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Albanese Government signs contract for more Aussie parts for Aussie-made missiles

Missiles made in Australia will now include more locally-made components as Australia takes the next step in establishing a domestic missile manufacturing industry.

The Albanese Government has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to begin domestic manufacturing key guided weapons components, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign guided weapons industry and a future made in Australia.

Lockheed Martin will initially work with two Melbourne companies, Moog Australia and AW Bell, to deliver key parts for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile system. Worth $120 million in total, the contract will create dozens of new jobs and open pathways for Australian‑made components to enter the global supply chain, supporting export opportunities and long-term industry growth.

Moog Australia has been selected to design and build a GMLRS Control Actuation System. This system helps steer the missile accurately during flight to hit long-range targets with precision. Engineers from Australia and the United States will take part in an exchange program to share critical knowledge and skills, supporting long‑term sovereign capability development.

AW Bell has been selected to manufacture the missile’s canards – or exterior fins – and housing for the Control Actuation System. AW Bell is currently developing test versions of the canards.

The contract signing follows the start of domestic missile manufacturing in December 2025 and the first test firing of the Australian-made precision surface-to-surface missiles earlier this year.

Under the Government’s 2024 Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Plan, more than $500 million will be invested through to 2030 to boost local manufacturing and increase the use of Australian‑made components.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This is another example of the Albanese Government’s commitment to a future made in Australia and jobs for locals. This contract backs Australian industry and its capacity to contribute to making world-class capabilities right here at home.

“The domestic manufacturing of missiles will be complemented by the development of these key component-manufacturing capabilities.

“This will boost sovereign manufacturing, creating secure jobs and strengthen our national security.”

Labor’s tax changes to face Senate inquiry

Labor’s proposed changes to the capital gains tax and negative gearing will be examined at a Senate inquiry, giving the Bill the scrutiny it deserves.

Because the legislation has provisions that are due to commence July 1 this year, it has been automatically referred to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, with a report due by June 22.

This process may inform the shape of the bill to be considered by the Senate.

Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim:

“We will use this inquiry to examine how and why Labor decided to leave in place the vast majority of tax handouts for the ultra wealthy.”

“As with so many parts of Labor’s budget, this bill is a missed opportunity to finally put people ahead of profits and make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share.

“Labor’s extremely generous grandparenting provisions have left so much money on the table.”

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters:

“These are very significant changes to our tax system, and will go through the inquiry process to ensure they get the scrutiny they need.

“We are hearing countless young people and first homebuyers express their frustration that Labor is letting wealthy property investors keep billions in handouts – an inquiry will help examine the consequences of Labor’s decision on grandfathering.”

Greens warn Labor over blind embrace of AI as vague rollout proposed for Victorian public hospitals

The Victorians Greens say Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government must provide urgent transparency about plans to introduce artificial intelligence into Victoria’s public hospital system.

A new Department of Health blueprint flagged the use of AI to identify urgent cases and overhaul outpatient systems, but the government has released little detail publicly about how the technology would work, what patient safeguards would be in place, or how sensitive health data would be protected.

The Greens have criticised Labor for rolling out the red carpet for data centres in Victoria with very little information about how they will be powered without locking Victoria into more expensive gas and higher electricity bills.

The Greens said the announcement appeared to be another example of the Allan Labor Government rushing to embrace AI technologies without proper public scrutiny, regulation or long-term planning.

Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens Dr Sarah Mansfield:

“Victoria’s public health system is under enormous strain after years of underfunding and it’s completely unacceptable that patients are waiting four years for specialist care, but it is deeply concerning that the Allan Labor Government is embracing AI in the public health system without any clear public explanation of how it’s going to work.”

“AI can’t be a substitute for properly funding healthcare or employing doctors, nurses and allied health workers we desperately need, and Victorians deserve transparency about how this is going to work before sensitive health data is handed over to AI systems.”

“The Allan Government has been rolling out the red carpet for AI and energy-hungry data centres across Victoria without any serious plan for regulation, oversight or how all of this infrastructure will be powered.”

NSW Labor refuse to rule out supporting AUKUS East Coast Nuclear Base at Port Kembla or Newcastle

Last night, the NSW Labor Government once again refused to oppose an AUKUS East Coast Nuclear Base at Port Kembla or Newcastle. The NSW Labor Government teamed up with the NSW Liberal-National Coalition to oppose a motion brought by the Greens NSW calling on the New South Wales Labor Government to make a formal public declaration that it does not support an East Coast Nuclear Base being located at either Port Kembla or Newcastle and will not allocate capital from the New South Wales State budget towards infrastructure designed to facilitate an East Coast Nuclear Base.

The motion details the contents of documents compelled for public release, including a cost-benefit analysis that was completed in September 2023, six months after the New South Wales Labor Government was elected, and which cited Australian Bureau of Statistics data released in June 2023. That cost-benefit analysis found that “the East Coast Base [ECNB] will harbour submarines that have nuclear reactors fuelled by highly enriched uranium on board. In the event of a military conflict the ECNB could be a target for Australian military adversaries. For these reasons New South Wales residents may perceive the ECNB similarly to a nuclear power station as a source of environmental disaster risk. The damage expected to arise from a nuclear accident has an explicit spatial dimension, and residents in proximity will perceive the ECNB as a risk to their community’s health and the local environment”.

The documents also calculate the expected impact on house prices in the proximity of the nuclear base, based on the negative price impacts on houses in close proximity to nuclear power plants in other jurisdictions. However, the documents make clear that the negative impact may be greater in relation to a nuclear military base, stating “nuclear submarines may be far riskier because they use a highly enriched uranium that is more like the uranium used in nuclear warheads than uranium used in nuclear reactors and they store enough uranium to operate the nuclear submarine for over 30 years.” The documents cite United Kingdom housing data post Fukushima, which showed a drop in home values within a 15-kilometre radius of a nuclear facility. When the analysis was applied to Newcastle, it found that 129,000 homes would suffer losses at a central estimate at $1.048 billion, and 105,000 households in Port Kembla would incur house price value losses of $850 million.

Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MLC:

“The documents make it very clear that to host an East Coast Nuclear Base at either Port Kembla or Newcastle will require significant financial contribution and participation by the NSW Government. If the NSW Labor Government were to rule out providing that support, then the plan would be dead in the water. But every time they’re given the opportunity to rule it out, or even express opposition, they fail to do so.

“The NSW Labor Government is accusing us of fearmongering, but I’m simply quoting the contents of their own reports. If the result of those facts being heard by the public is a sense of fear and concern, maybe the Government should reconsider their support for locating a nuclear submarine base at Port Kembla or Newcastle.

“The NSW Labor Government made no attempt to rebut any of the points raised in the motion, including that which made clear that the most damning content contained in the documents released were written while Labor was in Government.

“It should be very simple, but the NSW Labor Government continues to refuse to rule out support for a NSW town becoming a nuclear military target with an East Coast Nuclear Base on its shores.”

Silver lining as SES stalwart bestowed Newcastle’s highest honour

Graeme Silver has been named Newcastle’s newest Freeman of the City today in recognition of almost six decades volunteering to help the Hunter through some of its darkest days.

After joining St. John’s Ambulance as a volunteer in 1969 at the age of 11, Mr Silver went on to dedicate 47 years of his life to the State Emergency Service (SES), supporting his community through monumental events including the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake, 2007 Pasha Bulka storm and 2015 East Coast Low.

Currently serving as SES Local Commander Hunter Coast Cluster, Mr Silver continues to serve his community in times of crisis as one of the most experienced and well-respected volunteer leaders in the organisation.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris presented Mr Silver with the honour at a special event at Fort Scratchley today and said it was a privilege to recognise the newest Freeman’s commitment to his community.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, Freeman of the City Graeme Silver and Lord Mayor Gavin Morris.

“Across Australia, we rely on volunteers to be there for us during some of our darkest moments and Graeme Silver has been answering that call for almost 60 years,” Mr Morris said.

“Thousands of hours of Graeme’s life have been dedicated to keeping his community safe. He’s been there to lend a hand and lead the way through some of the biggest disasters we’ve experienced in Newcastle, while also helping the Hunter through storm events, land searches, floods and training the next crop of volunteers to ensure that legacy is continued.

“On behalf of Newcastle, I’d like to thank our city’s newest Freeman for everything he has done and continues to do in service of us all.”

Those efforts to help the community stretch beyond volunteer work, with Mr Silver spending 32 years with NSW Ambulance, first as a paramedic before rising to the role of Chief Inspector Hunter.

Throughout that time, he regularly juggled professional and voluntary commitments, often working shifts with NSW Ambulance in the day before assisting his community as an SES volunteer in the evening.

Awarded the Newcastle Volunteer Service Award in 2020 to recognise his efforts, a humble Mr Silver said while he’s proud of the accolades, they don’t drive his passion.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be named Freeman of the City today, but my vision first and foremost has always been to help others and help my community,” Mr Silver said.

“Volunteering has given me the chance to develop and enhance the skills I have needed to help people over the years in their time in need, and I’m very thankful to have been able to do that.

“I have worked alongside so many people at the SES over the years, and one thing I tell everyone is that no matter what position you hold, when it comes down to it, we’re all volunteers and teamwork makes the dream work.”

Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism and Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley paid tribute to Mr Silver’s years of service.

“Graeme Silver is exactly the kind of person who makes the Hunter such a strong and connected community,” Minister Catley said.

“For more than four decades, he’s been there when it mattered most, always putting others before himself.

“Through his work in the SES and in NSW Ambulance, Graeme has shown what true service looks like in action.

“This is a deeply deserved honour for a man who has given so much to the people and communities around him”.

The Freeman of the City award is Newcastle’s highest honour, conferred upon Novocastrians for outstanding achievement and service to the city or to humanity.

Graeme Silver is the city’s 23^rd Freeman of the City, joining a list of 22 fellow Novocastrians including recently honoured charity giant Big John Young, community and sport luminary Adele Saunders and community leader Father Nicolaos Zervos.

New support program to keep Aboriginal families safe in regional and remote NSW

he Minns Labor Government is strengthening support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children escaping abuse in regional and remote New South Wales, with a new culturally safe support program under the Staying in Community Leaving Violence (SiCLV) initiative.

Two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will deliver SiCLV in Western NSW and the mid-North Coast:

Maranguka Ltd in Bourke LGA
Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service in Kempsey and Nambucca LGA.

Two more SiCLV services will be delivered in Western NSW, with providers to be determined.

SiCLV is part of the broader Staying Home Leaving Violence Program that was expanded with a $25.9 million investment by the NSW Government.

The SiCLV program has been co-designed with Aboriginal communities, recognising the significant barriers many Aboriginal women face when seeking support, including concerns about losing their children, housing and connection to community.

It adopts a whole-of-family approach, working with all family members, including the person using violence, to drive long-term change and improve family safety.

SiCLV brings together services including NSW Police, housing, courts and non-government organisations to deliver coordinated and culturally safe support.

Based on BOCSAR data, Aboriginal women are eight times more likely to be recorded as victims of domestic and family violence. However, it is understood that only approximately 10 per cent of violence against Aboriginal woman and children is reported.

SiCLV is part of the Minns Government’s work to expand specialist domestic and family violence services across the state, particularly to close gaps in support available in regional New South Wales.

Since Labor came to government, the total domestic and family violence program budget has been over 50 per cent higher than budgets leading up to the 2022/23 financial year. In every budget Labor has increased investment to address domestic and family violence. The government has also worked hard to address domestic and family violence by strengthening laws to protect victim-survivors and holding perpetrators to account, as well as invested in earlier intervention and primary prevention to stop violence before it starts.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The gap between the high rates of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities and non-Aboriginal communities, especially in the bush, is totally unacceptable.

“The roll out of SiCLV programs where they are really needed in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca is great news for these communities.

“All the evidence tells us that when Aboriginal community organisations drive change in partnership with Government, better outcomes are achieved and that’s a key focus of this Government.

“We are continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping women and children safe.

“SiCLV is a wonderful example of shared decision-making leading to better outcomes.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Aboriginal women experience domestic and family violence at worryingly high rates, particularly in regional and remote communities.

“Through Staying in Community Leaving Violence, we are building on the strengths of our Staying Home Leaving Violence program while upholding Aboriginal self-determination. We are working closely with local Aboriginal communities, so it truly reflects solutions these communities have helped design and lead.

“By hearing the voices of communities in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca, this service will work with those that need support, programs and practical assistance to address domestic and family violence.

“This new program is part of our work to support recovery, so women and children can remain safely in their homes, connected to their families, culture and community.”

Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Aboriginal women in regional and remote NSW experience domestic and family violence at disproportionately high rates, and communities deserve solutions designed locally and delivered locally.”

“The expansion of Staying in Community Leaving Violence into Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca will empower Aboriginal organisations to lead culturally appropriate support for women and children.”

“By partnering directly with regional communities, the program will help women and children remain safely connected to their homes, families, culture and community.”

CEO Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service Paul Morris said:

“Durri Aboriginal Corporation is proud to be selected as the local provider of the Staying in Community Leaving Violence Program across the Kempsey and Nambucca areas.

“As a community-controlled organisation with deep cultural and community connections, Durri is committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed support that keeps Aboriginal women and families strongly connected to Country and live free from violence.

“This program reflects our belief that healing, safety and change are strongest when led by Aboriginal communities, for Aboriginal communities.”

CEO Maranguka Kate Pargeter said:

“Maranguka’s backbone team supports local collaboration across agencies, community stakeholders and emerging working groups focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families in Bourke. Through this work, Maranguka continues to strengthen coordinated responses and community-led approaches that support safer and more effective service delivery.

“This experience strongly aligns with the development of the Staying in Community, Leaving Violence program, which will be co-designed with community to deliver culturally safe, place-based responses for families experiencing domestic and family violence.

“Maranguka is committed to taking a whole-of-family and whole-of-community approach to keeping families safe, strengthening healing pathways and ensuring responses are grounded in culture, collaboration and local community voice.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Additional NSW Ambulance paramedics for Eden community

The Far South Coast is benefiting from a boost to frontline emergency care, with an additional eight paramedics starting work in the community earlier this month.

These additional paramedics are based at Eden Ambulance Station and are helping to deliver emergency and out-of-hospital care along the coast, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

This increase in clinical staffing forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural, regional and remote areas through the Regional 500 initiative. These additional paramedics are on top of 17 additional paramedics who commenced at Cooma Ambulance Station on 16 May.

The cohort is part of the third intake of 125 paramedics planned for regional NSW as part of the regional 500 initiative. They join the 125 paramedics who commenced across the state last year, and another 125 who began work in 2024.

Under this initiative, an additional 34 paramedics are already working across the Southern NSW zone.

The Minns Government will continue to roll out the additional 500 paramedics for regional NSW next year, with future locations determined through NSW Ambulance’s evidence-based, best practice service, and workforce planning, as well as consultation with staff and the Health Services Union.

This recruitment boost is part of Labor’s long-term commitment to meaningful investments into our health workforce, relieving pressure on our health system and meeting the needs of our regional communities.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Our communities in the Far South Coast deserve confidence that emergency care is available when and where it’s needed.

“More paramedics on the road in the Eden area is about improving access to care across a large and often remote region, while continuing to strengthen emergency health services in regional NSW.”

“The Coalition has criticised the Government for hiring too many health workers, but Labor understands that a supported and empowered workforce means better health outcomes for our community.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health and Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:

“This investment in our regional paramedic workforce is about ensuring people on the Far South Coast can access high-quality emergency care, no matter where they live. It’s a practical step toward delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

“Strengthening the paramedic workforce in and around Eden enhances our ability to respond across a large and diverse regional area.

“With demand for ambulance services continuing to rise, this additional capacity helps ensure our teams can continue providing safe, timely care for the community.”

Additional NSW Ambulance paramedics for Wentworth

The border community of Wentworth is now benefiting from a boost to frontline emergency care, with an additional eight paramedics starting work in the community earlier this month.

These additional paramedics are based at Wentworth Ambulance Station and are delivering emergency and out-of-hospital care across the far southwest of the state, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

Under this initiative, an additional 33 paramedics are already working across the Central and Far West Zone zone, including an extra 18 paramedics for Broken Hill started working in the community in 2024.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Communities in far south west NSW deserve confidence that emergency care is available when it’s needed, no matter where they live.

“By increasing paramedic numbers in Wentworth, we’re improving access to care across a vast border region while continuing to strengthen emergency health services in regional and remote NSW.

“The Coalition has criticised the Government for hiring too many health workers, but Labor understands that a supported and empowered workforce means better health outcomes for our community.”

Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:

“For communities like Wentworth, having paramedics ready to respond locally can make a critical difference in a medical emergency.

“These eight additional paramedics will strengthen response capability across the far south west, helping ensure people receive timely care when it matters most.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray, Bob Nanva:

“Paramedics are true local heroes – it’s great to see another 8 paramedics based in Wentworth and serving the Riverina region.

“I congratulate the local community and the Health Services Union (HSU) for their strong advocacy around the need for additional paramedics in Wentworth.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

“Adding eight additional paramedics in Wentworth strengthens our ability to respond across a large and remote regional area, supporting communities along the border.

“This additional workforce capacity helps our crews respond from one patient to the next as demand -rises, ensuring timely and reliable emergency care across the community.”

Moama Ambulance Station opens

Border communities are now benefiting from enhanced frontline emergency care, with the opening of Moama Ambulance Station and 13 additional paramedics commencing work in the community earlier this month.

These additional paramedics for the Murrumbidgee zone are based at the new Moama Ambulance Station on Wild Avenue and are delivering emergency and out-of-hospital care across the Murray River, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

NSW Ambulance identified the Moama area as a high priority location for a new ambulance station following a comprehensive service planning process to enhance cross border resilience with Victoria.

New ambulance stations are located in areas which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the emergency and mobile medical care needs of the local community.

Moama Ambulance Station will be rostered to ensure a 24/7 service, with paramedics to be on duty during the day and at night.

This increase in clinical staffing forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural, regional and remote areas, through the Regional 500 initiative.

Under this initiative, an additional 35 paramedics are already working across the Murrumbidgee zone, including an extra 15 paramedics for Deniliquin and 10 paramedics for Albury, started working in the community last year.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The opening of Moama Ambulance Station marks an important step forward for emergency health care along the NSW–Victoria border.

“With 13 additional paramedics based locally, this new station will strengthen response capability across the Murray River region and ensure communities have access to high quality emergency care.

“The Minns Government is delivering more ambulance stations, more paramedics, and better care for communities right across NSW”

Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:

“The opening of Moama Ambulance Station is welcome news for the local community and the broader Murray River region.

“Having additional paramedics based in Moama will improve emergency responses across the border region and provide greater certainty for residents and visitors when urgent care is needed.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray, Bob Nanva:

“Paramedics are true local heroes – it’s great to see another 13 paramedics based in Moama and serving the border region.

“I congratulate the local community and the Health Services Union (HSU) for their strong advocacy around the need for additional paramedics in Moama.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

“With Moama Ambulance Station operational and 13 additional paramedics commencing – NSW Ambulance’s position is even further strengthened to respond to emergencies across the region.

“The increase in paramedic numbers enhances our ability to meet demand and deliver timely care across the community.”

Shovels in the ground on $35 million Hillsborough Road upgrade

Major construction is now underway on stage one of the Hillsborough Road upgrade, marking the beginning of a major overhaul of one of Lake Macquarie’s busiest transport corridors.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $35 million to upgrade the Crockett Street intersection, including installing new traffic lights and duplicating 700 metres of Hillsborough Road.

For the 36,000 motorists who travel this corridor each day, the Hillsborough Road upgrade will transform how people move through Lake Macquarie. The corridor is known for heavy congestion during peak periods, and difficult turning movements making it challenging for motorists to safely merge from side streets.

Start of work on stage one marks an important milestone in the NSW Government’s vision to upgrade the full 1.8 kilometre stretch of road, from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street.

Construction of stage one is expected to take 18 months to complete, subject to weather.

The project has been shaped by community consultation undertaken in 2022, with further investigations and utility work completed in 2024 ahead of construction.

Daracon Contractors Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to deliver stage one and has been establishing site since mid-April in preparation for major construction.

Work will be carried out on weekdays from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays, as required.

At times work will need to be carried out between 7pm and 5am to minimise impacts to traffic during peak times.

For the latest information on the project, visit nswroads.work/hillsboroughroad

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:

“This is a major upgrade for one of Lake Macquarie’s busiest corridors and an important investment that will deliver safer roads for the Hunter.

“Anyone who drives Hillsborough Road knows the challenges of stop-start traffic and hard merges.

“Our $35 million investment means Hunter families will spend less time in traffic and more time with their loved ones.”

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“From this week, crews will be on the ground to begin construction on the $35 million Hillsborough Road upgrade – a project Lake Macquarie locals have been calling for, and one we are getting on with delivering.

“Hillsborough Road is well known by the community as a difficult stretch of road, with heavy peak-hour congestion and drivers often needing to slow right down to safely merge from side streets.

“This upgrade is about easing that pressure for motorists and making daily trips safer, smoother and less stressful. It’s great to see work now underway, with the community set to benefit from these improvements for years to come.”

Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison:

“The start of major work is the first step in easing congestion of a well-known bottleneck for local motorists.

“Once complete, the first stage will improve safety and ease congestion, meaning our community will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families.

“I’m excited to see this project progress and start benefiting locals and visitors.”

Independent Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper:

“Hillsborough Road is a critical route for thousands of local motorists every day and this upgrade will make a real difference for the community.

“As our region continues to grow, projects like this are essential to keeping people moving safely and efficiently.

“The start of major construction is an exciting milestone and a sign of continued investment in Lake Macquarie’s future.”