Month: November 2024

The Minns Labor Government will put stronger sanctions in place for irresponsible and disruptive activities that block the passage of trains, endangering the safety of rail workers and disrupting passengers.

New legislation to be introduced this week will put in place a maximum fine of $22,000 for the offence of “obstructing a railway”. Currently, the offence provision under the Crimes Act 1900 does not specify a fine.

The penalties for blocking the passage of trains will align with changes to laws, passed by the NSW Parliament in 2022, making it an offence to block or obstruct major roads, bridges and tunnels and major facilities like ports and railway stations.

Many of the recent protesters causing mayhem in the Hunter Valley were charged with obstructing a railway. This provision also covers people found to have assisted those who directly commit the offence.

By strengthening the penalty, this aims to deter extremely dangerous conduct that puts train driver, rail worker and passenger safety at risk.

Blocking railway tracks disrupts commuters and commerce and diverts the precious resources of NSW Police.

Hardworking train drivers should not have to work in fear, worrying about whether they will need to apply an emergency brake to avoid striking a trespasser. Everyone across our state should be able to use our rail network safely.

It is critical that we deter people from engaging in this behaviour, which could also see them killed on the tracks.

While recent rail line protest activity has centred on the Hunter region, this change will apply to every railway line in the state. The provision also covers light rail and tramways.

While the Government respects the right of people to lawfully protest, illegal protests on railway tracks or on major facilities, which could cost lives, will not be tolerated.

Those found guilty of obstructing a railway, or damaging or disrupting major facilities, will now all face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $22,000 (200 penalty units), or both.

By aligning the penalties for these offences, the NSW Government is sending a message about how seriously it views this kind of illegal conduct.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Introducing this fine for blocking a railway line sends a strong message: this conduct is not acceptable.

“Recent protests have centred on railway lines, putting everyone’s safety at risk.

“Protests on railway lines are seriously dangerous and disruptive, and they are not tolerated in NSW.

“Train drivers, passengers travelling to work, and companies going about their business should not have to contend with protesters on the tracks – it’s that simple.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“We already have strong laws in place in this state to prevent disruptive and dangerous behaviour.

“By putting in place a $22,000 maximum penalty, we’re balancing the right to protest with keeping the community safe and free from disruption.”

A free dental check for public schools across NSW is celebrating its 1000th public school visit this week, after the Minns Labor Government expanded the program to more school children across NSW.

300,000 public school students have been offered the Primary School Mobile Dental Program since it began in 2019 with three local health districts added to the program in 2023.

New districts added include Far West, Northern NSW and Illawarra Shoalhaven LHDs which have collectively visited 38 schools, providing checks for almost 2,400 kids since being added to the program last year. 

The mobile dental clinics visit participating primary schools across eleven Local Health Districts and provide on-site dental check-ups, cleans, x-rays and other preventive treatments, as well as education on good oral hygiene practices.

This initiative not only addresses immediate dental needs but also equips children with the knowledge to maintain their oral health.

If a child needs follow-up dental care, public dental service staff will contact parents and carers to discuss options for treatment, which may include further treatment at the school or a local dental clinic.

In addition to the Primary School Mobile Dental Program, all children under 18 years of age can access free dental care provided by NSW Health at public dental clinics.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW and ensure people have access to the essential services like education and healthcare that they rely on.

For more information, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth

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

“It is fantastic to see that the dental van has made 1,000 visits to public schools across NSW, offering free check-ups to many public school students.

“Providing free dental care is a win-win for parents, particularly in a cost-of-living crisis.

“The dental van is a fantastic program, that has given thousands of students access to free dental care, and helped public school students to learn healthy habits from an early age.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Oral health care is a crucial part of being and staying healthy and these mobile dental clinics make it easier for families to receive essential check-ups.

“Expanding this program to more parts of NSW provides more children with free, school-based dental care, helping families who don’t have easy access to private dental care.

“This is an important and exciting milestone to celebrate, and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the 1000 school visits and offered free dental care to more than 300,000 children.”

Michelle Wells, Principal, Farmborough Road Public School:

“We were thrilled to have the NSW Dental Vans visit our school.

“For our students, it’s so important to get their teeth checked and learn about how to best look after their gorgeous smiles. For our parents, it was something they could tick off their list without worry, knowing their child’s dental health had been checked at school.

“This is an excellent initiative that makes a genuine difference in the lives of our students and their families.”

The Minns Labor Government has developed a new Renewable Energy Planning Framework to promote faster planning decisions, provide investment certainty for industry and host communities, and boost economic benefits for regional communities.

The Framework includes a suite of guidelines and tools that will play an important role in supporting the NSW Government’s legislated Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and emissions reduction targets.

While there is broad support for renewable energy across the state, there have increasingly been calls from local communities for greater certainty and transparency from Government on how renewable projects will be assessed and managed over their lifecycle.

In response to these calls and the recommendations of the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up, the new Renewable Energy Planning Framework includes five new and updated guidelines:

• Wind Energy Guidelines – provides advice on planning considerations relevant to wind energy development, including visual impacts, site selection and decommissioning.
• Transmission Guidelines – addresses route selection, community consultation expectations and visual impact assessment.
• Solar Energy Guidelines – revisions to the existing guideline to provide additional advice on decommissioning and incorporate other aspects of the Framework.
• Benefit Sharing Guidelines – encourages equitable and sustainable distribution of benefits to local communities.
• Private Agreement Guidelines – advises landholders and renewable energy developers on key considerations when negotiating commercial agreements for hosting renewable energy projects.

The Framework introduces setbacks to avoid significant visual impacts from wind energy and transmission infrastructure, updates requirements for assessing hypothetical dwellings and establishes the Government’s expectations for how benefits from renewable energy projects will flow directly to regions. This is expected to generate over $400 million to support community and local government initiatives.

The Framework is an important step in the Minns Labor Government’s plan to deliver clean, affordable energy to the grid, reduce emissions, create thousands of jobs and boost regional economies by driving down pressure on electricity prices.

In addition to the Framework and supporting guidelines, the NSW Government has released the Renewable Energy Transition Update to summarise progress on Government actions to deliver a clean, affordable and reliable energy system.

Planning approvals are an important step toward NSW reaching these goals. Since forming Government, the Minns Labor Government has approved 29 renewable energy and transmission projects. These approvals will deliver 5.7 GW of new energy generation and 6.3 GW (or 15.4 GWh) of storage

In that time, the Government has also granted planning approval for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission project and declared six renewable energy projects Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI).

The NSW Government is committed to taking further action to manage the impacts of the transition in order to support host communities while enabling and incentivising development in NSW. This includes:

• Investigating further opportunities to fast-track assessments. This includes evaluating impacts and issues at a strategic level, so they do not need to be interrogated on a project-by-project basis.
• Addressing cumulative impacts in REZs such as traffic and transport, housing and workforce accommodation, social infrastructure and services, water security and waste management.
• Engaging and supporting communities by expanding the role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW to provide independent ombudsman services for new transmission and renewable energy infrastructure projects.

The new Framework was developed based on extensive consultation with stakeholders, including industry and local communities. It incorporates feedback received through the public exhibition period from 14 November 2023 to 29 January 2024.

For more information visit Renewable energy | Planning

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“NSW is leading a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the electricity network, building the infrastructure we need to keep the lights on and put downward pressure on prices. We are working across government to reduce barriers to investment and deliver lasting benefits to regional communities.

“Having a clear, transparent planning system will pave the way for a reliable and clean energy system.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“It’s vital the planning system actively supports the energy transition and delivers timely approvals on development applications.

“Greater certainty and transparency over renewable energy assessment processes means more renewables faster, cheaper electricity bills and more jobs. It also means communities and industry know what to expect of the planning system.

“It is critical that we continue to work collaboratively with communities and industry to minimise impacts, develop effective solutions where challenges exist and provide support where it’s needed, which is why the addition of a Benefit Sharing Guideline is so important.”

This week NSW will feel the full impact of a government that has stepped back and let unions set the agenda. Hospitals, public transport, construction sites and vital infrastructure projects are all facing major disruptions as unions prepare for widespread industrial action. Under the Minns Labor Government, union bosses run the show, and it’s the people of NSW who are left to pick up the pieces.  

Chris Minns promised to govern for everyone, but instead he’s left NSW vulnerable to union demands. Our state deserves a government that leads, not one that bows out when it matters most.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said NSW residents are facing disruptions that should never have escalated to this level. The government’s failure to step in has left us with a week of shutdowns that impact not just Sydney, but communities across the state.

“It’s not about workers’ rights, it’s about a government too weak to bring balance. The people of NSW deserve a voice, yet under Chris Minns that voice has been drowned out by union interests,” Mr Speakman said.  

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope said this isn’t just a week of disruption; it’s a wake-up call. The Minns Labor Government has shown that when it comes to union demands, they’re willing to put NSW second.

“We’re seeing our state held to ransom, and it’s very clear that Chris Minns has no plan to restore balance or protect the everyday services people rely on,” Mr Tudehope said.

Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said a government’s role is to serve all of NSW, but this week’s disruptions show just how far the Minns Labor Government has strayed from that responsibility.

“The Minns Labor Government has stood by as union action disrupts the daily lives of countless people who rely on our rail network to get to work, school and essential services,” Ms Ward said.

Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said that patients awaiting important surgery should not be paying the price for the Premier’s failures.

“Patients shouldn’t have their surgery cancelled because the Government has failed to negotiate with nurses. Our EDs are already stretched, and it is has never been harder to see a GP. Chris Minns is fighting our nurses when he should be focused on patients,” Ms Sloane said.  

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said Labor is in government, but the unions are in charge.  

“The Minns Labor Government has handed over control of New South Wales to the unions, letting union agendas dictate the lives of everyday people across the state,” Mr Singh said.

NSW’s week of industrial action: what to expect

CFMEU’s unauthorised walkout

On Tuesday 12 November, CFMEU members will defy administration orders, shutting down construction sites across the state.

Nurses and midwives strike

On Wednesday 13 November, nurses and midwives will hold a 24-hour statewide strike, disrupting healthcare services. As frontline workers rally outside Parliament to demand fair wages, patients across NSW will be left waiting.

RTBU’s rail halt

On Thursday 14November, the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union will halt rail operations, affecting Sydney and beyond. This government’s lack of action has left NSW commuters stranded, turning our public transport into a bargaining tool rather than a reliable service for the people.

ETU’s On-Going Infrastructure Delays

Nearly a year of action from the Electrical Trades Union has delayed critical energy projects, impacting everything from housing developments to state-significant infrastructure. Under Labor, communities across NSW are feeling the strain as essential infrastructure grinds to a halt

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 23 new paramedic interns and 21 trainee emergency medical call takers after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney.

They join 495 paramedics and 117 emergency medical call-takers who have begun roles with NSW Ambulance this year so far.

These new recruits will further boost frontline health services across the state, when they start their roles from Saturday.

The new recruits joining the service come with a range of backgrounds and experience, including Paramedic Intern Rebecca Olds was inspired to join NSW Ambulance following a horse-riding accident involving her mother which NSW Ambulance paramedics responded to.

The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.

The emergency medical call takers will be posted to the Sydney, Northern and Western Triple Zero (000) control centres.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting our paramedic workforce, investing in a record pay increase for paramedics in December making them among the highest paid in the country and rolling out of 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“These graduates will be joining a cohort of paramedics and emergency call-takers who serve as a lifeline for many in their moments of need.

“They will bring dedication and skill to their work, providing vital support and care to the people of NSW when they need it most.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“Congratulations to our newest graduates. Today, you join a proud tradition of service in NSW Ambulance, ready to make a real difference in the lives of those you will care for. Your journey is just beginning, and we are excited to see the impact you will have on our communities.

“I want to acknowledge the tremendous effort each of our graduates has put into their training. Thank you for your commitment, and welcome to NSW Ambulance.”

Paramedic Intern, Rebecca Olds:

“NSW Ambulance is the service that helped me and my family – I want to help the community that helped me when I needed it most.”

The NSW Government has confirmed new appointees to the board of Venues NSW for two board member positions and one board member position (Hunter). 

The Cabinet has endorsed the following individuals for the respective roles:

• Mr John Quayle (existing member) to the position of Board (Hunter)
• Ms Yvonne Sampson to the position of Board
• Mr Ian Roberts to the position of Board

Ms Yvonne Sampson is a highly regarded sports broadcaster who has earned a distinguished reputation in the sports media industry through a career spanning more than 20 years. In conjunction with her trailblazing role in broadcasting, Yvonne has served on multiple boards including Harness Racing NSW and The Ricky Stuart Foundation.

Mr Ian Roberts is a former professional athlete and social justice advocate. As an athlete Ian played 213 games in the NRL and represented both NSW and Australia. Ian was the first high-profile Australian sports person to be openly gay and has continued to be a leading advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community in many roles, including as Director at QTOPIA Museum in Darlinghurst.

Mr John Quayle is an existing member of the Venues NSW board.

The Hon. Gregory Pearce and Ms Maria Scott will be departing from the board as their tenure expires on 14^th November 2024.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: 

“First I would like to thank the Hon. Gregory Pearce and Ms Maria Scott for their contributions to Venues NSW over their tenure.

“Venues NSW is entering an exciting period. Having successfully lifted the concert cap and incorporated CommBank and Accor Stadium into operations, we must now focus getting maximum utilisation out of our venues network.

“I look forward to working with the entire board and Venues NSW team on how we can boost our sporting and entertainment offerings.”

Emergency service personnel from across the country are testing their flood rescue skills in a mass-casualty exercise as part of the National Flood Rescue Symposium this weekend.

More than 200 personnel from 17 agencies are attending the symposium at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, led by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), which will also showcase innovative flood rescue assets currently being trialled.

From drones to amphibious vehicles, the assets are designed to improve response times to remote locations while enhancing the safety of personnel.

The SES is also testing e-bikes and trail bikes for fast deployment to searches and access to remote areas, enhanced flood barriers as a potential replacement to single-use sandbags to block or divert flood waters, and unmanned surface vessels to reduce risks around flood rescues for both casualties and operators.

Held over three days, the Flood Symposium hosts representatives from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and Marine Rescue NSW, as well as interstate and even international attendees.

The event is an opportunity for flood rescue experts to share, learn and take best-practice flood rescue skills back to their broader teams, with flow-on benefits for their respective communities.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The National Flood Symposium is a great example of how our emergency service agencies are working together, as weather-driven disasters become more frequent, and multi-agency cooperation becomes increasingly important in keeping communities safe.

“Multi-agency training and emergency simulation is making our state’s flood response capabilities even stronger, and I am proud that we’re a leader when it comes to finding innovative ways to improve our preparedness and response.

“The SES is embracing opportunities to refine flood rescue capability, which not only includes training and interoperability, but also trialling new tools and assets that can make flood rescues even quicker and safer.”

Assistant Commissioner of the NSW SES Dean Storey said:

“The Flood Symposium brings together experts to hone skills and share lessons and insights. As the lead agency for flood rescue it’s part of our commitment to the people of New South Wales to maximise our preparedness for future flood events.

“That’s also why we’re innovating the tools we use to respond to future emergencies, by introducing new assets as part of a trial to see what is efficient and effective in completing operational tasks and improving the safety of our volunteers and the public.

“The trial will thoroughly evaluate the feasibility of new technologies, assets and processes to improve operations and support local and interstate response.

“Equipment such as drones and unmanned surface vessels could result in flood rescues and intelligence gathering without the need for personnel to enter dangerous flood waters, which could enhance volunteer safety and improve response times and access to remote locations.”