Just days after the Police Minister denied organised crime was out of control, a man has been killed in another suspected underworld attack, the third shooting in NSW in a week.
Police are reportedly investigating whether the killing was gangland-related, which would make it the 52nd gangland shooting this year, after the man was shot dead in the car park of the Punchbowl Community Centre on Wednesday, near a primary school and church.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said her thoughts were with those affected as police investigated the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“People across Sydney would understandably be fearful after reports of another suspected underworld shooting, this time in a public car park directly opposite a primary school,” Ms Sloane said.
“This latest killing exposes the gulf between the Minns Labor Government’s reassurances and the violence unfolding on Sydney’s streets.”
“At a time when communities are looking for leadership and reassurance, the Police Minister is nowhere to be seen. She needs to front up and explain how she can continue to claim organised crime is not out of control.”
Shadow Minister for Police Anthony Roberts said communities deserved an honest assessment of the violence occurring across NSW.
“The Police Minister may be on leave, but the violence has not taken a break,” Mr Roberts said.
“People should not have to fear that they or their children could be caught in the crossfire while going about their daily lives.
“Keeping people safe is the most basic responsibility of government, yet Labor repeatedly voted against tougher measures proposed by the NSW Liberals and Nationals before the violence reached this point.”
Month: September 2026
NSW School results go backwards under Labor
International testing by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows NSW students are struggling with the basics, with reading and mathematics results at or near record lows after three years under Labor.
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment, measuring 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.
The 2025 results show:
· Reading scores have fallen since 2022 with results at the lowest levels recorded since testing started in 2000.
· Mathematics scores have also fallen to the lowest on record.
· Only 50 per cent of NSW students are meeting the national proficiency standard in mathematics and 56 per cent in reading.
· NSW is being outperformed by Victoria, the closest comparable state.
The results follow disappointing NAPLAN results last month which showed the number of NSW year 3 students needing additional support for numeracy increased by over a quarter in the three years since NSW Labor came to office.
Around 30 per cent of NSW students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are also not meeting national benchmarks for reading, writing and numeracy.
Shadow Minister for Education Mark Speakman said the NSW Labor Government’s failure to improve student outcomes was undermining confidence in public schools.
“Student numbers in government schools rose by over 40,000 under the Liberals and Nationals but fell by over 260 under the first two years of the Labor Government,” Mr Speakman said.
“This year’s Budget cuts education employee expenses by around five per cent after inflation and assumes further falling public school enrolments and teacher numbers.”
“These results should concern every parent who expects their child to leave school with strong reading, writing and mathematics skills.”
“After more than three years in government and all the talk, Labor has failed to improve student outcomes and students can’t afford more of the same.”
Mr Speakman said that the Government must snap out of its complacency and urgently fix its approach across the board, including:
· ensuring evidence-based, explicit teaching methods for reading and mathematics, which have been shown to produce the best results, are actually being used in all classrooms
· initial and ongoing training of teaching reading and mathematics
· giving teachers the training and support they need for effective classroom behaviour management
· ensuring technology is not being counter-productive in classrooms support for children with disability
Lasting Legacy: A new era for the Hunter as M1 extension opens
After more than four million hours of construction, the Hunter’s largest road infrastructure project will open to traffic in the early hours of 11 September, delivering a new 15-kilometre motorway connection between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace.
The opening of the M1 Pacific Motorway extension marks a major milestone for the Hunter, closing a missing link in the Sydney to Brisbane economic corridor and strengthening one of Australia’s most important freight routes.
The M1 Pacific Motorway extension and Hexham Straight widening projects were jointly funded with a total investment of $2.24 billion – $1.79 billion from the Albanese Government and $448 million from the Minns Government.
It builds on Labor’s long record of investment in transforming the Pacific Highway.
Between 2007 and 2013, the former Federal Labor Government committed more than $8.7 billion to complete the duplication of the Pacific Highway and deliver bypasses of towns across New South Wales.
Since coming to government in 2022, the Albanese Government has committed a further $266.4 million to finish the remaining upgrades along the corridor, in addition to its investment in the M1 extension.
The new motorway will provide a direct connection between the M1 at Black Hill and Raymond Terrace, improving connections to jobs, businesses, communities and major regional infrastructure, including Newcastle Airport and the Port of Newcastle.
For motorists, it means cutting travel times by seven to nine minutes during peak hours and removing up to 25,000 vehicles a day from local streets.
For freight, it means a faster and more reliable connection through the Hunter and along the Sydney to Brisbane corridor.
The project has also been a major investment in local jobs and skills, with 70 per cent of the workforce drawn from the Hunter region and 99 apprentices and trainees gaining experience on the project.
More than 2,700 workers have helped deliver the extension, clocking up more than four million hours of work to get the motorway open around 18 months earlier than originally planned.
Construction of the motorway has been delivered on a remarkable scale, including:
- More than 1.6 million cubic metres of earth moved – enough to fill around 650 Olympic-sized swimming pools
- More than 720,000 tonnes of rock imported and placed across the project
- Construction of 11 bridges, supported by 278 bridge piles and 863 bridge girders
- More than 520 kilometres of drainage and wick drains installed
- 96 per cent of construction waste diverted from landfill
- 435 habitat structures installed to support native wildlife
After years of planning and construction, the M1 extension is now ready to become part of everyday life across the Hunter – delivering a new connection that will transform the movement of people and freight and support the region’s next era of growth.
For more information about the M1 Pacific Motorway extension visit: https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/m1rt.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:
“Labor has a proud record of investing in the Pacific Highway and delivering the infrastructure regional communities need.
“My Government is delivering a faster, safer connection through the Hunter and invested almost $1.8 billion in this project.
“It means motorists will be able to travel from Melbourne all the way to Coffs Harbour without hitting a single traffic light or roundabout and we’re getting on with finishing the Coffs Harbour Bypass too.
“This is what investing in infrastructure is all about. We’re cutting travel times, getting trucks and freight moving and building for the future.”
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns:
“This is a big day for the Hunter. After years of construction, this road is opening and people will feel the difference from day one.
“It means shorter trips, less traffic on local roads and a much better connection between Newcastle, the Hunter and the rest of the state.
“This project has been a mammoth undertaking, and I want to acknowledge the hundreds of local workers who have helped deliver this important connection for the Hunter.
“This is about more than infrastructure. It’s about backing the Hunter and ensuring this great part of our state remains open for business.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:
“The days of holiday traffic crawling through the Hunter are over, with our new bypass of Hexham and Heatherbrae now delivered.
“We committed to delivering this project back in 2019, we pushed the government of the day to get on with planning and we got work underway in 2023.
“I want to thank the 2,700 workers who delivered this project.
“We planned to open this project in 2028, they got it done one and a half years early.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“On 11 September 2026, communities in the Hunter will wake up to a brand new 15km M1 motorway.
“A project built by the very people it will serve, with 70 per cent of the workforce coming from right here in the region.
“Almost 950,000 people are expected to call the Hunter home by 2041 and our roads have a vital role to play in how the region functions.
“The M1 extension reflects the needs of a region that is working harder, building faster and more ambitious than ever. A road that will support families, workers, local businesses and our industries.
“I am incredibly proud to see this mammoth investment into the Hunter be days from opening.
“This is Labor delivering for the Hunter.”
Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson:
“Today is a really proud day for our community. People in Paterson knew this road was needed, but it was always the next promise, never the next project. When we came to Government in 2022, we turned years of talk into action.
“Not only are we delivering the M1 Extension to Raymond Terrace, we’re opening it more than a year ahead of schedule – funded, fast-tracked and delivered. That’s what happens when governments work together, back our region and get on with the job.
“This project belongs to the thousands of local workers who helped make it happen. From the engineers and planners to the crews on the ground, thank you. As I always say, Hunter workers work harder, and this road is proof of that.”
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon:
“This completed link secures Newcastle as the economic centre of the Hunter by keeping freight as well as general traffic moving safer and smoother in all directions for years to come.
“After providing a massive boost to local jobs with more than four million hours of construction, the finished motorway now becomes a permanent and reliable pathway for industrial growth across the Hunter.”
State Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington:
“Woohoo! The Hexham bottleneck is gone for good!
“This is a great day for the people of Port Stephens, who have been looking forward to this day for decades.
“Many locals travel on this stretch daily, so it’s going to make a massive difference to their lives – getting where we need to go smarter, faster and safer.”
State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery:
“This is a huge day for the Wallsend electorate and our surrounding suburbs.
“After years of waiting, we finally get a motorway that takes pressure off our local streets and gives our community room to breathe.
“I can’t wait to see the difference this makes – not just for the daily commute, but for local businesses, for families heading off on a weekend away, and for a community that has waited a long time for this moment.”
State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp:
“Newcastle’s future runs through this motorway.
“Quicker, more reliable access to the Port and the Airport means our exporters and industries can compete on time, not just on price.
“Along with the newly completed Hexham Straight Widening project, this will improve travel times for all Newcastle and Hunter commuters.
“This is the kind of infrastructure that keeps Newcastle’s economy growing for decades to come.”
Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 winners announced – Newcastle photographer wins Fine Art category
Newcastle photographer Matty Smith has been named the winner of the Fine Art category of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 for his extraordinary black-and-white portrait of a nurse shark, flanked by remoras in perfect formation, is a study in form and stillness, and a breathtaking reminder of the magic and wonder of our ocean planet.
In reference to his award-winning image, Matty said: ‘The planets aligned at the end of a late afternoon dive in the Maldives. Upon ascending from the depths, I crossed paths with this beautiful tawny nurse shark bathed in ethereal evening light. I instantly knew it would make a great black & white shot.
Winning the Ocean Photographer of the Year Fine Art category is a wonderful and unexpected surprise! The Australian National Maritime Museum and Oceanographic do a fantastic job of promoting the awards and whole exhibition is always a treat to visit.’
In addition to his category winning image, Matty also had a second image which received highly commended in the Wildlife category. This image shows Southern elephant seal pups explore shallow rock pools on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands, testing their first movements in the water after being weaned by their mothers.
In all, there were 10 Australian or Australian-based photographers nominated as finalists in the competition.
Over 15,000 images were entered from around the world by planet’s leading ocean photographers.
All the finalist images will be on display at the world premiere Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum opening on November 19.
Museum Director and CEO Ms Daryl Karp said, ‘We are proud to be partnering once again with Oceanographic Magazine to bring to life the breathtaking Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition. This exhibition serves as a reminder of not only the beauty that lies beneath the ocean’s surface, but also the world below that is in urgent need of our care and protection.’
The Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, has a simple mission: to shine a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice.
Progress on hold: disability reform standstill
It has been three years since the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) handed down its recommendations, yet experts say only 3 – 7% of reform recommendations have been implemented. The evidence for reform remains strong. For example, the employment rate for people with disability sits 26 percentage points below the employment rate of non-disabled people.
The DRC ran 2019 – 2023 and made comprehensive recommendations across a wide range of areas such as education, employment, housing, health and justice. While there have been some moves towards reforms, including law reforms, the vast majority of recommendations remain unimplemented.
Professor Alastair McEwin AM was one of the six Commissioners who led the DRC and says extensive consultation was completed as part of the DRC but now the recommendations need to be implemented.
“Thousands of Australians with a disability shared their experiences with the DRC. The focus now should be on ensuring that these contributions lead to meaningful and lasting change rather than becoming another report on the shelf,” he said. “Change only comes when people continually push for it. So, I am calling on all levels of government and institutions to champion that change.”
Prof McEwin is Professor of Practice in Disability, UNSW, working with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Inclusion and the Director, Disability Innovation Institute. Based on his experience as Commissioner, he brings his expertise to influencing and developing policies and practices for greater societal inclusion of disabled people.
The Commonwealth Attorney General has reviewed the DRC recommendations on reforming the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and draft legislation is now being considered. However, many other areas are far from reform. The 56% employment rate of disabled people has hardly changed in decades compared to the 82% employment rate for non-disabled people in employment.
Only around 34% of Australians with disability have completed Year 12 or equivalent, compared with around 66% of Australians without disability.
Prof McEwin said the recommendations focused on a wide range of public policy areas and yet public debate has tended to focus on NDIS.
“Inclusion extends well beyond the individualised disability funding approach that the NDIS provides,” he said. “Equal access to education, employment, transport, housing, health care and community participation all contribute to an inclusive society.”
Prof McEwin will be hosting a variety of events at UNSW’s Diversity Festival this month, including a panel discussion called, Do Disabled People Really Belong In Our Community? Joining him will be Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia (PWDA), and Emma Bennison CEO of Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA). They will tackle the implications of changes to the NDIS and the 2026 Federal Budget, including what they may mean for inclusion and belonging in the community for people with a disability.
Three teenage girls charged over serious assault – East Maitland
Three teenage girls have been charged with seriously assaulting another girl in the states Hunter Region.
About 4pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026, it will be alleged a 14-year-old girl travelling on a bus in East Maitland was assaulted by three other girls known to her.
When the bus stopped at a bus stop along Victoria Street, it will be alleged the 14-year-old girl was dragged off the bus where the assault continued.
A bystander intervened and went to the aid of the 14-year-old girl where the three girls ran from the scene.
NSW Ambulance paramedics later treated the girl where she was taken to Maitland Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Officers from the Police Transport Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
About 10.45pm last Friday (4 September 2026) officers arrested a 13-year-old girl at a home in East Maitland where she was taken to Maitland Police Station and is due to appear at a children’s court on Thursday 1 October 2026.
A 17-year-old girl was arrested at a home in Tenambit about 2.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 8 September 2026) and also taken to Maitland Police Station. She is due to appear in a Children’s Court on Thursday 17 September 2026.
Officers arrested a 15-year-old girl at a business in Little Pelican. The girl was taken to Belmont Police Station and is due to appear in a children’s court on Monday 21 September 2026.
All three were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm or other(s) and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and were granted conditional bail.
Investigations are ongoing.
Appeal to located teen missing from Metford
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teen missing from the Hunter region.
Xavier Powrie, aged 14, was last seen on Marshall Avenue, Metford, about on Tuesday 1 September 2026.
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District were notified yesterday (Monday 7 September 2026) and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family hold concerns for Xavier’s welfare due to his young age.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of thin build, short curly hair with a rat’s tail and a diamond earring in his right ear lobe.
It is not known what he was last seen wearing but he is known to wear black hoodies and track pants.
Xavier is known to frequent the Metford and East Maitland areas.
Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Labor slammed an “international human rights disgrace” as UN condemns public housing demolition
The Victorian Greens say Labor has brought international shame on Victoria after the United Nations warned its plan to demolish and privatise all 44 of Melbourne’s public housing towers could violate the human right to housing.
The Greens say the extraordinary UN intervention exposes Labor’s housing agenda for what it is – evicting public housing residents, ripping communities apart, bulldozing public homes and carving up valuable public land for private development in the middle of a housing crisis.
After years of Labor dismissing residents, ignoring advocates and refusing to justify why every tower must be demolished, the UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing has now condemned the lack of meaningful consultation and warned the demolitions could make Victoria’s housing crisis even worse.
The Greens say that Labor’s plan is an international human rights disgrace and that Premier Ben Carroll needs to finally admit it and scrap this plan that’s been a total disaster from day one.
Victorian Greens housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:
“Labor should be utterly ashamed. Their attack on public housing has now become an international human rights disgrace.
“Labor has become the party of bulldozers, evictions and privatisation.They have treated public housing residents as disposable and public land as something to be carved up for developers.
“In the middle of the worst housing crisis in generations, when people are sleeping in cars, rents are crushing families and tens of thousands of Victorians are waiting desperately for a public home, Labor’s answer is to destroy public housing.
“The Greens will stop Labor’s demolition agenda, keep public housing land in public hands and build the tens of thousands of public homes Victoria desperately needs.”
Increased state surveillance, more kids in prison not solution to organised crime
Concerns are being raised that Labor Premier Chris Minns’ response to recent murders from organised crime will do more to erode civil liberties than stop organised criminals, following an announcement today of tougher criminal penalties for children and young people and a $15 million investment in phone-cracking technology.
Greens MP, solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said, “This is the Chris Minns law and order spin formula that we have seen since he came to power. The only thing this Premier seems capable of doing in response to horrific criminal behaviour is erode civil liberties, increase police powers and lock up more children and young people.
“Under the Minns Labor Government police have been given increased powers, the number of kids and young people in prison has increased at record rates, and more people are being arrested and incarcerated than ever before. This approach has failed to stop recent criminal murders or address the causes of organised crime, and the exact same law-and-order approach will simply keep failing,
“If we are investing $15 million to hack more phones and give police further access to messages, images, location markers and other sensitive information, we must also increase the independent oversight to safeguard against improper use of this invasive technology. This announcement comes amidst increasing community concern about Cellebrite, the Israeli spyware firm run by ex-IDF soldiers who provide phone-hacking technology to police,
“The Premier’s ‘adult crime, adult time’ rhetoric helps no one, and appears to be a shameless attempt to beat One Nation in a race to the bottom based on zero evidence,
“We need targeted and evidence-based solutions to combat organised crime developed in consultation with experts, not an escalation from Chris Minns’ media unit. We need to take serious action on social media algorithms, drug law reform, systemic disadvantage and inequality and diversion and rehabilitation for children engaged in criminal behaviour. Instead, we are locking up kids and expanding state surveillance,” Ms Higginson said.
Labor extends racist and failed compulsory income management indefinitely
Labor has covertly extended the life of its racist and failed compulsory income management regime today, joining with the Coalition to kill off a Greens attempt to put an end to this cruel program.
In April 2022, federal Labor made an election commitment to scrap compulsory income management. Two elections in, and Labor has instead extended compulsory income management indefinitely. The Government also refuses to release the documents from the apparent consultation they’ve been conducting since 2023.
The Greens’ disallowance, moved by Senator Allman-Payne, sought to oppose the Social Security (Administration) Legislation Amendment (Income Management and Enhanced Income Management) Instrument 2026 (the Instrument). Labor’s Social Services Minister, Minister Tanya Plibersek, registered the Instrument on 24 June 2026 which removed the self-repealing clauses for four income management determinations that Labor made in 2023, effectively extending compulsory income management indefinitely.
Senator Allman-Payne is chairing the current Community Affairs References Committee’s review into the Instrument. As of 7 September, the majority of the submissions to the committee oppose the deeply unfair and targeted compulsory income management scheme and call for a transition to a voluntary system.
Greens spokesperson on Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
“Labor has today extended a failed, racist and coercive policy indefinitely, despite pledging to abolish it.
“Labor won’t release their own consultation because it’ll tell them what they already know: that compulsory income management doesn’t work, that it harms people, and that it must be abolished and replaced with a truly voluntary system.
“Compulsion, fear and racism should never be part of a genuine safety net. Social security must instead champion equality, human rights and the right to choose what income management works for you.”