Month: October 2026

Newcastle rolls out welcome wagon for cruise passengers to deliver business boost

More than 35,000 tourists will be invited to experience the best of Newcastle’s east end thanks to an initiative taking advantage of the record-breaking cruise season, which is expected to inject $7 million into the local economy.

The Passenger Experience Project is hoping to tap into the economic windfall by transporting cruise visitors via a shuttle bus loop every 20 minutes from the Visitor Information Centre to the corner of Hunter and Watt Street, where they can explore boutique businesses, galleries, cafes and restaurants.

Cruise passenger shuttle busNewcastle East business ambassadors Janice Musumeci, Henry Walker and Rita DiRenzo with the new shuttle bus, which began operation today as part of the Passenger Experience Project.

It is one of 16 projects to share in $925,000 of funding through the latest round of City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rates (SBR) program.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said it was exciting to see innovative approaches being delivered to support the city’s business precincts.

“Watching these mammoth vessels pull through the headland and into our beautiful Newcastle Harbour brings with it a certain sense of excitement,” Cr Morris said.

“For businesses in the east end, this project will ensure the arrival of the cruise ships generates a new level of economic opportunity alongside this excitement.

“The Special Business Rates program is specifically designed to benefit businesses in the City Centre, Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend and the Passenger Experience Project is a fantastic example of this.”

The 113,561-tonne Crown Princess sailed into the Harbour this morning as the first of 18 cruise ships scheduled to visit Newcastle between October 2026 and April 2027.

Cruise ship in dockThe Crown Princess sailed into Newcastle Harbour today as the record-breaking cruise season officially begins.

The Passenger Experience Project draws on proven models from Darwin and Port Adelaide, where comparable programs have successfully dispersed cruise visitors into retail precincts and lifted local expenditure.

It was developed in consultation with precinct businesses, the Newcastle Visitor Centre, Destination NSW, the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group and City of Newcastle.

Around 20 local businesses are already onboard, offering special cruise passenger deals to improve visitor access and encourage exploration.

Chair of the East End Collective, Lukas Thodas, said the project will help traders tap into a lucrative opportunity.

“Destination NSW data shows cruise passengers spend an average of $197 onshore per person,” Mr Thodas said.

“By bringing people to the east end, we’ll increase foot traffic, dwell time and spending at participating local businesses.

“Our traders were keen to capitalise on the record-breaking cruise season, but many were unsure how to draw visitors into the precinct.

“The 24-seater shuttle bus will do loops every 20 minutes on days the cruise ships are in port to pick up passengers and drop them in the east end, giving businesses a coordinated pathway to capture that spend.

“Beyond the cruise season, the branded digital and printed resources will continue promoting Newcastle East businesses year-round, delivering lasting value beyond the life of the project.”

Beyond the Passenger Experience Project, the latest round of SBR funding will also support the creation of a New Lambton Fair in May 2027, featuring food trucks, live music, family entertainment, community performances and heritage storytelling.

The popular Winterheat Festival will return in 2027, while other community favourites such as Newcastle Fringe Festival, West Best Bloc Fest, Newcastle Tuna & Seafood Festival and Newcastle Food Month also received SBR funding.

The western suburbs will become a destination for events, including the return of the Halloween-themed large scale family event Wallsend Frights and the delivery of 10 new “Hot Shots” community events on the last Saturday of the month offering live music, food and opportunities for local small businesses or makers.

Other supported initiatives include an immersive public art experience in Hunter Street Mall, the Midtown Safety and Visitor Experience Program and a Newcastle Accessible Tourism AI Mapping Project.

Special Business Rates are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend, and are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and economic development of these business precincts. 

Annual funding for the most creative and innovative project proposals is distributed through a competitive application process. 

For more information on the Special Business Rates program visit the City of Newcastle website.

Mental Health Month: Labor to deliver free mental health support for Western Sydney kids

Families across Western Sydney, the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains are a step closer to accessing free specialist mental health support for their children, with a site now selected for the new Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub in Penrith.

The new service will provide free mental health and wellbeing support for children aged 0 to 12 years and their families, with no referral required, and will become the first Medicare Kids Hub in the region.

Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride and NSW Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Youth Rose Jackson today visited the site, which will be located opposite Nepean Hospital and near a range of specialist health services, including the recently opened Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

Refurbishment works will now begin ahead of the Kids Hub opening in early 2027.

The Penrith Kids Hub is the final of four Kids Hubs being delivered across New South Wales as part of a $50.8 million joint investment by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, with each government contributing $25.4 million to strengthen support for children’s mental health.

The announcement comes during Mental Health Month as the Albanese and Minns Governments continue expanding access to free mental health care through a growing network of Medicare Mental Health services.

Across New South Wales, 21 Medicare Mental Health Centres are now open and have delivered more than 280,000 free, walk in appointments.

The Penrith Medicare Mental Health Centre alone has delivered almost 40,000 free appointments and support sessions, demonstrating the strong demand for accessible, community-based mental health care in the region.

Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs in NSW have already delivered more than 17,000 appointments and support sessions since opening last year.

Together, these services are helping make sure mental health support is available closer to home, reducing barriers to care and saving families both time and money.

The Penrith Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub will provide free support for children experiencing mild to moderate developmental, emotional, relational or behavioural challenges.

A multidisciplinary team including mental health clinicians, allied health professionals and care navigators will work with children and families to provide tailored support and connect them with additional services where needed.

NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“Free, accessible healthcare is a cornerstone of a strong public health system, and every family deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of their circumstances.

“We’ve heard the calls to strengthen mental health support for young people and we’re acting on it, building Kids Hubs in key locations for local families.

“This is about making mental health care easy and accessible. No diagnosis or referral needed – when the doors are open, families can just walk in and get the support they need.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention McBride:

“Every child deserves to thrive, and every family deserves access to free mental health support close to home. That’s what we are delivering.

“We know that getting help early can make a lifetime of difference, which is why Labor is investing in free, community-based mental health care for children.

“Already across New South Wales Kids Hubs have delivered nearly 20,000 free, appointments to local families – and soon Western Sydney children and families will have that same support at their doorstep.

Karen McKeown, NSW Member for Penrith:

“It can be really challenging when your child is struggling and knowing where to seek to support is not always straightforward.

“The establishment of this free local hub in Penrith will improve access to quality mental health care, allowing local families to get the support they need in their local community.”

Trish Doyle, NSW Member for the Blue Mountains:

“It’s fantastic to see a site chosen for the new Penrith Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub, which will bring free care closer to home for families across the Blue Mountains.

“This service ensure children and parents can get the support they need, when they need it, without cost being a barrier.

Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman:

*“*This is a life-changing service for our region. As the mother of a child who would have used this service if it had been around decades ago, I know it offers hope where there has been little for both children and their families.”

Minns Labor Government delivers greater transparency about the rental market

The Minns Labor Government has delivered greater transparency about the NSW rental market through the release of the state’s first mandatory End of Tenancy Survey results (“the Survey”).

As part of the Government’s landmark ban on no-grounds evictions in May 2025, landlords are now required to provide lawful reasons and supporting evidence when ending a lease. The mandatory collection and publication of this data help to create a fairer, more transparent rental market underpinned by stability and security for renters.

This moves away from an outdated, optional survey with a low response rate that did not provide an accurate reflection of the reasons why leases ended.

The Survey collected over 275,000 responses from landlords and agents, representing around 90 per cent of bonds refunded during the period.

It revealed that where the landlord ended a lease, almost two-thirds of evictions related to:

  • the owner or a family member moving back into the property (28 per cent)
  • the proposed sale of a property (20 per cent), or
  • the actual sale of a property (14 per cent).

Importantly, approximately 85 per cent of leases were ended by renters rather than landlord action. The data is backed by renter sentiment, with a separate exclusive survey finding almost three in four renters feel better protected since the ban on no-grounds evictions.

Prior to these changes, many renters were feeling unable to assert their rights for fear of being evicted, with an estimated 45 per cent of leases ending without a reason given.

The Government’s Rental Taskforce uses purpose-built data-matching technology to continuously monitor the reasons landlords give for evictions against rental listing and bond lodgement data to ensure they are genuine.

Under the Minns Labor Government’s reforms, landlords who evict a renter cannot re-let their property within a certain time period, ranging from four weeks to 12 months, depending on the reason for eviction. Mandating re-letting exclusion periods is especially important because potential breaches can be indicative of possible unlawful evictions.

The Survey Insights are an important reporting mechanism established under the rental reforms, and support consistent monitoring of the rental market across the state.

The Minns Labor Government has now delivered on all of its commitments to make renting fairer in NSW. The Government has:

  • Banned no-grounds evictions.
  • Limited rent increases to once a year.
  • Ensured renters have fee-free ways to pay rent.
  • Banned fees for background checks.
  • Made it easier to have pets in rentals.
  • Passed legislation protecting renters’ privacy.
  • Launched Smart Rental Bonds statewide, allowing every renter in NSW to digitally transfer their bond between properties.

Access to the full Survey Insights is available here.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Minns Labor Government made a promise to make renting fairer – and that goes hand-in-hand with making the market more transparent.

“That’s exactly what these results are achieving: a better understanding of renting so that we can achieve better outcomes for renters and landlords.

“This data reflects the Government’s ban on no-grounds evictions in action, providing renters with the security and stability that only Labor can deliver.

“The NSW Liberals failed to introduce this level of reform and transparency at every turn. They’re continuing to send a clear message to renters: they don’t care about you.”

Construction of new $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health complete

Construction of the $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health facility is now complete, marking a major milestone in the delivery of modern healthcare for the Eurobodalla region.

The purpose-built community health facility will provide a range of integrated health services in the one location for Batemans Bay and surrounding communities.  

The new Batemans Bay Community Health, delivered by the Minns Labor Government, will provide spaces for:

  • Allied health services
  • Child, youth and family services
  • Women’s health and sexual health services
  • Community nursing and wound management
  • Palliative care
  • Aboriginal health services
  • Mental health, alcohol and other drug services
  • Specialist outpatient clinics
  • Pathology collection services

Located close to the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, the new community health facility will provide coordinated and convenient access to healthcare services in Batemans Bay.

The facility has been designed to complement the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital at Moruya.  

A comprehensive operational commissioning period is under way to ensure a safe and smooth transition into the new centre. This includes testing building systems, installing furniture and equipment, staff orientation and training, and other activities.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $11.9 billion to deliver more beds and expanded services across 32 new or upgraded health facilities in NSW as part of the 2026-27 budget. This includes nearly $3 billion over four years for hospitals across regional NSW.  

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:  

“The Minns Labor Government is improving access to health care for people on the South Coast.  

“The completion of construction for the new Batemans Bay Community Health facility is an important milestone for Batemans Bay and the surrounding community.

“We are now one step closer to opening the doors of this purpose-built facility, providing modern spaces that will ensure the community can access the care they need closer to home, while better supporting healthcare staff in providing high-quality care.”

Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland:

“The completion of this new $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health facility is a very important milestone for the Batemans Bay community.

“This purpose-built centre will bring a wide range of health and community services together under one roof, making it easier for people to access the care and support they need closer to home.

“For patients, families and carers, that means modern, welcoming spaces and better connections between different health services.

“Alongside the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and the $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, this is another significant investment in the future of healthcare across our region.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the doors open later this year and the community benefiting from this important new facility.” 

First look at Armed Response Command, NSW Police’s new rapid response policing unit

The Minns Labor Government is today unveiling the first look at NSW Police’s Australian-first Armed Response Command (ARC) – a dedicated, highly trained and permanent police unit designed to rapidly respond to serious threats and protect the community.

Training is underway with 24 purpose-built vehicles being delivered as the Command prepares to become operational.

Over the coming weeks, the community can expect to see ARC officers, rifles and specialist vehicles on the streets as training moves from dedicated training facilities into realistic environments across Sydney. This is the next, public phase of training.

ARC will be a high-visibility, intelligence-led unit capable of rapidly responding to emerging threats, patrolling high-risk areas, and providing an increased police presence at places of worship, major events and other locations where it is needed.

Backed by a $94.3 million investment, ARC will make permanent and transition Operation Shelter from a reactive surge operation, to a permanent, round-the-clock rapid response unit.

Operation Shelter was first launched in October 2023 in response to heightened community tensions including an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents.

At full strength, ARC will have 250 officers and 28 civilian staff, meaning that police will no longer be rotated out of Police Area Commands.

Officers will have access to rifles and a fleet of purpose-built vehicles, including BMW X5s and Toyota LandCruisers. The vehicles contain specially designed gun safes to secure rifles. Officers are currently undergoing advanced driver training.

The NSW Police Force has selected the Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR), manufactured by Lithgow Small Arms in NSW, as the most suitable weapon following extensive field and endurance testing.

A 24/7 specialised Police Operations Centre will support the command including with response, coordination, training, logistics and intelligence.

The Command is informed by global best practice with a senior NSW Police Force delegation travelling to the United Kingdom and Germany in January to study their rapid response models, ultimately informing ARC.

The Armed Response Command builds on a suite of reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government to improve community safety and protect social cohesion, including:

  • Tough firearms reforms, stricter licence requirements and a gun buyback to remove dangerous weapons from the community
  • New offences banning the public display of terrorist organisation symbols and further action to address hateful speech reinforce efforts to reduce division, intimidation and hate in NSW.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The security challenges facing our state have changed, and our policing model needs to change with them.

“Keeping the people of New South Wales safe is our number one priority. That means making sure our police have the people, training and equipment they need to respond to serious threats.

“We hope these officers are never called on to respond to a major incident. But if one happens, NSW Police are ready.

“People will start seeing these officers and their vehicles around Sydney as training gets underway. This is about being prepared for the worst and making sure we can keep the community safe.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“This is about backing police with the right capability to detect, prevent and respond to threats.

“The new Armed Response Command is based on global best practice. Police travelled to Europe to study how other major police forces respond to threats; they’ve taken that on board and will soon be ready to launch an Australian-first rapid response unit.

“These officers are highly trained, with specialist equipment, purpose-built vehicles and a live operation centre. What we’re delivering is a rapid, 24/7 response that the community should have confidence in.”

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said:

“ARC will not only provide a policing rapid response, but it will also be a deterrent for those who wish to commit harm, incite hatred or cause fear.

“No matter where you are located across Sydney, we want all communities to feel reassured that police can be anywhere, at anytime, to keep people safe.

“The environment in NSW has changed, so the way we police the community has changed and what the community expect from us, has changed.”

Construction progressing on new Murwillumbah SES unit

Construction is progressing on the new NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Murwillumbah Unit, with the $6.2 million purpose-built facility taking shape ahead of its expected completion in early 2027.

The new facility on Old Lismore Road will provide local NSW SES volunteers with a modern base to support communities across the Northern Rivers and Tweed during floods, storms and other emergencies.

The NSW Government is investing $3.85 million towards the new Murwillumbah Unit, alongside a $2.35 million contribution from Tweed Shire Council.

The new facility will replace the existing Murwillumbah Unit building, which volunteers have outgrown and no longer meets the operational needs of the unit.

Once complete, the purpose-built facility will include expanded garage bays, improved training areas, dedicated operational rooms, upgraded amenities and remotely accessible delivery bays.

The new building will provide volunteers with more space to train, prepare and respond, while improving the unit’s capacity to support the community during severe weather and flooding.

In the past three years, the Murwillumbah Unit has responded to close to 850 incidents, mainly due to storms and flooding in the local community.

Disaster response and recovery operations have also been bolstered through the delivery of a new specialised High Clearance Vehicle (HCV) based in Murwillumbah.

HCV vehicles have been delivered to flood and storm hotspots across the state and will be deployed across the region during severe weather events.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Our investment in the SES underscores our commitment to ensuring NSW communities have safe, reliable and high-performing equipment and facilities.

“It is fantastic to see construction progressing on this important project and to see firsthand what the new facility will deliver for NSW SES volunteers and the Murwillumbah community.

“Our SES volunteers give so much to their communities, particularly during the floods and severe weather events the Northern Rivers has experienced in recent years, and these facilities will support them to continue to do their jobs safely and effectively.

“This new unit will provide volunteers with the modern training, operational and equipment spaces they need to respond when their community needs them most.”

Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:

“Communities across the Northern Rivers know just how important our NSW SES volunteers are when severe weather strikes, and this new facility is an important investment in our region’s emergency response capability.

“The new Murwillumbah Unit will give our local volunteers a fit-for-purpose home base, with the space and facilities they need to train, prepare equipment and coordinate operations.

“This is about making sure the people who are there for our community in times of emergency have the infrastructure they need behind them.”

NSW SES acting Commissioner Daniel Austin said:

“Our Murwillumbah volunteers play a critical role in protecting the local community, responding to floods, storms and a range of other emergencies.

“This new facility will make a significant difference to our members, providing expanded vehicle and equipment space, dedicated operational areas and better facilities for training.

“We are grateful for the investment from the NSW Government and Tweed Shire Council and look forward to seeing our volunteers operating from their new home.”

Tweed Shire Council Mayor Reece Byrnes said:

“Having worked with many members of the Murwillumbah SES unit, I fully understand how much this new facility will mean to all the volunteers.

“Their tireless efforts during the course of natural disasters, such as our floods of 2017 and 2022, are deeply appreciated by our community, and this new, modern home base, will ensure their service and dedication is fully recognised.

“I also hope that it may encourage more members of our community to consider volunteering for the SES which does such an amazing job in times of crisis.”

Aerotropolis investment soars to $34.6 billion

Private investment in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is soaring, tripling over the last 18 months to reach $34.6 billion and surpassing the $29 billion government investment in public infrastructure.  

The investment lift off comes as Western Sydney International Airport starts to connect the region to the world, operating freight flights and preparing to welcome passenger services this month.  

Adding to the growing momentum is the opportunity for businesses to base themselves in Bradfield City’s Second Building which is under construction and scheduled to open in 2028.

Expressions of interest have opened today targeting strategic anchor tenants, start-ups and scale-ups operating in priority scientific, innovative or complex technology sectors.

Tenancy opportunities in Bradfield’s second building include:

  • Manufacturing Hall – 380sqm of serviced advanced manufacturing space to support research, prototyping and manufacturing activities at scale.
  • Manufacturing Area – 280sqm of serviced manufacturing space providing a purpose-built environment for product development, research translation and advanced manufacturing activities.
  • Commercial Office Space – 1,150sqm of flexible workspace for technology companies, researchers, start-ups, scale-ups and industry partners seeking to collaborate within Bradfield City’s innovation ecosystem alongside the AMRF and Semiconductor Advanced Packaging Facility.

This is a great opportunity in one of Australia’s most significant emerging industry hubs for businesses that need a clear pathway from research and development through to advanced manufacturing and commercialisation.

Businesses may apply for one or all three opportunities in the second building, meaning they can establish manufacturing, research and development, and commercial operations within a single building.

Businesses which ultimately set up in Bradfield will join the ranks with major companies including Amazon and ALDI have already chosen to establish operations within the broader Aerotropolis.  

More information on the latest Aerotropolis investments can found here.

More information on Second Building tenancies can be found here.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“For too long, Western Sydney residents have had to travel long distances to access jobs and employment opportunities.

“Bradfield and the Aerotropolis are changing that, with the Minns Labor Government continuing its work to bring industries, skills and careers into the region, closer to home.  

“Western Sydney residents deserve to see the benefits of this growth in their own backyard through more well-paid jobs, stronger industries and greater economic opportunity for generations to come.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“When first elected, the Minns Labor Government committed to getting the Aerotropolis moving and delivering jobs for Western Sydney.

“Today it is attracting tens of billions of dollars in investment, as major businesses choose Western Sydney as their next home base and creating thousands of jobs.

“Too often great ideas are developed in Australia but commercialised and manufactured elsewhere. Bradfield is changing that developing into a new global hub for innovative industries and advanced manufacturing.”  

Minister for Finance, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“Australia’s economic future depends on our ability to develop, make and commercialise more products here at home. We are focused on creating the conditions for manufacturers to invest with confidence, expand their operations and employ more people.”

“The nationally significant semiconductor and advanced manufacturing capability being delivered in Bradfield City will help strengthen domestic manufacturing, support sovereign capability and position New South Wales at the forefront of emerging industries.” 

Statement on Death of Australian Army Soldier

Our nation’s thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the Australian Army soldier who has tragically died during a training exercise in the Northern Territory yesterday.  

Our thoughts are also with the five other Australian Army soldiers who were injured in the incident, and we wish them a speedy recovery. 

There are no safe or easy days for those who serve in our country’s name. This sad incident is a terrible reminder of what families take on when their loved one bravely puts on our nation’s uniform. 

Every loss and every incident is felt deeply by the broader Defence family, but by none more so than their mates who served alongside them. We think of them today and every day. 

We ask that all Australians respect the privacy of Defence members and families at this saddest of times.

The ADF will provide further updates when possible.

Third anniversary of October 7 attacks

Today, we pause to remember the devastation that Hamas unleashed in the terrorist attack in Israel on the 7th of October, 2023. 

On this dark anniversary, we remember the 1200 who were taken from the world, the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust.

We think of everyone who was dragged into captivity, everyone who never returned home to their families, and everyone forever scarred by what they endured. 

We think of all who lost loved ones, everyone who suffered, and those who entered that most agonising of vigils, struggling to bear the weight of hope as they waited for news of their loved ones held hostage.

We mourn Australian Galit Carbone. Our hearts are with her family, who live each day with her absence.

We solemnly vow to never forget what the terrorists perpetrated in all their cruelty.

That they chose to target young people at a music festival promoting friends, love and infinite freedom sent a clear message to the world that Hamas stands in opposition to humanity.  

Time marches on with an ease denied to the human heart. For so many, no day since has been easy, but anniversaries fall with their own terrible weight. And for many others, what compounds the pain is the approach of the first anniversary of the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach.

These few years have been hard beyond measure, but Australia stands with the Jewish community here and across the world. 

We stand against antisemitism and racism in all its forms because it goes against who we are. 

We stand against Hamas, which must disarm and play no role in Palestine’s future.

Australia continues to push for the implementation of the Gaza peace plan to end the conflict after such terrible suffering and loss of civilian life.

The Australian Government encourages and welcomes all genuine moves towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, underpinned by the State of Israel and the State of Palestine living side by side, within internationally recognised borders in peace and security.

Such a future would be the greatest victory of humanity over hatred. That is the future we must strive for together.

Vale Richard Morecroft

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Richard Morecroft. As the face and the voice of the news of the ABC, Richard became a beloved part of Australian life. 

Combining a consummate professionalism with an unyielding humanity, Richard was a figure of absolute trust, a warm and familiar presence who guided us through the good times and bad. 

He loved the arts and was deeply passionate about our natural environment. Nothing completed the picture so delightfully as the time we learned that he used to keep a baby flying fox safe and sound beneath the desk while he was presenting the news.

Richard was a great Australian and we were lucky to have him as part of our lives.

Our thoughts now are with his partner Alison Mackay.

May Richard Morecroft rest in peace.