Month: November 2024

Red poppies adorned the Sydney Opera House and lit up Sydney Harbour this morning as the sun rose to mark the commencement of Remembrance Day.

Minister for Veterans David Harris hosted proceedings at the special sunrise service on the harbour. The RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge recited the Ode before the Last Post rang out as a reminder of the importance of the day. 

Large crowds are expected to gather at the state’s Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place at 10:30am, as well as local memorials throughout our communities to honour the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel.

Today marks 106 years since the Armistice was signed, that brought an end to fighting in the First World War. Over 416,000 Australians enlisted for service during the Great War, out of a population of only 4 million. Many more defence personnel have fought in conflicts and peacekeeping operations since.

For more than a century, red poppies have been used as a symbol of community respect and recognition. Poppies have been projected onto the Opera House since 2014 and will light up the shells once again at 8pm tonight.

Schools across NSW received a resource pack from the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs with activities to educate the next generation on why Australians commemorate Remembrance Day each year.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This Remembrance Day is an opportunity to reflect on those who bravely laid down their own lives to defend our country and preserve our way of life.

“It is important to acknowledge those who continue to serve in our defence, at home and abroad. There is no higher public service than offering your own life to protect your country.

“It is also crucial to recognise those who have lost a parent, child or family member in the defence our country.

“Australia’s free and democratic society is built upon the shoulders of these brave service personnel we are commemorating today.

“Lest we forget.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Today we remember those who have given their lives and served their country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions, and we also acknowledge the support of their families.

“We wear poppies on Remembrance Day to serve as a reminder for people here, and around the world, to take a moment and pause and remember our service men and women.

“I encourage everyone to observe the minute’s silence at 11am and remember those who have fought for our country. We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude for helping to make Australia the prosperous and free country it is today.”

RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge said:

“This Remembrance Day, we not only honour and remember all those who have died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and conflicts, we also continue to reflect on the ongoing impact of military service on our veterans and their families.

“Following the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, ex-service organisations now face 122 critical recommendations and RSL NSW will advocate for the implementation of these recommendations to support veterans across Australia.

“We must turn remembrance into action, ensuring every veteran across all generations feels supported, heard, and valued.”

The number of students being left in merged and cancelled classes has almost halved over the last year, as the Minns Labor Government makes progress tackling the teacher shortage crisis it inherited.

The NSW Government has reduced the number of merged and cancelled classes from close to 10,000 a day in 2023 to 5,669 in 2024, a new survey from the NSW Department of Education has found.

This year, about half a million hours of lost learning for students has been regained through our work to rebuild public education in NSW, according to these results.

The former Liberal National Government dismissed the teacher shortage crisis and the former minister refused to collect data on the true impact of merged and cancelled classes on students.

Last year, the inaugural Alternative Supervision Survey found students had lost close to a million hours in learning over the year due to the teacher shortages inherited by the newly-elected Labor Government.

The 2024 Alternative Supervision Survey tracked merged and cancelled classes across the state, which we know creates a disruptive environment for students.

While there is more to do to, the results of the second Alternative Supervision Survey show the Minns Labor Government is making progress in addressing the impact of teacher shortages on student learning, which had escalated to crisis levels under the Liberals and Nationals.

The 2024 survey found:

• The number of merged and cancelled classes each day has almost halved to 5,669, down from close to 10,000 in 2023.
• The number of casual teachers required to cover classes each day fell from 7,500 in 2023 to 6,800 in 2024. This is a nine per cent reduction year-on-year.
• The shortfall of casual teachers each day fell from 3,180 in 2023 to 1,970 in 2024 – a 38 per cent fall.
• Shortfalls in primary school casual teachers decreased from 1,550 in 2023 to 940 in 2024 – a reduction of 39 per cent.
• Shortfalls in secondary school casual teachers fell from 1,310 in 2023 to 850 in 2024, a 35 per cent decrease.

More experienced teachers are also set to re-enter the classroom, including more than 650 deputy principals, assistant principals and head teachers from 2025, following the Minns Labor Government’s review of classroom executive teacher time.

Since being elected in March 2023, the Minns Labor Government has made progress in addressing the teacher shortage left by the Liberals and Nationals, including scrapping the wages cap and delivering teachers the largest pay rise in a generation.

The Minns Labor Government has also converted the roles of more than 16,000 temporary teachers and school support staff to permanent roles and banned mobile phones in all public schools to help foster a more positive school environment. We are also continuing to make progress on reducing the workload of teachers through the School Administration Reduction Program trial.

These efforts have helped reduce teacher vacancies to a three-year-low, with NSW public schools reporting 24 per cent fewer vacancies at the start of Term 3, 2024 than at the same time last year.

This is all part of our long-term plan to build a better education system in NSW and turn around the declining outcomes left by the Liberals and Nationals.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:

“We are getting more teachers in classrooms, and that’s making school less disruptive for our kids.

“This is good for children and a relief for their parents.

“Parents can be reassured that we are addressing the teacher shortage crisis we inherited and we are seeing improvements.

“We know there is more to do, but we are making progress to rebuild our teaching workforce to give NSW kids the best education possible.”

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

“It’s no secret that the way to improve our students’ outcomes is to make sure there is a qualified teacher in front of every classroom, doing what they do best – teaching.

“The Liberals and Nationals’ neglect of our education system caused student outcomes to go backwards, and while it cannot be reversed overnight, we are making important progress.

“Under the Minns Labor Government, we are seeing less merged and cancelled classes and more learning every day.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“We know the best learning for students happens in a classroom with a qualified and supported teacher leading from the front. Having dedicated and passionate teachers in every classroom, every day, helps to lift the academic and wellbeing outcomes of all students.

“I am thrilled to see our teacher recruitment and retention initiatives having such a strong impact in meeting this ambition.”

From Tibooburra in the top of the state, down to Menindee and across to White Cliffs, people in Far West NSW will start seeing even more support with a Mobile Service Centre being redirected to provide hands on assistance with applying for grants following the recent power outage.

A Service NSW Mobile Service Centre is currently stationed in Broken Hill to help those claiming a Power Outage Support Grant and provide support where needed.

From Tuesday 12 November, the Mobile Service Centre will travel around the region to provide further assistance, starting at the Albert Hall in Tibooburra. Over the next few weeks, the Mobile Service Centre and NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) team members will conduct recovery outreach programs across some of the more remote communities, with guidance from authorities working in local communities, to ensure they are receiving the help they need to apply for the grant.

A Business Concierge from the Service NSW Business Bureau will also travel with the Mobile Service Centre to provide personalised guidance on the $400 Far West Business grant application process.

The Mobile Service Centre’s schedule in the Far West will be guided by on-the-ground information about demand levels in each town.

People can stay up to date on where it is headed by going to the Service NSW website: www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/mobile-service-centres.

In Broken Hill, a Recovery Assistance Point (RAP) will continue to operate to support anyone who needs help applying for the grants. The RAP will be open from Monday 11 November to Friday 15 November, from 9am to 6pm, at 329 Blende Street, Broken Hill.

Community members can visit the RAP to access mental health services, community not-for-profits, and government representatives including staff from Service NSW and the Red Cross.

In addition, RA staff will visit Menindee on Thursday 14 November from 10am to 3pm at the Menindee Civic Hall.

Staff at the Broken Hill Service NSW Centre have also been boosted to meet increased demand since the Far West Power Outage grants went live, with $200 available to eligible adults and $400 to affected small-medium business owners.

To apply for the $200 Individual Power Outage Support Grant, go to the Service NSW app or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/support-for-far-west-residents

To apply for the $400 Small-Medium Business grants, go to the Service NSW Business Bureau app or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/support-for-far-west-business

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“We want to make sure support reaches across the Far West and the Mobile Service Centre will go to areas where it is needed to make sure the community is supported.”

“The teams at Service NSW will travel far and wide to ensure people impacted by the power outage can get financial support they need.”

“Everyone in the state should be able to access all Service NSW offers, which is why the Mobile Service Centres are so important in reaching everyone who needs help.”

“For people who can’t get to us, we’re going to them. This principle is about making sure everyone is included and has access to our support.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“I’d like to thank the teams at Service NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority for assisting the communities of the Far West.”

“We want to make sure this support reaches as many people as possible, and I commend the agencies on finding ways to do that – whether that’s through engagement at the Recovery Assistance Point, local radio and social media, or the Mobile Service Centre.”

“Sometimes these smaller communities feel like they are forgotten. It’s great to see that the outreach services will be available to them.”

Managing Director of Service NSW Greg Wells said:

“We are getting more help on the ground and in our Mobile Service Centres to make sure those who can’t access the grant payments through the Service NSW apps don’t miss out.”

“The people of Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs have faced disruption in recent weeks, so Service NSW and the Reconstruction Authority are working hard to reach out to them.”

The Hon Michael Knight AO has been appointed to the office of the Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Tribunal for a term of three years.

Commencing on 13 November 2024, Mr Knight will hold office as the Tribunal responsible for determining the remuneration for Judicial Office Holders, Court and Related Office Holders, Public Office Holders and Public Service Senior Executives.

Mr Knight has advised on several private sector boards and Government bodies, including as President of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Chair of Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Chair of Sydney Gas Limited.

His work spans a range of areas including infrastructure, tourism, major events, health, transport, energy and police.

Mr Knight also served in the NSW Parliament from 1981 until 2001 and served as the Minister for Roads, Minister for Public Works and Services, and Minister for the Olympics.

Her Excellency the Governor approved the appointment of Mr Knight in line with the Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Act 1975. The term of the previous office holder, The Hon Greg Pearce, expired on 3 November 2024.

Mr Knight succeeds Mr Greg Pearce a Minister in the former Government. We thank him for his service.

The NSW Government will operate new permanent sand bypass equipment at the Swansea channel to keep the waterway safe and navigable.

This follows an announcement from the Commonwealth Government that they will provide a $10 million grant to the Lake Macquarie City Council to fund the construction of new dredging infrastructure, including a dredge, permanent pipes and sand transfer infrastructure, that will be put in place over the next two years.

Once the dredge and sand bypass infrastructure are built, the NSW Government has committed an additional $6 million to allow NSW Maritime to operate and maintain the equipment, moving sand from the waterway to nourish nearby beaches. 

It follows a successful two-stage dredging process funded by the NSW Government that returned vessel access to Lake Macquarie, supporting the recreational boating community and serving as a gateway to the region’s famous lakes, rivers and beaches.

During the first stage of dredging, 16,690 cubic metres of sand were removed from three areas to create a 30-metre-wide channel, extending from the Dog Leg southeast of Elizabeth Island, up to the Drop Over northwest of the Swan Bay Entrance.

The second and final stage of the operation successfully removed an additional 13,000 cubic metres of sediment from key points.

This initiative is in addition to the Government’s new Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme (BIDS), which will include funding for a statewide program of proactive dredging in priority locations. 

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: 

“This investment will improve navigation safety for all users of Swansea Channel. A reliable access route is crucial for local businesses and tourists, so we can ensure Lake Macquarie remains a premier destination for water-based activities.

“This dredging initiative is being designed with careful consideration of the surrounding natural ecosystems, ensuring that we protect the beauty of Australia’s largest saltwater lake for generations to come.”

Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said:

“We promised to fix the Swansea Channel and ensure it remains safe and navigable and that’s exactly what we’re doing. 

“This will provide certainty to local and visiting boaties and allow them to visit one of the state’s most beautiful waterways year-round. 

“Lake Macquarie is one of New South Wales’ top tourist destinations. By improving access to our wonderful waterways, we’re making sure that locals and visitors can fully enjoy the first class recreational opportunities our region has to offer.”

The NSW Government’s 2024-2025 Return to Work Pathways Program is now open for organisations to fund tailored projects aimed at supporting women experiencing barriers to employment to become job-ready.

Between $100,000 to $250,000 per organisation, up to a total of $2 million in funding, will be available to support the needs of diverse women in NSW who experience lower workforce participation rates.

Organisations working with the following eight priority groups are eligible to apply for funding:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
• women with disability
• carers
• older women (over 55 years)
• young women (17-24 years)
• women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• women living in regional, rural, and remote areas (particularly Far West NSW and North West NSW)
• women living in Western Sydney (see the eligibility criteria for the list of Local Government Areas).

Priorities under the NSW Women’s Strategy are to boost women’s economic opportunity, health and wellbeing and participation and empowerment.

Since its launch in 2023, the Return to Work Pathways Program has funded 22 successful projects and supported more than 1,000 women with their employment goals.

Tailored return-to-work projects are being delivered, addressing the barriers that prevent women re-entering the workforce and providing wraparound supports, including training, mentoring and pathways to employment.

Success stories from the previous funding round include Beacon Laundry’s Women@Work in the NSW Northern Rivers region. Beacon has created 50 jobs for local women experiencing complex barriers to employment. Participants have access to mentoring, on-the-job training, tailored wraparound supports, and pathways to mainstream employment. Women@Work aims to ensure employees are retained at Beacon or are job-ready so they can transition to mainstream employment.

Expressions of Interest for the Return to Work Pathways Program open today Monday 11 November 2024 and close on Friday 6 December 2024.

For more information on the grant program, eligibility information and details on how to apply, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2024-25-return-to-work-pathways-program.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Encouraging and supporting women to enter or re-enter the workforce is essential to building their confidence and wellbeing, as well as boosting the economy and benefitting families across NSW.

“Projects funded under the Return to Work Pathways program help women overcome barriers and provide them with the opportunity to secure sustainable employment that they might have otherwise missed out on.

“I encourage all eligible organisations with ideas for projects aimed at supporting pathways to employment and advancing economic participation for women in NSW to apply for a grant.”

People and Pathways at Beacon Laundry General Manager Morag Roseby said:

“This funding has allowed us to do more than provide jobs—we’re able to create a community where each woman can feel supported to address their barriers and work toward their goals.

“For many, this is the first step toward securing stable housing, achieving financial independence, and building a future they can feel excited about. Through providing a safe, welcoming space to gain confidence, learn new skills, and move forward on their own terms, we’re seeing first-hand how this support is transforming lives.

“Take Terri, who at 55 years, has just secured her very first job. Terri’s disability and previous struggles with substance addiction presented barriers for past employers, forcing her into long-term unemployment. Today, Terri is thriving. She was one of our first team members to be offered a permanent part-time contract, giving her a sense of independence and financial security that before Beacon, was out of reach.”

The community, Aboriginal Elders, health care professionals and families who have used the Malabar Midwifery Group Practice are celebrating 18 years of the service providing culturally respectful pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care to Aboriginal families.

Affectionately known as ‘Malabar Midwives’, the service has supported the births of over 1,500 babies since it was established in 2006.

The service provides pregnancy, birth and postnatal care to Aboriginal women, and women with an Aboriginal partner, who choose to give birth at the Royal Hospital for Women.

Malabar Midwives has a unique way of working that promotes flexible and culturally respectful midwifery care, and is available to Aboriginal women and families from anywhere in NSW who seek out the service.

The midwives work alongside an Aboriginal Health Education Officer in a continuity of midwifery model of care, which supports women getting to know the midwives during their pregnancy journey.

Four midwives work on a rotating 24-hour roster so women have a known midwife to provide care around the clock. Two midwives in the team are proud Aboriginal women.

Local community members, Elders, health care professionals and families who have used the Malabar Midwifery Group Practice will be attending celebrations to mark this milestone at the La Perouse Medical Centre at 11:00am on Wednesday, 6 November 2024.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“The Royal Hospital for Women’s Malabar Midwifery Group Practice is an exceptional model of care that other services seeking to establish pregnancy, birthing and postnatal care for Aboriginal women and families can learn from.

“The service is an outstanding example of the success that can be achieved when health professionals work collaboratively with communities to find the best solutions for their health care needs.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris:

“Malabar Midwives is an example of how working alongside community can help close the gap to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“This successful model of maternal and infant health care for Aboriginal families sets the standard for Aboriginal midwifery initiatives.”

Member for Maroubra, Michael Daley:

“Women from all over NSW travel to Sydney to attend Malabar Midwives, which is a testament to the solid reputation the team has developed across Aboriginal communities.

“I congratulate the Malabar Midwives team on their great success over many years and look forward to them continuing their outstanding service for many years to come.”

Aboriginal Health Worker, Malabar Midwifery Group Practice, Trudy Allende:

“We know the women and families in this community and are able to support their voice within the health system. It’s an incredibly dedicated team and it’s a tribute to the service to have been around for 18 years.

“I believe that the team at Malabar Midwives gives our local Aboriginal community the service and care it deserves to support best outcomes for mothers and babies.”

Motorists using Summerland Way will have a safer drive after the completion of two projects between Casino and Woodenbong, funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The first project at Stoney Gulley, 9km south of Kyogle, has taken just over three months for workers from Transport for NSW to complete.

The team excavated unsuitable material and placed rock backfill to repair the slope above a 100m section of road, to stabilise the cuttings and provide a low-maintenance solution.

The Burnetts Slip project, 52km north along Summerland Way at Dairy Flat, started in May and required similar repairs along a 126m section of road.

Over the past three months the project team has excavated and installed rock backfill, while also carrying out extensive drainage repairs.

Work was carried out under single lane, alternating traffic flow arrangements which have now been removed.

Transport for NSW thanks the community and all road users for their patience while this essential flood recovery work was completed.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“Summerland Way is an important route for the Northern Rivers, connecting communities from Kyogle to Casino.

“We’re helping build the road back as efficiently as possible, and to a more resilient standard.

“Work is now complete which is excellent news for everyone traveling in the region.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“Summerland Way is an important secondary transport route that links a number of major towns on the Northern Rivers.

“This disaster recovery effort will take pressure off the major highways and is the transport lifeline for commuters and primary producers.

“This work will make a big difference to daily lives of people on the Northern Rivers.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

“Repairing the Summerland Way is great news for the 700 vehicles who use this route every day, of which about 20 per cent are heavy vehicles.

“This is an important route for locals, visitors and freight operators connecting southern Queensland with northern NSW and I’m sure all who travel along this section of road will be happy to see it’s back in business.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“The Summerland Way, an alternate route to the Pacific Highway, is a key rural road for daily commuters, freight carriers and tourists, and these two projects will help make driving conditions safer for all.

“I congratulate Transport for NSW work gangs on making such great strides to stabilise flood-damaged slopes above both sections of road, reopening the Summerland Way to traffic in both directions.

“I have a long history with the Summerland Way, securing $50 million from then NSW Minister for Transport Carl Scully to do a substantial upgrade.”