked to your MyServiceNSW Account, claims can easily be lodged.

Motorists can claim up to a maximum of $340 per week for each tag or licence plate number, as part of a “fair use” provision in place to ensure the program’s integrity.

People can claim their 2024 toll spend until 30 June 2025.  

To claim, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/claim-the-toll-relief-cap and follow the step-by-step instructions including linking your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:

“The $60 toll cap is one of the most important cost-of-living measures the NSW Government is providing, and it is heartening to see that the relief is getting to where it is needed most – Western Sydney.

“We know people are doing it tough, and our toll cap is making it fairer for drivers that heavily rely on toll roads.

“Suburbs like Blacktown, like Baulkham Hills, are the places where paying tolls is really not a choice, it’s a fact of life.

“Motorists have so far claimed more than $1 million in toll refunds in each of these suburbs and we know every dollar is important in stretched family budgets.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The data tells us that it is the people whose journeys start and end in Western Sydney that are claiming the lion’s share of toll relief, and this is where it is needed most. These suburbs have fewer public transport alternatives.

“Toll relief is rolling out as we progress with toll reform. The current system is a poorly-functioning patchwork of numerous different price structures that has created complexity, inefficiency, inequities and unfairness, with those in Western Sydney financially impacted the most.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“It’s good to see eligible motorists saving an average of $284 per quarter which is a massive boost for household budgets and could make the Christmas bills that little bit more manageable.

“We encourage motorists to apply, the online claims process is easy to use and support is available in Service NSW Centres or by calling 13 77 88.

“I encourage everyone to check their eligibility via the Service NSW website and to make a claim.”

$250 million New Griffith Base Hospital on track for completion in 2025

Western Riverina communities will soon benefit from new and expanded healthcare facilities with the new Clinical Services Building a key component of the $250 million Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment nearing completion.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park and the Member for Murray Helen Dalton today toured the new hospital’s state-of-the-art Clinical Services Building, which will provide contemporary, high-quality healthcare under the one roof.

The new Clinical Services Building is on track for completion in the coming months. This will be followed by an operational commissioning period before health services are safely transferred from the current hospital to the new facility. It is expected to open in early 2025.

The new hospital will include:

  • An expanded Emergency Department
  • Two operating theatres, and an additional procedure room in the perioperative suite
  • A new and expanded ICU
  • Expanded medical imaging services and pharmacy services
  • Maternity and birthing and paediatric services
  • Surgical and medical wards with four new mental health inpatient beds to care for people over 16 years of age with low complexity mental health conditions who require a short stay admission
  • New aged care and rehabilitation beds
  • Three palliative care rooms, a family lounge and an outdoor terrace within the medical inpatient unit to provide end of life care for patients
  • An expansion of ambulatory care space for the community to access more specialist clinics including renal, oncology, hospital in the home, and expanded outpatient services.

The new three storey Clinical Services Building is located behind the existing hospital and when it opens, it will be accessible through the existing main entry until the new main entry is completed. Health services are continuing to operate during construction.

Once the new hospital opens, work will focus on carpark construction, refurbishment of the Ambulatory Care Hub and landscaping of the health campus.

For more information about the Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment visit: https://gbhredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“When complete, the purpose-built Clinical Services Building will house all major health services under the one roof, significantly transforming patient, carer and staff experience.

“Griffith and surrounding communities will benefit from a bigger Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and an additional procedure room in the operating suite at the new Hospital.

“An expanded medical imaging department will also deliver improved radiology services with a new CT and nuclear medicine service in purpose build and designed spaces.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving healthcare in rural and regional communities.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“The Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment will support contemporary models of care and improve healthcare experiences for our community.

“I’m glad this new hospital has been designed in close collaboration with staff and clinicians and includes inpatient rooms with ensuites, a new café and landscaped community courtyards and gardens.

“Projects like this one not only support the health and wellbeing of our community, but also deliver direct and indirect jobs in health, construction and related industries.”

Survey results highlight need for improved gender diversity in the construction industry

The NSW Government has released results from its annual Women in Construction survey, highlighting the need for stronger efforts to promote gender diversity across the sector.

With over 1000 responses from NSW construction workers and businesses, the survey revealed a positive trend: the number of women entering the industry has risen by 12.5% in the past year, and of the businesses surveyed women now make-up 20% of the construction workforce.

Key challenges identified by both men and women, include a lack of work-life balance (62%), lack of flexible working hours (51%), and insufficient mentoring and leadership training (47%).

The survey also showed that achieving work-life balance and flexible work options are critical for staff retention, with 40% of workers considering leaving jobs due to difficulties balancing their work and personal responsibilities.

Some concerning statistics were highlighted, with 69% of women reporting some form of gender-based discrimination in the past year, and 33% experiencing workplace sexual harassment.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to creating safer and more respectful workplaces, and the SafeWork NSW Respect at Work strategy continues to drive efforts to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace through education and enforcement.

To address these issues, the NSW Government is leveraging its procurement power to ensure contractors introduce flexible workplace policies and encourage development of mentoring programs to support women’s long-term success in the industry.

Through the Culture in Construction Taskforce, several major infrastructure projects including Transport for NSW, Mulgoa Road Upgrade Stage 1 and Health Infrastructure NSW, Randwick Children’s Hospital Redevelopment are piloting the Culture Standard which includes capped working hours and a five-day week. Initial findings of the piloted projects suggest improvements to recruitment and retention of women in construction.

In addition, the NSW Government’s Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program works with industry and contractors to implement flexible workplace and supportive policies, making construction a more appealing career choice for women.

Earlier this year, the government announced $2.2 million in funding to support initiatives to attract and retain women in construction and build more inclusive cultures.

The survey findings will guide the future direction of the government’s Women in Construction program, addressing entrenched issues and ensuring continued progress toward increasing women’s participation in the industry.

To find out more, and see the full survey results, see the Women in Construction program.

Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said:

“The NSW Government is currently building some of the largest infrastructure projects in Australia, and we want women’s participation in these projects to be a standard in the industry and not the exception.”

“This is an important step in helping all our workers feel respected and valued, listening to what women are calling out for, and showing our commitment to equitable workplaces.

“Government can and should leverage its procurement power to increase women’s participation, and Transport for NSW is implementing this across its projects.

“The workforce delivering Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 enabling works will be supported by wellbeing initiatives from the Culture in Construction Taskforce’s Culture Standard, which include a target for 40% female staff participation during project enabling works, flexible working hours and on-site mental health first aiders.

“It also includes a move to a five-day working week on the construction site, a reduction from the six-day working week that’s a frequent barrier to women entering the industry.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“We are committed to increasing women’s participation in the construction industry – this is essential for building a workforce that reflects our diverse communities.

“Change doesn’t happen overnight, but this report shows that targeted programs, like Women in Construction, can produce positive results.  This report and the feedback I hear generally tells me that we still have a long way to go, across industry, in providing a workplace culture that encourages women to participate.  Government is doing good work with industry, particularly large employers, but the change needs to happen in every workplace.

“Let’s continue working together for a stronger, more inclusive construction industry—one where gender equity and progressing women’s careers is at the forefront of progress.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said:

“The future of our trades industry lies in embracing the diversity and capabilities of all workers. It’s important that we’re creating a safe, inclusive and dynamic workforce that welcomes and supports women in all trade roles.

“The insights gathered from the annual Women in Construction Industry Survey will guide the future direction of our programs, ensuring our actions are informed by the experiences of women in the sector.

“We know there is more work to be done, and the NSW Government is working with industry to ensure we drive change by removing barriers and creating supportive pathways for women to thrive.”