The Minns Labor Government is providing $9 million in funding to the New South Wales wildlife care and rehabilitation sector following the release of the recommendations from the NSW Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Review. I was very proud to be asked by the Hon. Penny Sharpe, the Minister for the Environment in the other place, to lead that review. That began in July 2024 and involved extensive consultation across the State. The report was recently released and launched at the fabulous Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, where a number of animals are cared for by Ben Dessen and his team. The report reflects the lived experience, dedication and compassion of those working across the wildlife care and rehabilitation sector in New South Wales.
The review was shaped by an extraordinary level of engagement—more than 500 public submissions, and targeted surveys of volunteers, veterinarians and sector leaders. We held eight roundtable discussions between November 2024 and February 2025. We made 18 site visits across the State. Those site visits enabled me and the fabulous team from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service—I acknowledge Anna and Amelia from that team, as well as Josh from the Minister's office—to see firsthand the breadth and the diversity of care being provided, from people opening up their homes to injured wildlife to staff and volunteers working in centralised facilities and specialist wildlife hospitals. In total, 191 people shared their time, insight and experience through the round tables alone. What came through consistently was not just technical expertise but also a deep emotional commitment under often challenging and exhausting circumstances from those who care for native animals and protect our natural environment.
Those contributions have given the Government a clear, honest and human understanding of the sector's strengths, the pressures that it faces and the opportunities to do better. It became clear to us that we needed to fund the sector. That is why the Minns Labor Government and Minister Penny Sharpe have announced the $9 million of funding and a full acceptance of the review's recommendations. I sincerely thank everyone who shared their stories, their expertise and their time. That includes people from Queanbeyan and Bungendore, including those at Possumwood Wildlife hospital.
We travelled to Batemans Bay and along the South Coast. We held a round table in the beautiful Blue Mountains. We visited the Newcastle and Hunter areas, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Port Stephens, North Ryde, New England, Dubbo in the Central West and the Hills district. We also spoke to a number of members of Parliament who have a keen interest in our wildlife. The report is stronger because of all those people I spoke to. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the sector to ensure it receives the recognition, support and care it deeply deserves.
The review makes clear just how much the wildlife care and rehabilitation sector gives to protect native animals across New South Wales—often quietly and at personal cost. The recommendations are about stability, care and sustainability. They recognise that volunteers and organisations are stretched, and that now is the time to strengthen what we have, rather than ask more of people who are already giving so much. There is a strong call for better, more consistent training and mentoring that is delivered in ways that are accessible, evidence-based and supportive, particularly for regional volunteers.
The review also highlights the need for stronger coordination and support from Government, including better access to vet services, euthanasia support, funding and emergency preparedness. Above all, the recommendations are about looking after the people who look after wildlife, supporting their wellbeing, recognising their contribution and ensuring the sector can continue its vital conservation role for years to come. One of the great recommendations that has been supported is to fund Wildlife Heroes which is something that people talk to me about. I commend the report to the House.
