Telstra Payphones to connect more Australians to national support services

More data, better payphones, less stress: how we’re supporting you this disaster season (telstra.com.au)

Joint Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications and The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services, Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence

MEDIA RELEASE | 16 November 2023

The Albanese Labor Government is working with Telstra to boost awareness of national support available to people in need, with information on six major services to be displayed in artwork on Telstra payphones across Australia.
 
Approximately 15,000 payphones Australia-wide will feature stickers promoting phone numbers and services provided by the helplines, giving people a quick and easy way to connect with support when they need it.
 
Six national support services have been chosen to be featured, collectively serving the needs of a diverse range of people:

• 1800RESPECT

• Lifeline

• 13YARN 

• Kids Helpline

• MensLine Australia

• National Debt Helpline

Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, and Assistant Minister for Social Services and for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, today announced the collaboration with Telstra to spread awareness of the free support services available nationwide.
 
Minister Rowland said that payphones continued to play an important role in bringing Australians together.
 
“The Albanese Government welcomes this important community initiative between Telstra and these six national organisations working tirelessly to help those in need.
 
“These critical services provide free support for anyone facing mental health challenges, experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, or in need financial advice and support.
 
“More than 23 million free calls were made through a Telstra payphone during the last reporting period. If this initiative helps raise awareness of and connects even just a small number of those callers to these services, that’s a positive outcome”.
 
Assistant Minister Elliot said the initiative will be a lifeline for many people affected by domestic, family, and sexual violence, mental health challenges, or financial difficulty.
 
“Having the details of these support services will remind those in need that help is only a phone call away,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.
 
“It’s critical that people affected by domestic, family, and sexual violence be aware that there are services like 1800RESPECT that they can call 24/7 when they need support.”
 
“We want everyone to know that if you are experiencing personal or financial distress, or are affected by domestic, family, or sexual violence, you can reach out to these services for free and immediate support, advice, or referrals.”
 
Telstra Health spokesperson and Head of 1800RESPECT Colleen Birchley emphasised the importance of free payphones as an essential component of our social infrastructure.
 
“Telstra payphones provide valuable support to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community and 1800RESPECT and five other national support services are proud to work alongside Telstra to ensure callers are provided with clear information about the types of support they can access any time of day,” Ms Birchley said.
 
The rollout of the artworks kicked off in capital cities this week, with the majority of sites to be rolled out by the first half of 2024.
 
In the past year, Telstra reported a 30 per cent increase compared to the previous year in calls to Lifeline.
 
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au
 
MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing, relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting www.mensline.org.au
 
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Welcome Experience expanded to boost health and education outcomes in regions

Media Release from the Department of Regional NSW

MEDIA RELEASE | 15 November 2023

General practitioners, aged care nurses and childcare workers moving to regional NSW will be welcomed and provided with help to enrol kids in local schools, identify jobs for family members and even identify a removalist as part of an expanded NSW Government program.

 The Welcome Experience program, which currently provides a personal concierge service to public sector health and education workers including nurses, teachers, police, fire-fighters, paramedics and social workers, will now be expanded to include non-government health and education employees including GPs, aged care staff, childcare workers and Aboriginal Medical Services staff.

 Department of Regional NSW Director Essential Worker Attraction Program Josie Howard said we rely on our essential workers to look after us every day, from police officers to childcare workers, and through this program, we are helping to look after them when they relocate and settle into a new community.

“Since the program rolled out earlier this year, we have recruited local connectors in eight pilot locations, and they are already providing support to workers and their families as they make their move to their new regional NSW home,” Ms Howard said.

“Now we are expanding the program and offering this personalised service to workers in other professions, including dentists and allied health professionals, to ensure locals have ready access to these vital services.”

As part of The Welcome Experience Pilot, workers and their families across eight locations in Broken Hill, Walgett, Griffith, Coffs Harbour, Muswellbrook, Goulburn, Corowa and Bega are assigned a Local Connector who will support them with everything they need to move into regional communities, settle in and become one of the locals.

Muswellbrook Shire Council Local Connector Katrina Kiely said the Welcome Experience is giving essential workers invaluable support to help them move to regional NSW.

“I made the move from Sydney to the Hunter Valley myself, so I have a clear understanding of how challenging it can be to move to a new region and make new connections,” Ms Kiely said.

“It can be really hard to put yourself out there while you are finding your feet in a new job in a new place, but I am there to talk to them, show them around, broker introductions and offer personalised local insight to help them feel supported and more at home in their new community.”

The service is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to reducing essential worker shortages in regional NSW so that locals have fair and equitable access to vital services, and the program is scheduled for a broader roll out in additional locations in 2024.

Anyone considering a move to regional NSW is encouraged to reach out to The Welcome Experience program and discuss what support is on offer.

To find out more about The Welcome Experience, visit www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/welcome-experience

Government extends free home broadband for school kids to 2025

Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

MEDIA RELEASE | 14 November 2023

The Albanese Government is extending its new program providing free home broadband to school kids without internet at home to the end of 2025, delivering $4.3 million to NBN Co to further support educational outcomes and households struggling with cost of living pressures.
 
Launched in February this year, the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is providing up to 30,000 eligible families with school-aged children to free broadband for a year over the National Broadband Network (NBN).
 
The additional funding takes the total Federal Government investment in the program with NBN Co to $8.8 million, and means eligible families will instead remain connected until 31 December 2025.
 
The funding extension also means families can continue to sign up to the program until 31 December 2024.
 
Just over 5,000 families have already been connected through the program, with around 42% of connected families living in regional communities.
 
Families can self-nominate via the recently launched National Referral Centre, or be referred by approved nominating organisations who work with vulnerable communities.
 
To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home and enrolled in an Australian school

• Be referred by a nominating organisation or self-nominate through the National Referral Centre

• Have no active home broadband service over the NBN network

• Live in a premises that can access a standard NBN service.

Families can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT) or visit: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.

The Government is considering options to support participating families at the end of 2025, including asking the NBN Low-Income and Digital Inclusion Forum to examine discounted products.
 
To implement the SSBI extension, NBN Co will be working with nominating organisations, internet providers and other key stakeholders over the coming weeks.

For more information on the SSBI, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/SSBI

Setting our infrastructure priorities

Media Release from the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

MEDIA RELEASE | 14 November 2023

The Albanese Government has released the Infrastructure Policy Statement to guide the Commonwealth’s funding of properly planned and targeted infrastructure to help unlock a range of significant economic, social and environmental objectives.

For too long under the Coalition, Commonwealth infrastructure spending focused on electoral rather than national benefit and in doing this it expanded the Infrastructure Investment Program from roughly 150 projects in 2012-13 to nearly 800 in 2022.

That needs to change.

The Policy Statement commits the Government to delivering nationally significant infrastructure.

This means projects will need to have at least two of the following characteristics:

• Australian Government contribution of at least $250 million; and/or

• alignment with Government priorities as articulated in the Infrastructure Policy Statement; and/or

• situated on or connected to the National Land Transport Network and/or other key freight routes; and/or

• supporting other emerging or broader national priorities – such as housing or critical minerals.

There are three priorities for our investment: productivity, liveability and sustainability.

It means cutting congestion, ensuring supply chains are resilient, building equity into the heart of where we live, improving prosperity, reducing our emissions and encouraging more sustainable ways to travel.

We are committed to working in partnership with the states and territories who are our primary infrastructure delivery partners.

We are reshaping how the Commonwealth funds projects, returning to a preference of 50:50 funding with the states and territories for future investments, so both levels of government carry an equal share of both the benefits and the risks.

This will mean the Commonwealth’s infrastructure spend – which is being maintained at $120 billion – can go further, maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth’s investment and ensuring shared accountability. It will help end the perverse incentives that saw the Federal Coalition throw money at projects that states did not want to build.

The Government may consider funding a greater share of projects in jurisdictions with less capacity to raise revenue on a case-by-case basis.

We also want to share the benefits of construction.  We will seek to encourage local employment and procurement, as well as increase the participation of women, First Nations communities and other marginalised groups in the delivery of these projects.

The Albanese Government will invest in the projects that only the Commonwealth can – those which shape our cities, our regions and our nation.

Together with the states and territories – and with clear priorities and proper planning – we will build a better future for all Australians.

The Infrastructure Policy Statement can be found here.

More EV chargers connecting regional NSW

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

MEDIA RELEASE | 10 November 2023

A program to deliver 25 more electric vehicle fast chargers in regional NSW is almost complete.

The $6 million program was funded with a $3 million contribution each from the NSW Government and the NRMA to help deliver greener and cleaner travel.

This will extend the NRMA’s existing chargers to more than 100 in around 70 locations in NSW, creating the most comprehensive regional charging network in the country.

The program involves the installation of dual chargers ranging from 50kW to 150kW in key regional NSW locations. Most of these locations will be within no more than 150 kilometres from another in the NRMA fast charger network.

The range provided depends on the charger and the electric vehicle but for example a 75kW charger can charge an EV battery to provide up to 90km of range in 15 minutes, 180km of range in 30 minutes or 360km of range in 1 hour.

The fast chargers further unlock the state with a focus on regional corridors including the Newell, Barrier, New England and Kamilaroi highways as well as completing the Castlereagh, Hume and Kings Highway connections.

The northwest of NSW is the latest area to be rolled out with chargers at Inverell, Narrabri, Moree and Dorrigo switched on in recent weeks and another one at Walcha due by the end of the month.

This program also includes chargers at Casino, Tenterfield, Coonamble, Nyngan, Cobar, Wilcannia, Broken Hill, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Gilgandra, Jerilderie, Temora, Armidale, Scone, Yass, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong and Braidwood.

Thanks to the efficiencies achieved in the co-funded program, there will be an additional 25th site in Moruya installed in 2024.

Find the location of all NRMA fast chargerslaunch

The Transport for NSW partnership with the NRMA to deliver more fast chargers in the regions follows last week’s announcement by the NSW Government of $10 million allocated under round two of the Destination Charging Program.

Around 3,000 EV chargers will be installed at tourist destinations under the program with applications now open.

Find out more about EV destination grantslaunch

Post-incident review following Optus outage

Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

MEDIA RELEASE | Thursday 09 November 2023

The Federal Government will undertake a post-incident telecommunications review into the Optus outage that affected millions of Australians yesterday.

Connectivity is absolutely essential for Australian consumers and businesses, and the impacts of this outage were particularly concerning.

While we welcome that Optus services were restored over the course of the day, it is critical the Government conducts a process to identify lessons to be learned from yesterday’s outage.

I will task my Department with developing the terms of reference for a post-incident review. Further announcements around the terms of reference and next steps will be made in due course.

It is critical that industry and Governments take stock following large-scale outages, given no network is immune.

The Government hopes the review may also help support major telecommunications providers to improve post-outage processes.

Additionally, the regulator – the Australian Communications and Media Authority – has independently commenced an assessment to investigate Optus’ compliance with the rules requiring that emergency calls are successfully carried from mobile carriers to the Emergency Call Person (Telstra).

Entries for the 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards now open!

Australia is a country of great innovative thinkers. A national that roles up its sleeves and gets things done. The 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards wants to showcase these initiatives, individuals and organisations. Assist Banksia, by entering, and demonstrate how Australia can and will lead the way to making this a sustainable planet.

This year, the Banksia Foundation are celebrating excellence in 14 categories, highlighting the diversity of sustainability practices right across the country. Find the category award that suits best.

Download your chosen category’s corresponding entry kit, from the Banksia Foundation website by clicking the button below. The entry kit will guide you through the category criteria and application structure, as well as the entry and judging process.

Submit your entry by December 18th, 2023.

Illabo Motorsport Park and Junee Tourist Attractions to be featured on Blokeworld TV show

Photo Credit: Ben O'Malley

MEDIA RELEASE | November 7, 2023

The television show “Blokesworld” were in Junee and Illabo over the “weekend” of August 10–13, 2023 to highlight Illabo Motorsport Park and other tourist attractions in Junee.

Blokesworld is a lifestyle show for the real aussie bloke. It is feel good light entertainment which traverses the world of “Blokedom” and rediscovers the joys of a roaring V8 engine, a good Bar-B–Q, a punt on the dogs and a bit of a perve along the way. Plus handy hints on how a bloke can re-immerse himself into a culture more reminiscent of the sporting 70’s than the snag infested 90’s. Oh, and don’t forget the lovely pole dancers!

Blokesworld Season 13, Episodes 01 thru 04 will feature Illabo Motorsport Park and other tourist attractions in Junee.

Initial airings of the Illabo/Junee focussed episodes will be on the Free-to-Air TV Channel 7Mate at 1:00pm AEDT on the following dates:

Season 13, Episode 01: Saturday, November 11, 2023 (This Saturday)
Season 13, Episode 02: Saturday, November 18, 2023
Season 13, Episode 03: Saturday, November 25, 2023
Season 13, Episode 04: Saturday, December 2, 2023

They will then be repeated the next evening after the Sunday Night Movie, and then again at 10:00am on the following Friday. All episodes will also be up on 7Plus streaming service to (re)watch straight after the episode airs on the Saturday afternoon.

Gasworks Motorsport Secretary, and Illabo Motorsport Park Promotor, Mr Kerry Phelan said,

"It was an honour and privilege to host Ado and 'Camera 3' from Blokesworld at Illabo Motorsport Park back in August and we are excited to see that they obtained enough footage of our own events and from local businesses and tourism attractions in Junee and Illabo that they've managed to go from the original arrangement of a single episode to having a massive run of four episodes featuring us!"

"We appreciate that Blokesworld have highlighted not only our own Motorsport Park at Illabo, but the other attractions that make Junee Shire an unique destination to visit with your family and to stay for a couple of nights"

Bringing Blokesworld to Junee and Illabo Motorsport Park would not have been possible without the generous support of following local businesses and organisations sponsoring the event! Our sponsors included: Brew at 102, Broadway Museum, Building & Environmental Services Today, Gasworks Classic Car Garage, JMA Legal, Junee District Co-operative, Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club, Junee Hotel, Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory, Junee Motor Inn, Junee Roundhouse Museum, Junee Shire Council, Layton Electrical, plus two “private investors”

About Gasworks Motorsport Inc and Illabo Motorsport Park

Gasworks Motorsport Inc is the incorporated administration entity for the Gasworks Kart, Buggy & Motorbike Club, Illabo Motorsport Park (located with the Illabo Showground Precinct), and the Gasworks Vehicle Club.

Illabo Motorsport Park is a speedway, licensed venue through the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, and conducts events on a permit basis issued by the Australian Auto-sport Alliance (AASA). It is a 390m oval dirt track known as the "SHEATHER CIRCUIT" on which Vintage Speedway Vehicle Demonstration events are held.

With the entrants and participants being members of clubs sanctioned by Australian Vintage Classic Speedway National Body (AVCSNB). Entries in the events held at Illabo Motorsport Park are open to all Open Wheel Vintage Vehicles as defined by the AVCSNB. The AVCSNB Constitution and Bi-Laws will apply to these events.

Gasworks Motorsport usually conduct four Combined Vintage Speedway and Speedway Karts events between March 1st and October 31st each year.

Drivers (along with their pit crew/families) come from all over South-Eastern Australia, and beyond, to participate in our Speedway events. Most stay at local accomodation venues across Junee Shire for two or three nights. These visitors have invested in excess of $1.25 million into the local tourism, accommodation, food and retail sectors within Junee Shire over the last eight years of operations at Illabo Motorsport Park.

The next Vintage Speedway event to be held at Illabo Motorsport will be on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

For more information about this, and other upcoming events at Illabo Motorsport Park, please visit

https://www.gw.org.au/event-calendar/

"Behind the Scenes" Photo Galleries
Gasworks Motorsport had five photographers (Two on Friday and five on Saturday) on-site at Illabo Motorsport Park each capturing the some behind the scenes photos and other highlights of our Vintage Speedway and Karts event!

Check out the photo galleries we’ve posted covering August 11, 2023 (Engine starts, interviews) and August 12th (main event and behind the scenes):

https://www.gw.org.au/blog/air-dates-for-blokesworld-illabo-motorsport-park/

Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program ready for take-off

Australia’s airstrip network provides a vital service to people living in rural and remote areas.

The Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program (Round 10) will improve network safety, while enabling better access to important supplies and emergency care for all Australian communities.

Australia’s remote airstrip network provides vital access between remote communities and major regional centres, by delivering urgent supplies and the coordination of life-saving flights for those in need. Many eligible airstrips also service remote First Nations communities, aiding their access to vital services and supplies.

Eligible airstrip owners or operators can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $3 million for works to improve remote airstrip safety and access.

• Learn more: Remote Airstrip Program ready for take-off

• Apply: Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program: Round 10 | business.gov.au

• Applications close: 5:00PM (AEDT) 15 December 2023

• Help: 13 28 46 / Contact us | business.gov.au

New projects to boost heavy vehicles safety and productivity

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

MEDIA RELEASE | Tuesday 07 November 2023

Regional roads across the country will benefit from new Australian Government-funded projects aimed at improving heavy vehicle safety and productivity.

Seven new projects have been approved under the latest round of funding applications for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP); two each in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria and one in New South Wales.

The Australian Government is investing over $18 million towards these seven projects under the HVSPP. This funding is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment of at least $65 million per year for the program.

The program gives funding to state, territory and local governments for projects to increase safety and productivity along heavy vehicle freight routes.

These projects include widening and upgrading roads used along heavy vehicle freight routes.

A full list of funded projects can be found below.

For more information, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/heavy-vehicle-safety-and-productivity-program.

Turn the beat around: first live music audit is part of venue revival

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy

MEDIA RELEASE | 6 November 2023

NSW has lost half its live music venues over the past decade, with just 137 remaining, according to current Liquor and Gaming data.

As part of the music revival, the government will seek to ensure the survival of these venues as the recently established Sound NSW begins its work with the live music industry.

Launching during Australian Music Month, participants will be asked to assess the strengths of the industry as well as the factors that might be holding the industry back, from noise restrictions, venue closures, COVID-19 and cost of living pressures.

The survey forms part of a wider research project that will combine economic analysis, venue mapping data and audience research to inform the NSW Government’s first ever strategic policy for contemporary music and create a vision for a vibrant arts and cultural scene in NSW.

The survey is completely anonymous, with no personal information collected.

The data will lead the decision-making process to revolutionise the live music industry in the state and spearhead new policy that centres on supporting and invigorating NSW’s music scene.

People working in the industry are strongly encouraged to provide insights, including artists, managers, promoters, venue operators, roadies, audio engineers, lighting and technical teams, ticket and merchandise retailers and more. This feedback will shape policy decisions and have a direct impact on the future of the sector.

Participate in State of the Scene – Live Music Surveylaunch. The survey will be open until 15 January 2024.

Bringing Junee Correctional Centre into public hands

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Corrections

MEDIA RELEASE | 3 November 2023

The NSW Government has taken the first steps to bring the management of Junee Correctional Centre into public hands, for the first time.

US multi-national GEO Group currently holds the contract.

The decision to move the management of this crucial service to the public sector will lock in around 340 well-paid public-sector jobs for the region. 

Following the expiry of the existing contract with GEO Group in March 2025, centre management will be taken over by Corrective Services NSW.  Junee Correctional Centre will remain a crucial part of the NSW prison network.

Corrective Services NSW operates Australia’s largest prison system, responsible for approximately 9,200 inmates across 31 correctional centres.

Corrective Services and Justice Health will work with employees, the community and GEO Group through this period. 

Round 10 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program ready for takeoff

Media Release from Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 06 November 2023

The Australian Government has today opened applications for Round 10 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade (RAU) Program to enhance the safety and accessibility of airstrips in remote and very remote areas of Australia.

The tenth round of the program will provide up to $12 million in grant funding for sites in remote areas nationwide, with projects set to be delivered between 2024 and 2026.

Australia’s remote airstrip network provides vital access between remote communities and major regional centres, while also enabling the delivery of urgent supplies and the coordination of life-saving flights for those in need.

Many eligible airstrips also service remote First Nations communities, aiding their access to vital services and supplies.

Eligible airstrip owners or operators can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $3 million for works to improve remote airstrip safety and access.

The grant guidelines are now available online and applications for the program open 6 November 2023 and close on 15 December 2023.

Additional details about the program, including the guidelines for Round 10, can be found here.

Driving EV charging into regional tourism hot spots

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Energy and Climate Change and the Minister for Regional NSW

MEDIA RELEASE | 3 November 2023

Residents and tourists in regional NSW can now drive their electric vehicles with greater confidence as the Minns government delivers more EV chargers through the Destination Charging Program.

Applications are now open for small to medium regional tourism businesses and councils to install EV charging infrastructure.

Successful applicants will receive 75 per cent of the cost of purchasing and installing up to four charge points at each site.

The $10 million allocated for round two of the Destination Charging Program is expected to support the installation at least 1,500 EV charge ports at tourism destinations. Destinations could include motels, wineries, cafes, restaurants, natural attractions, visitor information centres, museums, zoos and local government facilities.

Following the successful rollout of the chargers, a series of EV tourist drives will be developed to promote EV travel across NSW.

The Destination Charging Program is part of a $209 million investment in charging infrastructure which also includes $10 million in grants to retrofit apartments with EV chargers, $10 million for more kerbside charging and $149 million for ultra-fast charging infrastructure.

The NSW Government has also committed an additional $260 million in the 2023–24 Budget to underpin the rollout of a new NSW EV Strategy being delivered in partnership with industry stakeholders which is a key driver to achieving our state’s Net Zero emissions targets.

Find out more about EV destination grantslaunch

Major changes to small business procurement

Media Release from the NSW Premier, the NSW Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement and the NSW Minister for Small Business

MEDIA RELEASE | 5 November 2023

The NSW Government has delivered on its commitment to boost government procurement of goods and services from small and medium businesses with a major change to government procurement.

A direction has been signed today, increasing the level at which government departments and agencies can purchase goods and services directly from small and medium businesses from $150,000 to $250,000.

The state’s 840,000 small businesses make up 98% of all NSW businesses, employing 1.6 million people in NSW – it’s these businesses and jobs that will be turbocharged by this change.

Each year, the NSW Government spends over $9 billion on goods and services obtained directly from 46,000 small and medium businesses in NSW and this change to procurement will deliver more government contracts going to these businesses and a bigger slice of government procurement spend.

This Ministerial Direction was issued to the NSW Procurement Board and requires agencies to implement this policy change no later than 31 December 2023.

It also serves as an important signal to government agencies to directly engage small businesses when procuring goods and services, including for:

• catering, food and beverage services at state-owned museums, galleries, venues and sites

• office supplies and furniture for government offices and buildings

• maintenance and repairs, including ground maintenance and landscaping at government facilities

• the development of training resources, including for health and wellness support.

The Government has also eased procurement requirements for small businesses which will no longer be required to submit proof of insurance when they tender. Instead, proof of insurance will only be required when a contract is awarded.

This is in addition to the NSW Government making a number of other significant changes to support small businesses in NSW, including:

• Launched the Service NSW Business Bureaulaunch, which will give small business owners a seat at the table with a commitment to tackling unproductive red tape, helping businesses navigate government and boosting growth opportunities.

• Delivered major upgrades to the Service NSW Business Bureau App.

• Successfully delivered Small Business Month with over 600 events across the state.

• Delivered energy bill relief for more than 300,000 businesses and toll relief for more than 700,000 Western Sydney families and businesses.

• Launched the Service NSW Business Grants and Funding Finder, bringing more than 500 grants across 46 agencies into one place, to make accessing financial support easier for businesses across the state.

These changes do not apply to construction businesses.

The NSW Government has extensive fraud and compliance checks in place to maintain the integrity of government procurement.

For more information visit buy.nswlaunch

Apply now for RDA Committee Chair Positions

Applications are now open for 6 RDA Committee Chair positions commencing 1 January 2024.

RDA Committee Chair positions are currently available for:

1. RDA Southern NSW and ACT (NSW)

2. RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven (NSW)

3. RDA Barwon South West (VIC)

4. RDA Gippsland (VIC)

5. RDA Greater Whitsundays (QLD)

6. RDA Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast (QLD).

Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Monday 13 November 2023. 

• Share:  LinkedIn

• Learn more: RDA Chair information pack  

• Need information: RDA@infrastructure.gov.au

ANZSCO comprehensive review - consultation round 3

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) continues its comprehensive review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) with a third round of public consultation. This is an opportunity for you to make a significant impact by providing feedback on selected occupations, helping shape the quality of Australia’s future occupation and labour market information.

ANZSCO describes all occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. Your feedback will help inform and reshape educational pathways, skilled migration programs and strategies that support our workforce to remain adaptable and equipped with the right skills.

ANZSCO are particularly interested in understanding what occupations have evolved, been replaced, or changed? Have skill requirements shifted over time? Are there any emerging fields or unique jobs that you believe will shape the future?

This round of consultation will close 5 December 2023.

Telstra announces new support initiatives ahead of disaster season

Image source: More data, better payphones, less stress: how we’re supporting you this disaster season (telstra.com.au)

From today, you may see Telstra’s Disaster Response campaign in-market which will include a range of new initiatives to support Australians ahead of what is predicted to be a challenging season.  
 
Initiatives include:  

• Extra data automatically granted for postpaid mobile customers in a disaster affected area.  

• The upgrade of 1000 payphones in disaster-prone areas, with free Wi-Fi, USB charging and backup power. 

• Reaffirming our commitment to emergency roaming, and our intent to conduct a simulation within our own network as a first step to demonstrate it’s possible. 

• Launch of the Telstra Response Team – a new way to identify our teams on the ground or at the end of our dedicated disaster assistance line. 

• Trialling portable satellite technology that can help local communities connect when mobile and fixed connections are down in a disaster area.  

• This is in addition to the temporary infrastructure, generators and disaster recovery experts we deploy to help keep our customers and the community connected to Australia’s largest mobile network.  

 
More information about these initiatives and how communities can prepare themselves for disasters can be found on Telstra Exchange

Federal Government's first NBN Fixed Wireless upgrades now complete

Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

MEDIA RELEASE | 01 November 2023

The Federal Government is delivering on its plan for a better National Broadband Network (NBN), with the completion of the first NBN Fixed Wireless upgrades made possible through its $480 million investment in the network.
 
Following local upgrades, around 16,000 homes and businesses on the NSW South Coast and the Queensland Sunshine Coast are the first to benefit from access to faster speeds, including typical wholesale busy-hour speeds of at least 50 Megabits per second (Mbps).
 
Across the two regions, 3,200 premises originally receiving NBN satellite services are now eligible for NBN Fixed Wireless. This is in addition to more than 1,000 premises relocated from the satellite footprint to the fixed wireless footprint in March 2023 under the investment.
 
The Government’s investment, combined with funding from NBN, will see more than 2,300 fixed wireless sites upgraded across the country, along with greater data limits on Sky Muster satellite services, including uncapped date usage plans – helping to deliver a more connected Australia.
 
Following the program’s commencement in July 2022, the upgrades to the NBN fixed wireless network will have increased total network capacity by 100 per cent by the end of November this year, and current capacity is expected to double again by the time upgrades are complete in December 2024.
 
These are the first of many areas across Australia to receive upgrades under the program. By the end of 2024, one million premises in regional and remote Australia and in peri-urban areas will benefit from improvements to fixed wireless services or greater data limits on Sky Muster services.
 
As well as delivering better busy hour speeds and allowing more homes and business to access the NBN fixed wireless network, the upgrade program includes significant improvements to the wholesale speed plans.
 
In the coming weeks, NBN Co will start to consult with industry on proposed enhancements to these speeds. This includes two new higher-speed plans that would deliver speeds close to double those originally planned.

For more information on NBN Fixed Wireless, visit: www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fixed-wireless.

Future Drought Fund public consultation sessions coming to your region

On 26 October 2023, the Australian Government announced $17.7 million from the Future Drought Fund (FDF) will be used to progress essential activities in line with key recommendations from the recent Productivity Commission Inquiry into the effectiveness of the FDF. A full response to the Inquiry Report will be informed by public consultation.

On 20 October 2023, government commenced public consultation to help inform the next phase of Future Drought Fund investments. To support consultation, an updated Draft Investment Strategy has been released which sets out Government’s interim response to the Productivity Commission’s recommendations and proposed options for implementation.Stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback on these options.

Stakeholders are invited to register their interest to attend a public meeting in the following locations via haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/future-drought-fund

Future Drought Fund public consultation is coming to a location near you

Launceston, Tasmania - Thursday 2 November 9:00am (local time)

• Hobart, Tasmania - Thursday 2 November 3:30pm (local time)

• Melbourne, Victoria - Friday 3 November 10:00am (local time)

• Townsville, Queensland – Tuesday 7 November 10am (local time)

• Townsville, Queensland – Tuesday 7 November 2:00pm (local time)

• Roseworthy, South Australia – Tuesday 7 November 9:00am (local time)

• Roseworthy, South Australia – Tuesday 7 November 1:00pm (local time)

• Loxton, South Australia – Wednesday 8 November 9:00am (local time)

• Canberra, ACT – Wednesday 8 November 3:00pm (local time)

• Toowoomba, Queensland – Friday 17 November 9:00am (local time)

• Toowoomba, Queensland – Friday 17 November 1:00pm (local time)

• Darwin, Northern Territory – Friday 24 November 9:00am (local time)

• Darwin, Northern Territory – Friday 24 November 1:30pm (local time)

• Wagga Wagga, New South Wales – Thursday 30 November 9:00am (local time)

Registrations and venue details coming soon for these locations:

• Armidale, New South Wales – Monday 13 November 11:00am (local time)

• Perth, Western Australia – Tuesday 21 November 3:00pm (local time)

• Geraldton, Western Australia – Wednesday 22 November 10:30am (local time)

• Traralgon, Victoria – Thursday 23 November 9:00am (local time)

• Dubbo, New South Wales – Wednesday 29 November 10:30am (local time)

• Shepparton, Victoria Friday 1 December 9:00am (local time)

If you’re unable to attend a session, you can:

• Learn more draft Funding Plan and consultation draft Investment Strategy

• Submit  feedback

• Contact: droughtreslilience@dff.gov.au

Consultation will conclude on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, at 5pm AEDT.