The Minns Labor Government has been caught quietly watering down its rental reforms weeks after they came into effect and without notice or consultation.
Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Regulation made on June 20 have removed the requirement for landlords to provide supporting evidence when evicting a tenant on the grounds that the property needs to be empty for significant repairs or renovations.
The previous requirement that only came into effect on 19 May required landlords to submit a signed statement and at least one piece of additional evidence, such as a builder’s quote or development consent.
Acting Leader of the Opposition Damien Tudehope said renters deserve better.
“Labor made much of its promise to end no-grounds evictions, but now it’s quietly winding back those very reforms,” Mr Tudehope said.
“An eviction for renovations now relies solely on the landlord’s word. This has the potential of undermining the integrity of the reforms.”
The Opposition will consider moving to disallow the regulation when Parliament returns.
Renters are continuing to face soaring rents and a tightening rental market, yet the Minns Labor Government is now watering down one of the few protections it has put in place.
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Tim James said the move creates uncertainty for both tenants and landlords.
“Everyone deserves clear, stable rules they can rely on,” Mr James said.
“Changing the law without notice or consultation damages trust and causes confusion.”
The Opposition supported an end to no-grounds evictions and is concerned to see that reform now being backtracked on.
Month: July 2025
Appeal to locate teen missing from Thornton
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the state’s north.
Nullan Quinn, aged 13, was last seen in Thornton (approximately 4km north west of Beresfield) about 12pm on Wednesday 16 July 2025.
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified at 11pm yesterday, Monday 21 July 2025 and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family hold concerns for Nullan’s welfare due to his age.
Nullan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 155cm tall, of large build and brown hair.
Nullan is known to frequent the Thornton, San Remo, Newcastle and Central Coast areas.
Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
M1A1 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine
The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.
Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months.
The Abrams tanks will add to the mobility and firepower of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and complement other partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades.
This support package, valued at approximately $245 million, is part of the $1.5 billion in assistance Australia has committed to Ukraine since the start of this conflict.
In August, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe to help protect a vital international gateway for assistance to Ukraine.
The Australian Defence Force also continues to contribute to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu.
Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
“The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.
“I was pleased to meet the Australian Army personnel who helped facilitate the delivery of these tanks from Australia to Ukraine.
“Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.”
Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:
“Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.
“These modified M1A1 Abrams tanks will deliver more firepower and more mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“They meet a direct request from the Ukrainian Government and form part of Australia’s unwavering commitment to protect the global rules-based order.”
NSW leads the way with nation-first trial of smart school zone signs – technology pioneered in the Hunter
The Minns Labor Government is delivering a nation-leading safety trial in the Hunter, with the installation of two new smart school zone signs at Wallsend South Public School.
The trial features locally developed safety technology made in the Hunter.
In an Australian-first, the trial will evaluate cutting-edge technology designed to improve safety for children and families travelling through busy school zones. The two signs feature radar, pedestrian sensors and artificial intelligence, and have been installed along Croudace Road and McCaffrey Drive.
These next-generation signs are solar-powered and internet-connected, and display dynamic messages based on real-time traffic and pedestrian activity. If a vehicle is detected exceeding the 40 km/h school zone speed limit, the sign will display a “SLOW DOWN” alert. The signs will also respond when high numbers of pedestrians are detected and can display tailored messages outside of school zone hours.
The trial has been supported by an $83,500 investment from the Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) Program, administered by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer. The signs were developed by local Hunter manufacturer HIVIS.
The Wallsend South Public School has been chosen as the trial site for several reasons including high volumes of vehicle and pedestrian traffic on school days, its location close to the base of development and delivery partner HIVIS Group and the site having 4G connectivity and good solar access.
All information collected from the signs, including traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, and pedestrian data, will be securely sent to a central system for analysis. This will help assess how well the alerts influence driver behaviour and reduce speeds in school zones.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to exploring new ways to improve road safety. This trial represents the next step in the evolution of school zone safety infrastructure, which has already contributed to a 56 per cent reduction in crashes across school zones in the past decade.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“As sign technologies get smarter it opens opportunities to make our school zones safer.
“It’s around 25 years since the then Labor Government launched the original flashing alert signs at high-risk school zones here in NSW.
“They’ve served us well as a valuable high-visibility reminder to slow down and take extra care during those busy hours at the start and end of the school day, and this trial, funded by the Minns Labor Government takes it one step further.
“In the last decade, as the number of signs increased from around 1500 to over 6800 – we’ve also seen crashes in school zones drop by 56 per cent.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“I’m incredibly proud that the Hunter is pioneering this new era of school zone alert sign to help keep our children safer, and excited by the potential to drive down incidents further through the use of radars and sensors for real time alerts.
“We’ve always been a region that punches above our weight, and now we’re setting the benchmark for how tech can be used to keep our kids safe on local roads.”
Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said:
“I’m proud that Wallsend is leading the way in trialling this new smart technology that has the potential to make a real difference to road safety around schools.
“It’s fantastic to see this cutting-edge technology developed right here in the Hunter being used to protect our most vulnerable road users, our children.”
Transport for NSW Executive Director of Operational Technology, JP Ahern said:
“We’re always looking for ways to not just maintain but also enhance and make better the safety infrastructure we have across our network.
“We don’t want drivers to become complacent about school zone safety – after more than 20 years it’s time to start upgrading our signs – we’re using the opportunity to take them to the next level with real-time alerts.
“We are not using these signs for compliance, and they will not capture or store any images of people or vehicles. It’s all about awareness, education and safety.
“A big benefit will be the ability to gather data to compare vehicle and pedestrian numbers. Eventually we’ll be able to gather this across multiple school zones, and it will help us understand what type of alerts work the best to get motorists to slow down and also which zones may benefit from additional safety treatments.”
School zones are back in force, so drive like kids’ lives depend on it!
The Minns Labor Government is calling on motorists to slow down to save lives, as school zones return to operation across the state from tomorrow, Monday 21 July.
School zones will be active from 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days.
The government’s plea follows the release of new data that reveals more than 183,000 school zone speeding offences were recorded in NSW in the last financial year.
Alarmingly, nearly 70 per cent (125,000+) occurred during active school zone hours – that’s more than 340 drivers every day choosing to speed past schools and young children.
Since 2019, 106 pedestrians aged 5 to 16 years have been hit by vehicles in active school zones. Two children have been killed and 38 seriously injured.
One camera at Woodville Road in Chester Hill recorded more than 8,600 fines alone. One reckless driver was even caught doing 110km/h at this location during school zone hours.
The top five school zone speeding hotspots for 2024–25 were all in Sydney:
- Woodville Road, Chester Hill (Southbound) – 8,615 fines
- Victoria Road, Ryde (Eastbound) – 7,313 fines
- Princes Highway, Kogarah (Southbound) – 5,866 fines
- Hume Highway, Yagoona (Westbound) – 5,691 fines
- Cleveland Street, Moore Park (Westbound) – 5,307 fines
Regional NSW was not immune to the illegal and dangerous behaviour. The worst five locations:
- Pacific Highway, Gateshead (Southbound) – 3,288 fines
- Pacific Highway, Ourimbah (Northbound) – 2,970 fines
- Princes Highway, Wollongong (Northbound) – 1,636 fines
- Princes Highway, Wollongong (Southbound) – 1,299 fines
- Pacific Highway, Ourimbah (Southbound) – 929 fines
The Minns Labor Government continues to prioritise safety outside schools. Measures include:
- More than 6,800 school zone flashing lights now installed across NSW, including a new state-of-the-art signage trial near Newcastle
- Around 1,500 school crossing supervisors supporting 980+ schools
- Ongoing commitment to ensure every school zone has at least one set of flashing lights
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“School is back, and so are school zones, but the data we release today shows too many drivers haven’t been getting the message.
“Over 125,000 people made the decision to speed in an active school zone last year. That’s 125,000 drivers who made the selfish decision to put children’s lives at risk.
“We need motorists to be alert and to slow down. There’s no excuse for speeding around schools.
“As we head into the second half of the school year, I’m calling on every motorist to put safety first. Any death on our roads is one too many, and being a good role model around kids is the first step in shaping safe drivers for the future.”
For more information on school zones, visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/school-zones
Buckle up: NSW seatbelt offences slashed under Minns Labor Government safety drive
The Minns Labor Government’s safety drive on seatbelt non-compliance is working, with a 60 per cent drop in offences since camera enforcement and fines were introduced 12 months ago.
In that time, 140 million vehicles have been checked, with over 99 per cent of drivers and passengers doing the right thing.
But camera images collected since its introduction have also revealed that some 88 per cent of fines related to incorrect seatbelt use, with nearly two-thirds of these fines issued to drivers whose passengers were not buckled up properly.
Wearing a seatbelt correctly doubles the chances of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of serious injury, and the Minns Labor Government is calling on NSW drivers to follow the law and wear their seatbelts properly.
In 2024, 34 people died on NSW roads while not wearing a seatbelt. So far this year, it’s another 11 lives. Over five years, 163 people have died not wearing a seatbelt, with 85 per cent of those deaths in regional NSW.
While progress is being made, more than 200 fatalities have been recorded on NSW roads this year – that’s one person a day dying on our roads.
The seatbelt enforcement program is just one of several new measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government to stop people dying on NSW roads.
Other initiatives include average speed camera trials for light vehicles, 2,700 additional mobile speed camera enforcement sites and reforms through the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce.
Motorists are reminded that proper seatbelt use means wearing the lap belt low and firm across the hips, with the sash crossing the chest and mid-shoulder – never under the arm.
Each offence attracts a $423 fine and three demerit points, or six during double demerit periods. Every dollar raised through seatbelt cameras is reinvested directly into road safety improvements.
These fines are completely avoidable if drivers and their passengers are doing the right thing.
The success of the data-driven camera program is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to building a better NSW, combining enforcement, education and investment to help keep NSW families and communities safe on the road.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“The Minns Labor Government introduced seatbelt enforcement cameras in July 2024 to encourage all road users to buckle up correctly every time they get in a vehicle, and as Minister I am pleased to see such significant improvement in such a short timeframe. Over 140 million vehicles have been monitored since this program launched, with well over 99% of motorists demonstrating compliance.
“Some of the images collected are truly shocking, including multiple people in the same seatbelt or no seatbelt at all.
“While the improvement in non-compliance is encouraging, we’re witnessing far too many offences involving passengers wearing seatbelts incorrectly, with approximately 75,000 recorded offences over the past year.
“Whenever you enter a vehicle, correctly securing your seatbelt should be instinctive, whether you’re driving or a passenger. Just like when you’re on an aeroplane, you need to have your seatbelt low and tight in the lap section. In the car, the sash should go from the top of your shoulder to your hip.
“Everyone needs to wear a seatbelt and if you have a genuine medical reason not to, you need a letter from your doctor.
“Seatbelts save lives and not wearing one is a gamble, not just for your own life but for every road user. It’s essential that you not only wear your seatbelt but wear it correctly.”
Critical incident declared after man dies in crash during pursuit
A critical incident investigation is underway after a man died in a crash during a police pursuit in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.
About 7.30pm Saturday (19 July 2025), police attempted to stop a motorbike on King Street, Hamilton, as it did not have number plates.
When the vehicle did not stop as directed, a pursuit commenced.
The pursuit travelled south on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown, where the male rider came off the bike a short time later.
The rider – a man believed to be aged in his 20s – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
Police established a crime scene and a critical incident team from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The investigation will be subject of an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
M1A1 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine
The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.
Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months.
The Abrams tanks will add to the mobility and firepower of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and complement other partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades.
This support package, valued at approximately $245 million, is part of the $1.5 billion in assistance Australia has committed to Ukraine since the start of this conflict.
In August, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe to help protect a vital international gateway for assistance to Ukraine.
The Australian Defence Force also continues to contribute to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu.
Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
“The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.
“I was pleased to meet the Australian Army personnel who helped facilitate the delivery of these tanks from Australia to Ukraine.
“Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.”
Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:
“Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.
“These modified M1A1 Abrams tanks will deliver more firepower and more mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“They meet a direct request from the Ukrainian Government and form part of Australia’s unwavering commitment to protect the global rules-based order.”
Prime Minister and Premier Malinauskas Must Intervene in South Australian Algal Bloom Crisis
As the South Australian algal bloom continues to wreak havoc on South Australia’s coast, the Greens are today calling on the Prime Minister and Premier Malinauskas to intervene.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator for South Australia and Greens spokesperson for the environment said:
“The Prime Minister and South Australian Premier should meet to coordinate a full national response to the algal bloom catastrophe engulfing South Australia.
“This is an environmental catastrophe, an economic calamity and increasingly a community health emergency.
“We need a COVID-19 style rescue package to provide urgent support for the community, massive increased environmental monitoring, and we need action against fossil fuels.
“Instead we have the federal government saying it’s a state issue, and we have the SA government dragging its feet in asking for federal help. It’s past time that the Prime Minster and the Premier sort this out.
“This is a national climate catastrophe and it requires a commensurate response. Instead we have state and federal governments bureaucratic buck passing.
“A COVID-19 style rescue package means support for the affected industries, community and local councils.
“I urge the Prime Minister and Mr. Malinauskas to avoid this becoming their “I don’t’ hold a hose” moment.”
Greens tell Treasurer: Drop WWVP charge now
The ACT Greens will use their votes in the balance of power to disallow ACT Labor’s planned $11 fee on volunteers seeking Working With Vulnerable People Cards, urging Treasurer Chris Steel to give the community certainty and abandon the idea now.
“It’s over. The Greens are closing the door on this unconstructive and unhelpful new fee,” said Greens MLA Laura Nuttall, who wrote to the Treasurer this week.
“Labor shouldn’t wait for the fee to be defeated by the parliament in September. It’s time to accept defeat and reassure volunteers now that they won’t face this new fee, because we actually value the work they do in the community.
“Since the Budget was handed down, well over 1,000 people have signed the petition I sponsored against this new fee,” Miss Nuttall said. “Many people have made it very clear that the cost will turn them off volunteering.
“Like Labor’s health levy, this direct charge is such a blunt, careless way to address a legitimate concern.
“We want a good WWVP scheme, properly administered. So, if too many people are applying for a card when they don’t need one, let’s explore how to best educate volunteers and organisations, instead of just making the whole thing less appealing.
“This fee raises so little revenue for the government that it’s clearly not about the money. It’s just a lazy, unpopular stopgap that will make it even harder for the government to properly look after people.
“Ultimately, the government relies on volunteers to deliver many important services they’ve outsourced to community organisations. It’s wrong to treat local volunteers like a pain in the side.”