Month: August 2025

The Minns Labor Government is investing in four key projects to boost the Riverina’s local economy and deliver jobs as part of its plan to build economic development in regional NSW.

This funding is part of the Minns Government’s approach to delivering smart investment, with local partners, to make a real difference for regional communities.

The Minns Government’s NSW Regional Development Trust will firstly invest $5.72 million and funding recipients will invest a further $17.74 million, to deliver new manufacturing technology and expand tourism.

The four Riverina economic development projects receiving funds are as follows:

$2.5 million – for a new state-of-the-art bottling line at the Leeton Juice Facility

• Australian Juice Processing and Bottling will install a new bottling line featuring automated and continuous operation that will include heating and blow moulding of containers, as well as filling, capping and labelling functions.
• This equipment will increase facility output to up to 100,000 containers per hour.

$2.27 million – to develop a Regional Demonstration Hub for chilling and freezing

• Staughton Group will build a Regional Demonstration Hub for inline chilling and freezing to transform regional food processing.
• The project will deliver new technologies to upgrade chilling and freezing infrastructure for regional food processors and provide equipment and services to regional NSW abattoirs and food manufacturers.
• The new technologies will help make food manufacturing more sustainable and profitable.

$568,959– to build the Hillston Arid Zone Botanic Garden

• Carrathool Shire Council will develop an eight-hectare Arid Zone Botanic Garden in Hillston which will include the delivery of water and electricity services to the site, irrigation systems, a free camping and caravan area, an Aboriginal cultural learning area, irrigation systems, and the conservation of two existing scar trees on site.
• The development will bring tourists to the region and boost spending on accommodation and in local restaurants and shops creating positive economic outcomes for the community.

$382,428 – to deliver an agritourism and hospitality program

• Wagga Wagga City Council will deliver a program to strengthen agritourism and hospitality businesses in Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas.
• The program will include two masterclasses for up to 140 businesses to build skills in the tourism sector, mentorship for 20 businesses with one-on-one support and business coaching, and an industry familiarisation tour.
• It will also deliver front-of-house training for 150 individuals to learn barista skills, wine service, bartending skills and bushfood education, a hospitality HR advisory service, and support for local businesses to exhibit at the Good Food & Wine Show.

Investments from the Regional Development Trust are reviewed by the Regional Development Advisory Council, an independent body appointed by the Minister for Regional NSW to provide advice to government on investments that must aim to meet the interests of regional communities.

Further announcements on successful projects across NSW from the Regional Development Trust will be made in the coming months.

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The Riverina has many opportunities in industry, agritourism and hospitality, and the Minns Government is proud to support projects that will create jobs and boost local businesses.

“Investments that embed new technology into the Riverina’s local food processing businesses will bring productivity gains and expand production capacity, to ensure we can grow jobs and feed Australians and the world.

“Regional NSW has wonderful landscapes and people that can be supported with our Regional Development Trust investments to build their skills and agritourism attractions to attract Australian and international travellers.

“I’m looking forward to visiting the completed Hillston Arid Botanic Garden which will showcase the region’s unique beauty and keep visitors and locals coming back for more.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to build a better New South Wales, with a system overhaul set to improve water affordability, availability and reliability across our regions.

Over the next two years, the NSW Government will explore a new funding model for local water utilities (LWUs) to address critical inefficiencies with the current system of project-based capital grants.

The reform is part of the highly successful Town Water Risk Reduction Program, which recently received a $15 million boost to help improve delivery of water and sewerage services in rural and remote towns.

In 2023, the NSW Government called for a Review of Funding Models for Local Water Utilities to investigate new models that could help reduce service risks without privatisation or forced amalgamations.

The NSW Government can now unveil its response to the Productivity and Equality Commission’s report, launching a new plan to reform the sector by 2027.

Key areas of reform include: 

• Improving cost-of-living support through a review of the customer affordability and hardship programs funded directly by the NSW Government.
• Implementing a better funding model that gives the state’s 92 LWUs greater long-term financial stability and directs government funding to where it is most needed.
• Establishing basic levels of service through sector reform.

The plan was developed following extensive consultation with LWUs, water agencies and industry partners.

We will continue to work closely with the sector, particularly LWUs in Western NSW, to co-design ways that they can operate most cost effectively, reduce risks, and deliver better services to customers.

For more information, visit our website here.   

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:   

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring every person in NSW always has access to high-quality drinking water and wastewater, no matter what postcode they call home. 

“This work builds on the $32.8 million for the Town Water Risk Reduction Program to tackle the most severe risks to town water, now we have a plan to safeguard the cost of service delivery.

“The previous funding model put our most remote communities at a disadvantage, where the economics of a small customer base servicing a huge land area just don’t add up.

“This plan provides a roadmap to direct government funding where it’s needed most and lock in the future of town drinking water in every corner of NSW.”

Netball NSW has announced 12 young leaders selected to form Netball NSW’s first-ever Youth Advisory Group – a unique platform for young people aged 14-21 to have their say and help shape the future of the sport across NSW.

An initiative of Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott, the Youth Advisory Group brings together players, umpires, coaches, and volunteers from both metropolitan and regional communities, reflecting the diversity of the game and the vital role young people play in its growth.

Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said the launch of the Youth Advisory Group marks a significant step in giving young people a seat at the table.

“Young people are the future of netball, and their voices matter,” Scott said.

“The Youth Advisory Group creates a space where our youth can speak up, be heard, and influence the way we support and grow the game. We are excited to work alongside this talented and passionate group, who bring fresh ideas and a genuine commitment to making a difference.”

The 12 members were chosen from over 40 applicants and were appointed for a 12-month term from July 2025 to June 2026. Their first meeting took place on Wednesday 27 August 2025.

The Youth Advisory Group will provide feedback on Netball NSW programs and initiatives, share insights into the experiences of young people in the sport today, and offer ideas to strengthen youth engagement and retention.

More importantly, the Youth Advisory Group will play a pivotal role in ensuring the perspectives of young people are heard at the highest levels of the organisation.

“I wanted to be a part of the Youth Advisory Group because I’m extremely passionate about youth advocacy and making things more inclusive and accessible,” Alyssa Pinchbeck from Hills District Netball Association said.

“I have always loved the sport and community of netball and I saw this group as a chance to contribute meaningfully, to amplify underrepresented voices, and help shape positive change.”

By representing a wide range of experiences – from grassroots participation to leadership in umpiring and coaching, this inaugural Youth Advisory Group will help ensure Netball NSW’s programs reflect the needs, aspirations, and diversity of young people across the state.

The 2025 Youth Advisory Group members are:

Name 
Club / Association

Katie Booth 
Thornleigh Netball Club, Hills District Association 

Molly Allan 
Kiama Central Netball Club, Kiama Netball Association 

Archie McCarthy 
Hornsby Heights Netball Club, Ku-Ring-Gai Netball Association 

Saachi Singh 
Penrith Netball Association 

Alex Tam 
Leichhardt Wanderers Netball Club, Inner West Netball Association 

Talina Seisun 
The Oaks Netball Club, Camden & District Netball Association 

Elliana Henderson 
Blacktown Netball Association 

Davina Rajkumar 
Inner West Netball Association 

Sofia Novak 
Mittagong Netball Club, Southern Highlands Netball Association 

Alyssa Pinchbeck 
Cherrybrook United Netball Club, Hills District Netball Association 

Sophie Buchtmann 
New Kids Netball Club, Wagga Wagga Netball Association 

The Albanese Government continues to support the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, providing a further $266 million over three years to help eliminate these diseases.

Tuberculosis is the world’s deadliest infectious disease and nearly a quarter of all new HIV cases occur in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Australia’s funding will support global efforts to tackle the spread of these diseases by investing in stronger health systems and helping communities access treatments, particularly across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The Global Fund is a multilateral partnership that unites governments, civil society, communities and the private sector to address global health challenges.

Since 2002, the Fund’s efforts have saved over 26.5 million lives in our region and more than 65 million lives world-wide. The death rate from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has also been reduced by over sixty per cent across the globe.

In a time of heightened global uncertainty, Australia remains steadfast in our commitment to the Global Fund and to supporting our region to tackle high burden diseases.

Today’s announcement matches the record investment the Albanese Government made in 2022 – a ten per cent increase on Australia’s previous contribution.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong:

“Australia is firmly committed to strengthening health outcomes in the Pacific and Southeast Asia and playing our part in addressing global health challenges.

“Our investment in partners like the Global Fund helps ensure our region’s needs are prioritised, contributing to a healthier Indo-Pacific and a safer and more secure Australia.”

Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly:

“Australia is backing the Global Fund as a key partner in the fight against infectious disease in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

“By investing in disease treatment and prevention, we’re helping to build stronger and more inclusive health systems across our region.”

The Labor government increased its spending on consulting contracts every year of the last parliament, despite boasting savings on consulting contracts, according to newly compiled data from the Parliamentary Library.

In 2024-25, Labor spent nearly $1 billion on outsourcing work to consulting firms, more than the last year of the Morrison government in 2021-22.

Labor’s big spend on consulting firms looks to continue with the government spending $76.5 million on 90 consulting contracts in the first two weeks of 2025-26 – that’s nearly 8% of their total spend in 2024-25 in just two weeks. 

While Labor has reduced its contracts with the Big 4 consulting firms (PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and EY), which the Greens welcome, the majority of spending and the number of government contracts are now going to consulting firms that are not one of the Big 7 (Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY, McKinsey, KPMG and PwC). 

The Greens say Labor’s excessive outsourcing of public sector work to the private sector at three times the cost isn’t just wasting taxpayers’ money, it’s eroding Australia’s public service.

Greens finance and public service spokesperson Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Labor has boasted savings on consultants every year it held office in the last parliament. Yet Labor spent more last year on consulting contracts than the final year of the consultant-addicted Morrison government. The numbers speak louder than their empty words.

“This data paints a picture of a business as usual approach following the PwC consultancy scandal and a continued lack of transparency by a government which claims to be spending less, while in fact spending even more.

“While Labor says they’re spending less on consultants, this data shows that instead of spending as much on the Big 4 consulting firms, the government is spending even more money but just on other firms. What’s clear is that the government has been claiming that it has been reducing spending on consultants, but all they’re doing is arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

“Labor promised, as part of their election campaign, to cut $6.4 billion in spending by reducing consultants’ contracts and outsourced service delivery. Yet in the first 24/25 financial year, Labor spent a whopping $968 million on consultancy firms, up from the previous year’s $653 million. 

“Already in the first two weeks of this financial year, the government has spent $76 million on 90 contracts. This is a government that has said it wants to eliminate wasteful  outsourcing yet all signs point to Labor being no different to previous governments – it’s one big smokescreen.

“We know that outsourcing public service work to the private sector costs three-times as much as hiring public servants to do the work and we know it’s eroding our public service – so why this government is spending even more on consultants is beyond belief. 

“The Greens have consistently called on the government to provide a transparent breakdown of the spending data. I’ve repeatedly asked this government direct questions about Senate Estimates about their spending on consultant firms, but they have consistently refused to provide this, they refuse to separate the amount spent on consultants from the overall spend on external contractors. The people of Australia have a right to know where their taxes are spent – where is the transparency?”

Key data:

• In 2024-25 Labor spent nearly $1 billion on outsourcing work to consulting firms ($968.6 million in 2024-25).
• Labor spent more on consulting contracts in 2024-25 than the last year of the Morrison government in 2021-22 ($787.6 million in 2021-22 compared with $968.6 million in 2024-25), that’s a 23% increase in spending on consulting contracts.
• This big spending trend looks to continue, with the Labor government spending $76.5 million on 90 consulting contracts in the first two weeks of 2025-26. That’s almost 8% of their total spend in 2024-25 in just two weeks. 
• The Labor Government increased its spending on consulting contracts every year last parliament, despite boasting savings on consulting contracts ($622 million in 2022-23, $653 million in 2023-24 and $968.6 million in 2024-25).
• Labor has reduced its contracts with the Big 4 consulting firms. Spending on consultant contracts reduced by 47% between 2021-22 (Morrison) and 2024-25 (Albanese). 
• The majority of spending and contracts are now going to consulting firms that are not one of the Big 7 (Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY, McKinsey and PwC).

Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has responded to the Environment Minister’s announcement EPBC change will be tabled by the end of the year.

“The Greens have been ready and willing to negotiate with the Albanese Government for the past 3 years to fix our broken environment laws.

“Australia needs new environment laws that protect nature, consider climate as well as giving efficient responses to applicants.

“Our Howard era environmental laws aren’t working for anyone, except the big fossil fuel companies that continue to block any changes.

“With updated and fit for purpose environment laws we could build houses, save koalas and protect our climate.

“Environment laws that protect nature must include:

• protection of critical habitat and forests
• stop species extinction
• a climate trigger
• federal control over approvals

“The only thing standing in the way of creating laws that give clearer guidance and faster processing are the big fossil fuel companies who prefer the status quo and have repeatedly used their political muscle to prevent fixing the laws.

“Our door is always open to the Government to work together so that we can have laws that actually protect nature.

“Putting in place clear rules, including the protection of critical habitat and a climate trigger would allow for faster and more efficient assessments.”

In solidarity with the Iranian diaspora in Australia, the Greens for years have called on the Australian Government to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act 1995, which the Albanese Government today commit to do. 

These steps are appropriate given the reported actions of the Iranian Regime. They follow from effective action by the authorities to investigate and understand the cause of anti-semitic acts.

The Greens have also called for the government to support at the United Nations General Assembly the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, said: 

“Given the reported nature of the actions of the Iranian regime, it is fitting that the Iranian Ambassador be expelled. 

“The Iranian Regime has a long history of persecuting religious and ethnic groups, women and LGBTQI+ people and the Greens have consistently called for listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. Until today the Albanese government has resisted these calls.

“No country should be allowed to interfere in our politics, or cause fear or repression in any part of our community. We know that diaspora communities are particularly vulnerable to these actions and they all must be protected.

“The Albanese Government now has a responsibility to provide as much detail as possible to detail the chain of evidence to support its conclusions. Transparency builds public confidence and is critical at times like this.

“It should also be clear that sanctions need to be applied consistently to all countries that are breaking international law.

“There is a deep inconsistency with the Government taking these measures against Iran and failing to take similar steps against other countries when they grossly breach international law, not least Israel,” Senator Shoebridge said. 

Labor today launched another cruel attack on refugees and migrants, tabling new legislation to strip people of the right to natural justice. 

The Home Affairs (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 introduced by Home Affairs Minister Burke is targeted at people recently released from immigration detention following a High Court ruling that people cannot be held indefinitely by bureaucrats or politicians. 

The Albanese Labor Government, in the last Parliament, worked hand-in-hand with Peter Dutton to push through extreme anti-migrant and anti-refugee policies Australia has seen in a generation, and now they are doubling down on these laws. 

This law is designed so that people can be forcibly removed to Nauru without having any right to even see the application the government is making. It also removes their right to make representations about why their removal would be unsafe, or explain to the Nauru government why they should not be deported there. 

When rights of natural justice are removed, critical matters like health concerns, family connections and basic human decency get overridden, while damaging mistakes of fact are not identified. 

This legislation is even being made retrospective to address likely failures of natural justice that have been raised in two separate court challenges to Labor’s efforts to forcibly remove people to Nauru.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Immigration, said: “The Government is actively seeking to suspend natural justice from some of the most vulnerable members of the community for one of the most important decisions that will be made in their lives. That is just plain wrong. 

“For centuries, natural justice has been a cornerstone of our law, ensuring everyone has the right to be heard before important decisions are made about their lives. 

“The fact that the Albanese Government is seeking to remove these rights from migrants shows how toxic and far right Labor’s immigration policy has become. 

“Everyone should be equal under the law, no matter where they are born, but that can only happen if people are given the right to be heard before decisions are made about them.

“We know there are active court cases on this issue and by making this law retrospective Labor is trying to validate past illegal practices by Home Affairs and defeat these cases with another legislative deal with the Coalition. 

“Nauruan President Adeang made it clear last year, he intends to send anyone Australia deports there back to the country which they originally fled. 

“People rightfully don’t want to go to Nauru because they know they will face the very real risk of being forcibly returned to danger, and they surely have the right to be heard before that happens to them.”