In 2023, Primary Engage began working with the Blue Sox Group to facilitate their community and stakeholder engagement on the proposed redevelopment of the Berrima Gaol.
This project represents a significant opportunity to revitalise a key heritage site paying respect to its past but undertaking an adaptive re-use of the historic gaol.
To kick off the process, Blue Sox participated in the Berrima Village Australia Day festival on 26 January 2024, with Primary Engage hosting an information stall where we connected with community members and visitors. The gaol was also opened to visitors for the first time in many years. The Gaol Open Day attracted approximately 5,000 visitors and provided a platform for Blue Sox to share its vision for the Berrima Gaol site and gather early feedback on the redevelopment concept.
The open dialogue with locals and stakeholders has been invaluable in shaping a project that honours the heritage of Berrima while meeting the needs of the community.
Our commitment to transparent and inclusive engagement continues as we work closely with the Blue Sox Group to ensure that the redevelopment reflects the aspirations of Berrima’s residents and the broader region.
Early engagement in the planning process is a crucial step that is often overlooked, leading to significant challenges down the line. Primary Engage has helped numerous organisations get off to the right start by establishing effective engagement practices from the outset. By prioritising early communication and collaboration with stakeholders, we lay strong foundations for successful and sustainable development projects.
Former Deputy Premier Steven Miles was officially sworn in in as Queensland’s Premier with Treasurer Cameron Dick as his deputy. The Queensland Labor Government avoided a lengthy leadership ballot after Health Minister Shannon Fentiman withdrew from the race, conceding that her Left factional ally Miles had the numbers.
The new Premier has announced a significant Cabinet reshuffle, with five newcomers joining the frontbench, replacing three Ministers who have moved to the backbench.
Cameron Dick’s Right faction gained an additional Cabinet position in exchange for their support of Steven Miles.
The new leadership team faces an uphill battle to retain power at next year’s October state election, with Labor trailing the Coalition 52-48 in the polls.
To win back voters, the Queensland Government needs to address several key issues: the cost-of-living crisis, housing, crime and the increasing cost of the Brisbane Olympics.
Steven Miles and Cameron Dick will be Queensland’s premier and deputy premier.
The Incoming Premier:
Originally a member of the Right faction, Miles defected to the Left after failing to gain support for preselection in 2009. He unsuccessfully ran for the seat of Ryan in the 2010 Federal Election.
In 2014, Miles defeated Fiona McNamara for preselection in the seat of Mount Coot-tha’s. He went on to win the seat in the 2015 state election, where he was immediately elevated to the role of Minister for the Environment, Heritage Protection, National Parks, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Following the 2017 electoral redistribution, Miles was elected in the seat of Murrumba and named Minister for Health and Ambulance Services in the second Palaszczuk Ministry.
During the early COVID-19 pandemic, he was the first state minister to declare a public health emergency in January 2020, and earned a reputation as the Premier’s “attack dog” after he filmed himself ripping up a $30 million dollar invoice from the NSW Government for the cost of quarantining Queenslanders.
Miles became Deputy Premier in May 2020, following Jackie Trad’s resignation, and retained his health ministry role until October 2020. Afterwards, he was appointed Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government, and Planning in the third Palaszczuk Ministry.
In 2021, Miles again made headlines after he appeared to call then Prime Minister Scott Morrison an offensive term in a speech addressing a union rally. Miles claimed it was an accidental stutter. Scott Morrison accepted the explanation, telling Cairns radio 4CA at the time: “he has a habit of carrying on like a bit of an idiot”.
While Miles nervous demeanour in early press conferences earned him the nickname “Giggles” amongst the media, the new Premier has a serious task ahead of him.
When recently addressing the media late last year, incoming Premier Steven Miles acknowledged his “underdog” status, and signalled a new focus on cost-of-living, with a freeze on car registrations:
“What I intend to demonstrate to Queenslanders between now and then is just what kind of Premier I would be: absolutely focused on them, their safety, their cost of living, and the issues that are important to them.”
The New Queensland Government:
Prior to Christmas 2023, Premier Steven Miles announced five new ministers, and five assistant ministers would be brought into Cabinet, in the largest reshuffle in nine years of the Queensland Labor Government. Lance McCallum, Nikki Boyd, Bart Mellish, Michael Healy, and Charis Mullen will join the cabinet as first-time ministers:
“They are younger, they are energetic, they are ready to deliver a fresh approach for Queenslanders” – Premier of Queensland, the Hon Steven Miles
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has gained three new responsibilities to tackle the housing crisis, becoming Housing, Planning, Local Government and Public Works Minister, with Miles’ former State Development, Infrastructure, Planning and Local Government portfolio which has been broken up to create the housing super-portfolio.
Relegated members Mark Bailey, Stirling Hinchliffe and Craig Crawford have lost the transport, tourism and child safety ministerial portfolios respectively.
Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer has added Education to her responsibilities, Police Minister Mark Ryan picked up the additional responsibility of Community Safety, and Mick De Brenni’s Energy Department has added climate to their title, reflecting the Federal Government’s department.
Previous Education Minister Grace Grace retained the Industrial Relations and Racing portfolios and also took on State Development. There is no dedicated Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, however Grace Grace has assumed responsibility for the Games under her portfolio.
Queensland Ministry:
Minister Portfolio
Hon. Steven Miles MP
Premier
Hon. Cameron Dick MP
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment
Hon. Grace Grace MP
Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
Hon. Shannon Fentiman MP
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women
Hon. Yvette D’ath MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Hon. Michael De Brenni MP
Minister for Clean Economy and Jobs
Hon. Meaghan Scanlon MP
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works
Hon. Mark Ryan MP
Minister for Police and Community Safety
Hon. Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts
Hon. Dianne Farmer MP
Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice
Hon. Mark Furner MP
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities
Hon. Glenn Butcher MP
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water
Hon. Scott Stewart MP
Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals
Hon. Leanne Linard MP
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation
Hon. Nikki Boyd MP
Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery and Minister for Corrective Services
Hon. Bart Mellish MP
Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
Hon. Lance McCallumMP
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
Hon. Charis MullenMP
Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Hon. Michael Healy MP
Minister for Tourism and Sport
Assistant Minister Portfolio
Bruce Saunders
Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development, and Jobs.
Julieanne Gilbert
Assistant Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Industrial Relations and Racing
Brittany Lauga
Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure
Ali King
Assistant Minister for Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works
Jennifer Howard
Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment
Shane King
Assistant Minister for Clean Energy Jobs
Corrine McMillan
Assistant Minister for Education and Youth Justice
James Sullivan
Assistant Minister for Justice and Veterans Affairs
Last summer, 83% of drownings were men, 17% involved alcohol, and 16% occurred during holiday weekends. A major spike also occurred in older adults, with drowning deaths among people over 65 representing a 43 per cent increase on the 20-year average. The #AreYouSummerReady campaign targeted organisations who would become water-safety champions for these at-risk groups.
Primary’s creative, government and communication teams worked together to develop accessible checklists and messages that would help community leaders promote simple tips to be better prepared – from learning CPR, preparing the home and pool, checking on health limitations and learning to swim. We approached 109 local councils in NSW and Tasmania, and 363 organisations – including youth, health, community and sporting clubs in key drowning hotspots, aiming to create local water-safety champions.
Hundreds of organisations representing these key audiences and regions have joined the campaign as summer approached, including Multicultural NSW, SBS Mandarin, Water NSW, Kidsafe NSW, ACT Children and Young People Death Review Committee, Western Sydney Youth Solutions, and NRL team the Sydney Roosters.
The pre-summer campaign culminated in the Sydney Roosters offering a group of players and officials the chance to earn a Royal Life Saving CPR accreditation the week before the summer holidays commenced. It was a great way for the iconic team to take a lead on an important community initiative, and kick-off the summer holidays. The Summer-Ready Campaign paves the way for collaborations across all regions and audiences to take a lead on supporting drowning prevention. We look forward to seeing these collaborations continue to grow. And remember, to stay water safe this summer.
As Sydney’s only major non-rainfall dependent source of drinking water, it was important that SDP showcase the fantastic work they do in bolstering Sydney’s drinking water supply. But how do they do it?
Primary Create worked with SDP to design, print and install a series of education boards to be dotted around the facility. Each board features one of the steps involved in the desalination process as well as a few fun facts. (For example, did you know their drinking water storage tank can hold enough water to fill 16 Olympic-size pools? Or that one third of the site is a dedicated conservation zone? We didn’t either!)
Full of engaging images, timelines, and interesting facts, people touring the facility only have to look up to find everything they need to know about the desalination process including:
· Reverse osmosis
· Filtration
· Booster pumps; and
· Post treatment management
There’s even an education board that highlights some of the fantastic work SDP is doing around environmental conservation.
To support these boards, the Create team also redesigned the SDP website with a clear focus on a site that not only offers a great user experience but highlights the important work that SDP does.
Thank you, SDP, for entrusting us with this this work. We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship!
As well as updating the economic and fiscal outlook, the MYEFO takes account of all decisions made since the release of the Budget which affect payments and receipts.
This MYEFO is all about cutting a range of infrastructure projects and limiting spending while riding a rise in tax receipts while attempting to do nothing that could fuel inflation.
High commodity prices, low unemployment and surging non-mining corporate profits are behind the better budget position.
MYEFO reveals shows that tax receipts over the forward estimates are $64.4 billion higher than forecast in the May Budget.
This is mostly due to personal income taxes being $30 billion higher than forecast ($9b higher for this financial year) and company tax receipts being $34.5b more over the four years ($9.2b higher this financial year.)
The Government has found $9.8b in savings since May, the bulk of which from pushing $7.4 billion in infrastructure spending beyond the forward estimates. Some 50 projects were scrapped as part of the Government’s Infrastructure Review.
Australia’s Federal Budget is on track for a $1.1bn deficit this financial year, down from a predicted $14b.
We’ve highlighted three areas that the Albanese Government have taken specific measures for:
Taxation
MYEFO predicts the Government will raise $500m from stopping interest charged by the Australian Taxation Office to be claimed as a tax deduction. Taxpayers incur interest when they don’t pay their tax debts on time. Removing these deductions will encourage taxpayers to pay on time and begins from 1 July 2025.
Infrastructure
MYEFO allocates a further $4.2b for road safety infrastructure, including a graduated increase in funding for the Roads to Recovery Program to $1b a year.
The Government will invest in important water infrastructure projects by allocating a further $180.3m through the National Water Grid Fund.
Renewable Energy
The Government has committed more than $3b in new spending. This includes $2.5b to support the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030.
This comprises $2b for the Critical Minerals Facility and $500 million for related projects in Northern Australia, via the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
A Battery Supply Chain and Research Working Group will be formed to work with the US Government on battery supply chains, battery manufacturing capabilities and battery technology research and development at a cost at of $5.4m.
Another $359m over four years has been allocated to unlock the benefits of cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy, as a critical enabler of future clean industries and broader decarbonisation.
Primary Comms Group is proud to announce the publication of our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which formalises our commitment to greater cultural understanding and respect for First Nations communities.
Through a targeted strategy endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, our RAP serves as a guide to assist our staff in building strong and positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, fostering connectedness and cultural competence with our nation’s traditional owners.
The plan encompasses our three brands, Primary Communication, Primary Create and Primary Engage, and demonstrates our collaborative approach from members across each branch working towards Primary’s RAP goals.
Our broader goals as part of the RAP include:
· Plan and support campaigns promoting change in First Nations communities
· Guide our operations to work safely, respectfully and effectively with First Nations peoples
· Support our organisation’s journey to becoming culturally safe and competent
· Ensure our work is informed by First Nations by fostering positive relationships with their leaders and organisations
The RAP follows the development of our Modern Slavery Statement, detailing our pledge to assess and monitor any risks of modern slavery within our workplace, our business operations and our suppliers. As with the RAP, it is another demonstration of our commitment to pro-action and accountability.
Read our RAP here: Primary Communication Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 – 2024
Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has been elected unopposed to succeed Premier Daniel Andrews following the shock resignation after more than eight years in power.
Premier Allan announced the full ministry which has several changes and announced her goal was to address a housing shortage by delivering on the government’s target of delivering 800,000 new homes over the next decade.
The changes are relatively modest and the view is that the new Premier will focus on bedding down the challenges her predecessor left behind without radically altering the machinery of government.
Ben Carroll was elected Deputy Premier after serving as an MP since 2012. He has previously held the portfolios of Public Transport, Manufacturing Sovereignty, Employment, and Industry and Innovation, and will now hold Education and Minister for Medical Research.
Carroll is from Labor’s Right faction and appears to be a winner by assuming the Deputy Premiership. It is understood that much of the reform in the education sector that he has inherited has been completed, however, so he may have time on his hands.
Tim Pallas remains Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations with the portfolio of Trade and Investment (renamed Economic Growth) and will maintain his focus on securing investment opportunities for the state.
One of the big winners, Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson, adds the new Premier’s former portfolios of transport infrastructure and the suburban rail loop to his responsibilities.
The Press Gallery claimed this was a surprise, given Pearson’s fall-out from not declaring a possible conflict of interest from owning Commonwealth Bank shares when he announced the bank had won a multimillion-dollar contract.
Attorney General, Minister for Emergency Services and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Jaclyn Symes, retains her portfolios. She will ensure that regional representation remains within the leadership team as she lives in Mildura and represents towns like Daylesford, Bendigo and Wangaratta.
The Allan government has also opted for stability in its energy transition program with Lily D’Ambrosio remaining Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources and Minister for the State Energy Commission. The $1 billion re-establishment of State Energy Commission was one of the key election policies from the government at last year’s election and is focused on investing in renewable energy and storage projects.
Also retaining their portfolios are Police Minister Anthony Carbines and Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan.
Below you can see the full list of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries:
First Allan Ministry
Jacinta Allan -Premier
Ben Carroll – Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research
Jaclyn Symes – Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services
Tim Pallas – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth
Lizzie Blandthorn – Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Minister for Children, Minister for Disability
Colin Brooks – Minister for Development Victoria, Minister for Precincts, Minister for Creative Industries
Anthony Carbines – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing
Lily D’Ambrosio – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission
Steve Dimopoulos – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation
Enver Erdogan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support
Melissa Horne – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Natalie Hutchins – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women
Sonya Kilkenny – Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs
Danny Pearson – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and TAC
Harriet Shing – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality
Ros Spence – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers
Ingrid Stitt – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Natalie Suleyman – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth
Mary-Anne Thomas – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services
Gayle Tierney – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development
Vicki Ward – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Employment
Gabrielle Williams – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Public and Active Transport
Steve Mcghie – Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretaries
Nick Staikos – Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs
Josh Bull – Parliamentary Secretary for Level Crossing Removals, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport
Darren Cheeseman – Parliamentary Secretary for Education
Christine Couzens – Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples
Paul Edbrooke – Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
Bronwyn Halfpenny – Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs
Katie Hall – Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries
Nathan Lambert – Parliamentary Secretary for Children
Tim Richardson – Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructure, Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Michaela Settle – Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture
Nina Taylor – Parliamentary Secretary for Justice
Kat Theophanous – Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health
Paul Hamer – Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Development
Sheena Watt – Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action
Ivan Walters – Parliamentary Secretary for Disability
Chris Minns’ first budget as Premier, was very much framed with the goal of paying back debt, putting money back into essential public services like health and education and investing heavily in housing and energy.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey in pre-budget interviews spoke of his desire to make ‘tough decisions’ to get the budget back under control following recent spending on emergencies including black summer bushfires, floods and COVID-19 which ended a long run of budget surpluses.
As with most budgets, there were lots of pre-budget announcements, hinting of harsh cuts on the previous Government’s projects. Treasurer Mookhey has unashamedly redirected spending toward Labor priorities including higher wages for the public service following a decade of Coalition wage cap policy.
The government also sees the increasing impact the housing crisis is having on the community, business and the wider economy and has made spending on housing the centrepiece of this budget. More than $2.2 billion will be spent to ensure that social, affordable, and private housing stock can grow to meet the population and economic demands of NSW.
The government is determined that housing supply does not hamper economic growth and wants NSW to continue to maintain the position it has as Australia’s largest state economy. Premier Minns has made public comments that local councils cannot stand in the way of more housing so NSW can reach the commitment made in the National Housing Accord of 75,000 homes a year for five years.
Debt in NSW is now projected to reach $173.4 billion in June 2026 down from a projected $188 billion when Labor took office.
Rising global interest rates have only added to budgetary pressures with interest payments expected to climb from $2.5 billion in 2020-21 to $7 billion by 2025-26.
The government expects that the budget will return to a surplus of $844 million by 2024-2025 assuming the “no worse off guarantee” payments form the GST floor will remain in place.
Economic Overview
The economic landscape in New South Wales is a mixed bag, showing signs of recovery post-COVID-19 but also revealing stark disparities and challenges.
While economic activity has broadly rebounded, the benefits are not evenly distributed across the population.
Income per person is stagnating, barely keeping pace with inflation, which puts significant pressure on family budgets.
The average household’s spending is on a decline, affecting lower-income families and vulnerable populations the most.
Inflation, although eased to 6.6% in the June quarter, remains high, with the cost of essential goods like food and non-alcoholic beverages rising by 7.8% and household energy costs skyrocketing by 24.3%.
Housing remains a critical issue, with dwelling construction lagging behind federal and state housing targets and rents and home prices escalating at alarming rates. The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to raise interest rates 12 times since May 2022 has further exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis.
Public service salary caps have led to low wage growth, contributing to essential service shortages. Despite these challenges, the Government’s comprehensive expenditure review has redirected $13 billion of spend, aiming for a modest surplus by 2024-25 and the largest set of gross debt reduction measures in the State’s history.
The focus is now on increasing housing supply and improving infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and public transport, without resorting to privatisation.
Key Budget Highlights
Public Sector:
$3.6 billion for the establishment of an Essential Services Fund to address critical staff vacancies across the public sector including a 4.5% pay increase for more than 400,000 public sector employees.
Health:
$2.5 billion to recruit and retain healthcare workers. Including $419.1 million for an additional 1,200 nurses and $572.3 million to make 1,112 nurse and midwife positions permanent.
$13.8 billion for new and upgraded health facilities including:
600 new beds in Western Sydney Hospitals.
$120 million for expansion of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital to increase bed capacity.
$190 million for upgrades to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
$350 million to expand Canterbury Hospital and upgrade existing infrastructure.
$550 million for expansion of Fairfield Hospital to deliver more beds, increase capacity of the emergency and critical care services, and expand other hospital and community health services.
An additional $400 million to build the new $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital with additional services.
$1.3 billion to rebuild Bankstown Hospital on a new site to meet growing needs of the community.
$3.8 billion will be allocated for new and upgraded health facilities in regional areas including:
$7.5 million for the Milton Ulladulla Hospital and upgrades to the Community Cancer Service Centre.
$200 million for the Bathurst Hospital redevelopment.
$538 million for Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital.
$100 million for increasing women’s access to essential healthcare services including:
$34.3 million to support 20 women’s healthcare centres.
$52.7 million will fund 48 new Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and forensic staff.
$18.6 million to fund 29 new and 8 existing breast care nurses.
$7.3 million to support pharmacists to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections and prescribe the contraceptive pill.
Education:
$3.5 billion for 24 new and 51 upgraded schools in Western Sydney
$1.4 billion for 19 new and 35 upgraded schools in regional areas
$278.4 million is allocated for permanent literacy and numeracy tutoring programs in schools.
$1.6 billion for preschool fee relief and an expanded affordable preschool program.
$849 million invested in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services including new preschools on public school sites, new and upgraded non-government preschools and support for not-for profit ECEC services in high demand areas.
Housing and Planning:
The government has allocated $2.2 billion for their Housing and Infrastructure Plan. The funding breakdown of this plan includes:
$1.5 billion to be spent on housing related infrastructure from revised developer contributions.
$400 million reserved within Restart NSW for the Housing Infrastructure Fund which will enable the delivery of high priority infrastructure projects and unlock housing across the state. $100 million specifically focused on regional areas.
$300 million for state-owned developer ‘Landcom’ to deliver 1,409 affordable homes and 3,288 market homes by 2039-40, with 30 per cent for affordable housing.
$70.0 million interest-free debt financing for NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) to accelerate the delivery of social, affordable and private homes primarily in regional New South Wales.
An additional $9.1 million has also been allocated to assess housing supply opportunities across government-owned sites, with 30 per cent of surplus government land to be set aside for social, affordable and universal housing.
Creation of a new government agency, Homes NSW, to improve outcomes for public and social housing tenants and reduce homelessness. This agency brings together the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the Department of Communities Justice (DCJ) housing and homelessness functions to put services under one roof with people at the centre.
$24 million for the establishment of the NSW Building Commission to regulate against buildings which do not meet housing standards and overall support of higher quality housing.
The formation of a NSW Rental Commissioner which will be responsible for the implementation of a Portable Rental Bonds Scheme and legislating reasonable grounds for ending a lease, offering greater protection for renters.
An increase of 1500 social housing dwellings over the next four years through the $610.1 million Commonwealth Social Housing Accelerator Program.
$224 million for social housing agencies and homelessness services to accelerate the delivery of social, affordable, and private homes in both metropolitan and regional areas, and to provide housing services for First Nations households.
$60 million for Build-to-Rent trials in the South Coast and Northern Rivers regions.
Energy:
$263 million to increase electric vehicle uptake in NSW, with a new NSW EV Strategy prioritising charging infrastructure in regional and metropolitan areas.
$1 billion to establish an Energy Security Corporation, which will invest in storage and firming projects like pumped hydro and address gaps in the market.
$804 million for Transmission Acceleration Facility, to connect Renewable Energy Zones to the grid sooner.
Along with the Commonwealth Government, $1.3 billion to provide energy rebates and targeted energy bill relief to up to 1.6 million eligible households and around 300,000 eligible small businesses.
$480 million to increase NSW’s manufacturing capacity and capability for delivering critical components of the state’s emerging renewable energy sector.
Transport & Infrastructure:
$7.9 billion over four years to deliver the Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport, with six new stations to service the future Western Sydney International Airport.
$302.7 million reserved for a Western Sydney Rapid Bus network to connect the communities of Penrith, Liverpool, Campbelltown to the future Western Sydney International Airport.
$300 million to upgrade train station car parks and make stations more accessible through the installation of new lifts, ramps and footbridges.
$200 million reserved to expedite the planning for the procurement, construction and delivery of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 for Western Sydney.
$71.1 million to return Freshwater Class ferries to the Circular Quay-Manly route.
$43 million for seven new Australian-made Parramatta River Class ferries.
$15.8 million for Transport for NSW to invest in the Public Transport Information and Priority System to improve real time bus tracking for passengers.
$60 million in additional investment for active transport infrastructure.
Introducing a $60 weekly toll cap for private motorists and a 33% reduction in the truck toll multiplier on specific routes.
You might have been confused last week when breakfast radio reported Australia’s top soldier, General Angus Houston, was warning that the greatest existential threat facing the country is “truth decay”.
It was early morning and images of dentists abandoning their BMWs and Mercs and racing to the battlements rushed through my own brain fog as I walked the dog through Sydney’s smoke haze.
Then the takeaway coffee hit and I realised it’s only just spring and most dentists are still on holiday in Europe.
While my aversion to drills remains firmly intact, General Houston was talking about Artificial Intelligence and how it’s bringing a new level of fakery to the imagery and messages that we consume through digital channels.
The key quote for those not glued to the radio news was: “This tech future may accelerate truth decay, greatly challenging the quality of what we call public ‘common sense’, seriously damaging public confidence in elected officials and undermining the trust that binds us.”
Without getting too post-modernist, one person’s truth has always been someone else’s virtual reality. Bending the truth didn’t start with AI. The technology has been with us for a few years. It is getting better.
The General was describing a new, more sophisticated way of spreading misinformation that’s driven by nation states and is more potent because it has the ability to reach large numbers of people in a very short space of time.
Closer to home, dealing with an online booking agency for a change to a ticket for a pending overseas trip had me asking if I was talking with a human or a bot. (The answer was a robotic version of the former but it was hard to tell.)
Our regulators have a lot of catching up to do regarding what rules and regulations they put in place to moderate the use of AI. The Ethics Principles for AI that the New South Wales Government has put in place by its departments is a great start.
