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The Minns Labor Government has appointed Janet Schorer as its inaugural SafeWork NSW Commissioner to further strengthen its efforts to protect workers.

Ms Schorer brings more than 27 years’ experience from key public sector agencies including the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Family and Community Services.  

Commencing her career as a registered nurse, she has been able to apply her passion for the wellbeing of vulnerable communities throughout her work history. More recently she served as the Chief Delivery Officer for TAFE NSW where she delivered exceptional learner experiences as part of its Strategic Plan 2022-25.

With SafeWork NSW becoming a standalone regulator on July 1, the incoming Commissioner will address policy, compliance, best practices and meaningful engagement with workers, unions, businesses and the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group (FISWAG) to make for a stronger and more robust organisation.

SafeWork NSW is the state’s work health and safety regulator with more than 750 staff, providing a vital role in protecting the health and safety of workers in NSW by engaging with businesses, workers and the NSW community to prevent work-related fatalities and serious injuries.

A National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Ms Schorer was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2019. She is also Vice President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) NSW.  

Among her many key responsibilities will be a focus on preventing and managing silica and other dust related diseases associated with tunnelling projects in NSW.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced several measures to keep workers safe from dust related diseases.

They include establishing a new Expert Taskforce to oversee and help address silica related health risks for workers in tunnelling projects.

While on January 1, 2025, the Minns Labor government led the ban on the importation of engineered stone products to protect the future health and safety of workers.

The national import ban covers engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent.

The appointment follows the NSW Government’s 2025-26 Budget announcement to strengthen the state’s work health and safety regulator with a major $127.7 million investment over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards and compliance and enforcement of safe work practices.

The targeted reform is part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package, strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces.

Ms Schorer’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process. She will take up her role as Commissioner from Monday, 14 July 2025.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The establishment of SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator and the appointment of a new Commissioner reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to preventing workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses.  

“The new structure will ensure SafeWork NSW will become a strong, robust and fit-for-purpose regulator capable of effectively securing safer and healthier workplaces in NSW.

“I would like to congratulate Janet Schorer on her appointment and also thank Dr Petrina Casey for her efforts while serving in the role as Acting SafeWork NSW Commissioner.”

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:

“I am honoured to be joining SafeWork NSW as we take our first step towards reshaping the agency into the strong and robust regulator needed to make workplaces secure, safe and healthy.

“Community engagement is paramount to supporting decision-making and I look forward to working with workers, representatives from employer organisations, unions, support groups and people with lived experiences to ensure people are going to the safest possible workplaces.

“The safety and wellbeing of every worker in NSW is of upmost importance and with my career focused on driving reform to improve lives particularly for vulnerable groups, I look forward to continuing SafeWork NSW’s work to strengthen its systems and practices.”

More than a million metro and regional train passengers across NSW will travel free for two days on Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August, with the NSW Government and business encouraging people to come out and use the network, but also take the opportunity to support local businesses.

The fare-free period is an acknowledgement by the Minns Labor Government that the patience of the travelling public was strained to breaking point during the period of protected industrial action and that some businesses like cafes, shops and hospitality operators were collateral damage of the interruptions

The rail Enterprise Agreement received the overwhelming support of the rail workforce in a ballot that closed on Saturday.

More than 11,700 employees participated in the vote, with 92% supporting the Enterprise Agreement which will now be lodged with the Fair Work Commission for formal approval.

Resolution of the matter will allow Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink and the combined rail workforce to focus solely on improving reliability and services for passengers.

The fare-free 48 hours is an invitation to workers to travel into the Sydney or Parramatta CBDs, or other work and commercial centres across the state, at no cost and support the food and hospitality businesses that took a hit during those months of disruption.

Business Sydney, the Tourism & Transport Forum and the Night Time Industries Association are all backing the push for passengers to back local businesses during the fare-free period.

The fare-free period has been set at the end of the month so that it does not coincide with the current school holidays, allowing the maximum number of regular rail passengers to benefit.

From 12:01am Thursday 31 July to 11:59pm on Friday 1 August 2025, travel will be free on all Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, Airport Link, and Sydney Metro services.

Opal gates and readers at Opal enabled train and metro stations will be turned off during this fare free period meaning customers will not need to tap on and tap off.

Passengers using NSW TrainLink services during this time will be refunded but must have booked a ticket to secure their seat to travel.

Free travel will not extend to buses, ferries and light rail which will charge fares as normal.

Opal benefits will still apply to all paid journeys where customers tap on and tap off.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“More than a million people will be able to travel free on the rail network across the state and we want them to use the chance to get out and about and support our cafes, lunch spots, restaurants and after work venues.

“Some of these businesses took a big hit during the period of disruption and they deserve a shot in the arm.

“We want to acknowledge the period of protected industrial action took its toll on rail passengers but today we also look forward with optimism to a train system that will benefit from the entire workforce and management pulling in the same direction and the introduction of new technology to improve reliability and recovery times when disruption occurs.

“We will continue to invest record amounts into improved maintenance and work to our plan to lift the level of reliability.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“As someone who represents a regional community, I know that the recent disruption hit parts of rural and regional NSW hard.

“Regional passengers deserve this relief, and I encourage everyone to take full advantage of these two days by hopping aboard and seeing what our regional areas have to offer.

“These fare-free days are just the beginning of getting our regional rail network back on track, ensuring regional commuters get the reliable services they deserve. 

“The fare-free days are only a small part of our commitment to regional transport. Combined with our record investment in maintenance and upgrades, as well as cutting-edge technology, we’re building a transport network that people living in rural, regional and remote NSW can depend on.” 

Transport Secretary Josh Murray said:

“This rail agreement has been drawn-out and difficult for passengers and our frontline employees – and we thank them for their patience as we build a better system.

“The parties have worked hard on new measures in this agreement to help restore confidence in the way we manage disruption, and the way we collaborate on rolling out new infrastructure. We can now get on with the plan.

“We welcome the positive outcome from the vote, and I want to express particular thanks to Commissioners Matheson and Riordan at the Fair Work Commission for guiding this complex rail agreement to resolution.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive, Matt Longland:

“This is a win for our staff but an even bigger win for the travelling public.”

“With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service. Passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them.”

TrainLink Chief Executive Roger Weeks:

“This agreement represents a positive outcome for our employees—and an even greater benefit for passengers across regional NSW.”

“With this clarity in place, NSW TrainLink can fully refocus on providing safe, dependable, and uninterrupted services. Travellers can once again feel confident that the trains they count on will be running when they need them.”

NSW is calling on Queensland to help fix a cross-border legal anomaly that gives taxi drivers north of the border an advantage over their NSW rivals and makes life harder for passengers and tourists seeking to catch a ride into NSW.

Queensland drivers can pick up a fare in NSW whereas NSW drivers are banned by Queensland law from picking up in that state outside of a handful of dedicated ranks for NSW-bound passengers.

This has created an economic disadvantage for NSW drivers and point to point operators and reduced the level of service for tourists and residents flying into Gold Coast Airport as a gateway to Northern NSW.

The NSW taxi industry has complained of Queensland cabbies operating in NSW during big events like Bluesfest in Byron Bay.

More concerning is the impact on NSW residents requiring specialised transport services and often returning from medical appointments in Queensland.

NSW residents requiring wheelchair accessible taxis for medical appointments on the Gold Coast face considerable challenges. They are currently unable to book their trusted

NSW drivers for return journeys and often endure extended wait times, as well as difficulties with the NSW subsidy scheme being accepted by Queensland operators.

This situation creates unnecessary distress for people relying on these services.

The NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner raised the issue at the recent Cross Border Tourism and Transport Forum and there has been discussions this year between the NSW Taxi Council and Gold Coast service providers, who have expressed support for allowing NSW drivers to conduct return trips for NSW passengers with disabilities.

Minister for Transport John Graham has now written to his Queensland counterpart Brent Mickelberg, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, to propose an immediate change to allow passengers using the NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme to book a return trip with their preferred NSW operator.

This first step would improve service for vulnerable passengers from NSW.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“Our two states compete hard, whether that is to attract tourists and visitors, in business or on the sporting field – as will be seen again on Wednesday night in the State-of-Origin series decider, which we expect the Blues to win.

“To do so, we both require a level playing field and that is what we are calling on Queensland to help us provide when it comes to cross-border transport.

“The current regulatory frameworks on point to point services give Queensland drivers an advantage over their NSW counterparts. We believe an unfair advantage and that state border anomalies should not exist in Australia in 2025.

“This results in a poorer service for visitors getting into our state and at times distress for NSW residents who need to access medical treatment in Queensland and rely on the NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme to return home.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Competition between states is great, but not when it comes to accessing transport.

“The Queensland Government is on the wrong foot. Access to critical services should not depend on where you live, but that is the reality for some people living in the border communities of NSW and Queensland.

“Unfair operating arrangements between NSW and Queensland doesn’t just impact our most vulnerable residents, it also disadvantages our small businesses in the taxi sector as well as tourism and hospitality. We need a level playing field to ensure people across the Queensland and NSW borders can access services, and operators are playing under one set of rules when to comes to fares. 

“The NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner would be pleased to work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to develop and implement these arrangements.

“Transport doesn’t need to be a political football. Let’s keep the football on the field and work together to ensure that everyone along our state border can get where they need to go.”

NSW Taxi Council chief executive Nick Abrahim said:

“The NSW Taxi Council welcomes the move to allow NSW taxi drivers to carry out return trips after dropping off a Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme participant in Queensland.

“We would like to see this measure extended to allow for all passengers to be given the opportunity to return in a NSW Taxi for all trips that cross the border.”

Today is the start of NAIDOC Week and the Minns Labor Government is helping communities all over NSW celebrate their Aboriginal histories and cultures with $548,000 in grant funding.

More than 180 community organisations and groups across the state have received funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 to assist with hosting local NAIDOC activities to promote awareness, understanding and celebration.

The NAIDOC Grants Program, empowers community-driven celebrations that provide opportunities for people across NSW to connect to Aboriginal culture and Country. Last year, events supported through the program helped engage over 65,000 participants.

Over the coming months, 2025 grant recipients will be supported to host events that align with the theme of NAIDOC Week 2025: ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.

Initiatives funded by the program include: 

• The development of a regenerative bush tucker garden at a primary school in Cardiff on Awabakal Country where students can learn about native plants endemic to the area and their traditional uses
• The creation of a lasting public display of Aboriginal storytelling in Coffs Harbour on Gumbaynggirr Country where student works are transformed into permanent street art
• A 2025 NAIDOC Unity Guuma-li (Gather) Corroboree in Gunnedah on Kamilaroi Country featuring cultural dance and art workshops
• A week-long NAIDOC festival in Cowra on Wiradjuri Country featuring opportunities to learn Wiradjuri language, a debutante ball, and elders’ luncheon
• NAIDOC on Sydney Harbour on Gadigal Country, an event held on Tribal Warrior’s vessel showcasing the spiritual and cultural importance of water for Mob
• A family fun day at Bellambi, near Wollongoing on Dharawal Wodi Wodi Country where children and grandchildren will be encouraged to connect to Country via activities, entertainment and food
• A family fun day in Wilcannia on Barkindji Country to celebrate the strong and deadly up and-coming generations in the Wilcannia community
• A cultural arts and craft knowledge exchange with Aboriginal artists and elders in Broken Hill on Wilyakali Country.

Grant recipients (as at 6 July 2025): 2025 NAIDOC Grants Recipients

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“NAIDOC Week brings people together and is a great opportunity for all Australians to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The NSW Government is honoured to support community-driven NAIDOC celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

“The array of initiatives we are supporting demonstrates the richness, vitality and diversity of Aboriginal cultures across NSW. And it shows the strength and positivity of the communities that are hosting these terrific events.

“By supporting initiatives like these it is helping us reach our goal of closing the gap by celebrating Aboriginal culture and ensuring Aboriginal people remain connected to their community and culture.

“With events being held across the state, I encourage everyone to take the opportunity that NAIDOC Week presents, to connect with community and participate in celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.”

A spokesperson for Saltwater Freshwater said:

“Thanks to this funding, 70 talented Aboriginal students from across the four nations we represent will see their visual stories transformed into high-quality pavement stickers that will be permanently displayed outside The Gallery of Saltwater Freshwater.

“It’s a powerful and lasting way to celebrate their voices, creativity, and connection to culture.”

The Minns Labor Government is today revealing the concept designs and plans for how the former WestConnex dive site in Annandale will transform surplus government land into around 577 new homes, including 220 dedicated to build to rent housing close to the city for essential workers.

This marks an increase on the number of homes first announced in February after further housing potential was unlocked on the site, increasing the number of build-to-rent homes for essential workers from the original 200 to 220.

The newly unveiled project will offer quality apartments across the site, in a range of sizes and styles to suit different people’s needs.

Future residents will have easy access to the Sydney CBD, transport, public spaces, amenities and education and health centres including one of Sydney’s largest hospitals, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild our essential services while delivering critical new housing for those who need it across NSW.

The Masterplan includes:

• 220 build-to-rent units, for essential workers like health workers, teachers, police officers and firefighters will be offered at a discount to market rent.
• Approximately 357 additional units including market and a portion of affordable homes.
• Ground-floor retail or commercial space.
• Landscaped public outdoor spaces for people to meet, relax and socialise, including a central plaza with lush native greenery, shaded seating areas, and public art.
• New pedestrian links between Parramatta Road and Pyrmont Bridge Road, enhancing neighbourhood connectivity.

The project is currently under assessment with construction of the build-to-rent housing expected to start in 2026, pending approval. It’s expected the first essential workers will move in around 2028.

The Annandale site is the first secured by Landcom as part of the NSW Government’s $450 million build-to-rent essential worker housing program, with Landcom investigating additional sites in Sydney to complete the rollout of 400 new build-to-rent homes for essential workers.

This is the latest step in the NSW Government’s initiatives to work with Landcom, the NSW Government’s housing developer to increase housing supply, with preliminary works underway on new build-to-rent apartments on the NSW south coast and works set to commence later this year on new housing in the NSW Northern Rivers to boost rental supply.

The NSW Government will retain ownership of the build-to-rent housing in perpetuity, with tenancies managed by a suitable operator. Details about eligibility criteria, how to apply and the rental subsidy will be available closer to project completion.

For further information, visit: www.landcom.com.au/annandale

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“Housing is the single largest cost of living pressure people face and this block of land has sat unused for years – so we’re using it to help deliver essential housing for essential workers.

“Essential workers keep our city running everyday but too often they are being priced out of inner-city locations close to where they work.

“This project will deliver hundreds of homes that will cut both costs and commute times for it’s residents, while allowing workers to build a life close to their jobs, allowing them to deliver world class public services.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government is bringing back housing choice right across NSW.

“This project will transform unused government land in the heart of Sydney into hundreds of new homes for essential workers that are well connected to transport, shops and green public spaces.

“This is an example of density done well and thanks to smart planning by Landcom we’ve increased the number of build-to-rent homes for essential workers from the original 200 to 220.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“Essential workers shouldn’t have to choose between the job they love and being able to afford a home near it. This project is about turning that around.

“This is what Labor does. We use land sitting left vacant and unused to deliver for the public good. These government owned and built rentals will provide safe, affordable places for our essential workers to live.

“We’re not just tweaking the system, we’re directly intervening to build the homes people need. That’s what it takes to fix this crisis.

“We’ve already delivered the biggest increase in government built public and affordable housing in over a decade, and now we’re backing it in by building even more affordable homes.

Executive General Manager Built Form Landcom Andrew Cooper said:

“This is an exciting era for Landcom, our first build-to-rent development in an urban area.

“The Joinery Annandale’ brings together the best of the Inner West, blending well-designed homes, shops and public space with the area’s rich history and character.

“We want to build a legacy development that contributes to the neighbourhood, creating a place that future residents will be proud to call home and supporting them to become part of the community.”

The NSW Coalition will introduce a Bill in Parliament to criminalise the production and/or distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes, following disturbing reports of female students, teachers and workers being digitally targeted across the state.

Deepfakes are AI-generated, highly realistic but false images, video, audio or text that falsely depict a real person doing or saying something they never did. In 2023, 98% of deepfake videos online were pornographic and 99% featured women.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government has failed to keep pace with fast-moving technology, leaving women and girls exposed to vile and degrading abuse with no real consequences for perpetrators.

“This is a form of abuse, plain and simple. Women and girls are being targeted, violated, and humiliated by code. The emotional toll is devastating, victims are often left without recourse, knowing these fake images can live on the internet forever,” Mr Speakman said.

“Since the Labor Government has failed to confront this growing threat, the Coalition will lead the way with reform. Our laws make it clear, if you create or share sexually explicit deepfakes, you’ll face serious consequences.”

Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the criminal law must modernise to ensure it delivers justice that reflects the scale of harm. 

“We propose to update the Crimes Act to reflect the reality that if you digitally fake someone’s body, voice or text to degrade or control them, the law should recognise that you are committing a crime. If it’s not your body or voice, it’s not your right to control another person’s autonomy. That principle must be written into NSW law,” Mr Henskens said.

Shadow Minister for Women Felicity Wilson said the Coalition is taking action where the Minns Labor Government has failed to act.

“This isn’t a niche issue, it’s happening in our schools, our workplaces, and our communities. Women and girls are being targeted through the weaponisation of AI, traumatised, and left without protection. In a digital age, they deserve strong, clear legal safeguards,” Ms Wilson said.

The NSW Coalition is introducing the Crimes Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2025, which will amend the Crimes Act 1900 as follows:

• New offences for producing and/or distributing sexually explicit deepfakes. 
• The offences to cover threats to share deepfakes without consent, including private sharing, not just online distribution.
• Court ordered removal and destruction of synthetic abuse material.
• A legal definition of deepfakes as generating or altering the image that falsely depicts a real person in a sexual context

The law must send a message that if you abuse someone with a deepfake, you’ll face serious consequences.