LATEST NEWS
NSW Budget: Aged Care Themes and Organisations’ Responses
The NSW Government has handed down its Budget, including several measures which will help to support older people and the aged care providers providing services to them. This budget included an injection of over $655 million into housing for renters and key workers, as well as $450 million for a Key Worker Build-to-Rent Program for metropolitan areas of the state.
Several organisations have also responded to the NSW Budget detailing a number of themes present in the Budget. OPAN mentioned an additional $2.2 billion in funding to deliver key aged care reforms and to continue to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, as well as $531.4 million to release 24,100 additional Home Care Packages in 2024–25. And the five-year freeze to the cost of PBS prescriptions for pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cardholders will assist in keeping medication costs down. NCOSS conducted a budget analysis on specific policy areas such as housing and homelessness, cost of living, domestic and family violence, and health, all of which are available on their website. And we have release our own budget statement noting the measures that have been both welcomed (such as the investment of $5.1 billion towards achieving the target of 8,400 new and refurbished homes) and criticised (such as the absence of tangible steps to address social cohesion).
ZEST 2024 Recap and Stories Wanted
The ZEST 2024 Award Ceremony was held on 30 May 2024, and consisted of over 500 guests and over 150 nominations. The NSW Minister for Transport, The Hon. Jo Haylen, gave the ZEST Patron’s address on behalf The Hon. Chris Minns, Premier of NSW.
We would also like to collect stories from winners and nominees about how the ZEST experience has shaped organisations over the years. It will help us to quantify the effect of ZEST and understand how to use this platform for further social impact.
Have Your Say: 2024 National Carer Survey
The 2024 National Carer Survey is now open for people to provide feedback. This survey collects information that helps Carers NSW and the State and Territory Carer Organisations better advocate for and provide support to carers across Australia. The survey closes on 31 July 2024. Participants can enter a draw to win one of 24 gift vouchers valued at $200 (3 vouchers per state/territory). For more information, promotional materials, or to request a paper survey, email [email protected] or call 02 9280 4744.
Survey for the NDIS 2024 LGBTIQASB+ Strategy
This year the NDIA is developing a new LGBTIQASB+ Strategy and action plan, and is seeking feedback from people and groups who support LGBTIQASB+ communities living with a disability.
Quarterly Financial Report Deadline and Changes
Submissions for the Quarter 4 Quarterly Financial Report are due 4 August 2024, with reporting opening early July. There are also changes to quarterly reporting that will increase accuracy of reporting and improve support for providers. Approved residential aged care providers need to report outbreak management expenditure. There are also updated definitions for allied health (except allied health assistants).
Have Your Say: Transport For NSW WS Local Aboriginal Participation Strategy
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Everywhen are seeking community feedback via a survey for their new Local Aboriginal Participation Strategy (LAPS) for the Western Sydney Infrastructure Program of Works (WSIP). The WSIP is a 50-60 year program which will include the first new city built in Australia in over 100 years, including Bradfield City Centre, Western Sydney International Airport, and various economic hubs in the region spanning different sectors. The aim is to ensure that local Aboriginal people are informed, engaged, and prioritised throughout this program. The deadline for this survey is 30 June 2024. Contact Klair at [email protected] or 0460 887 326, or Luke at [email protected] or 0474 172 442 for more information about the WSIP or about this opportunity.
