Ang Kalatas Volume IV February 2014 Issue | Page 6

06 STATE NEWS FROM THE PREMIER’S DESK Barry O’Farrel, NSW Premier Electricity Reforms Pay Dividends for NSW Households E Volume 4 | Number 5 February 2014 www.kalatas.com.au lectricity price rises over the past decade have placed greater pressure on household budgets, however, there is relief in sight thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals commitment to reforming the electricity network. Energy distribution businesses recently submitted pricing proposals with the Australian Energy Regulator, which is responsible for determining any price rises that could take effect in July this year. I’m pleased to see that Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy have submitted prudent investment proposals that would enable them to deliver electricity bill increases below the Consumer Price Index for the 2014/15 financial year. The pricing proposals that have been put forward show that our reforms are working to take some of the pressure off businesses and deliver cost-of-living relief to hardworking NSW families. It the proposals are accepted by the energy regulator, it would be the first time since the turn of the century that households experience two successive annual reduction costs, in real terms. This would be a welcome break for power customers in NSW who were slugged with double-digit electricity price rises under NSW Labor. Under Labor, electricity prices rose by more than 60 per cent in just five years. During 2009/10 alone the year the current opposition leader, John Robertson, was Energy Minister for eight months – families in NSW were hit with an annual increase of about 20 per cent. Since 2011, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Govern- ment has implemented energy network reforms to reverse the trend and as a result, our plans are now coming to fruition and are being reflected in power bills. Looking at the proposals put forward by Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy, their plans show capital spending by these three networks over the five year period to 2019 is down by 39 per cent, compared to the five years to 2014. Since the electricity network accounts for about half of household electricity bills, these submissions will have a major downward impact on power bills – if the proposals are accepted by the electricity regulator. The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will continue working to drive down t he cost of electricity for families and businesses across NSW. Triple crisis looms over childcare in Australia SOLUTION is adequate government funding, not cuts in quality Childcare educators say Australian families will be hit by a triple crisis in early childhood education and care unless the Federal Government takes urgent action to address staff shortages, affordability and accessibility. llThe only practical solution to this looming crisis is an increase in government funding according to a submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning by educators and their union United Voice. Louise Tarrant, National Secretary of United Voice says “Statements by the Assistant Minister for Education have done nothing to allay educators’ concern that the Government does not understand the gravity of the crisis facing childcare. “The Government’s persistence in attacking the national quality standards is undermining parental confidence in the sector. “Our submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry confirms educators’ experience and available research: quality is critical to parents and to their participation in the workforce,” says Louise Tarrant. The educators’ submission reveals that over the next five years: l180,000 additional trained staff almost double the existing workforce – will be needed due to increasing demand and high turnover (currently 180 leave the sector every week); laverage daily fees will top $100 and up to $120 in more expensive markets; and lgovernment funding caps will limit many families to just three days a week in childcare. Educator Amy Bell of Sydney says “Government action is needed to address all three problems of staff shortages, affordability and accessibility. “But this must not be at the expense of quality. As an educator I know that parents care deeply about their children’s experiences when they entrust them to our sector. “Parents understand the early years are precious and that meeting their children’s developmental needs is not negotiable – 80% of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. That’s why quality is at the heart of parental confidence in our work and our sector. “The Government ignores this at their peril because the collapse of our sector will have dire consequences for families, children, society and the economy,” says Amy Bell. No excuses: New app to help prevent speeding around schools Roads Minister Duncan Gay today announced the release of the NSW Government’s new free ‘Speed Adviser’ app, that includes alerts motorists are about to enter a school zone.  llMinister Gay said the best way to avoid a speeding fine was not to speed - but for those wanting additional reminders the new app would literally warn them with an audio alert.  “It’s heartbreaking to hear of child fatalities or injuries around schools and we need motorists to understand that school zone speed limits are there to save lives,” Minister Gay said.  “For those motorists who don’t notice school flashing lights or school zone signs there is now another means to recognise you are entering a school zone.  “It’s called our ‘Speed Adviser’ but I’ve dubbed it the ‘Last Chance’ app. “It is the only app with information on every school zone in NSW and informs motorists they are approaching an operational school zone with a speed limit of 40 km/h. “The App also alerts drivers when a speed limit changes and warns drivers if they exceed the speed limit – repeating the warning continually until the legal limit is complied with. “Motorists can set it before they leave home or work and it will provide audio alerts. There is no need to interact with the app at all while driving, in line with laws applying to mobile phones and GPS devices. “I caution drivers that this app doesn’t replace speed limit signage, judgment about conditions and vigilance which all drivers need to exercise. “Like all new apps, it will evolve as we further enhance it. As we trial the app, users can send us feedback at speedadviser.com.au or roadsafetytechnology@transport. nsw.gov.au “The excuses provided by motorists speeding in a school zone will dwindle further, with our historic roll out of flashing lights now about to begin. “I’m delighted to call for tenders in the final roll out that will ensure every single school in NSW will have a set of flashing lights by the end of 2015. “The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has been rolling out flashing lights at almost 3 times the rate of the previous government. “We now seek suitably qualified and experienced tenders to build, supply and install the new flashing lights across NSW. “The new model of lights will have essential safety features such as back-to-base technology to allow for pro-active maintenance and remote adjustment. “Our road safety experts have started working with schools and community groups to ensure the flashing lights will be installed at the location where they will provide the biggest safety benefit. “We also have a new online map for parents and schools that will show the status of every single school in the state under the flashing lights program. “People can log onto www. roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au to search for their school and see updates on the rollout as the program proceeds. “This is an exciting resource for those school communities counting down the days until they receive their own set of flashing lights. “My message is that we are on our way, by the end of 2015 every single school in NSW will have a set of flashing lights installed,” Minister Gay said. ‘Speed Adviser’ is available to download for free on your iPhone and is available from the App Store from today 4 February. An Android version is in development and will be available early this year. Tenders for the flashing lights are to be lodged online using Roads and Maritime Services etender service by 2.30pm on Monday, 10 February. Further information on the tender for installation of flashing lights may be obtained from the Tender Liai son Officer, Monique Naranjilla by emailing school. [email protected]. au.