Reacting to the government announcement of investment in carbon capture and storage projects, Green MP and party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:
“Labour has spent too long listening to the pleadings of energy companies for major public investment in unproven technological solutions like carbon capture that simply won’t deliver the immediate real change we need.
“This announcement is no substitute for the urgent and immediate investment needed in home and business insulation to cut energy use and the increased renewables funding that is badly needed to meet future energy needs.”
Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“Oh, the elitism of Alliance knows no bounds!
Now, electorally rejected Stephen Farry and colleague are to be parachuted into plum jobs by UU in a process which defies every component of conventional recruitment. Due process has been shamelessly jettisoned!
“Instead, jobs for the boy and girl of Alliance are secured through handpicking them, without the threat or trouble of competition, and all done under what is deceptively called ‘Exceptional talent Pool process’.
“What process? What exceptional talent?
UU, which is heavily publicly funded, should be ashamed of the blatant politicising of its processes and of the brazen preferential advancement of two Alliance hacks.”
MORE AFFORDABLE houses were built in Dundee last year than private homes, according to the latest figures. The annual Dundee Housing Land Audit for 2024, revealed that 483 homes were completed, 58% of which were for social rent. Steven Rome, convener of Dundee City Council’s fair work, economic growth and infrastructure committee said: “It has been another positive year for house building completions. “The Housing Land Audit is a fascinating insight into the city’s economic progress, and I would urge anyone who has an interest to get involved with the consultation.” Lynne Short, depute convener of Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee added: “New housing is the foundation of what we need to do to help make Dundee a more attractive place to live and work and only by working across private, public and social housing will we deliver for the city.” The annual audit provides a source of information which is important to the council in its work monitoring the Dundee Local Development Plan, representing a factual statement of land supply within Dundee City Council’s boundary up until March 31, 2024. This year’s audit has found: During the 2023/2024 period of the audit there were 483 housing units completed; the 483 completions comprise of 282 units (58%) of affordable housing and 201 (42%) private housing. This is the highest level of affordable housing completions in Dundee since 2006; and 83% of the completions in 2023/24 were on brownfield land and 17% were greenfield completions. Following the consultation period, comments from stakeholders will be reviewed and any amendments made as necessary before the Dundee Housing Land Audit 2024 is finalised and published. This year’s draft Dundee Housing Land Audit has now been published for a period of consultation until 23 October 2024 you can find it at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/city-development/planning-and-economic-development/dundee-housing-land-audit
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments
The Charity Commission has issued an Official Warning to the National Council for Christian Standards in Society (NCCSS) for failing to follow its advice.
The regulator previously issued the charity with advice, making clear it must separate its charitable work from the political lobbying activities of Christian Voice, a connected, non-charitable body.
Advice given included ensuring a separate entity carries out any non-charitable work, evidencing a clear division of how each organisation is run and removing ‘Christian Voice’ as the charity’s working name on the Register of Charities. The trustees did not take sufficient steps to act on this advice, which has led the regulator to now issue an Official Warning.
The Official Warning sets out actions the charity’s trustees need to take to rectify the misconduct and/or mismanagement, including acting on previous advice. The regulator has also identified that the charity needs to amend its ambiguous purposes to ensure they are exclusively charitable. Failing to take remedial steps to address issues identified by the regulator can result in the charity facing further regulatory action.
Tracy Howarth, Assistant Director for Casework at the Charity Commission, said:
It’s clear this charity has not taken our previous advice on board and so we have issued an Official Warning with the expectation that changes are made at pace. When carrying out any activity, trustees must consider how it helps meet their charitable purposes and if they are acting within charity law. We, and the public, expect this of charities as a minimum.
This intervention should serve as a reminder for all trustees to take any advice and guidance they receive from us seriously. As regulator, we issue guidance to help trustees ensure their charity is run well to deliver for beneficiaries. If we step in, we’re giving advice to help avoid further regulatory action.
The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Our ambition is to be the expert Charity Commission that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Secretary of State has reappointed John Mothersole as the England Committee Chair and Kate Still as the Scotland Committee Chair for a second term of two years commencing on 14 May 2024.
John Mothersole
John Mothersole has held senior local government posts in UK cities including London, most recently as Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council. Since standing down from that post in December 2019 after 11 years, John has taken on a series of non-executive roles which now include Chair of The Sheffield College, trustee of a community care charity and advisory roles with companies involved in regeneration and environment. He was also an assessor for the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, a role that concluded with the publication of the final report in September 2024. Prior to being selected as Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund England Committee John was a member of that committee.
John has been heavily involved in the policy agenda for UK cities through the Core Cities network, the Northern Powerhouse initiative and with Government in securing city and city region devolution deals and participating in trade missions.His early career was in the arts, primarily in London and the North-East, and he sees a highlight of that part of his career being the reopening of the Roundhouse in London which enabled its subsequent redevelopment.
Kate Still
Kate is currently conducting the Independent Review of Community Learning and
Development across Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. She was a Board
member of ERSA for many years, Chair of Employment Support Scotland and a Fellow of
the Institute of Employability. Kate started her career as a teacher after completing an MA
(Hons) in Politics at Glasgow University.
She has over 25 years of relevant experience in delivery of education, apprenticeships, skills, employability and community enterprise and regeneration programmes across multiple sectors, including 15+ years in the Charity sector. Kate has a passionate desire to make a difference coupled with the drive to achieve impact on issues of poverty, equality and diversity and social justice. Kate has held strategic leadership roles at EU and UK levels including Management of EU aid programmes to Central and Eastern Europe. A former Board Member of Strathclyde European Partnership, she completed her MPhil in European Policy research at Strathclyde University in 2011.Kate has held Director roles previously with the Prince’s Trust, Rathbone and Wise Group.
Remuneration and Governance Code
These positions are remunerated at £24,000 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. John Mothersole and Kate Still have not declared any significant political activity.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
YJB Chief Executive, Steph Roberts-Bibby reflects on her visit to the UK’s first secure school and its unique focus on education, healthcare and wellbeing.
The secure school’s education centre.
Back in May, I joined Minister Argar and the Youth Custody Service to visit the UK’s first secure school and explore its revolutionary approach to youth justice. As we toured the site, what stood out to me was an unmistakeable feeling of care.
The Oasis Restore secure school has now opened its doors and has started to welcome its first children.
What does the secure school offer?
The school, which was a former secure training centre, felt worlds away from my experiences as a prison officer at Feltham young offender’s institution (YOI) in 1997 and other adult prisons throughout my career, with more similarities to university accommodation than custody. The environment felt compassionate and child-orientated, nurturing children to change, grow and learn.
Security was built into the infrastructure without feeling oppressive, but still appropriately secure – there were no bars on the windows, no keys or locks, only wristband-operated fobs. It was these subtle differences that made me leave Oasis Restore feeling hopeful.
The bedrooms were calming and quiet with private ensuite bathrooms and built-in computer screens for doing homework and watching TV. The attention to detail throughout was evident. There was artwork on the walls, and soft blankets and sofas in the shared living spaces. These are incredibly important to help children learn to cohabit and foster a sense of community and responsibility.
Oasis Restore provides family rooms with kitchens so that children can cook and eat with their families when they visit. Our guide Dr Sadie pointed out that this can be very culturally important when living away from home, not least for successful rehabilitation but also for rebuilding existing family relationships. Siblings often visit with families, and evidence shows that intergenerational and sibling offending is common, so having a space promoting learning, togetherness and care is key to prevent further offending among families.
A shared living area in one of the flats at the secure school.
The site boasts brand-new state-of-the-art facilities, including 3D printers in the design technology classroom, a hair and beauty salon and even music recording booths. While other sites do provide similar facilities, never had I seen them at this standard before. These facilities provide a wide range of educational opportunities, including core academic subjects and vocational training in areas like barbering, drama and catering, that children might otherwise have never been exposed to.
Therapeutic sensory rooms are also woven throughout the site. These supportive spaces have soft beanbags and padded walls to support children to regulate their emotions during the day and take time out when needed.
Looking to the future
As the tour was finishing, I stopped to speak to a restorative practitioner who was showing some of the creative activities on offer for children. She explained that she would be supporting children through every part of their day at Oasis Restore, be that walking with them to the education centre in the morning, or just being there to chat.
When I asked her what part of the new school she was most looking forward to, she said, “I’m just excited for the children to come now.” It’s clear that what makes this approach to youth custody different isn’t just the holistic model or the modern facilities; it’s the people.
Strong relationships between staff and children are at the heart of the Oasis model, to truly understand a child’s journey. Oasis Restore’s team are highly trained and committed to providing responsive, psychologically informed and developmentally appropriate models of support and education for children in their care. Relational practice is also crucial, with staff committed to loving children like their own, and this shone through from the practitioners I spoke with at the school.
The Oasis secure school is a prime example of how custody for children can and should be done: care-focused, needs-led and with children at the heart. This model inspires hope for the future about how we can best support children to go on to live crime-free lives and make our communities safer places with fewer victims.
What is a ‘secure school’?
The first-of-its-kind secure school in Rochester houses children who are on remand or sentenced to custody. But what exactly is a secure school?
Oasis Restore places education and healthcare at the heart of its approach to support children and steer them away from reoffending. This unique model was recommended by Charlie Taylor, the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, who has long advocated for a different approach to children in custody. In 2016, prior to becoming Chair of the Youth Justice Board from 2017-2020, he conducted an independent review of the youth justice system
The Oasis Restore philosophy
At the Youth Justice Board, we have long advocated for a rethink of how children are cared for in custody. This is because our evidence tells us that to be effective, secure settings must be small and replicate a safe family home environment with a sense of community and trust. They should also have excellent healthcare and education provisions.
The Oasis Restore model mirrors this, and I was pleased to see that these values shine through when visiting the school. Oasis Restore is guided by the understanding that children are different from adults. Its philosophy ensures that each child’s voice is heard and valued, and opportunities are created for them to contribute within a school community.
In the words of the school: “Oasis Restore is a secure school enabling young people to live their best lives, through education, wellbeing, and hope.”
The secure school gives children the opportunity to make positive choices about their futures upon release from custody. By equipping them with essential skills and education, the school not only benefits children but hopes to reduce crime rates and make our communities safer places to live with fewer victims.
Who is the Oasis Restore secure school for?
Although the number of children in custody is the lowest on record since records began (an average of 440 children were in custody between 2022-23), we know that the children who remain in the secure estate are vulnerable and often have complex needs.
Lower education levels are also likely. The same dataset also found that young adults who receive custodial sentences have lower levels of educational attainment, with only 37% achieving the expected level of English and maths by the end of key stage 2 compared with 53% of peers with non-custodial sentences.
The secure school will care for children aged between 12-18-years-old who are on remand or sentenced to custody. It will be home to up to 49 children at any one time, both girls and boys. Every child will be enrolled in formal education or training and encouraged into further study or employment on release. This innovative new model of care will promote rehabilitation and contribute to positive outcomes for children, leading to fewer victims and safer communities.
The Discovery-i education centre at the secure school.
What makes Oasis Restore different?
The Oasis Restore secure school is unique in its approach and Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said to visitors at the opening event: “From the day children arrive, the focus is on preparing them for the day they leave.”
The school has been co-designed with children working with youth justice services and will be registered as both an academy and a secure children’s home. It will be inspected by Ofsted and held to the same standards as other schools across England.
While the current secure estate is not fit for purpose, the secure school offers a Child First redesign. It’s an innovative, holistic approach to custody for children within a secure setting. This is what distinguishes the secure school from existing youth custody provisions and sends a message to children that they are valued; something many may not have experienced growing up.
I spoke to a colleague from NHS England during the visit, a key partner in the development of the school, and heard about just some of the wellbeing services on offer, including advice on dieting, smoking, body image, as well as wider mental health and physical health support.
Education at the school is based on the reflective practice model, with a therapeutic approach to learning. It is recognised that many of the children who will live at the secure school are likely to be disengaged from education and so staff are specially trained to focus on one-to-one support and children’s individual needs, which their curriculum will be tailored around.
A place of hope
The secure school is a place where children can feel safe and be supported by well-trained staff who are committed to developing positive purpose. We at the YJB support and advocate this approach in line with the evidence base. I echo the words of Ed Cornmell, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service, when he says the school represents a “revolutionary change for the youth justice system.”
There’s a common thread linking our experience of pandemics over the past 700 years. From the black death in the 14th century to COVID in the 21st, public health authorities have put emergency measures such as isolation and quarantine in place to stop infectious diseases spreading.
As we know from COVID, these measures upend lives in an effort to save them. In both the recent and distant past they’ve also given rise to collective unrest, confusion and resistance.
So after all this time, what do we know about the role public health communication plays in helping people understand and adhere to protective measures in a crisis? And more importantly, in an age of misinformation and distrust, how can we improve public health messaging for any future pandemics?
Last year, we published a Cochrane review exploring the global evidence on public health communication during COVID and other infectious disease outbreaks including SARS, MERS, influenza and Ebola. Here’s a snapshot of what we found.
A key theme emerging in analysis of the COVID pandemic globally is public trust – or lack thereof – in governments, public institutions and science.
Mounting evidence suggests levels of trust in government were directly proportional to fewer COVID infections and higher vaccination rates across the world. It was a crucial factor in people’s willingness to follow public health directives, and is now a key focus for future pandemic preparedness.
Here in Australia, public trust in governments and health authorities steadily eroded over time.
Initial information from governments and health authorities about the unfolding COVID crisis, personal risk and mandated protective measures was generally clear and consistent across the country. The establishment of the National Cabinet in 2020 signalled a commitment from state, territory and federal governments to consensus-based policy and public health messaging.
During this early phase of relative unity, Australians reported higher levels of belonging and trust in government.
When state, territory and federal governments have conflicting policies on protective measures, people are easily confused, lose trust and become harder to engage with or persuade. Many tune out from partisan politics. Adherence to mandated public health measures falls.
Our research found clarity and consistency of information were key features of effective public health communication throughout the COVID pandemic.
We also found public health communication is most effective when authorities work in partnership with different target audiences. In Victoria, the case brought against the state government for the snap public housing tower lockdowns is a cautionary tale underscoring how essential considered, tailored and two-way communication is with diverse communities.
The much-touted “miracle” drug ivermectin typifies the extraordinary traction unproven treatments gained locally and globally. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug, lacking evidence for viruses like COVID.
Australia’s drug regulator was forced to ban ivermectin presciptions for anything other than its intended use after a sharp increase in people seeking the drug sparked national shortages. Hospitals also reported patients overdosing on ivermectin and cocktails of COVID “cures” promoted online.
The Lancet Commission on lessons from the COVID pandemic has called for a coordinated international response to countering misinformation.
As part of this, it has called for more accessible, accurate information and investment in scientific literacy to protect against misinformation, including that shared across social media platforms. The World Health Organization is developing resources and recommendations for health authorities to address this “infodemic”.
National efforts to directly tackle misinformation are vital, in combination with concerted efforts to raise health literacy. The Australian Medical Association has called on the federal government to invest in long-term online advertising to counter health misinformation and boost health literacy.
People of all ages need to be equipped to think critically about who and where their health information comes from. With the rise of AI, this is an increasingly urgent priority.
Australian health ministers recently reaffirmed their commitment to the new Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
From a science communications perspective, the Australian CDC could provide an independent voice of evidence and consensus-based information. This is exactly what’s needed during a pandemic. But full details about the CDC’s funding and remit have been the subject of some conjecture.
Many of our key findings on effective public health communication during COVID are not new or surprising. They reinforce what we know works from previous disease outbreaks across different places and points in time: tailored, timely, clear, consistent and accurate information.
The rapid rise, reach and influence of misinformation and distrust in public authorities bring a new level of complexity to this picture. Countering both must become a central focus of all public health crisis communication, now and in the future.
This article is part of a series on the next pandemic.
Rebecca Ryan receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council through funding to Australian Cochrane entities, and was previously commissioned by the World Health Organization to undertake a rapid evidence review on communication for COVID-19 prevention and control (2020).
Shauna Hurley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Managing Director David Massie pictured with Hagen Wagner, Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited Investment Manager
Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited (HOIL) has recently provided The Apprentice Store Ltd with funding towards their ambitious business development. HOIL, The Highland Council’s business loan company, supports Highland based businesses and encourages applications from all business sectors, including community organisations. Interested businesses benefit from straightforward loan conditions and a tailored offer to support their project. HOIL has financially supported more than 1,200 local start-up businesses, community organisations and growth projects within the Highland Business community since it was established in 1986.
The Apprentice Store approached HO(IL) for a working capital loan of £25,000 to help achieve their growth aspirations. Currently based in the Impact Hub in Castle Street, they are about to relocate to larger premises in Academy Street, where they will be the flag ship tenant of an innovative, vibrant and friendly co-working space in the centre of Inverness.
The Apprentice Store was founded in 2016 and have a unique setup, whereby they support employment of young people and inclusivity on an apprenticeship basis, led by a number of mentors. To date, the company has trained and employed more than 23 young people. The business understands how important computer systems are in a modern business. From their Scottish base in Inverness they offer a range of quality remote IT services for small and medium sized businesses throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.
Councillor Paul Oldham, Chair of HOIL said: “The Apprentice Store’s way of working, that encourages young people to work in IT while staying in the Highlands rather than feeling they have to move away, has got to be good news for the Highland economy.
“HOIL’s accessible and affordable business finance helps promote business across the area. It’s an important part of the Council’s aim to keep business vibrant and growing in the Highlands.”
David Massie, Managing Director of the Apprentice Store Limited said: “The Apprentice Store approached HOIL to secure some funding and found the application process quick and easy to complete. This funding will help our social purpose of creating sustainable employment to young people who have challenges of entering the workforce. Our clients from across the UK in the public, private and sectors help support continuous employment by outsourcing their IT services to The Apprentice Store. Our team return on our client’s commitment by offering quality IT support and development services as they care about the opportunity offered to them by The Apprentice Store and its clients.”
The Highland Council and Eastern Airways have agreed a number of changes to scheduled flight times on the Wick-Aberdeen air route.
The changes have been carefully considered to reduce cancellations and restore public trust. All partners have reiterated their commitment to protecting the service and retaining flights six days a week.
Highland Council and Eastern Airways met last week and agreed the following key measures:
Measure
Rationale
Protect Wick/Aberdeen as a 6-day service
Essential for business connectivity and wider economy
Reduce from twice-daily to daily flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Very low demand for morning midweek service. Consolidated flight improves aircraft availability, reduces impact of winter weather, eases staffing pressures, provides a more sustainable service
Earlier departure times on afternoon/evening flights
Reduces chance of adverse weather disruption in winter. Improves onward connectivity with Manchester, Humberside, Birmingham and London
Retain Sunday service unchanged
Strong demand for Sunday flight
No price changes until March 2025
Maintain value for money and work to restore passenger confidence
Guaranteed offer of refund or taxi transfer in cases of cancellation
Reassures passengers concerned about travel in adverse weather
The new timetable will come into effect on Monday 14 October, and operate throughout the winter until March 2025.
These changes are designed to protect the future sustainability of the service, which is funded by Transport Scotland and the Highland Council as a public service obligation (PSO). PSO status is awarded to services that provide ‘lifeline’ connectivity but would not be viable to operate on a commercial basis. The Wick-Aberdeen route is regarded as crucial to the north Highland economy and the wider community. It provides better access to employment, leisure, healthcare and social opportunities whilst making it easier to do business across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The Wick-Aberdeen route has enjoyed considerable early success, with passenger growth of 25% in the second year and monthly passenger numbers often exceeding one thousand. However, over the past 12 months, overall reliability fell from upwards of 90% to an average of 85%, while September 2024 dipped to 79%. This reflects a number of cancellations caused by operational issues or adverse weather.
Partners believe the new timetable will deliver meaningful service improvements in the months ahead.
Roger Hage, Eastern Airways, said: “We are acutely conscious that recent service levels have fallen short of the standards our passengers expect. We have listened to passenger feedback and on discussion with partners we have decided to make some changes which we believe will deliver improvements in the Wick-Aberdeen service. We hope to restore confidence in the service and welcome an increased focus on onward connectivity to allow easier use of Aberdeen through the more challenging winter months.”
Malcolm MacLeod, Assistant Chief Executive (Place) of the Highland Council said: “In light of recent issues with the service, all stakeholders got around the table and had a deep and constructive conversation about improving service standards. We believe that these changes are the right move to create a more reliable and sustainable service, and we are confident from our discussion with Eastern Airways that the changes will bring immediate improvements.
“We view the Wick-Aberdeen flights as a lifeline service to the north Highlands and we all remain absolutely committed to making a go of it. We would ask passengers and the wider community to support the service as we deliver these improvements.”
Stakeholders will continue to regularly review service performance and work together to deliver positive progress in the months ahead.
Full details of the new timetable can be found online or by visiting easternairways.co.uk
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in The Lancet Public Health looks at vaping trends in adults who have never regularly smoked.
Prof Peter Hajek, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“Some people have genes and circumstances leading them to like nicotine products. Traditionally, they ended up smoking, but some are now discovering vaping without becoming smokers first. If vaping did not exist, they would be smoking. The study authors point this out.
“The just-released figures from the Office for National Statistics show that UK smoking prevalence is under 12%, an all-time low. If much less risky alternatives are allowed to continue to compete with cigarettes, smoking (and heart disease, lung disease and cancers that it causes) will continue to decline as well.
“The UK and USA, which allow vaping, have seen significantly faster declines in cigarette sales and in smoking among young and low income people than Australia, which bans vaping. Sweden, which is the only EU country that allows use of low-risk oral tobacco, has by far the lowest smoking prevalence. Efforts are needed to limit use of nicotine products in adolescents but if more adults (as well as adolescents) are taking up vaping instead of smoking it may in fact be good news.”
‘Vaping among adults in England who have never regularly smoked: a population-based study, 2016-24’ by Sarah Jackson et al. was published in The Lancet Public Health at 23.30 UK time Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Banks to be given new powers to protect consumers against scams.
New rules extend maximum delay for suspicious payments by 72 hours
Gives banks more time to investigate and break the spell of fraudsters
Banks will be given new powers to delay and investigate payments that are suspected of being fraudulent, helping to protect consumers against scammers.
New laws proposed by the Government today will extend the time that payments can be delayed by 72 hours where there are reasonable grounds to suspect a payment is fraudulent and more time is needed for the bank to investigate.
This will give banks more time to break the spell woven by fraudsters over their victims and tackle the estimated £460 million lost to fraud last year alone.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq said:
Hundreds of millions of pounds are lost to scammers each year, targeting vulnerable communities and ruining the lives of ordinary people.
We need to protect these people better, which is why we are giving banks more time to investigate suspicious payments and break the criminal spell that scammers weave.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Fraud, Lord Sir David Hanson said:
Fraud is a crime that can devastate lives, and anyone can be affected.
That’s why measures like this are so crucial to provide banks the investigative powers they need to better protect customers from this appalling crime.
Fraud accounts for over a third of all crime perpetrated in England and Wales, making it the most prevalent form of crime commitment in the country. This has been driven by a growing number of purchase scams and the emergence of so-called ‘romance scams’, where victims target vulnerable people and trick them into transferring large amounts of money by pretending to be interested in a romantic relationship.
The new rules will help protect people against these types of scams by allowing banks up to an additional 72 hours to investigate suspicious payments. Currently banks must either process or refuse a payment by the end of the next business day.
Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, Rocio Concha said:
This is a positive step in the fight against fraud. While it should not affect the vast majority of everyday payments, it’s important that banks can delay a bank transfer and take action if they think a customer is being targeted by a scam.
These measures should be used in a careful and targeted way. Financial firms of all sizes should also ensure they share intelligence and work with the police and other authorities to shut down accounts used for fraud and pursue the criminals behind them.
UK Finance Managing Director of Economic Crime, Ben Donaldson said:
UK Finance has long called for firms to be allowed to delay payments in high-risk cases where fraud is suspected, and we are delighted to see proposed new laws supporting this.
This could allow payment service providers time to get in touch with customers and give them the advice and support they need to avoid being coerced by the criminals who want to steal their money. This could potentially limit the psychological harms that these awful crimes can cause and stop money getting into the hands of criminals.
Banks who have reasonable grounds to suspect a payment is fraudulent will need to inform customers when a payment is being delayed. They will also need to explain what the customer needs to do in order to unblock the payment.
The need for evidence to trigger a delay will help protect people and businesses from unnecessary payment delays. Banks will also be required to compensate customers for any interest or late payment fees they incur as a result of delays.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments
The charity regulator for England and Wales has today (3 October 2024) opened a statutory inquiry into Barnabas Fund (also known as Barnabas Aid) after identifying several serious concerns regarding its compliance with charity law and the use of charitable funds.
The Commission is investigating issues, including allegations of unauthorised payments to some of the current and former trustees and related parties, allegations that the charity’s founders have inappropriate control or influence over how the charity operates, and possible unmanaged conflicts of interest. The inquiry will also seek to establish if the charity’s structure and relationship with Nexcus, a US-based subsidiary, is in the best interests of the charity. Some of these issues have since been reported on in the media.
Due to concerns that the charity’s funds may have been misused in the past, and questions as to the trustees’ oversight, the Commission has used its powers to temporarily restrict any transactions the charity intends to make which are over £4,000. This is to protect the charity’s significant income and assets – Barnabas Fund reported an income of over £21m and assets of over £2.3m in its latest accounts.
The inquiry opened on 17 September 2024, escalating from a regulatory compliance case. It will examine whether the trustees are running their charity in line with their legal duties and charity law; particularly in relation to managing finances, conflicts of interest, and preventing unauthorised trustee and third-party benefits. The investigation will also check if spending is correctly recorded, examine relationships with other organisations, and explore the influence of non-leaders on decision-making.
The inquiry will also consider:
whether the charity is operating in furtherance of its objects
whether there has been any misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees in the administration of the charity
The scope of the inquiry may vary if additional regulatory issues emerge. The opening of an inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing.
It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society.
On 17 September the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/ or mismanagement in the administration of the Charity.
The Charity Commission has issued an order under s76(3)(f) of the Act to the trustees restricting all transactions over £4,000.
A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets or reputation. An inquiry will investigate and establish the facts of the case so that the Commission can determine the extent of any misconduct and/or mismanagement; the extent of the risk to the charity, its work, property, beneficiaries, employees or volunteers; and decide what action is needed to resolve the concerns.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
A new manufacturing plant will be home to hundreds of high-skilled jobs, delivering faster tube journeys and regional growth.
Transport Secretary celebrates opening of a new world class rail manufacturing plant in Goole, supporting 700 high-skilled jobs
the site will build new state-of-the-art Piccadilly Line trains to deliver more reliable, accessible and faster journeys across London
comes ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit, to drive forward its national mission for growth
Hundreds of jobs, faster tube journeys and regional growth will be delivered thanks to a new rail manufacturing plant officially opened by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh today (3 October 2024).
The Secretary of State will attend Siemens’ Rail Village in Goole to celebrate the formal opening of its new £200 million site.
The plant will be home to hundreds of high-skilled jobs where almost 100 new state-of-the-art Piccadilly Line trains will be manufactured and assembled.
In a further boost to the region, Siemens Mobility is also announcing up to a further £40 million towards a new Bogie Assembly and Service Centre at the site which will create up to 200 extra jobs.
The world class hub has been made possible by the government’s funding settlements with Transport for London (TfL), giving Siemens the confidence to invest in the site.
It represents the scale of what can be achieved through joint public and private sector support – and underlines the government’s commitment to attracting international investment.
The grand opening comes ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024, which will bring together some of the world’s most influential companies and major investors.
The summit will be an opportunity for the Prime Minister and Cabinet to outline how the government will provide the certainty and opportunities businesses need to make Britain the best place in the world to invest.
The government is focused on creating the conditions for businesses to invest, through trust partnership and stability. We will fix the foundations by investing in the jobs, industries and infrastructure of the future to rebuild Britain and make everyone, everywhere better off.
As part of this drive, the Transport Secretary is working to end the ‘boom and bust’ approach to rail manufacturing by delivering a long-term industrial strategy for rolling stock.
Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:
This impressive, world-class facility will be transformational to Goole and its people, providing a boost to the region’s economy and supporting hundreds of skilled jobs.
Its opening demonstrates the importance of high quality, long-term investment to pave the way for employment and growth.
I know how vital rail manufacturing is to our economy, which is why we will not sit on our hands when it comes to supporting it. For too long, the cycle of boom-and-bust has held back this sector.
That’s why I am determined to put an end to the stop-start approach to investment and provide the industry with the certainty it needs to deliver a railway that is fit for the future.
The new Piccadilly Line trains are expected to start serving the London Underground network next year, delivering a boost to reliability, extra services for passengers and increased capacity.
They will be fully air-conditioned and more accessible, creating more comfortable journeys for the travelling public.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
This train manufacturing facility in Goole is a fantastic example of the expertise we don’t have and how investment in London benefits the whole country. This factory, where the new state-of-the-art Piccadilly line trains will be built, will create up to 900 direct jobs and support another 1,700 in the supply chain, delivering great benefits to the wider UK economy, showing that where London succeeds, the whole country succeeds and vice versa.
I’m excited to continue working together with the new government to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London, and country, for everyone.
Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility said:
After more than a decade of tremendous dedication and hard work, we have officially opened our state-of-the-art Rail Village in Goole, which is testament to our commitment to the North of England.
None of this would have been possible without the brilliance, perseverance and passion of our people and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.
We’ll assemble 80% of London’s new Piccadilly line trains and all future Siemens trains for the UK including our Verve battery train here in Goole and I’m pleased that we are supporting the local supply chain in the process.
Our further investment in the Bogie Assembly and Service Centre will only add to our ability to transform rail and transport for everyone, right here in Goole.
Today’s announcement reinforces the Transport Secretary’s commitment to rebuild the railways and deliver infrastructure fit for the future and to strengthen connectivity and grow the economy.
Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Western New South Wales
The Minns Labor Government is inviting regional councils to apply for a share of $3 million in funding for projects that will support the delivery of more well-located and affordable homes.
From today, regional councils will be able to apply for between $20,000 and $250,000 for individual projects as part of the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund.
Delivering more well-located homes near transport and services has been central to the NSW Government’s planning reforms so far and we’re not done.
As regional NSW plans for and delivers more homes to its growing communities, the Minns Government is supporting that growth by funding strategic planning projects.
Councils can use the funds to speed up new housing strategies, prepare infrastructure and servicing plans and make local planning amendments for the delivery of more diverse and affordable housing supply.
These projects will support regional NSW work towards its housing target of 55,000 homes during the National Housing Accord.
The first round of the program funded 20 projects across 19 councils to support the delivery of 40,000 homes. Among them was $107,400 for Port Stephens Council’s partnership with Homes NSW on a sub-precincts masterplan to support the delivery of affordable housing in Raymond Terrace.
The second round allocated $2.9 million to 16 councils to support the delivery of nearly 23,800 homes across regional NSW, including $230,000 to Federation Council to undertake a stormwater-servicing plan supporting 5,600 homes across the Murray region.
All NSW councils outside Greater Sydney are eligible for funding. Round three opens today and closes at 12pm on Friday 22 November 2024.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The housing crisis is hitting regional communities just as hard as it is hitting Sydney, and the Minns Government wants to make sure they have the resources to plan for and deliver more homes in all parts of the state.
“As regional communities grow and evolve, this funding will help deliver the important planning work needed to boost housing supply, affordability, and diversity.
“The NSW Government is working with regional councils on a coordinated planning approach to deal with regional housing challenges.”
Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“We really encourage councils to apply and help us unlock the delivery of thousands of new regional homes sooner.
“This funding will support more homes, which means more jobs and better communities in regional NSW.
“Their submissions will then be assessed by an independent panel using a published criteria.”
Headline: From the eyes of veterans, photography exhibition explores life in military service
Published: 3 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Veterans
A new temporary photography exhibition has launched at the Anzac Memorial, showcasing rare glimpses into life in military service as captured by ex-serving personnel.
Accompanied with stories from veterans, the Point & Shoot exhibition honours a range of modern conflicts, peace operations and service from the Second World War onwards.
The purpose of the exhibition is not to display perfectly captured photos but to share raw moments frozen in time that ex-service personnel thought were worth remembering.
Point & Shoot is the concept of Point Assist founder Mark Direen, a former Infantry and Special Forces soldier with over 20 years military service including six overseas deployments.
Mark took a plethora of photos to document what he saw during service. His experiences became the impetus for this project, which launched onto the national stage in 2022 and continues to grow.
The exhibition is open for a limited time only – until Sunday 6 October. Entry is free. The Memorial’s opening hours are 9am to 5pm, seven days per week.
“For Australians who have not served, it can be difficult to understand what military life looks like, including the unique sights and encounters that come with conflict or peacetime operations.
“Point & Shoot is an intimate opportunity to see through the eyes of our veterans and to reflect on their experiences during service.
“Thank you to Mark Direen and the other ex-service men and women who so candidly contributed their personal photos to this exhibition.”
Veteran and photographer Mark Direen said:
“Operating in remote, high threat environments as a combat soldier was both physically and mentally demanding.
“It was behind the lens of a camera that I found stillness and meaning and it was then I wondered, maybe others do this too and so the concept of this exhibition began.
“Through this collection of images, I also hope to shine a light on the sacrifices of the many that allow these stories to be told.”
NSW Health is urging men who have sex with men, sex workers and their sexual partners to get two free doses of mpox vaccine now to combat serious illness amid concerns of rising cases and hospitalisations in NSW. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW is now seeing the largest mpox outbreak in the state since the first case was confirmed in May 2022, with 433 notifications since 1 June 2024. Of the NSW cases, 37 per cent were fully vaccinated, 14 per cent had received one dose and 46 per cent were not vaccinated. Dr Chant said achieving high levels of vaccination in those at risk will provide individual protection against severe illness and help prevent the spread. “The rapidly rising numbers of mpox cases detected across the state are very concerning, with 26 people requiring hospitalisation due to the severity of their symptoms,” Dr Chant said. “The majority of cases of hospitalisation have been among people who are unvaccinated or have received only one dose of vaccine. While cases of mpox are occurring in vaccinated people, the cases tend to be milder and for a shorter period. “Anyone can get mpox, however the virus is mainly spread by close skin to skin contact and people who are at highest risk of mpox are men who have sex with men and sex workers, so we are urging them to complete their vaccinations as two doses can provide vital protection against severe illness caused by the virus.” Dr Chant said while the new strain of the mpox virus, clade 1b, has been circulating in Central and West Africa since January 2023, no cases of this strain have been found in Australia. ACON CEO Michael Woodhouse urged those at risk to not hesitate in getting fully vaccinated with two doses. “People in our communities are at higher risk of acquiring mpox particularly sexually active gay and bisexual men and their partners. Our communities have a long history of doing what it takes to protect ourselves and our partners. Now is one of those times. “Two doses of vaccine are required, so anyone who has only received one dose should get a second dose at least 28 days after the first. “The mpox vaccine is free for communities at risk of acquiring mpox. You do not need a Medicare card to receive it. “All vaccination appointments are private and confidential.” To find clinics offering the vaccination, refer to the Mpox vaccination clinics page or call the Sexual Health Infolink: 1800 451 624. Western Sydney Local Health District Sexual Health Specialist Dr Rohan Bopage said mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, and often starts with small pimple-like skin lesions particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttock. “Mpox may also spread if you are sharing items, such as bedding, towels or clothes, with someone who has mpox and it can spread to others until the lesions resolve.” “Getting diagnosed early helps interrupt the spread so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of mpox which can include mild fever, headache, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers or rectal pain. “Many cases are mild, but people who have any symptoms of mpox, even if they have had the mpox vaccine and even if mild, should immediately contact their GP or sexual health service for an appointment. Ask your doctor if it might be mpox, so testing can be done.” For further support, you can also call:
The Sexual Health Infolink: 1800 451 624 The Translating and Interpreting Service: 13 14 50 for free help in your language.
More information on mpox can be found on the NSW Health website here
Headline: Digital roadmap drives innovation and delivers for communities
Published: 3 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government
Greater accessibility, upskilling communities and building resilience for the future are at the heart of the Minns Labor Government’s new digital roadmap for New South Wales.
The NSW Digital Strategy launched today sets out how the state will deliver innovative, inclusive and secure digital services to improve the lives of residents. For the first time, the new strategy includes a way to track progress on digital as a state.
The NSW Digital Strategy is built around five key missions:
Accessibility: Make digital services accessible, inclusive and connected for all people in NSW
Productivity: Use digital to advance service delivery, support the local economy and drive productivity
Trust: Build trust through reliable, stable government services and sustainable digital infrastructure
Resilience: Keep NSW safe and resilient for emergencies online and in-person
Digital Skills: Uplift digital capability in our public sector workforce.
This provides a roadmap for how NSW will harness digital transformation to support economic growth, improve service delivery and create more connected communities.
NSW is home to 32 per cent of Australia’s population and is one of the most diverse states in the world, with the Government committed to making digital services inclusive by supporting all NSW communities on their digital journey.
People responding to a NSW Government survey to understand the challenges faced when engaging with digital technologies and services found 1 in 5 people (22 per cent) feel they lack the necessary skills to perform important online tasks such as job searching, working, studying or accessing government services.
The feedback also found those aged 65+, from low-income households or whose highest education level is high school are less likely to feel confident in performing these tasks.
The strategy leverages leading technology and builds on large-scale projects already underway, including ongoing work to deliver a secure and privacy-preserving NSW digital identity and verifiable credentials system for use across the public and private sectors.
Key initiatives under the strategy include:
Delivery of the NSW Digital ID and NSW Digital Wallet to enable a safer, more inclusive digital economy by streamlining services and providing a secure way to prove who you are.
The state’s first Digital Inclusion Strategy, informed by community input which shows that key barriers to inclusion include not just location, physical challenges and economic factors, but also confidence in digital skills and trust in digitalisation.
Better coordination of information and communications technology spending across government to reduce duplication and an enhanced approach to cyber security coordination, governance and investment.
Supporting housing delivery by improving the NSW Planning Portal and developing the Digital Housing Pipeline, an initiative that offers access to information on the delivery of new homes, facilitating improved collaboration among developers, government agencies and homeowners to streamline the process from planning to occupancy.
Delivering secure and resilient critical communications for emergency services and supporting communities during disasters by building on projects like the Hazards Near Me app which includes fire, storm, tsunami and flood information.
Updating strategies to leverage data and use artificial intelligence to enhance the response to natural disasters and emergencies through tools like RFS Athena which predicts fire behaviour.
The NSW Digital Strategy puts people at its heart by targeting practical benefits, powered by community insights and formulated through extensive collaboration with industry and academic partners. For more information, read the strategy at http://www.digital.nsw.gov.au/strategy
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“The NSW Digital Strategy lays the foundation for a future for digital services that are more secure, inclusive and accessible, and is a commitment to improving people’s daily lives.”
“This strategy is about more than just technology— it’s about people and how we build world-class digital services that strengthen our communities while supporting economic growth.”
“Our key missions of accessibility, productivity, trust, resilience and skills will help ensure we deliver with purpose on the things people need, like increasing access to government services.”
“We are already bringing our strategy to life, through initiatives like our new EasyRead hub and updated AI frameworks, by ensuring digital infrastructure is front of mind for government projects, and by improving cyber security coordination and investment.”
“From Western Sydney to regional and remote NSW, our vision is for a more connected state and a government that embraces new technologies and brings everyone on the journey.”
“The NSW Digital Strategy will help ensure we continue to innovate and build digital services that are both forward-thinking and responsive to the needs of the community we serve.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shane Clifton, Associate Professor of Practice, School of Health Sciences and the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney
It’s about time city councils did more to make our cities accessible. I recently tried to buy tickets to two Sydney Fringe Festival events, only to be told by the box office that the venues were not wheelchair-accessible.
Sydney remains a place where people with disability feel like they don’t belong. The same is true of other Australian cities. But local councils don’t bear all the blame.
Event organisers are responsible for selecting venues. In the case of the Fringe Festival, they chose locations inaccessible to wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges. It’s a bitter irony that a fringe festival, which ostensibly empowers artists and creatives on the margins, would exclude people with disability.
If event organisers (and every one of us) decided never to hire inaccessible venues, then the market might solve the issue. But those of us with disability are realistic enough to know most people don’t care – or don’t give us a thought. The market hasn’t solved the problem, so it’s up to governments.
The problems go beyond arts venues
Inaccessible venues are only the tip of the iceberg. Countless restaurants, shops and offices are inaccessible, with steps on entry, inaccessible bathrooms and narrow and cluttered aisles.
“Spend the day in my wheelchair” programs are sometimes criticised for trivialising the challenge of disability. However, they do unmask how frustrating and alienating our cities and towns can be.
Google Maps now indicates whether premises are accessible. Those that are bear the universal symbol of disability access – the stylised blue wheelchair. Even then, a person with a disability is just as likely as not to turn up and discover a lift has broken down, a doorway has been blocked off, a bathroom has been used for storage, or a venue is only partially accessible (it’s always the cool spaces that are out of reach).
Landowners and businesses typically complain providing access for the few affected people is too costly. In reality, making our public spaces accessible often requires little more than determined creative design. The costs are a mere fraction of what we spend on other things we judge as more important.
We also underestimate the value added by accessible design.
The Kerb-Cut Effect, for example, describes how designing for people with disability often benefits everyone. The term refers to the impact of activist action in California in the 1970s. Disability advocates in the city of Berkeley poured concrete onto road kerbs to create ramps giving wheelchair users access to footpaths.
These ramps also proved valuable to parents pushing children in strollers, older people and cyclists. Refined into kerb cuts, they spread rapidly around the world.
There are many other examples. Television captioning, developed for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, is now widely used by non-disabled people. Audiobooks, developed for people who are blind, are now a common way that many other people enjoy books.
Accessible venues will not just benefit wheelchair users. Older people, those with impaired mobility and people who push prams and tow suitcases all benefit. Indeed, if we make venues accessible to those on the margins, no one is excluded.
the design of products, environments, programs and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design.
Why use steps that exclude some people when everyone can use a ramp or a lift?
Accessibility in cities is about more than just wheelchairs; it requires a comprehensive approach to urban planning to meet the varied needs of all citizens. This includes providing sensory aids like audio signals, braille signage and visual measures for people who are blind, deaf or hard of hearing. It’s also crucial that information on public services and events is easily available to everyone in formats they can access and understand.
My focus has been on access to public spaces, but we also need to turn our attention to private homes. Wheelchair users and people with other mobility impairments can’t access most private houses in Australia. There is a drastic lack of accessible housing for people with disability and the cost of retrofitting access is exorbitant.
New South Wales is yet to follow the lead of other states and territories by signing up to the Silver Liveable Housing Design Standards. These standards are part of the revised National Construction Code. They require new housing developments to offer basic accessibility for all people.
We can and must do better. Every level of government can contribute to change.
However, new builds and renovations are often decided upon at the regional level. This means local councils should bear much of the responsibility.
A determined effort by our mayors and councillors to insist premises are accessible will be better for everyone. From a selfish perspective, it might mean I could go out to dinner or a festival without worrying if I can get in the door.
Shane Clifton is affiliated with the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ori Wertman, Research fellow, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales
The assassination of Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike on September 28 is a decisive blow – not only to Hezbollah, but also to Iran, which has lost its greatest ally in the Middle East.
In recent days, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has risen to its most intense level since the end of the second Lebanon war in the summer of 2006. The day after Hamas’ brutal October 7 terror attack, in which 1,200 Israelis were massacred – many of them civilians murdered in their homes in towns near the Gaza border or at the nearby Nova music festival – Hezbollah opened another front against Israel.
Hezbollah, which has been designated by the US and UK governments as a terror organisation, was quick to express support and solidarity with Hamas and immediately began launching rockets at civilian and military targets in northern Israel.
Fearing that Hezbollah might carry out a similar incursion in Galilee, resulting in a massacre of the Jewish civilian population, the Israeli government evacuated roughly 100,000 citizens living near the Lebanese border. These people have now been displaced from their homes for a year.
Until recently, the fighting between the parties was characterised by a relatively low intensity. Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets and drones at Israeli civilian and military targets. These have mainly been in the north of the country, killing dozens of Israelis since October 2023. The IDF has responded with airstrikes and artillery fire against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including rocket depots and other military infrastructure. But to an extent, the exchanges were seen as being below the level that might escalate into all-out war betweeen Israel and Hezbollah.
In July, a Hezbollah rocket attack killed 12 children in a football field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. In response, three days later, Israel assassinated Hezbollah’s most senior commander, the head of its strategic unit, Fuad Shukr, in an airstrike in Beirut.
The violence has steadily escalated since. On August 25, as Hezbollah was preparing a major rocket attack on the north and centre of Israel, the IDF launched a preemptive strike against Hezbollah missile launchers that were poised to strike at targets within Israel. In mid-September, the Israeli security cabinet announced it had added the return of displaced residents from the cuntry’s north to its war goals.
Days later, in a highly complex operation thousands of Hezbollah pagers exploded, killing dozens and wounding thousands of Hezbollah militants. The following day Hezbollah’s network of walkie talkies was targeted in the same way. Israel has not claimed responsibility for either of these incidents, but what cannot be denied is that they caused considerable damage to Hezbollah’s command and control.
Hezbollah has responded by firing rockets at Israel, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s air defence systems. It is estimated that Hezbollah had an arsenal of 150,000 rockets, including medium and long-range missiles. Many of these have now been eliminated by Israeli airstrikes. Hezbollah still has precision-guided munitions and drones, but recent Israeli strikes have eliminated much of Hezbollah’s chain of command and severely disrupted its operational equilibrium. The assassination of many of Hezbollah’s senior leadership – and now Nasrallah himself – has all but destroyed the group’s military chain of command.
So far there has been no sign from Tehran that Iran intends to intervene militarily to help Hezbollah. This must call into question the advantage of acting as one of the country’s most important proxies in the region. In this context, many in Beirut, Damascus, Sana’a and Gaza are surely asking themselves now what is the advantage of being Iran’s emissaries, if the latter leaves them alone to face Israel.
Ceasefire unlikely?
As a result, the main hope for Hezbollah – and Lebanon itself, into whose economic and political structures Hezbollah has become so firmly embedded – is that the international community will impose a ceasefire on both sides in an effort to avoid this becoming a wider regional conflict. The US and France have pushed for a 21-day ceasefire. But it seems that, like its fight against Hamas in Gaza, Israel is determined to continue the military operation against Hezbollah.
Now the world is waiting to see whether Israel will send troops into in Lebanon. Already thousands of citizens in the south of the country have fled north. But despite a statement from IDF chief of staff, Maj Gen Herzi Halevi, that the IDF is preparing to launch a ground operation in Lebanon, it is not at all certain that Israel wants to return to Lebanese soil.
There’s also a good chance that, given the success of its campaign of airstrikes in neutralising the military threat from Hezbollah, an actual ground invasion may be postponed for now.
The US and other countries, including the UK, have urged Israel to put a hold on any invasion plans and agree a ceasefire. It presents the Biden administration, which is keenly aware of the need to keep both Jewish and Arab voters onside, with a tough choice. But it is hard to believe that Biden, especially during an election campaign and in light of the special relationship between the countries, will put pressure on Jerusalem to stop its fight against Iranian proxy terrorism.
Ori Wertman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A ‘haul-out’ is the term given when seals temporarily leave water to rest or reproduce. Haul-Out, Call-Out allows the community to record the location and time of where they have seen a hauled-out seal, as well as several other factors.
Seal sightings recorded via Haul-Out, Call-Out will be used to complement information collected through ongoing drone surveys along the NSW coastline.
The inaugural drone survey took place at Barrenjoey Headland and will be followed by drone surveys at other known haul-out locations in NSW such as Barunguba Montague Island, Seal Rocks Nature Reserve and Steamers Head.
These activities are part of the S2S program’s broader Seal Survey initiative, which includes tagging and monitoring rehabilitated seals after their release to study their preferred habitats.
Earlier this year, Diaz, a New Zealand fur seal, was the fifth rehabilitated seal to be released under the S2S program. After her release from Sydney Heads, she travelled more than 6,000 km down towards Tasmania.
The Seal Survey will inform various marine conservation initiatives in NSW and reduce gaps in knowledge that will assist in mitigating the risks associated with human and seal interactions.
People must keep at least 40 m from an adult seal and 80 m from a pup, as well as keeping their pets under control. The penalty for approaching seals within prescribed distances is up to $1,320.
The Haul-Out, Call-Out launch coincides with Biodiversity Month, a time to celebrate the value of connecting with and caring for nature in all its diversity.
If you spot a sick or injured seal, you can contact NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 13000 072 757, or the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia on 02 9415 3333 for the animal to be checked and monitored.
The S2S program, launched in August 2022 and is a four-year initiative focused on protecting and managing NSW’s marine ecosystems. It unites 3 key efforts:
Project Restore
The Great Big Little Penguin Count
The Seal Survey.
The New South Wales Environmental Trust funds S2S to help lead and deliver each initiative, with support from its project partners, including:
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Sydney Institute of Marine Science
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
Quotes attributable to Kate Akkerman, Senior Policy Officer, Seabirds to Seascapes:
‘Since its inception in 2022, the S2S program has worked tirelessly to restore important habitat in Sydney Harbour as well as supporting the penguin and seal populations throughout the state.
‘Resting in haul-outs is incredibly important for seals which spend most of their time foraging at sea. We call on the public to please respect these animals and give them space, as it is the safest thing for both them and us.’
Quotes attributable to Dr Ben Pitcher, Behavioural Biologist, Taronga Conservation Society Australia:
‘This research is so important because the marine environment is changing rapidly and is facing threats from climate change and human influences such as pollution.
We really need to know where the seals are and what they’re doing so we can understand the threats they face and work to mitigate these threats in the future.’
Released by: Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Industrial Relations
The NSW Government and firefighters’ union have reached an agreement that will see an interim pay rise of 3 per cent, industrial action cease and the independent industrial umpire resolve the remaining issues in dispute.
The pay increase for 6,800 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters will be backdated to February and follows a 4.5 per cent pay rise (inclusive of super) delivered to firefighters last year, the highest in more than a decade.
The deal comes ahead of formal arbitration on new awards in the Industrial Relations Commission and will help firefighters manage cost of living pressures while also stipulating a pause on industrial action to ensure public services are not disrupted.
This agreement reaffirms the NSW Government’s commitment to a fair, modern and sustainable wages policy for firefighters and helps undo the damage caused by 12 years of pay neglect by the former Coalition government.
The Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild essential services and the industrial relations system is well underway.
This includes introducing a new bargaining framework and re-establishing the independence of the Industrial Relations Commission to assess and determine union and departmental claims. It also includes scrapping the Liberals and Nationals unfair wages cap.
The Minns Labor Government also committed $189.5 million in the 2024-25 NSW Budget to guarantee the jobs of 286 permanent firefighters that were left unfunded by the former government.
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:
“I welcome the agreement for NSW firefighters and I thank the firies for their advocacy, patience and support.”
“This is a good step forward but we still have work to do.”
“We appreciate their commitment and service to the people of NSW.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“This agreement with the union shows a commitment to working together to achieve practical outcomes for frontline responders and the community.”
“We continue to work towards an outcome that is fair and sustainable for Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters and the people of NSW.”
“After more than a decade of stagnant wages under the Coalition Government, the Minns Labor Government is delivering for the essential workers of NSW, including these workers on the frontline of rescue and emergency response.”
Released by: Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
Planning reforms to fast-track minor works in cemeteries across the state, come into effect from today, scrapping more planning red tape.
The amendment to the Transport and Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) removes the need for a Development Application (DA) on low impact minor works and maintenance activities in cemeteries.
The streamlined pathway will mean cemetery operators and crematoria will not need to submit a Development Application (DA) for minor works like monuments, demolition activities, internal roads and maintenance sheds.
A DA will still be required for development beyond the boundary of an existing cemetery, or development that cannot comply with the proposed controls. It also does not include changes to the number of burial plots or operational hours.
These changes will reduce development assessment timeframes and will also help free up resources in councils, making sure our planners are doing the work they need to do to help speed up the planning system.
The NSW Government has prioritised cutting unnecessary red tape in the state’s planning system after inheriting a system that was as confused as it was confusing.
Many areas of the planning system still have thresholds and triggers that are based on outdated priorities and are not servicing communities in the most effective way. These reforms are just one of the many changes the Government is introducing to make sure the planning system is fit-for-purpose.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has worked closely with Crown Lands and Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW to ensure the reforms align across all of government.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“Cemeteries play a crucial role in our community and are a place that each of us will interact with throughout our lives to honour our loved ones.
The amendment to the Transport and Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) removes the need for a Development Application (DA) on low impact minor works and maintenance activities in cemeteries.
The streamlined pathway will mean cemetery operators and crematoria will not need to submit a Development Application (DA) for minor works like monuments, demolition activities, internal roads and maintenance sheds.
A DA will still be required for development beyond the boundary of an existing cemetery, or development that cannot comply with the proposed controls. It also does not include changes to the number of burial plots or operational hours.
These changes will reduce development assessment timeframes and will also help free up resources in councils, making sure our planners are doing the work they need to do to help speed up the planning system.
The NSW Government has prioritised cutting unnecessary red tape in the state’s planning system after inheriting a system that was as confused as it was confusing.
Many areas of the planning system still have thresholds and triggers that are based on outdated priorities and are not servicing communities in the most effective way. These reforms are just one of the many changes the Government is introducing to make sure the planning system is fit-for-purpose.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has worked closely with Crown Lands and Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW to ensure the reforms align across all of government.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“Cemeteries play a crucial role in our community and are a place that each of us will interact with throughout our lives to honour our loved ones.
“It is imperative that cemeteries can continue to operate effectively now and into the future. Operators should not be spending their time on simple DAs in existing cemeteries.
“These new tailored pathways recognise the unique role cemeteries play and provide simple operational and functional requirements for them to operate effectively.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“The Minns Labor Government has been taking action to address the crisis in our cemeteries since day one.
“Once again, we are taking the necessary action to ensure we can meet the future needs in our cemeteries sector through responsible planning, finding more space for burials, and ensuring they are maintained, accessible, and respectful spaces to serve our communities.
“We want all people of all cultures and faiths to have access to sustainable and affordable burial and cremation services, and we will continue to clean up the mess the Coalition left behind.”
“These new tailored pathways recognise the unique role cemeteries play and provide simple operational and functional requirements for them to operate effectively.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“The Minns Labor Government has been taking action to address the crisis in our cemeteries since day one.
“Once again, we are taking the necessary action to ensure we can meet the future needs in our cemeteries sector through responsible planning, finding more space for burials, and ensuring they are maintained, accessible, and respectful spaces to serve our communities.
“We want all people of all cultures and faiths to have access to sustainable and affordable burial and cremation services, and we will continue to clean up the mess the Coalition left behind.”
Tomorrow marks the official start of the 2024-25 bush fire season, as high fuel loads present challenges for fire agencies across the state.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is prepared for a predicted warm summer, with firefighters having responded to more than 1,600 bush and grass fires across the state since 1 July.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib joined Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers for a helicopter flight to survey some of Sydney’s most at-risk suburbs today.
Taking off from Arcadia Rural Fire Brigade station, the Minister and Commissioner inspected recent hazard reduction work undertaken in the Hornsby area, as fire agencies and land managers continue work to reduce fuel loads for the warm months ahead.
The NSW Government has funded 100 additional hazard reduction crew members to conduct this important work.
RFS firefighters train and prepare year-round to respond to fire and other emergency incidents and with most of NSW now in the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP), it is important that the community prepares as well.
Residents are encouraged to take simple steps to lower their fire risk, including:
Trim overhanging trees and shrubs.
Mow grass and remove the cuttings and have a cleared area around your home.
Remove material that can burn around your home, such as door mats, wood piles, mulch and flammable liquids.
Clear and remove all debris and leaves from gutters surrounding your home.
Prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach around your home.
While some areas have already entered the Bush Fire Danger Period, the statutory bush fire season runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Bush Fire Survival Plans and information on preparing your property and family are available on the RFS website at http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Residents can stay up to date on fires in their area using the RFS website, the Hazards Near Me app, listening to your local radio station, or by calling the RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“We have already seen dangerous fire conditions in NSW, with recent hot, dry and windy weather rapidly drying out bush and grass land areas, increasing the fire risk.
“With high temperatures forecast this summer, we cannot be complacent. Everyone needs to take the time now to make sure they understand their risk, discuss their Bush Fire Survival Plan with their family and download the Hazards Near Me app.”
“I thank all our RFS volunteers and emergency service personnel for their work to protect communities across the state and encourage residents and landowners to do their part to prepare themselves, their families and properties.”
Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers said:
“Consecutive years of wet weather have fuelled growth of vegetation like grass lands, particularly west of the Great Dividing Range. Grass fires can be especially dangerous because they start quickly and spread rapidly, destroying homes and stock.”
“Our firefighters are out on the ground doing everything they can to mitigate the risk of fire, but preparation is a shared responsibility, and we need property owners to do their part, too.
“There can never be a fire truck outside every home, so people need to have a plan in place if threatened by fire. Make sure your whole family knows whether you will stay and defend your home or will leave early – and if so, where you will go.”
Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Paul McGuiggan said:
“If you’re planning to travel, especially over the holiday period, be aware of the risk of fast-moving grass fires.
“Before you leave, check the weather forecast and fire danger ratings for that area and have a plan to leave should a grass or bush fire take hold.”
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Executive Director Park Operations Coastal Naomi Stephens said:
“NPWS is working hard to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season. We are slashing and mowing areas of highest risk next to houses and other property and ensuring that our fire trails are cleared and available for firefighters in the event of bushfire.”
“Our trained firefighters are carrying out hazard reduction burning, where and when conditions allow, to reduce the risk and are ready to respond to bushfires to protect the community and the parks.”
In an Australian-first, New South Wales is charging up for a cleaner cruise industry, with a $20 million contract awarded to begin the landmark Shore Power project at White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Shore Power is wharf-side infrastructure that provides cruise ships with electricity by connecting to a landside charger, which results in fewer emissions as the engine does not have to stay running while docked.
This marks a huge step towards reducing cruise ship pollution, ensuring the cruise industry can be more sustainable and continue to thrive in NSW.
It comes as the summer cruise season officially kicks off in NSW, with the arrival of Diamond Princess into our harbour on Thursday morning and the Pacific Adventure at White Bay on Friday morning.
The latest data shows the cruise industry contributed $2.75 billion to the NSW economy in 2022-23 and created approximately 9,000 jobs.
This project means cleaner air and less noise for the residents of Balmain and Rozelle, with the precinct and population expected to grow in the coming decade as the Bays Metro West opens and much-needed housing is delivered.
Shore Power is estimated to reduce emissions associated with the White Bay precinct by over 4,000 tonnes every year.
The contract for the charger at White Bay berth 5 has been awarded to global leader in shore power technology, Powercon, with initial work to prepare the site set to begin by the end of 2024.
The move puts Sydney on par with other global cities adopting this technology, such as in Europe, where shoreside electricity will be mandatory at all main ports from 2030.
With critical equipment in high demand, the White Bay Cruise Terminal Shore Power project is targeted for completion by late 2026.
Once operational in 2026, it will be mandatory for any ship that docks at White Bay Cruise Terminal that is shore power enabled to use available shore power. The vast majority of ships that use White Bay are already shore power enabled.
Port Authority will determine the best mechanism to implement the shore power mandate, likely to be through contract obligations with its cruise industry partners.
Both NSW and Federal Labor announced their support for shore power in 2019. The former NSW Liberal Government promised to deliver it in 2022 and said it would be ready by 2024 but failed to allocate funding to the project.
The Minns Labor Government is leading the rollout of Shore Power at other ports across Australia by supporting the development of Australian Standards that will inform future projects.
Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek said:
“Five years ago, Labor promised we would deliver shore power for White Bay Cruise Terminal, and cleaner air for the community on the Balmain peninsula. Today that promise is being kept.
“This will be the first project of its kind in Australia, and it will be run on renewables. Awarding the contract for the Shore Power equipment design, fabrication, supply and installation, marks a major milestone in this complex project.
“The community in Balmain has had to wait far too long for shore power to become a reality. They will remember that the former NSW Liberal Government claimed to support this project, but would not commit a single dollar of government funding.”
NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“Today the contract to deliver shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal has been signed, sealed, and delivered, ensuring less cruise ship pollution for generations to come.
“This will be the first major shore power infrastructure in southern hemisphere and the carbon emissions reduction this project at White Bay will achieve is equivalent to taking 1,100 cars off Sydney’s roads or planting 20,000 trees each year.
“The Minns Labor Government has done what the former government could never do. We’ve put pen to paper and begun the process to deliver cleaner air for the Balmain Peninsula and set White Bay Cruise Terminal up for a sustainable future.”
Port Authority NSW CEO Philip Holliday said:
“Port Authority is focused on progressing the Shore Power project to our revised delivery date and creating a world-class, integrated, sustainable port of the future that supports our economy, the community and the NSW Government’s vision for the area.”
It’s the end of an era on the T3 Bankstown line, as the final heavy rail journeys make their way along the tracks and Metro transformation work ramps up, ahead of the closure on Monday 30 September.
Final preparations are underway for stations and tracks to shut between Bankstown and Sydenham, before major construction begins first thing on Monday morning.
Initial work will focus on Bankstown, with the highly complex separation of rail tracks, and installation of platform screen doors, mechanical gap filler and fencing.
The conversion of the line to metro is scheduled for a 12-month delivery program, but involves difficult upgrades to a 130-year-old rail line, meaning it could take longer.
The final T3 Sydney Trains service will roll out of Circular Quay Station at 12:06am on Monday morning, bound for Bankstown. The carriages are expected to be packed with hundreds of train enthusiasts to honour the occasion.
The Bankstown line opened in stages from 1896, while steam trains ruled the rails. 30-class steam locomotives were among those that rolled along the line, with a similar 32-class locomotive returning two weeks ago to make a final heritage run.
The 1920s brought electrification and the start of decades of passenger services on Sydney’s iconic red single deck electric trains.
Famous visitors on the service included Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 for the incorporation of Bankstown as a city. Queen Elizabeth’s journey started at Bankstown and crossed into the newly opened Eastern Suburbs Railway to Martin Place. While these two stations have operated on separate lines for the last four decades, passengers will be able to catch a direct service between them when Metro opens.
With the T3 Bankstown line closing from tomorrow, passengers are reminded to plan their trip and allow extra travel time.
During the conversion period, free pink Southwest Link buses will provide frequent services running from early in the morning until late at night. Travel will take longer, especially in peak hour –doubling journey times in some cases, according to indicative modelling.
Work is underway to bring the new T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown train line into operation in the coming weeks. T6 will connect Bankstown to Lidcombe Station via Yagoona, Birrong, Regents Park and Berala. In the meantime, additional fare-free buses will replace trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown.
Transport is also preparing to make permanent adjustments on the train and bus networks from 20 October 2024. The changes will support the final conversion of the T3 Bankstown line to Metro operations and respond to the introduction of Metro services from Chatswood to Sydenham.
In the past 15 months, 450 services a week have been added to the Inner West light rail between Dulwich Hill and the city to accommodate more passengers, and work is wrapping up on new cycling links.
The Southwest Metro project will include a new 17km walking and cycling path along the alignment, set to be completed within around a year of Metro opening to Bankstown. The section between Marrickville and Sydenham is being fast-tracked to open on Monday to give the community another way to travel.
The 1.4km link will mean there is a safe, separated cycleway so people can safely travel from the Marrickville area to the new bicycle lockers (with 156 parking spaces) at Sydenham Metro Station. A map of this interim link is attached.
When the conversion is complete in approximately late 2025, passengers will have access to a high-tech metro line with a train every 4 minutes during the peak, along with fully accessible stations and services. Currently there are stations on the T3 that only receive four trains an hour in the peak.
This final section of the metro line will eventually be known as the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line, completing the transformative 30km alignment between Bankstown and Tallawong.
“The Bankstown line has been a stalwart of NSW railways – faithfully serving communities for over a century. Today we want to honour the past, as we look to our city’s bright public transport future.
“We’ve seen this line move from steam trains, to electrification – now it’s time for its latest upgrade to allow for modern metro trains.
“T3 deserves a fitting farewell and we know many Sydneysiders will be taking one last heavy rail ride today.
“The line’s closure marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one. This T3 transformation will see the line continue to serve our city throughout the century to come.
“There’s no sugar-coating it – this closure will be an incredibly tough time for these communities, and we’ve been upfront that it could take longer than a year. Please allow plenty of extra travel time, check your trip planner apps, or transportnsw.info.”
The minimum price per unit of alcohol will increase by 15 pence from today.
MSPs previously voted to continue the public health measure which had been scheduled to end automatically on 30 April as part of a ‘sunset clause’ when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation was introduced in 2018.
They also voted to introduce a price increase, with a rise to 65p per unit chosen as the Scottish Government seeks to increase the positive effects of the policy and to take account of inflation.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said:
“Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions and contributed to reducing health inequalities.
“Experts wrote to TheLancet, describing Public Health Scotland’s evaluation of minimum unit pricing as ‘high-quality’ and ‘comprehensive’, and expressing confidence that there are several hundred people with low income in Scotland who are alive today as a result of this policy.
“However, the Scottish Government is determined to do all it can to reduce alcohol-related harm and as part of that, I am working to ensure people with problematic alcohol use receive the same quality of care and support as those dealing with problematic drugs use. We have also made a record £112 million available to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to deliver or commission treatment and support services locally, as well as investing £100 million in residential rehabilitation.
“I have also asked that Public Health Scotland is commissioned to review evidence and options for reducing exposure to alcohol marketing.”
Background
The Scottish Parliament voted to approve Orders increasing the minimum unit price and continue the effect of minimum unit pricing in April 2024. As part of an in-built ‘sunset clause’, agreed by MSPs when MUP legislation was first passed in 2018, the policy had been due to end on 30 April.
The increase will take effect from midnight on 30 September 2024.
The Scottish Government has worked closely with retail partners to publish a guide and ensure that retailers have all the information they need.
Research conducted by Public Health Scotland and the University of Glasgow estimated that MUP had reduced alcohol-attributable deaths by 13.4% – 156 a year – and was likely to have reduced hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol by 4.1% up to the end of 2020 compared to what would have happened if MUP had not been in place.
PHS evaluation found there was no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry.
Public health experts wrote an open letter to The Lancet last August commending Public Health Scotland’s evaluation of minimum unit pricing commenting that it was “high quality” and “comprehensive” and that “Policymakers can be confident that there are several hundred people with low income in Scotland who would have died as a result of alcohol, who are alive today as a result of minimum unit pricing”.
The Scottish Government continues to progress work on reducing exposure to alcohol marketing. Once the PHS review of evidence on alcohol marketing is concluded the Scottish Government will consider any areas where evidence supports further consultation.
Headline: Health insurers rorting public hospital beds
Published: 30 September 2024
Released by: Treasurer, Minister for Health
Private health insurers are skipping out on the cost of public hospital beds their members use, costing taxpayers and boosting their bottom line by $140 million a year.
Currently, NSW public hospitals are heavily subsidising some private health insurers – a burden our health system can no longer shoulder.
NSW Health estimates the average cost of a hospital bed at $1,075 per day.
Last year, NSW Health charged private health insurers below cost, at a rate of $892 per hospital bed, per day – a 17 per cent subsidy.
Many insurers are doing the right thing and paying for the full cost of services they use. However, a select group of private health insurers are not paying their fair share – many only contributing $474 per hospital bed, per day – a 56 per cent subsidy from the people of NSW.
Private health insurers skipping out on the costs of public hospital beds is costing NSW hospitals $140 million every year – for the last five years.
This could employ an additional 1,000 senior nurses.
Thankfully, 44 of 53 private health insurers have agreed or are currently paying their fair share. But some of the largest insurers have held out, refusing to pay their fair share to the public health system while raking in record profits.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:
“The refusal of private insurers to pay their bills is robbing the public system of critical funds.
“This has been a very reasonable request to private health insurers to simply resume paying their fair share.
“I commend those smaller and not-for-profit insurers who are doing the right thing.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“So many not-for-profit insurers have managed to do the right thing, including the health funds for police, nurses, navy and teachers.
“I commend those insurers who have paid their bills in full as well as those who have indicated they will resume paying in full.
“But we’re seeing some of the largest for-profit insurers, who enjoy billions of dollars in profit each year, sticking taxpayers with the tab.
Maitland Hospital has welcomed an influx of new team members including nurses, midwives, doctors and allied health professionals, as part of a major boost to workforce capacity in the region.
Between July 2023 and September 2024, the hospital increased its number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff by 10 per cent, growing by 121 FTE and bringing the total to 1,095 FTE.
The staffing increase reflects Maitland’s growing appeal as a place to live and work, supported by the region’s expanding healthcare sector and the $470 million Hospital on Metford Road, which opened in March 2022.
Maitland Hospital has worked hard to improve staff retention, build a supportive work environment, and focus on growth and development opportunities – including through training and education, upskilling into specialty positions, pathway programs and leadership development.
The Minns Labor Government has introduced a broad suite of initiatives to further strengthen the state’s regional health workforce, including:
Implementing the Safe Staffing Levels initiative in our emergency departments
Providing permanent funding for 1,112 FTE nurses and midwives on an ongoing basis
Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers
Doubling the Rural Health Workforce Incentives Scheme – from $10,000 to $20,000 to fill to attract, train and retain health workers in some of the hardest to fill critically vacant positions in rural and regional NSW.
Beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.
An investment of an additional $200.1 million to deliver more health worker accommodation in regional, rural and remote communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park
“I’d like to warmly welcome Maitland’s newest team members and thank them for choosing a fulfilling career with NSW Health.
“Attracting and retaining healthcare workers in regional settings is a longstanding challenge faced by every state and territory in Australia. and the Minns Labor Government is committed to building a more supported regional health workforce.
“Hunter New England Local Health District’s success in growing its staff is a positive indication that we’re addressing this issue directly and that our workforce initiatives are making a difference.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison
“Maitland’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and raise a family is clear.
“The significant increase in staffing at Maitland Hospital reflects the confidence that healthcare professionals have in Maitland’s future and the exceptional quality of life our region provides.
“We know there have been significant improvements needed at Maitland Hospital for years, it’s great that the Minister and the entire Minns Labor government are listening and acting to improve this fantastic facility for patients, nurses, doctors, ancillary staff and the broader community.”
Quotes attributable to Acting General Manager Maitland Hospital, Jenny Martin
“The Maitland region is a fantastic place to live and work, and we look forward to welcoming more colleagues and their families into our vibrant community.
“The growth in staff numbers, including a nine per cent increase in nurses and midwives, 17 per cent in doctors, and five per cent in allied health professionals, reflects our commitment to both excellent patient care and supporting our colleagues in their professional careers.”
Quotes attributable to Maitland Hospital Senior Resident Medical Officer Oncology, Sharmila K C
“I moved to Maitland from Bendigo, Victoria, in February and was drawn to Hunter New England Local Health District’s strong reputation for mentorship, training, and commitment to education.
“Maitland Hospital offers an incredibly supportive environment for both patients and staff, with a close-knit collaborative team culture that focuses on empathy and communication.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of this community and contribute to the growth of health services in the Maitland region.”
