Month: November 2024

The winner is Sydney! Our marathon is the next ‘World Major’

Sydney is taking its place among the iconic marathon cities of the world, becoming just the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major alongside New York, London, Tokyo, Boston, Chicago and Berlin.

With the support of the NSW Government over a three-year candidacy and review period, the Sydney Marathon now joins the elite club of Abbott World Marathon Majors after international organisers announced their decision at the New York Marathon overnight.

Sydney’s new status is expected to drive a wave of international and interstate runners, along with familes, friends and event support crew to visit NSW.

The Sydney Marathon will become an instant bucket list event for thousands of runners across the globe who have already achieved the “six star medal” for completing all six major marathons – and thousands more who have been aiming for the same goal but will now want to add Sydney to their to-do list.

Major status positions Sydney as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific and brings global spotlight, with other marathons being watched by an average global broadcast audience of 20 million viewers.

Currently, all six Abbott World Marathon Majors are oversubscribed. For example, more than 840,000 people have applied to run in the London Marathon next year, with only about 55,000 places on offer.

Destination NSW estimates an extra $73 million in visitor expenditure will be added to the NSW economy over the next three years as a result of Sydney Marathon’s elevation. Over a decade, an extra $300 million will be added to the economy, with many visitors to Sydney taking the opportunity to visit regional NSW while in Australia.

The elevation of the Sydney Marathon to major status has been made possible through a funding and strategic partnership with the NSW Government through Destination NSW. Government support was a requirement of the Abbott World Marathon Majors criteria and involves cross agency collaboration with Transport for NSW, Destination NSW, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance.

The TCS Sydney Marathon cleared its final hurdle in September after three years of being judged against the assessment criteria of Abbott World Marathon Majors.

There were 25,000 registered runners for the marathon that winds its way through the harbour city and finishes at the Sydney Opera House.

Participation in the Sydney Marathon has increased by 400% since 2022, from 5,000 entries to 25,000 in 2024. It is expected that 33,300 will greet the starter’s gun in August 2025, rising to 37,800 in 2027.

Ongoing support for the Sydney Marathon is part of the broader Minns Government plan to grow the NSW Visitor Economy to $91 billion in expenditure by 2035.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:

“We’re thrilled Australia’s only global city, Sydney is now a member of the world majors club, following the great marathon cities of Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin, Tokyo and London.

“Achieving major marathon status is a huge honour and we are proud to be a funding and strategic partner of the Sydney Marathon.

“These runners, their supporters and fans who come to watch will bring a huge boost to the local economy.

“We have ambitious plans to boost the number of visitors in NSW and this event is another feather in our cap.

“NSW is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists across the globe and we look forward to welcoming them next year, providing a multi million dollar boost to the economy and an unforgettable experience for the runners on one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“They are the bucket list events that runners from across the world want to tick off. Now Sydney Marathon joins them at the starting line.

“Sydneysiders get behind a sporting event like no other city and we know more and more people will embrace the marathon whether that is aspiring to complete it or getting out to support those who do.

“Sydney Marathon 2025 will draw more visitors, but the NSW Government is just as excited by the economic boost this will provide over the long run as the status of the event grows.

“I congratulate Sydney Marathon organisers and those who worked on its candidacy, backed by Destination NSW. This is a remarkable achievement.”

Wayne Larden, race director of the TCS Sydney Marathon said:

“Becoming the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major is just incredible for the event, as well as for Sydney and NSW.

“This amazing milestone is going to have a profound impact on running in Australia, inspiring the community to become a marathoner and do something special for themselves, their families and friends. Community health will benefit alongside a huge increase in fundraising.

“We are so excited to deliver the 2025 event as the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major and join the greatest marathon series and events on the planet!”

“We could not have achieved such incredible growth in competitors and uplift in delivery to make it into the World Majors if it wasn’t for the support of the NSW Government through Destination NSW, and our partners TCS and ASICS. Our Pont3 team are first rate and have put in so much work to make this happen.

Albanese Labor Government to cut a further 20 per cent off all student loan debts

The Albanese Labor Government will cut a further 20 per cent off all student loan debts, wiping around $16 billion in student debt for around three million Australians.

By 1 June next year, the Government will cut 20 per cent off all student loans to reduce the debt burden for Australians with a student loan. 

This will cut around $16 billion in debt, including all HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other income-contingent student support loan accounts that exist on 1 June next year.

For someone with the average HELP debt of $27,600 they will see around $5,520 wiped from their outstanding HELP loans next year.

Range of outstanding HELP debtNumber of Australians with a HELP debtRange in debt reduction
$0-$10,000791,000$0-$2,000
$10,000-$20,000585,000$2,000-$4,000
$20,000-$30,000501,000$4,000-$6,000
$30,000-$40,000380,000$6,000-$8,000
$40,000-$50,000250,000$8,000-$10,000
$50,000-$60,000147,500$10,000-$12,000
$60,000+276,000$12,000+

This will provide significant relief to Australian students and workers with a student loan debt and builds on our reforms to fix the indexation formula, which is cutting around $3 billion in student debt.

This means, all up, the Albanese Labor Government will cut close to $20 billion in student loan debt for more than three million Australians.

This builds on the Government’s announcement that from 1 July next year it will reduce the amount Australians with a student debt have to repay per year and raise the threshold when people need to start repaying.

Together these reforms also build on the Government’s substantial tertiary education reforms, including:

  • Delivering 500,000 Fee-Free TAFE places
  • Doubling the number of University Study Hubs
  • Introducing legislation to establish the Commonwealth Prac Payment and expand Fee-Free Uni Ready Courses; and
  • A commitment to introduce a new managed growth and needs-based funding model for universities, and establish an Australian Tertiary Education Commission.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I will always fight for every young Australian to have access to a good education. My Government will make sure our education system is fairer and affordable for every Australian and we won’t delay unwinding the damage caused by the former Coalition Government.

“We’re already fixing indexation and today, we are going further by taking 20 per cent off student debt – for everyone with a student debt.

“This will help everyone with a student debt right now, whilst we work hard to deliver a better deal for every student in the years ahead.

“No matter where you live or how much your parents earn, my Government will work to ensure the doors of opportunity are open for you.”

Minister for Education Jason Clare: 

“This is a game-changer for the more than three million Australians with a student loan.

“By 1 June next year, we will wipe around a further $16 billion from all Australians with a student dent, including Australians who went to uni and vocational education.

“This builds on our changes to make indexation fairer and all up this means we are wiping close to $20 billion in student debt.

“This is another significant reform that will help us build a better and fairer education system.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:

“This is great news for Australians with student debt – whether from studying at university or vocational education – the Albanese Government will reduce their debt alongside our changes to make indexation fairer.

“We want all Australians to have the opportunity for higher education, and our changes are making the system fairer and more affordable.”

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles: 

“This will deliver very welcome cost-of-living relief to the more than three million Australians who have student loans and is an example of the great Labor tradition of making education more accessible. 

“This support applies to all government student loans including vocational training, so whether you’re an apprentice or a tradie, a carer or a nurse, if you’re paying off a student loan you’ll receive this cost of living relief.”

Fee-Free Tafe is here to stay with Labor

The Albanese Labor Government will introduce legislation to establish Fee-Free TAFE as an enduring feature of the national vocational education and training system, funding 100,000 Fee-Free TAFE places a year from 2027.

This builds on the Albanese Government partnership with states and territories to deliver 180,000 Fee-Free TAFE places in 2023; 300,000 places over three years from 2024; and agreements being finalised for a further 20,000 construction and housing Fee-Free places.

Fee-Free TAFE started in January 2023 to 30 June 2024 and has exceeded all expectations – with more than 508,000 enrolments in courses in priority areas, including:

  • 131,000 in care – including disability and aged care
  • 48,900 in digital and tech
  • 35,000 in construction
  • 35,500 in early childhood education and care

Fee-Free TAFE is particularly benefitting Australians from priority cohorts, with 170,000 young Australians, 124,000 job seekers and 30,000 First Nations Australians enrolling in the program.

Of all places, six in 10 have been taken up by women, and one in three in regional and remote Australia.

Legislating enduring funding for Fee-Free TAFE builds on the Government’s strong record on skills and training, including:

  • A landmark $30 billion five-year National Skills Agreement with all states and territories.
  • Putting TAFE at the heart of the Vocational Education and Training sector with states and territories, growing our investment in Fee-Free TAFE and continuing to build a national network of TAFE Centres of Excellence.
  • Investing an additional $870 million per financial year between 2022-23 and 2025-26, compared to expenditure committed to by the previous Government in the March 2022-23 Budget.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We promised Fee-Free TAFE for Australians – and now it is here to stay.

“My Government is putting TAFE back at the centre of vocational education and training, with our investment in Fee-Free TAFE having already seen over 500,000 Australians participating in priority areas to help fix skills shortages.

“We want to make sure Australians can go on to have well-paid, secure jobs – and Fee-Free TAFE creates those opportunities for individuals as well as investing in the future of our country.

“This is what drives and defines my Government – helping Australians now, whilst also building for the future.”

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:

“As I travel around the country, at every TAFE I visit, I meet students that tell me what a life changer Fee-Free TAFE has been for them. After a decade of neglect under the Liberals the Albanese Government is committed to rebuilding the vocational education and training sector.

“Fee Free TAFE continues to be an enormous success helping Australians to get ahead while easing cost of living pressures. More than half a million Australians are gaining skills and the opportunity to work in meaningful jobs that give back to their community.

“We want all Australians to have access to our world-class tertiary education sectors.”

Additional background information:

From 1 January 2023 to 30 June this year, there were over:

  • 317,404 enrolments by women
  • 170,470 by people aged 24 and under
  • 124,312 by job seekers
  • 110,969 by people who speak a language other than English at home
  • 30,041 by First Nations people.

Students from regional and remote areas comprise almost 35 per cent of total enrolments.

Fee-Free TAFE means a South Australian undertaking a Certificate IV in Information Technology saves $4,704 in course fees while a Queenslander training to be a nurse saves up to $15,900 in course fees, while.

Someone in Northern Territory doing a Certificate IV in School Based Education Support saves up to $6,950.

Greens welcome plans for student debt relief, urge the government to go further and faster

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education, has responded to Labor’s latest student debt measure and calls on the Government to go further and act faster.

Senator Faruqi:

“The Greens welcome the Government’s decision to raise the repayment threshold, but it’s still nowhere near enough relief in a cost-of-living crisis.

“The Greens have had legislation sitting in Parliament for two years to scrap indexation and raise the repayment threshold, but Labor has been blocking it.  

“If Labor had backed our bill, reforms like this could already be in law. People would have smaller student debts, and would be keeping more of their paychecks.

“But instead, Labor wants people to wait till July next year when people need help now. We’re calling on the Prime Minister to bring this legislation to Parliament next week so we can pass it this year.

 “After years of blocking us, Labor is finally starting to listen to the Greens about the need to address soaring student debt, but it’s a small step well below what is needed.

“This proposal won’t shave a cent off your student debt or make university more affordable.

“Under Labor, student debts have risen by 16% and arts degrees now cost more than $50,000.

“Student debt can’t be fixed because student debt shouldn’t exist. Labor should wipe all student debt. If Anthony Albanese can go to uni for free, so should everyone else.”

Board appointments to foundations for relations with China and Japan

I am pleased to announce appointments to the boards of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and the Australia-Japan Foundation board.

The Honourable Mark McGowan AC has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

Mr McGowan brings a wealth of relevant experience having served as Premier of Western Australia. Prior to his election to the Parliament of Western Australia, Mr McGowan served as a legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy.

The Advisory Board guides the Foundation in its efforts to promote and coordinate enhanced cooperation between Australia and China, in support of Australia’s national interests.

The Foundation is focused on strengthening risk-informed engagement with China and reinforcing social cohesion by partnering with Chinese-Australian communities and showcasing their contributions.

I am also pleased to announce a new appointment and two reappointments to the Australian-Japan Foundation board.

Professor Shiro Armstrong, Director of the Australia-Japan Research Centre and Professor of the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, will join the Australia-Japan Foundation Board in February 2025.

Professor Caroline McMillen AO FAHMS and Ms Yuki Nakamura have been reappointed for a second three-year term from October 2024. Professor McMillen is the former Chief Scientist for South Australia and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, with an extensive academic and scientific background. Ms Nakamura is the Executive Director of Nakamura Chocolates. She focuses on business in Japan and female entrepreneurship.

I would like to thank Mr Adam Liaw, for his exceptional contribution to the Australia-Japan Foundation over the past six years, including as acting Chair in 2024. Mr Liaw will finish his second term on 1 February 2025.

The Australian-Japan Foundation is Australia’s oldest cultural council and underpins our Special Strategic Partnership with Japan. It advances Australia’s foreign and trade policy interests with Japan by supporting partnerships in economic security, the arts, education, science, technology and sport.

To find out more, see Australia-Japan Foundation and National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

Greens welcome plans for student debt relief, urge the government to go further and faster

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education, has responded to Labor’s latest student debt measure and calls on the Government to go further and act faster.

Senator Faruqi:

“The Greens welcome the Government’s decision to raise the repayment threshold, but it’s still nowhere near enough relief in a cost-of-living crisis.

“The Greens have had legislation sitting in Parliament for two years to scrap indexation and raise the repayment threshold, but Labor has been blocking it.  

“If Labor had backed our bill, reforms like this could already be in law. People would have smaller student debts, and would be keeping more of their paychecks.

“But instead, Labor wants people to wait till July next year when people need help now. We’re calling on the Prime Minister to bring this legislation to Parliament next week so we can pass it this year.

 “After years of blocking us, Labor is finally starting to listen to the Greens about the need to address soaring student debt, but it’s a small step well below what is needed.

“This proposal won’t shave a cent off your student debt or make university more affordable.

“Under Labor, student debts have risen by 16% and arts degrees now cost more than $50,000.

“Student debt can’t be fixed because student debt shouldn’t exist. Labor should wipe all student debt. If Anthony Albanese can go to uni for free, so should everyone else.”

Program to increase access to renewable energy in Newcastle

City of Newcastle wants to make it easier for Novocastrians to save on energy costs while also helping reduce the ongoing impacts of climate change.

Expressions of interest are being sought from service providers to deliver a ‘bulk buy’ community renewables program for homeowners, landlords and small businesses, through the supply and installation of solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers.

Executive Director Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said the bulk buy scheme is the next initiative in City of Newcastle’s Empowering Newcastle program.

“We’re working with residents, businesses, schools, and community groups to switch to renewable energy, electrify, and create a net zero future,” Ms Bisson said.

“Almost half of Newcastle’s community emissions are from non-renewable electricity so increasing renewable energy uptake in households and businesses will lead to a significant reduction in emissions, while providing economic and social benefits.

“Just under 30 per cent of residential buildings in Newcastle have solar, which is the lowest uptake of all councils in the Hunter and below the state average of 35 percent.

“Studies have shown there are several barriers to switching to renewables, including people finding it too expensive and too complicated.

“Progressing renewable energy uptake is a key priority in our Community Strategic Plan and a major part of the Newcastle Environment Strategy, which aims to support the transition of the Newcastle local government area to net zero emissions by 2040.

“This bulk buy program will help Novocastrians access products and suppliers that have been carefully vetted, while educating them on the long-term financial benefits of solar, batteries and virtual power plants, which allows participants to earn money by exporting their excess energy to the grid during peak demand periods.”

Expressions of Interest for service providers interested in participating in the Newcastle Community Renewable Energy Bulk Buy Program are now open until 2pm Tuesday 19 November 2024.

City of Newcastle is hoping to launch the program in the first half of 2025 after the selection of suitable service providers to participate in the program.

Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) program expanded in NSW to strengthen community safety

The Minns Labor Government is investing in support for Aboriginal young people and community safety with an expansion of the successful Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) Program to additional locations across the state.

Youth Justice NSW’s SAY Program will provide services for Aboriginal youth in Moree, Orange, Coffs Harbour, Tamworth and expanded services in Dubbo. This builds on the positive impact the program is already making in Kempsey, Taree, Newcastle, Dubbo, Bourke and Wilcannia.

The program provides a safe transport and outreach service to help keep Aboriginal young people off the streets late at night.

The SAY program is designed to help divert young people from harmful activities and reducing the likelihood of criminal involvement, while also reducing the risk of them becoming victims of crime.

The expansion of the program is part of the Minns Labor Government’s $26.2 million package of reforms and initiatives to support community safety and wellbeing, particularly in regional NSW, with a focus on strengthening early intervention and prevention programs for young people.

By providing more after-hours support, the Government is helping to prevent crime and helping more young people stay on the right track.

The new locations for the program were identified following extensive consultation with local communities and analysis of crime data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

The expansion comes as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap, which in the Youth Justice space focuses on early intervention services to help prevent young people from becoming involved in the justice system.

A tender process will begin in November and will prioritise Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to manage the services in these new areas. The tender process is expected to be finalised by April 2025.

Youth Justice NSW is committed to ensuring the SAY Program is community-driven, with services tailored to each area.

Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said:

“The expansion of the Safe Aboriginal Youth Program delivers on our commitment to strengthen intervention programs and is a step forward for Aboriginal young people in these communities, building on a tried and tested model that has helped other towns across NSW.”

“The journey for every young person across NSW is different and we want to make sure as many young people as possible have opportunities to find a positive path in life. Our priority is to keep young people safe, supported and away from possible involvement with the justice system.”

“It’s important that these programs are led by the community and that’s why we are prioritising Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. The support provided by SAY and other programs plays an important role in reaching the state’s Closing the Gap objectives and improving outcomes for Aboriginal youth in NSW.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“I am proud the Minns Labor Government is expanding its support for a program that has already proven a success in helping keep at-risk Aboriginal young people safer and away from criminal involvement.”

“Early intervention is critical to giving at-risk youth the best chance of staying away from harmful activities and getting their lives on a positive pathway.”

“We know the best way to close the gap is by Aboriginal people shaping and driving outcomes for Aboriginal people, in partnership with the NSW Government, and the Safe Aboriginal Youth Program is a great example of that.”

Registrations open for annual public land hunting ballot

Licensed recreational hunters will once again get the opportunity to hunt some of the most popular hunting forests in NSW during March and April 2025, with registrations for the annual public land hunting ballot opening this Friday.

To ensure the safety of all forest users, the number of licensed hunters allowed to hunt in State forests that are declared and open to hunting on any day is restricted based on the available hunting area.

The booking system normally operates on a first-in-first served basis, which means popular forests often book out quickly during peak hunting periods.

The public land hunting ballot ensures hunters holding a current Restricted Game Hunting Licence (R-Licence) have a fair and equitable opportunity to hunt Maragle South State Forest and Mannus State Forest during the peak period.

Only Australian residents who hold a current NSW R-Licence (including minor R-Licence holders) are eligible to register for balloted hunts.

The ballot period in 2025 will run from 1 March to 3 May, with normal online bookings for Maragle South State Forest and Mannus State Forest unavailable during this time. Only ballot winners will be issued written permission to hunt during this period.

All hunters must comply with a range of conditions when hunting on declared public land, including licence conditions, general permission and forest specific conditions, and the NSW Game Hunting Licence Code of Practice. Only game and feral animals listed on their written permission may be targeted, including deer, feral pigs, goats, foxes, hares, rabbits, feral cats and wild dogs.

R-Licensed hunters interested in hunting these popular forests during March and April next year, have until 11.59pm on Sunday 17 November to register for the ballots. There is no fee for entering the ballot.

To check your eligibility and register for the public land hunting ballot visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting/where-can-i-hunt/balloted-hunting-nsw

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“The annual public land hunting ballot ensures that hunter access and participation is managed sustainably in some of the most popular forests for hunting.

“Bookings to hunt in these popular forests during peak hunting season are often hard to secure, so the ballot is a great way to ensure that all licensed hunters have a fair chance.

“There is over 2-million hectares of declared hunting State forest in NSW, of which 1.2 million hectares is currently open and available to licensed hunting.

“Hunting takes place in State forests alongside multiple uses including renewable timber production, environmental protection and tourism.

“Hunting on public land hunting is strictly regulated in NSW and underpinned by a risk assessment ensuring that it is undertaken safely.”

$9.8 million for treatment services in Murrumbidgee as Drug Summit begins in Griffith

The NSW Government has pledged $9.84 million for alcohol and other drug treatment services in the Murrumbidgee region as the Drug Summit begins in Griffith, including:

  • $3.6 million for new post-custodial support programs to be provided by Directions Health and RivMed (Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation);
  • $2 million to deliver a community-based withdrawal management, case management and counselling service for vulnerable populations through Directions Health; and
  • $4.24 million to rollout a new youth day program and counselling service through Karralika.

Post-custodial support

Post-custodial support is designed to help promote reintegration into the community and reduce the risk of drug dependency and reincarceration for vulnerable community members.

Support starts before they leave custody and continuing for 12 months, providing improved long-term health and social outcomes.

Withdrawal & case management, counselling

Community-based withdrawal management, case management and counselling for priority groups will be provided through Directions Health.

Directions Health provides a range of free, integrated services and programs for individuals, family members and friends, impacted by alcohol and other drugs.

Services will be offered in person, and through virtual care.

Counselling for young people

This will be used to roll out a new youth day program and counselling service that includes group and individual support, and in-person and virtual care.

Young people aged 12-17 years and young adults aged 18-24 years will be eligible.

It is expected the program will support up to 100 young people each year.

Drug Summit begins in Griffith

The 2024 Drug Summit is officially underway in NSW, with the first regional forum taking place in Griffith today.

Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park is attending the forum in Griffith, which will build on the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the prevention, minimisation and treatment of alcohol and drug related harm.

The Drug Summit will include two more forums, which will be held in Lismore on 4 November and in Sydney on 4 and 5 December, bringing together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Drug Summit will reflect the experiences and expertise from a diverse range of perspectives – we will all contribute, we will all listen and then we will all act.

“I am so pleased to be able to announce this important investment into these life changing services which will mean so much to so many people in this region.

“Substance use can be a confronting and challenging issue, which is why it’s so important we continue to support community organisations such as Karralika and Directions Health in the essential work they do.

“These organisations work hand-in-hand with Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s drug and alcohol services, to provide non-judgemental support, advice and treatment options for all members of our community.

“The summit will cover a range of matters from prevention, to harm minimisation, but treatment is equally as important, and I’m so glad that we’re able to expand access to it in this part of the world.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“I’m so pleased residents in the Murrumbidgee region are set to benefit from this major funding boost, which will provide more specialist, personalised and holistic care to individuals and families impacted by alcohol and other drug use.

“I look forward to today’s forum in Griffith which will help us better understand how drug use impacts our communities and provide insight into how we can improve drug related health and community outcomes.”