The Member for Ballina, Don Page, today presented 100 new inflatable life jackets to Ballina High School's Marine Studies unit.

The new life jackets, which provide the highest level of buoyancy and are designed to keep the wearer’s head above and out of the water when unconscious, were funded by NSW Maritime as part of a state-wide program to support schools running boating safety programs.

 The new State Government has been successful in getting the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 passed by both houses of the NSW Parliament.

The Member for Ballina and Minister for the North Coast, Don Page said the introduction of this legislation was an election commitment and a priority as the NSW Liberals and Nationals pledged to harmonise work health and safety laws in New South Wales with others across Australia.

 Job prospects on the North Coast are set to improve with an additional 40,000 jobs coming to regional areas.  Member for Ballina, Don Page MP, said the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government have delivered another election commitment to support the creation of 100,000 extra jobs for NSW, by offering a payroll tax rebate to businesses.

After a decade of lagging employment growth in NSW under Labor, the NSW Government is kick-starting the economy under its Jobs Action Plan, with 40,000 extra jobs prioritised for regional NSW.

Planning for the new Byron Shire Central Hospital is continuing with the Byron Shire Council adopting a planning proposal to rezone the land to make way for the development.

The Member for Ballina, Don Page, said the Council was unanimous in its decision and the planning proposal will now be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning.