The region was treated to some wonderful events over the weekend, highlighted by the state Firefighting Championships in Dubbo. A large cross-section of the state’s top firefighters were on hand to show off their skills, thankfully not in a dangerous environment but in the name of competition and camaraderie.
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Parliament and ministerial duties kept me away from the first two days, but it gave me great satisfaction to attend on Saturday and watch firsthand the skill and poise of the people who so often risk their lives to save ours and our possessions. Dubbo did a terrific job hosting the event, and congratulations should go out to everyone who made it such a great weekend for the emergency services.
Festival in the park
On Saturday night, Victoria Park in Dubbo was the scene of the DREAM Festival Market and lantern parade, which really lit up the northern end of the CBD. This event is growing in stature every year and thousands of people turned up to the park and created a wonderful atmosphere.
Down at Wellington, Fong Lees Lane was turned into a hive of activity as well, with an array of colourful exhibitions on display. It’s terrific to see our communities finding unique ways to celebrate their diversity and create family-friendly environments to get people together. For a variety of reasons, Dubbo and Wellington have had a stigma attached to them in recent years but events such as these can play big roles in changing perceptions.
Snowy Hydro
Politically, it was another big week highlighted by the announcement of five priority areas that will be funded under the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has committed every cent of the proceeds under the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund to be spent in regional NSW, backing transformational projects to build on the rapid growth and opportunities in the regions.
Water security, rail and road passenger connectivity, freight linkages, digital connectivity and special activation precincts are the key priorities for investment. These are big picture projects that generations before us have dreamed of and generations that follow us will benefit from.
Employment figures
The best employment figures for NSW in more than a decade have had a positive impact with people in tougher job segments finding it easier to get work. The latest ABS detailed labour force figures for NSW revealed the unemployment rate for the over-55s was just 3.5 per cent with 126,800 jobs added since the 2015 election.
Sexual assault trials
Vulnerable people will be spared the ordeal of giving evidence multiple times in sexual assault trials, under legislation introduced to parliament last week. The new provisions are designed to reduce the trauma and stress on witnesses whose evidence is needed in retrials or other court proceedings.
In addition, a recording of a sexual assault victim’s evidence will now be able to be used as tendency evidence in separate proceedings.
The changes are part of a package of government reforms to support victims of crime. A complainant’s existing right to have a dedicated support person in court during apprehended violence order (AVO) proceedings will be extended to associated criminal proceedings. All child complainants or witnesses in AVO and all criminal matters will also be allowed a support person to be by their side during these proceedings.
Changes to victim impact statements are in response to the Sentencing Council’s recommendations in its report on victims’ involvement in sentencing. More information about the report is at www.sentencingcouncil.justice.nsw.gov.au
