Snippets

Landmark Investment Into Alcohol And Other Drug Services As Part Of The Response To The Ice Inquiry

The NSW Government has announced a half-a-billion dollar investment to deliver targeted health and justice reforms as part of its final response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice. Illicit drugs will remain illegal, with this investment aimed at breaking the cycle of drug use. The NSW Government considers that successful implementation of a pre-court diversion scheme is only achievable when relevant services and supports have been established in the health and justice system.

The four-year $500 million investment is a key component of the NSW Government’s response to the Ice Inquiry recommendations and will fund a range of health rehabilitation services and justice initiatives:

$358 million to address treatment gaps and improve health and social out-comes; and
More than $141 million to expand justice initiatives that make communities safer by prioritising offenders with intensive health intervention and better addressing underlying causes of offending.

The NSW Government supports, or supports in principle, 86 of the Inquiry’s recommendations and notes 14 recommendations. The Government’s final response addresses all 109 recommendations across health and criminal justice. The NSW Government has previously rejected recommendations regarding the introduction of pill testing, expansion of the medically supervised injecting centre, removal of drug detection dogs and the trialling of a needle and syringe program in correctional facilities.

NSW Government Leads The Way As Family And Domestic Violence Leave Provisions Enhanced For All Nsw Public Sector Employees

The NSW Government is doubling family and domestic violence leave provisions for all NSW public sector workers with staff able to access 20 days of paid leave per calendar year from 1 January 2023.

The same paid leave provisions will also be provided to casual employees, while access to existing carers leave will be also extended to all employees providing support to a family or household member who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence.

The enhanced arrangements will apply across the NSW public sector and were developed after discussion with unions, Government employers and family and domestic violence policy experts.

The NSW Domestic Violence Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 656 463 to explain services and support available. The 1800RESPECT online chat service is available as an alternative to calling.

Information about other services and support is available on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

Building Capacity For Western NSW AMSS For Better Health Outcomes For Aboriginal Residents

Greater capacity and capabilities for Western NSW Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents living with chronic disease will be delivered by the revised Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program that comes into effect on January 1.

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is currently working with and supporting Western NSW AMSs to ensure the program is set for full imple-mentation by the beginning of the new calendar year.

The existing ITC Program has been delivered by Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation since 2016 under the Marrabinya name, but is being revised following an extensive review, consultation and co-design process that commenced in July 2021.

All information and regular updates regarding the ITC Program are available on the WNSWPHN website, at https://wnswphn.org.au/itc.

Calling Aboriginal Commmunities And Organisations To Apply For Funding

The NSW Government is calling on eligi-ble Aboriginal community organisations and groups to apply for funding through the new solutions-focused $30 million Aboriginal Community and Place Grants program.

The program is open to 5pm on Friday, October 14. For more information, guidelines and to apply, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website at https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/grants/