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Getting in early on Climate Change

28 October 2008

NSW Premier Nathan Rees today released new climate change information that has found Sydney will need to prepare for hotter day time temperatures, changes in rainfall and increased risk of flooding.

"Climate change is real and we need to prepare communities now for the changes that lie ahead," Mr Rees said.

"The NSW Government has been at the forefront of the climate change agenda and today's forum is a continuation of our leadership on the issue.

"We've been holding forums like this one all across the state to share information with communities and hear from them on the challenges as they see them.

"These results will then develop our state-wide Climate Change Action Plan.

"Dealing with climate change is about getting in early - we've got a strong record of being prepared, and I want that to continue.

"That's why I've asked for our $63 million program to provide 220,000 low income households with an energy efficiency overhaul for their homes, to be brought forward as a matter of priority.

"With current rates of mortgage stress and rising costs of living it has never been more important to help protect low income earners from rising electricity prices.

"We're going to help people reduce their emissions and help them cope with rising energy prices by reducing their bills.

Mr Rees said that under the program an accredited assessor audits a house to work out how people could save on their energy bills.

"This program for low income earners will then pay for the house to be retrofitted using simple energy and water savings devices such as compact fluorescent lights, shower timers, draught proofing and water saving devices."

Eligible households can register their interest immediately by calling the Environment Line on 1300 361 967 or sending an email with the subject heading "Household refit program" to ccf [at] environment [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au.

The climate change results presented today for Sydney include:

• Days are expected to be hotter across all seasons, particularly in winter and spring when temperatures will rise 2 to 3 degrees; 
• Daily rainfall in winter is expected to decrease; 
• Sea level is projected to rise by up to 40cm above 1990 mean sea level by 2050 and 90cm by 2100; 
• Sea level rise and the potential for more storminess will worsen the risk of coastal erosion in beachside and riverside suburbs, and flooding in low lying areas. 
• Sydney's fire season is likely to be longer as a result of higher temperatures.

Today's forum at the Powerhouse Museum will include a panel discussion with climate change experts from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and be followed by planning sessions with natural resource managers, local business people and Sydney councils.

It will also include an information session with scientists from DECC and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Carmel Tebbutt said the forums were an important way of engaging local communities to make sure they would be climate change ready.

"Local knowledge on climate change is vital. That's why we're working with the people on the ground to develop a comprehensive plan for dealing with the changes we know will occur," said Ms Tebbutt.

"We already have many of the systems and local networks in place to help manage risks like drought, flood and fire.

"By working with local councils, businesses and communities we can come up with a NSW Climate Change Action Plan that puts us well ahead of the game in terms of planning for these impacts."

Eligibility for Household refit program

Eligible households include those that receive the NSW Government Energy Rebate, including residents of social housing along with people in privately owned/rented homes.

That is, pensioners who are solely or jointly liable for utility bills at their principal place of residence and:

• have a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card; or
• have a Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card; or 
• receive a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pension for War Widows or War Widowers or a Disability Pension at the "totally and permanently incapacitated"(TPI) rate or "extreme disablement adjustment" (EDA) rate (as shown on the Repatriation Health Card i.e. the "Gold Card").

Rees acts to end Government ‘secrecy'

23 October 2008

Premier Nathan Rees today announced steps to increase the transparency and accountability of the NSW Government.

Mr Rees said he would turn the Freedom of Information system on its head to end a culture of secrecy within the Government and bureaucracy.

"I've examined the Act and met with the Ombudsman over the last six weeks and it's clear to me that this Act is broken," Mr Rees said.

"I plan to fix it - the days of a secret state are over.

Mr Rees said he had written to the NSW Ombudsman offering the Government's strong support of his review of the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW).

"In the meantime I will implement a number of more practical measures which we can do straight away.

"Today I am issuing a Memorandum to all Ministers asking them to ensure that their agencies take a more proactive approach to the release of ‘public interest' information.

"In particular, agencies will be directed to routinely publish information that is released regularly under the FOI Act.

"The days of NSW acting like some kind of secret society have ended. It is time to change the culture of information exchange between the Government and the public.

"With increased disclosure comes increased accountability - and public confidence we're doing what is right.

"I'm disappointed that some Government agencies - whose job it is to improve services - believe they should do so under some kind of black veil.

"While certain details will always need to be kept confidential for legitimate commercial or security reasons, the public has a right to know a wide range of other details to give them confidence in Government decision making."

This is another step in the Government's plan to increase openness and accountability, following:

• Issuing a Premier's Memorandum instructing Ministers to publish their press releases on their departmental websites; 
• Announcing additional sitting weeks in 2009 - giving the NSW Parliament the most number of sitting days in the Country; and 
• Releasing a number of reports including the Boston Consulting Group report into RailCorp and the WorsleyParsons Rail report on Warabrook Modified Light Rail.

REES RELEASES VISION FOR TRANSPORT IN NSW

24 October 2008

Premier Nathan Rees today released his vision to ease congestion and improve public transport in NSW.

Mr Rees put the case for investment in NSW to Infrastructure Australia, including a CBD Metro to allow for future metro projects to Western and North Western Sydney.

The proposal would see construction begin in 2010 with completion expected four to five years after that.

The proposed line goes from Central Station to Rozelle with stations at Town Hall, Martin Place, Barangaroo/Wynyard and Pyrmont.

It is estimated it would cost $4 billion.

"This is the first stage of both the North West and West Metros," Mr Rees said.

"This project will ease rail congestion straight away and is the first step towards a metro line for both Western and North Western Sydney.

"The simple fact is that the worst congestion on our rail line starts when you get to the CBD.

"People converge on Central from all over Sydney - six lines meet at this station.

"But we only have three lines to take them through, so obviously this causes a bottleneck, putting pressure on Town Hall and Wynyard.

"This is the first step in extending the metro to the West and the North West.

"It is the future of transport in NSW."

Mr Rees said supporting growth in Sydney was vital to Australia's economy.

"We need to invest in infrastructure like railways and roads to keep up with growth in population and support business and jobs in NSW," Mr Rees said.

"Our case to Infrastructure Australia is a strong one.

"Our State is the most economically important in the nation, worth $355 billion and making up about a third of Australia's GDP.

"Sydney is Australia's only global city - home of the nation's banking and financial sector.

"Our financial expertise is a great strength. Already 65 per cent of regional headquarters of international companies located in Australia are here.

"If we want to keep that status as the number one State in Australia we need to invest in the infrastructure that will allow us to keep growing.

"My Government will work in partnership with Kevin Rudd and the Federal Government to deliver the improvements to rail and road to keep Sydney and NSW growing."

NSW at a Glance

NSW is the most economically important state in the nation:

• $355bn economy

• 33% of Australia GDP

• 42% of services exports

• Sydney's financial services workforce is almost half the size of London's

• 17 % merchandise exports

• More than 80% of freight along the eastern seaboard is going to or from Sydney.

Sydney is home to:

• 80 per cent of Australia's multinational pharmaceutical companies and banks

• 44 per cent of the IT and communications companies in Australia

• 65 per cent of regional headquarters of international companies in Australia

• 40 per cent of Australia's biotechnology companies

Our challenge:

• ABS figures show Sydney's growth up from 980 to at 1.427 million by 2031.

• Passenger, freight growth exceeds road and rail capacity on current trends;

• Congestion costs in 2005 were estimated at $3.5 billion - rising to $7.8 billion by 2020;

• Trains are crowded at peak periods and freight rail paths are limited;

• 80% of the freight to Port Botany destined for the Sydney metropolitan area.

• A high value air freight supply chain including flowers, food, biomedical.

INCREASE IN BABIES EXPERIENCING ABUSE 

Minister for Community Services Linda Burney told the NSW Parliament today that there had been a 41.2 per cent increase in the number of babies under one reported to the Department of Community Services' Helpline between 2004/05 and 2006/07.

Ms Burney said the Helpline had received over 26,000 reports about almost 12,000 young babies from worried family and community members in 2006/07.

"The figures from Community Services' Annual Statistical Report 2006/07 show just how vulnerable young babies are," Ms Burney said.

"It is heartening that the community knows how important it is to raise the alarm when they suspect voiceless infants and young children are suffering."

Ms Burney said children under one were the largest age group being referred for further assessment.

"The report shows an increase of 54.4 per cent in referral in this age group, indicating that more reports about babies were investigated by Community Services caseworkers in 2006/07 than in any other year. 

"Following investigation and assessment, the most frequent type of harm identified was emotional or psychological, accounting for 61.3 per cent of total cases assessed. This speaks volumes about how babies in dysfunctional families are aware of and absorb the tension, violence and chaos that punctuate their lives. 

"Early trauma leaves scars that children carry for the rest of their lives.

"Clearly, it's not just babies. Over the last three years there has been a 43.5 per cent increase in the number of overall reports referred for further assessment."

Ms Burney said the report confirms domestic violence and drug and alcohol misuse are the constant companions of the families Community Services works with.

"Of the 286,000 reports received in 2006/07, approximately one-in-three listed domestic violence as an issue, and one-in-five listed drug and alcohol issues," she said.

Ms Burney said early intervention has been shown to be crucial in assisting vulnerable families in reducing the risks facing young children.

"The Department's Brighter Futures early intervention program is beginning to take effect," Ms Burney said.

"Together with our non-government partners, we have already reached almost 2,800 families with children under eight who are voluntarily working with caseworkers.                                         

"Linking into Brighter Futures is the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Strategy which, with NSW Health, supports Aboriginal women during and after pregnancy. These mothers have access to specialist medical care, midwifery and education, giving their babies a better start to life."

Another whole-of-government commitment to support all families across the state with children under eight is Families NSW, which runs services for new mums with babies under one, such as home visiting and supported playgroups.

Ms Burney stressed the Rees Government's fundamental commitment to improving the child protection system.

"Changes need to take place within Community Services and other agencies, but changes also need to happen in households and communities across the state," she said.

The report is available at http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/.

PLANNING REFORM TO KEEP DEVELOPMENT AND NEW SOUTH WALES MOVING

Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said she has directed a restructure of the planning agencies which report to her, with $3 million in savings to be reinvested into the Department of Planning so they can hire a team of specialist project managers who will:

• Manage the rezoning of land across the state so it can be provided more quickly for housing, commercial or industrial use; and
• Speed up the processing of development applications for major projects which are assessed by the state government.

"The time it takes to assess major development projects has increased in the last few years, which is unacceptable given the current economic climate," Ms Keneally said.

"During these tough economic times we need to keep the economy of Sydney and NSW moving. To do this we need to make sure development of land for housing and commercial use is not held up by red tape in the planning system.

"The average time it takes for a major project to be assessed is 155 days, or nearly six months,  and that can blow out to eight months for complex projects such as applications for commercial or manufacturing industries, or where major land rezoning is required.

"These turnaround times need to be improved and that's why I've decided to overhaul the way major development applications and rezoning applications are processed," Ms Keneally said.

"The new managers within the Department of Planning will be responsible for early identification of any issues relating to land release or major projects, and will double up as a one stop shop for inquiries from applicants, developers, and local government."

Ms Keneally said the project managers will work to shorter deadlines with:

• 85% of major project approvals to be finalised within three months, 95% to be finalised within five months, and no project assessment to exceed eight months;
• Major Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) (land release or urban renewal) prepared within 6-12 months and minor LEPs (spot rezonings, policy) prepared within 3 months; and
• An overall percentage reduction in LEP timeframes of at least 50%

Ms Keneally said a complete overhaul of the land release process is needed to cut red-tape and keep development across the state moving in the right direction.

"The Growth Centres Commission has been useful in kick-starting planning and development in Sydney's north west and south west, but it's only helping to provide 28% of Sydney's land supply," Ms Keneally said.

"The expertise of the Growth Centres Commission will be unlocked by merging it with the Department of Planning.

Ms Keneally said improving the efficiency of the way land is delivered in NSW is critical to meeting the state's housing targets.

"The long-term plans for NSW, the metropolitan and regional strategies, state that we need to build over 1 million new dwellings in NSW over the next 25 years," Ms Keneally said.

"More than 400,000 of these new houses will be in Greenfield areas, and the balance will need to be provided in parts of the state which are already developed.

"The changes which I am announcing today will put us in the best position to deliver on housing targets for Sydney and NSW, and to help businesses in this state grow.

"I've instructed the Department of Planning to review their plans for land supply, and make sure Greenfield land release is not stalled by delays in the rezoning and development assessment process.

"That review is to include the removal of any redundant processes which hold up new residential or employment land being brought to the market."

NSW GOVERNMENT LOBBYIST CODE OF CONDUCT

29 October 2008

Premier Nathan Rees today announced the NSW Government would adopt a Lobbyist Code of Conduct to give the public greater confidence that contact between lobbyists and public officials is conducted openly and with integrity.

Mr Rees said the NSW Government Lobbyist Code of Conduct is another step in delivering on his commitment to increase the transparency and accountability of the NSW Government.

"The Code will ensure that contact between lobbyists and any Government representative is conducted in a way the meets the public expectations of transparency, integrity and honesty," Mr Rees said.

"The code, which will come into effect on 1 February 2009, sets out strict rules for lobbyists wishing to make contact with Government representatives.

The Code, which is modelled on those in place in Western Australia and the Commonwealth, stipulates that:

• All lobbyists must register with the Department of Premier and Cabinet; 
• Government representatives cannot have contact with a lobbyist who is not on the Lobbyist Register;
• At the time of the initial contact with a Government representative, lobbyists must declare that they are a registered lobbyist, the name of their client and the nature of their client's issue; and
• Lobbyists agree to comply with the requirements of the NSW Government Lobbyist Code of Conduct.

  The Lobbyist Register will be established on the Department of Premier and Cabinet's website and contain the following information about lobbyists:

• The business registration details and the names of owners, partners or major shareholders, as applicable;
• The names and positions of persons employed, contracted or otherwise engaged by the lobbyist to carry out lobbying activities, and
• The names of clients on whose behalf the lobbyist conducts lobbying activities.

The Code will operate from 1 February 2009, allowing time for development of the website, registration of lobbyists and training of Ministers, MPs, Parliamentary Secretaries, Ministerial staff and public servants.

Mr Rees said all Lobbyists and Government representatives will be expected to comply with the Code of Conduct.

"No-one will be given any exemption," Mr Rees said.

Lobbyists covered by the Code are any person or firm who are contracted or engaged to represent the interests of a third party to a Government Representative but does not include:

• An association or organisation constituted to represent the interests of its members;
• A religious or charitable organisation; or
• A person or firm whose business is a recognised technical or professional occupation (eg: a law firm or accounting firm) which, as part of the services provided to third parties in the course of that occupation, represents the views of the third party who has engaged it to provide their technical or professional services.

Coffs Harbour students win third prize in workplace competition

Labor MLC for Coffs Harbour Ian Macdonald today congratulated students from John Paul College for taking out third prize in the Know the deal video competition, to promote workplace information to their peers.

Minister Macdonald congratulated Jack Mooney, Jacob Watts and Martin Kelleher, who were presented with their awards at NSW Parliament House today.

"Their entry provided an important message about bullying and discrimination in the workplace," Mr Macdonald said.

"The students used the Office of Industrial Relations youth website to help gather information about what they needed to know when starting a new job.

"Not only has the task been interesting for the students, but they have also met learning outcomes from their school syllabus and have been exposed to the excellent information supplied on the website," he said.

www.youngpeopleatwork.nsw.gov.au

COMMUNITY VIEWS SOUGHT ON NEW SENTENCING OPTION

The Rees Government is inviting public comment on a new style of community-based sentence, which could replace the system of periodic detention.

NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos today released a consultation paper on a new sentencing option, called an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO),that has been backed by victims groups and legal experts.

"In January, the NSW Sentencing Council, which is headed by Justice James Wood and includes three of the state's key victims groups, recommended the abolition of periodic detention and the creation of a new order," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The proposed Intensive Corrections Order could force offenders to make changes to their lives which they would not do themselves."

Under the new system, courts would be able to impose a term of imprisonment to be served by way of an ICO with a number of components.

Following a suitability assessment by a Probation and Parole Officer, the offender would be subject to strict monitoring and be forced to comply with a range of

conditions and obligations. These may include:

• Completing a minimum number of hours of community work
• Undertaking rehabilitative programs
• Being subjected to supervision, drug and alcohol testing
• Complying with night curfews
• Electronic monitoring

The NSW State Parole Authority would have the power to revoke the Order and sanctions include ordering the offender to full-time imprisonment if they fail to comply with the strict conditions.

Orders could be imposed on offenders sentenced to up to two years jail, so will not apply to serious violent offenders.

Mr Hatzistergos said Intensive Corrections Orders are used in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, as well as New Zealand, Europe and the United States.

On periodic detention, the Sentencing Council found:

• It is not always available as an option in rural and regional areas;
• Current periodic detention facilities are under-utilised, and
• There is a lack of case management of offenders.

"However, before we decide to introduce the new order, we want to hear from the judiciary, legal profession, victims support groups, Government agencies, community groups who use periodic detainees and the wider public," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The NSW Government is committed to finding the best solution to encourage rehabilitation and prevent re-offending and we will do that by canvassing our stakeholders' views."

The Vice President of the Victims of Crime Assistance League, Howard Brown, said one of the greatest drawbacks of the periodic detention regime, was that it doesn't address offending behaviour.

"This new order will allow things to be put back into the community through work and will provide access to drug and alcohol programs which will allow us to achieve a reduction in re-offending rates."

The discussion paper is available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/clrd

The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 12 November 2008.

No fee policy for NSW Govt respite centres

The NSW Government has introduced a no-fees policy for all respite centres operated by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Paul Lynch said the Rees Government had taken immediate action to address community concerns about the system.

"Since becoming Minister for Disability Services last month, I have been made aware of inconsistent practices when it comes to charging respite fees," he said.

"It is current policy not to charge people with a disability aged under 16 years respite fees," Mr Lynch said.

"The Rees Government is extending that policy to apply to all Departmentoperated centre-based respite services," he said.

"People caring for a family member with a disability have additional costs to pay for," Mr Lynch said.

"If you are on a pension and need respite care, you can be charged around $25 per night - and that is a significant impact on your budget," he said.

"The Rees Government is aware of the financial stresses many families are battling with in the current economic climate," Mr Lynch said.

"The no-fees policy for planned respite stays at the Department's facilities will provide relief for those carers and families of people with a disability," he said.

Carers NSW CEO Elena Katrakis welcomed the announcement.

"It will provide welcome relief for many carers who are experiencing financial hardship," she said.

Mr Lynch said the new policy addressed anomalies that resulted from past restructures of the delivery of disability services.