October 2024 – Page 15

New leading cyber & digital forensics training facility for NSW jobs precinct

A major state-of-the art cyber and digital forensics training facility will soon call South Jerrabomberra home following the Minns Labor Government’s $23 million investment in enabling infrastructure within the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct in southern NSW.

CBIT Digital Forensics Services (CDFS), an Australian supplier of digital forensic tools, industry training and certification, has chosen the precinct to establish its first tactical training facility.

Digital forensics focuses on identifying, acquiring, processing, analysing, and reporting on data stored electronically.

CDFS anticipates it will almost double its workforce from nine to 18 over the next few years and plans to invest $11.7 million in a new building on the site, creating additional jobs for local construction and building workers.

The construction of the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility is expected to be completed by March 2025 and aiming to have the facility ready for training and operations for the second semester.

The company has provided hi-tech services to organisations including law enforcement and government department to help deal with digital forensic and investigative issues including electronic evidence handling.

CDFS joins a growing number of investors setting up in the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct. Further blocks within the precinct will become available for investors in early 2025.

The precinct is supported by a $23 million contribution by the NSW Government for essential infrastructure including roads, footpaths, upgraded electricity, natural gas, water, and access to NBN Enterprise Ethernet services.

Strategically located on Canberra’s doorstep, the precinct’s infrastructure and proximity to universities, world-class research and development facilities and a skilled workforce makes it a highly attractive opportunity for investors.

With the wider region already home to more than 90 companies specialising in technology, cybersecurity and defence, the precinct development will help nurture high-tech careers in engineering, programming and science, specialising in cyber, space, AI, and defence.

The site’s proximity to government agencies and the nation’s decision-makers, an international airport and major road networks puts new and emerging businesses in a prime position to thrive.

To activate this investment-ready precinct in regional NSW, the NSW Government is working closely with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, the ACT Government and federal agencies.

CDFS was supported by $3 million in Australian Government funding to establish the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“It is important that we empower regional people and communities to prosper through a boost in skills, wages and opportunities. Through Regional Job Precincts like South Jerrabomberra, the NSW Government is providing this opportunity.

“This precinct gives investors access to a highly skilled and educated local workforce. It aims to build a sustainable business hub offering fast-tracked planning approvals.

“This investor-ready precinct has the advantage of proximity to key decision-makers in Canberra, and I am really proud that the NSW Government is giving businesses this opportunity to establish and grow in regional NSW.”

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said

“With the rapid growth of areas like Jerrabomberra, Tralee, and Googong, precincts like this are ensuring we can keep highly qualified and skilled workers in their local area, and not lose their talents to the ACT or other major cities.

“The investment in modern and specialised industries like cyber security, space, AI, and research is creating a sustainable and competitive workforce for regional NSW which will attract new people to our area.

“I look forward to touring the precinct and learning about the work being done there.”

CDFS CEO Zoran Iliev said:

“The Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the lands where the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility will stand, have recognised that these lands have always been places of teaching and learning. We deeply respect their traditions and are grateful to have NANGU in this beautiful area with a unique position near Queanbeyan, the Canberra airport, and our nation’s capital.

Our facility, the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility, will not only be a hub for technology and science but also a preserver of traditions. The forensic scientists trained here will not only be guardians of the truth but also guardians of the rich traditions of the Ngunnawal people.

“As an independent RTO, we are proud to bring this training facility to South Jerrabomberra and offer young Australians a unique chance to get the qualifications to help them get not just a job but a career to be proud of.

“The CDFS team and I are very proud and grateful for the opportunity to help this region by providing top-notch Cyber Forensics training and creating the much-needed new workforce in Cyber.”

4th ASEAN-Australia Summit and 19th East Asia Summit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, met regional leaders yesterday at the Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and today at the East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

Both forums are critical for promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and for building Australia’s trade links in the region and creating jobs and economic growth at home.

The Prime Minister met leaders from China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Canada and New Zealand in the sidelines of the summits.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of relations between ASEAN and Australia.

At the ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and to building Australia’s links with Southeast Asia. He highlighted progress delivering outcomes from the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne in March, noting Southeast Asia’s economic prosperity is critical to Australia’s growth and jobs.

At the East Asia Summit – the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for strategic dialogue – Prime Minister Albanese emphasised that dialogue and a strong ASEAN underpins regional stability, helps prevent conflict, and reinforces rules, norms and international law.

Prime Minister Albanese also participated in a meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community, hosted by Prime Minister Ishiba of Japan, where leaders recognised the need for regional efforts to accelerate decarbonisation and ensure energy security through the transition to net zero. The Prime Minister updated regional leaders on Australia’s progress towards achieving net zero.

In Vientiane, the Prime Minister hosted an event attended by the Prime Minister of Vietnam His Excellency Mr Pham Minh Chính, Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia Mr Nicholas Moore AO, and Southeast Asian and Australian business representatives.

The Prime Minister highlighted the strong progress made over the past twelve months in implementing Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The event also involved Australian delegates taking part in an investment mission to Thailand and Laos – one of many business missions to have taken place since the launch of the Strategy.

The Prime Minister thanked Laos for being the 2024 ASEAN Chair. He announced Australia had committed an additional $4.5 million to Monash University’s World Mosquito Program to assist in the elimination of dengue fever in Laos.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Australia has been an ASEAN partner for 50 years, longer than any other country.

“Maintaining peace and stability takes work and Australia will keep working with our partners towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous region with ASEAN at the centre.

“When our region prospers, Australia prospers, which is why deepening economic engagement through our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy remains a priority for my Government.

“We have delivered on 47 of the recommendations made under the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy over the past year, and will continue delivering for Australia and the region.

“I congratulate Prime Minister Sonexay on Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship this year and look forward to continuing work with our ASEAN partners.

“I wish Malaysia success as it takes on the ASEAN Chair for 2025.”

Labor & Liberal weak on Murdoch as media reform stalled

The Greens have criticised Labor and Liberal for failing to back a Royal Commission into Australian Media labelling them “Murdoch cowards.” Today, a Senate Inquiry report into the Murdoch media was tabled in Parliament as Australia’s media ownership concentration slips further to now rank 2nd-worst in the world.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for Communications:

“Public interest journalism is critical for democracy, but Australia now ranks 2nd worst in the world for media diversity and the Government is failing to deliver the comprehensive media reforms needed.

“I’m concerned we are seeing a rising distrust in news media as the Murdoch empire continues to undermine quality journalism and democracy in Australia and abroad.

“The Murdoch media’s litany of biassed campaigns diminish Australian journalism as a profession and regularly fail to meet the basic standards enumerated in the Journalist Code of Ethics.

“In Australia the Murdoch media organisation fuels social division, targets individual women and vulnerable minorities, and delays climate action to prop up fossil fuels. Abroad, Fox News’ role in the Dominion voting scandal and the UK phone hacking scandals are a matter of public record.”

New revenue, regulations needed for public interest journalism:

“Comprehensive media reform in Australia is well overdue and a Commission of Inquiry would have been a sensible pathway to get the job done. It is disappointing that neither Labor nor Liberal are prepared to tackle these issues.

“Public interest journalism and the health of our democracy continues to be eroded each and every day the Government fails to deliver real media reform. The Government response to Meta’s threats to the News Media Bargaining Code remains unresolved, media regulations for the digital era are either non-existent or out of date, and funding for small and independent news agencies remains in limbo.

“As big tech corporations continue to cannibalise public interest journalism it’s clear we need to ensure a fair share of the revenue sucked up by social media platforms is invested back in the news and content they take for free. After a decade of Coalition cuts to the ABC and SBS, full funding has still not been restored and public broadcasters remain vulnerable to political attack and influence.”

Albanese and Dutton team up on toxic AUKUS nuclear waste deal

The Albanese Government today teamed up with Peter Dutton’s Coalition to push through a controversial AUKUS Bill that will allow the dumping of high-level naval nuclear waste anywhere in Australia.

The Albanese Government, in alliance with the Coalition, rammed the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill through the Senate today without debate.

The Bill also created a new naval nuclear regulator as part of the AUKUS agreement with the UK and US on nuclear submarines. It initially allowed for all UK and US nuclear submarine waste to be dumped in Australia until the Albanese Government sheepishly amended it, due to growing public opposition, to prevent the dumping of UK or US ‘spent nuclear fuel’.

However, the amendments still allow the dumping of US and UK intermediate-level waste and other high-level nuclear waste from their nuclear submarines. The Greens moved amendments this afternoon that explicitly prevented this, and the major parties voted against these amendments and others.

The Bill immediately creates two nuclear dump ‘zones’, one off the coast of Perth and the other at Port Adelaide, without any community consultation or local support.

The Bill also allows nuclear dump zones to be declared anywhere in Australia that the Defence Minister chooses with the flick of their pen, again without any consent from local communities or First Nations traditional owners.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence, said: “Albanese and Dutton have teamed up today to push this AUKUS nuclear waste legislation through the Senate without debate.”

“Today’s actions see both Labor and the Coalition joining hands to ram through legislation that will let the UK and US dump their naval nuclear waste in Australia.”

“The Albanese Labor Government initially tried to sneak through a law that would allow the UK and US to dump all types of nuclear waste in Australia. The Greens called the Government out on this, and then people around Australia pushed back.

“Even with last-minute Labor amendments, this legislation still allows the dumping of US and UK nuclear waste in Australia. Labor’s amendments only prohibit the US and UK dumping ‘spent nuclear fuel’ from their submarines in Australia, but do not prohibit any other highly irradiated UK and US nuclear waste.

“This legislation green-lights dumping of all Australian naval nuclear waste anywhere in Australia. To be clear, exposure to even intermediate-level waste is lethal to humans, and the risk lasts for hundreds of years.

“Everyone can see AUKUS is sinking, the question is now becoming how much environmental and financial damage it will do before it hits rock bottom,” Senator Shoebridge said.

Greens continue commitment to women’s health. A comprehensive package for perimenopause and menopause

Today, at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health Senator Larissa Waters will launch the Greens election policy on perimenopause and menopause.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters

“For too long, women experiencing menopause and perimenopause have suffered in silence.

“It’s time for change. The Greens are committed to making menopause treatments more affordable and accessible, while also increasing awareness among healthcare professionals and the general public.

“We heard some horror stories during the Senate inquiry into issues related to perimenopause and menopause about the cost of medication which can be hundreds of dollars a month.

“We were told about one woman who was controlling her anxiety and depression with MHT until she could no longer afford it, she was forced to ask for Valium because it is PBS listed and $15 for a box of 50.

“The Greens will allocate $50 million annually to subsidise all TGA approved MHT and address medication shortages, ensuring women have access to and can afford essential treatments.

“We will also eliminate the PBS co-payment for menopause treatments already on the PBS.

“No one should be priced out of the healthcare they need. We must ensure that effective treatments are accessible to all.

“Other countries have already made MHT more affordable. The UK is offering a year’s supply for $40, while Canada has allocated funding to British Columbia to make MHT free for its residents.

“We also heard during the Senate inquiry that doctors are only getting one hour of training on perimenopause and menopause in their undergraduate. This is patently inadequate because menopause impacts half of the population and it is a point where women become vulnerable to chronic diseases like osteoporosis.

“The Greens will ensure GPs can conduct comprehensive tests related to menopause, including essential bone density scans.

“One woman who asked her doctor if her symptoms could be from menopause said all he was taught in medical school was that menopausal women are either ‘mad or sad’.

“The stigma surrounding menopause has left many women feeling isolated. By increasing awareness, women can feel empowered to seek the support they deserve. That is why the Greens will implement a $5 million national education campaign for the public and for doctors.

“The major parties have yet to propose substantial changes regarding menopause care, the Greens will prioritise women’s health and ensure that women can access the support they need.

“If you want change, you have to vote for it. We are taking the lead on this critical issue, while Labor and the LNP have neglected it for far too long.

“The report from the Senate inquiry has provided a roadmap for the changes we need. It’s time for the government to respond to these recommendations without delay.

“Women across Australia deserve better—better support, better treatment options, and better recognition of their needs, and the Greens will deliver that.”

BACKGROUND

The Greens continue their commitment to improve women’s health in Australia with a comprehensive plan to address the pressing, yet too long neglected, issues surrounding menopause and perimenopause.

This initiative follows the Greens initiated Senate inquiry and resulting landmark consensus report with 25 strong recommendations aimed at transforming how menopause is perceived, addressed and treated in this country.

The Greens will:

Ensure more affordable and accessible menopause treatments with an allocation of $50 million annually to ensure that women have access to necessary treatments by:
- Subsidising TGA approved menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
- Purchasing more doses of MHT and making them more accessible across Australia.
- Purchasing alternative forms of MHT medications.
Creating a new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item that allows GPs to conduct comprehensive tests related to menopause, including essential bone density scans.
Removing the PBS co-payment for menopause treatments to reduce financial barriers for women seeking care.

To complement our health initiatives, The Greens will fund a $5 million national education campaign aimed at the public and at healthcare professionals. It will focus on:

Educating GPs through an accredited training program on menopause and perimenopause, ensuring they are well-equipped to support their patients.
Raising public awareness about menopause symptoms and treatment options to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations.

Big tech can’t be let off the hook for harvesting kids data, targeting young people: Greens

The Greens say the Government’s shifting position on young people and social media should not let the big tech corporations off the hook for harvesting kids data and targeting young people with dangerous algorithms and advertising.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for Communications:

“Big tech giants shouldn’t be let off the hook for the harmful impact they are having on our kids.

“Those platforms engaged in superficial “For Teens” re-brands should not be given a back-door to target children by harvesting kids data and targeting them with toxic algorithms and advertising.

“We need an evidence-based approach to protecting children which is why Labor & the Liberals should back the Greens call for a ban on big tech corporations harvesting the data of young people and targeting them with advertising and dangerous algorithms.

“The business model of collecting, selling and exploiting young people’s data to make massive profits must stop.

“We’ve seen effective laws in the EU and the UK that not only make platforms safer for young people, but for all of us.”

Community invited to share feedback on Newcastle Show public holiday

City of Newcastle is inviting Novocastrians to help determine whether the first day of the 2025 Newcastle Show should be declared a local public holiday.

A community survey will gather feedback from people who live, work and run businesses in Newcastle to gauge support for the proposal, with specific questions about the economic and social benefits as well as tourism industry promotion of the region.

Newcastle Show Executive Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said the community has traditionally supported the idea of a local public holiday.

“City of Newcastle conducted community consultation in 2023 and 84 per cent of respondents supported a local public holiday for the Newcastle Show,” Mr Clarke said.

“The Newcastle Show is an important historical, social and cultural event that dates back to 1901, and visitor numbers have continued to increase since the interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As part of the community survey City of Newcastle will consult with chambers of commerce, banks, major employers and schools that would likely to be impacted, should the day be declared a local public holiday.”

“If the day was to be declared a local public holiday it would apply to all employees whose place of work is within the Newcastle Local Government Area.”

Alternatively, a local event day may be declared, as has been the case in recent years. A local event day is not a public holiday, but can be considered as one, for those employees in the area who have agreed to observe the day in their relevant industrial agreement and any other employers who want to participate.

The community survey is now open and will close at 5pm on 5 November.

Feedback will then be presented to Council for consideration, prior to an application being made to the NSW Government.

You can have your say by completing the online survey here before 5pm on 5 November http://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Newcastle-regional-show-day-2025

The 2025 Newcastle Show will run from Friday 28 February to Sunday 2 March.

Construction on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to begin in 2025 as major contract signed

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is one step closer, with a $322 million contract awarded to John Holland Pty Ltd to deliver the first part of the project – construction of the first 1.3km of new light rail alignment, including a 320m bridge over the Parramatta River.

New artist’s impression images have been released showing the bridge between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point that will carry buses, light rail and people walking and cycling over the Parramatta River.

Design and early works will begin this year, before major bridge construction starts in 2025. It marks the first major bridge crossing the Parramatta River since the Ryde Bridge was completed nearly 40 years ago. This work will also see upgrades to surrounding public spaces including Archer Park.

The new public and active transport bridge, which is yet to be named, will provide a much-needed link between the growing communities of Melrose Park and Wentworth Point, north and south of the river. It will form part of 9.5kms of walking and bike-riding paths once Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is complete.

Construction of the bridge is expected to generate 1000 jobs, with 80% of those based in Western Sydney.

In the 2024-25 NSW Budget, the Minns Labor Government provisioned $2.1 billion towards the delivery of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to build better, more connected communities as our west continues to grow.

This significant milestone is a crucial step forward in extending the Parramatta Light Rail network, which will help get locals where they need to go, take pressure off roads, and support housing growth across Greater Parramatta.

John Holland Pty Ltd was selected as the successful company following a competitive tender process, with interest from 19 leading organisations across Australia and around the world.

Works will be limited to weekdays where possible, limiting Saturday works to critical bridge construction activities only.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will connect to Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park, and Wentworth Point with 14 stops over 10 kilometres.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 between Westmead and Carlingford (L4) is in the final stages of testing and commissioning, with passenger services expected to start before the end of the year.

For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/parramatta-light-rail.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“This is a significant step towards delivering the much-anticipated extension of the Parramatta Light Rail.

“The new bridge will ensure the growing communities of Melrose Park and Wentworth Point are well-connected. It will enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and boost economic growth.

“This development is part of our vision for a sustainable and connected Greater Sydney, building the infrastructure needed to improve accessibility and support our growing communities.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“Our community has been promised Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 for years, and it’s exciting that the Labor Government is finally delivering.

“Investigation works will begin this summer, with shovels in the ground next year. I cannot wait to see this new bridge spring to life.”

NSW Government supports all recommendations of Special Commission into historical LGBTIQ+ hate crimes

The NSW Government is today releasing its formal response to the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) Hate Crimes.

After carefully considering the almost 3,500-page report prepared by the Inquiry, the NSW Government is supporting all 19 of the Inquiry’s public recommendations.

Led by the Commissioner, the Honourable Justice John Sackar, and launched in April 2022, the Inquiry looked into the unsolved deaths of LGBTIQ+ people that may have been hate crimes between 1970 and 2010 that had been the subject of previous investigation by the NSW Police Force.

The Commission’s report identified shortfalls in how NSW Government authorities responded to these deaths and found that investigations were not consistently handled with professionalism, fairness, respect, and compassion.

The Inquiry also heard of the deep hurt that continues to be felt by LGBTIQ+ communities, and the legacy of distrust of government services that continues to the present day.

The NSW Government commends the efforts of the Inquiry and those who provided assistance to this important work.

The NSW Government also extends its deepest gratitude to all LGBTIQ+ community and ally organisations who have advocated tirelessly for change over several decades.

We will honour the victims and victim-survivors whose pain has been captured by the Inquiry, through the implementation of all 19 recommendations.

Implementation of some recommendations has already been completed. Action on other recommendations is underway or will be implemented following further planning or technological advances.

The NSW Police Force has established Taskforce Atlas to oversee implementation of the NSWPF-related recommendations.

A working group has been established to develop a process for conducting the recommended systematic review or audit of all unsolved homicides from 1970 to 2010.

It will also inform work in relation to identifying exhibits to be submitted or resubmitted for forensic testing in light of possible technological advancements.

In accordance with the advice from Commissioner Sackar, a confidential volume of the Inquiry’s Report has also been provided to the NSW Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission to inform any current or future criminal investigations or prosecutions.

The response follows the important and landmark apology by the NSW Government for the historic criminalisation of homosexuality in NSW, which was delivered in Parliament in June 2024.

The Minns Labor Government has also recently announced a range of initiatives aimed at promoting equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ communities.

This includes a new advisory council designed to improve the understanding of issues affecting LGBTIQ+ people across the state and the introduction of new laws to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices.

The Government response can be accessed here: Government Response – Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes (PDF 153.44KB)

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Penny Sharpe said:

“I want to again thank Commissioner Sackar, the Special Commission team, and everyone who contributed to this exhaustive investigation to re-examine a dark passage in the history of our state.

“This Inquiry, the events that have led to it and those that will follow, will be remembered as a crucial step in coming to terms with the role that the NSW Government played in these many tragedies.

“In previous decades, NSW Government institutions set a standard that not only stood by inequality and injustice, but fostered, and at times participated in it.

“We fundamentally failed the victims of these hate crimes and their families, and we can never let that occur again.

“The dedicated and comprehensive work of the whole Inquiry team stands on the shoulders of the efforts of many members of LGBTIQ+ communities, as well as the families and friends of victims – for that we say thank you.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“The Inquiry report made for deeply difficult reading; a difficulty dwarfed by the lived experiences shared by so many.

“Today is an important milestone in a long journey for victims, victim-survivors, advocates and allies who have suffered from these crimes.

“We can’t change what has happened in the past, but we can and will do everything in our power to learn, evolve and prevent history from repeating itself.

“The Government response is another step in the pursuit of justice and the Government and NSW Police Force are actively working to implement report’s recommendations in partnership with the LGBTIQ+ community.”

Support services

The Inquiry engaged ACON Pride Counselling to offer free and confidential counselling to LGBTIQ+ people participating in the Inquiry. Find out more here: https://www.acon.org.au/support-services/pride-counselling/

The following services are available for immediate support:

Emergency assistance: (triple zero) 000
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
QLife (3pm to midnight): 1800 184 527
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic & Family Violence Service Help Line: 1800 385 578
Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015
TransHub
Pivot Point

Reforms strengthen integrity agency independence

The Minns Labor Government has strengthened the independence of integrity agencies and expanded Parliament’s role in independently overseeing their funding.

These changes, which passed in Parliament on Wednesday night, build upon last month’s Treasurer’s Direction that codifies special budget arrangements for the state’s five integrity agencies.

The amendments reinforce the independence of the NSW Audit Office, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, NSW Electoral Commission and the Ombudsman’s Office.

The changes to the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (GSF Act) require integrity agency budgets to be reviewed by Parliamentary oversight committees.

The Parliamentary committees will examine and report on the agencies’ budgets, with the Treasurer then required to respond to the Committee reports.

The Treasurer will also be required to detail the reasons for any variations from agency budget proposals.

In addition to the above, the Government is setting aside $20 million in contingency funding for these integrity agencies for unexpected matters that require urgent attention.

The contingency funding system will also be subject to Parliamentary committee oversight.

The legislation complements a Treasurer’s Direction published on 6 August 2024 – which outlined the Charter of Independence for NSW Integrity Agencies.

This fulfils a request from the Chief Commissioner of the ICAC that the Government formalise the budget management model using a Treasurer’s Direction.

This direction, made under the GSF Act, is unprecedented and provides access for these agencies direct to the Cabinet itself during the preparation of each year’s budget.

The five agencies will be able to submit advice directly to the Cabinet’s Expenditure Review Committee (ERC).

In addition:

The integrity bodies are quarantined from central agency financial management requirements.
Integrity agencies will not have efficiency dividends imposed upon them.
A specialist integrity agency unit within Treasury manages representations for budget funding and ensures that the independence of integrity agencies is preserved during the budget process.

This represents the latest milestone in the Government’s significant reform agenda aimed at helping restore public trust and improving public integrity, transparency, and accountability, which includes:

The commitment of an additional $228.6 million in new expenditure over 10 years, commencing in the 2023-24 Budget, to ensure integrity agencies remain adequately resourced.
Amendments to the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 to make it a legislative requirement for the Government to respond to recommendations of the ICAC directed to the Government.
The implementation of recommendations made by the ICAC in relation to Operation Witney and Keppel.
The landmark ban on political parties accepting donations from clubs which have gaming machines.
A significant tightening of grants regulation to ensure the highest possible standards of grant administration.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We are ensuring our integrity agencies are best placed to hold public officials and government departments to the highest standards.

“The additional checks we are introducing safeguard the funding of these independent agencies.

“We will continue to focus on strengthening our critical public institutions for the long-term benefit of New South Wales.”

Special Minister of State John Graham said:

“Integrity agencies must be allowed to get on with their essential work of investigating and preventing corruption and maladministration. The NSW Government is committed to supporting this work.

“Safeguarding their funding and enhancing transparency around funding to integrity agencies, including the ICAC, delivers on this commitment.”