Private health insurers will resume paying single room rates when their members use the public system.Following months of negotiations with the NSW Government, all 53 private health funds in NSW will pay single room rates from January 1, 2025.The successful resolution means the NSW Government will not need to increase the Health Insurance Levy (HIL) in order to recover costs.The decision of some funds to stop paying the single room rate had been costing the public health system $140 million a year. By resuming the payment, the sector is ensuring that the state’s world-class public hospitals and the people who rely on them will no longer miss out on critical funding.The Minns Labor Government passed legislation in October, mirroring the approach taken by then-Treasurer Mike Baird when private health funds first stopped paying the correct room rate in 2013. The legislation allowed for the government to cost recover through an increase to the HIL, which could be enacted if funds did not resume paying the single room rate.The NSW Opposition refused to support the reintroduction of this bill, with the Opposition Leader, Shadow Treasurer and Member for Vaucluse instead backing ongoing taxpayer-funded subsidies to private insurers.The NSW Government commends the private health insurance sector for reaching a resolution to this issue. The government will continue working with insurers on improved data sharing to increase transparency for private patients who use single rooms in the public system.Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said, “Over months of negotiations, the NSW Government kept the door open to reaching a resolution with private health insurers.“We now have an agreement that’s good for our public hospitals and the millions of people who rely on them every day.“The NSW Liberal Party will be recorded as being on the wrong side of this issue – backing subsidies for private health insurers instead of fighting for the public system.”Health Minister Ryan Park said, “This agreement means private funds resume paying their fair share and our public hospitals are better off.“This is welcome news for patients and public hospitals, and I am grateful we’ve been able to reach an outcome.“We said we’d work with funds to resolve this, and that’s what we did.”

NSW’s popular drink container recycling scheme, Return and Earn, celebrated seven years of success yesterday. And to mark its birthday, the scheme has released its latest Local Government Volumes Report listing the number of containers returned by the community by council.  Since its launch in December 2017, Return and Earn has seen over 12.5 billion drink containers returned for recycling through its return point network across the state thanks to the 84 per cent of NSW adults who have participated.The Lismore City Council recorded the following figures since 1 December 2017:Aluminium - 41,200,243Glass - 34,012,806PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) - 16,369,245HDPE (plastics) - 1,616,143Liquid Paper Board - 1,137,218Steel - 83,714 Return and Earn is a NSW Government initiative delivered in partnership with scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.  “It’s been amazing to see so many people make Return and Earn part of their regular routine and the incredible positive impact their participation is having with two out of three drink containers sold in NSW being returned and 1,077,338 tonnes of materials recycled to a 73 per cent reduction in drink container litter since pre-scheme levels,” said Danielle Smalley, CEO of Exchange for Change. “Funded by the beverage industry, Return and Earn is a leading example of effective product stewardship."In addition to the environmental benefits, we have also seen $1.25 billion in container refunds put back in people’s pockets, and over $62 million raised for charities and community groups through donations and fees from hosting return points,” said Ms. Smalley. The latest consumer research shows support and trust in Return and Earn is at an all-time high, respectively 93 per cent and 78 per cent of NSW adults, with 3 out of 5 ‘returning and earning’ monthly or more. The return point network continues to grow, with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway continually reviewing and optimising to ensure NSW residents have easy and convenient access to redeem their bottles, cans and cartons. “We’re proud to invest in technological upgrades to make recycling even easier for the community. Over the last 12 months, we’ve added 103 new return points to the network including new return point formats as well as upgrades to some machines to ‘takes-all’. All with the aim of making it quicker and easier to return your drink containers and pocket the refund,” said James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway. There are over 650 return points across NSW, including Return and Earn machines, automated depots and over-the-counter return points, all designed to be as accessible as possible. “Over the upcoming busy summer holidays, we expect more than 9 million drink containers will be returned every day by the NSW community. It’s a busy time of year so we encourage everyone to check the live status of their nearest return point through the Return and Earn app or website before visiting,” added Mr. Dorney.  “Return and Earn is the triple threat of recycling – providing significant social, economic and environmental benefits to the NSW community while contributing to a more sustainable, waste-free future. “Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to Return and Earn’s seven years of success, including the beverage industry, who fund the scheme, the NSW community for their support and participation, and the strong partnership between scheme partners,” said Ms Smalley.  For more information, visit www.returnandearn.com.au.

Glow-in-the-dark line markings will be trialled on Bulli Pass, south of Sydney, before being assessed for a wider rollout in NSW.The photoluminescent painted markings absorb and store sunlight during the day and glow at night, helping drivers better see line markings and the shape of the road ahead.Glow Roads are designed to improve night-time visibility, helping markings stand out in adverse weather, and provide a safe alternative at sites where street lighting is not practical.The hairpin turn on Bulli Pass will be the first place in the state to get the glow treatment.The location was chosen after a spike in near-miss incidents between 9pm and 4am, with 125 near-misses recorded in the year to June 30.Bulli Pass is heavily used by large trucks and motorcycles and the new line markings will be installed part way down the steep descent to increase awareness of the sharp bend. A glow sign will also be installed.The trial will run for six months, after which data and customer insights will be reviewed to determine whether to extend the trial or implement the Glow Road technology on other parts of the state’s road network.Rigorous testing of glow roads has been undertaken at Transport’s Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre in Cudal to ensure the innovation is suitable for Australian conditions.Different modes of transport were put through their paces, with a car, truck, motorbike and bicycle tackling the controlled ‘glow’ course. Skid testing was also undertaken to check Glow Roads’ had the same level of slip resistance as current line markings.  Minister for Roads John Graham said, “Line markings might not be the first thing we think about in terms of innovation, but this is a bright idea and we are excited to trial its benefits.“Being able to see the shape of the road ahead is critical to safe driving and that’s what Glow Roads do.“Data shows around a third of fatal crashes in NSW happen at night. If this trial is deemed a success, we will look at its application on other locations with a history of crashes or near-misses where better visibility is needed.  “Bulli Pass has had a rising number of near-misses - particularly at night- so using Glow Roads to improve driving conditions will help the thousands of motorists who rely on this busy route.”Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “Glow Roads is an exciting new alternative for areas where street lighting may not be practical – many of our regional and rural roads face this challenge.“Locals know this road - and others like it across the state - can have visibility plumet in seconds when fog or a storm rolls in, and I’m excited to see how this innovation performs in those conditions, too.“This initiative offers an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution on regional roads with limited or non-existent street lighting.”Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said, “The Glow Roads is the brainchild of one of our transformation teams here at Transport who - trying to find a solution to boost safety at remote or isolated sites - pitched the idea at an in-house innovation challenge.  “Improving road safety is a massive priority for everyone across at Transport - so we jumped on the opportunity to put this 'bright idea’ to the test.“Before rolling 'Glow Roads’ out on public roads, we tested the new line markings and glow paint under a range of conditions at our Future Mobility testing site to make sure it was ready for the next phase of the trial.”

Police have extradited and charged a man over the alleged fatal assault of another man in Tweed Heads last week.About 3:15am Sunday, 24 November 2024, emergency services were called to William Street, Tweed Heads South, following reports of an assault.Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District attended and found an unconscious man lying on the ground outside a home.NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man; however, he died at the scene.The man has since been identified as a 39-year-old Tweed Heads man.Police established a crime scene, and detectives commenced an investigation into the incident with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad under Strike Force Mantung.Following investigations, strike force detectives – with assistance from Queensland Police Service officers – arrested a 48-year-old man in Kirra, Queensland, about 3.30am today (Saturday, 30 November 2024).He was taken to Southport, Queensland, where he was extradited to NSW before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station.The man was charged with assault causing death.He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court tomorrow (Sunday, 1 December 2024).

The state government has launched the NSW Skills Plan, the first NSW skills plan since 2008.  This ambitious blueprint will help guide the transformation of vocational education and training (VET) while tackling pressing skills gaps in industries such as manufacturing, renewable energy, construction, and care and support – sectors vital to NSW’s future.With job vacancies in NSW’s critical skills areas such as construction, caring industries and advanced manufacturing at 175,000 in the year to October 2024, this Plan will help focus efforts in the vocational sector, building the workforce needed to deliver on government priorities and supporting essential services in our community.The Plan works together with a new State Migration Plan, which will attract skilled workers from overseas to address shortages while driving NSW’s economic growth.  With 44 per cent of occupations in NSW facing shortages, the Plan focuses on:Priority skills – directing funding and training to areas with the highest demand. Local skills – ensuring local communities have a say with a new regional planning model to meet local needs.Skills for young people – giving school students and young people opportunities and pathways to local jobs.The NSW Skills Plan aligns with national priorities under the Albanese Government’s National Skills Agreement, addressing Closing the Gap, Net Zero transformation and VET qualification reforms. Key initiatives to be developed under the plan include:A new regional skills planning and governance model to address the severe skills and labour shortages in regional and remote areas.An annual State of the System Report to monitor system performance and the progress of the NSW Skills Plan. Building on the findings of the NSW VET Review, the Plan outlines actions such as boosting recruitment of skilled workers, enhancing teacher capacity in high-demand fields like STEM, and modernising TAFE NSW to ensure it remains at the heart of the VET sector, a key Minns Labor Government election commitment.By fostering partnerships between industry, schools, and training organisations, the NSW Skills Plan will build a flexible, high-quality VET system to secure the workforce NSW needs now and into the future. The Skills Plan is one part of the staged response to the VET review and can be viewed here.Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said, “This plan is a game changer for the state's vocational education and training sector. It is about ensuring our workforce has the skills needed to drive NSW’s future prosperity and address the critical shortages we face across key industries.“Over 12 years the former Liberal-National Government failed to have a Skills plan for New South Wales. “As we all know ‘a failure to plan means planning to fail’ and that’s exactly what the Liberals and Nationals did – leaving NSW with massive skills shortages contributing to the current housing crisis, and massive workforce shortages for health, aged care and the energy transition.“The NSW Skills Plan demonstrates the Minns Labor Government is taking the Skills challenges seriously. We are committed to strengthening the role of TAFE and other training providers to deliver industry-led, high-quality education and is picking up the pieces after more than 12 years of neglect from the former Liberal National Government.“This is a bold, forward-thinking agenda that addresses today’s challenges while building the skilled workforce we need for the future of NSW.”

BreastScreen NSW is Australia’s first population-based screening program to introduce cutting-edge technology to support radiologists in interpreting a select range of mammography images.The integration of machine reading technology will ensure BreastScreen NSW can continue to deliver a world-class service, while meeting the needs of NSW’s growing population.Successfully used in similar international population-based screening programs, BreastScreen NSW undertook a world-first study to extensively evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of this new technology.The study showed the technology produced comparable results to the existing screening program, without compromising cancer detection rates.At least one radiologist will continue to read every woman’s image to look for the early stages of breast cancer, with machine reading technology providing additional analysis.The new technology will complement the expertise of radiologists.The use of this new technology will have no impact on womens’ breast screening experience.For women aged 50-74, a breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are recommended to screen from age 40.Early detection not only significantly increases a person’s chance of survival it can also greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay.For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online at http://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/. Health Minister Ryan Park said, “NSW is proud to lead the way in the introduction of cutting-edge technology to ensure the sustainability of the life-saving BreastScreen NSW program.”“Planning for the needs of our growing population is critical, and this is just one of the ways NSW is using new technology to complement and support the capabilities of our highly skilled, but globally in-demand workforce.”“At the same time, reducing the devastating impact of breast cancer on women is a priority, and I’d like to thank the BreastScreen NSW team for their world-leading work.”Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien AM said, “In partnership with our expert radiologists, BreastScreen NSW is driving ground-breaking research and innovation that will ensure women have the best chance at detecting and treating cancer in its earliest stages.” “By combining the strength of technology with the world-class expertise of our specialist radiologists, machine reading will help support the thousands of women accessing our state’s breast screening services, now and into the future.”“We have seen record numbers of women book breast screening, with October the biggest month for bookings in the history of the BreastScreen NSW program. There are still far too many people who are overdue for their two-yearly screen and I urge all eligible women to book in their breast screen today.”BreastScreen Clinical Director Dr Nalini Bhola said, “BreastScreen NSW is focused on supporting our expert clinical workforce with the latest technology to facilitate the interpretation of mammograms across NSW.”“The rollout of this technology was guided by our radiologists to ensure we maintain our excellent cancer detection rates and BreastScreen NSW can continue to deliver a world-class experience for our clients.”“We are introducing the technology in a way that will allow close monitoring, to ensure we maintain our excellent standards of clinical quality.”

The NSW Government welcomes the Federal Government’s ban on social media for children under 16.The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 passed both houses of Parliament this week. The laws place the onus on social media platforms – not young people or their parents – to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years of age from having accounts, and ensures systemic breaches will see platforms face fines of up to $49.5 million.The minimum age will apply to ‘age-restricted social media platforms’ as defined in the Bill, which includes Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X and others.The Minns Labor Government is pleased that there is a national approach to social media bans. It means there are consistent rules across the country. This follows the joint social media summit held by the NSW Government and the Government of South Australia - the first of its kind.The Summit in Sydney reached a consensus that social media, if left unchecked, uncensored, and unsupervised, poses a threat, particularly to young people in our community.Evidence shows us the links between increases in social media use and greater instances of mental health issues, loss of sleep, less in-person interaction, and less practice of social skills.The social media ban is a welcome measure for many parents, and another of the many measures now in place to help minimise the negative impacts of social media and devices on young people including:Banning mobile phones in all NSW Public schools, with a recent survey showing that 86 per cent of principals believe socialising has improved since this came into effect.Developing a statewide approach to address bullying in New South Wales schools.A $2.5 million research fund to investigate the impacts of excessive screen time, video games and mobile phone use on young people and their learning.Recruiting 250 additional school counsellors as part of the NSW Labor Government's election commitment to student wellbeing.Premier of NSW Chris Minns said, “I want to congratulate the Albanese Government on passing these laws. They are world-leading.”“I’ve said before, social media is this giant global unregulated experiment on children, and we have to change that.“The parents I speak to and certainly the evidence acknowledges that social media is doing an enormous amount of harm to young people.“By making this law, at the very least we empower parents to be able to say no to their kids when it comes to social media because it’s now against the law.“It also means kids can focus on being kids, talking to each other face to face, spending time outdoors and not fixated on their screens.”

This afternoon the new Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul will hit the tarmac at Sydney Airport, officially opening an exciting new route to Europe and a boost in the number of visitors to New South Wales.From today, this new route will offer four flights a week with one of the world’s leading carriers. In the first year alone, this will deliver an additional 68,620 inbound seats to Sydney Airport, support more than 290 jobs and generate an estimated $53 million for the NSW visitor economy.This new route was made possible with significant financial support from the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund. Attracting new routes and building aviation capacity is part of the State Government’s plan to rapidly grow the NSW visitor economy.As outlined in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy review released last month, the government plans to grow the state’s tourism industry from the current annual expenditure of $53 billion to $91 billion by 2035. The arrival of Turkish Airlines to Sydney marks a new phase of growth in passenger numbers arriving in NSW. Over the next ten years, capacity is expected to grow by 8.5 million seats to support the new $91 billion growth target. This will be driven by big growth at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport, the opening of Western Sydney International Airport in 2026 and the Newcastle Airport International Terminal in 2025.Tourism is already the state’s fifth biggest employer, and the projected growth will take the total number of jobs from 300,000 to 450,000. The growth in revenue and jobs in tourism will play an important role in sustaining economic growth as other industries decline. The Aviation Attraction Fund, administered by Destination NSW, has helped land more than 40 routes and is currently supporting Newcastle Airport to attract new international routes, and has supported Sydney Airport to land a new Shanghai-Sydney route with Juneyao Airlines that will commence next month.Premier for NSW Chris Minns says, “This flight route will open an exciting new destination for people who want to book overseas trips, and for visitors who want to see what our incredible state has to offer.“Sydney was voted the world’s top destination for a reason, and we are supporting our airports to get more people visiting the state, spending money and creating jobs across NSW. "Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham says, “Turkish Airlines' arrival in Sydney is a landmark moment that offers a new high-quality option for local travellers to Europe and a boost in visitor numbers to Sydney.“This exciting new route from Istanbul was made possible by a financial incentive from the Minns Government.“We are backing our airports to increase capacity and bring more visitors to NSW, creating jobs and economic growth in our tourism destinations right across the state.“Bringing more passengers into our airports is part of the Minns Government’s plan to boost jobs and growth in our statewide visitor economy.”Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton says, “We’re proud to welcome our 50th airline partner, Turkish Airlines, as they launch their inaugural flight to Sydney, strengthening our international network and offering passengers even more choice and connectivity to Europe and beyond through their extensive hub in Istanbul.“The arrival of Turkish Airlines not only strengthens their offering in our region but also highlights the vital role Sydney plays as a global aviation gateway. We’re also delighted they have chosen Sydney to host their inaugural non-stop services in the years ahead. “Turkish Airlines has been recognised as the best airline in Europe by Skytrax, and it’s fantastic that so many passengers from Sydney will now have the opportunity to experience their world-class service first-hand.“I’d like to thank and acknowledge the significant support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW in helping make this possible. Their collaboration continues to be instrumental in driving tourism and international connectivity for Sydney and the broader region." Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi says, “This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines' longest flight path in history as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network.“The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our ongoing commitment to connect travellers across the globe, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. “Once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap, we look forward to further expanding our offering in the near future with Australia’s first non-stop flights to Istanbul.”

The Federal Government has today passed the most significant reforms to slot management at Sydney Airport in 25 years, setting the scene for a more competitive aviation sector. This is the next step in the Albanese Government’s comprehensive plan to boost competition and improve the experience of Australian travellers, including strengthening customer rights, adding more capacity through international air services agreements and ensuring fair access for travellers with disabilities. The independent slot audit, released this week, identified significant issues with the slot system at Sydney Airport and the ways in which the existing rules benefit incumbent airlines. The reforms directly address these issues, allowing better access for new entrants and cracking down on airline misbehaviour. The strengthened penalty regime increases the civil penalty provisions for slot misuse to six, up from two in the current legislation. Alongside the current consequences for ‘no-slot’ and ‘off-slot’ movements, behaviours that can incur penalties include: Failure to use an allocated slotFlight operations not in accordance with slot requirementsApplying for slots with no reasonable prospects of useFailure to return or transfer unused slots The slot misuse offences will be enforceable through the courts, which could issue civil penalties of up to $99,000 per offence.  Supporting the penalty regime are powers to compel the production and publication of information about slot allocation and usage from airlines. Failure to provide this information may also attract a civil penalty under these reforms. The legislation also introduces a recovery period to help get flights back on track after major disruptions so travellers reach their destinations on time. The legislation was drafted from the key competition recommendations laid out in the Harris Review, which the Coalition Government failed to act upon after receiving it in 2021. The Government will release new demand management regulations and a new slot management scheme next year, which will further level the playing field for new entrants.  

A new bridge has opened on Sugar Glider Road, the first of 12 bridges in the Kyogle Council area being funded under the Minns Labor Government’s Regional Road Fund (RRF).  The new concrete and steel bridge on Sugar Glider Road replaces an old steel and timber bridge that had deteriorated badly.  The council was granted $670,000 for the new bridge, which took nine weeks to build.In total, the Regional Road Fund (RRF) has allocated $12 million to Kyogle Council for 12 bridges.   Seven of the RRF-funded bridges are forecast to be opened in 2025, and a further four in the 2026 calendar year.  The Minns Labor Government established the Regional Road Fund (RRF) to build new roads and roundabouts, replace or repair old bridges and improve safety at crash blackspots in rural and regional areas.    Funding under the RRF was provided to councils in line with election commitments.   To date, $236.4 million has been allocated to councils under the RRF for work on Local and Regional Roads and to Transport for NSW for State Road commitments.   In the Kyogle Council area the bridges being funded under the RRF are:  Sugar Glider Road Bridge  Paddys Flat Road, Upper Tooloom  Williams Road, Birney Bridge  Clarence Way, Culmaran Creek Bridge No. I  Clarence Way, Culmaran Creek Bridge No. 2  Clarence Way, Ryans Bridge  Gradys Creek Road, Methvens Bridge  Gradys Creek Road, Cedargetters Bridge  Gorge Creek Road, Ashley Gordons  Horseshoe Creek Road, Horseshoe Creek Bridge No. 2  Iron Pot Creek Road, Benns Bridge  Iron Pot Creek Road, Montgomerys BridgeKyogle Council also received $4 million in flood immunity funding under the RRF towards a $27 million upgrade of Clarence Way, which is already underway. More details here: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2024/Get-ready-for-a-more-resilient-Clarence-Way.pdf Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, "Bridges are vital to regional communities, keeping them connected to services and markets and ensuring access in times of emergency.  "That is why we have allocated $12 million under the Regional Road Fund to bridges in the Kyogle Council area, because the fund is designed to support priority projects that are important to the community.  "The Sugar Glider Road bridge is another example of the Minns Labor Government partnering with local government to improve critical local infrastructure and improve safety at crash blackspots in rural and regional areas."Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “I’m proud to be delivering on one of my key election commitments for the Kyogle Local Government Area – a $12-million package to replace 12 aging timber bridges identified by Kyogle Council as needing renewal.“Sugar Glider Road bridge, north-east of Kyogle, is the first of these projects to be completed and will mean less maintenance burden on the council and greater efficiency for local farmers needing to get produce to market or goods into their properties.“I look forward to celebrating more milestones and as the remaining 11 new bridges come online throughout next year and 2026.”Mayor of Kyogle Council Danielle Mulholland said, "The state of the steel girders and timber decking on the old bridge was grim so the new bridge will be very much appreciated by locals and the travelling public alike. "Thanks to the NSW Government, it is wonderful to welcome the Sugar Glider Road bridge as the latest in our suite of new bridges that are part of council’s wider bridge renewal program.  "I would also like to acknowledge and thank our communities for their patience whilst the works are undertaken."

2022-23 saw the first increase in net energy use in Australia since 2018-19, increasing by 2 per cent, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Luisa Ryan, ABS head of environment statistics, said: "Both businesses and households saw higher-end use, largely driven by a post-COVID-19 recovery in air travel and household use of fuel for transportation."Increased energy use in Mining (+4 per cent) and Transport, postal and warehousing (+19 per cent) were, however, offset by another annual reduction in Manufacturing (-4 per cent)."Exports continued to dominate the national energy account, with 75 per cent of total Australian energy supply being exported. Black coal remained the largest energy export commodity, followed by LNG and Uranium", Ms Ryan said.Renewable energy extraction of hydro, solar and wind continued to grow, with a 12 per cent rise in 2022-23.Further information can be found in the Energy Account, Australia 2022-23 which presents national estimates of energy assets, and physical supply and use of energy products.An article, 'Understanding ABS data to support the net-zero transition', has also been released today. The article presents 9 energy-related presentations that help narrate the net zero story and are freely available for use with correct attribution to the ABS.

Two volunteer firefighters have been burned battling an out-of-control bushfire spreading in multiple directions.Paramedics treated the firefighters at a blaze north of Perth on Wednesday.A man in his 60s was airlifted to Fiona Stanley Hospital with non-life-threatening.The other firefighter sustained minor injuries.They were among dozens of crews battling a fire in coastal scrubland that was upgraded to emergency level on Wednesday.An emergency warning is in place for parts of Wedge Island, Nambung and Cooljarloo in the Shire of Dandaragan.It includes the coastal fishing villages of Wedge and Grey."If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said in an alert on Wednesday.Parts of Indian Ocean Drive and surrounding roads have been closed and residents have been told to leave in a northerly direction towards the town of Jurien, about 220 kilometres north of Perth."The bushfire is moving in multiple directions due to variable winds," the emergency warning said."It is not contained or controlled."The nearby Cervantes townsite is under a watch and act alert.The fire was reported on Monday, escalating to emergency level on Tuesday before being downgraded.The top-level warning was re-issued Wednesday due to the changing fire conditions and about 60 firefighters with ariel support are at the scene.The blaze has burned through about 37000 hectares of bushland, with no reports of property damage.An evacuation centre is open at Jurien Bay Sports and Recreation Centre.Cervantes Primary School is and will remain closed on Thursday.Nambung National Park has also been closed.By Aaron Bunch in Perth

The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicator rose 2.1 per cent in the 12 months to October 2024, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics, said: “Annual inflation was steady at 2.1 per cent in October and remains the lowest annual inflation since July 2021.” The top contributors to the annual movement at the group level were Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+3.3 per cent), Recreation and culture (+4.3 per cent), and Alcohol and tobacco (+6.0 per cent). Annual CPI inflation has fallen from 3.8 per cent in June to 2.1 per cent in October due, in part, due to significant price falls in Electricity and Automotive fuel. Electricity fell 35.6 per cent in the 12 months to October, which is the largest annual fall in the electricity series ever recorded in the CPI. Automotive fuel prices fell 11.5 per cent over the past 12 months after repeated price falls in recent months. “The falls in electricity and fuel had a significant impact on the annual CPI measure this month. When prices for some items move by large amounts, measures of underlying inflation like the CPI excluding volatile items and holiday travel, and the Trimmed mean can provide additional insights into how inflation is trending,” Ms Marquardt said. “Annual trimmed mean inflation was 3.5 per cent, up from 3.2 per cent in the previous month and similar to where it was in August. The CPI excluding volatile items and holiday travel was 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to October, down from 2.7 per cent in September.”Housing rose 0.2 per cent in the 12 months to October, down from a 1.6 per cent annual rise to September. The large fall in electricity prices mostly offset higher rents and new dwelling prices.“The annual rise in Rents of 6.7 per cent was partly offset by an increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA). The maximum rate available for CRA rose by 10 per cent in September 2024 on top of the usual CPI indexation on 20 March and 20 September. Without the CRA changes, Rents would have risen by 8.1 per cent in the 12 months to October,” Ms Marquardt said. New dwelling prices, which capture new builds and major renovations, rose 4.2 per cent in the 12 months to October. Growth in new dwelling prices has slowed in the past two months due to lower demand, with dwelling prices rising at the lowest annual rate since August 2021.Electricity fell 35.6 per cent in the 12 months to October. This was due to the combined impact of Commonwealth Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates and State Government rebates in Queensland and Western Australia.“Commonwealth government and State government rebates continue to reduce household out-of-pocket expenses for electricity, leading to a 12.3 per cent fall in electricity prices in the month of October. This follows large falls in the previous three months since the introduction of the rebates,” Ms Marquardt said. Annual inflation for Food and non-alcoholic beverages was steady at 3.3 per cent in October.Fruit and vegetables rose 8.5 per cent in the 12 months to October driven by lower supply of avocados, berries, and vegetables like cucumber and broccoli.As foreshadowed in the ABS’ media statement last week, out-of-pocket child care costs have been corrected as part of compiling the October 2024 monthly CPI indicator. The ABS made errors in estimating the impact of the Government’s reforms to the Child Care Subsidy when they took effect in July 2023.The correction applied this month reduced the Child care index by 5.8 per cent and reduced the Preschool and primary education index by 0.4 per cent. The correction of child care costs meant the rise in annual CPI inflation was 0.05 percentage points lower than it would otherwise have been without the correction, and the annual trimmed mean was 0.02 percentage points lower than it would otherwise have been.

The Coroners Court of NSW will hold an inquest to examine deaths and serious fires caused by Lithium-ion batteries, amid concerns that the batteries are causing approximately five fires in NSW per week.Lithium batteries are used in a variety of items including e-bikes and e-scooters, electric cars, cordless vacuum cleaners, energy storage systems, and small electronics such as electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, and vapes.The Coroners Court is currently investigating multiple reports of fires involving lithium batteries, including some that have sadly resulted in fatalities. We have been working with Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Police to monitor this emerging issue.A key role of the Coroner is to examine unnatural and unexpected deaths, as well as fires and explosions that cause serious injury or damage to property. A Coroner can make recommendations on any practices, policies or laws that could be changed to prevent future tragedies.This inquest into lithium battery fires will examine if any changes can be made to stop similar deaths, fires or explosions in the future.In the year to date, there have been more than 275 Lithium-ion battery fires in NSW – a number that is growing year-on-year. This is an average of five fire incidents per week. According to initial investigations by Fire and Rescue NSW, these fires are predominantly caused by e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, and smaller household items. Since the start of this year, fires caused by Lithium-ion batteries have left 26 people injured and resulted in 876 evacuations in NSW.This week, the NSW Government launched a safety campaign to educate consumers on how to reduce their risk when using Lithium-ion batteries. Read more here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/energy/shop-charge-and-recycle-lithium-ion-batteries-safelyState Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan said, “My role as the State Coroner is to investigate sudden and explained deaths, fires, and explosions, and recommend changes that could stop tragic mistakes from being repeated.“We have seen a recent trend of fires being caused by items containing Lithium-ion batteries, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Sadly, these fires have resulted in lives being lost.“At this time of year, when people are buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, I would urge everyone to follow the safety advice on Lithium-ion batteries.“Make sure you only buy products that comply with the Australian standard. Use an approved charger, charge while you’re at home and awake, and unplug when the battery is full.“Store lithium battery devices away from exits and sleeping areas so you have time to escape if a fire does start.“Know the signs to look out for: if there is a strange odour, vapour, smoke, or a strange sound coming from a lithium battery-powered device, get out and call triple zero.”

A further 14 regional NSW councils are set to receive upfront natural disaster recovery payments through new funding arrangements provided by the Minns Labor Government.They join 19 other regional councils that have already signed Tripartite Agreements with Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority that will provide accelerated funding to enable repairs to roads and transport infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.Before the Tripartite Agreements were introduced, councils had to spend their own money to undertake the repairs and then claim the costs back through the Australian and NSW Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. In many local government areas, this placed a heavy strain on council finances.Once councils have signed up to the Tripartite Agreements they can access advance funding at the start of each stage of reconstruction work.The Tripartite Agreements mean less financial pressure on councils, faster repairs for communities after natural disasters and better collaboration between state and local government agencies.Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “We have all seen the damage natural disasters can bring, and we also know they are a destructive fact of life.“We need to be prepared before these events and have systems in place to get communities functioning again as quickly as possible when the danger has passed.“That is where these Tripartite Agreements can play such an important role in getting disaster recovery payments to councils quickly and efficiently.”Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “The Minns Labor Government is working closely with local councils to support them in their disaster response and recovery.“The feedback we have had from councils who have already signed up to these agreements has been positive and we look forward to building on this success so we can help communities rebuild faster after natural disasters.”NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “Following a natural disaster, road infrastructure is one of the things most affected and needing to be repaired quickly so communities can reconnect, and goods and services can start moving again.“Prior to the terrible natural disasters in 2022, only $190 million a year was allocated for disaster recovery for roads.“Under these new agreements, we have already seen more than $304 million in fast-tracked funding roll out to repair roads and transport infrastructure damaged in natural disasters.”Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “This is a great example of the NSW Government working with local communities to get them back on their feet quickly after a disaster.“In the past councils might have had to wait months, sometimes years, before being reimbursed for the cost of disaster-related repairs. Councils that have signed up to the Tripartite Agreements can now get it without delay.“Clearing financial and some of the administrative hurdles will make an enormous difference and I am pleased to be part of a government that has listened to the needs of communities and acted.”

The NSW Government has stepped up to help men’s mental health charity The Man Walk Australia, by contributing $100,000 to help them deliver their unique program to more men across the state.The Man Walk Australia seeks to address the risks of mental health issues and suicide by fostering supportive relationships and improving men’s physical and mental health through regularly organised physical activity and social interaction.Participants are encouraged to attend the activities when it suits to be with like-minded men, feel part of a community, and reduce any feelings of isolation and loneliness they may be experiencing.The charity organises walks across Australia, including at 40 locations in NSW. Many of these locations are regional, stretching from Albury in the south to Tenterfield in the north. If you or someone you know is experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, 13YARN on 13 92 76, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.The NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 is available 24/7 for advice and connection to local specialist mental health services for you or a loved one. You can also call the Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.For more information on The Man Walk Australia, including to find a walk near you or start one of your own, visit themanwalk.com.au. Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “The Man Walk Australia creates a welcoming environment for men to get together, feel a part of a community and get active.“This has a positive effect on mental health, so I’m delighted to be able to provide The Man Walk with this additional funding that will help the charity reach even more men in NSW.“We know men tend to seek help for their mental health at a lower rate than women, especially in traditional settings, so it is important we strengthen community-based supports, such as those offered by The Man Walk.“By breaking down barriers and creating a positive environment free from stigma or pressure, The Man Walk helps men feel comfortable in accessing support.  “I know The Man Walk offer a walk in my electorate in Bellambi, but they have a range of locations spanning the whole of the state and are looking to add more.”Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said, “Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15-44, and we know that loneliness and social isolation are major contributors to mental health distress.   “Community organisations like The Man Walk can offer an essential lifeline for men who are struggling and may not feel confident to reach out for support.“These organisations provide a positive space for men to spend time together, have regular and healthy conversations and feel less alone.”Founder and CEO of The Man Walk Australia Mark Burns said, "The Man Walk charity is extremely grateful for this $100k grant and the long-term support from Minister Park and NSW Government."The Man Walk has 40 active weekly walk locations across NSW."We have thousands of men walking regularly who have taken more 2.3 billion steps towards better mental and physical health while on The Man Walk."In just the past 3 months, we have had 5000 man walkers and 300 brand new walkers starting the day with a Man Walk."This funding will allow us to support and grow our existing walks, start brand new walk locations across NSW and fund the amazing Mental Fitness for Leaders education program that we offer our Manbassadors and Man Walkers every month."We will be providing regular feedback to Minister Park and NSW Health about the positive impact this grant will have on men, their families and their communities."A goal of our charity is to collaborate with other organisations like Relationships Australia to offer resources and education programs on managing emotions and decreasing gender violence."

Aussie Boomers – also referred to as the ‘SKI’ (Spending the Kids’ Inheritance) generation – are rewriting the travel rules, opting for adventure and cultural immersion over traditional holiday destinations. According to a new report from travel consultancy Forward Travel, destinations like the Maldives, Bangladesh, Colombia, Congo and Scotland are capturing the imaginations of Australian travellers aged 55+, with some increasing in popularity as much as 257%.At the same time, once-popular destinations like the Cook Islands, China, USA, Switzerland and Hong Kong are falling out of favour, with declines in interest of up to 97%. 15 Destinations Rising in Popularity Among Australians Over 55DestinationRise in popularity (%)1. Maldives257%2. Bangladesh165%3. Colombia145%4. Congo145%5. Scotland65%6. Saudi Arabia65%7. Kuwait58%8. Kosovo58%9. Grenada47%10. Ethiopia46%11. Turkey39%12. India37%13. Iran30%14. Fiji22%15. North Korea11%Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Overseas Arrivals and Departures (2018–19 and 2022–23)15 Destinations Losing Popularity Among Australians Over 55DestinationDecline in popularity (%)1.Cook Islands97%2. China95%3. Switzerland91%4. Czechia86%5. Hong Kong85%6. Finland85%7. Tongo84%8. Myanmar76%9. Nauru75%10. Kenya74%11. Sudan74%12. Brunei72%13. USA65%14. Peru63%15. Ireland61%Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Overseas Arrivals and Departures (2018–19 and 2022–23)“With time and disposable income on their side, the over 55s are shunning traditional holidays and exploring lesser-known parts of the world. Not content to sit still, they are redefining what it means to retire, immersing themselves in diverse cultures, landscapes and experiences with an energy and enthusiasm you’d expect to see in people decades younger,” says David Smyth, founder and director of Forward Travel.“It’s a shift we’ve seen over the last couple of years among our own clientele. For example, our clients David and Kirsten, both in their early 60s, spent six weeks hiking, trekking and exploring South America; and Therese and Ian, mid 60s, travelled on a rustic boat to the remote jungles and villages of Borneo; and Peter and Jane, both 70, who are currently preparing for a trip of a lifetime in 2025 through Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda,” he says. So, what makes destinations like the Congo and Colombia, where tourist luxuries are generally in short supply, so appealing to this demographic? “Travellers are drawn to the Congo for its raw wilderness, untouched rainforests and the opportunity to have experiences like trekking with gorillas. Australians in this age group value authentic, immersive encounters, and Congo offers the chance to reconnect with nature, far from the well-trodden tourist paths.  “Meanwhile, Colombia has escaped its turbulent past and emerged as a rising star for adventurous travellers. It has a certain mystique, along with colonial charm, breathtaking natural beautiful and a thriving cultural scene – features that appeal to seasoned travellers,” says Smyth.  Using a variety of sources, including Australian Government data, Smartraveller advisories, World Bank political stability metrics and UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Köppen Climate Classification, the report explores the many nuanced reasons behind travel shifts among the over 55s, such as political stability, flight duration, climate, health index scores, and crime rates, highlighting how these elements shape the shifting appeal of global destinations for this well-heeled demographic.  Read the report on the Forward Travel website here.

Children shouldn't be banned from social media until a wider review into online safety is released, an inquiry has been told.A quickfire, three-hour hearing into the proposed ban wrapped up in Canberra on Monday as the government aims to pass the new law later this week.Mental health experts clashed in an at-times fiery hearing, debating the utility of the laws that would see under 16s barred from using Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.The world-first ban is supported by both Australia's major parties, but, parties were given only 24 hours to make written submissions to the inquiry before Monday's hearings.Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young labelled the timeframe "inadequate" and a "joke", grilling department officials on why the laws weren't being considered in the context of a wider review of the online space.That review of the Online Safety Act was given to the communications minister in November, but has not been tabled."This is why this is such a joke, a piece of legislation is being rammed through that relates directly to the issues that were raised in this review .... you're asking us to ram through a piece of legislation without any evidence," Senator Hanson-Young said.Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young labelled the online safety timeframe "inadequate" and a "joke". (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)The Digital Industry Group's Jennifer Duxbury agreed and described the bill as "flawed"."There is a lot of work going on here, and parliament needs to have the opportunity to actually look at how all of these different pieces of the puzzle fit together before making a judgement on this bill," she said."At the moment, it is really a tin with a label on it, with all of the details to be worked out further down the track."Human rights groups have also argued the one-day window for submissions was not a true consultation period.A panel of experts disagreed on the effectiveness of a ban, with Murdoch Children's Research Institute's Susan Sawyer suggesting harm caused online had been exaggerated."The evidence that we have in terms of the scale of the problem is that it's not nearly as great as what many people would believe," she told parliament.Liberal senator Maria Kovacic described Professor Sawyer's comments "disturbing" and accused her of minimising harms found online.Much of the debate centred around how social media can be used as a mental health support network.Nicole Palfrey of Headspace expressed concerns about the impact of kids' online connection. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)Headspace's Nicola Palfrey, who acknowledged the internet contained much distressing material, said her organisation was concerned by the ban because it would stop young people from learning how to access mental health support."(Kids are) seeking out information with regards to mental health and wellbeing, and definitely with regards to connection, particularly for those young people that were at risk of being disenfranchised," she told parliament.Clinical psychologist Danielle Einstein said she saw no positives to social media use by children whatsoever and said research that indicated it could be used as a suicide-prevention tool was "wrong".Earlier, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said children must be protected online, but still need to communicate via the internet.Psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein said she saw no positives to social media use by children. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)"We also need to make sure that particularly vulnerable and marginalised kids still have a way to connect and to create and explore," she told ABC Radio on Monday.Social media companies would be fined up to $50 million for breaches of the law if they do not take reasonable steps to prevent young people from having an account.The laws will come into effect a year from when they pass parliament.Independent senator David Pocock said social media harms needed to be addressed, but the laws had to be looked over properly."The major parties ... are happy to forgo all scrutiny and just ram something through when, one, it's in their self interest, or two, they can then hold that up going into an election saying 'Well, at least we've done something'," he said.Lifeline 13 11 14Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)By Andrew Brown and Alex Mitchell in Canberra

Senior citizens will receive greater support to live out their autumn years with dignity as sweeping changes to aged care become law.The federal government's aged care bill, which passed parliament on Monday, will provide in-home help and improve conditions and protections for those living in aged care facilities from July.About 1.4 million older Australians will receive support for nursing, occupational therapy and day-to-day tasks like cleaning and showering, to help them live independently in their homes by 2035.The $5.6 billion package will be one of the largest improvements to the sector in 30 years, according to Aged Care Minister Anika Wells."This act means that people will be the beating heart of a strengthened aged care sector that replaces fear with trust," she told reporters in CanberraTo help fully fund the growing cost of care, those not already in aged or home care will have to make contributions for non-clinical care costs, but the amount they pay would depend on their income and assets.The most anyone would pay for these independence and everyday living costs would be $130,000 after the lifetime contribution cap was raised from $76,000.Though the government will spend $930 million over four years, it will save $12.6 billion over the next 11.The Commonwealth will remain the main funder of aged care.(Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)For every dollar a person in aged care contributes, the federal government will chip in $3.30 on average to residential care and $7.80 for home supports.The new laws will also enshrine the rights of older Australians in aged care and implement new aged care quality standards.These changes come after a royal commission found abuse and substandard care were rampant in the sector.Though the new laws implement many of the commission's recommendations, they do not include criminal penalties for serious harm and neglect, which has drawn concerns from the Greens.Regardless, the changes have been welcomed by advocates, with the Aged and Community Care Providers Association hailing the bill's passage as a historic moment for the aging population.Over the next four decades, the number of Australians over the age of 65 is expected to double, and those older than 85 are predicted to triple, fuelling demand for aged care.Most older Australians are in the dark about the financial implications of moving into aged care and do not have a firm grasp on the government assistance available to them.Four in five retirees feel unprepared about the transition to aged care, an AMP survey finds.Seven in 10 worry about the cost of care, and a third are concerned about the cost to their children.Many Australian retirees are afraid their savings will run out. (Jane Dempster/AAP PHOTOS)The AMP group executive of super and investments, Melinda Howes, said the findings aligned with common queries put to financial advisers about the cost of the service and what to do with the family home and other assets."More affordable and accessible financial advice is central to building this confidence, and in helping demystify the nuances and complexities of our retirement system, including how the aged care system interacts with the pension and family home," she said.Earlier research by the financial services firm found many Australian retirees were fearful their savings would run out.Worries about the state of their finances led to chilling conversations with their children about intergenerational wealth transfer, despite many older Australians keen to help their offspring into home ownership.By Kat Wong and Poppy Johnston in Canberra