Labor Health System Commitments

This week, NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns announced that a Labor Government will introduce minimum and enforceable safe staffing levels to public hospitals, starting with emergency departments. This will see an additional 1,200 nurses and midwives recruited (above the government’s additional recruits outlined in 2022-23 NSW State Budget) into the system within the first four years of a Labor Government, at a cost of $175 million. In addition, Labor have also committed to boosting rural and regional paramedics. The first phase of this commitment involves $150 million to fund an additional 500 paramedics in Labor’s first term, to ease the burden of chronic paramedic shortages and the unprecedented strain on our rural and regional health system. Labor will also work to progressively upskill new and existing paramedics to intensive care and extended care paramedics. This would enable them to deliver more life-saving and compassionate care 24 hours a day, and ease pressure on our hospitals. For the last decade under the NSW Liberals and Nationals, health care across both the Swansea Electorate and the state has been in crisis. Labor has listened to our health workers on the need for safe staffing levels and more paramedics, to help avoid staff burnout and secure better health outcomes for patients.

Great News for Swansea Channel and Reids Reserve

As we are all too aware, the dredging of Swansea Channel is well and truly overdue. I have spent years advocating for a permanent dredging solution to be implemented to address the recurrent silting in the Channel. I was very pleased to be informed by the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office (MIDO) that work is underway to establish a 10-year dredging plan for Swansea Channel. An emergency dredging contract is also being finalised with works to be completed prior to Christmas. MIDO also advised me that the design work to repair the breakwall along Reids Reserve is underway.

This is the first steps in repairing the breakwall, which has been blocked off to the public for more than a year. It is great to finally see some progress being made on these projects.

Eastlake Child Care Centre Visit

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Eastlake Community Child Care Centre to check out the Kangaroo Sunroom Extension. The Centre was able to pay for the extension through the Community Building Partnership 2021 program. The Community Building Partnership was designed to assist not-for-profit community organisations and local councils to undertake infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental, and recreational outcomes, while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion. I was proud to support Eastlake Community Child Care Centre in securing funding for their project. The 2022 Program has now closed, however, you can sign up for alerts for future programs here. I encourage all not-for-profits and local councils to seek funding from this program. 

Report into the Privatisation of Bus Services

The report into the NSW Liberal Government’s privatisation of bus services has found that private operators had an incentive to cut costs and services at the expense of passengers. This is something that not only Sydney residents, but also the Swansea community knows all too well. Since the privatisation of Keolis Downer in 2017, my office has been inundated with locals expressing their frustrations over the difficulties they know experience trying to get to school and work because of the privatisation. The people of this state deserve to have access to adequate bus services. That is why a NSW Labor Government will establish an industry taskforce to assess the report’s findings and recommendations and work to improve bus services for passengers right across the state. 

TAFE Teacher Walk Out

This week we saw TAFE teachers across the state stage walk outs. In the last decade under the liberals we have seen NSW TAFE teacher numbers go from around 17,000 to just 8000 today. 77 per cent of TAFE teachers are now casual. It is clear that these teachers have no choice but to take action as the government just ignore them. TAFE teachers play an important role in educating our up and coming tradespeople. It is time for the NSW Government to listen to their pleas. 

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants

The Australian Government is currently inviting eligible organisations to apply for grant funding under the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. There are 2 categories of grants available:

1. Community Grants (CG) - Grants to a maximum of $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities.
2. Major Grants (MG) - Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or regional perspective.

For more information on the grant and to apply, visit the Community Grants website. 

Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards 2023

Nominations for the Central Coast Australia Day Awards 2023 are now open. The Awards provide an opportunity for locals to recognise individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the region. Each winner from the varied award categories will go into the running to be named Central Coast Citizen of the Year.

Nominations close 23 October and can be submitted via the Central Coast Council website. 

Lake Macquarie Over 50's Singles Group Inc.

Over 50 and single? Go along and join Lake Macquarie Over 50s Singles social group. Mid week and weekend activities include dinners, picnics, trivia and card nights. For more information call 0411 800 071 or 0437 770 504. 

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill.
5. Regional seniors travel card: The regional seniors travel card provides eligible seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW with a $250 prepaid card to help ease the cost of travel. 
6. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
7. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
8. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
9. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
10. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.