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Stott Despoja to lead Military Sexual Violence Inquiry

I am pleased to announce Natasha Stott Despoja AC has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of the independent Defence and Veteran Service Commission (DVSC) to lead the inquiry into Military Sexual Violence as recommended by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

As a former Royal Commissioner for South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Ms Stott Despoja is exceptionally well credentialed to lead work to better protect ADF members from the threat of sexual violence.

Ms Stott Despoja served as Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls from 2013 to 2016 and she continues to be a leading international voice for the prevention of sexual violence.

The Inquiry responds to Recommendation 25 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which heard extensive, harrowing evidence from serving and ex-serving ADF members of the impact of sexual violence.

Those who wear our uniform might expect to face threats to their safety on the battlefield, but never from those whom they serve alongside.

The Inquiry will begin later this year and run for around 12 months, with a final report to be made public.

Terms of Reference can be found at: www.dvsc.gov.au/resources/military-sexual-violence-terms-reference.

As the Military Sexual Violence Inquiry Deputy Commissioner, Ms Stott Despoja will convene and preside over hearings, and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, witnesses and officials. This includes those with lived and living experiences around military sexual violence.

The Inquiry will make recommendations to improve prevention and early intervention, protections for victim-survivors of military sexual violence, ensure perpetrators are held to account and advance a victim-centric approach within the ADF. Consistent with the DVSC’s role as an oversight body, the Inquiry will not investigate or make recommendations about specific cases of sexual violence, current or historical.

Australia deploys drone specialists as part of expanded Nepal response

Australia will deploy a team of specialist drone operators to contribute to Nepal’s search and rescue effort and boost our humanitarian support package following the catastrophic floods.

The team, including members of Fire and Rescue New South Wales and the Queensland Fire Department, will depart in the coming days as part of a 15-person Disaster Assistance Response Team. They will use advanced drone technology to provide rapid mapping and imaging to support Nepali authorities’ search operations.

In response to Australia’s ongoing offers of assistance, the Government of Nepal has now requested this support. We stand ready to provide further search, rescue and recovery assistance.

The latest deployment is in addition to the 19 Australian personnel already dispatched to Nepal to support the crisis response, including consular and humanitarian officers, Australian Federal Police and Defence personnel.

38 Australians remain unaccounted for. Australian officials are working closely with authorities in Nepal and China to support efforts to establish their whereabouts and provide assistance to their families.

The conditions facing search and recovery teams remain extremely challenging. Communications are difficult, infrastructure has been destroyed and many areas are still difficult to reach.

Australians have responded to the disaster in Nepal with extraordinary generosity, with over $4 million donated to the Emergency Action Alliance that is providing critical support for recovery efforts.

In response, the Australian Government will provide a further $3 million to match public donations.

This contribution will enable the delivery of vital shelter, water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as providing children with desperately needed temporary learning spaces.

It brings the Australian Government’s ongoing humanitarian support package to a total of $11 million.

Australians wishing to donate can visit emergencyaction.org.au.

Our thoughts remain with all those waiting for news of family and friends, and with the search and rescue teams working in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

The Australian Government continues to do everything we can to confirm the welfare of those who remain unaccounted for and support their families and loved ones.

Inquiry: Banks big winners from housing crisis

The eighth and final hearing of the Greens-led Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity, held in Canberra today, heard evidence that the big four banks are big winners in the housing crisis while renters and first homebuyers lose out.

The committee heard that rent is outpacing wage growth, with many more people renting today than 30 years ago because it takes much longer to save for a deposit.

It also heard that the big four banks made over $30 billion dollars in net profit in the last financial year (CBA $11 billion, Westpac $6.9 billion, NAB $6.759 billion, ANZ $5.9 billion).

Over the life of an average 30 year owner-occupier mortgage, the big four banks make nearly $229,000 in profit.

The Greens say the banks are doing well at everyone else’s expense and that’s on Labor.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness and Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock:

“Despite house prices coming down, the housing market is still cooked – because Labor’s still putting corporate profits ahead of renters and first homebuyers. We heard today how the big banks are making billions off the housing crisis, while homeowners and renters lose out.

“While people with a mortgage are facing yet another rate rise, and rents keep soaring, the big banks aren’t feeling the pain.. The big four banks – CBA, NAB, Westpac and ANZ – made a profit of $30 billion dollars in the last financial year.

“Meanwhile renters across the country face astronomical rent prices and low vacancy rates, with many renters just one rent hike away from losing everything. Because renters don’t have a buffer, they are the buffer for landlords. That’s why the Greens have been calling for rent caps to protect renters from unfair rate hikes.

“What stands out in this inquiry are the numerous layers of housing inequity, both intergenerational and intragenerational, and how governments just don’t care about renters and the growing number of people sleeping rough.

“The housing system we have, created by successive Labor and coalition governments, was deliberately designed to benefit corporate greed, the banks, property developers and investors, not ordinary people simply trying to get by.

“A 4% fall in house prices is very little comfort to a first homebuyer. It is nowhere near enough when we look at the long trajectory of a 400% increase in house prices in so many Australian cities and regional towns in the last 30 years.

“Tax changes alone were never going to cut it. Labor needs to take on corporate greed in the housing market by taxing big corporations, build more public homes like Australia used to, and end grandfathering for wealthy property investors.

“Millions of households are doing it tough, while the banks profit on the housing crisis, and Labor is making it worse.”

Public hearing link

Coalition will protect and defend our National Day, our National Flag, and our war memorials

The Coalition will introduce new federal laws to defend the Australian flag, protect Australia Day, and crack down on people who vandalise the memorials that honour our history and those who served our country.

In the last fortnight, a war memorial in the small western Victorian community of Dobie was badly vandalised. A commemorative plaque honouring local veterans was stolen, the memorial was covered in political graffiti and surrounding plants and trees were destroyed.

It came barely a month after vandals targeted the 100-year-old war memorial at nearby Beaufort, spray-painting slogans including “death to Australia” and “death to the ADF” across a memorial honouring local Australians who served in the First World War.

Earlier this year, vandals destroyed Melbourne’s 155-year-old Pioneer Monument in the Flagstaff Gardens and graffitied the site with vile anti-Australian slogans.

On Australia Day, an Australian flag was set alight at an “Invasion Day” protest in Brisbane, prompting renewed calls for stronger legal protection of the national flag.

Enough is enough.

Australians are entitled to be proud of their country and we should protect the symbols and memorials that have made us the great nation we are.

Australians should not have to watch our flag being burned, century-old memorials being smashed, or the names of Australians who served our country being covered in political graffiti, only to be told this is just another form of protest.

To this end, the Coalition will introduce an Australian National Symbols and Heritage Protection Bill to give these important national symbols proper protection under Commonwealth law.

Under the Coalition’s plan, we will:

Protect Australia Day on 26 January in Commonwealth law, with any future change to our national day requiring the approval of the Australian people through a national plebiscite.
Create a federal criminal offence for serious public desecration of the Australian National Flag where a person is reckless as to whether their actions will incite hatred or violence, or threaten public order or cause a public disturbance.
Create a federal criminal offence with serious penalties for deliberately damaging, defacing, desecrating or destroying war memorials and other significant memorials commemorating Australia’s history.

The laws would protect not only traditional war memorials but significant monuments, statues, plaques and commemorative structures recognising the people, events, and institutions that form part of Australia’s national story.

Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Angus Taylor MP said Australians should never be made to apologise for loving their country.

“Australians are rightly proud of our country, its history and what generations of Australians have built together”, Mr Taylor said.

“Our flag represents the country we love. Our war memorials honour Australians who put their lives on the line for us. And Australia Day is our national day that unites us all.”

“These things belong to the Australian people and they should not be torn down, smashed, desecrated, or quietly stripped of their significance. The Coalition will protect these symbols and memorials and we won’t be shy in standing up for the national pride that we should all feel for our great country.”

Shadow Attorney-General, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, said Australians should not have to accept the destruction of their national heritage as the price of free expression.

“Freedom of speech is fundamental in Australia, but freedom of speech does not mean freedom to destroy,” Senator Cash said.

“There is a clear difference between making a political argument and taking a can of spray paint to the names of Australians who fought and died for this country.”

Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel and Afghanistan and veteran, Phillip Thompson OAM MP, said attacks on war memorials were particularly offensive to veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

“When someone paints ‘death to the ADF’ across a war memorial, Australians know instinctively that something is badly wrong,” Mr Thompson said.

“Those memorials carry the names of ordinary Australians who left their homes, their families and their communities to serve our country. Many never came home.”

“We will make sure there are real consequences.”

Federal Member for Bowman, Henry Pike MP, said decisions about Australia’s national day should belong to Australians.

“Australia Day does not belong to politicians, bureaucrats, or activists. It belongs to the Australian people,” Mr Pike said.

“If Australia is ever going to change its national day, that decision should be made by Australians themselves.”

“Australia’s history is worth defending. We should teach it, learn from it, and be proud of what this extraordinary country has become, not erase it.”

The Coalition believes Australia is the greatest country in the world and it is worth protecting.

We will stand up for our country, honour those who came before us, and protect the Australian way of life for generations to come.

These measures form part of Our Plan to Fix the Economy and Protect Our Way of Life with Lower Taxes, Cheaper Power, Less Migration and More Homes, while Putting Australians First.

New intake of overseas and interstate paramedics join NSW Ambulance

NSW Ambulance has today welcomed 16 new paramedics from interstate and overseas, providing a further boost to frontline health services across NSW.

The qualified and experienced paramedics, from a wide range of locations including, the UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand and interstate, have completed a comprehensive induction program at the NSW Ambulance Education Centre and will begin their nine week on-road training from tomorrow.

This cohort includes Paul Dowling who worked as a paramedic for British Columbia Emergency Health Services in Canada for six years, and Billy Britton, who served with the London Ambulance Service for six years.

The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding essential services by recruiting more health staff, including paramedics, doctors, nurses, and allied health workers.

This includes strengthening ambulance services in regional, rural and remote communities by rolling out an additional 500 paramedics across the state, through the Regional 500 initiative.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“I’m pleased to welcome these experienced paramedics to join NSW Ambulance as they begin the next stage of their careers serving communities across the state.

“The skills and experience they have gained in ambulance services around Australia and overseas will be a valuable addition to our frontline workforce and help support patients when they need it most.

“Attracting qualified clinicians who have worked around the world is one of the ways we are continuing to strengthen our health workforce and ensure communities across NSW have access to timely emergency care.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

“These paramedics arrive with a broad range of clinical experience, and we are excited to welcome them to the NSW Ambulance family.

“Over the past four weeks, they have completed an intensive induction program designed to prepare them for working in NSW Ambulance and meeting the unique demands of emergency care across our state.

“We look forward to the contribution they will make to our patients and teams in the years ahead.”

paramedic inductee Paul Dowling:

“Over the past four weeks we’ve been learning the clinical scope, equipment and procedures used by NSW Ambulance. There are a lot of similarities to what I was doing in Canada, but it’s been a great opportunity to learn a new way of working.

“I’m excited to be starting on road and learning from experienced paramedics in Armidale as I begin this next chapter of my career.”

paramedic inductee Billy Britton:

“Joining NSW Ambulance is an exciting opportunity, and I’m looking forward to serving the Hunter community while building on the experience I gained with the London Ambulance Service.

“What I enjoy most about being a paramedic is meeting people and supporting them when they need help. Several former colleagues spoke highly of NSW Ambulance, and I’m looking forward to growing my career here and working towards specialist paramedic roles in the future.”

Keeping young people safe from sexual violence

Today NSW and Commonwealth Ministers gathered with a shared mission to address the rise of sexual violence and misogyny involving and impacting young people in New South Wales.

An urgent Roundtable convened by Acting Premier Prue Car and facilitated by NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, brought together victim survivors, school leaders, frontline services, researchers, policy makers, and other experts to discuss this pressing issue.

The Roundtable examined how online environments and algorithms are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping harmful attitudes towards gender, relationships and consent, and are contributing to sexual violence among young people.

Attendees welcomed the leadership of Commonwealth Ministers in considering the impact that harmful algorithms are having on young people and the remedies that have been legally imposed through the courts in other jurisdictions.

The Roundtable also examined the critical role of families, schools and the broader community in challenging harmful social norms and supporting trusted adults to have open conversations with young people about respect, consent, healthy relationships and online influences.

Participants identified several priority opportunities to strengthen existing efforts to address sexual violence, including:

increasing the reach of Respectful Relationships Education in public and non-government schools;
supporting parents, carers and other trusted adults to have conversations with young people about online influences and healthy relationships;
working with the Commonwealth Government to explore giving social media users more control over what they see on social media;
improving coordination and responses to online misogyny, pornography and technology-facilitated abuse;
expanding evidence-based prevention; and
strengthening support for victim-survivors of sexual violence.

Today’s Roundtable is the first step in a wider program of ongoing work the NSW Government is doing to address sexual violence. The Roundtable will inform immediate work on developing a contemporary NSW Sexual Violence Plan, due for release in 2027.

The Sexual Violence Plan will build on the most up to date evidence, insights from recent consultations, best practice and lived experience. Consultation with the broader community and sector will be undertaken to develop a contemporary plan to address the serious issue of sexual violence.

In addition, Commonwealth Women’s Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin, and her NSW counterpart, Dr Tonkin, will commence a program of work focused on the experiences of young women and girls, including discussions in partnership with lived experience advocates.

Today’s meeting reinforced the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-community approach to preventing sexual violence, promoting respectful relationships and improving safety for young people across New South Wales.

Open homes on notice in latest underquoting blitz

Marking six months of the Minns Labor Government’s Name and Shame Register, NSW Fair Trading’s Strata and Property Taskforce has covertly blitzed open homes across NSW to identify agents engaging in underquoting and other breaches of property sales laws.

Underquoting is where a real estate agent advertises a property at a price which is lower than their reasonable estimate of its selling price. This is done to attract more interest, which creates fake competition and pushes prices up. It wastes buyers’ time, effort and money.

Ahead of the spring selling season, the Taskforce has attended almost 80 open home inspections over the past two months. This has resulted in 10 agents being issued with fines valued at a total of $20,900, alongside five warnings and 16 education directives.

Posing as prospective buyers, inspectors attended open homes before reviewing agency sales records, vendor feedback and advertising material to determine whether price information provided to consumers was accurate and consistent with agency records.

The operation identified a range of alleged underquoting, consumer protection and record-keeping breaches.

In one matter, an agent was fined for telling prospective buyers a property was expected to sell for $3.65 million. However, a review quickly discovered the agency’s own records estimated the property’s value at between $4 million and $4.4 million, while online advertising used a $4 million search price.

Meanwhile, another agent was issued a warning for recording and reporting purchaser feedback that did not accurately reflect conversations which took place during an open home inspection. Behaviour like this has the potential to mislead the seller about buyer sentiment and price expectations.

This operation builds on the Minns Labor Governments reforms to strengthen the state’s underquoting laws which recently passed NSW Parliament. Consultation on the regulations for these laws is currently underway with industry stakeholders.

It also marks the first six months of the Name and Shame Register, which has recorded 118,000 visits since February. Launched earlier this year, the Register provides a central, publicly accessible record of disciplinary and enforcement action taken against real estate agents, strata managers and agencies, helping consumers make informed decisions before they sign on the dotted line.

The Government has invested $8.4 million in the Strata and Property Taskforce to bring together specialist inspectors, investigators and dispute resolution experts to crack down on misconduct and lift professional standards to support consumers.

While most property professionals do the right thing, NSW Fair Trading will continue to target those who fail to meet their obligations and undermine consumer confidence in the sector.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to create a fairer, more transparent property market.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“When the Minns Labor Government established the Strata and Property Taskforce, this is exactly the kind of work we envisioned they would do.

“Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make, and people deserve confidence that price information is accurate and transparent.

“This operation shows that NSW Fair Trading is actively monitoring the market and taking swift action where real estate agents are not meeting their obligations.”

Strata and Property Services Commissioner Angus Abadee said:

“Strong compliance benefits consumers, but it also benefits the many agents who do the right thing by ensuring they are not competing against businesses willing to cut corners or ignore the rules.

“The overwhelming majority of property professionals do the right thing, but those willing to push the boundaries should be on notice that Fair Trading officers could be at their next open home.”

Over 3,600 patients stranded in hospital waiting for aged care

States and territories will today raise the growing issue of bed block across the country with the Commonwealth Government at the Health Ministers Meeting in Sydney.

There are now over 3,600 patients stranded in state hospitals across Australia waiting for Commonwealth Government aged care placements.

The national number increased from over 2,700 in mid 2025 to over 3,600 in mid 2026:

Queensland – from 1076 to 1272
NSW – from 750 to 1,027
South Australia – from 245 to 476
Western Australia – from 230 to 423
Victoria – from 226 to 302
Tasmania – from 55 to 78
NT – from 76 to 74
ACT – from 78 to 80

When patients are unable to be discharged to appropriate care, beds in wards cannot be used, surgeries cannot be undertaken and patients wait longer in emergency departments.

Ultimately, in Australia’s joint funded health system, the accessibility of aged care services rests with the Commonwealth.

Public hospitals were not designed as alternatives or substitutes to aged care facilities, and patients waiting indefinitely in hospital face poorer prospects for recovery.

States and territories will work with the Commonwealth on this issue and today will call for a commitment to more Support at Home packages facilitate the return of stranded patients to home settings. There are almost 100,000 people waiting for Support at Home packages.

NSW Minister for Health and Chair of the Health Ministers Meeting Ryan Park said:

“I am concerned the prevalence of bed block is accelerating and is far beyond sustainable. We acknowledge the Commonwealth has pledged investment into aged care builds, but we know that can take some time. We will work constructively with the Commonwealth including on issues such as seeing a more immediate response to this crisis, including the delivery of more Commonwealth Support at Home packages.”

ACT Minister for Health Dr Marisa Paterson said:

“Older Australians should not have to spend extended periods in hospital when their care needs could be better met in the community or in residential aged care. These delays are difficult for patients and their loved ones and contribute to increasing pressure across the broader health system. People deserve timely access to the right care in the right setting, and we will continue engaging with our federal counterparts to help make that a reality.”

NT Minister for Health Steve Edgington said:

“The NT Government is delivering more beds, more nurses, and more equipment in a record NT Health budget with one new ward opening this week and another later this year to help deal with capacity issues. Our hospital pressures are exacerbated by Commonwealth failure to invest in aged care fast enough as we wait for a promised new facility in the Top End. We could potentially free up another 70 beds and this would make a significant difference to bed block, pressure in the ED and the health system in general in the Territory.”

Queensland Minister for Health Tim Nicholls said:

“Queensland remains ground zero for stranded older patients, with more than 1,270 stuck in our hospitals and interim care through no fault of their own. Our message has been very loud and clear and that is that the Commonwealth needs to honour its commitments and invest in more aged care supports in Queensland, and across the country. These vulnerable patients need to be moved out of our busy, noisy hospitals and into more appropriate settings so they can get the care they deserve.

SA Minister for Health Blair Boyer said:

“Nationally, we need an additional 10,000 aged care beds each year – last year we had just 800. And this crisis is only going to get worse with current projections showing the total population aged over 70 in South Australia will nearly double over the next 30 years – from 226,568 to 441,395. There are currently 476 older South Australians who are ready to leave hospital but cannot access an aged care placement. That’s up from 60 in late 2022. That number of aged care patients waiting for a bed is about the same as the number of patients at the Lyell McEwin hospital – one of our largest metro hospitals. If we were able to get them into an aged care bed, it would free up a whole hospital so we could treat those patients that need it. This is putting a huge demand on our healthcare system as the new beds we’ve added to the system are being taking up by aged care patients. Older people should not have to spend weeks, months, or even years in some cases, in hospital waiting for aged care support – and we need the Federal Government to act now.”

Tasmania Minister for Health Bridget Archer said:

“Too many Tasmanians remain stuck in our hospitals, sometimes for weeks and even months at a time, because the Federal Government has not provided them with the aged care or NDIS supports needed. These Tasmanians are not just statistics, they are Tasmanians who deserve dignity, compassion and a proper place to recover. While the Tasmanian Government will always provide high-quality care, the ongoing lack of leadership and support from the Federal Government is unacceptable.”

Victoria Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt said:

“Every older Victorian deserves to age with dignity – and no one should stay in hospital longer than they need to. We’ll continue to advocate strongly to the Commonwealth to ensure its aged care reforms are properly funded and no Victorian misses out.”

WA Minister for Health Meredith Hammat said:

“The number of older Australians awaiting aged care in public hospital beds during winter reached worrying new heights in Western Australia. That’s about 100 more than we had 12 months ago, and another 100 fewer beds available for acutely unwell patients. Older Western Australians deserve a more dignified care setting when they’ve been cleared for discharge.”

NSW India mission opens new opportunities for trade and investment

The NSW Government has wrapped up its first trade mission to India, opening new doors for NSW businesses, investment and jobs in one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey spent four days in New Delhi and Mumbai meeting senior government and business leaders across critical minerals, technology, tourism, education, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.

India was chosen for the Premier’s first overseas visit in recognition of the importance of the relationship between NSW and India.

Two-way merchandise trade between NSW and India is already worth almost $7 billion a year, but the clear message from the mission was that both sides believe the relationship can go much further.

The mission delivered and progressed a number of opportunities for NSW, including:

Refreshing NSW’s sister-state agreement with Maharashtra, with both governments committing to develop a joint action plan within 90 days to grow trade and investment.
A new partnership between NSW-owned traffic technology SCATS and HCLTech, exploring how AI can help expand the use of NSW traffic technology in India.
A partnership between NSW Mid North Coast boat builder Steber International and Mumbai-based West Coast Marine to bring electric boat technology to India.
Meetings with major Indian companies including Tata, Mahindra and JSW about opportunities to invest and expand in NSW.
Putting NSW critical minerals directly in front of Indian government and industry, as India looks to secure the minerals it needs to grow its manufacturing sector.
Pushing for more direct flights between India and Sydney, including discussions with Air India, and hearing directly from tourism operators about the opportunities to make it easier for more people to visit Australia.
Building stronger education and research links, including Western Sydney University’s new Greater Noida campus and growing collaboration between NSW universities and Indian institutions.
Opening the door to more Indian film production in NSW, including the announcement that Heyy Babyy 2 will be filmed in NSW.

The Premier and Treasurer met senior government leaders including Indian Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as well as senior business leaders across both Delhi and Mumbai.

Alongside the business program, the Premier and Treasurer took part in a number of community and cultural visits.

The Premier and Treasurer visited religious and community institutions, met Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas and spent time with people from India’s food, film and cultural industries.

The visits were an opportunity to better understand the country and its people, and recognise the important role NSW’s Indian community can play as a bridge between the two.

The mission concluded with a NSW-India investment forum in Mumbai, bringing together major Indian and Australian businesses to discuss where they could do more together.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The clear message we’ve heard this week is that we’re just at the beginning of what this relationship can become.”

“We already do almost $7 billion in two-way trade, but there’s much more we can do in critical minerals, technology, education and tourism.

“We’ve also spent time with communities here and had the chance to get a real sense of the people and culture.

“NSW has a huge advantage in the more than 200,000 Indian-born people who call our state home and understand both countries.

“Our job now is to turn the conversations we’ve had this week into more investment, jobs and opportunities back home.

“We leave India with a much better understanding of the opportunities in front of us, some strong new relationships and plenty of work to do.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“The big takeaway from this week is that India is ambitious, NSW is ambitious, and there is a genuine appetite to do more together.”

“We’ve met businesses with the scale, technology and capital to invest in NSW, and we’ve seen first-hand the opportunities for NSW businesses in India.

“But the relationship is bigger than business. The links between our people, our universities and our communities give NSW a head start that many other places simply don’t have.

“For a state of eight and a half million people, the opportunity to sell our goods, services and expertise into a market of 1.4 billion people is enormous.

“This trip has opened doors. The work now is to keep those doors open and turn that interest into real economic opportunities for NSW.”

First major concrete pour for Tamworth’s Nioka Palliative Care Unit expansion

The expansion of the Nioka Palliative Care Unit at Tamworth Hospital has reached an important milestone, with the first major concrete pour completed for the new building.

Funded as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $93 million world-class End of Life Care program, the expansion will double its current capacity, increasing the total number of beds from six to 12, enhancing services for Tamworth and surrounding communities.

Concrete has been poured to form the foundations for a new linkway to the existing palliative care unit in the hospital, and for the expanded section of the unit, which will feature six palliative care bedrooms with ensuites, communal areas, meeting spaces and flexible outdoor spaces.

Around 30 truckloads of local concrete were used, with more than 200 cubic metres of concrete poured at the site. With the foundations now laid, the building’s structure will start to take shape over the coming months.

When complete, the enhanced and expanded facilities will support staff to deliver specialist care while also promoting the privacy, comfort and dignity of people with life-limiting illnesses who have complex symptoms or end-of-life care needs.

The facility has been designed to create a home-like environment and will feature oversized bedrooms with warm interior finishes and large windows overlooking private courtyards.

Three courtyards will provide green spaces for relaxation, including a private outdoor area, and an overnight room to enable additional family members to stay close to their loved ones. An enclosed linkway will provide private access to the Palliative Care Unit and the Rehabilitation Unit from the Acute Services Building.

Work to refurbish the existing Nioka Palliative Care Unit is also underway, including improvements to inpatient rooms and general areas that will integrate with the expanded unit once complete.

Construction for the expanded unit is expected to be completed in 2027.

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.

The world-class End of Life Care program is redeveloping and refurbishing palliative care facilities across NSW. Other locations include Nepean, Orange, Westmead and Wyong hospitals.

For more information about the Program, visit nsw.gov.au/palliative-care-program.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring people with life-limiting illnesses receive the highest quality end-of-life care and the expanded Nioka Palliative Care Unit is a great example of this.

“The expansion of the Nioka Palliative Care Unit will double capacity of the current unit, meaning more people and their loved ones can access palliative care and support when it’s needed most.

“We are grateful to the staff and members of the community who have provided valuable input to shape the expanded unit, which will significantly enhance palliative care facilities for Tamworth and surrounding communities.”

Labor Spokesperson for Tamworth, Anthony D’Adam:

“This is a significant milestone that brings the Tamworth community another step closer to these expanded services.

“By delivering more comfortable, private, and welcoming spaces, we are helping to ensure that people receiving end-of-life care are supported with dignity and compassion.

“The expanded spaces will help deliver enhanced palliative care services for the region, making a big difference for the community.”

Director of Clinical Operations Hunter New England Local Health District, Susan Heyman

“I know how much the Nioka Palliative Care Unit means to our community, and it is so good to see this important expansion taking shape.

“When people are facing end-of-life care, comfort, privacy and time with loved ones matters. This expansion will help create a calmer, more welcoming environment for patients and families, while supporting our staff to provide compassionate specialist care.

“The first major concrete pour is an exciting milestone for the project, and over the coming months the community will start to see the new spaces take shape.”