Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: Minister for Immigration to join Settlement Council of Australia to launch Road to Belonging Strategy in Canberra on Thursday 

A collective of Australia’s leading migration and settlement groups has committed to an ambitious five-year strategy to further strengthen the settlement experience for our country’s newest arrivals as the government sets to increase the migration cap and cut visa waiting times. 

The Road to Belonging Strategy outlines the gold standard for settlement in Australia and provides a practical roadmap for the Australian settlement sector to bolster the country’s capacity for a more seamless, equitable, and prosperous system for migrants and the Australian population.   

Led by the Settlement Council of Australia, the strategy has been co-designed with representatives from local and national settlement organisations, peak bodies, government departments and other key stakeholders, many of whom have lived experience of migration.  

Some of the focus areas for the roadmap include further supporting and protecting migrant workers, and bolstering support services for vulnerable groups including women, children, LGBTQI+ people, and migrants in regional areas. 

SCOA CEO Sandra Elhelw Wright said: “Over the next five years, Australia is set to welcome approximately one million people through our migration and humanitarian programs. Australia’s success hinges on how well we support successive waves of migrants and refugees to belong, thrive and lead fulfilling lives.”

“Most migrants are currently parachuted into the country with little to no orientation, and it takes a great deal of resourcefulness, resilience, and time to become established. We need to make the process easier than it currently is. The quicker and more seamlessly new arrivals learn to navigate life in Australia, know their rights, and get work in their chosen professions, the more we all benefit from migration,” Ms Elhelw Wright added.  

“This plan is about bringing together a broad coalition of groups and working together to optimise the settlement experience. Good settlement is what ensures the success of Australia’s migration and humanitarian programs,” she said.

The Road to Belonging Strategy will be launched and presented by the Settlement Council of Australia and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, The Hon. Andrew Giles MP at SCOA’s Annual General Meeting and Dinner to be held in Canberra on Thursday. 

Download the full SCOA report, ‘Road to Belonging: A Collective Strategy for Australian Settlement Services’.

Thousands of nurses across NSW are striking for 24 hours over what they say is a "staffing crisis" in the state's hospitals.

Hundreds of nurses, many dressed in their navy blue scrubs, marched down Macquarie Street in Sydney's CBD while others joined similar rallies in the regions. 

It is the fourth time this year nurses in NSW have taken industrial action to demand mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios and better pay and working conditions.

Speaking at the rally in Sydney, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) general secretary, Shaye Candish, said nurses were worn out by staff shortages in the state's hospitals.

"This workforce is on its knees," Ms Candish said.

"We're seeing extreme versions of fatigue ... burnout and in the most extreme cases we're seeing symptoms similar to PTSD."

Michelle Rosentreter is an intensive care nurse at Sydney's Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital and had a stark warning for the government.

"Our hospitals are not safe," she said at the rally in Sydney.

"We're not able to maintain safe staffing on a daily basis. We're working short every single day."

At a rally in the regional NSW city of Wagga Wagga, nurse and union branch secretary Roylene Stanley said staffing levels in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District were "dire".

"I would say every ward would have staff shortages," Ms Stanley said. 

Victoria Dane, a Wyong-based emergency nurse, attended the Sydney march with a coffin demonstrating "how dire the situation is working on the floor".(ABC News: Harriet Tatham)

Wagga Wagga branch delegate and nurse Natalie Ellis said she was aware of one rural hospital where a nurse worked a 20-hour shift to cover staff shortages.

"You feel physically sick walking in (to work) thinking 'I'm not going to have the tools and the ability to care for people the way I know we should be'," Ms Ellis said. 

A new Australian-first program will help address shortages in the labour market by connecting international students directly with NSW employers across the nation’s largest and most diverse state economy.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the NSW Government through Study NSW is partnering with leading employment marketplace SEEK to deliver NSW Jobs Connect for International Students. 

“More than 136,000 international students are actively studying in NSW, integrating into their local communities and investing in their futures, so it’s important that we support them during their studies and beyond,” Mr Henskens said. 

“This innovative program will help students identify suitable employment opportunities and link NSW employers to a robust, diverse and reliable source of talent, which will help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW.” 

From today, the SEEK platform will include a “#NSW Jobs Connect” filter, enabling international students to easily identify job opportunities posted by employers, including Allianz Insurance and Cancer Council NSW who are part of the program.

SEEK Head of Government Relations Kadi Taylor said the pilot is a first of its kind, with employers across a range of sectors including finance, construction, manufacturing and technology taking part in the program.

“Many employers are unaware that international students have work rights during and post their studies, with many having the right to work for up to six years once their study is complete,” Ms Taylor said. 

“This program is about bringing students and employers together through our platform and at in-person events, creating opportunities, and equipping both sides with the knowledge and skills to thrive.”

If you are a NSW employer interested in joining the initiative and recruiting international students and graduates, submit your expression of interest here.   

Bill Shorten has rubbished a dire warning from the Reserve Bank that Australians shouldn’t buy into the “painful” idea that wages had to rise to compensate for skyrocketing inflation.

Governor Philip Lowe declined to back down from his previous warnings of a wage price spiral in a Q&A following an address to an economic forum in Melbourne.

“If that were to happen, what do you think inflation would be at next year? Seven per cent, plus or minus (a bit). And then we‘ve got to get compensated for that? Seven per cent … and this is what happened in the ’70s and ’80s. It turned out to be a disaster,” he said on Tuesday evening.

The RBA has forecast inflation will peak at around 8 per cent later this year before declining gradually to 3 per cent by the end of 2024.

Mr Shorten, the Government Services Minister, was quick to rubbish the RBA chief’s claim when asked on Wednesday morning.

“That’s not what’s happening. A lot of these debates are theoretical. If wages move too far too fast, that’s not desirable, but wages not moving at all is a disaster,” he said.

“At the end of the day, I’m watching these Coalition conservative politicians and some of the senators, you know, stroke their chins and opine how terrible it is if wages go too far. The problem is wages are not going too far. The problem is they’re not moving at all.”

The government remains locked in negotiations with the crossbench to secure a deal on its signature industrial relations legislation before its self-imposed Christmas deadline.

It’s due to head to the Senate in the final sitting days of the year, but lingering concerns over the size definition of a small business have stalled proceedings.

Under the proposal, businesses with fewer than 15 employees will be able to opt out of multi-party bargaining. A Labor-led senate inquiry on Tuesday recommended lifting the threshold up to 20.

Mr Shorten, who held the workplace relations portfolio under the Rudd-Gillard government, said the wages system wouldn’t “sink or swim” on the revised definition.

Yesterday the Albanese Labor Government passed historic laws in Parliament that deliver on our promise to provide cheaper childcare for Australians. 

These new laws mean that from July next year around 96% of families with a child in early childhood education and care will benefit. This means roughly 6,800 families in Kingsford Smith will be better off. 

The childcare subsidy for families earning $80,000 or less will increase to 90%. A family on a combined income of $120,000 with one child in care will be $1780 better off in the first year under the reforms.

These changes are a win win, delivering critical cost of living relief to families while enabling parents, especially mums, to work more paid hours if they want to. This will boost productivity and economic prosperity while taking the pressure off working families.  

Our Government will continue to put forward sensible reform that delivers for the Australian people. 

If you have any questions about the changes please send me an email at [email protected] or you can call my office on (02) 9349 6007

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen says the energy price crisis is caused by “the war in Ukraine”.

“We will not stand by and watch this play out, we will not stand by and watch the fact that thermal coal was selling at $286 dollars a tonne in December 2021 and is now selling at $505.15 a tonne,” Mr Bowen said.

“This is what is driving the energy price rise as the International Energy Agency has made clear right around the world.”

Eligible residential homes and businesses in parts of Belfield, Strathfield South, Chullora and Greenacre can now place an order to upgrade their NBN connection to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). 

These upgrades will be available on demand where a customer in an eligible premises seeks a higher speed service through their Retail Service Provider. 

This will allow residents and businesses to take advantage of the faster speeds which are increasingly important in a digital society and economy.

To further expand the benefits of fibre connections, the Albanese Government’s 2022-23 Budget has invested $2.4 billion to enable an additional 1.5 million premises to transition from Fibre to the Node (FTTN) to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) by 2025 – over 660,000 of which will be in regional areas. 

As a result of the Albanese Government’s investment to enable the NBN’s full potential:  

• Close to 90 per cent of the NBN fixed-line footprint will have access to plans based on wholesale speeds of 500Mbps to close to gigabit speeds.

• Around 80 per cent of all regional and remote premises will have access to plans based on wholesale speeds of 100 Mbps or more by late 2025. This was estimated at 33 per cent in March 2022.

• 93 per cent of all Australian homes and businesses will have access to plans based on wholesale speeds of 100 Mbps or more.

For more information on upgrade eligibility, visit www.nbn.com.au/fibreupgrade. 

“The NBN is a key investment in the nation’s future. Since 2009, the network has kept Australians connected, supported tele-health and remote education, and boosted economic productivity by expanding access to new customers for small businesses.

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring that Australians get the full benefit of the NBN’s potential by enabling as many NBN lines to access full fibre connections as possible. Our $2.4 billion investment in the Federal Budget will help ensure the NBN reaches its full potential.

“Eligible local residents and businesses in Watson will now be able to take advantage of higher speed services as a result of this announcement. Expanding fibre access will ensure Australians are at the forefront of digital connectivity and will help bridge the digital divide”.

“Investing in expanded NBN fibre access is a gamechanger, that’s why the Albanese Government is committed to it. 

“This is a great opportunity for eligible local families and businesses to enjoy the benefits of a faster, more reliable fibre connection.”

The Albanese Government today announced the independent expert review panel for the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review as well as the terms of reference.

The review is part of the Government’s commitment to boost diversity and increase the participation of women in Australia’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors.

The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced the review earlier this year to determine how Government programs can better support diversity in Australia’s STEM sectors.

“It’s vital that Australians from all parts of the community have a chance to contribute to our ambitious scientific and technological agenda,” Minister Husic said.

Minister Husic said the expert panel brought a wide range of experience to the task and would contribute recommendations and guidance on improving diversity in STEM.

“The Pathway to Diversity in STEM review is about helping to create equal opportunities for women and historically under-represented groups to pursue education and careers in STEM, supporting them to unlock their full potential, and bolstering Australia’s STEM skills pipeline,” Minister Husic said.

“STEM communities that are diverse, inclusive and collaborative are crucial to meeting the challenges of the future and maximising the nation’s potential.

“It also makes good business sense: studies have found firms with diverse workforces perform better.”

Creating the next generation of tech leaders, entrepreneurs and experts is at the heart of the new Computing Technologies curriculum released today.

It comes as part of the NSW Government’s ongoing delivery of the most comprehensive Curriculum Reform in a generation.        

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the updated curriculum ensures students are prepared for future jobs in a fast-changing digital world. 

“Students need to develop an understanding of essential computing skills to not only keep themselves safe in a digital world, but also to thrive in the careers of the future,” Ms Mitchell said.

“These new syllabuses mean that right from the beginning of high school, students can learn fundamental skills in coding, cyber security and information systems for businesses.

“The curriculum has also been updated to better reflect the latest computing technologies and the expectations of industry, so that we create the next generation of tech savvy experts here in NSW.”

The new Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering syllabuses for Years 11 to 12 will also see secondary students sitting more HSC exams online in 2025.

“The NSW Government is bringing subjects and the HSC into the modern era with new syllabuses that align to our fast-changing digital world,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Modernising the HSC is essential if it is to remain a world-class qualification. While currently only one subject has an exam conducted on a computer, this will be expanded to reflect the increasingly online world we are living in.”

NSW businesses seeking to commercialise their innovative ideas can now help tackle some of the State’s most complex challenges through the second round of the NSW Government’s Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program. 

As part of the program, NSW Government agencies outline specific problem areas that need to be addressed, with small business given the opportunity to propose solutions.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the $12 million program would provide small businesses with grants of up to $100,000 as part of the first phase, to work alongside government and undertake feasibility studies into their proposed solutions.

“This program is about leveraging our incredible local businesses to improve social, environmental, health and economic outcomes while also creating high-value jobs, which will help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW,” Mr Henskens said.

“The SBIR program has already seen 10 exciting new technologies, addressing a wide range of issues, progress to a proof-of-concept phase. This next round of the program will deliver more solutions and outcomes for our community.” 

Minister for Small Business Victor Dominello said the program is harnessing the power of local innovation and supporting small businesses by investing in ideas to grow high-tech industries now and into the future.  

More than 70 prominent religious leaders representing all major faiths have today signed a declaration with the NSW Government to help end domestic violence.

The declaration, which was developed in consultation with leaders from the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh communities included a number of commitments drafted and agreed to by the interfaith group to address, respond to and speak out against acts of domestic violence and better support victims.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the declaration demonstrated a whole of community response to domestic and family violence.

“This declaration by senior faith leaders has helped create a united sense of purpose, ownership and commitment to reduce the prevalence of domestic and family violence,” Mrs Ward said.

“Everyone can make a difference and be a part of the change in ensuring domestic and family violence is neither excused nor ignored in our community.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said when community and religious leaders and the NSW Government work together, everyone benefits.

“We know these leaders play an incredibly important role within their respective communities and are looked to for guidance and information,” Mr Coure said.

“The NSW Government recognises this and our partnership with them is the key to connecting with communities more effectively, especially when it comes to important issues like domestic and family violence.

“We have been actively working to with these leaders to provide them with the skills and information they need to help people when they are approached or engaging with their communities.” 

Reverend Simon Hansford from the Uniting Church said the signing of the declaration signified a momentous occasion, bringing together a diverse group of faith leaders to formally commit to working with the NSW Government in ending family violence.

“Domestic and family violence occurs across the whole of society, and it does not discriminate,” Rev. Hansford said.

Community Language Schools will receive a $9.9 million funding boost to support NSW students and continue their contribution to the rich tapestry of multiculturalism in NSW.  

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said community languages schools across the state are vital part of our thriving multicultural community.  

“NSW is the most culturally diverse state in the country, and we are proud to embrace the many languages and cultures that contribute to our society,” Mr Perrottet said.  

“We have 565 language schools helping connect more than 33,000 students with their heritage and strengthen communities through learning a language.”  

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said community languages are hugely important in allowing communities to stay connected to their heritage and helping them develop their skills in that language.  

“It is so important we are providing families with community languages schools to help with their continuing development of their heritage language,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“The funding will help operate the schools and provide professional development to the dedicated volunteer teachers. We will also be helping the schools undertake a digital transformation, allowing them to reach more people.”  

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure thanked the more than 3,000 volunteer teachers in community languages schools, which teach 63 different languages to students in the out-of-school hours program last year. 

“It takes the dedication of our invaluable teachers and community language advocates to make sure that the languages from around the world are preserved and celebrated here in New South Wales,” Mr Coure said.