Member for Drummoyne, John Sidoti today announced NSW Seniors Card holders are now eligible for a five per cent discount on Woolworths WISH eGift cards that can be used towards purchases at Woolworths Group stores, including supermarkets and Big W.

“This new partnership also gives Seniors Card holders in the Drummoyne Electroate 25 per cent off mid-week home delivery, and discounts on insurance and mobile phone products,” Mr Sidoti said.

“Every dollar counts when living on a fixed income and we are sure these discounts will help drive down the cost of living for eligible seniors.” he said.

The bundle of new discounts can be accessed through the purchase of Woolworths WISH eGift cards via the NSW Seniors Card website.

Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies said she was thrilled the Woolworths partnership would deliver savings to Seniors Card holders across the state.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for seniors to access fresh food and other essential items that may be difficult to transport,” Mrs Davies said.

“This partnership could save seniors an average of $200 per person on their annual grocery bill, not to mention further discounts on home delivery, clothing and household items from Big W, and mobile phone and insurance products.” she said.

John Sidoti said these discounts are in addition to other measures the Government has introduced to ease cost of living pressures for seniors, including:

• A $50 increase in energy rebates for low income households, to $285;
• Average CTP green slip savings of $120 a year;
• Public transport fare concessions, including the Gold Opal for seniors which remains capped at $2.50 for all day travel.

“NSW is the only state to have this offer so far. We would encourage more retailers to see what savings they can offer seniors,” he said.

There are more than 1.5 million Seniors Card members in NSW and 5700 participating businesses.

To access discounts or apply for a NSW Seniors Card call 13 77 88 or go to www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au

In the paper, the Government outlines proposed amendments to the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) and the Adoption Act 2000 (NSW).

Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward said the amendments were being considered to Build on reform underway and strengthen legislation that promotes permanency through preservation, restoration and open adoption.

“We want an adoption and child protection system that firmly places the child at the centre of everything we do,” Ms Goward said.

“I urge everyone in the Drummoyne electorate to have their say on this discussion paper,” Mr Sidoti said.

“I hope the proposals will generate thoughtful discussion on reform that is so critically important to NSW, and that is the safety and wellbeing of our most vulnerable children.” he said.

How to have your say on the Shaping a Better Child Protection System discussion paper

Online: Follow the link on the Have Your Say website to the online submission form

Email: childprotectionDP@facs.nsw.gov.au

Subject: ‘Shaping a Better Child Protection System.

Mail: Shaping a Better Child Protection System,

Commissioning Division Department of Family and Community Services

4-6 Cavill Avenue, Ashfield NSW 2131

Have your say by 5pm on 30 November 2017.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the government is putting consumers first and listening to their everyday concerns.

“NSW consumers are being price gouged at sporting and entertainment events as tickets are being swept up by ‘bots’ and resold online at hugely inflated prices,” Mr Kean said.

“Consumers are also rightly frustrated at losing up to $60 million every year through unused balances on expired gift cards, and I simply won’t stand for it.

“But that’s exactly why we’ve developed a suite of reforms to tackle both these issues, and help ensure consumers are given a fair go.” he said.

The reforms would prohibit anyone from reselling a ticket to a NSW entertainment or sporting event for more than the original sale price, plus the transaction costs incurred in the original purchase – for example, booking fees.

Additionally, the transaction costs would be capped at a maximum of 10 per cent of the initial sale price, which means that no ticket should be resold for more than 10 per cent above its original price.

The proposed reforms would also see the introduction of a three-year mandatory minimum expiry date on all gift cards sold to NSW consumers.

Businesses would also be prohibited from applying post-purchase administrative fees, which have the effect of reducing the balance left on a card.

Member for Drummoyne, John Sidoti said the reforms will save consumers significant amounts of money.

“It’s not right that NSW consumers can’t access tickets to their favourite sporting team or live artist, simply because scalpers are demanding unfair prices in the resale market — often many times higher than the original price,” Mr Sidoti said.

“Nor is it acceptable that consumers are losing millions each year because of the time limit on gift cards.

“These reforms will allow consumers to redeem a gift card or enjoy a live event without being ripped off in the process.” he said.

Bills amending the Fair Trading Act 1987 are currently before State Parliament.

“The NSW Government is investing $200 million to reduce undue stress on victims, strengthen parole decision making and recruit extra Community Corrections’ staff to supervise more offenders.” Mr Sidoti said.

“The comprehensive package will also enable better management of high risk offenders and help reduce court delays in Drummoyne.” he said.

The tough and smart reforms will deliver safer communities by:

• Giving the State Parole Authority new powers to decide ‘no body, no parole’ in murder and manslaughter cases, and to revoke parole for any offender who poses a serious and immediate risk to community safety (even if there has been no breach).
• Introducing a presumption that domestic violence offenders will receive either a supervised sentence in the community or jail time. Safeguards will apply during sentencing to protect victims of domestic violence.
• Giving courts better options to hold criminals to account and reduce reoffending. Suspended sentences will be abolished, Intensive Correction Orders will be strengthened and new more effective community-based sentences will be introduced.
• Encouraging early guilty pleas to provide faster, more certain justice for victims and the community.
• Bringing more offenders under the supervision of Community Corrections Officers, so the causes of their criminal behaviour can be addressed.
• Ensuring high-risk sex and violent offenders who still pose a danger at the end of their sentences can be subject to further detention or supervision. “People are entitled to feel safe, and these reforms are exactly what our community needs.“They will drive down crime, protect victims, hold offenders to account and help create a more efficient criminal justice system in Drummoyne and across NSW.” Mr Sidoti said. For more information, visit: http://justice.nsw.gov.au/reform

Councils can apply for grants of between $30,000 and $100,000 under the Council Litter Prevention Grants Program.

“Nobody in NSW thinks littering is acceptable, and these grants give Councils the help they need to tackle the problem at a local level,” Mr Sidoti said.

“The NSW Government’s target is to reduce litter volume by 40 per cent by 2020.”

The grants are designed to fund projects that integrate education and site clean-ups with infrastructure and enforcement.

Councils have achieved an average litter reduction at targeted hotspot sites of 60-70 per cent under the grants program.

NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said councils played an important role in reducing litter in NSW.

“The NSW Government is serious about reducing litter and the support we provide to councils and communities will help reduce the litter in our communities and waterways,” Ms Upton said.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/wastegrants/council-litter.htm

Member for Drummoyne, John Sidoti said the NSW Government is improving services to better align with the new train timetable, making it even easier for customers to change between different modes of public transport.

Some of the key improvements in the Drummoyne electorate are:

Trains

• doubling frequency between Epping and Central on the T1 Northern Line via Strathfield on weekendswith an extra two services every hour, or a train every 15 minutes
• doubling trains on the T1 Northern Line late at night between Epping and Sydney CBD via Strathfield providing customers with a train every 15 minutes on average instead of every 30 minutes today.

Ferry

• More than 140 additional weekly services across the Sydney Ferries network, including 58 new weekly ferry services along the Parramatta River with 57 additional services on the new stand-alone F8 Cockatoo Island route between Cockatoo Island and Circular Quay, and one additional Sunday service on the F3 Parramatta River route between Sydney Olympic Park and Circular Quay.

“An information campaign has kicked off to help prepare customers gear up for the improvements which will be implemented on Sunday 26 November,” Mr Sidoti said.

“I encourage customers from the Drummoyne electorate to visit transportnsw.info to start planning their journey’s using a new interactive mapping tool, which will help them see how their trips might have changed.

“More than 27,000 extra weekly public transport services have now been introduced by the NSW Government since March 2011.”

The new train timetable is an important part of the NSW Government’s $1.5 billion More Trains, More Services program, which will boost network capacity with more services, better infrastructure and 24 brand new eight-carriage trains.

Changes to bus, ferry and rail timetables may result in some minor changes to existing timetables to provide better connections to other services. Customers should plan their journey ahead by visiting www.transportnsw.info, using the trip planning apps on their mobile devices or phoning the Transport Info Line on 131 500.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward was joined today by the Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti at Five Dock Police Station to make the announcement.

Created by the NSW Government, Safer Pathway puts the safety of victims and their children at the centre of the response.

Safer Pathway aims to ensure victims receive a consistent and effective response by bringing together local representatives including Police, Health, Corrections, Family and Community Services and Education along with local specialist non-government domestic and family violence services.

The NSW Government has committed more than $50 million over four years for Safer Pathway.

Ms Goward said that agencies working together meant victims would no longer have to repeat their story multiple times.

“Safer Pathway creates a coordinated response where agencies work proactively to provide victims with the support they need,” Ms Goward said.

John Sidoti MP welcomed the roll-out of Safer Pathway across the Burwood Local Area Command which will help support victims of domestic violence and their children within the local community.

“Victims will no longer have to constantly re-live the trauma of their experience by having to tell their story several times,” Mr Sidoti said.

For more information on Safer Pathway, visit the Women NSW website www.women.nsw.gov.au.

“On the Labour Day weekend there’s generally an increase in the number of families on the roads and I’m urging everyone to travel safely,” Mr Sidoti said.

“If you’re driving make sure you’re well rested, take regular breaks to avoid fatigue and have given yourself plenty of travel time.”

“It’s also a big weekend for sport with the NRL Grand Final on – and I know lots of people head out to watch the game and socialise with mates – if you’re planning on drinking leave the car at home and make sure you have a Plan B – a taxi, public transport or a nominated driver who’s not drinking.”

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the road toll currently stands at 157 and while that may seem like just a number to you, the fact is that every fatality represents a loved family member lost forever.

“Speeding, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seat belt or helmet can also lead to a fatal crash which is why all of these offences will incur double demerits as part of Operation Slow Down,” Mrs Pavey said.

Minister for Police Troy Grant said police will be out in force around the region to make sure people are driving safely.

“So you should make sure you stick to the speed limit, wear your seatbelt or helmet and remember no phone call is worth risking your life or your licence over,” Mr Grant said.

Operation Slow Down will run from 12.01am on Friday 29 September until 11.59pm on Monday 2 October. Officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols, mobile and stationary random breath tests and random drug tests.

Extra traffic is also expected on major routes across NSW over the next few days as families head to popular holiday destinations.

“In the face of busy lives and conflicting priorities, I encourage the Drummoyne Electorate community to focus on mental wellbeing this October, even if we ourselves have not suffered from mental illness,” Member for Drummoyne, Mr John Sidoti said.

The theme for Mental Health Month 2017 is ‘Share the Journey’, to highlight the importance of social relationships to improve overall mental health. “Maintaining good relationships can improve our ability to cope with life’s challenges and help build resilience in trying times,” Mr Sidoti said.

Minister for Mental Health, Tanya Davies, said 45 per cent of all Australians will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime, and those who don’t will likely know someone who does.

“Providing the right supports and promoting the best possible recovery from mental illness is a priority for the NSW Government, so people with mental illness, their families and carers can live life to the full,” Mrs Davies said.

“I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the work of organisations and individuals in the Drummoyne Electorate who are at the forefront of making a difference in the lives of people living with a mental illness.”

The NSW Government is investing a record $1.9 billion for mental health funding in the 2017/18 Budget, including an additional $20 million to support the ongoing strengthening of community-based mental health care in NSW.

For details on events and activities being held in the Drummoyne Electorate during Mental Health Month this October please visit: www.mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au/about-mental-health-month/

If you or someone you know needs crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For mental health services please contact the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

“Around half of all Australian boys are active through a sports club during their childhood compared with just 33 per cent of girls, and the participation rate for girls drops sharply after girls turn 12,” Mr Sidoti said.

“I encourage all local clubs and sporting organisations to use this opportunity to boost their female programs and events, because we want to see girls not only take to the field, but stay on the field.”

Thousands of local clubs across the State are now eligible to apply for funding under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program. The grants will cover initiatives such as new sport programs, upgrades to facilities or projects that improve participation in sport.

Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres said the program is part of a $10 million sport grants package announced by the NSW Government.

“Women’s sport is the fastest growing area of many codes and we are now seeing more big name sponsors and media networks recognising the public’s appetite for prime time viewing,  but more needs to be done, including cultivating participation at a grass roots level,” Mr Ayres said.

“From the bush to the city, sport is the lifeblood that unites communities. This is not just about female programs though, I encourage all sporting groups to apply for grants that will help people of all ages and abilities get involved in their local club or become more active.”

Grants are now open until 6 October 2017. For more information visit sportandrecreation.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants or phone 13 13 02.