Early childhood workers given $12 million boost to strengthen sector into the future

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning

MEDIA RELEASE | 9 October 2023

NSW’s early childhood sector workforce has been given a welcome boost of more than $12 million as the Minns Labor Government delivers its election commitment to provide scholarships to the educators of the state’s littlest learners. Funding of $12.2 million to provide scholarships to the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce was secured in the NSW Budget, beginning the practical work to create a pipeline of educators for this vital sector.

A target of 1700 scholarships will be made available from today, to those already working in the sector wanting to upskill, those wanting to become early childhood educators, and those wanting to gain Outside School Hours Care (OSCH) skills, growing the workforce.

These incentives will expand the ECEC workforce and help retain those already working as early childhood educators.

Applications for scholarships for early childhood educators and those interested in joining the sector are open now.

Funding includes:

• scholarships of up to $25,000 for ECEC teachers studying a Bachelor or Master degree in teaching with an early childhood education specification

• scholarships of up to $15,000 for relevant Graduate Certificates or Graduate Diplomas

• scholarships of up to $5000 for ECEC educators studying a relevant Diploma in ECEC or School Age Education and Care

• scholarships of up to $3000 for students earning a Certificate III in ECEC, OSHC.

The process of applying for scholarships has also become easier as the Minns Labor Government scraps application rounds, allowing current and prospective students to apply freely throughout the year.

A targeted stream has also been created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wanting to apply.

This funding is just part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to boost the Early Childhood and Care workforce, and comes in addition to our maintenance of the $5 billion Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund and $5.7 billion to work towards universal preschool.

More information about available scholarships can be found on the NSW Department of Education websitelaunch.

A new home for Pro Patria Centre - Wagga Wagga

Image sourced from: Pro Patria Centre

Wagga Wagga and the wider Riverina region is home to a significant number of current and former Australian Defence Force personnel, many of whom have returned from active service. It is also a region with a significant number of current and former Police, Paramedics and other emergency services members.

Pro Patria Centre is an innovative multidisciplinary facility focused on developing self-agency in veterans, first responders, and their families to manage their own well-being and health.

In late August 2023, the Pro Patria Centre secured the use of a former monastery in Wagga Wagga. The property is a unique, peaceful, family-friendly location and the newly elected Board of Directors and committee are aiming to develop it into a hub for serving and ex-serving and their families.

Have Your Say | NSW Vocational Education and Training Sector

NSW Education are reviewing the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and are seeking your feedback as part of the review. They are looking, in particular, at the current landscape of VET in NSW, including TAFE and other VET providers.

The review will identify the strengths, gaps and opportunities for improvement in skills development and training to support our students and workforce.

Submissions close 24 November 2023

$10 million for Aboriginal organisations to Close the Gap

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty

MEDIA RELEASE | 29 September 2023

Expressions of interest are now open for Aboriginal organisations to apply for the next round of Community and Place Grants.

$10 million funding for the grants, to deliver immediate and tangible on-ground activities to support Closing the Gap, were confirmed in the first Minns Labor budget handed down on Tuesday 19 September.

In launching the grant round, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris said Aboriginal controlled organisations could apply for up to $250,000 in funding for new programs, infrastructure, equipment and vehicles.

“Aboriginal organisations know what their communities need to thrive and that is why this grants program is so important,” Mr Harris said.

“It gives Aboriginal communities a direct say and direct access to funding to make tangible differences on the ground.

“We know that to close the gap, Aboriginal people must determine, drive and own the desired outcomes in partnership with government and that is exactly what this program is all about.

The Closing the Gap NSW Implementation Plan 2022– 2024launch commits to drive tangible change against all 5 Priority Reform areas and 17 Socio Economic Outcome targets agreed in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Community and Place grants support communities to deliver locally led solutions. $10 million in funding is available in this round.

Applications will be assessed via a 2-step process:

• Stage 1: EOI from Monday 2 October to 30 October 2023. EOI applications will be assessed for eligibility and program alignment, with applications being approved to provide a full application by AANSW Deputy Secretary.

• Stage 2: Full applications from 4 December 2023 to 29 January 2024.

• Projects must be delivered between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. 

Closing the Gap is a top priority for the Minns Labor government. The first Minns Labor government budget delivers $1.5 billion in targeted programs across the whole of government to Close the Gap and empower Aboriginal communities across NSW.

“We know that when Aboriginal people have a direct say on issues that affect them, we get better outcomes, and that is what we intend to do in government,” Mr Harris said.

Details of the grant program can be found at Aboriginal Affairs NSW: Grantslaunch.

Fire season officially commences as weather heats up

Media Release from NSW Minister for Emergency Service

MEDIA RELEASE | 1 October 2023

With hot weather predicted across NSW for the week ahead, fire agencies have signalled the start of the fire danger period across most of the state with a call to households to prepare.

Today marks the official start of the 2023-24 bushfire season in areas including Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Illawarra and the Central West. This follows weeks of unseasonably warm weather that has kept NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters on high alert.

The RFS has responded to more than 2,000 bush and grass fires across NSW in September alone, as firefighters prepare for what is predicted to be a warm and windy summer.

Due to the conditions today nine total fire bans are in force across NSW with further bans likely this week.

The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BDFP) begins for most local government areas (LGAs) today. Thirty-eight LGAs have already been in this danger period for at least a month, including 11 that entered it earlier than usual due to warm and dry conditions.

Firefighting personnel and volunteers across the state continue to train for fire and emergency response, but communities are reminded that they have a role to play in bushfire preparedness as well.

Residents are urged to undertake simple measures such as downloading the Hazards Near Me NSW app, checking the RFS websitelaunch, having a plan in place if a fire approaches (even if it is knowing whether to stay or leave early), and carrying out the following around your home:

• Trim overhanging trees and shrubs.

• Mow grass and remove the cuttings. Have a cleared area around your home.

• Remove material that can burn around your home, such as door mats, wood piles and mulch.

• Clear and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home.   

• Prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home.

As a result of the prolonged wet weather across NSW, around 25 per cent of planned hazard reduction work was completed up to July this year. While more work is needed, the RFS and other agencies have made progress in hazard reduction treating more than 40,000 hectares since the beginning of July.

The onset of hot, windy and dry conditions is expected to affect further hazard reduction as the window to undertake burns begins to close.

To assist in preparation the NSW Government has invested $9 million in a Chinook helicopter, the first of its kind to be permanently based in Australia. With the capacity to carry up to 10,000 litres of water or retardant this summer, the Chinook will increase the RFS’s aerial firefighting capabilities and will lessen our reliance on aircraft borrowed from overseas.

The statutory BFDP commences on 1 October 2023 and runs through to 31 March 2024. Nine LGAs will commence BFDP on 1 November and these include Albury, Berrigan, Coolamon, Greater Hume, Junee, Lockhart, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Valleys.

Bush Fire Survival Planslaunch and information on preparing your property and family are available on the RFS websitelaunch.

Trial grants program launched to improve flexibility in early childhood education and care

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning

MEDIA RELEASE | 03 October 2023

The Minns Labor Government has launched a $20 million trial grants program aimed at improving working families’ access to early childhood education and care when and where they need it most.

Offering providers a pool of up to $20 million over two years, the Flexible Initiatives Trial will provide grants to support existing ECEC services to expand and innovate, to better meet the needs of children and families and allow parents to enter the workforce or increase their hours.

New or adapted operating models will include:

• extending hours of care beyond traditional working hours  

• providing flexible pick-up and drop-off times    

• improved access to ad hoc care arrangements outside scheduled hours

• establishing new family day care services in remote areas.

The Flexible Initiatives Trial includes funding to ensure the workforce is supported to deliver flexible models of ECEC. It is one of a suite of ECEC programs to be delivered by the NSW Government in 2023-24, which aim to improve affordability and access.

As part of its recent Budget, the Minns Labor Government affirmed a $5 billion investment in the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund (the Fund) to boost the early childhood workforce and make ECEC affordable and accessible for more families.

The Fund will help deliver on new initiatives that directly support those who need it most –  children, families and the early childhood education workforce.

It will also be used to provide $500 per child of fee relief to 3-year-old children attending eligible preschool programs in long day care centres, effective from early 2024.

Additional programs will be made available over the coming months.

All eligible ECEC service provider types are invited to apply for the Flexible Initiatives Trial, with funding to support family day care services on offer for the first time.

Applications are now open for the first round of the program, and close on 1 December 2023.

Visit the NSW Department of Education website for more information, including the program guidelines, eligibility and upcoming information sessions.

Freight transport driving towards net zero

Media Release from the NSW Premier, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, NSW Minister for Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | 3 October 2023

The NSW Government has today taken an important step towards achieving net zero by 2050, with the release of a new net zero emissions policy for heavy road and rail freight.

The Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy focuses on reducing the carbon footprint created by heavy road vehicles and rail freight. Freight accounts for 25% of total transport greenhouse gases in NSW, and with demand projected to rise by 34% by 2061 the time to act is now.

The new policy will see the NSW Government work together with industry to support the transition to low and zero emission technologies, and to ensure our transport network is ready to adapt as technology and solutions evolve.

The first step will see a 2-year trial to give extra mass zero emission heavy vehicles, which weigh more due to their batteries, access to the state road network. This means the industry can invest in the technology without sacrificing the payloads that underpin the freight business.

An online comparison tool has also been developed to support the transition, providing a free resource for the freight industry to source accurate information on the cost and environmental benefits of low and zero emission vehicles.

The Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy is a significant step towards reducing emissions in the transport sector, with the NSW Government working to remove barriers to accelerate uptake, while balancing the freight sector’s challenging operating environment.

Fire and Rescue NSW works with multicultural communities to deliver key fire safety messages

Media Release from NSW Minister for Emergency Services

MEDIA RELEASE | 07 October 2023

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is continuing to work with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to deliver key home fire safety messages as the weather warms up.

FRNSW attended the Canterbury-Bankstown Safety Expo on October 7th, with firefighters from Arabic, Greek and Vietnamese backgrounds spending time with locals to discuss fire safety in their native language.

More than 27% of NSW residents were born overseas, and 1 in 3 households speaks a language other than English.

Engaging CALD communities through education initiatives is an important way FRNSW is preparing residents for any emergency, helping overcome knowledge and awareness barriers that might put these communities at risk of home fires.

While fires are more likely to occur during winter, the risk remains year-round with working smoke alarms and cooking safety perennial concerns for firefighters. 

As the weather warms up, residents living near bush and grass land are urged to be aware of the fire risk in their area and to heed the advice and warnings of authorities.

Barbecue use is more popular during warmer months, but it carries a heightened risk on hot days and residents are urged to observe limitations on barbecue use during total fire ban days.

Translated fire safety fact sheets and videos are available in several languages on the Fire and Rescue NSW websitelaunch where you can also book in a free home safety visit from your local station.

Turning up the volume - on Live Music Australia funding

The Live Music Australia program aims to bring music to more Australians, supporting organisations and businesses to professionally stage original live music in regional communities.

Round 7 is now open for applications and Australian live music festivals presenting home-grown music can apply for assistance towards a range of activities and equipment such as sound, lighting, staging costs, mosh pits, accessible facilities, marketing and noise attenuation.

• Learn: Live Music Australia 

• Apply: Live Music Australia Round 7 

• Closes: 11:30PM (AEDT) 17 October 2023 

• Need Help: music@arts.gov.au / 02 6271 1711

Fee-Free Certificate IV in Leadership and Management [BSB40520]* | 2024 Face to Face Workshops – Griffith

Certificate IV in Leadership and Management [BSB40520]*  | 2024 Face to Face Workshops – Griffith *FEE FREE TRAINING

Another round of the excellent and very popular Cert IV in Leadership and Management training, run in workshop form where most of the assessment is done during the workshops as a group, is starting up again for 2024. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open, and can be made by clicking the “Express Your Interest” button below. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) close 15 November 2023.

This Leadership and Management program is delivered through specialised workshops to engage and motivate workplace leaders. The workshops focus on communication, teamwork and best practice to develop leaders who contribute to improved and more effective workplaces. Practical activities are adopted to ensure there is always conversation, shared knowledge and considered reflection. This course is designed for people with 2 years’ work experience, currently in a leadership capacity or looking to pathway to a leadership position. To accommodate working professionals, study units are clustered into a 3 day workshops, to significantly reduce post workshop study load.

A “Leadership Discovery Day “ will be held on the 22 November 2023 – 9am to 12pm, at TAFE NSW Griffith for those interested in undertaking this course in 2024

Units of Study are broken down into four (4) Streams , and scheduled for the following dates:

STREAM ONE: Leadership at Work

20, 21 and 27 February 2024 – 9am to 4:00pm
Developing leaders with a focus on staff engagement, effective communication and emotional intelligence.

BSBLDR411 Demonstrate leadership in the workplace
BSBLDR413 Lead effective workplace relationships
BSBXCM401 Apply communication strategies in the workplace

STREAM TWO: Lead Effective Teams

4, 5 and 11 June 2024 – 9am to 4:00pm
Understanding interpersonal styles, communication barriers and coaching techniques to lead difficult conversations and wellbeing, whilst developing strong working relationships.

BSBCMM412 Lead difficult conversations
BSBPEF401 Manage personal health and wellbeing
BSBXTW401 Lead and facilitate a team

STREAM THREE: Creativity and Innovation

3, 4 and 10 September 2024 – 9am to 4:00pm

Embracing diversity where innovation, ideas and suggestions are accepted as contributors to positive change and opportunities for better ways of working.
BSBCRT411 Apply critical thinking
BSBLDR521 Lead the development of a diverse workforce
BSBSTR401 Promote innovation in a team environment

STREAM FOUR: Planned Operations and Continuous Improvement

12, 13 and 19 November 2024 – 9am to 4:00pm

High performing leaders achieve through operational planning for teams, a focus on lessons learned and continuous improvement.
BSBOPS402 Coordinate business operational plans
BSBSTR402 Implement continuous improvement
BSBLDR414 Lead team effectiveness

*FEE FREE TRAINING ELIGBILITY CRITERIA

·       An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or NZ citizen

·       No longer at school

·       Living or working in NSW

·       Aged 15 years or over

Facilitating safer trucks in Australia

Media Release from Senator the Hon Carol Brown MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | Thursday 28 September 2023

The Australian Government has made changes to the national road vehicle standards to facilitate the supply of safer trucks in Australia, to help reduce road trauma while bolstering freight productivity.

It is estimated the changes will provide a net benefit of over $500 million to the Australian economy.

These safety features include devices to reduce blind spots, electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, better reflective markings, and side guards to stop pedestrians and cyclists from being caught up under the rear wheels of trucks.

Trucks fitted with these safety features will save lives and prevent serious injuries to vehicle occupants, cyclists and pedestrians.   

Allowing wider trucks on our roads will also reduce the number of road freight trips businesses will need to take, saving them money and lowering their environmental impact.

Additionally, a number of safety devices and sensors will be able to be fitted to trucks without counting towards the width and length measurements.

This includes front and kerb view mirrors to better see around the front-left corner of the vehicle, external parts of camera monitor systems for improved indirect vision, blind spot sensors, and cross-view mirrors to see in front of bonneted vehicles.

This will ensure manufacturers and owners are not disadvantaged by fitting trucks with these road safety technologies.

The overall width limit for buses and trailers won’t change, however they will also benefit from more safety devices being excluded from width and length measurements.

While this change will allow manufactures to design and supply these safer trucks in Australia, operators should continue to engage with their registration authority to determine whether road access permits are required.

Changes under the Safer Freight Vehicles package will begin to come into effect from 1 October 2023.

Aviation White Paper – a flight plan for innovation and growth in the sector

Local communities, councils and airport operators are encouraged to have their say on the Aviation White Paper which will set the long-term policies to guide the next generation of growth and innovation in the aviation sector.

As part of the process to develop the White Paper, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts  recently released the Aviation Green Paper.

 The Green Paper outlines challenges and opportunities for Australia’s aviation sector to 2050 and options to respond to them. The Green Paper seeks stakeholder’s feedback to inform development of the Aviation White Paper. A stakeholder pack with more information is attached.

Learn more: Aviation White Paper

 Have your say: Aviation Green Paper

Submissions close: 30 November 2023

The Department is undertaking a 12-week consultation period on the Green Paper, which opened on 7 September.  A series of roundtable sessions will also be held both in-person and virtually throughout October and November 2023.

 An expression of interest process is open for stakeholders who would like to nominate for attendance at a roundtable session. Please note, due to capacity requirements, an expression of interest does not guarantee attendance and an invitation will be sent to confirmed attendees following the process.

If you have any questions on the Aviation White Paper, please email aviationwhitepaper@infrastructure.gov.au 

A roadmap for the oil and gas infrastructure industry

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) is undertaking consultations to develop a roadmap for an oil and gas infrastructure decommissioning industry, with the key objectives of: 

• growing a decommissioning industry in a safe and ethical way, which also benefits adjacent industries

• creating a safe and high skilled jobs environment which supports indigenous opportunity and gender equality

• creating a shared long-term vision between Government, industry and workers.

Based on the location of existing decommissioning service providers, and the location of existing offshore oil and gas facilities, many of the onshore jobs may be located in regional areas. An issues paper, as well as information on how to provide written feedback via the Consultation Hub, can be found here. 

• Learn: about offshore oil and gas

• Help: decomroadmap@industry.gov.au

• Closes: 20 October 2023

Taskforce to drive high tech communications for first responders

Joint Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications and Senator The Hon Murray Watt MP, Minister for Emergency Management

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 25 September 2023

Australia’s first responders are now one step closer to improved communications during an emergency, following the establishment of the Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) Taskforce. The announcement of the Taskforce comes ahead of the National Bushfire Summit, being held in Canberra today (Monday).
 
The PSMB Taskforce will be responsible for laying the groundwork for the long-term public safety communications infrastructure, prioritising the partnerships with state and territory governments to ensure they have a voice in its design.
 
It will also create the framework that drives the delivery of the PSMB to Public Safety Agencies nationally.
 
Currently, public safety agencies rely on land mobile radio networks for their communication needs.
These have limited data services, and in many instances, are not enabled for cross-border or cross-organisational communications. The PSMB Taskforce will provide fast and secure voice, video and data communications specifically for emergency services, such as fire, ambulance and police.
 
Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the taskforce would mean improved communications across the different services and geographic boundaries, and therefore a more coordinated response.
 
“In the May budget the Albanese Government committed $10.1 million from the 2023-24 Federal Budget to establish and fund the operations of the Taskforce over the next two years,” Minister Watt said. “The Taskforce’s establishment is a landmark step towards making the PSMB a reality, something that emergency services have been requesting for a long time.
 
“This is a project that has been recommended for years, but has only progressed since the election of the Albanese Government. The Taskforce will establish working groups with representatives from all states and territories, whose ideas and contributions will be critical to the design of the PSMB. This milestone also ticks off one of the Australian Government’s commitments to supporting the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements, as well as numerous other Royal Commissions calling for the delivery of a PSMB capability.”
 
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland said the Government’s investments in emergency and public safety communications will help save lives.
 
“Ensuring our heroic first responders have access to reliable communications services during emergencies is critical to keeping Australians safe,” Minister Rowland said. “A PSMB capability will enhance Australia’s ability to manage emergencies, hazards and threats by giving emergency services agencies access to data-rich, reliable and modern communications technologies. The establishment of the Taskforce means we’re a step closer to developing the critical public safety communications infrastructure our first responders need to more effectively respond to emergencies”.
 
The Taskforce is led by the Australian Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and will be supported by other Australian Government bodies, including the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, as well as state and territory government agencies.
 
More information is available on the National Emergency Management Agency’s website.

Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund (RERRF)

The Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund (RERRF) is supporting regional councils to continue vital repair and maintenance work needed following the devastating effects of severe weather and natural disasters. The RERRF will help regional councils to fix the damage and keep communities and industry connected and able to move to, from and through regional towns and centres across NSW.

Communities across NSW have been hard hit by the devastating effects of severe weather and natural disasters and the NSW road network has not yet fully recovered. Regional councils are still completing repairs to restore their Regional and Local road network.

The RERRF  supports councils across regional NSW to fix damaged roads and ensure the road network our regional communities rely on every day is dependable, smooth and safe. This fund will provide an additional $390 million to regional councils to continue vital repair and maintenance work and builds on the $280 million allocated to regional NSW councils through the Regional and Local Roads Repair Program (RLRRP).

Together these initiatives are providing $670 million in much needed funding for regional areas of NSW to recover from natural disasters and maintain an efficient, safe and reliable road network. 95 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs) are eligible to receive funding under this initiative with allocations based on the kilometres of Regional and Local roads managed in their LGA ($/km). 

The RERRF provides councils in regional NSW with the funds necessary to carry out priority repair and maintenance activities and immediate repair of potholes on their Local and Regional roads. Maintenance work may include heavy road patching, reshaping and smoothing unsealed roads, carrying out work to improve drainage from the road surface, rehabilitating sections of road and resurfacing work. 

Transport for NSW would like to invite regional councils to attend an online information session to learn more about the fund, guidelines and eligibility, payment details and reporting requirements.  Eligible councils are encouraged to register to attend one of the sessions. A recording will be distributed, for those who are unable to attend. 

Session 1 details 
Date: Thursday 28 September 2023 | Time: 11am (1 hour duration) 
Register:  register online 

Session 2 details 
Date: Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Time: 4pm (1 hour duration) 
Register:  register online

Supporting communities outside of our big cities to thrive

Joint Media Release from the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and the Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health

MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 22 September 2023

The Albanese Labor Government continues to invest in regional, rural and remote communities to make them more resilient, sustainable and liveable.

In partnership with Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), 58 locally led groups across the country will share in over $900,000 in grants.

The funding will support the continued recovery from COVID-19 in our regions, strengthen community resilience and preparedness for hotter, drier and higher risk weather in spring and summer, and help businesses reduce their operating costs.

Fourteen regional community groups will benefit from large grants of up to $50,000, including:

• In Wilcannia, New South Wales, where $50,000 will address educational disadvantage through an innovative program to upskill adults in the community, empowering them to help teach early language and literacy skills.

• In Portland, Victoria, where nearly $39,000 will create a safe drop-in space for vulnerable people to receive support and resources to help them reconnect with their community.

Forty-four regional community groups will benefit from smaller grants of up to $10,000 including:

• In Pegarah, Tasmania, where $10,000 will strengthen mental health and wellbeing after the COVID-19 pandemic in the remote island community by delivering in-person mental health and suicide prevention outreach services.

• In Dundee Beach, Northern Territory, where $10,000 will purchase age-appropriate play-based learning resources and equipment for a preschool playgroup to tackle educational and social disadvantages caused by isolation.

The funding is part of the Albanese Government’s $5 million investment from 2022 to 2024 in the Rebuilding Regional Communities stream of FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

For the full list of funded projects and more information about other grants awarded through FRRR’s SRC program, visit: https://frrr.org.au/news

Nominations open for NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Women

Media Release | 31 August 2023

Nominations for the 2024 NSW Women of the Year Awards open today.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the NSW Government was looking for the most empowering and inspiring women and girls in the state.

“These awards recognise the invaluable contribution to community, industry and society that women in NSW have made through their hard work, dedication and passion. The awards honour our inspirational women with the recognition they truly deserve,” Minister Harrison said.

“We want to continue to empower the next generation of young women to be limitless in delivering positive changes through fortitude in their fields of expertise. We can only achieve this by shining a light on the contributions and achievements of women in our communities.”

The annual awards will put the spotlight on women and girls whose determination, bravery, skill and passion should be celebrated and shared, inspiring others to achieve great things. They celebrate the role models who challenge inequality, innovate and inspire.

The 2024 award categories are:

• Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence

• NSW Community Hero

• NSW Young Woman of the Year

• NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.

Nominations are also open to recognise and honour young girls in the Ones to Watch Showcase. It will put the spotlight on the rising stars of our community, showcasing 10 exemplary young girls between the ages of 7 to 15 years old.

Minister Harrison said: “The Ones to Watch showcase will spotlight the next generation of inspiring young women by recognising the potential, resilience and determination of girls who are shaping the future.”

The winners of the awards will be announced at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony on 7 March 2024 as part of NSW Women’s Week 2024. Nominate someone now.

Nominations close 11:59pm, Sunday 8 October.

Delivering better healthcare, closer to home, for people living in rural, regional and remote parts of NSW

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Health, NSW Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, and the NSW Minister for Regional Health

Media Release | 19 September 2023

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to begin the long-term repair and structural reform of the delivery of health care services across NSW, by rebuilding our essential health services, reinvesting in frontline health workers and improving access to care.

People living in rural, regional and remote parts of NSW will have better access to high-quality healthcare as part of the 2023-24 NSW Budget.

Rebuilding our essential workforce in regional NSW:

• $438.6 million will be invested in recruiting an extra 500 rural and regional paramedics to address the shortage of first responders and improve ambulance response times.

• Doubling the incentive payment for healthcare workers moving to regional and remote areas from $10,000 to $20,000.

• $572.3 million to save the jobs of 1112 nurses and midwives that were left unfunded by the former government.

• The largest pay increase in more than a decade for NSW health workers to recruit and retain more workers and help improve the services we rely on.

• $419.1 million to deliver the first steps towards Safe Staffing Levels in NSW hospitals to recruit an extra 1200 nurses and midwives and help address the shortage of nurses.

• $170.8 million which will see more than 50,000 healthcare workers increase their take-home aftertax pay through better salary packaging.

• $121.9 million over 5 years will go towards study subsidies for health workers to ensure we continue attracting graduates to the profession.

Investing in regional health infrastructure:

The 2023-24 Budget includes a significant investment for new and upgraded hospitals across the state, including $3.8 billion for new and upgraded facilities in regional NSW, including:

• $538 million for Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital to provide safe and contemporary facilities and improve care for the cross-border community.

• $260 million for a new Eurobodalla Hospital to deliver a sustainable, modern and purpose-built facility to support the needs of the Eurobodalla Shire.

• $200 million for the redevelopment of Bathurst Hospital to ensure the local community and wider Central West region have access to high quality care.

• $80 million to deliver the Moree Hospital redevelopment to support best practice models of care and provide modern facilities for patients, families, and carers.

• $50 million investment in the Glen Innes Hospital upgrade for new contemporary facilities to meet the needs of the community into the future.

The Minns Labor Government is also delivering free parking at rural and regional hospitals at a cost of $19 million.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting people living across all parts of NSW and has delivered a budget which builds the foundation for better, more reliable healthcare services in rural and regional NSW.

The Minns Labor Government’s first budget begins a new era of responsible long-term investment to rebuild our essential services and support NSW families.

Securing regional jobs and encouraging investment in Minns Government’s first budget

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Finance, and NSW Minister for Natural Resources

Media Release | 19 September 2023

The NSW Government today released the 2023-24 NSW Budget which improves essential services, delivers cost-of-living relief and lays a foundation for a better and more secure future for NSW.

Delivering on an election commitment, included in the budget is $5.2 million to establish Future Jobs and Investment Authorities. The regional authorities will assist coal-producing regions to develop new industries and economic opportunities as NSW builds its renewable energy capability.

In August, the NSW Government began consultations with workers, industry and community leaders in the Hunter to set up the authorities. Once established they will support workers, industries and communities to harness the opportunities of a clean energy future. The investment reflects the government’s broader commitment to the sector.

The Minns Labor Government has also announced it will develop a new and updated Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy. NSW has 17 of the 26 nationally identified critical minerals, including significant deposits of copper, silver and scandium.

The strategy will map how NSW can leverage its natural competitive advantage to create more local jobs by encouraging domestic processing and manufacturing of products with significant critical minerals inputs. It will also investigate ways to develop skills and training opportunities in the workforce.

The budget also contains $27.5 million for geological survey work to encourage exploration of critical minerals in NSW. By using a range of cutting-edge techniques, the data can help define areas of mineral or energy resource potential and provide focus for mining and exploration companies.

In the 2023-24 NSW Budget, the Minns Labor Government will invest a total of $142.5 million across the Natural Resources portfolio. This includes $113 million over 4 years for mine work health and safety and $48.5 million over 4 years to reduce risks from legacy mines.

In making better choices in its first budget, the Minns Labor Government begins a new era of responsible long-term investment to support NSW families and rebuild essential services.

Higher quality homes and better protections for NSW consumers

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, NSW Minister for Building, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade

Media Release | 19 September 2023

The Minns Labor Government has delivered a budget to build more high-quality homes, and to ensure consumers are protected in a tough cost-of-living environment.

A down-payment of $24 million will establish the NSW Building Commission and let it hit the ground running.

An initial team of more than 400 dedicated staff will work with Commissioner David Chandler to drive dodgy builders out of the market and ensure buyers get the quality homes they deserve.

The NSW Government recognises the pressing need for more homes – to ease pressure in the housing market and keep young people in NSW.

The Minns Government is committed to ensuring the tens of thousands of new homes that NSW needs are quality homes.

The creation of a standalone Building Commission won’t just deliver better quality homes, it will also let NSW Fair Trading focus on its core business – protecting consumers.

It will do this by:

• Working with the NSW Rental Commissioner to better protect the rights of renters and modernise the system to make it fairer.

• Delivering an additional $1 million in funding for renters’ advocacy organisations.

• Making sure products are safe and holding businesses that break the law accountable.

• Working to resolve strata disputes before they end up in expensive legal battles.

The Minns Budget lays the foundations for a better consumer protections system.

We’ve made the careful decisions needed to reprioritise spending and resources so we can invest in and regulators people in NSW need.