This past month has been incredibly busy with the State Budget and more recently NAIDOC week having taken place. As Environment Minister I announced a policy that would see NSW return ownership of all its national parks, which cover nearly 10 per cent of the state’s land area, to traditional owners.
The expansion is a meaningful step towards reconciliation. Traditional owners’ expertise in caring for country would be actively acknowledged, and it would offer economic opportunities for the community. Currently around 30 per cent of NSW’s national parks are jointly managed by the state and traditional owners, but native title has been formally recognised on just 2.4 per cent of that land.
Investing in families and local schools
Local families will save thousands of dollars a year on childcare costs thanks to the $775 million landmark investment to expand access to high quality, affordable childcare. Reducing the cost of childcare not only helps family budgets but stimulates the economy – getting more people back into the workforce. The budget also included funding for a record 10,148 full-time staff to be recruited to hospitals and health services across the state. This also includes the construction of 30 new Ambulance stations. In addition to all of that, over the past decade, we have cut taxes in NSW by $10.5 billion.
In the electorate of Manly, more than $113 million dollars has been spent on public school upgrades and improvements since 2015. This year’s Budget includes an additional $5 million to expand facilities at Manly Village Public School.
Youth Mental Health – $11 million investment on the Beaches
This year is my 5th year as the Member for Manly. Over the years I have tried to tackle some of our most significant challenges, and I am proud of much that has been achieved. One of those most significant issues has been the challenge of mental health and young people. For a variety of reasons, the Northern Beaches had a difficult few years (pre-covid) with youth mental health issues. I met with school leaders, young people, groups and organisations to understand the issue and what could be done. That culminated in a Youth Mental Health Summit I hosted in NSW Parliament. The outcomes of the Youth Mental Health Summit were shared with the NSW Government, and I am so pleased to see more than $11 million in the Budget for extra services on the Northern Beaches.
The $11 million in investment includes four dedicated acute paediatric specialist mental health beds at Northern Beaches Hospital, additional staff to support Northern Beaches Child Youth Mental Health Service in the Brookvale Community Health Centre and a new Drug and Alcohol Service to assist young people.
Free Hospitality Training for Young People
There are labour shortages right across Australia. From bus drivers to construction and hospitality, skilled workers are hard to find. The NSW Government has commenced a program to provide young High School students with free Hospitality training during their school holidays. Courses available include Statement of Attainment in Hospitality Skills, Statement of Attainment in Espresso Coffee and Food Safety Supervisor. Training will be delivered during the July and September school holiday periods (4-15 July 2022 and 26 September–7 October 2022) and are available through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations. People can contact my office for further details.