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SearchArchives for September 2009
30 September, 2009
Christmas closedown
a gift for families
Premier, Nathan Rees has issued a Ministerial Memorandum setting out arrangements for PS office closures over the Christmas and New Year break.
The Premier said all Agencies not involved in delivering front line services were required to shut down for two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period, and State Owned Corporations were encouraged to maximise the use of leave wherever possible.
He said the two-week closedown would be between Friday 25 December this year and Friday 8 January 2010.
Mr Rees said that as well as enabling PS employees to enjoy time with family and friends over the holiday season, the closedown also helped reduce leave liabilities.
He said the closedown arrangements would vary between Agencies, and decisions as to which areas would close down, and to what extent, would be made on a case by case basis by Chief Executive Officers.
He expected some Agencies to close down all sections while others would remain open with skeleton staffing.
He said public holidays within the closedown period included Christmas Day and New Year’s day with Boxing Day taken on Monday 28 December.
He said a further Public Service Holiday would be available between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to those staff not entitled to a union picnic day or some other special day.
Department Heads would determine which day during that period would be taken as the Public Service holiday in their Department.
Mr Rees said Agencies should hold discussions with employees at least a month before implementing the arrangements and refer to any relevant industrial instruments to determine if special provisions apply.
He confirmed that the customary half-day holiday on Christmas Eve for the staff of Departments closed Christmas Day would be in place again this year.
The full text of the memorandum was on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website, www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
30 September, 2009
Public tenancy laws
put houses in order
New laws have been introduced that allow the Department of Housing to cancel public housing leases.
Premier, Nathan Rees said the measure was prompted by the recent controversy over convicted paedophile Dennis Ferguson’s public housing tenancy and was the result of a review of policies and legislation relating to sex offenders.
Mr Rees said under the new rules a public housing tenant could be relocated if the Police Commissioner recommended it.
“The Commissioner will assess community safety issues on a case by case basis and make recommendations to the Director General of the Department of Human Services,” he said.
“The Department can revoke leases and make alternative arrangements to protect the safety of the community and tenant.”
Mr Rees said the new powers would extend across all forms of public housing leases and that the decision to cancel a lease in these circumstances could not be appealed.
“We will amend the Housing Act to relocate convicted paedophiles on the Child Protection Register in emergency situations,” he said.
“This is a proportionate response to what we hope is a one-off situation. However we will continue to act whenever there is a reasonable case to do so.”
When the incident with Mr Ferguson first escalated, Mr Rees asked key portfolios to audit policies and legislation regarding sex offenders.
He said the amendment was the Government’s first response to the review.
Mr Rees welcomed bi-partisan support of the Bill, saying it would help ensure public safety and the protection of children.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the Government would continue to monitor every person on the Child Protection Register to ensure children remained protected.
Commissioner Scipione said the amendment was “a good outcome for the community” as it prevented the possibility of people “taking the law into their own hands”.
He said people on the register must provide details to Police including place of residence, work place, travel plans, the car they drive, mobile phone number, internet service provider, email addresses and any contact with children.
“It is also an offence to provide incorrect details,” Commissioner Scipione said.
30 September, 2009
Survey has CityRail
service on track
Customer satisfaction regarding CityRail services has improved, according to the latest independent report card on the performance of the transport provider.
Minister for Transport, David Campbell welcomed the report which was conducted by the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR).
Mr Campbell said the report showed customer satisfaction had improved in key aspects of service compared to results from 2008.
“The 2009 survey shows customers have the highest level of satisfaction with CityRail services since the ITSRR surveys began six years ago,” he said.
Mr Campbell said CityRail staff had been working hard over the past year to raise standards.
“The results of this independent survey are a testament to their efforts and I congratulate them,” he said.
Mr Campbell said there had been a six per cent increase in customer satisfaction regarding staff effectiveness when dealing with security problems; train punctuality; delays and cancellations; and crowding at peak hour.
“A highlight of the survey is the significant improvement in the level of customer satisfaction with train punctuality,” he said.
Mr Campbell said there had been a four per cent increase in satisfaction regarding station information and the knowledge and helpfulness of staff.
He said the survey found crowding was an issue for commuters but this area had improved over the past 12 months.
Mr Campbell said he was pleased commuters felt safer and more secure on the rail network.
“Surveys like this are another way of hearing what commuters think of our rail network and are a good measure of the work the Government is doing to improve services.”
Mr Campbell said CityRail was now focused on increasing the frequency of services.
“The new CityRail timetable, starting Sunday 11 October this year, provides more than 100 additional weekday services across the network and will see the integration of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link,” he said.
The survey was available from www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au
30 September, 2009
Investigators warned
on PS objectivity
Public Service Investigators have been warned to take a “step back” when making professional decisions.
This was the message given by John Clarke, the former ICAC commissioner who conducted the investigation into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s national Good > Better > Best – Changes in public integrity conference in Canberra, Mr Clarke emphasised the importance of objectivity in the Public Service.
“Decision makers need to step back for some moments and reflect on what they’re going to do and consider if it’s right,” Mr Clarke said.
“Too many decision makers don’t do that and that’s why we get such a proliferation of mistakes.
“In the Haneef case, the person making the decision got too close to the action and got suspicions which, frankly, weren’t justifiable. I know that he thought Haneef was guilty but that, in my view, is because he lost his objectivity.”
Speaking for the first time about his inquiry into the Dr Haneef case, Mr Clarke said conducting a public inquiry into a matter relating to national security had been challenging.
“I recognise that lawyers, judges, everyone who was involved in considering the Haneef case thought hearings in public are the Holy Grail, and I wanted to have a hearing in public, but I only got anywhere when I went to ground and did it privately,” he said.
“Also matters of national security should not be investigated by an investigator with no powers.
“It’s sheer luck if the investigator gets there, and they’re put under enormous pressures. I am concerned that anyone else be as foolhardy as I was to undertake a national security investigation without any power.”
Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan said problems could arise when multiple Agencies were required to cooperate.
Professor McMillan pointed to the Access to Justice report, which was published by the Attorney-General and recommended an Ombudsman role in developing a Charter of Good Administration, a project he said was already underway.
“The report favours a new approach to resolving disputes – one that I strongly support – that places less emphasis on formal justice processes, and more emphasis on prevention and affordable, informal mechanisms for people to resolve disputes,” he said.
30 September, 2009
Uni wage deal is
top of the class
The Public Service Association has welcomed the first NSW University Agreement to be officially voted on by staff, saying it has set the standard for the sector.
Reporting that University of New England staff had approved a new agreement to cover General Staff and English Language Centre Teachers, the PSA said they voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of the new conditions.
“The Agreement gives a 17 per cent compounded pay increase over three years and returns to staff conditions that were stripped out under the WorkChoices laws,” the PSA says on its website.
It says the Agreement includes limits on the use of fixed term contracts and ensures comprehensive union rights.
President of the UNE Branch of the Community and Public Sector Union, Jennifer Mitchell, said the staff would now have excellent working conditions.
“Members told us to deal with the real issue of work-life balance to ensure the University is able to retain and attract the very best workers,” Ms Mitchell said.
We listened and now we will have what are arguably the best conditions in the sector."
She said as well as the pay increases, the main provisions of the Agreement included:
- Uncapped Sick Leave;
- Five weeks annual leave;
- 26 weeks paid Parental Leave and 2 weeks paid Partner Leave;
- Comprehensive classification procedures;
- Reasonable hours provisions;
- Limits on workloads and working hours and the right to refuse overtime;
- Increased superannuation and severance pay for fixed term employees;
- Paid Shutdown provisions;
- The ability to buy up to four weeks extra Annual Leave; and
- Access to part-time work on return to work following maternity leave.
Ms Mitchell said an application had been made to Fair Work Australia to approve the new Agreement.
Senior Industrial Officer with the CPSU, Andrew Holland said the agreement would deliver significant benefits to general staff at the University.
30 September, 2009
DET wags finger
at school truancy
The Department of Education and Training and NSW Courts are to be granted more flexibility to deal with school truancy under new legislation
Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth said the legislation aimed at getting children back to school and focused on the causes of non-attendance and introducing more intervention options.
Ms Firth said under the new legislation the Department would be able to seek information on the causes of non-attendance and convene conferences of parents, education authorities and other Agencies to help develop attendance plans.
“These measures are designed to reduce the need to proceed to Court action but for chronic cases that do end up in Court, we've expanded the options available to magistrates,” she said.
“Courts will be able to order parents to attend rehabilitation programs or call in other relevant Government Agencies to intervene.”
Ms Firth said the only penalty available previously was a monetary fine.
“These new measures will better serve the ultimate aim which is getting children back into school,” she said.
“The changes also support recommendations from the Wood Inquiry into child protection about strengthening approaches to ensuring students attend school.”
Ms Firth said it would be up to magistrates to decide whether a fine or a rehabilitation program was most suited for each particular case.
“Together with our ongoing investment to modernise the way our schools deliver education, this legislation will help us towards our goal of 90 percent of students completing high school by 2015,” she said.
Ms Firth said the Education Act Amendment (School Attendance) Bill complemented a recent increase to the school leaving age from 15 to 17.
30 September, 2009
Councils on the money
with new finance laws
Local Government Councils are to become more financially accountable under new laws passed through State Parliament.
Minister for Local Government, Barbara Perry said Councils will become better at delivering their services to the community as a result.
“These historic reforms mandate a new, more strategic financial planning system for NSW Councils,” Ms Perry said.
“Under the changes, Councils will need to develop short, medium and long term plans that meet community priorities and goals.”
She said The Local Government Amendment (Planning and Reporting) Bill 2009 was a significant step forward from the short term planning and reporting focus that some Council’s currently have.
Ms Perry said the changes would give communities greater opportunities to express what they expected of their Local Council.
“The changes also mean that Councils will have to report back on their performance against the benchmarks set by their communities,” she said.
Ms Perry said under the new Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, Councils must develop an action plan that demonstrates how they plan to deliver projects during their term of office, devise an inventory of local assets and outline local priorities for their area for the next decade.
She said the new system would allow communities to better hold their Council to account on all plan proposals.
“The changes will increase transparency for the community who will be able to benchmark Councils’ plans against what they delivered,” Ms Perry said.
Under the framework, Councils must develop a 10-year Community Strategic Plan outlining local priorities and future aspirations; a Resourcing Strategy including asset management planning, workforce management and financial planning; and a Delivery Program every four years to show how projects would be delivered during the Council’s term in office.
30 September, 2009
RailCorp corruption
sets changes in train
A former RailCorp employee and his associates have been at the centre of corrupt conduct findings made by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
In its report, Investigation into the solicitation and receipt of corrupt payments from a RailCorp contractor, ICAC found the former employee planned to swindle $200,000 from RailCorp in return for awarding a RailCorp security guard auditing services contract.
ICAC alleged the former employee planned to solicit the money over four years in return for awarding the contract to Unisec Security Pty Ltd,
Following the former employee’s admission that he had “always wanted to try something corrupt”, ICAC recommended the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions be sought to prosecute him and his accomplices.
The Commission’s report found that when managing a tender process for the supply of RailCorp security guard auditing services in 2009, the former employee arranged for Unisec’s tender to be increased from about $115,000 per year over four years to about $180,000 per year to enable them to make the $200,000 in payments.
ICAC said the former employee took the opportunity to engage in the scheme after noticing differences between the prices quoted by the shortlisted tenderers due to the weekly hours each planned to work.
Unisec had submitted a fee of $114,939 based on 56 hours per week as per the tender specifications and Davis Langdon Pty Ltd had submitted a tender of $248,472 based on 72 hours work per week.
ICAC said the former employee convinced RailCorp’s Tender Evaluation Committee to enter into negotiations with both companies to clarify hours of work and ensure both quoted on 72 hours per week.
“It is not clear why other members of the TEC agreed to negotiate with the two companies,” the report said.
Unisec contacted the Commission when one of the former employee’s associates contacted them with an invitation to participate in corrupt conduct.
The former employee then contacted Unisec to ask them to resubmit their tender based on 72 hours of work a week and supplied them with the preferred answers to questions that would be raised when they met with RailCorp.
During a meeting between Unisec and the former employee’s associate the making of a $15,000 payment was recorded by the Commission.
RailCorp terminated the former employee from his role following the Commission’s investigation into the matter.
The investigation identified inadequately trained staff as the major risk area that made it possible for the corrupt conduct to occur.
ICAC made five corruption prevention recommendations to improve RailCorp’s procurement systems and procedures, including revising its procurement training for staff and contractors and implementing a system of random auditing to be undertaken by senior managers.
The report was available from www.icac.nsw.gov.au
30 September, 2009
Waterfront tenants
on edge over admin
An audit on the administration of waterfront tenancies has found variations in rents and conditions due to a lack of collaboration between Government Agencies
In his report, Administering Domestic Waterfront Tenancies, Auditor General Peter Achterstraat called for improvements to how the Land and Property Management Authority and Maritime Authority of NSW manage rent for leases and licenses of private jetties, slipways and boatsheds.
Mr Achterstraat said the two Agencies were separately administering domestic waterfront tenancies “broadly in line with Government policy” but that a lack of collaboration was resulting in different practices and variations in rents and conditions.
He recommended a Memorandum of Understanding be signed between Maritime Authority and the Lands Authority to agree upon an overall strategy to administer the tenancies,
“I am also recommending that the Agencies jointly review the net rate of return in an open and consultative manner by December 2009,” Mr Achterstraat said.
The audit also found Agencies had been slow in responding to criticism by tenants about the review of the market based components of the rental formula and the rate of return.
The rental formula was reviewed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal in 2004, which led to increased rents and complaints from tenants.
Mr Achterstraat recommended the Lands Authority and Maritime Authority improve communications with waterfront tenants as a matter of urgency.
“In the past rents were significantly lower and had not changed for 15 years. From 2004 the rents increased as they aligned to market values,” Mr Achterstraat said.
“There have been a number of complaints from owners saying that they have increased too much, in fact, some have more than tripled in that time.”
The Auditor General recommended the Agencies extend and promote the option of paying rent in instalments and introduce a systematic approach to managing tenant inquiries and complaints.
Mr Achterstraat’s report addressed the administration of over 8,000 domestic waterfront tenancies in NSW and investigated whether the Lands Authority and Maritime Authority were administering tenancies in line with IPART’s recommendations and reviewing rental practices to ensure improvements were consistent with the IPART report.
The report was available from www.audit.nsw.gov.au
30 September, 2009
Anti-smoking campaign
to be breathtaking
A new anti-tobacco campaign has been launched to encourage more people to quit smoking.
Minister Assisting on Health (Cancer), Barbara Perry, said the $1.4 million TV, radio and outdoor media campaign focused on the ‘suffocating’ effects of emphysema, a deadly lung disease likely to be evident in most smokers to some extent.
Ms Perry said the campaign followed statistics from the Cancer Institute NSW that showed four out of five smokers wanted to quit.
She said the television advertisement demonstrated how difficult breathing was for people that have emphysema.
“Emphysema condemns people to a life of being short of breath,” she said.
“In its advanced stages it often requires oxygen or medical support and drastically lowers a sufferer’s standard of living.
“The sad fact is that the damage caused by emphysema is irreversible. It is a major cause of disability, hospital admissions and death.”
Ms Perry said the symptoms of emphysema included shortness of breath and fits of coughing.
She said the Smoking and Health Study conducted the Cancer Institute NSW found 80 per cent of smokers had tried to quit, 80 per cent wanted to quit and that 11 per cent believed they would not be smoking in a year.
Ms Perry said 71 per cent of ex-smokers thought advice from a general practitioner increased the chances of quitting and that 83 per cent of smokers regret starting to smoke.
“As the survey demonstrates, while most people are aware at least in general terms about the danger of smoking, we have to be relentless in our efforts to encourage people to quit,” she said.
Ms Perry said smoking was the top public health problem in NSW, with around 920,000 smokers in the State.
“If you smoke, you should not wait for a sign that your health is being damaged,” she said.
“The time to quit is now. By continuing to smoke you are resigning yourself to a life of being short of breath.”
The ‘Smoking and Health Survey’ surveyed 1,600 NSW residents including 800 smokers and 800 non-smokers.
Smokers could call the Quitline on 13QUIT to speak to a specialist advisor about giving up smoking.
30 September, 2009
Watchdog fighting
fit after gym blitz
The Office of Fair Trading has launched a brochure to inform the public of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with gyms and fitness centres.
Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge said the brochure had been created following a number of consumer complaints and a blitz of 60 gyms across Sydney.
Ms Judge said ‘Operation Xtrainer’ had targeted gyms in three phases - onsite inspections were conducted throughout the first quarter of the year, followed by customer surveys and an examination of membership contracts.
She said the blitz had found there was a high level on on-site compliance among gyms but that some contracts were unfair for consumers.
“Fair Trading looked at the fine print of membership agreements and found that while most gyms are doing the right thing, there were some disturbing results,” Ms Judge said.
“Consumers need to make informed choices, but they are less likely to read convoluted contracts printed in tiny fonts – a common factor in many of those examined by Fair Trading.”
She said many consumers that participated in customer surveys admitted they did not read the contract terms and conditions before signing up.
“Making it difficult for consumers to understand their rights, and onerous cancellation penalties and refund policies are practices I want to see stamped out,” Ms Judge said.
“I would prefer to work with industry to ensure we are heading in the right direction, rather than wait for things to go wrong under new laws.”
She said the Office of Fair Trading received around 350 complaints against fitness operators every year, with over 50 per cent relating to cancellations, cooling off periods, and refunds.
Ms Judge said the brochure, Gym Memberships – 10 things you should know, would address the disclosure of contract terms and conditions, bank accounts being debited after cancellation and attractive deals not living up to consumers’ expectations.
“All of these issues are addressed in the top 10 tips.”
She said Fair Trading had also produced a new fact sheet for fitness operators on how to manage their customer service.
“The weather is warming up and there are plenty of people who are motivated to join a gym and shed those unwanted winter kilos,” she said.
“Many gyms advertise attractive-sounding deals, however good intentions can quickly sour if consumers find themselves locked into long-term, high cost memberships.”
The brochure and fact sheet were available from www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
30 September, 2009
Train safety exercise
off and running
The NSW Police Force and RailCorp have launched a major offensive against anti-social and criminal behaviour on the rail network.
Minister for Police, Michael Daley said Operation Vision V (five) was a three-month crackdown on crime and irresponsible behaviour on trains.
Mr Daley said the campaign would target robberies, assaults, vandalism and alcohol related crime.
“Starting this week, police will be out in force on our trains, railway stations, transport interchanges and commuter car parks across the Sydney metropolitan area, the Illawarra and Hunter regions,” he said.
“To those who insist on behaving dangerously or recklessly, I send this message: you will be caught and you will be dealt with, because the community deserves to be able to catch public transport in the knowledge that they will arrive home safely.”
Mr Daley said officer on patrol would include 300 Commuter Crime Unit and General Duties police officers and 600 RailCorp Transit Officers.
Minister for Transport, David Campbell said RailCorp staff would work closely with police to ensure problems were dealt with swiftly.
Mr Campbell said the initiative aimed to make the network safer for commuters.
“Police and RailCorp officers will monitor an extensive network of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras which will allow for the rapid deployment of our resources should an incident occur,” he said.
Mr Campbell said Operation Vision IV had been carried out earlier in the year to clean up the train network and had resulted in 2,395 arrests, 2,216 charges and 65,565 infringement notices.
“We hope to see the same level of success in Operation Vision V, and beyond, because we will not rest when it comes to commuter safety,” he said.
Mr Daley said the operation would reinforce the work already being done by frontline police in reducing crime across the State.
“The latest Bureau of Crime Statistics figures are proof the hard work police are doing to reduce crime in their local communities is paying off,” he said.
30 September, 2009
Consumer DVD
is a good buy
A new DVD aimed at helping Indigenous consumers understand the functions of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal has been launched by the Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge.
Ms Judge said the educational resource was designed to help Aboriginal communities get a fair go and to encourage them to use the Tribunal to solve their disputes.
“The DVD is another wonderful educational tool that will help improve the relationship between Aboriginal people and the CTTT,” she said.
Ms Judge said the DVD provided a step-by-step guide on how to make an application to the CTTT and how problems could be resolved.
“Aboriginal actors feature in two stories about disputes that are brought to the Tribunal for resolution,” she said.
“The first story is about a woman who is about to lose her home because she is behind in paying the rent. The second story is about a young man whose second-hand car has broken down just outside the warranty period and the dealer refuses to fix it.
“The DVD shows Aboriginal consumers how those issues are resolved with the help of the CTTT.”
Ms Judge said the initiative was part of the Government’s commitment to improving services in Aboriginal communities across the State.
“Fair Trading has a great track record of working with Aboriginal consumers to help them get a fair go,” she said.
“Earlier this year, I launched a brochure Getting a Fair Go which was created with the help of Aboriginal writers and artists.”
Ms Judge said the DVD would be distributed to Aboriginal organisations around New South Wales and could also be viewed on the CTTT’s website, www.cttt.nsw.gov.au
30 September, 2009
Governments wring
out water agreement
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the NSW and Federal Governments to allow farmers in NSW to sell their water entitlements to the Commonwealth.
Premier, Nathan Rees and Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said the bilateral agreement would operate until 2012-2013 and would aid the completion of trades from willing sellers in NSW under the Commonwealth’s 2008-09 water purchase tenders.
Mr Rees said the MOU committed both Governments to developing and implementing water shepherding arrangements to ensure environmental water purchases in the northern Basin could be used to meet high priority environmental needs across the system.
Water shepherding enables water to be delivered along the system to high priority environmental assets without enhancing or diminishing the rights of water users along the way.
“This commitment builds on the success of shepherding water from Toorale Station to key wetlands in the River Murray,” Mr Rees said.
He said as a result of the purchase of Toorale station by the NSW Government, around 8.7 gigalitres of water had been delivered to environmental sites in NSW, South Australia and Victoria.
Mr Rees said NSW agreed to lift its embargo on water trades associated with purchases of water for the environment as it would provide “certainty and balance” for regional communities in the State.
“The deal is a win for all parties,” he said.
Ms Gillard said the MOU would allow water to be returned to the Murray-Darling’s rivers and wetlands.
“To date, the Australian Government has secured the purchase of 545 gigalitres of water entitlements worth $840 million from across the Murray-Darling Basin,” she said.
Ms Gillard said the MOU complemented the ‘Water for the Environment’ agreement between the Federal and Victorian Governments that promoted the sustainable use of scarce water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin.
30 September, 2009
Campaign pulls cork
on alcohol violence
A new resource to help improve pub, club and bottleshop safety has been launched by the Government and the Australian Hotels Association.
Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene said the Safer Nights Out campaign had been developed by the Government, industry, and researchers, and contained a comprehensive table of operational practices and strategies.
Mr Greene said the initiative offered practical advice on voluntary strategies that venues could adopt to help reduce violence and would be published on Government and industry body websites.
“This is about helping licensees and managers rate and improve operations, safety plans, house policies and codes of conduct for staff and patrons,” he said.
“It can be hard to keep on top of everything when you’re a hardworking licensee or community club, so we’ll do anything we can that gives them some administrative help.”
Mr Greene said guidelines on venue standards, security, crowd control, drink and food standards and closing times would offer venues a resource to improve their facilities.
“And it’s not just for bosses; this is great for staff training and it also gives patrons an understanding of the standards they should expect while out for a safe, fun night,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of AHA NSW, Sally Fielke welcomed the initiative, saying it was a great example of cooperation between the industry and Government.
“This is a handy resource for our publicans, staff and patrons,” Ms Fielke said.
“It’s an additional tool they can use to strengthen practices and to check safety practices.”
Mr Greene said the Safer Nights Out document would be promoted and distributed by the NSW Government, the Australian Hotels Association, ClubsNSW and the Liquor Stores Association of NSW.
“We will continue working with industry to evaluate the usefulness of the guide and ensure strategies are up to date,” he said.
30 September, 2009
Cockatoo island cells
a cracker of a find
Two solitary confinement cells used to punish convicts in the mid-nineteenth century have been discovered during an archaeological dig on Cockatoo Island.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett said the cells had been buried and forgotten for over 100 years on Sydney’s largest island.
Mr Garrett said the convict precinct where the cells were discovered has been nominated for World Heritage listing as one of 11 Australian sites that tell the story of forced migration of convicts to penal colonies.
“The cells are rare physical evidence from Australia's convict past and will help us to understand what it was like to be imprisoned on Cockatoo Island, the only place in the convict system established specifically for hard labour,” he said.
“This is a truly remarkable discovery.”
Mr Garrett said the two cells were built in 1840 beneath the original convict cookhouse on the top of the island.
The cramped cells were each designed to hold a single convict and would have been used as a form of punishment for the “hardened secondary” offenders who were sent to Cockatoo Island from 1839.
Mr Garrett said since the cells were filled in and covered over in the late-1890s they had been largely forgotten although rumours of their existence persisted.
“This is an extremely rare find from Australia's convict past,” he said.
“Only two other intact examples of punishment cells have survived, both located in Tasmania.”
Mr Garrett said Cockatoo Island had been the destination of serious offenders and used for hard labour.
“Punishment for serious offenders was severe and soul-destroying,” he said.
Cockatoo Island was first used as a convict jail in the late 1830s, when prisoners were put to work building the island's prison, a dry dock and a large stone workshop.
It became a government shipyard in 1913 and remained a major dockyard until 1992.
Cockatoo Island was listed on the National Heritage List in 2007.
30 September, 2009
Electoral changes go public
The next stage of public consultations on the proposed redistribution of NSW Federal electoral boundaries has been announced.
The augmented Electoral Commission will hold two public inquiries to consider submissions and objections to the proposed changes at Mittagong on 8 October and Sydney on 9 October.
Further information was available from www.aec.gov.au
Hyde Park trees go
Three large Hill’s Fig trees have been removed from Sydney’s Hyde Park after an independent arborist report found they were internally decayed and at risk of collapsing.
The report found the trees were affected by up to three different diseases that had left them badly decayed.
The trees have been removed to ensure the safety of park users and will be replaced with new, healthy and mature trees.
Flu testing to be faster
The South East Area Laboratory Service and the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research will purchase new automated influenza testing equipment after receiving funding from the Commonwealth.
The new equipment is expected to enhance the capacity for pandemic influenza testing by public health facilities and allow laboratories to handle increased influenza testing demand.
The funding is part of a package of measures provided by the Government as a result of the recent swine flu pandemic.
Police pocket payrise
NSW Police have accepted the Government’s offer of a 4% pay increase each year for two years.
Eighty-three per cent of officers voted in favour of the new agreement which will also see vital conditions such as injury protection and shift allowances maintained.
The Police Association of NSW said it was pleased with the outcome.
Concession for war veterans
New regulations will allow seriously injured war veterans a concession on their Council rates.
The change aims to help service men and women who are entitled to the pension to pay their rates and those eligible will receive a discount of up to $250 on their ordinary rates and domestic waste management services charge, and up to $87.50 each on water and sewerage rates and charges where Councils provide those services.
Supreme Court juggles lists
The Supreme Court has announced that changes to registrar sitting and return of subpoena arrangements will come into effect for three years from 1 November 2009 while major refurbishment works take place.
The key changes include all morning registrar Courts commencing at 9 am and the Common Law and Equity lists being conducted in Courtrooms at the Land and Environment Court with the Corporations List being conducted at the Industrial Relations Commission.
Probate and Court of Appeal referral lists will commence on Mondays in the Courtrooms to be used by the Probate List judge and Court of Appeal referrals and CCA directions hearings will be conducted in Law Courts courtroom 1A, Darlinghurst or King St.
The return of subpoena list matters will be distributed between the lists.
Further information was available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
New fire engine at Mooree
Firefighters at Moree Fire Station have taken delivery a new $578,000 fire engine to help improve the safety and fire protection of the community.
The new vehicle includes state-of-the-art rescue equipment and is part of the biggest roll-out of new and upgraded fire engines in the history of the NSW Fire Brigades.
Firefighters at Moree Fire Station provide protection for the town and surrounding area. The station has a Station Officer, three permanent firefighters and a retained crew of a Captain and 16 firefighters.
Writers’ winner named
The winner of the 2009 NSW Writer’s Fellowship has been announced by the Premier, Nathan Rees as Anna Funder, author of the non-fiction book, Stasiland.
Ms Funder won the $20,000 fellowship to help her write her next book, The General’s Pleasure, which follows the adventures of Matthew Flinders.
Stasiland recounts the experiences of people who resisted communism in East Germany and has been published in 20 countries and in 17 languages.
Comment call for stations
Public comment on the design of the new Pyrmont and Rozelle metro stations has been encouraged by the Minister for Transport, David Campbell.
Three designs are to be put on display to allow the public to choose their favourites and to provide feedback.
Mr Campbell said leading architects and designers would come up with the three original designs as part of an interactive design workshop known as a charette.
23 September, 2009
New rules for PS regulation
A new Regulation governing some major aspects of the management of the NSW Public Service came into effect on 1 September.
The Public Sector Employment and Management Regulation 2009 replaces the 1996 Public Sector Employment and Management (General) Regulation which has now been repealed.
A Circuular issued by the Department of Premier and Cabinet announces the new Regulation saying it applies only to officers and temporary employees in Public Service Departments.
“The Regulation continues arrangements that are not provided for elsewhere such as higher duties, selection procedures, and health assessments,” the DPC Circular says.
“Minor changes in the Regulation include removing allowances applying only to officers (not executive officers) and departmental temporary employees already provided for in the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009.
“These include meal, remote area, absence on official duties and work related expenses allowances.”
Signing off on the Circular, the Secretary of DPC, John Lee said the Regulation also clarified leave changes for non-SES officers that had been extended to Executive Officers.
“The Regulation now clarifies that leave arrangements in the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 are taken to apply to Executive Officers and those members of staff not covered by a State Industrial Instrument,” Mr Lee said.
He said the Personnel Handbook would be updated shortly but the Regulation could be accessed now at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au.
DPC Circular C2009-32 could be accessed at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
23 September, 2009
Auslan resource
a good sign
The Office of Industrial Relations has developed an online video resource to help deaf and hearing impaired people better understand their rights at work.
Minister for Industrial Relations, John Hatzistergos said the Auslan Info Bytes resource had been launched to help the signing community understand their workplace entitlement and rights.
Mr Hatzistergos said around 10 percent of the NSW population (over 660,000 people) lived with complete or partial hearing loss.
He said many members of the deaf community relied on Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to communicate.
“We are committed to helping the NSW deaf and hearing impaired community access the right information to help them get a job and to learn about their rights and obligations when they do find work,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The NSW Office of Industrial Relations has responded to this need by developing online videos which the signing deaf community can easily access and understand.”
He said the Office worked with the Deaf Society of NSW to develop the video series, which feature a deaf person using Auslan to explain important workplace messages.
“The videos cover a range of topics – from illegal unpaid trial work and the importance of keeping workplace records, to wages, working conditions and the differences between full-time, part-time and casual work,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Deaf Society of NSW, Sharon Everson said the Office of Industrial Relations was the first State Government Agency to use its new translation service to deliver information in Auslan.
Ms Everson said the Society was “delighted” to see the Government taking positive steps towards addressing the needs of deaf people, who formed a minority language group.
“We look forward to offering our translation service to many more Agencies in the future” she said.
Ms Everson said Auslan was not based on the English language.
“It is a visual language with its own unique syntax and grammar and is without a written form,” she said.
“For this reason, reading information from a website is not practical for many deaf Australians.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government recognised the need to provide information in Auslan - the primary language of deaf or hearing impaired people in Australia.
“We hope that learning about the OIR resource will encourage other organisations to provide information to the State’s deaf community by developing further resources in Auslan,” he said.
The videos were available from www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
23 September, 2009
Levy makes parking
such sweet sorrow
Significant increases in the parking space levy have taken effect from 1 July and are detailed in a new Circular from the Department of Premier and Cabinet
Circular C2009-31 advises that the new levy for parking in category 1 areas such as the business districts of Sydney and North Sydney has risen from $950 a year to $2,000 a year and for spaces in the business districts of Parramatta, Chatswood, Bondi Junction and St Leonards, from $470 to $710 per space.
“In future financial years the rates will be indexed to the Sydney CPI as has occurred in the past,” the Circular says.
While past advice on the parking levy has been related to salary packages for SES and Senior Officer positions, the new Circular takes into account other levels as well.
“This Circular extends the advice in respect of other Public Servants who may be affected by the parking space levy.”
Under the rules for including parking in a remuneration package, Departments and Agencies are required to collect the levy in full from the officer who has a vehicle under a salary sacrifice arrangement and who is provided with a parking space where the levy applies.
There is to be no proportioning of the levy between business and private use but it may be applied pro rata during a reconciliation when the officer has not held the space for the full FBT year.
The increases in the levy were initially announced in the Mini-Budget handed down in November 2008.
For more information about the levy and for access to the DPC Circular, visit the DPC website www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
23 September, 2009
WorkCover guide has
designs on buildings
WorkCover NSW has released a new guide to encourage industry workers to consider occupational health and safety principles when designing workplace buildings.
Acting Chief Executive Officer for WorkCover NSW, Rob Thomson said the guide provided practical advice on incorporating safety principles such as risk management, consultation and reporting, into the design process.
Mr Thomson said the Safe Design Guide was aimed at reducing the incidence of workplace injuries by ensuring OH&S was considered as early as possible during the design stage.
“The design of a building or structure has a significant impact on safety across its lifecycle, and removing risks at their source is a cost-effective way to reduce workplace injuries,” he said.
Mr Thomson said the guide targeted people involved in designing buildings and structures such as architects, engineers, trades people and those associated with technical design.
“Key parties involved in the design process have an important role to play in identifying and controlling any occupational health and safety risks that may exist during the life of a structure,” he said.
The guide outlines a design approach that considers the health and safety of workers who construct, maintain, clean, repair and demolish the structure, as well as those who work in it.
It addresses workplace safety risks such as ergonomics and manual handling; fire and explosions; slips, trips and falls; emergency procedures; and violence and robberies.
The 44-page guide also includes a recommended safe design process and a risk solution register tool.
WorkCover NSW developed the guide in consultation with the Safe Design Advisory Group working party which included representatives from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Australia, Safety Science Associates and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
“The guide is another example of how WorkCover NSW is working in partnership with industry to reduce workplace injuries and develop safety solutions,” Mr Thomson said.
“With workplace injuries and fatalities in New South Wales at their lowest levels in more than two decades, WorkCover NSW will continue to work closely with employers and workers to maintain safety standards.”
The Safe Design Guide was available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 13 10 50.
23 September, 2009
Premier fires up
bushfire warning
Premier, Nathan Rees has called on the public to fireproof their properties in the lead up to the bushfire season and has assured residents that NSW fire Authorities are prepared and ready for the summer.
Mr Rees said the nationwide Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, released this week, warned that the potential for bushfires over most of NSW this summer was high.
“A looming El Nino, low winter rainfall and above-average spring temperatures here in NSW mean we could be facing our worst summer for some years,” he said.
“After the devastation of last year – the simple message is, prepare early.
“We are in full swing for the upcoming season and the public must prepare with us to protect their families and properties.”
Mr Rees said home-owners should clear flammable materials from their property, including cleaning out gutters and cutting back shrubs and trees.
“Water sources are also crucial,” he said.
“Residents in fire risk areas should notify local fire services of backyard swimming pools or dams that can be used in emergencies.”
Mr Rees said residents could make use of the new national Fire Danger Rating – Catastrophic/Code Red – warning systems to remain informed of fire risks.
He said over the coming weeks a new public education campaign would be launched to advocate safe behaviour during fire season.
“Prepare. Act. Survive will help people get their homes ready and make informed decisions about what is best for them and their families in a bush fire,” Mr Rees said.
He said Rural Fire Service aerial firefighting would be increased this summer, with additional aircraft being deployed for longer periods.
“The extra aircraft will be used for rapid aerial attack, reconnaissance and firespotting and to deploy Remote Area Firefighting Teams to fires in inaccessible locations,” Mr Rees said.
He said fire authorities, Local Councils and other land managers had worked hard to carry out hazard reduction over the cooler months.
“These crews support hazard reduction operations by assisting with heavy work such as cutting containment lines in preparation for burning, helping brigades to concentrate on safe and effective burns,” Mr Rees said.
He said this year NSW firefighters would be supported by almost 6,000 members of Community Fire Units based in bushfire prone neighbourhoods.
23 September, 2009
RFS burns rate hoses
down the hazards
New figures released by the Rural Fire Service have shown 70 per cent of intended hazard reduction activities for 2008/09 will have been completed in the lead up to this year’s bushfire season.
Minister for Emergency Services, Steve Whan said this figure compared to just 58 per cent of planned hazard reduction activities that were achieved in 2007/08.
Mr Whan said the improvement in the rate of hazard reduction was due to favourable weather, increased spending and the tireless work of State fire services, Councils, land managers and owners.
“Agencies across NSW are on track to achieve more hazard reduction and protect more homes than we have seen in a number of years, he said.
“This is testament to the determined efforts of our fire services and land Agencies to use every window of opportunity to complete as much of their scheduled works program as possible.”
Mr Whan said the Government had boosted spending for hazard reduction burns, activities and fire trails by $36 million over four years.
“This included funding for the Rural Fire Service to hire seasonal works crews to assist with hazard reduction work,” he said.
“These crews carry out the labour-intensive preparatory works such as cutting containment lines, leaving our firefighters to concentrate on conducting safe, effective burns.”
Mr Whan said the elderly and vulnerable had received assistance with preparing their properties for the possibility of fire and that firefighters continued to work to protect the community in the lead-up to the bushfire season.
Over 37 hazard reduction burns have been carried out across the State over the past two weeks.
“Firefighters from all Agencies across the State are using every available opportunity to increase the number of properties and communities better protected by hazard reduction,” Mr Whan said.
“Residents in all bush fire prone communities should follow the lead set by our firefighters and begin their preparations for the fire season.”
RFS Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons said hazard reduction was “an essential and effective tool” when fighting bushfires but that the best defence against a bushfire was a well prepared property.
23 September, 2009
Ceiling fires go
through the roof
The NSW Fire Brigades and the Office of Fair Trading have joined forces to warn residents of the risk of house fires due to ceiling insulation and downlights.
Acting Commissioner for NSWFB, John Benson said fires involving downlights and ceiling insulation had been responsible for at least 26 fires in NSW this year.
Acting Commissioner Benson said eight of those fires had occurred in the past six weeks.
“NSW Fire Brigades investigators have noticed a growing number of fires involving downlights with roofing insulation as the ignition factor,” he said.
“Thankfully no one was injured in these fires but many of them resulted in damage to homes and placed lives at risk.”
Acting Commissioner Benson said the Office of Fair Trading had released a “timely reminder” for all households to review their fire safety measures and ensure their ceiling insulation was not located too close to downlights.
“I urge residents to ensure their halogen downlights and roofing insulation are properly installed and maintained,” he said.
“People need to be aware that fires can occur in the roof and a smoke alarm may not alert you to these fires in time to safely escape.
“Be aware of the dangers and if you have tradespeople working in your roof ask them to ensure they do not place the insulation too close to downlights or disturb the insulation.
Acting Commissioner Benson said if downlights and insulation were installed correctly there was no danger.
Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge said all combustible insulation had to be at least 200 mm away from halogen lights under the Australian Standard for insulation.
“If the insulation is not fixed in place, a fire-resistant barrier should be installed to maintain the required distance and to ensure that the heat dissipates evenly and safely,” Ms Judge said.
She also advised homeowners to use trusted and qualified traders.
“Fair Trading has produced a form for installation contractors to sign, confirming they know how to install insulation correctly,” Ms Judge said.
The form was available from www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
23 September, 2009
Shots fired at Defence
loophole
The eligibility criteria for First Home Owners Grants are to be widened to ensure Defence personnel do not miss out.
Treasurer, Eric Roozendaal said Grant applicants must fulfil a number of criteria, which included living in the dwelling for six months.
Mr Roozendaal said this requirement was difficult for Defence personnel to meet as they could be called away for duty at short notice.
He said the NSW Government was “leading the nation” by expanding the criteria and ensuring ADF personnel were supported.
“The men and women who serve in our armed forces are prepared to sacrifice their lives in active duty and deserve to be supported in every way possible,” Mr Roozendaal said.
“We will reform the rules so the men and women protecting our country are not unfairly disadvantaged.”
He said the condition would be reviewed following community concerns and representations from State Parliamentarians who had Defence personnel in their electorates.
“Revising the residency provision in the First Home Owners Grant will support service men and women doing their job and gives them one less thing to worry about while they’re serving Australia’s interests,” Mr Roozendaal said.
NSW first home buyers currently receive up to $41,990 in grants and stamp duty cuts – among the most generous in Australia.
Since the introduction of first home buyer grants in July 2000 over 422,000 first home buyers have received grants and stamp duty exemptions worth in excess of $6.2 billion.
23 September, 2009
Penalty work is
fine new idea
A two-year trial to allow homeless and disadvantaged people to pay off fines through charity work and treatment programs has been announced by Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said the scheme would give people experiencing hardship the change to pay off debt and avoid the criminal justice system.
“This program aims to address a phenomenon known as ‘secondary offending’, which occurs when disadvantaged people can’t pay their fines and descend deeper into the criminal justice system,” he said.
“For people who are homeless, mentally ill or chronically poor, the accumulation of debt through unpaid fines can be a real impediment to getting their lives back together.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the program would allow participants to apply for a Work and Development Order from the State Debt Recovery Office, which would require them to undertake voluntary work for approved charities, counselling, drug and alcohol treatment or complete educational, vocational or life skills courses.
“The first participants have been issued with Orders and the early signs are that this program will make a real difference in helping some of our most vulnerable groups,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said a number of NSW organisations had applied to take part in the program including large charity groups, youth services, drug and alcohol services, neighbourhood centres and mental health service providers.
“This trial is strongly backed by many of the State’s key charity groups including The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Youth Off the Streets,” he said.
Spokesperson for the Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network, Captain Paul Moulds said the scheme would allow young people to reconnect with the community and move forward with their lives.
“For far too long young people have been excluded from participating in the community because of the debts and fines they incurred while in crisis or homeless,” Captain Moulds said.
NSW Chief Executive Officer of St Vincent de Paul Society, John Picot welcomed the opportunity to participate in the scheme.
“These are innovative measures that will allow people who can’t afford to pay their fines to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” Mr Picot said.
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Youth Off The Streets, Father Chris Riley said the first participants in the program were already showing signs of improvement.
“Work and Development Orders have provided an extra incentive for young people to keep regular contact with our Counsellors, giving them the best chance at making a full recovery from their addictions,” Father Riley said.
23 September, 2009
Youngsters needed
for sage advice
Youths have been encouraged to nominate for the NSW Commission for Children and Young People’s 2010 Young People’s Reference Group.
NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People, Gaye Phillips said the Reference Group would be made up of 12 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 from a variety of backgrounds and different parts of the State.
Commissioner Phillips said the YPRG allowed youths to become involved in making decisions that would affect young people.
“One of our jobs is to listen to children and young people, to advocate for them and encourage their participation where decisions are made that affect them,” she said.
“The young people selected will have a year to have their voices heard and get a chance to influence decisions in NSW.”
Commissioner Phillips said the 12 youths chosen would undergo free advocacy training and have their voices heard.
The YPRG is to meet with the Commissioner in Sydney to discuss how to make NSW a better place for young people.
Commissioner Phillips said past members of the Reference Groups had played important roles in setting the direction for the Commission for Children and Young People and had influenced what the Commission did.
She said past members had also influenced the Commission’s advice on laws before Parliament and had helped organisations understand how their work would affect young people.
17-year-old Jemma, a 2009 YPRG member said the Reference Group provided her with the opportunity to have her voice heard, meet new friends and “eat lots of lollies”.
Commissioner Phillips encouraged all young people to apply.
Further information and application forms were available at www.kids.nsw.gov.au
23 September, 2009
Safety laws in good hands
Draft documents setting up model national occupational health and safety legislation are to be released for public discussion by the Safe Work Australia Council.
Chair of the Council, Tom Phillips said the suite of documents represented a “significant development” in the harmonisation of OHS laws around Australia and the Australian community should have six weeks to comment on them.
“We have reached a key milestone,” Mr Phillips said.
“Safe Work Australia is on track to deliver national OHS laws by December 2011.”
He said the documents to be made available included an exposure draft of the model OHS Act, a discussion paper, draft Regulations and a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).
“I believe harmonising OHS laws will benefit workers across all industries by better protecting the lives and health of Australians,” Mr Phillips said.
“This regulatory reform will not come at the expense of the safety of Australian workers.”
He said releasing the documents would allow Australian businesses and individuals to voice their opinion on the new legislation.
He said the final decision on releasing the documents rested with the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) so Safe Work Australia had forwared a recommendation on.
Mr Phillips also announced that 41 organisations had sought to become Safety Partners of national Safe Work Australia Week, which would run from 25 to 31 October. He said the Safety Partners would join 16 Safety Ambassadors to promote safety during the week.
“In agreeing to become Safety Ambassadors, Council members join the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Safety Commissioner in a strong commitment to workplace safety and the benefits of harmonised OHS,” Mr Phillips said.
“We look forward to working together to raise awareness of the benefits of harmonisation and the importance of workplace safety to reduce the incidence of death, injury and disease.”
23 September, 2009
Agency takes time off
for holiday advice
The Child Support Agency has released a list of tips to help separated parents save money over the school holidays without missing out on any holiday fun.
NSW/ACT Service Manager for the CSA, Laura Purnell said the Agency also had a free booklet, ME and My Money to help parents stretch their money after separation.
Ms Purnell said separated parents often experienced a range of financial stresses post-separation when they faced supporting two households with the money that used to support one.
She said planning school holidays around designated access times, arranging long-distance travel and school holiday activities could contribute to additional costs and stress for separated parents.
However, Ms Purnell said when parents use their imaginations “the sky is the limit”.
“You don’t need to be a Disneyland mum or dad to have a good time with your children,” she said.
“The CSA has a list of money saving tips that allow you to make the most of the holidays without letting financial constraints spoil the fun.”
Ms Purnell said there were a number of way to have fun without spending much money, including attending story time at the local library; having a picnic lunch at the beach or local park; making a cubby house from old cardboard boxes; and buying craft material from the $2 shop.
She also suggested going to the movies on a Tuesday when tickets are cheaper and further reducing costs by making popcorn at home and buying lollies from the supermarket.
Ms Purnell said community centres often ran budget-friendly school holiday activities and many shopping centres ran free craft activities for kids.
Further information and money saving tips were available from www.csa.gov.au
23 September, 2009
Forgotten people to
be remembered
Premier, Nathan Rees has apologised to children who grew up in NSW orphanages, foster homes and children’s homes during a special service at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.
Mr Rees apologised to the “Forgotten Australians” for the hurt and suffering many endured while in State care, saying the apology was an “important marker in the lives of many people who have lived with sad and dark memories of their childhoods”.
“The unregulated care system in past decades saw many children mistreated through no fault of their own,” he said.
“We have been told how children were neglected and isolated, brothers and sisters separated, contact with family restricted or denied and opportunity disregarded with children pressed into harsh domestic service.”
Mr Rees said it was important an apology be given on behalf of the Government and people of NSW.
“The personal testimonies of some of the people in care outline childhoods devoid of love and affection and even emotional and physical abuse,” he said.
“This has had untold consequences with a legacy that has sometimes been passed down the generations from family to family.”
Mr Rees announced a $9 million funding boost over five years to provide additional counselling support and training for care leavers.
“The funding is a practical way of helping many people who are still working through their experiences,” he said.
“We knew that many of those affected live with poor literacy and numeracy skills, long term physical and mental health issues and drug and alcohol addictions.
“This funding will employ case workers and counsellors to help address these legacies of the past.”
Mr Rees said the funding would help people access personal information and records; employ caseworkers; offer more counselling services; set up social groups to build networks and reduce isolation; help people contact their families; and index archived records of children in State care.
“The NSW Government has been working with representative groups to acknowledge this part of our history and build on previous efforts made by Ministers for Community Services,” he said.
Chair of the Alliance of Forgotten Australians, Caroline Carroll said the apology was a “very positive step.”
“Hearing an apology for the harsh treatment that was given to us as children in NSW will be a meaningful and validating experience. The NSW Government has included us and heard what our needs are,” Ms Carroll said.
“I hope that Forgotten Australians will find some measure of peace in this beautiful corner of the Gardens where we will always be remembered.”
Around 500 of the estimated 200,000 people who grew up in State care in NSW attended the apology service and reception.
Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney joined Mr Rees to speak at the service.
23 September, 2009
Longevity Index is
long time coming
Australia’s first Longevity Index has been launched at the University of New South Wales by the Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan.
Mr Swan launched the Index at the opening of the Australian Institute for Population Ageing Research (AIPAR), an Australian School of Business initiative that brings together research on population ageing from business, social sciences, engineering, medicine and the built environment.
Mr Swan said the AIPAR Longevity Index would help people who wanted to fund their retirement understand the effects of interest rates, inflation and longevity on costs.
He said the Index showed the capital cost at each age to buy an income of $1 per annum in real terms to death and would change quarterly to reflect changes in longevity, interest rates and inflation.
The AIPAR Longevity Index was developed by Professor Michael Sherris and Professor John Evans from Actuarial Studies at UNSW’s Australian School of Business.
Director of AIPAR, Professor John Piggott said the ageing population was one of the most crucial issues facing the world as the proportion of retired people was increasing relative to younger people in the workforce.
“The proportion of Australians aged 65 and over is projected to almost double to a quarter of the population by 2050,” Professor Piggott said.
“While there are now five Australians of working age to support every person aged 65 and over, by 2050 it is forecast that there will only be 2.4 people in that crucial support role.”
He said AIPAR was researching the challenges raised by an ageing population and would work in partnership with it two founding sponsors, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority and PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia.
“It will work closely with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors as well as national and international research institutes,” Professor Piggott said.
Mr Swan also announced the members of the AIPAR Leaders Forum, which will help AIPAR formulate its research agenda and raise its profile and standing.
The Forum will be chaired by Marc de Cure and includes Treasury Secretary, Dr Ken Henry and Dr Jeff Harmer from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Other members are: Professor John Piggott (Director AIPAR); Dr Jennifer Alexander (Royal Australasian College of Physicians); Cameron Clyne (National Australia Bank); Craig Dunn (AMP); Professor Les Field (UNSW); Mark Johnson (PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia); Matthew Quinn (Stockland); Heather Ridout (Australian Industry Group); George Savvides (Medibank Private); Professor Peter Shergold (Centre for Social Impact); and Glenn Stevens (Reserve Bank of Australia).
23 September, 2009
New website fosters
carer search
An online application program to make it easier for prospective foster carers to apply has been launched by the Department of Community Services.
Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney said the program was one of a number of changes being made to improve the assessment of foster carers and to recruit more people.
Ms Burney announced the online program during the Community Services Estimates Hearing, saying it would allow caseworkers to track applications more effectively.
“For the first time, people interested in fostering can submit applications via the internet,” she said.
“This will help reduce the amount of time caseworkers spend on paperwork and allow them more face-to-face time with applicants.”
Ms Burney said the changes meant people who wanted to foster a child or young person in NSW would be subject to an identity test under new guidelines set down for criminal record checks.
“Community Services will use a 100-point test to verify the identity of carers and members of their households,” she said.
“Household members aged between 16 and 18 years will also be asked to meet an identity test.”
Ms Burney said under the changes, Community Services staff would be trained in new interview techniques to assess carers’ capabilities and identify areas where additional training is needed.
“These changes are about simplifying the assessment process and making sure we have the best possible candidates to care for children who, sadly, cannot live safely with their families,” she said.
Ms Burney urged members of the public to consider becoming foster carers, saying they could be of any age or gender, single, in a relationship or from any cultural background.
“At present, we have more than 2,500 foster carers in NSW but the number of children entering care continues to spiral. There are currently over 15,000 children living in out-of-home care,” she said.
“You don’t need a big house or big income, only a warm smile and some time to give children the encouragement and attention they need.”
Further information on fostering was available from www.fosteringnsw.com.au
23 September, 2009
Environment grants
get green signal
Community organisations are set to benefit from a $5.9 million investment in energy and water upgrades.
Minister for Energy, Climate Change and the Environment, John Robertson said 247 pre-schools, sporting clubs, retirement villages and charities would be targeted in projects expected to achieve emissions savings equivalent to taking 1,000 cars of the road for a year and water savings equal to 125 Olympic swimming pools.
“Together these projects will save 125 million litres of water and 4,560 tonnes of carbon pollution a year,” Mr Robertson said.
“They will also help not-for-profit groups save an average of $3,750 a year on their water and energy bills.”
He said the funding would be allocated through Community Savers grants under the NSW Climate Change Fund and would provide up to $40,000 per organisation.
Mr Robertson said the grants could be used to cover the costs of lighting retrofits, rainwater tank and solar hot water installations, and water efficient toilets and fixtures.
“The grants will come as a welcome cash injection for smaller organisations and volunteer groups that don’t have the up-front capital to implement upgrades but recognise the obvious long-term benefits for the environment and their budgets,” he said.
“For example, a preschool in Miranda will receive over $22,000 to install a solar hot water system, energy efficient lighting and water-efficient taps and toilets.
“These upgrades will reduce the preschool’s power use by 21 per cent and save nearly seven tonnes of carbon pollution and 147,000 litres of water a year.”
Mr Robertson said the funding would support 58 projects in Greater Metropolitan Sydney, 44 in the Illawarra, 37 in the Hunter, 24 in Richmond-Tweed, 19 in South Eastern NSW, 17 in the Central West and 17 on the Mid-North Coast.
“This program reflects the enthusiasm and commitment of communities in towns and suburbs across NSW to help do their bit to combat climate change, reduce carbon pollution and improve water efficiency,” he said.
23 September, 2009
Lottery sale ball rolling
The Government has launched a formal process to select a party to operate public lotteries in NSW.
An exclusive 40-year licence will be granted to the successful applicant to deliver lottery products throughout the State.
Parties interested in receiving a copy of the Request for Qualifications document could email joseph.fayyad@gsjbw.com or phone (02) 9320 1011.
The deadline for lodging responses is 20 October 2009.
Allowances updated
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular updating travel and meal allowances for Australian and international travel.
The Circular was issued in response to Taxation Office Determination and took effect on 1 July.
The Circular is accessible from the DPC website www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
Planner’s toolkit
The Department of Transport and Infrastructure has issued an Active Transport Planner’s Toolkit which includes a list of internet resources to assist transport planning.
The resource provides useful links to many aspects of State and national planning networks, cycling resources, technical guidelines and research centres.
The Toolkit can be accessed at www.transport.nsw.gov.au
Crossings improved
Boom gates and lights are to be installed at two level rail crossings in Denman in the Upper Hunter over the next two weeks.
The Kenilworth Street and Public Road crossings will receive the safety features under the Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program which receives funding from the Economic Stimulus Plan.
The projects will be delivered by the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Apprentices need bosses
Employers have been sought to participate in the Continuing Apprentices Placement Service program, which helps find new placements for apprentices and trainees under threat of losing their jobs due to economic circumstances
The program has placed 172 of 678 apprentices who registered for assistance in new positions.
However more employers are needed to take part in the scheme to allow the Government to match all the apprentices who have registered.
Maritime panels unveiled
The Australian National Maritime Museum is to unveil three new panels on its Migrant Welcome Wall at a ceremony to celebrate the diversity of Australian migrants.
Rugby league player, Hazem El Masri will be the guest speaker at the event and will reveal 1,150 new names, including his own, of people who arrived in Australia at different times.
To attend the event, which will be held on 27 September, visit www.anmm.gov.au.
Council agrees on reserve
The State Government has entered into a new partnership with Blacktown City Council after signing an agreement to lease the Nurragingy Reserve.
The 50-year lease, with a further 25-year option, will be used to secure the future of the 90 hectares of bushland and public picnic grounds which lie at the northern tip of Western Sydney Parklands.
Early education agreement
A new National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education will see NSW receive an additional $278.6 million of funding over five years to increase access to preschools and early education.
Eighty-five per cent of community preschools will benefit from the increased funding Preschools that provide services to children who are most in need of early childhood education, such as Aboriginal children and children from low income families, are expected to receive much of the additional funding.
Homeowners develop estate
A 700-lot development in Middleton Grange has been opened six months ahead of schedule to allow first home buyers to take advantage of First Home Buyer Grants.
Eighty-eight house and land packages have already been sold at the 40 hectare Parkbridge Estate development, 75 per cent of which were purchased by first home buyers.
Government Agency Landcom designed the estate in partnership with Mirvac.
16 September, 2009
Trainee target hits bullseye
Over 1,000 new apprentices have been recruited into Government jobs so far this year, reaching the Government’s annual target almost four months ahead of schedule.
Premier, Nathan Rees welcomed the milestone which was part of the Government’s commitment to deliver 6,000 new training places across the State over four years.
Mr Rees said the drive saw apprentice mechanics, auto-electricians and panel beaters working on transport infrastructure in Railcorp, the Roads and Traffic Authority, and State Transit Authority.
“This initiative is about training the skilled workforce of tomorrow and putting this Government’s record $62.9 billion infrastructure program into action,” he said.
“We have doubled the total number of apprentices employed on State Government projects in a single year and that is no mean feat.”
Special Minister of State, John Robertson said Agencies would continue to recruit apprentices this year beyond the 1,000 target.
“We will also commence recruitment for the next intake of cadets for the Jump Start Public Sector cadetship program next month – just in time to catch the new batch of school leavers,” Mr Robertson said.
He said the long term career prospects for apprentices were bright, with research showing over 90 per cent of apprentices achieved long-term fulltime employment.
“In many cases tradespeople earn more money than those who’ve undertaken tertiary education,” Mr Robertson said.
“I encourage all high school students weighing up their career options to consider a trade apprenticeship – and better still – a Government based trade apprenticeship.”
Mr Rees said the program supported young people by building their skills and supplying them with work.
“These apprentices are out in their communities constructing school halls, toilet blocks, science labs and other vital infrastructure at Primary Schools and High Schools,” he said.
“They are spread across every region in the State, from the North Coast, to the Victorian border and across to Broken Hill.”
Mr Rees said the Government aimed to create 6,000 new training places over four years, including 4,000 apprentices and 2,000 cadetships.
16 September, 2009
Disabled buying plan
is tender mercy
A new procurement model has been unveiled that exempts organisations employing people with disabilities from competitive tendering for Government contracts.
Premier, Nathan Rees announced the new system at the National Disability Services 2009 Employment Forum and Workability International Conference, saying it would cut red tape and boost job opportunities for people with a disability.
“This ground-breaking idea will ensure that people with a disability or mental illness can enjoy improved job prospects as the economy improves,” Mr Rees said.
“Everyone who can work should be able to work and people with a disability are valued workers.”
He said the Government had set a target to close the gap in the unemployment rate between people with a disability and those without by 50 per cent by 2016, or about 6,000 jobs.
Mr Rees said the National Disability Services would maintain a register of approved organisations that would benefit from the tendering exemption.
“The model makes the NSW Government a leader in the provision of job opportunities for people with a disability.
He said NSW’s Transition to Work program, which was established in 2005, helped youths with a disability to develop work skills after leaving school.
“We are investing about $18 million a year to support 900 people in the program at any one time,” he said.
“Over the next 10 years, about 6,500 people are expected to progress through the Transition to Work program.”
Mr Rees also acknowledged the positive role the private sector played in removing barriers to employing people with a disability.
16 September, 2009
Union spits dummy
over breastfeeding
The Public Service Association of NSW has called on Government Departments and Agencies to abide by the State’s policy on breastfeeding in the workplace.
The PSA has threatened action in the NSW Industrial Commission to force Agencies to adhere to the policy.
President of the PSA, Sue Walsh said the NSW Public Service was “stuck in the dark ages” when it came to breastfeeding at work.
Ms Walsh said the Public Service’s position on the issue was discouraging many women from returning to work after childbirth.
“The State Government stated its support for family-friendly workplaces, but Government Departments have been slow to catch up with community expectations,” she said.
“Many women in the public sector are finding they are discriminated against, alienated, and embarrassed by the lack of sensitivity towards breastfeeding in the workplace, in the majority of Government Agencies.”
Ms Walsh said the Government’s Employer Sponsored Childcare policy and guidelines, published in 1997, stated women returning from childbirth should be provided with “physical facilities such as a private room and comfortable surroundings which allow a mother to express and store breast milk,” along with regular “lactation breaks”.
She said Parliament House was “one of the few” State Government workplaces to adhere to the policy.
“For most Public Servants however, breastfeeding is simply not a realistic option,” Ms Walsh said.
“Breastfeeding is a woman’s right, and it’s now up to Government Agencies to catch up with both community expectations and the State Government policy on breastfeeding at work.”
16 September, 2009
Archives blog puts
policies on record
State Records NSW has launched a series of new posts on its Archives Outside blog detailing how to access State archives.
The tongue-in-cheek series, A Day in the Life of a State Archive: from request to delivery, outlines some of the policies and procedures in place to help the public access records from the reading room at Western Sydney.
The posts follow the online request and delivery of Dame Nellie Melba’s Probate Packet as a way of educating members of the public on how to pre-order and view archives.
They detail how to use the online archival catalogue at State Records NSW, Archives Investigator, and the processes that must be completed before the record can be viewed.
According to the blog, if records are too frail or are damaged, staff or the public would be unable to handle them, and they would instead be sent to Conservation.
The four part series also outlines the processes for copying records, timeframes for the receipt of copies and costs incurred.
“Our aim was to highlight some of our public access procedures and the actual process of providing access to a record in the reading room,” State Records NSW said.
The blog was available fromwww.archivesoutside.records.nsw.gov.au.
16 September, 2009
PS clocks on for
training awards
The Public Service was well-represented among the winners of the NSW Training Awards, announced recently by the Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth.
Ms Firth said the awards recognised and rewarded the outstanding achievements of apprentices, trainees and vocational students, and the contribution of training providers and employers.
“These awards continue a long-standing tradition of recognising and celebrating excellence within the NSW vocational education and training system,” she said.
“The NSW Training Awards showcase the stunning array of talent and dedication in our State.”
Ms Firth said the winners and finalists were chosen from 11 regions across the State and highlighted the best in public and private training organisations.
“The awards also demonstrate the commitment and creativity of NSW employers in supporting their staff to improve their skills,” she said.
Ms Firth said a record number of students, schools, registered training organisations and employers competed for awards in 15 categories this year, including Apprentice of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Employer of the Year and Training Provider of the Year.
She said the Premier, Nathan Rees had agreed to be Patron of the NSW Training Awards.
TAFE NSW took out two of the awards, with the Western Sydney Institute winning the Large Training Provider of the Year and the Northern Sydney Institute campus winning the NSW Training Initiative Award.
The winners will now go on to represent the NSW at the Australian Training Awards at Canberra in November.
The awards were sponsored by a number of Public Sector Departments and private organisations.
Other winners included TAFE NSW students and apprentices, a volunteer for Lifeline and a staff member from North West Disability Services Inc.
Student and school award winners
2009 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year: Dasha Newington, TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
2009 Apprentice of the Year: Gavin Press, TAFE NSW – Western Institute
2009 School Based Apprentice of the Year: Telecia Wehlow,Newman Senior Technical College
2009 Trainee of the Year: Jacqueline Vella, TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
2009 Vocational Student of the Year: Lisa Northam, TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
2009 VET in Schools Student of the Year: William Littlefield,Picton High School
2009 Top Apprentice in the Vehicle Trades: Dave Kreutzberger, Border Express
2009 Excellence in Trade Skills: Kyle French, TAFE NSW - Western Institute
2009 Phil Darby Memorial Award: Matthew Russell, TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute
Organisational award winners
2009 Small Training Provider of the Year: Benchmark College
2009 Large Training Provider of the Year: TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
2009 Small Business of the Year: Mick Fabar Constructions
2009 Employer of the Year: The Manildra Group
2009 NSW Training Initiative Award: TAFE NSW – Northern Sydney Institute (Northern Beaches College)
2009 VET in Schools Excellence Award: Beverly Hills Girls High School
16 September, 2009
Workplace watchdog
puts bite into bark
The Federal Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman has a culture of “going the extra mile” to resolve workplace issues and was “very serious” about its duty to ensure Australian workplaces were fair, according to the Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson.
Mr Wilson told a transport industry forum in Melbourne recently that his staff were committed to building knowledge and fairer workplaces.
He said although the Agency’s 300 inspectors relied on a voluntary compliance model, they were focused on informing the community of its rights and obligations.
“We aim to build knowledge and awareness,” Mr Wilson said.
“We do not insist there is only one way to achieve compliance and will help industry through the challenge of workplace compliance.
“While we will obviously start with voluntary resolution, we will go to any length to bring about compliance if that alternative does not bring results.”
Mr Wilson said the Agency now had a legislative framework to allow it to use Enforceable Undertakings as an alternative to litigation.
“The policy decision we have taken is that there have to be admissions to our contended breaches; that the admissions have to be public and that both the Enforceable Undertaking and the duties which flow from the agreement are made public,” he said.
Mr Wilson said transport sector employers ranked seventh in terms of industries generating the most complaints to his office and should focus on the sort of workplace they wanted and where their workplace strategy would take them.
16 September, 2009
Students get A for
spelling bee
The latest national test results have shown NSW students lead the nation in spelling, writing and numeracy.
Premier, Nathan Rees welcomed the 2009 national literacy and numeracy tests (NAPLAN) results and congratulated teachers and students on their efforts.
Mr Rees said NSW students performed well above the national average and had particularly excelled at spelling.
“NSW students were the undisputed champion spellers in the country, with NSW students getting the highest marks in the nation at every year level tested,” he said.
“NSW also has a greater proportion of students achieving above the national average in the key area of writing, with NSW ranked first in almost every year group.
“This is proof we have a strong curriculum focused on literacy and numeracy and students benefit from a world class education.”
Mr Rees said NSW had the greatest proportion of students in the highest achievement band at every year level for numeracy.
“These results would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of teachers and principals in more than 3,000 schools across the State,” he said.
Minister for Education, Verity Firth said the tests were taken by all Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students from all school sectors in every State and Territory in May this year.
Ms Firth said the results were a valuable tool for principals and teachers and that individual student reports would be sent home to all parents from this week.
“Schools will be able to analyse the results and use the rich data to pinpoint ways they can help individual students and further improve their teaching practices to drive even better results,” she said.
16 September, 2009
New website to
foster carers
A new website designed to recruit more foster carers has been launched by the Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney in partnership with the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies.
Ms Burney said the Government’s partnership with the ACWA meant potential carers could find out about becoming foster carers for Government and non-government organisations in the one location.
“The website, which was developed with extensive consultation with NGOs, has independent advice on fostering,” she said.
“It will make it easier for people to register their interest in becoming a carer and includes convenient links to all foster care agencies in NSW.”
Ms Burney said the Government was “ramping up” its recruitment campaign in response to the increasing number of children entering the child protection system.
“We need more individuals and families to open their hearts and homes to children and young people who cannot live safely with their own families,” she said.
The Fostering NSW website was officially launched at the annual Foster Care Week carnival at Olympic Park, where approximately 1,000 foster carers and their children turned out for a free picnic.
“The carnival is an opportunity for the Government and the NGOs to thank their foster carers and give them a day off,” Ms Burney said.
“At present, we have more than 2,500 foster carers in NSW but the number of children entering care continues to spiral - there are currently over 15,000 children living in out-of-home care.”
She said the new website would help the Government raise the profile of fostering and recruit more carers to care for vulnerable children.
“With dozens of different foster care agencies online, finding the right facts on the matter can be difficult and confusing,” Ms Burney said.
For the first time, we have a website that has all the information people need to know about fostering on one site.”
Chief Executive Officer of ACWA, Andrew McCallum said the welfare agency was pleased to be involved in a shared approach to child protection, which was recommended by the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection report.
“This website is in keeping with the spirit of the report and is a positive step towards NGOs working closer with the Government to ensure children and families in NSW are well protected and supported,” Mr McCallum said.
“It is a great example of the new collaborative approach towards child and family wellbeing that is emerging under the NSW Government’s Keep Them Safe reforms.”
The website was available at www.fosteringnsw.com.au.
16 September, 2009
Child protection
growing up
A child protection survey aimed at highlighting individuals’ roles and responsibilities in protecting children has been launched by the Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney.
Ms Burney said the survey aimed to engage the community in discussions about child protection issues and to uncover public perceptions and attitudes on child abuse.
“Protecting our children is everyone’s business - child abuse should never be ignored,” she said.
“Child protection must begin with parents, families and communities.
“This must be backed by a better and more developed service system where the Government and non-government sector work together.”
Ms Burney said the survey was part of the National Association of Child Protection and Neglect (NAPCAN) National Child Protection Week.
“The questions are designed to find out what you think the signs are, who you believe is responsible for the wellbeing of children and, critically, what you would do if faced with a situation where you think a child you encounter may be at risk,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of NAPCAN, Maree Faulkner said she was pleased the Government had shown such a high level of commitment to Child Protection Week.
“This is a great example of Government and NGOs working together for a common cause,” Ms Faulkner said.
Ms Faulkner said the survey was available from the Community Services website, www.community.nsw.gov.au andwww.preventingchildabuse.com.au.
The Government contributed $10,000 in funding to help NAPCAN with its campaign.
16 September, 2009
School start DVD
gets top marks
A DVD to help the families of children with disabilities prepare them for school has been released.
Minister for Disability Services, Paul Lynch said the DVD was produced by the Lady Gowrie Child Centre with $148,000 of Government funding.
Mr Lynch said the DVD, Starting school: Stories from parents of children with a disability, identified strategies to help ease the transition to school.
“This resource reinforces important messages that encourage parents to talk with a range of people when making decisions about the choice of educational setting for their child,” he said.
“Parents, siblings and grandparents, as well as personnel from schools and early intervention services discuss the process of supporting the child from their different perspectives.”
Mr Lynch said the DVD featured the stories of six families who spoke of their experiences in preparing their children for school.
He said the DVD outlined a number of strategies, and advises families to start planning one to two years before their child was due to start school.
“Selecting a school involves exploring choices,” he said.
“It is important for you to gather the information you need to assist you to make the best decision for your child.
Mr Lynch said the DVD recommended families choose an advocate to support them, such as a relative or friend, to provide third party support.
“Once you have chosen a school, you can begin working with that school in preparation for the school year,” he said.
“There can often be a need for the school to plan ahead to access any funding available to support your child. It is important to allow adequate time for this process to take place.”
Mr Lynch said the DVD highlighted the importance of parents and schools working together to identify the support needed for each child.
“Importantly, it sets out the challenges they are likely to face and provides practical guidance for parents,” he said.
The information kit, which has been produced in Arabic, Cantonese, Dari, Dinka, English, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese, was available on request to the Early Childhood Intervention Infoline 1300 65 68 65.
16 September, 2009
Planning plan comes
off drawing board
New 10-day planning approval laws for businesses have come into effect, cutting approval waiting times and business costs.
Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally said under the laws, when businesses were moving into and fitting out a shop, they could use a “checklist style” 10-day Code rather than lodging a development application (DA).
Ms Keneally said the new Commercial and Industrial Complying Development Code only applied to minor works such as installing awnings and signage and changing the use of existing retail, commercial office and industrial facilities.
“Businesses wanting to change the type of shop or do minor improvements will be able to gain a 10 day ‘checklist style’ approval from an accredited certifier,” she said.
“These businesses would previously have had to lodge a DA with the Local Council - with an average 28-day turnaround.
Ms Keneally said the new checklist system gave businesses the opportunity to save up to $4,500.
“According to the Property Council of Australia, if just 10 per cent of the State’s retail tenancies use the Code each year, between them they would potentially save $40 million per year,” she said.
“Whether it’s a new shop fit-out or a multi-million development proposal, the NSW planning system is ensuring the right decisions are made in the right timeframes at the right level.”
Ms Keneally said the Code had received extensive backing from industry groups and local chambers of commerce.
“You only have to look at the response from businesses themselves to see how important these changes are,” she said.
“Local chambers of commerce, the NSW Business Chamber, and the Property Council of Australia have all declared the Code a winner.”
The NSW Business Chamber said the move was a “practical way of helping existing small businesses”.
16 September, 2009
Indigenous jobs plan
to blaze new trail
New employment targets to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have been launched by the Minister for Housing, David Borger.
Mr Borger said the initiative aimed to double Aboriginal employment on NSW Housing construction sites by June 2010 by placing Indigenous Australians in social housing construction jobs.
“For the Government’s Aboriginal housing program the policy sets a 20 per cent target for the employment of Aboriginal people during construction,” he said.
Mr Borger said the construction of mainstream Housing NSW construction projects would also have Aboriginal employment targets in line with the size of each development.
“Under the scheme, contractors will be required to develop plans which show how they will employ Aboriginal people on projects,” he said.
“In particular we’re aiming to boost jobs for young Aboriginal people.”
Mr Borger said the targets would make Housing NSW the “leading Agency for Aboriginal participation” in NSW’s construction industry.
Minister for Planning and Member for Heffron, Kristina Keneally joined Mr Borger at the launch of the initiative at the new Elizabeth Street development in Redfern.
“The $30 million Redfern project is already meeting Aboriginal job targets with four Aboriginal workers already on site,” Ms Keneally said.
“Over the lifetime of the project, up to 20 Aboriginals will be employed.”
Indigenous apprentice to Conrina Bricklaying, Paul Quinlin said he was excited to be involved in the project and to be learning new skills in green building techniques.
“I feel lucky to get the opportunity to work on a project like this,” Mr Quinlin said.
Ms Keneally said the Redfern project had also been awarded a 5 Green Star rating for environmental excellence by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Construction started on the Redfern project in May 2009 and is expected to be completed in August 2010.
16 September, 2009
Caring for infants
to be child’s play
Community Services caseworkers are to receive training on how to care for infants over the coming months.
Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney said the training would provide caseworkers with practical information related to the physical care of children.
Ms Burney said staff from eight Community Service Centres in Lakemba, Burwood, Epping, Chatswood, Sutherland, St George and two in Strawberry Hills would be trained during October and November.
“They will be learning about car safety, nutrition, hygiene, sleeping and settling strategies and safe feeding techniques for infants,” she said.
“The training is aimed at equipping caseworkers with basic infant-handling skills and boosting their confidence for working with children and families.”
Ms Burney said the training would allow staff to better answer specific questions from parents and to improve their relationship with clients.
“When caseworkers start working at the Department, they are trained in topics such as identifying child abuse, working with the Court system and writing affidavits,” she said.
“But this training doesn’t include the physical care of an infant. This training will fill in that gap.”
Ms Burney said the staff would be trained by an experienced trainer from Step by Step Progressive Parenting.
16 September, 2009
Guide irons bumps
out of flat titles
The Office of Fair Trading is to develop a guide to help strata owners make apartment living more environmentally friendly.
Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge said the guide would complement plans to cut legal costs for property owners trying to update strata by-laws.
Ms Judge said the guide could include alternative by-laws on a range of common issues such as installing rainwater tanks or ceiling insulation.
“Strata schemes are ‘communities within a community’, and the flexibility of our laws reflects that one size does not fit all,” she said.
“Owners corporations can choose to adopt, change or cancel any by-law if it is supported by 75 per cent of votes at an owners’ meeting.
Ms Judge said while neighbours could reach agreements to improve environmental living, the costs of having special by-laws drafted meant the decisions often didn’t go ahead.
“I am proposing a common-sense solution to help neighbours establish good governance and relations without paying a lawyer by the hour just to prepare a simple by-law change.”
She said the development of alternative by-laws could also help resolve disputes over residents hanging their washing on balconies.
“The current model by-laws – which are often adopted by new strata schemes – effectively prevent most residents from hanging washing on their balconies,” she said.
“Strata schemes are not required to adopt this by-law and some owners’ corporations have already changed the rules to suit their own circumstances.”
Ms Judge said public debate about the environmental implications of apartment owners using dryers had prompted a review of this approach.
“The review report found that public opinion on this issue is divided,” she said.
“However, using a tumble dryer just once a week can account for 10 per cent of the annual power bill for a two-bedroom flat.
“That is why I have asked Fair Trading to draft a new model by-law for public comment, which would permit portable clothes racks which are not visible from the street.”
Ms Judge said she would consider the public response to the proposal before deciding whether to amend the model by-laws.
“This would in no way alter the rules for existing strata schemes, and all strata schemes will retain the freedom to choose which of the model by-laws they adopt,” she said/
The review on attitudes towards hanging washin
16 September, 2009
Racing reform is good bet
A number of initiatives to benefit the growth and sustainability of the NSW racing industry have been announced by the Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene.
Mr Greene said the measures had been announced in response to an independent review of wagering policy and regulation.
“The NSW Government appointed Mr Alan Cameron to carry out an independent review of wagering to reflect the changing racing landscape,” he said.
“We’ve released a response that will take racing forward into the future, as it’s vitally important to ensure maximum financial return to the racing industry as a whole.”
Mr Greene said the response delivered short and long term benefits that recognised the social and economic contribution racing brought to communities across the State.
He said the Government examined the 24 recommendations given by Mr Cameron before adopting the ones that brought “real benefits” to the industry.
Mr Greene said the Government would pursue a national approach to regulating and taxing wagering; allowing NSW TAB to offer fixed odds betting on all races through its account betting network on the phone and internet; and would permit NSW bookmakers to accept bets at racecourses using the internet or telephone on a 24/7 basis.
He said betting on reality TV shows, economic and other similar events would not be allowed and in-principle support would be given for NSW TAB to pool with other Australian totalisators.
Mr Greene said off-course retail bookmaking kiosks would be prohibited.
“Banning off-course kiosks maintains the physical presence of bookmakers at racetracks, an important part of the race day experience for thousands of punters each year,” he said.
Mr Greene said the issues of cross-border ‘leaking’ of revenue and differences in state-by-state wagering regulation, as well as the entry of corporate bookmakers, had been highlighted.
“While it’s clear Governments need to look at a national approach to wagering, we won’t support a model reducing NSW revenues that puts thousands of local jobs at risk,” he said.
Mr Greene said operating conditions for bookmakers and the TAB had been relaxed to help them compete with interstate counterparts.
He acknowledged the call by Mr Cameron for reform of the Intercode funding agreement between racing codes as potentially significant to future innovation and growth.
“I would like to thank Mr Cameron for his hard work during this review, which he undertook during difficult circumstances in the Australian wagering environment,” Mr Greene said.
16 September, 2009
New life for suicide
prevention plans
Health NSW has used World Suicide Prevention Day to highlight the State’s commitment to tackling suicide in NSW.
Director of Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Programs at Health NSW, David McGrath said preventing suicide was a Government priority.
Mr McGrath said the suicide rate in NSW was at its lowest since 1979 and was the lowest in the country, at 7.3 people per 100,000.
“For young people aged 15 to 24 years in NSW, the suicide rate is 6.8 per 100,000 - the lowest in Australia and the lowest since 1996,” he said.
“World Suicide Prevention Day provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge the immense tragedy of suicide, but to also send a positive message that suicide can be prevented.”
Mr McGrath said preventing suicide required everyone in society to work together and form partnerships.
“Through improved understanding, resilience and support we can work together to protect and support our communities,” he said.
“Suicide is a complex issue, and there is neither a single cause nor a simple solution.”
World Suicide Prevention Day, which was held on 10 September, was organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2009 was Suicide Prevention in Different Cultures.
Mr McGrath said the Government was developing a new five-year NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy to incorporate whole-of-community programs that address suicide prevention through community resilience, outreach and support for groups at higher risk, effective services, support for those affected by suicide, and improved information.
“As the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2009 highlights, suicide rates vary among different cultural groups and services must be culturally appropriate in their delivery," he said.
“The NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy will include initiatives to promote mental health and improve resilience among young people, such as the MoodSwell multimedia resource.”
MoodSwell provides an interactive environment where young people can explore their feelings, develop stress management and life skills, be inspired by others and identify avenues for support.
Mr McGrath said the strategy would include school-based services and youth services within the community.
Mr McGrath said the Government was waiting for the outcomes of a review by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (March 2010) that was investigating how suicide statistics were reported.
“NSW Health will review the way it reports on suicide in light of the revised ABS data, and welcomes any improvements in accuracy of reporting to inform responses,” he said.
16 September, 2009
Returned firefighters
are hot stuff
Five firefighters from the National Parks and Wildlife Services have been congratulated for their efforts in battling fires in Canada over the past five weeks.
Deputy Premier and then Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Carmel Tebbutt said the firefighters were part of a contingent of 30 specialists from across Australia and New Zealand who travelled to British Colombia.
“Our firefighters are amongst the best in the world,” Ms Tebbutt said.
“They have spent five weeks giving their weary Canadian counterparts some respite from battling the massive fires in that country.
“I thank them for their professionalism and commitment and welcome them home.”
She said the experience had enabled the firefighters to share and swap skills and techniques, to the benefit to both countries.
Ms Tebbutt said the NPWS staff that attended were: David Crust, Area Manager, Mudgee; Alan Henderson, Area Manager, Gosford; Peter Clark, Area Manager, Hastings; Sean Leathers, Senior Field Supervisor, Dorrigo; and Ian Smith, Regional Operations Coordinator, Nowra.
Ms Tebbutt used their homecoming to highlight the NPWS’s focus on preparing for summer in Australia.
She said there had already been a number of wildfires around the State, which served as a reminder to ensure people were prepared for the bushfire season.
Ms Tebbutt said NPWS had conducted over 70 burns treating almost 20,000 hectares of national park estate since July and had conducted fire preparation days for firefighters to help them hone their skills.
16 September, 2009
New Ministers in shake-up
Premier, Nathan Rees has unveiled his new Cabinet following the resignation of former Minister for Health, John Della Bosca.
Mr Rees said Mr Della Bosca’s role would be filled by Deputy Premier, Carmel Tebbutt.
He said 10 ministers would take on increased duties, including David Campbell and John Robertson.
Click here for a full list of appointments
Slater dies
Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales State Emergency Service, Greg Slater has died of a heart attack.
Mr Slater began his employment with the SES in 1998 and was appointed Deputy Director General in 2004, which was retitled Deputy Commissioner last month.
Minister for Emergency Services, Steve Whan expressed his condolences to Mr Slater’s family, saying he had been recognised for his bravery, dedication and commitment on numerous occasions.
Comment call on safety standard
Public comment has been sought on the National Marine Safety Committee’s draft revised standard for the safety equipment standard for commercial vessels.
Chief Executive Officer of the Committee, Margie O’Tarpey, said the standard was being revised primarily to update the requirements for costal life rafts and lifejackets to reflect the latest design standards.
Submissions close on 28 October 2009, with the draft and further information available from www.nmsc.gov.au.
Flying doctor takes off
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has received a new Beechcraft King Air B200 plane.
The plane will be based at Dubbo and is one of three new aircraft provided to the Service through Federal Government Funding.
The aircraft, which received $3.7 million in funding, will help service NSW, regional Victoria, Tasmania, south west Queensland and northern South Australia.
Babies screened
More than 550,000 babies have been screened for hearing impairments since the universal screening program, SWISH, was introduced in NSW in 2002.
The program screens all healthy infants to detect congenital hearing impairments and any hearing loss in the cochlea or hearing nerve.
NSW was the first State in Australia to introduce the system and has screened the highest percentage of newborns in the country.
Prison dogs on line
The Department of Corrective Services is to unleash mobile phone sniffer dogs to help prevent phone trafficking in the States correctional centres.
The dogs will work to prevent mobile phones from falling into the hands of prison inmates, who can use them as escape threats or even murder weapons.
Corrective Services NSW conducted the first successful trial of mobile phone detecting dogs in Australia and has reported two dogs have recently finished their training and are ready to enter the workforce.
Land Council wins transport job
Transport services that were previously operated by Home Care NSW for Indigenous, frail and aged people, and people with a disability, have been taken over by Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The Land Council won the $400,000 to supply the transport services to clients in South West Sydney.
Minister for Disability Services, Paul Lynch said there would be no disruptions to the service during the changeover period.
Fire station opened
The new $1.1 million Engadine Rural Fire Brigade Station has been officially opened and two new personnel carriers worth $90,000 have been handed over to Rural Fire Service volunteers from the Sutherland Shire.
The new station in Engadine is expected to provide volunteers with improved facilities while the new vehicle will help volunteers from Bundeena and Kurnell Brigades to fight fires more effectively.
A number of volunteers also received awards for their commitment and service.
Major projects approved
The fifth monthly update of Major Project figures has been released, marking one year since the project was introduced to the Planning Portfolio.
The figures show 447 Major Projects have been approved since September 2008, creating almost 62,000 jobs for NSW residents.
Thirty-five Major Projects were approved during August 2009.
New buses rolled out
Twenty-three new buses have been rolled into service in the North West of Sydney this week.
The number of buses providing services in the North West region has increased and new express trips from West Pennant Hills to the City have been introduced.
Two new services were also introduced from Cherrybrook and West Pennant Hills to North Sydney.
The routes to benefit from the new buses are:
617X Kellyville to Railway Square
620X City to Cherrybrook
621 Cherrybrook - City
622 Cherrybrook – North Sydney
642X Round Corner to QVB
650X Highs & Castle Hill Rd to QVB
651 Castle Hill - QVB
652X Highs & Castle Hill Rd to QVB
653 West Pennant Hills – North Sydney
9 September, 2009
Innovation not hard
with software comp
A competition to encourage software developers to come up with innovative ways for the Government to release information to the public has been launched by the Premier, Nathan Rees.
Mr Rees announced the $100,000 Applications for NSW - or apps4NSW -competition at the NSW Public Sphere: Government 2.0 forum, saying the competition was the first of its kind in Australia.
Mr Rees used the forum, which explored how new technologies could improve service delivery in NSW, to highlight the goals of the competition in using new technologies to improve the storage, usage and analysis of Government data.
“This is about making Government information accessible for people, businesses and community groups,” he said.
“It will mean Government information is available in a 21st century format on 21st century technology like iPhones.”
Mr Rees said individuals and groups would compete for cash prizes by creating ideas and software application prototypes that could be used on websites and mobile devices.
He said there would be two categories. The first includes ideas for applications or services based on public or Government data, while the second involves prototype software applications that demonstrate the idea in action.
Mr Rees said as part of the competition a prize would be dedicated to school children.
“We would like to see parents and teachers encourage their kids and classrooms to get involved,” he said.
“NSW is serious about drawing on our thriving knowledge sector, including our strengths in ICT, and our tech-savvy young people.”
Mr Rees said the initiative was based on a competition developed in Washington DC, America called Applications for Democracy Model.
“Top entries in this competition included providing tourist friendly maps on i-phones and finding the best parking spots in various parts of the City,” he said.
Minister for Science and Medical Research, Jodi McKay said offering prizes for new ideas promoted innovative activities and pushed the “boundaries of human knowledge.”
Ms McKay said the apps4NSW competition followed the example set by the NSW Energy Challenge Prize, a $5 million international prize aimed at keeping the State at the forefront of clean energy provision.
“They might all have different objectives and themes but prizes all have one thing in common, they use competition to stimulate ingenuity, resourcefulness and problem solving,” she said.
Mr Rees said the apps4NSW competition would be judged by an expert panel and would include a People’s Choice Award.
The competition is expected to run for three months, with further information available from www.information.nsw.gov.au.
9 September, 2009
Thumbs up for‘Pinkie’
campaign
The Roads and Traffic Authority’s anti-speeding ‘Pinkie’ campaign has won more awards, this time taking four from Australia’s peak advertising body, the Advertising Federation of Australia, including the “Grand Effie”.
The campaign had previously received honourable mentions at the Cannes Film Festival and in other media industry forums.
Minister for Roads, Michael Daley said the ‘Speeding – no one thinks big of you’ campaign won the Grand Effie Award for being the most successful campaign to drive change in social attitudes towards speeding.
Mr Daley said the campaign also won three gold Effie awards in the Best State Campaign, Most Original Thinking and Government, Corporate and Social Services categories.
“The recognition for the Pinkie campaign has been fantastic and the trophy cabinet is certainly filling up,” he said.
“But the most important thing is that this campaign has been incredibly successful at getting the consequences of speeding across – particularly to young, male drivers.”
Mr Daley said the RTA conducted exhaustive research for the campaign which included audience testing of drivers aged 17 to 50 from a variety of occupations and backgrounds.
“Research on the campaign’s effectiveness showed the message that speeding is not cool had achieved 96 per cent awareness with young males,” he said.
“And 61 per cent of young males surveyed believed the campaign was powerful enough to make them think about their own driving behaviour.”
Mr Daley said the campaign reached out to young drivers and approached speeding in a way that had “never been done before.”
He said the Pinkie campaign was the only Government entry to win at the Advertising Federation of Australia Awards.
The campaign was nominated for the Cannes Film Festival for highlighting “ground-breaking and innovative concepts in the world of advertising” and received recognition by MTV in its Remake Awards.
9 September, 2009
Safety driven home
with new road plan
A 30-point road safety action plan is being introduced to crack down on misbehaving motorists and help cut the rising road toll.
Announced jointly by the Minister for Police, Tony Kelly and Minister for Roads, Michael Daley, the new plan will pay particular attention to speeding.
Mr Kelly and Mr Daley said the new action plan included strategies discussed at the NSW Government Roundtable, such as increasing the number of highway patrol officers; targeting ‘black spots’; exploring new ways to use cameras; including road safety messages in speeding infringement notices and developing ‘hard-line sanctions’ for high level speeding offences.
They said new pedestrian safety measures would be rolled out, including 40 kilometre per hour pedestrian zones and pedestrian fencing.
Mr Daley said the value of graphic images and shock campaigns would be investigated as would five-star rating systems for trucking companies to encourage best driving practices.
He said the action plan also included continuing with the Roads and Traffic Authority’s ‘Pinkie’ commercial, which targets young drivers and advertises against speeding
Mr Kelly said the road toll in NSW was currently 310, which was 63 more than the same time last year.
He said 12 people had died on NSW roads in the past week – a motorcycle rider, five passengers and six male drivers.
“Of these, it looks like speed was a factor in a large proportion of these crashes and it’s this reckless type of behaviour that we have to put to an end,” Mr Kelly said.
“Despite the extra police on the roads there are motorists who clearly are not getting the message – when you speed you are breaking the law and putting the lives of every other road user at risk.”
He said motorists needed to take responsibility for their actions.
9 September, 2009
Chairs all round for
meeting guidelines
Guidelines to help Local Councils run their meetings properly have been updated and released by the Minister for Local Government, Barbara Perry.
Ms Perry said the updated Guidelines covered procedures leading up to a meeting, the meeting itself and what should happen after a meeting.
“Efficient meetings help Councils make better decisions for their residents and ratepayers,” she said.
“The Guidelines set out appropriate standards of behaviour and processes to help ensure that Councillors, Council staff and the community can participate in meetings.
“It’s important that all voices are heard, that there are clear rules governing Council meetings and that gatherings are orderly and productive.”
Ms Perry said the updated Meetings Practice Note outlines best practice approaches in responding to questions asked during meetings; the importance of holding meetings at appropriate times; how votes should be counted and recorded; the role of Councillors and Council staff; and how the public can find out when and where Council meetings are being held.
She said the new Guidelines had been developed to include feedback from Councillor induction sessions run by the NSW Government.
“Feedback indicated that for some first-time Councillors this is an area where they needed greater guidance, Ms Perry said.
“I’m sure these Guidelines will prove to be a valuable resource for Councillors, Council staff as well as the general public.”
The guidelines were available from www.dlg.nsw.gov.au.
9 September, 2009
Reinforced windows shut
doors on vandals
A trial program to reinforce train windows so they couldn’t be kicked out by vandals has been judged a success, with the initiative to be expanded across the CityRail network.
Minister for Transport, David Campbell said the program was trialled to reduce the number of delays caused by broken windows on older style carriages.
Mr Campbell said while there were around 150 delays caused by broken windows each year, during the trial there had been no reported incidents regarding strengthened windows.
“The pilot involved reinforcing 174 carriage and door windows and these windows were shown to be more resilient against excessive force used by vandals,” he said.
“It’s bad enough that this sort of vandalism costs taxpayers money every time it has to be fixed, but the fact that it also causes delays on the network particularly frustrates me.”
Mr Campbell said RailCorp would increase the number of carriages with reinforced windows to 588, and a total of 658 cars would have their doors augmented.
He said newer carriages such as Oscars and Tangaras already had reinforced windows.
Mr Campbell said the reinforcement technology meant windows that were forced were more likely to remain intact, enabling trains to continue rather than having to be taken out of service immediately.
“Reliability on the CityRail network is currently above 95 per cent and while that is a great result, we want to do better and that’s what installing this sort of technology is all about,” he said.
9 September, 2009
Watchdog offers bite
of the action
The Fair Work Ombudsman is calling all workers who believe they may have been underpaid in a previous job to log onto its website to see if they are owed money.
Chief Financial Officer in the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office, Mark Scully said while the Office had recovered about $70 million for 54,000 or so workers who had been short-changed by employers, it had been unable to locate everyone entitled to receive back pay.
Mr Scully said there were still 3,500 people to be paid and his office was holding more than $1.1 million in unpaid wages owed to them.
He said anyone who thought they may be entitled to a share of the money should log onto www.fwo.gov.au and enter their family name and either the business name, entity name or ABN number of their former employer.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman will then cross-match the information on its data base to determine if there is a potential match,” Mr Scully said.
He said there had already been some significant back-payments including one worker entitled to $14,000 and others worth $11,000, $10,000 and $9,000.
He said there were seven workers owed up to $8,000 and 20 owed up to $6,000.
9 September, 2009
Shark campaign to
fry bigger fish
The first ever public education campaign to keep swimmers safe is one of a number of initiatives being introduced to protect the State’s beach-going public this summer.
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald announced the campaign, saying it would complement the annual shark meshing program which began recently.
Mr Macdonald said the SharkSmart education campaign was just one of a raft of measures being introduced to address swimmer safety.
He said over 150 public submissions and advice from science experts had been considered during the consultation and review process.
“We’re confident we’ve found the right balance that helps minimise the risk of shark attacks, while at the same time reducing impacts on the environment,” Mr Macdonald said.
He said SharkSmart was designed to involve and inform the public, which was one initiative to come out of the review.
“SharkSmart will be rolled-out this spring and summer season focusing on how the public can further increase their safety and reduce the risk of shark attack,” Mr Macdonald said.
“For example, people can reduce their risk by avoiding swimming or surfing when sharks are most active – such as at dawn and dusk - avoiding areas near schools of baitfish, in murky water, or at times when beaches are unpatrolled and there are few people about to help.”
He said some of the key changes would include a research and monitoring program in the first year of the initiative and increased net checks from every four days to every three to reduce environmental impacts.
Mr Macdonald said a major review of the NSW shark meshing program would be completed every five years and an ongoing assessment of the impact of the nets on marine life would be undertaken.
He said under the changes, the shark meshing program would be managed through a Management Plan and Joint Management Agreements between Industry & Investment NSW and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
Mr Macdonald said the meshing program was still the best defence against shark attacks.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there about the shark meshing program – it is not meant to be a barrier between the shark and the beach, it is there to stop sharks setting up a territory in that location and encouraging them to move along,” he said.
“The figures speak for themselves, since the meshing program commenced in 1937, there has been just one fatal shark attack at a meshed beach.”
Mr Macdonald said before the program was introduced there were 24 fatalities recorded in Sydney waters during 1900-1937.
He said further information and resources would be released to the public before school holidays.
9 September, 2009
Website is coup for
school revolution
A new website has been launched to take enquiries on the progress of projects being built as part of the Building the Education Revolution program.
Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth said the website was available for anyone seeking information on the projects.
Ms Firth said it would be a “fantastic source of information” for schools to use to monitor the progress of their project.
“It will also provide transparency by detailing the full cost of the project, so principals, teachers and parents will be able to see for themselves that they’re getting value for money,” she said.
Ms Firth said the website would contain information on all Building the Education Revolution programs - Primary Schools for the 21st Century, National School Pride and Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Schools.
She said the site included Twitter, blogs and video podcasts to allow instant communication about the program be relayed to the public.
“The website is designed to ensure schools receive information as quickly as possible,” Ms Firth said.
“The NSW Government wants information about the Building the Education Revolution to be as open and transparent as possible.”
She said the website also included a Find A School page which made it possible for school communities to track all the projects their school was undertaking.
“Not only will school communities benefit from this, it will also be a useful tool for Councils, contractors and small business,” Ms Firth said.
The website was available from www.ber.nsw.gov.au.
9 September, 2009
Crime statistics are
robbery figures
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has completed a study it believes shows the size of the burglar and motor vehicle thief populations in NSW.
In the first study of its kind in NSW, the Bureau discovered that in 2006-07 around 32,000 people committed at least one burglary and another 23,000 stole a vehicle.
BOCSAR said conviction rates amongst the two groups of offenders seemed to be higher than police clear up rates suggested.
The Bureau’s study found there were two distinct groups of offenders - high rate offenders and low rate offenders.
It found the majority of high rateoffenders (62 per cent for burglars; 63 per cent for motor vehicle thieves) were convictedat least once during the observation period while around 25 per cent were convicted two or more times.
However, the majority of low rateoffenders (87 per cent of low rate burglars and 89 per cent of low rate motor vehicle thieves) were not convicted at allduring the same period.
Director of BOCSAR, Dr Don Weatherburn said the findings highlighted the need for a two-pronged approach to the control of burglary and motor vehicle theft.
“The fact that more than sixty per cent of high rateburglars and motor vehicle thieves are apprehended and convicted within two years provides justification for the considerable police resources devoted to apprehending and prosecuting recidivist property offenders,” Dr Weatherburn said.
“The utility of criminal justice system as a crime control tool is, however, limited by the fact that vast majority of low rateburglary and motor vehicle theft offenders are unlikely ever to get caught.”
Dr Weatherburn said the best way to reduce offending was to block the opportunities and incentives for involvement in crime.
According to the report, 5,374 offenders were caught and convicted of committing a burglary out of a total estimated population of 32,395.
The Bureau said this suggested 16.6 per cent of the active burglar population was caught and convicted over the two-year period - 3.45 times higher than the 90-day police clear up rate for burglary would suggest.
BOCSAR’s report found 3,096 offenders were captured and convicted out of a total estimated population of 22,878, suggesting 13.5 per cent were caught and convicted during the two year period - 3.3 times higher than the Police clear-up rate would suggest.
The report was available from www.bocsar.gov.au.
9 September, 2009
Premier finds
Tasers stunning
NSW Police have been issued with almost 2,000 Taser stun guns as a way of ensuring that front-line police have the latest in state-of-the art law enforcement equipment.
Premier, Nathan Rees said the $10 million investment would ensure all first response police officers would carry Tasers as part of their standard equipment.
Mr Rees said the first 500 of the 1,962 Tasers would be sent to Weapons Trainers across the State so they could train police in their use.
He said as police were trained over the next 18 months, the remaining Tasers would be rolled out to Local Area Commands across the State.
Mr Rees said the Tasers would give police responding to situations where people were “agitated, armed or threatening harm to themselves and others” an alternative to drawing their gun.
“The NSW Government makes no apology for supporting our frontline officers on the beat,” he said.
Earlier this year the NSW Police Commissioner advised Tasers be deployed to frontline officers after a successful trial period.
Minister for Police, Tony Kelly said police had been trialling the Tasers for “a number of years” and had found they were effective in reducing confrontation.
“The specialist police units trailing the equipment found the mere sight of the Taser was enough to resolve the conflict in more than half the times it was pulled from the holster,” Mr Kelly said.
He said there were strict measures in place to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Through ‘Tasercam’, audio and visual data will be recorded each time a unit is used – information which will then be reviewed by senior police,” Mr Kelly said.
He said police officers would undertake eight hours of initial instruction and would have to pass a written test with a minimum score of 80 per cent before being armed with a Taser.
Police would also be required to recertify on an annual basis.
9 September, 2009
Minister buys into
business website
A website providing useful information to small businesses in NSW has been revamped and relaunched by the Minister for Small Business, Steve Whan.
The Smallbiz website, which is managed by Industry & Investment NSW, delivers up-to-date online information to small businesses.
Mr Whan said the site was relaunched to coincide with Small Business September.
“This easy-to-navigate site has been designed specifically for time poor, information hungry small business owners and operators,” he said.
“Its ‘start, run and grow’ structure means targeted help is available to people who are starting up, refining their business operations or expanding into new markets.”
Mr Whan said the website’s interactive resources included the Small Business Tool Kit with audio and video presentations, checklists, calculators, and quizzes.
He said real life case studies provided tips and solutions for managing everyday issues such as cash flow, while checklists helped ensure businesses didn’t overlook important details.
Mr Whan said the Tool Kit was the result of a close working relationship between Industry & Investment NSW and the University of Western Sydney.
“It is the outcome of intensive research and the hard work of professional staff, and over 20 undergraduate Information Technology, business and accounting students,” he said.
“One student became so enthused about small business, she put aside plans to be an accountant, and now wants to be a small business entrepreneur.”
Mr Whan said the website would help ensure all small businesses had access to top quality information, training and support.
The Smallbiz website was available at www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au.
9 September, 2009
Program has MERIT for
drug offenders
A study by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has found that drug offenders who join the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment program (MERIT) are less likely to commit further offences.
The MERIT program provides defendants in Local Courts with the option of undertaking formal drug treatment while on bail.
BOCSAR compared defendants who had participated in the MERIT program and had been reconvicted (from a group of 2,396) with a group of 23,960 defendants who did not participate in the program but who met its eligibility criteria.
Separate analyses were conducted for people who were accepted onto the program regardless of whether they completed it (intention-to-treat analysis) and for those who completed the program (as-treated analysis).
BOCSAR looked at the effects of MERIT in regards to three outcomes: reconviction for any offence, reconviction for a theft offence and reconviction for a drug offence.
The report found in the intention-to-treat analyses no overall difference in the proportion reconvicted between the two groups, but that the proportion reconvicted for a theft offence was four percentage points lower in the MERIT group.
In the as-treated analyses, completion of the MERIT program was found to reduce the proportion of people reconvicted for any offence by 12 percentage points and the proportion reconvicted for a theft re-offence by four percentage points.
Although the MERIT program did not have a measurable effect on the proportion reconvicted for a drug offence, BOSCAR noted this could be due to the fact that convictions for drug offences are less common than convictions for theft offences.
Director of the Bureau, Dr Don Weatherburn said the effect of the MERIT program was probably larger than BOCSAR’s findings suggested.
“Our measure of re-offending—proportion reconvicted—is a blunt instrument,” Dr Weatherburn said.
“Past research has shown that modest reductions in reconviction generally signal quite large reductions in rates of re-offending.
“The success of the MERIT program underscores the value of programs that address the underlying causes of involvement in crime.”
9 September, 2009
Universities to put
industry to test
A new program to encourage stronger relationships between universities and industry has been announced by the Minister for Science and Medical Research, Jodi McKay.
Ms McKay said the $1.4 million Collaboration and Infrastructure Access Program would help ensure businesses had access to cutting-edge research on improving products, services and practices.
“The pilot program includes incentives such as vouchers of up to $15,000 for companies to access public sector research equipment and grants of up to $50,000 for research organisations to help them better engage industry,” she said.
“Access to the latest technology and research will enable businesses to create better products and practices.”
Ms McKay announced the program at the opening of the Sir William Tyree Laboratory in Power Engineering at the University of Sydney, saying it would be run by the independent, not-for-profit Australian Industry Innovation Xchange Network, one of Sir William Tyree’s philanthropic endeavours.
“This not-for-profit knowledge network has been selected to run the new Collaborative Infrastructure Access program, using its expertise and industry contacts to maximise partnership opportunities,” she said.
Ms McKay said the new power engineering laboratory would give students hands-on access to sophisticated industrial equipment and was the first of its type in Australia.
“This facility will bridge the gap between what industry needs and what tertiary education can deliver and provides a cutting-edge to the research and teaching capacity of the University of Sydney.”
Ms McKay said the new laboratory would help make NSW a leader in the field of power engineering research.
9 September, 2009
University’s move takes
gown to town
The University of Newcastle is to receive an allocation of inner city land to create the first stage of a new campus.
Premier, Nathan Rees said the land, valued at around $4 million, would help the University secure Commonwealth support for works associated with the move to the CBD over the next 10 to 12 years.
Mr Rees said the move followed a meeting with the Minister for the Hunter, Jodi McKay and representatives from Fix our City, which highlighted the need to revitalise Newcastle CBD.
“The group presented a strong argument about the need for Government to support efforts to revitalise the CBD,” he said.
“In line with the Hunter Development Corporation’s (HDC) report, we will allocate Crown Land at Honeysuckle to the University of Newcastle, to allow it to move forward with Stage 1 of a relocation of the business, law and arts faculties, to the CBD.”
Mr Rees said a scoping study of transport arrangements to support the revitalisation of Newcastle’s city centre would also be undertaken.
He said the new University site would not be finalised until the HDC and Newcastle Council’s Education Precinct Mapping was completed.
“I acknowledge that there are different views in the community regarding transport connections and the scoping study will allow full consideration of the costs involved in developing a public transport system that will contribute to the revitalisation of Newcastle,” Mr Rees said.
Ms McKay said the allocation of the land was a “significant commitment’ to tertiary education and that there would be flow on benefits to business, employment and the Newcastle community.
“It has the potential to place up to 7,000 students and 1,000 staff into the heart of the city,” she said.
“These projects are estimated to create up to 4,700 jobs during construction, more than 2,400 full and part-time jobs in the long-term future.” "
9 September, 2009
State Plan unrolled at
public meetings
More than 1,600 people have attended meetings across the State to provide feedback and ideas for the new State Plan.
Premier, Nathan Rees said there had been 17 community consultations, with services and new infrastructure emerging as the main priorities.
Mr Rees said the Government was listening to the concerns and ideas of the public to make Government more accessible and decisions more transparent.
“For many it was the first time they had been involved in a direct conversation with the Government,” he said.
Mr Rees said community feedback had shown people were proud of their local communities, but were concerned about jobs and service for the aged and disadvantaged.
He encouraged people who could not attend the meetings to have their say on the State plan website, which has already been visited by over 2,000 people.
“This feedback will all be critical as we prepare to finalise the new State Plan by October,” Mr Rees said.
He said since the State Plan was published three years ago there had been significant progress, including falls in personal crime; outstanding performance in literacy and numeracy; and the creation of thousands of jobs as a result of infrastructure projects.
Mr Rees said State Plan consultation meetings were held in Randwick, Mt Annan, Sutherland, Parramatta, Canterbury, Maitland, Shellharbour, Armidale, Penrith, Port Macquarie, Liverpool, Central Coast, Lismore, Cooma, Sydney’s Inner West, Dubbo and Albury.
9 September, 2009
Court study finds
good behaviour
A study of the State-wide Community and Court Liaison Servicehas found it reduces the frequency with which people with mental health problems come into contact with the Court system.
The Service (SCCLS) was designed to help Courts deal with adults and adolescents with mental health problems and to address high rates of mental illness among prisoners.
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) compared a group of defendants with mental health problems who were referred to SCCLS in 2004-05 to a control group who were dealt with at a Court that did not have SCCLS during the same period.
Director of BOCSAR, Dr Don Weatherburn said comparisons were made for both groups before and after the date on which their case was dealt with under the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act.
Dr Weatherburn said the comparison showed a significant decreasein Court appearances for the SCCLS group but not for the control group.
Throughout the evaluation process, BOCSAR staff interviewed individuals and groups directly involved in dealing with defendants with mental health problems.
Those surveyed included staff from the SCCLS, Local Court Magistrates, Court registrars, the Legal Aid Commission, the Aboriginal Legal Service, NSW Health, NSW Police Force and the Department of Corrective Services, the Justice Health Adolescent Court and Community Team, Children’s Court magistrates and staff from the Department of Juvenile justice.
According to the study, the majority of people interviewed felt the impact of the Service was positive and had helped the Courts deal with mental health matters.
However, the study made a number of recommendations to improve the system.
The recommendations included expanding the service, increasing the provision of education and training on mental health matters, and increasing awareness of the services through further advertising.
Dr Weatherburn said it was difficult to draw strong conclusions due to the nature of the study, but that the overall findings suggested the SCCLS slowed or reduced contact with the Court system by defendants with a mental illness.
9 September, 2009
Drug tests stimulate
safer driving habits
A review of random drug testing for drivers has found it is seen as a strong deterrent for the majority of drug users.
Tabling in Parliament the results of the NSW Centre for Road Safety’s Review of Roadside Testing, the Minister for Roads, Michael Daley said the program was keeping drivers who use drugs off the roads.
Mr Daley said the review found over 60 per cent of surveyed drug users were less likely to drive while drug-affected due to roadside testing.
“Police started random roadside drug tests in January 2007 to catch drug-drivers who use speed, ice, cannabis and ecstasy,” he said.
“While the NSW Police Force have had excellent results catching offenders, what’s really positive for NSW motorists is the proof that roadside testing is acting as a strong deterrent to drug-drivers to get behind the wheel.”
Mr Daley said drug testing at crash sites where there had been a fatality also helped send the message that driving under the influence of drugs was unacceptable.
“Just like drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous and puts the whole community at risk,” he said
“The fact that roadside drug testing has had such an impact means NSW roads are safer for all motorists.”
Minister for Police, Tony Kelly said the Government had increased the number of Police roadside drug testing units to four and had committed to supplying Police with another four vans.
“Figures show that since roadside drug tests were introduced Police have conducted over 40,000 drugs tests, with over 900 drivers testing positive,” Mr Kelly said.
“Driving under the influence of drugs is not just dumb – it is reckless, dangerous and against the law.
“If you’re going to take drugs and drive, it’s only a matter of time before you get caught.”
9 September, 2009
Nuclear open day
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisationis holding an open day on 19 September 2009 at its New Illawarra Road facility in Lucas Heights.
The open day will include free family activities including tours of the OPAL research reactor building and neutron guide hall, a kids’ science show, face painting, horizontal bungy, a petting zoo and giveaways (temporary tattoos, balloons and sun visors).
Bookings for tours are essential and could be made by visitingwww.ansto.gov.au.
Credit rating intact
NSW’s AAA credit rating has been reaffirmed in Standard & Poor’s annual report of the State’s finances.
The report found NSW had a “strong balance sheet” and “demonstrated fiscal discipline.”
Standard & Poor said it expected the State's balance sheet would remain strong and consistent with an 'AAA' rating.
Frog rescue plan
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Carmel Tebbutt has launched a five-year plan to save Australia’s native frog populations from disease.
Ms Tebbutt also launched a new brochure detailing the predicted effects of climate change on some of species and ecosystems.
The launch coincided with Threatened Species Day, which marks the death of the last Tasmanian tiger in captivity in 1936.
The brochure was available from www.environment.nsw.gov.au.
Fingerlings released
The Department of Primary Industries has released five million fingerlings into NSW waterways over the past year.
Through Industry & Investment NSW, the Government has been stocking waterways with native fish species and Atlantic salmon to enhance recreational freshwater fishing opportunities.
Industry & Investment’s spring stocking campaign is expected to include New England trout streams and Australian Bass stockings into impounds such as the Glenbawn dam in the Hunter.
Seniors on net
Seniors in NSW can access the internet for free by using 23 free internet kiosks that are scattered across the State.
Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin said there were 43 kiosks currently in operation across Australia and that over the next three years up to 2,000 kiosks would be installed across the country.
The kiosks in NSW are located at the Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood; Polish Association & Seniors Cabramatta,Canley Vale; Cynthia Street Neighbourhood Centre, Bateau Bay; Cooinda Aged Care, Coonabarabran; Tingha Regeneration Inc,Tingha; Mungindi CTC, Mungindi; CTC Bulahdelah, Bulahdelah; Catholic Care of the Aged, Port Macquarie; North Coast Computer Project, Macksville; Bowraville Technology Centre, Bowraville;Boambee Gardens Estate, Sawtel; Sawtell Catholic Care of the Aged,Toormina; Lismore Neighbourhood Centre, Lismore; CPSA Dapto Seniors Club, Dapto; CTC Sussex Inlet, Sussex Inlet; Eden Community Access Centre, Eden; Delegate Progress Association,Delegate; Intereach Albury, Albury; Intereach Buronga, Buronga;Nepean Community College, Penrith; Narromine Community Services Centre, Narromine; Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, Blackheath; and Springwood Neighbourhood Centre,Springwood.
Skills program funded
A new program to help disadvantaged and marginalised youths develop their skills has received over $300,000 in Government funding.
The program will be based at Sydney’s Inner West Skills Cntre, which helps young people achieve their potential across employment, training, welfare and youth services.
The grant was distributed under the Commonwealth’s Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), which returns money from assets confiscated under Commonwealth law to the community.
Hospital funds injection
Coffs Harbour Base Hospital has been granted $8.6 million in funding to purchase new surgical equipment and upgrade its emergency department to help relieve the pressure on public hospitals and reduce waiting times.
The funding will be used to establish a new eight bed Medical Assessment Unit, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
AFL captains discourage drinking
The Australian Football League has received $132,000 in Government funding to continue its work in discouraging alcohol-fuelled violence.
The AFL confirmed it would use the funding to support the Just Think campaign which will see eight AFL team captains work together to discourage violence, particularly amongst youths.
The advertising campaign will be run throughout the AFL 2009 Final Series to send the message that alcohol abuse and reckless violence are not a part of football and are not supported by Australia's sporting heroes.
New coin for Guides
The Royal Australian Mint is to release a new $1 coin to mark the Centenary of Girl Guides.
Around five million Girl Guide Coins will be issued in 2010 to celebrate the valuable contribution Girl Guides has made to Australia since their organisation was set up in 1910.
The coin design is to be developed in consultation with Mint designers and Girl Guides Australia.
2 September, 2009
Red tape strangling
green funds: Audit
An audit into the administration of environmental grants has discovered they are hide-bound in red tape.
In his report Environmental Grant Administration, Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat said excess bureaucracy was hindering the efficient funding of the grants.
Mr Achterstraat said the report aimed to find out whether environmental grants were well-managed by looking at whether they were aligned to Government priorities, allocated appropriately and if they were achieving results.
The audit reviewed 10 programs which granted $200 million between 2002-03 and 2006-07 and are planning to grant a further $300 million over the next five years.
Mr Achterstraat said while there was some evidence of good grants management, such as projects meeting the Government’s objective of improving environmental outcomes, the results of the grants were mixed.
He said red tape and delays caused “major problems”.
“Delayed grant approvals result in some applicants no longer bothering with the projects,” Mr Achterstraat said.
“In some years a third of floodplain grants were not taken up at all because, by the time funding was approved, it was too late for Councils to use.”
He said the timeliness of grant decisions did not always support effective funding
Mr Achterstraat said the funding processes were not aligned to the recipients’ financial cycle and took up to a year to approve.
He said delays also contributed to Agencies waiving agreed milestones and paying money to Councils regardless of performance so they could spend the program budget before the end of the financial year.
Mr Achterstraat drew attention to Ministers who gave grants to Councils that made direct requests for money without first assessing the requests through the grants programs.
“I am concerned that some Ministers spent 20 per cent of estuary funding and some coastal grants, without taking advice from their Agencies,” he said.
“Our analysis shows that Ministers did not disproportionately favour Government-held seats. Nevertheless, Ministers should explain why they approve such funding requests ahead of others that go through normal channels.”
Mr Achtersraat recommended the programs be independently evaluated more regularly.
“Not only does the process have too much red tape but only one of the 10 grant programs reviewed had been independently evaluated since 2005,” he said.
“This is simply not good enough.
“Grant programs need to be regularly evaluated to see what is working and what can be done better.”
Mr Achterstraat said grants were allocated appropriately and that their geographic distribution was generally based on need.
“We found that the Trust and the floodplain program assessed grant applications appropriately,” he said.
“They used objective criteria and independent expert advice to assess and rank proposals.”
Mr Achterstraat recommended Agencies ensure performance milestones were achieved before making payments; ministers act more transparently; and Agencies reduce red tape and delays and monitor grants programs.
2 September, 2009
Agency pays out on
gender pay gap
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency(EOWA) has used Equal Pay Day to call on Australian employers to investigate pay inequities in their workplaces.
According to the Agency, the gender pay gap has reached its highest level since the mid-1990s, a reality marked by the fact that Equal Pay Day on 1 September this year is five days later than in 2008.
It now takes women an extra 63 days of work a year to earn the same as men.
Equal Pay Day illustrates the number of extra days women have to work after the end of the financial year to earn the same as men who earn an average of 17 per cent more than women.
Acting Director of EOWA, Mairi Steele said a recent EOWA survey showed less than half of all organisations reporting to EOWA conduct gender pay equity analyses despite 96 per cent of the community believing action needs to be taken to close the pay gap.
Ms Steele said EOWA had launched an online resource to help businesses identify, understand and address gender pay gaps.
“Employers can play a significant role in reducing gender pay inequity by looking at their pay rates, policies and practices with a critical eye,” she said.
“EOWA would like Australian businesses to commit to undertaking gender pay audits to help bring Equal Pay Day back into August next year.”
Ms Steele said the work women did was often undervalued as women often worked in jobs that allowed them to combine work with caring for family.
“The fact that women are concentrated in certain occupations and in low paying positions are key causes of the gap and not excuses for it” she said.
“Even after you allow for differences in qualifications, length of service and full-time or part-time hours, there is an unexplained gap in earnings.
“Why are women paid less the moment they step into the workforce?”
Ms Steele said figures from Gradstats showed female graduates earned an average of $2,000 less per year than male graduates when they first started working, with the figure increasing to around $7,800 per year after five years.
“It is 40 years since the breakthrough equal pay case of 1969 - which technically ended inequality in pay - so it’s high time the backwards slide in the gender pay gap is addressed,” she said.
A researcher from Macquarie University, Ian Watson estimated as much as 70 per cent of the unexplained part of the gender pay gap was due to discrimination.
2 September, 2009
Treasury plays safe
on risk management
Treasury has issued a Circular implementing the Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy for the NSW Public Sector.
The policy is set out in Treasury Policy & Guidelines Paper TPP 09-5 and has been summarised in the seven page Circular.
According to Treasury Secretary Michael Schur, the new policy brings into force key recommendations from the 2008 performance review of public sector internal audit capacity conducted by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Mr Schur said the Policy needed to be read in conjunction with DPC Circular C2009-13 Prequalification Scheme: Audit and Risk Committees.
“The corporate governance practices required by the Policy aim to strengthen internal audit, risk management and governance processes across the NSW public sector,” Mr Schur said.
“The Policy requires Department heads and governing boards of statutory bodies to attest compliance with the ‘core requirements’ specified in the Policy annually, and to report this attestation within the annual report of the respective department or statutory body.”
He said it would promote the integrity of, and accountability for, the allocation and management of the State’s resources.
He said the Policy required an ‘officer of an authority’ and ‘accounting officer’ to do all that was necessary to ensure that Department heads or the governing boards of statutory bodies were able to comply with the attestation requirements.
“The implementation date for Departments and statutory bodies to comply with the ‘core requirements’ is the end of the financial year ending on or after 30 June 2010,” Mr Schur said.
The Treasury Circular and TPP can be accessed at the treasury website www.treasury.nsw.gov.au
2 September, 2009
Department hopping
mad about rabbits
The resurgence of the rabbit as a farm pest has prompted scientists from the Department of Industry and Investment to research new strains of Calicivirus in a bid to stem their numbers.
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald said the research would be conducted by scientists from the Department’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Camden, and the Orange Agricultural Institute.
Mr Macdonald said the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre had received $1.5 million in Commonwealth funding and support from Australian Wool Innovation and Meat & Livestock Australia.
“Rabbits cause around $200 million worth of damage across Australia each year, they compete for pasture and reduce the quality and productivity of land for crops and livestock,” he said.
“Anything we can do to reduce the number of rabbits is a good thing.”
Mr Macdonald said rabbits had developed a genetic resistance to the only strain of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus in Australia, which was released in 1995 to curb rabbit numbers.
He said the resistance meant the virus was losing effectiveness and rabbit numbers were increasing.
“The research project will involve selecting new strains, screening and testing potential viruses,” Mr Macdonald said.
“Scientists from Industry & Investment NSW will also be joined by a number of scientists from the CSIRO who will work together on the project.”
He said European scientists had already investigated some potential new strains, which would allow Australian scientists to use their research.
“We brought the European rabbit here on the first fleet and must continue to use scientific research to control this invasive pest,” Mr Macdonald said.
2 September, 2009
Police payrise shows
fighting crime pays
The final round of public sector pay negotiations has been completed with NSW Police accepting a 4 per cent payrise for the next two years.
NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione welcomed the news, describing the outcome of the wage negotiations with the NSW Police Association as “positive”.
Commissioner Scipione said while there were still some details to finalise, both parties had reached an agreement before the Industrial Relations Commission.
He said industrial action would cease and the planned protest rally by police would be called off.
Commissioner Scipione said the agreement represented a fair deal for police officers and an affordable outcome for taxpayers.
“We have managed to put an extra 2.5 per cent in the pay packets of our police and now we have resolved the remaining issues to offer a further 1.5 per cent over the next two years,” he said.
NSW Treasurer, Eric Roozendaal was reported as saying the pay rise fell within the Government's Public Sector wages policy, which had been budgeted for.
“The Police Force negotiations were the final round for Public Sector wages negotiations and I'm pleased that they have been finalised,” Mr Roozendaal said.
Minister for Police, Tony Kelly defended the timing of the agreement saying the issue had been considered for “some considerable amount of time”.
“This agreement is one about making sure that police get a fair deal,” Mr Kelly said.
Commissioner Scipione said the NSW Police Association and NSW Police had come to agreement by having a “constructive conversation” about how to make improvements.
“I would like to thank the Association and the efforts of the Industrial Relation Commission through the conciliation process,” he said.
“Most of all I would like to thank our officers who continue to serve our community day in day out doing one of the most demanding jobs imaginable.”
Premier, Nathan Rees congratulated the Police Commissioner and the Police Association for reaching the in-principle agreement.
“These negotiations were at times difficult but agreement means that we can move forward,” Mr Rees said.
2 September, 2009
Bushfire season is
burning issue
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular to all Departments and Agencies managing Government land, setting out the expectations of them in the lead-up to the bushfire season.
The DPC reminded Agencies and Local Authorities such as Councils that they must report their bushfire hazard reduction activities to the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service on an annual basis.
Deputy Director General of Government Coordination at DPC, Peter Duncan said the RFS’s online Bush Fire Reporting Information Management System would facilitate reporting.
“This system allows data to be entered throughout the year, as bush fire hazard reduction activities are undertaken,” Mr Duncan said.
He said under the Rural Fires Act 1997, Government Authorities responsible for managed land and Local Authorities responsible for land that is not ‘managed’ must report to the RFS Commissioner no later than three months after the end of financial year.
“Effective responses to bush fires and their prevention across NSW rely heavily on gaining an understanding of the threats faced in an upcoming bush fire season,” Mr Duncan said.
“The RFS needs to be aware of bush fire mitigation and related land management activities (such as slashing roadsides, rail corridors and hazard reduction burning) undertaken by public authorities, in order to take them into consideration during bush fire operations.”
He said bushfire operations included mitigation activities conducted on private land.
Mr Duncan reminded Agencies to ensure they took all practicable steps to prevent the occurrence and spreading of bush fires on land under their control or management and highways, roads, streets, land or thoroughfare for which they have maintenance responsibility.
The Bush Fire Reporting Information Management System was available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
2 September, 2009
Schools plug into
laptop handout
The first laptops in the roll-out of the Digital Education Revolution have been delivered to NSW secondary schools.
Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth said the laptops would “revolutionise” the nature of education and training and would provide students with increased access to technology.
Ms Firth and Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard visited Fairvale High School in Sydney’s west to see how the laptops would be integrated into a Year 9 lesson.
“The NSW Department of Education and Training has developed new world-class curriculum specific teaching and learning resources to be used with the laptops,” Ms Firth said.
“The classroom as we know it has changed.”
She said over 200,000 laptops would be distributed to NSW Government school students over the life of the $386 million program.
“Because of this investment, students will be able to access more learning tools than ever before,” Ms Firth said.
“They'll be more computer literate and in the long-term more competitive in a global market.”
She said Year 9 students would receive laptops under the initiative, with each new Year 9 class in NSW government schools receiving a laptop for the next four years.
“This is a gift for every government high school student in NSW-once they have finished Year 12, they can keep their laptop for good,” Ms Firth said.
She said for the first time in the world, Microsoft's Windows 7 had been installed on every student laptop, along with $5,500 of Microsoft and Adobe software and wireless capabilities.
Mr Firth said an additional 400 Information Technology support officers would be employed to provide on-site assistance to students and teachers.
“The NSW Government has also invested $16 million over four years to provide secondary high school teachers with the same laptops, with another $10 million allocated for professional learning,” she said.
Ms Gillard welcomed the NSW Government's commitment to the Digital Education Revolution, saying it would help “bring our classrooms into the 21st Century”.
2 September, 2009
Indigenous reps
back on track
A Steering Committee led by Federal Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma has called for an independent Indigenous representative body to work with Government, industry and the community to achieve self-determination for Indigenous Australians.
The Indigenous Steering Committee was commissioned by the Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, in December 2008 to undertake consultations and develop a model for a new national Indigenous representative body.
The Steering Committee’s report, Our future in our hands - creating a sustainable national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, proposes an independent body be set up that contains an equal number of men and women in leadership roles and subject to strict ethical standards.
“This model is about a way forward,” Commissioner Calma said, “that is focused on the future and flexible enough to adapt to new or emerging priorities.
“What we are proposing today will be radically different from anything we have ever seen in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. It will certainly not be ‘business as usual’.”
He said the new body should be a private company limited by guarantee and should be funded by the Australian Government on a recurrent basis for an initial five-year period, subject to negotiation thereafter.
Commissioner Calma said it should also be granted Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status to enable it to raise corporate support and donations.
Key components of the proposed body include a National Executive led by full-time male and female co-chairs; a National Congress that would be the primary accountability mechanism; an annual congress to set national policies and priorities; an Ethics Council; and an administrative or Executive Support Unit.
“We have proposed a body that will exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and will set a new benchmark for gender equality in national organisations – which all Australians can learn from,” Commissioner Calma said.
Ms Macklin welcomed the report and congratulated the Steering Committee and Commissioner Calma.
She said the Government would consider the report and respond appropriately.
“The proposed model sets a high benchmark for strong, responsible and strategic leadership,” Ms Macklin said.
“They have aimed to create a body which will build a clear vision for a positive future for Indigenous Australians, through research, policy development and advocacy.”
She said the Federal Government would be prepared to provide “modest and appropriate recurrent funding” for the body once it was established and would provide support in its establishment phase.
Ms Macklin said the new body “would not be an ATSIC.”
A copy of the report was available from www.humanrights.gov.au.
2 September, 2009
Disability card comes
up trumps
The Minister for Disability Services has announced that over 2,000 Companion Cards have been issued since the program was launched in late March.
The Minister, Paul Lynch said the Companion Card allowed people with a profound or severe disability to take their carers on public transport and to events for free.
“Previously, people who required carer support sometimes had to pay twice to access public transport or attend movies and other events,” he said.
“The Companion Card now makes it easier for people in NSW to meet people and take advantage of services and events.”
Mr Lynch said the card recognised carers were vital for some people and provided equal access to services and facilities.
He said eligibility was based on the physical needs of the person rather than means testing, which meant around 25,000 NSW residents could be eligible.
“The NSW Government will provide the Card to eligible people who always or usually require the assistance of a carer,” Mr Lynch said.
Mr Lynch said Yvonne Grady of Manly had been issued with the 2,000th Companion Card.
He said Ms Grady, who has cerebral palsy and works for the Spastic Centre, needs assistance with her mobility.
About 450 businesses have signed up to offer benefits for Companion Card holders, including NSW Government-operated services such as public transport and the Sydney Opera House.
Businesses involved in the program include Sydney Aquarium, Hoyts, Greater Union, Dendy and Reading.
The Newcastle Knights have become the first NRL team to support the program.
Mr Lynch said he would like to see more businesses sign up and support the card, which is managed by National Disability Services (NDS), the peak body for disability services.
NDS State Manager, Patrick Maher said the organisation was delighted to be operating a program that had a real impact on people’s lives.
“A program such as this, aimed at improving social inclusiveness and access, is only possible when everyone understands the issues facing people with a disability,” Mr Maher said.
“These people shouldn’t have to pay for the extra transport and entrance fees.
“The Companion Card is opening up a whole new world for many people with a disability who require a carer to travel to events or venues.”
Further information on applying for a Card was available by phoning 1800 893 044.
2 September, 2009
Ad tells young to
put STIs to bed
A new advertising campaign targeting Sexually Transmissible Infections among young people under 25 has been launched by NSW Health.
Aimed in particular at combating Chlamydia, the Get Tested, Play Safe campaign was expected to cost $1.5 million.
Former Health Minister, John Della Bosca said NSW Health had established an expert advisory committee made up of medical experts and young people to help oversee the campaign.
Mr Della Bosca said the campaign encouraged youths to keep healthy by preventing STIs and getting tested for sexual health problems.
“STIs can have serious consequences if left untreated – such as future issues with fertility,” he said.
“See your doctor for an STI check every time you change regular partners. You don't have to talk to everyone about STIs - just talk to your doctor and possibly get tested.”
The campaign is to include television, print, online and washroom advertising and will run until the end of October 2009.
Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said the advertising would increase young people’s awareness of STI testing and treatment and remind them to always use condoms.
Dr Chant said the campaign’s theme - Sleeping with one is sleeping with many - brought the message to life.
She said the campaign’s tagline, Get Tested, Play Safe, was a call to action to youths.
“STIs other than HIV have risen sharply in NSW, with Chlamydia notifications increasing from 3,489 cases in 2000 to 13,994 cases in 2008,” Dr Chant said.
“In part the increase is due to additional testing, however it also indicates increased numbers of infections.”
She said STIs affected health, wellbeing and relationships and could place a significant economic burden on individuals and the health system.
Chair of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) NSW, Dr Liz Marles, said General Practitioners were central to the detection, care and prevention of STIs.
“Fortunately, in many cases, a test for an STI is a simple urine sample and treatment is a short course of antibiotics,” Dr Marles said.
Mr Della Bosca said NSW Health and RACGP NSW had developed specific resources to support GPs with detecting and managing STIs.
Further information on the campaign was available fromwww.gettested.com.au.
2 September, 2009
Stats figures out
recorded crime
A report published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that police took action against almost 300,000 Australians in 2007-08.
The study covers all States except Western Australia.
Police in NSW proceeded against 109,113 alleged offenders aged 10 years and over in 2007-08, according to the first release of recorded crime offender statistics.
The report, Recorded Crime – Offenders, is a new publication that details the number and characteristics of alleged offenders aged 10 and over for selected States and Territories.
It complements existing ABS publications relating to victims, criminal courts and corrective services.
There were more than three times as many male offenders than female offenders in NSW, with 17-year-old males offending at a rate four times higher than the rate of all other males (12,465 offenders for every 100,000 males aged 17) compared to 2,859 male offenders for every 100,000 males aged 10 and over.
The rate for 17-year-old females was 4,579 for every 100,000 females aged 17 years compared to 768 females per 100,000 females aged 10 and over, nearly six times higher.
The offender rate for males and females decreased noticeably between the ages of 17 and 18 years.
The report found the main offences that offenders were proceeded against were acts intended to cause injury (23 per cent of all offenders) followed by public order (16 per cent) and theft (10 per cent).
The predominant principal offences for youth offenders were public order offences
(22 per cent) followed by acts intended to cause injury (14 per cent) and theft (12 per cent).
Seventy-four per cent of all offenders were proceeded against by Police on just one occasion, while 15 per cent were proceeded against on two separate occasions.
Offenders proceeded against by police on five or more separate occasions during 2007–08 comprised 4 per cent (4,101 offenders) of all offenders.
Further details were available from www.abs.gov.au.
2 September, 2009
Vietnam war study
set to go off
A study into the long-term effects of the Vietnam War on veterans’ families is set to go ahead now that the target number of participants had been achieved.
But more participants would still be welcome.
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said over 13,000 randomly selected Vietnam veterans, Vietnam-era Army personnel who did not deploy to Vietnam and their children had registered in the intergenerational study.
“These are the key groups that were required to take part in sufficient numbers to make the study scientifically robust,” Mr Griffin said.
“Additional partners, siblings, nieces, nephews and other family members of Vietnam veterans and Vietnam-era Army personnel have also registered.”
The study will examine the long term effects of the war and if any health differences could be attributed to it.
“The impact of service in Vietnam, beyond veterans to the impact on their loved ones, has been a concern for many years,” Mr Griffin said.
“This study will help us to better understand what those impacts are and what action should be taken to assist those who need help.
“It will also help us to understand any issues resulting from more recent deployments and the implications for the families of the veterans of today and tomorrow.”
Mr Griffin said the study comprised of several components and work had already commenced on some projects.
An independent scientific advisory committee, chaired by Professor Bryan Rodgers, will ensure the research component of the study is undertaken in a sound scientific manner. Registrations are still open to participate in the study, with further information available fromwww.dva.gov.au or 1800 502 302.
2 September, 2009
RTA gives green light
to pink numberplates
NSW’s men have been urged to convert to pink number plates as a way of showing their support for breast cancer research.
Led by the Roads and Traffic Authority’s Paul Dennett, the push for men to ‘pink their rides’ will also raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.
Mr Dennett said he bought a pink number plate to show his support for his mother-in-law and aunt, who are both currently recovering from breast cancer.
“When someone you know and care about is diagnosed with breast cancer it affects the whole family,” he said.
“The [McGrath] foundation raises money to fund breast care nurses and I think it’s up to everyone to support the cause.”
Mr Dennett encouraged people to buy their Dad some pink plates for Father’s Day before the campaign ends on 31 October.
“There are a lot of dads, husbands, brothers and boyfriends out there who know someone who has been diagnosed and who can show their support by ‘pinking their ride’,” he said.
Mr Dennet said over 2,200 pink plates had been sold since April, 400 of which were purchased by men.
He said $15 from each plate, or $50 from each prestige plate, would go towards helping fund McGrath breast care nurses throughout NSW.
The initiative has raised over $53,000 for the McGrath Foundation.
Mr Dennett said slim hot pink plates with white characters were the most popular, with around 1,600 sold.
Around 60 per cent of people who bought a pink plate chose to personalise it.
The RTA is also offering new number plate styles and colours such as orange, yellow and raspberry.
2 September, 2009
Tourists going the
country mile
A Government campaign to boost tourism to regional areas has exceeded its expectations, recording a 500 per cent jump in visitor number to the targeted areas.
Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay welcomed the news, saying tourism in regional NSW had “gone through the roof”.
Ms McKay said the results showed people wanted to travel and take breaks despite tough financial times.
“The fact that thousands of people have chosen regional NSW as their destination of choice is fantastic news for tourism operators who were doing it tough because of the global financial crisis,” she said.
Ms McKay said campaign partnerships with CountryLink had seen a marked increase in visitor numbers.
“Last month we partnered with CountryLink for the $1 children’s fare campaign, available for up to four children when accompanied by a full fare paying adult,” she said.
“This campaign promoted more than 360 destinations across the State, resulting in a staggering increase of 539 per cent of adults and 584 per cent of children taking advantage of the deal between June and August compared to the same period last year.”
Ms McKay said campaigns targeting seniors had also been successful, with the waiving of booking fees for holders of pensioner travel vouchers.
“The fee waiver resulted in a 22 per cent increase in pensioners travelling economy class,” she said.
Ms McKay said regional tourism operators were the real winners in the campaign, with one promotion of Country NSW seeing a 257 per cent increase in CountryLink holiday packages to Taronga Western Plains Zoo and other attractions over autumn and winter compared to 2008.
“A similar promotion for the Outback saw a healthy 51.5 per cent rise in CountryLink accommodation and package sales over the same period,” she said.
“Regional New South Wales earned more than $11.4 billion from domestic and international tourism expenditure last year.”
2 September, 2009
Finance watchdog gets
sharper teeth
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is to receive stronger powers to help regulate financial markets.
Under changes announced jointly by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan and Minister for Financial Services and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen ASIC will be empowered to supervise real-time trading on all of Australia’s domestic licensed markets and be responsible for enforcing laws against misconduct on financial markets.
Mr Swan and Mr Bowen said the changes would enhance the integrity of Australia’s financial markets.
“Australia's financial system has performed better than any other during the global recession and these reforms will ensure that Australia's regulatory arrangements remain among the best in the world,” Mr Swan said.
Mr Bowen said it was more appropriate for a Government Agency to perform these functions, as opposed to the current arrangement, which requires individual financial markets to self-supervise trading on their own markets.
“Having one whole-of-market supervisor will consolidate the current individual supervisory responsibilities into one entity, streamlining supervision and enforcement, and providing complete supervision of trading on the market,” he said.
“Moving to whole-of-market supervision is also the first step in the process towards considering competition between market operators.”
Mr Bowen said under the changes, ASIC would be responsible for supervising trading activities by broker participants taking place on a licensed financial market, while individual markets – such as the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) - would retain responsibility for supervising the entities listed on them.
“The supervision of listed entities raises a different set of issues,” he said.
“The Government is comfortable that there is no need for the Government to supervise listed entities.
“ASIC and the ASX are working well together in performing this role.”
Mr Bowen said the legislation was expected to be introduced into Parliament next year, with ASIC to begin performing its new functions in the third quarter of 2010.
2 September, 2009
Waste gets taste of
sustainable energy
A new system that extracts gases from landfill waste and turns them into energy has been launched in Newcastle.
Federal MP for the area and Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet, officially opened the Newcastle Landfill Gas Generator, saying it would help move NSW and Australia towards a more sustainable future.
Mr Combet said the Generator would reduce greenhouse gas emissions emitted by landfill waste and create renewable energy.
“The Newcastle Landfill Gas Generator will combust methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas, at the same time producing renewable bioenergy that will displace fossil-fuels,” he said.
“This significant environmental project will generate enough renewable electricity to power around 3,000 homes in our region.”
Mr Combet said the facility was installed at the Summerhill Waste Management Facility to help tackle the challenge of climate change.
“Gases emitted by the decomposing waste, including methane, are extracted and used to power two one megawatt electricity generators which feed power into the electricity grid,” he said.
Mr Combet said the facility was in line with the Government’s recent Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation, which aims to have 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity produced from renewable sources by 2020.
“This will foster innovation in renewable energy technologies, unlock billions of dollars of new investments and create thousands of 'green' jobs in regional and urban areas,” he said.
“The Generator being launched today will benefit under the RET.”
2 September, 2009
Schools vote with numbers
A record number of schools participated in the Australian Electoral Commission’s Enrol to Vote Week last month.
Over 1,800 schools across the country participated in the week, with NSW registering more schools than any other State or Territory, at 518.
Enrol to Vote Week encouraged 17 and 18-year-old students to enrol to vote, and resulted in over 12,700 enrolment forms being received by the AEC.
Caravans motoring
Caravan registrations in NSW have increased by 33 per cent following the decision to axe stamp duty on caravans and camper tailers.
An estimated $1 million has been saved since stamp duty was cut on 1 July 2009.
The axing of stamp duty on caravans aimed to save residents money, increase domestic tourism and support jobs in the industry.
Virtual PS teams for workshops
Workshops on Managing Public Sector Virtual Teams are to be held in Perth, Melbourne and Canberra.
The one-day master classes aim to equip managers with the skills to deal with issues ranging from tools and technology to results-based management and relationships and trust.
Workshops will be held in Perth on 14 October; Melbourne on 16 October; and Canberra on 23 October and will be run by the United Kingdom training consultancy, Knowledge Ability.
For more information visit www.pics.com.au
Safety laws at safety show
The Safety Show will be held in Sydney this October, featuring workshops on the impacts of changes to safety laws under the proposed new national Model Act.
Safe Work Australia will present a seminar on the changes, with the Show also including practical safety workshops and information on compliance after NSW’s occupational health and safety laws are amended.
The Safety Show and Sydney Materials Handling show will be features of national Safe Work Week.
Donation agency now open
The NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Agency is now fully operational after commencing operation on 1 July this year.
The Agency is part of the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS) and was formerly called LifeGift.
It is located within SESIAHS, near the St George Hospital.
Probate delay going down
The Supreme Court of NSW has released an announcement confirming the period of delay on probate grants has decreased to three weeks.
In August 2009 the waiting time was six weeks.
The Court said it would continue to work on reducing the delay period.
History online
The State Records Authority website that helps people locate and map their family history is now available in the Authority’s reading rooms.
Six computers in each reading room have been dedicated to the free ancestry.com.au online resource.
The Authority urged interested researchers to make a booking due to the popularity of the website.
WorkCover agents renewed
WorkCover NSW has announced the existing seven workers compensation scheme agents will continue to operate in the WorkCover Scheme for the next five years.
Their new contracts will commence from 1 January 2010 to allow them to provide workers compensation claims and policy services to employers and injured workers.
The new contracts more closely align the remuneration paid to scheme agents with their performance in key areas, while the distribution of policies and claims has been designed to more closely align market distribution with agent service capacities.
Skills training deal
Airservices Australia and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute have teamed up to offer trade training skills in the aviation industry.
The organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which Airservices will provide $2.8 million over five years for the establishment of a trade-specific curriculum and training at the Riverina Institute campus.
The specially designed course aims to give trainees the skills to maintain Australia’s air traffic control equipment including communications, surveillance and navigation aids, radars and data systems.
Climate rebates top 100,000
Over 101,000 residential rebates have been claimed by NSW households under the Climate Change Fund.
NSW household have invested over $200 million in upgrading their water and energy facilities and claimed $47 million worth of rebates in the process.
The rebates have resulted in lower running costs, lower emissions and increased job creation.
Authority swings in
The Motor Accidents Authority is to fund six new swings that allow children in wheelchairs to play at the park with their friends and family.
The Authority will provide Broken Hill with the first of the six Liberty Swings, with the other five to be located on the South Coast, in Outer Sydney and high population areas such as Western Sydney, Illawarra and Newcastle.
The Government has partnered with Variety NSW to deliver the swing to the Broken Hill Community.
John retires
The Managing Director of Australia Post, Graeme John is to retire in December.
Mr John joined Australia Post as Chief Manager, National Operations in 1990 and was appointed Managing Director in 1993.
Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner praised Mr John for his “outstanding leadership”.
National President of the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Ed Husic wished Mr John well, saying he should be congratulated for his innovation and vision. |
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