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The Minns Labor Government and the Albanese Federal Government have been caught red-handed trying to pull the wool over Western Sydney’s eyes. Their big Fifteenth Avenue ‘upgrade’ announcement was nothing more than another classic Labor trick—lots of fanfare, but when you read the fine print, it is another broken promise kicking real progress decades down the road.
 
On 19 January, the Minns Labor Government sent out a media alert stating that ‘Federal Representatives’ would be joining the Premier for the big Fifteenth Avenue announcement. What they were apparently too embarrassed to say outright—but was later revealed—was that the ‘Federal Representatives’ included none other than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese himself. Standing side by side with Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car, and Roads Minister John Graham, they made yet another grand promise that won’t be realised for at least 15 years.
 
Media reports last night revealed the shocking truth of Labor’s so-called upgrade that will not be completed until 2040—if ever. And what are they actually delivering? Only a six kilometres stretch of road, covering less than half the distance needed to connect Liverpool to Western Sydney Airport. It is like claiming you’re building a bridge, then only laying the first few planks, and calling it a success.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this is Bob Carr politics 1-0-1—make a flashy announcement, take the photo, then push the actual delivery 15 years down the track.
 
“Western Sydney deserves real infrastructure now, not vague promises about what ‘might’ happen in 2040. This is another example of the Minns and Albanese Governments treating the people of Western Sydney like second-class citizens,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said this Government just makes it up as it goes along.
 
“The people using Fifteenth Avenue every day can’t wait for an extra lane in 2040—they need construction to start as soon as possible. At the last election, the Member for Leppington promised the community an upgraded road by 2027, not in 2040,” Ms Ward said.
 
Last night’s media reports made it clear that Western Sydney is getting a road to nowhere. Labor’s so-called ‘investment’ is a mirage, designed to trick voters into thinking something is being done when the region is being left behind.
 
This is the small-target Minns Labor government at its worst. Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car and Minister for Roads John Graham all stood together with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pretending to deliver for Western Sydney, but all they really delivered was another empty promise.
 
Western Sydney is growing fast, and it needs real infrastructure to match—not a dodgy, half-baked road that leaves commuters stuck in traffic for another 15 years.

People impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred who require essential medicines, including diabetes, heart and asthma medicines, can access a limited supply without a prescription at pharmacies.

NSW Health has issued an Authority under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation that enables pharmacists to supply prescription medicines to people without a prescription who are affected by the cyclone.

NSW Health is working with local hospitals, pharmacies and health professionals in the affected areas to ensure the community is supported and essential medicines are available to those who need them.

The temporary change is designed to assist people affected by the cyclone by ensuring they can continue to access essential medicines.    

While some community pharmacies may be closed in the affected areas, many pharmacies placed advanced orders to ensure they retain adequate stock.

NSW Health has also brought extra medicines into the affected region to assist the community.

Where able to, people are encouraged to phone ahead and try alternate pharmacies if their usual pharmacy is closed.

The full conditions of the supply of prescription medicines by a pharmacist without a prescription are listed in the Authority which is published online here.     

For more information speak with your local pharmacy, GP; call healthdirect on 1800 022 222; or visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Publications/authority-pharmacists-tc-alfred.pdf

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“People who are impacted by the cyclone are strongly encouraged to pack their medications and prescriptions while preparing for its impact and if evacuating.

“But in unfolding events like this, they may be lost or suddenly become inaccessible.

“If you find yourself in this situation, if you can, please contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or speak to a pharmacist, to seek advice specific to your circumstances.

“If your medication is considered essential, pharmacists will be able to provide you with a full pack without a prescription to ensure you don’t run out during this extreme weather event.”

President NSW Pharmacy Guild Mario Barone:

“Community pharmacies are ready to support patients across northern NSW.

“The continued dispensing authority means that you can get your medicines even if you don’t have a script and can’t get to your doctor.”

The Albanese and Minns Governments are extending disaster assistance to the Armidale, Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Northern NSW as Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s impacts move inland.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). 

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include:

• Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
• Grants for eligible low-income residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
• Grants for eligible low-income residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets. Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
• Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe. 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said it’s a challenging time for communities in Northern NSW who are already experiencing the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.  

“We are extending the support available to assist more flood impacted residents in the immediate recovery phase,” Minister McAllister said. 

“Thank you to all the community members who have heeded the advice of the local authorities and all the personnel out there working to keep their communities safe.

“We are urging the community to know your local risk, listen to emergency services, have a plan. If it’s flooded, forget it.”

“The Australian Government continue to work closely with the NSW Government as we prepare and respond to this event.” 

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said unlocking joint assistance will help communities begin the clean-up, rebuilding and recovery process as quickly as possible. 

“Communities are still dealing with rain and flooding from the cyclone, and this assistance will help us quickly shift to recovery as soon as the weather clears,” Minister Dib said.

“We are rolling out support measures for communities we know are likely to be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and as impacts are known we will look at further measures to support the community.” 

“I would like to thank NSW State Emergency Service volunteers and emergency services who have been supporting the community across the state. The NSW Reconstruction Authority has also been on the ground in Northern NSW ready to begin recovery support and have appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as Recovery Coordinator.” 

“Communities have worked hard to prepare for this cyclone and we understand this has been difficult for Northern Rivers residents who experienced floods in 2022. We are committed to continuing to support this resilient community through these challenges.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found at NSW Government and Disaster Assist websites.

A $15 million Community Recovery Support Fund, jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments, is now available to NSW councils and their communities following the impacts of the Cyclone Alfred weather event.

Activated councils will have up to $1 million in funding made available once impacts are known. This will provide proactive support for communities to undertake essential immediate clean up and restoration activities for important community assets such as pre-schools, senior citizen centres, libraries and community halls.
 
Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
 
The NSW Government is coordinating a multi-agency response to the cyclone, which has been forecast to significantly impact Northern NSW and Southern Queensland.
 
The currently weather modelling suggests that these 15 NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) will sustain the most immediate impact of the cyclone,
 
The Commonwealth Government is working closely with both the New South Wales and Queensland Governments to ensure appropriate support is provided to impacted communities over the coming days.
 
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
 
“Northern NSW residents, and their neighbours to the north, are on high alert watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred approach.
 
“We are providing assistance now, but also have this future support on standby, ready to roll should recovery and cleanup work be needed in the immediate aftermath.
 
“Having this support ready to go means, if needed, essential work can begin and people’s lives can begin to return to normal as soon as possible.”
 
Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“It’s a challenging time for communities in the Northern Rivers, who are experiencing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
 
“Having grown up in the Northern Rivers, I know these communities well.  I am acutely aware of how worrying this event will be for local people.  
 
“I’ve been incredibly grateful for the work of the local mayors, Councils and community leaders, supporting their communities.
 
“We are activating this assistance quickly to ensure councils are supported in their work. 
 
“We seek to be good partners to Premier Minns and his government, through the immediate event and into the recovery”.
 
Premier Chris Minns:

“This is a pre-emptive step to help local councils quickly respond to this disaster.

“Councils are helping their communities prepare for the onslaught, and this will help them in the aftermath.

“This is just one early part of the support for the regions that get impacted by this disaster.”
 
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:
 
“The NSW Government with the support of the Commonwealth is continuing to roll out support for the Northern NSW communities facing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
 
“This funding will be directed to councils in the local communities who need it most, with many of them still recovering after the devastating 2022 floods.

“The NSW Government is committed to providing ongoing support to the communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in the days and weeks ahead.”

Recovery services have begun setting up in Northern NSW ahead of community outreach as the NSW Government appoints a Recovery Coordinator in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The NSW State Emergency Service supported by other emergency services are continuing to deal with the impacts of the extreme weather and will be completing damage assessments as it becomes safe to enter flooded areas.

As the water recedes, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is getting ready to support communities and begin recovery operations as quickly as possible.

As a pre-emptive step to boost recovery efforts for impacted communities, the NSW Government has appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for the region following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Tanner will retain his role as Richmond Police District Superintendent, allowing him to deploy the full resources of the NSW Police Force while effectively marshalling all other Government resources.

Mr Tanner played a critical role in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, serving as the local emergency operations controller and assisting the coordination of recovery efforts across the region. In June 2024 Mr Tanner was awarded the Australian Police Medal for his role during the 2022 floods.

As the focus turns towards recovery, critical information about recovery support will be available at nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery

Information will also be shared through local radio stations, social media and online, with posters and flyers to be distributed across impacted areas.

From early next week, community outreach will begin with RA and our partners checking in on communities in key locations. On Thursday, Recovery Assistance Points will open in Lismore, Tweed South, Ballina and Coffs Harbour.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This is an anxious time for residents and communities across NSW, which is why we have taken the pre-emptive step and appointed Superintendent Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, so that when the weather has passed, we can immediately move to recovery.

“We stand with everyone in the storm’s path and will continue to provide as much support as needed to help individuals and communities get back on their feet.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“While we are still assessing the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, we are preparing for the recovery phase so that every community and person impacted by this event receives support as soon as possible.

“We have taken what we have learnt from previous natural disasters to improve the way we prepare. Appointing Superintendent Scott Tanner to help lead the recovery means he can apply his experience from the 2022 floods to assist communities as they deal with the aftermath of this major weather event.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“While I’m sorry we’re in this position again, I welcome the announcement that Superintendent Scott Tanner will be helping lead the recovery post Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“I know Mr Tanner extremely well, we worked very closely in the 2022 floods, and locally as he’s the Superintendent in my electorate, and he is the right person to work with community to help us recover as soon as possible.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“I want to reassure the community that the NSW Reconstruction Authority is on the ground in Northern NSW working alongside our response agencies to understand impacts and resolve issues as we prepare for recovery.

“There will be no daylight between response and recovery, but in the meantime, I encourage everyone to continue visiting the NSW SES website for the latest information about flooding. We are focused on ensuring recovery progresses quickly and seamlessly from response.

“I worked closely with Superintendent Tanner when I served as Recovery Coordinator myself after the 2022 floods and I can think of no one better placed to begin recovery in the region. Appointing Superintendent Tanner provides a dedicated focus on the ground to ensure recovery progresses quickly.”