Some Important Numbers to Know
Hiring:
- 6,556 new Nurses and Midwives
- 986 new paramedics
- 2,263 new teachers
- 2,697 new police
Since forming Government in March 2023, the Minns Labor Government have been doing everything possible to increase staffing and increase services for the people of NSW.
The work of repairing NSW public services, after they were so badly damaged by the previous Liberal-National Government, is not finished yet. Not even close.
One of the most important steps that the Minns Government have taken is to increase wages for our workers.
- A first year Police Officer will now have a starting wage that is $12,000 p.a. higher, not to mention that for the first time he/she will be paid while they are training at the Goulburn Academy.
- A first year nurse will receive an additional $14,000 p.a.
- A first-year paramedic will receive an additional $15,000 p.a.
- A first-year teacher will receive an additional $17,000 p.a.
Between 2011 and 2023 the previous NSW Government decided that wages should be capped at no more than 2.5% increase in any year and delivered a miserly 0.3% increase during the first COVID year. At the same time as the wages were being capped, the cost of living rose sharply. This meant that in real terms each worker was going backwards financially.
Fixing the mess that our public services were left in, after 12 years of attacks by the previous Government, is not simple and will not be done quickly. But we have started that repair work, as the numbers above show, and we have plans to continue the repairs going forward.
Have You Made Your Plans for the Cessnock Postie Bike Grand Prix?
The world-famous Postie Bike Grand Prix is almost upon us once again.
On Sunday 18th October 2026, some of the world’s best Postie Bike riders will tackle the streets in and around Cessnock TAFE in the hope of being crowned this year’s champion.
While it’s great fun for spectators, it is nothing but very serious riding by those on the track. The racing is incredibly tight and at close quarters. Riders can literally touch each other as they tackle the tight twisting track. The odd clipped wheel is nothing unusual and a lean into a corner can sometimes mean a lean into the rider beside you.
Some of the corners at the Postie Bike Grand Prix are famous, or infamous, for crashes. It is not uncommon for a rider, in their protective leathers, to be seen sliding across the road, into a bumper, only to jump back up to their feet, kick-start their bike, and be off again racing to catch up.
The racing schedule for the day:
- Warm-up and practice laps from 9.00am
- Heat 1 (Men’s) begins at 11.20am
- Heat 2 (Men’s) begins at 12.15pm
- Women’s straight final at 2.30pm
- Men’s final, for the fastest 36 qualifiers, at 3.00pm
There are terrific places to sit and watch the race, right around the track. Bring a chair, bring an esky and bring yourself some shade.