Pre-School Funding:
The NSW Government announced that as of 1 January 2017, $115 million in funding will see a reduction of around 30 per cent in pre-school fees, making a pre- school education more affordable for families.
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This boost will deliver the largest single fee reduction in NSW history, fantastic news for local families in our electorate, and right across NSW.
Children aged four and five years of age who complete around 15 hours per week will be eligble for the reduced fees, while children from Aboriginal and low income households will see almost all fees removed.
Research tells us that a quality preschool education for at least 600 hours per year gives children a headstart in their learning journey.
This fee reduction strategy will ensure all children in NSW have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a quality early education, wherever they live and whatever their background.
Young Entrepreneurs:
A $12 million Boost Program to connect start-ups and small-to- medium-sized businesses with qualified professionals, university resources and technology, will assist young business owners across NSW.
The program is about encouraging and supporting young entrepreneurs and boosting business innovation in the cities and regional NSW.
Start-ups are the future of the NSW economy and these partnerships are designed to help create new business ideas, new industries and jobs of the future.
These partnerships will also help build new incubators and adapt existing facilities so businesses and the local community can network, access information and share ideas in a collaborative environment.
Find more information at www.industry.nsw.gov.au
Regional Festivals and Events Flagship Funding Now Open:
A call to action for regional event organisers to apply for grants under the NSW Government’s 2017 Flagship Event Fund, with expressions of interest open now.
This fund offers more money than ever before to regional events for marketing activities aimed at driving overnight visitation and boosting local economies.
The Fund will offer a one-off annual grant of $20,000 or a triennial grant of $27,500 each year for three years to events which have been running for more than two years.
Regional events are critical to attracting more visitors to experiences and destinations in rural and regional areas across NSW and I encourage event operators to take advantage of this vital funding opportunity.
Expressions of Interest for the 2017 Flagship Event Fund are open until Sunday 9 October 2016 and applicants whose expressions of interest sufficiently meet the criteria will be invited to submit a full application in November.
Two additional funds in the Regional Flagship Events Program, including the Incubator Event Fund and Event Development Fund will be available later this year. To lodge an expression of interest visit http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/rfep
NSW Jobless Rate lowest in Australia:
It’s great to see our jobless rate falling again in August and continuing to be the lowest in Australia, now sitting at 5 percent.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data confirms that for the 15th consecutive month, NSW had the lowest unemployment rate in Australia, and has also been at or below the national average for 33 months straight.
Despite a softening in part-time positions in August, the number of full-time jobs in NSW rose by 8,100.
These statistics show that the NSW Government’s massive investment pipeline is making NSW the number one destination to live, work and do business.