Last week was a big week in Parliament, legislation to reform the NSW CTP Green Slip Scheme which will save country drivers money on their greenslips passed Parliament, the government announced its plans to make it easier for foster carers to adopt children in their care and the big news for the week was when Premier and I appointed the new Commissioner of the NSW Police Force.
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NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER REGIONALLY FOCUSED
As the Minister for Police I was pleased to join Premier Gladys Berejiklian in Parliament last week to appoint Mick Fuller APM as the new Commissioner of the NSW Police Force.
Mr Fuller has served in the NSW Police for 29 years with 16 of those years serving in senior positions.
He will lead the Police force into the future and oversee the biggest reform to the force in 20 years.
Policing is extremely challenging, but with these challenges come enormous opportunities, and the community can have great confidence in the more than 16,000 officers of the NSW Police Force under Mr Fuller’s leadership.
At Parliament House last week the new Commissioner said he will move quickly to focus on mid-level crime in country areas and will help deliver country police the resources they need to fight crime.
I look forward to working alongside the new Commissioner to continue to provide officers with the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
I also joined the Premier in paying tribute to outgoing Commissioner Andrew Scipione who served the people of NSW tirelessly.
GREEN SLIP REFORM
A new CTP Green Slip Scheme is a step closer after a bill to reform the scheme passed State Parliament last week.
The Motor Accidents Injuries Bill 2017 will reduce green slip premiums and ensure people injured in motor vehicle accidents get the support they need.
The average driver in country areas will see premium savings of around $50. Under the new model, there will be a new safety net allowing all injured road users to access benefits for loss of income and medical expenses for up to six months, with lump sum compensation retained for those with long-term injuries.
Further information on the reforms is available at www.sira.nsw.gov.au.
CARING FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Other news out of Parliament last week was the announcement by the NSW Government will deliver internationally tested preventative and diversionary programs, as well as making it easier for foster carers to adopt children in their care, under the most significant reforms to child protection in almost a decade.
In NSW we currently have more than 18,000 children and young people in out of home care and many of them will move care placements multiple times throughout their childhood.
These reforms will bring together government agencies and non-government organisations to work with the community to provide improved support for children and families at their most vulnerable.
Children in, or at risk of entering out of home care, will also be receiving a coordinated package of support based on their needs, ensuring that we, as a government, are meeting children’s needs and empowering them to reach their full potential.
A means-tested adoption allowance was also announced by Premier Berejiklian and Minister for Family & Community Services Pru Goward which will help families progress to adopting the child in their care.
The NSW Government is committed to supporting families to stay safely together, but when that is not possible we need to ensure children have a safe home for life.
Until next week, Troy.