Here's what you need to know this morning.
Nurses to strike next week
Nurses across New South Wales have voted overwhelmingly in favour of walking off the job next Tuesday amid growing anger at staffing shortages in the state's hospitals.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association said so far 97 per cent had voted in favour of industrial action.
The union is calling on the government to introduce minimum staff-to-patient ratios after complaints that nurses are having do extra work to make up for staffing shortfalls caused by COVID-19.
Nurses will strike for between four and 24 hours, with some staff remaining on duty to ensure patients are cared for.
Search for man missing in Blue Mountains
Emergency services have spent two days searching for a man who has been missing in the Blue Mountains area since last month.
Kenneth Bellette, 53, was last seen at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl cafe at Bells Line of Road, Bilpin, just before 9am on Saturday, January 22.
A multi-agency land search commenced in bushland near the cafe at 8am on Tuesday, February 8, after an initial investigation.
It was suspended at 4pm before starting again the next day.
Officers from the Hawkesbury Police Area Command, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, Police Rescue, North West Metropolitan Operation Support Group and members of the State Emergency Service (SES), the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS) and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) have all assisted in the search operation.
Family and police hold serious concerns for Mr Bellette's welfare due to a medical condition requiring treatment.
Mr Bellette is described as Caucasian, about 172cm tall, of medium build, with black hair shaved in a line down the middle of his head. He has a tattoo on his neck, and another faded tattoo on his left arm.
He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured poncho-style jacket, black shorts, black boots and a black beanie.
Anyyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiry into transport corporation continues
A NSW upper house committee will today continue its inquiry into the establishment and operation of the state-owned corporation managing public transport assets and infrastructure.
The latest hearing comes one day after the auditor-general handed down a scathing report into the government's management of the body set up to look after the state's rail assets.
The Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) was set up in 2020, partly to help the government achieve a budget surplus as any funding to the corporation could be defined as an investment rather than expenditure.
Auditor-general Margaret Crawford accused Treasury of obstructing an investigation into the corporation by withholding crucial documents and making inaccurate forecasts to inflate the state budget.
Greens MP David Shoebridge said yesterday's report shows the government had been hiding the truth about its finances not only from the public but also the auditor-general.
He said today's upper house inquiry would seek to get further answers from those at the helm.
Swimmer drowns at Shellharbour beach
A man has drowned while swimming at a beach near Wollongong.
Emergency services were called to Shellharbour Beach yesterday afternoon, following reports a man was experiencing difficulties in the water.
The 36-year-old man was in the ocean with two other men when he failed to surface.
A search involving water police, marine rescue and surf lifesaving crews was launched.
The man was pulled from the water but could not be revived.
Appeal over bus incident
Police are searching for a man they believe can assist with their inquiries into a sexual act performed on a bus in Sydney's lower north shore last year.
About 1pm on November 9, 2021, a bus containing passengers — including several female school students — was travelling on Gladesville Road at Hunters Hill.
Police were told by two female students they noticed a man laying across the back seat committing a sexual act.
The man alighted at George Street in Sydney.
Police have released an image of a man they would like to speak to.
He is described as Caucasian, aged between 45 and 55, and about 170 centimetres tall with a thin build. He had grey hair and was unshaven. He was wearing a black T-shirt, dark grey cargo pants with red shoes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
