Month: October 2025

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on a key commitment to support and grow the Creative Industries in NSW, with $3.2 million to deliver a writing and literature strategy.

Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW is our state’s first ever dedicated literature and writing strategy. Stories define our identity, reading and writing underpins educational success, promotes social cohesion, builds empathy and cultivates critical thinking.

The sector in NSW also generates around $1.3 billion annually in publishing and retail activity, supports up to 22,000 jobs, and delivers global recognition through rights sales, screen adaptations and tourism. Yet writers on average only earn $18,200 a year from their creative practice.

This strategy outlines a targeted framework to expand access to reading and writing, grow audiences, and build a sustainable, inclusive and globally connected literature and writing sector.

Developed in consultation with writers, publishers, educators, festivals, libraries and cultural organisations, Stories Matter is built upon five strategic pillars:

1. Reinforce our foundations: develop state and federal partnerships and co-investment to increase the effectiveness of existing programs and organisations.
2. Invest in authors: to make writing a sustainable career and enrich the sector as a whole.
3. Promote reading: use the library network, schools and festivals to connect readers with authors, and address declining reading rates, especially amongst younger people.
4. Strengthen the ecosystem: through strategic partnerships with schools, universities, libraries, cultural institutions and local government to expand opportunities for writers and increase the reach and impact of writing and literature across the state.
5. Address structural challenges: Introduce freedom to collect legislation;advocateacross jurisdictions to support the sector.

The strategy commits to the following new key initiatives to grow the sector:

• $100,000 to strengthen Western Sydneyliterature organisations, starting with Westwords, to deliver a Western Sydney school focused program and emerging writers academy.​
• $500,000 Literary Fellowships Fund for authors, playwrights and illustrators.​
• $225,000 for 3 x co-funded Writing Australia collaborations:​
  • LitUp Pilot for regional schools and communities to host events with authors and illustrators.​
  • International Market Development programs to promote opportunities for international sales.
  • Program to support writers to tour internationally or translate and publish their books for new markets
• $200,000 for First Nations writers and publishing professionals’ development fund. ​
• Collaborate with public libraries to launch a membership campaign and invest $630,000 for research and a pilot program to improve women, girls and gender diverse people’s access to libraries and their surrounding precincts.

Minister for Arts, John Graham said:

“Here in NSW, we have an incredible legacy of writers and the biggest publishing industry in the country, but there are still challenges.  

“Writers’ incomes remain low, publishers and reading rates are under pressure from digital media and artificial intelligence poses a profound threat to the publishing industry.

“This requires direct action, because there is too much to lose, and so much to gain, from a strong literary sector in NSW.

“We want our stories to be told, we want to be part of the global literary conversation, and we rely on the social cohesion that comes from the nuance and empathy that books build.”

Stories Matter strategy co-chairs, Brooke Webb and Olivia Lanchester said:

“Our stories aren’t created in a vacuum. Although writers are the primary producers at the heart of the literature sector, they are nurtured and supported by a complex ecosystem of publishers, booksellers, libraries, schools, tertiary institutions, literary festivals, literary organisations and community networks such as book clubs and reading groups.

“It is imperative we invest in the foundations of literary life: in writers and writing, in organisations that support creative development, and in the places and programs that connect people with books and ideas.

“This three–year strategy proposes a clear path forward. It outlines targeted actions to create meaningful career pathways for writers, support publishers and booksellers and grow diverse reading communities across the state.”

James Bradley, Author and working group member said:

“The NSW government’s new literature strategy will make a material difference to the lives of the state’s writers by investing in creators, strengthening the literary ecosystem, and fostering a range of new partnerships with universities, cultural institutions and other organisations.

“But it also helps ensure the benefits of reading and writing are available to everybody by investing in programs to improve literacy and promote reading in schools, supporting First Nations writers and publishing professionals, and allowing readers of all ages to connect with writers through events in libraries and elsewhere.”

Charlotte Wood, Author said:

“Literature is routinely ignored or omitted from general discussion of ‘the arts’, even from within arts organisations themselves. Literature has long been the most poorly funded art form in this country, despite all the studies showing how crucial reading is for our brains and social cohesion, and despite the fact that the book industry contributes more than $2 billion to the Australian economy – on the back of writers’ efforts. It is the most democratically available art form there is – anyone with a library card can access works of literature in the original form, wherever they are and no matter how much money they have. 

“I’m hopeful the strategy will recognise that Australian literature is not merely decorative, a nice thing somehow separate from the rest of life. Because its literature is absolutely central to the intellectual life and psychology of any nation. Australian books and writers are a dynamic contributor to the cultural, economic and political thinking that shapes our society. And unless governments begin to take reading and literary contribution seriously, that flourishing intellectual life is doomed to evaporate.”

The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding essential education infrastructure in regional NSW, with students turning the first sod to mark the beginning of construction on new permanent buildings for Lismore South Public School and Lismore South Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool.

Both the public school and co-located public preschool are being rebuilt at their original Phyllis Street site following the devastating 2022 Northern Rivers floods.

The new flood-resilient public school and preschool include 13 modern permanent classrooms, a library, a multipurpose hall, undercover learning and play areas, and a games court.

The flood-resilient buildings have been designed to meet the long-term needs of preschool and primary school students in South Lismore and minimise potential disruption from any future flood events, including early evacuation.

The new buildings are being manufactured offsite and will be delivered to the school site and installed by crane onto a flood-resilient steel platform, in early 2026.

Enhanced planning powers under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 have been used to fast-track the rebuild of the school. This is the third time these powers have been exercised by the Minister for Recovery to accelerate the reconstruction of a flood-affected public school, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver safer, more resilient learning environments for local communities. The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding flood-affected schools in the Northern Rivers, ensuring schools are built back better for local communities.

Since 2022, 16 flood-damaged schools have been repaired or rebuilt in the Northern Rivers, including Blakebrook Public School which opened to students earlier this year. Work is also underway rebuilding Condong Public School and Tumbulgum Public School in the Tweed.

Funding to rebuild nine extensively damaged schools, including Lismore South Public School, has been provided through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

As part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild public education in NSW, the 2025-26 Budget delivered $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW.

This targeted investment ensures growing regional communities can access a world class public education. 

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“Construction beginning on the Lismore South Public School rebuild is an important step forward for this resilient community.

“The Northern Rivers has been through so much and our government, with the leadership of Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car and local champion Minister Janelle Saffin, is ensuring students can return to a brand-new permanent school.   

“The flood-resilient design will minimise potential future disruptions, supporting these students and the community for years to come.”

Minister for Recovery and the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:

“This project is more than a rebuild – it’s an investment in the future of the South Lismore community, ensuring students have the facilities they deserve and reducing the risk of disruption from future floods.

“Rebuilding Lismore South Public School and Lismore South Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool is a central part of the recovery work the Minns Labor Government is undertaking to create more resilient communities following the 2022 floods.

“I want to acknowledge the incredible resilience and strength of the South Lismore community, who have faced significant challenges. Together, we’re building back a better, brighter, and more resilient future.”

Lismore South Public School Principal Larissa Polak said:

“Breaking ground on our new school rebuild is an exciting moment for our entire school community. 

“It’s the start of a great new chapter that’s going to be beneficial for our students, staff, and the Lismore South community for generations to come.

“This rebuild will deliver resilient school buildings to cater to the needs of our community, and we look forward to seeing our future school take shape.”

Applications for 2027 entry to NSW selective schools and opportunity classes will open on 6 November 2025, with the Minns Labor Government addressing a growing gender imbalance in coeducational selective schools.

From the 2027 intake onwards, there will be an equal number of selective places available for girls and boys at all selective and partially selective high schools, as well as opportunity classes in public primary schools.

This change aims to address a decline in girls accepting, as well as applying for, places in opportunity classes and coeducational selective schools.

The gender mix in selective high schools is now 58 per cent boys and 42 per cent girls, while in opportunity classes it is 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

The imbalance has grown in recent years, from 45 percent of Year 7 places being taken up by girls in 2019 to only 41 per cent in 2025.

In some circumstances, this has led to imbalanced cohorts that are more than 75 per cent male.

Parent feedback has shown girls have concerns about the over-representation of boys at coeducational selective schools, leading girls not to accept places offered to them.

Introducing an equal number of places in opportunity classes and selective and partially selective high schools ensures a healthy gender balance across classes and schools.

Entry to opportunity classes and selective high schools for boys and girls will continue to be based on performance in the placement test.

All students currently enrolled in a selective high school or opportunity class, or who are offered places for 2026, are not affected by these changes.

Applications for 2027 entry will close on 20 February 2026. As announced earlier this year, testing will be conducted at local public school settings from 2026.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“The Minns Labor Government is working to provide opportunities for students to thrive, with applications to open for 2027 selective school and opportunity class entry in the coming weeks.

“There’s a growing decline in girls accepting places in opportunity classes and selective high schools, and we want to ensure our schools have a healthy gender balance.

“Alongside our work to rollout high potential and gifted education across all of our public schools, we are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their potential.”

Twelve months on from the start of the National Housing Accord, the verdict is in: Labor’s housing plan is failing and failing badly.
 
New ABS figures released today show NSW has fallen 43.5% short of its year-one target. Just 42,581 homes have been delivered over the past 12 months. This contrasts with the 75,400 required each year to stay on track for our Housing Accord commitment of 377,000 homes over the next five years.
 
Labor’s own budget papers admit NSW is set to fall 137,000 homes short of the National Accord target, forecasting just 240,000 completions over five years. One year down, and the Minns Labor Government is already far behind with no credible plan to catch up.
 
Feasibility remains the number one problem for new housing supply. Builders and developers are warning that projects simply don’t stack up and the situation is getting worse under the current tax regime.
 
Part of Labor’s failure is the $12,000 Housing and Productivity Contribution. The Minns Labor Government in 2023 introduced this tax on every new home in Greater Sydney, paid before construction even begins.
 
The NSW Coalition has called for the tax to be paused immediately. A Coalition Government would pause the Housing and Productivity Contribution for the life of the Housing Accord until 30 June 2029, and defer its collection to the occupation certificate stage after that.
 
Density needs to be matched with the infrastructure to support new housing growth, which will enable projects to get off the ground in the first place. Under Labor, little to no additional infrastructure funding has been allocated for the 37 TOD precincts or 171 affected suburbs under the low and mid-rise reforms.
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Scott Farlow, said the latest figures confirm what the building industry and homebuyers already know: there’s no feasible path to delivering the homes NSW needs under Labor.
 
“After one full year of the Accord, it’s clear Labor’s plan is failing. The numbers don’t lie and families across NSW are paying the price. One year in, all Labor have delivered is a worse housing crisis,” Mr Farlow said.
 
“Chris Minns has promised his housing policies would fix the housing crisis. Instead, we’re seeing approvals falling, commencements stalling, and the pipeline drying up.”
 
“At a time when costs are up and confidence is low, Labor has chosen to make it even harder to build. You don’t deliver more homes by taxing the ones you haven’t built yet. Higher taxes and charges continue to make the dream of owning a home even harder for young people and families.”
 
“Labor wants more people to live in communities without the roads, schools, hospitals or services to support them. The concept of master planning has been abandoned by Labor.”
 
“Chris Minns and Labor must finally face up to reality: NSW can’t tax our way to more housing and new housing must come with infrastructure investment. Labor’s one year anniversary of housing failure makes the need for change even clearer,” Mr Farlow said.

The Hunter’s netball community came alive over the weekend as Netball NSW brought its annual Beyond the Court regional roadshow to Newcastle (17–18 October), connecting directly with schools, young leaders, volunteers, and fans through two days of visits, workshops, and community events.NSW Swifts stars Sharni Lambden and Tayla Fraser joined Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott, Board Members, and senior executives for the two-day event, which included school visits, a community meet-and-greet, a Youth Ambassador leadership program, and the Beyond the Court development workshops.

Trish Crews, Executive General Manager of Communities at Netball NSW delivers the Beyond the Court Workshop in Newcastle.

Hundreds of students from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College – Berkeley Vale Campus, Wadalba Community School, and Newcastle Grammar School had the chance to meet the Swifts, ask questions, and hear first-hand what it’s like to play at the elite level.Friday afternoon saw crowds gather at the Newcastle Netball Association for the community meet-and-greet, where fans took photos, collected autographs, and chatted with the athletes. Later that evening, local young leaders took part in the Youth Ambassador Program, discovering their leadership strengths through interactive activities and discussions with the Swifts.

NSW Swifts Tayla Fraser and Sharni Lamden educate netball coaches and officials at the Netball NSW Beyond the Court workshop. 

Saturday’s Beyond the Court workshops drew strong participation from coaches, umpires, and volunteers eager to develop new skills across topics such as inclusion, communication, and volunteer frameworks.“It’s been amazing to get out to Newcastle and meet so many passionate people who love this sport,” said Sharni Lambden, NSW Swifts player. “Whether it’s the students we met at school or the volunteers who keep the game running, the energy and commitment across the Hunter is incredible. We’ve had such a warm welcome.”

There has always been strong support for the NSW Swifts in the region and the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season looks to be no different, with fans expected to cheer on the red dress when the season kicks off in March. Trish Crews, Executive General Manager – Communities at Netball NSW, said the regional roadshow continues to strengthen ties between Netball NSW and local associations.“These visits are about connection — listening to our communities, sharing knowledge, and recognising the people who make netball happen every week,” Ms Crews said. “The Hunter region has such a proud netball tradition, and it’s been a privilege to spend time here and see the passion that drives the game forward.”The Beyond the Court regional roadshow forms part of Netball NSW’s commitment to ensuring every community across the state has direct access to the sport’s leaders, athletes, and development programs — inspiring the next generation of netballers both on and off the court.