NSW is moving towards a fairer system of funding fire and emergency services, by removing the current Emergency Services Levy (ESL) from insurance policies and replacing it with the Emergency Services Property Levy (ESPL), which will be paid at the same time as council rates.

This will be fairer as all landowners will contribute, not just those with property insurance.

It will also make property insurance much more affordable by reducing premiums.

The vast majority of insured residential property owners are expected to be better off under the ESPL, with an average saving of around $40 per year.

This reform will help to address the serious issue of underinsurance in NSW.

NSW has the highest level of non-insurance of all the states and too many people are at risk of not being able to rebuild their homes after losing everything to fire or flood.

Every other mainland state has already completed the reform. Victoria was the most recent to do so, following a recommendation from the Royal Commission into the tragic 2009 bushfires.

I would have hoped that NSW Labor would show the same spirit of bipartisanship that was shown in Victoria, rather than playing politics with this important reform.

Local governments, who will be responsible for collecting the ESPL, will be fully reimbursed for all reasonable costs associated with the reform.

Finally, let me assure the community that the Government’s consultation process - which began in 2012 - will continue as we work hard to deliver this important change which will be fairer for all.

AS we head into Christmas, a time where families come together to share in the love of the holiday season, I ask that you spare a thought for some of Australia’s most disadvantaged: our homeless youth. 

While many young people are spending time with their family and loved ones, it is easy to forget about those who have no home or family to turn to.

This time of joy for most is quite often a period of sadness and isolation for our disadvantaged youth who lack a sense of belonging. 

Often these young people turn to alcohol and other drugs to numb these negative feelings.

These choices can lead down a slippery slope to addiction, mental health issues and family breakdown.

Youth Off The Streets helps young people address these issues though our services and outreach, but sadly we cannot reach everyone in this holiday period.

This year on Christmas Day, Youth Off The Streets will provide lunch for some of our most disadvantaged young people and their families at our KOCH Centre for Youth and Learning.

The simple act of providing a hot meal and a place to come together on Christmas Day means so much to these families.

If you can, I encourage you to host or participate in a community event to support families and young people in your local area. 

Together in this season of giving, we can provide a welcoming environment for those who may not have one this Christmas.

After over 40 years of working with young, disaffected youth, let me tell you that the greatest gift of all is the gift of giving.

I hope you have a fantastic holiday period and a happy new year.