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GST open letter from NSW
The NSW Government and leading NSW business and community groups today launched a community information campaign on the Commonwealth Grants Commission's GST redistribution formula and how it affects the state.
They have also signed an open letter published in major newspapers today.
"This is a campaign to get a better deal for NSW families," NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said.
"We believe that the proposal to change the way GST revenue is redistributed among the States will disadvantage NSW and direct additional funding to Queensland."
NSW Treasury modelling shows that NSW faces cuts of around $400 million in 2010-11, rising to around $900 million in 2012-13.
"The Commonwealth Grants Commission's 2010 review, which is currently underway, is a historic opportunity to resolve once and for all the long standing inequities involving the GST and NSW," Mr Roozendaal said.
The groups which have joined the NSW Government in calling for a better deal for NSW families through a new GST redistribution are:
• NSW Business Chamber;
• Local Government & Shires Associations of NSW;
• Unions NSW;
• NCOSS;
• Urban Taskforce;
• NSW Minerals Council;
• Civil Contractors Federation NSW;
• Sydney Chamber of Commerce;
• Illawarra Business Chamber; and
• Hunter Business Chamber.
The groups met with Mr Roozendaal on September 11 and have combined to campaign for a better deal for NSW out of the upcoming redistribution.
Earlier this month, the State Government and NSW Treasury also provided a briefing to the NSW Opposition treasury spokesperson Mike Baird.
Mr Roozendaal has also met with WA Premier,Colin Barnett on September 3 and is expected to meet with Northern Territory Treasurer Delia Lawrie in early October.
NSW will lodge a formal 230-page submission with the Commission outlining the state's concerns. The Commonwealth Grants Commission is expected to make a final determination early next year.
The final decision on GST allocation and accepting the Commission's recommendations rests with Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.

NSW has recorded the strongest growth in residential building approvals of all states, according to latest data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

"This is more good news for the NSW economy - the green shoots of recovery are starting to grow," NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said.

In NSW, residential building approvals were up 19.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted) for August 2009 compared with July 2009; and were up 7.4 per cent compared with August 2008.

This compares to -9.4 per cent in Victoria, 1.7 per cent growth in Queensland and -0.1 per cent for Australia.
The ABS reports 2474 residential buildings were approved in August in NSW.

NSW also recorded 0.8 per cent growth in retail sales for the month of August.

Since the end of September last year, NSW retail sales have increased by 9.5 per cent - a full 2 per cent above the next state, Victoria.

Mr Roozendaal said the latest data comes on top of NSW Treasury data which shows property and land sales in NSW have increased more than 25 per cent in just the past two months compared to July and August 2008. In July and August 2009 there were 6986 more property transactions than the same period last year, up 25.5 per cent.

Other recent positive signs for the NSW property and housing sector include:

• Dwellings worth more than $220 million have been sold under the NSW Housing Construction Acceleration Plan, since the NSW Government cut stamp duty by 50 per cent from July 1 on newly-constructed dwellings up to $600,000;
• 506 families, including investors, have taken advantage of the 50 per cent stamp duty cut, putting $3.8 million worth of stamp duty back into their pockets (as at September 13);
• First home buyers in NSW have received $725 million in grants for the first eight months of this year - compared to just $201 million for the same time in 2008;
• This compares to the $355 million in first home grants handed out for all of 2008; and
• $463 million worth of stamp duty has been waived for NSW first home buyers for the first eight months of this year - compared to $252 million in 2008.

Attorney General John Hatzistergos said more than $34 million from deceased estates was given to unsuspecting beneficiaries in the last financial year, after they were tracked down by the NSW Trustee & Guardian.
Mr Hatzistergos said the agency had distributed the money to 957 beneficiaries who were named in wills or were relatives of people who died without a will.
"The Trustee & Guardian makes exhaustive inquires to make sure that deceased estates go to rightful heirs and next of kin," said Mr Hatzistergos.
He said the agency had a special Genealogy Unit which was tasked with finding beneficiaries and in the past had tracked down next of kin as far away as Denmark, Scotland and Canada.
Some $87 million in deceased estates is currently being held by the Trustee & Guardian waiting to be claimed.
Are you an heir of one of the following?
• Helen Spence, of Burwood, who passed away in 1999, aged 89, with an estate now valued at $942,000.
• Edward Ward, of Balmain, who passed away in 1996, aged 53, with an estate now valued at $906,000.
• Albert Organ, of Padstow, who passed away in 2001, aged 85, with an estate now valued at $863,200.
Interested persons should check the agency's website (www.pt.nsw.gov.au) for a full list of unclaimed estates.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Rees Government recently made it easier to distribute estates by recognising cousins as eligible heirs to the estates of people who die without wills.
The entitlement of first cousins comes, in order of importance, after spouses and children; parents; siblings; grandparents; aunts and uncles.
"The new law widens the pool of people who can inherit in NSW and recognises that some other jurisdictions in Australia include first cousins in the distribution list under intestacy laws," said Mr Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said the new laws also ensured that spouses automatically inherit the estates of their partners when there is no will.

WOMEN CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF SEX DISCRIMINATION ACT

Minister for Women Linda Burney today asked women to do something special to celebrate 25 years since the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 came into effect.

Ms Burney said that to mark the anniversary, the Sex Discrimination Act Conference was being held in Canberra on 1 and 2 October.

"Women have come a long way since the inception of the Sex Discrimination Act, which helped pave the way for women to progress in education, the workforce, politics and other areas of society," Ms Burney said.

"It may be hard to believe but there was a time when job advertisements would have different wage rates for men and women. Same job, different wage.

"This anniversary gives us all the chance to consider where we are today and compare it to how different things were 25 years ago before the legislation came in.

"Today, more than 50 per cent of students in higher education are women.

"We now make up 45 per cent of the labour force and, as at June 2009, 24 per cent of judges and 38 per cent of magistrates are women.

"The role of women in the workplace is crucial to the productivity our nation generates.

"While women have made great leaps in achieving equality, there is still some way to go.

"There are not enough women in politics, in the higher management levels of corporations or on boards of directors, and we still face discrimination in the workplace and society to some extent, despite the fact that Governments have legislated to make discrimination illegal.

"For real equality to happen, women need the opportunities so that we can show what we are capable of. Women also need the confidence to take on difficult challenges and pursue positions of power and influence."

Ms Burney said the NSW Government is strongly committed to eliminating sex discrimination and promoting gender equality in all aspects of work and social life.

"This Government has shown leadership in supporting women to overcome barriers through comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation," she said.

"Our Making the Public Sector Work Better For Women Strategy aims to improve women's recruitment, development and retention in the sector.

"Already, the number of women newly appointed to NSW Government boards and committees increased from 19 per cent in 1995 to 41 per cent in June 2009.

The NSW Government has approved a $99 million redevelopment of the Children's Medical Research Institute at Westmead Hospital.

Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said the redevelopment will deliver a state-of-the-art medical research facility in a new building at the Westmead Hospital Precinct.

"This will be a valuable addition to the Westmead Health Campus. The redevelopment will enhance the profile of this valuable facility, and allow the Institute to continue its good work," Ms Keneally said.

"Over the last 51 years the Children's Medical Research Institute has made significant breakthroughs in research that have led, and will continue to lead, to the prevention and treatment of childhood diseases.

"The Institute has decided to stage the redevelopment over a period of 10 to 15 years, to minimise disruption to research activities.

"125 full time jobs will be created during construction, in addition to up to 500 full time positions during operation."

Ms Keneally said the proposal involves the staged demolition of the existing research building and construction of:
• A five story building containing new laboratories, library, staff canteen, bio-services area, conference hall, gymnasium, medical rooms and boardroom;
• Basement parking; and
• Associated infrastructure.

Minister Assisting on Health (Mental Health and Cancer), Barbara Perry, said an increasing demand for high quality research facilities has led to the need for Westmead to expand.

"This facility will deliver important paediatric medical research facilities to support the ongoing growth and improvement of the entire Westmead Health Campus," Ms Perry said.

"This facility will greatly assist the Institute to continue and expand on its world-leading research programs for, cancer, gene therapy, embryology and nerve cell signalling.

"It will also help to meet the growing demands for medical research facilities in NSW which is an important step in taking the pressure of the current Westmead facilities."

Sir Lorimer Dods Professor and Director of the Children's Medical Research Institute, Roger Reddel, said the approval provided the opportunity for another 28 world class research groups to be developed at the institute.

"This approval will expand Australia's research capacity and international reputation in cancer biology, embryology, nerve cell signalling and gene transfer, retaining research leaders in NSW," Professor Reddel said.

"Having the proposal assessed in such an efficient manner has also allowed the institute to concentrate on ensuring research can continue un-interrupted before, during and after construction.

"The assessment process has been easy to use and has delivered a great outcome that allows the Institute to move from strength to strength."

Ms Keneally said that the approval demonstrates the work which the NSW Government is doing to create Australia's Best Planning System.

"In October 2008 I announced 85% of major project approvals would be finalised within three months, 95% within five months, and no project assessment to exceed eight months," Ms Keneally said.

"I am pleased that the assessment of the CMRI proposal has taken only three months to move through the State's planning system - that's a great outcome for both the Institute and the community."

NSW Minister for Ageing Paul Lynch today recognised the contribution of older people in New South Wales on today's celebration of the International Year of the Older Person.

Mr Lynch said there were currently more than 1.3 million people aged over 60 in New South Wales.

"But before the end of the next decade the number of people aged 65 years and older In New South Wales will outnumber people aged up to 14 years," he said.

"It will be the first time since European settlement that this will have happened, underlining the extent of our rapidly ageing community," Mr Lynch said.

He said the ageing of the population was a positive trend that should be celebrated.

"It means that everyone in New South Wales is better off for the wealth of experience and wisdom that older citizens contribute to our economic, cultural and social development," Mr Lynch said.

He said the NSW Government encouraged older citizens to remain healthy and active and offered them support through several programs, including "Live Life", now in its fifth year.

Mr Lynch said the Government was also planning ahead for the challenges posed by the ageing population.

"By 2030, the number of people in NSW aged 65 and over will have almost doubled to 22 percent," he said.

"That's why we are working through the Towards 2030: planning for our changing population strategy," Mr Lynch said.

Grants worth up to $250,000 in two programs are being made available by the NSW Government to promote and support positive ageing in the community.

Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Paul Lynch said today that the Applied Research Grants Program would provide maximum grants of $250,000 over two years.

A Positive Ageing Grants Program would provide grants of up to $50,000.

Mr Lynch said the grants acknowledged the growing contribution of older people in the community.

"People in New South Wales are living longer and leading healthier lives and that is great news," he said.

"It means that we've made great advances in medical science and people are reaping the benefits of better standards of living," Mr Lynch said.

In NSW, the number of people now aged over 65 is projected to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2030 and by 2040 will have doubled the present proportion.

"The implications of this rapidly ageing population are wide-ranging and complex and while they present challenges, they also offer opportunities and benefits," Mr Lynch said.

He said a happy and healthy ageing population could contribute knowledge, experience and skills to the community and the work force.

The Positive Images of Ageing grants are aimed at community groups, local government organisations and not-for-profit bodies to develop creative and cultural projects that promote positive messages on what it means to grow older and enhance the wellbeing of older people and improve their participation in the community.

"Successful applicants will need to develop and implement short-term projects that bring older people, artists and the community together in an interesting and creative way," Mr Lynch said.

The research grants would focus on participation by older people as volunteers in the non-government sector and the integration of care across primary health and community services.

"Among other things, research will examine the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and quality of service performance of programs dealing with demographic change," Mr Lynch said.

"The projects will also help foster partnerships between service providers and academia, thereby supporting the translation of research into practice," he said.

The grants are being made available through the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).

Applications for both grant programs close on November 27, 2009. Guidelines and application forms are available at www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au or by calling the Seniors Information Service on 13 12 44.

For applied research grants, information packages and application forms are available at www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/tenders or by calling (07) 5569 3984 between 9.30am and 3pm on weekdays.

The NSW Government has appointed two new members to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing (MACA).

The MACA provides expert advice to Minister for Ageing Paul Lynch.

The new members of the committee are Dr Jan Herbert, a gerontologist from Ballina and John Kelly, a registered nurse and psychologist from Manly.

Mr Lynch said he was pleased to have them both as part of the Advisory Committee.

"Jan has been nationally recognised for her contribution to aged care and brings experience in aged care, public administration and health care," he said.

Dr Herbert is also a member of the North Coast Area Health Advisory Council.

Mr Lynch said John Kelly understood was well-equipped to provide advice on health requirements for the State's ageing population.

Some of his achievements include chairmanship of The Smith Family, Director of Catholic Healthcare Limited which caters for older people requiring short and long term accommodation.

He is also a member of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Ethics Committee.

Mr Lynch said the role of the MACA was to advise the NSW Government on matters affecting the needs, interests and wellbeing of older people in New South Wales.

"The Committee's advice is based on regular consultations with older people in communities across NSW and on current research findings," he said.

Retiring members of the Advisory Committee who were reappointed were:

• Emeritus Professor Sol Encel of Double Bay - Emeritus Professor and Honorary Research Associate at the University of NSW Social Policy Research Centre
• Ms Sue Field of Pyrmont - Inaugural Public Trustee NSW Fellow in Elder Law at the University of Western Sydney
• Mrs Thelma McCarthy of Armidale - has long-established regional and state networks, in local and NSW Government and in community services and health
• Dr Peter Westerway of Manly - Visiting Professor at the Macquarie University Graduate School of Management
• Ms Neita Scott - Chair of Narromine Aboriginal Lands Council and a member of the NSW Housing Appeals Committee and the Narromine Health Council
• Members who are part way through their three year terms are:
• Pino Migliorino (Chair) - Managing Director of Cultural Perspectives and Cultural and Indigenous Centre Research
• The Reverend Thomas Slockee (Deputy Chair) - ordained Anglican priest and an Aboriginal elder from Batemans Bay
• Ms Nihal Uckan - member of the Turkish community and Illawarra Regional Advisory Council's representative to the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW
• Dr Janet George - Honorary Associate Professor and a former Head of the Department of Social Work, Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Sydney

Mr Lynch said the committee members had expertise in population ageing, on matters affecting older people and on the impact of the ageing of the population.