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Used-car buyers are being urged to check a vehicle’s history before purchase after NSW Fair Trading issued 28 fines in a month and a man was sentenced to a nine-month intensive corrections order for unlicensed motor dealing and odometer tampering.

During the crackdown, NSW Fair Trading issued 54 penalty notices in relation to car sales and repairs valued at more than $100,000. While more than half were for odometer interference, other offences included the non-supply of goods and services, and unlicensed vehicles and sales.

Additionally, Andrew Rodney Leech pled guilty to operating without a motor dealer’s licence and odometer tampering. Between 2020 and 2022 Leech sold 16 vehicles while unlicensed, online with one car having an odometer that had been wound back by more than 200,000 kilometres. 

Buyers of used vehicles are being urged to research the car’s history to ensure it has no outstanding finance, has not been written off in a crash, and has accurate odometer readings. 

The NSW Government offers a free vehicle registration check where prospective buyers have access to a NSW-registered vehicle’s previous three annual odometer readings, as well as basic details like vehicle make, registration and insurance history.

Across the motor vehicle industry in 2024, NSW Fair Trading took disciplinary action against 21 licensed motor vehicle dealers and repairers, resulting in 10 licence cancellations, 13 disqualifications including three permanent, and one suspension.

For more information on consumer protections relating to purchasing a used vehicle visit the NSW Fair Trading website.

To check registration, including odometer reading visit the website of Service NSW or the Service NSW App.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Odometer tampering is used by unscrupulous sellers to increase the value of a vehicle leaving the buyer with a vehicle which is not in the condition advertised, and likely to require repairs at cost and inconvenience to the buyer.

“Sellers of used cars who reduce the number of kilometres displayed on the vehicle can be fined $1,100 per offence, and if taken to court can receive a penalty of up to $55,000 per offence.

“Any buyer of a used car from any source, whether that be online like Facebook Marketplace or through a licenced car dealer, should do their homework including visiting the Service NSW website to run a free history check on the car they wish to purchase.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris has announced the appointment of Shannon Durrant to the Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) Board.

Ms Durrant brings extensive expertise in compliance, audit and risk management, with senior leadership experience in the financial services sector. She is currently the Group Chief Risk Officer at Grimsey Wealth and has previously held key roles at Colonial First State and AMP.

Alongside her corporate background, Ms Durrant is deeply engaged in equine sports. She serves as a Director and Company Secretary of Riding for the Disabled Association Australia and is a former Director of Pony Club Australia.

Ms Durrant has been appointed for a four-year term, until February 2029, following a merit-based selection process.

Her appointment replaces Peter Nugent, who is voluntarily departing the board after serving two four-year tenures.

HRNSW is the independent body responsible for the governance, regulation and development of harness racing in NSW. Ms Durrant’s appointment reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to strong leadership and strategic oversight in the industry.

For more information about HRNSW and the full list of Board members, visit the HRNSW website: https://www.hrnsw.com.au/hrnsw/about-us/board

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Harness racing plays an important role in communities across NSW, supporting jobs, entertainment and our regional economy. This is particularly highlighted with the Carnival of Cups series currently showcasing the sport across our state.

“Shannon Durrant is highly respected in her field, and her expertise in risk management and compliance, combined with her passion for equine sports, makes her an outstanding addition to the Harness Racing NSW Board.

“Her leadership will help strengthen governance, assist growth and ensure the ongoing integrity of the industry.

“I would like to acknowledge the contributions of outgoing Board member Peter Nugent over the past eight years and thank him for his dedicated service to the industry.”

Some of the busiest hospitals in Australia have significantly reduced the time people are waiting for treatment to commence in emergency departments.

Liverpool ED – which receives more than  90,000 presentations each year – has halved average time to treatment for triage 2 emergency patients, from 18 minutes to 9 minutes over the past year.

Westmead ED – which receives close to 80,000 presentations each year – has reduced average time to treatment for triage 2 emergency patients by over a third, from 15 minutes to 9 minutes.

Nepean ED – which receives close to 90,000 presentations each year – has seen the percentage of patients transferred from paramedics to ED staff on time increase from 65.1 per cent to 82.2 per cent. This figure also indicates significant a improvement to ambulance access at the hospital.

Triage 2 emergency cases are categorised as people with an imminently life-threatening condition.

People in this category could be suffering from chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke, or severe fractures.

Meanwhile, Gosford ED – which receives almost 80,000 presentations each year – has seen a reduction in wait times for non-urgent conditions from 86 minutes to 72 minutes.

It follows the Minns Labor Government’s investment of half a billion dollars to relieve pressure on NSW EDs – designed to create more pathways to care outside the hospital, as well as improve patient flow inside the hospital – which includes:

• $171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;
• $100 million to back in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
• $70 million to expand ED short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
• $15.1 million for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
• $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed; and
• $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified  patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves because these figures while encouraging, will fluctuate.

“Our EDs continue to grapple with record pressure and demand, and we mustn’t forget that.

“These reduced wait times are a testament to the hard working health staff in some of the busiest hospitals in one of the busiest health systems in the world.

“I want to remind people who struggle to find a GP, you can ring HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 where you will speak with a registered nurse who can direct you to an urgent care service or clinic.

“It’s free and it could save you waiting unnecessarily in an ED.”

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has declared a further 18 housing proposals State Significant Developments (SSDs) following the second round of recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority.

The new housing proposals, if approved, could deliver more than 8600 much-needed new homes.

At its first two meetings, the authority has declared 29 proposals with more than 15,000 potential homes as state significant.

The Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) has been established by the Minns Labor Government with a strong mandate to speed up assessment timeframes.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The HDA is now accepting expressions of interest for major residential developments above $60 million in metropolitan areas and $30 million in regional NSW.

To date, the authority has received over 200 expressions of interest since it first invited proposals in January 2025. At its latest meeting, a further 39 proposals were examined.

The authority is prioritising high-quality housing projects with detailed plans that can be submitted within nine months and can begin construction within 12 months of approval.

All proposals declared as an SSD will have their development applications assessed by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Without needing to be approved by councils, this can cut approval times and speed up the delivery of new homes.

These complex proposals often require greater resources and planning capabilities and as a result, the projects can get stuck in council planning systems for years.

The HDA offers proponents a new State Significant Development pathway, with the option of concurrent rezoning and assessment.

The SSD applications will be publicly exhibited before they are determined, and the planning department will seek input from councils.

The HDA builds on the Minns Government’s recent reforms to the planning system to speed up the delivery of more homes, including:

• The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
• The largest rezoning in NSW history around transport hubs.
• The largest ever investment in the delivery of social and affordable housing in NSW.
• $200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
• $450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters.

Once a project has been declared SSD, the proponent will be issued Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEAR). Proponents then have nine months to prepare their Environmental Impact Statement or the SEARs will be revoked.

Clear advice and guidance will be provided to all applicants by the department on the next steps to take with their development proposal. This advice includes an alternative planning pathway for major housing projects that may require a concurrent rezoning but do not satisfy the criteria of the HDA pathway.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration. For more information visit the Housing Delivery Authority webpage.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We are fast-tracking quality housing proposals to help deliver homes our state desperately needs.

“These major projects could deliver thousands of homes for young people, families and workers.

“The Housing Delivery Authority is a major change that is already making it easier and faster to get started.

“Without our changes to increase housing supply, Sydney risks becoming a city without a future because it’s simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government established the HDA to reduce the time it takes for proposals to progress through a planning pathway, and it is pleasing to see the that the first two HDA meetings have delivered quality proposals that will now develop detailed proposals.

“So far, 29 proposals amounting to more than 15,000 potential homes have been declared state significant.

“The quality of proposals recommended to me by the HDA shows that developers are hearing the message, we’re looking for major housing developments that can get out of the ground quickly.”

The NSW Opposition has today called on the Minns Labor Government to commit to providing free vaccines to all NSW residents this flu season, amid warnings of a potentially severe outbreak.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said 2024 had been one of the worst flu seasons on record for NSW with over 160,000 reported cases, and data out of Europe and the US showing 2025 could be even worse.
 
“We cannot afford to sit back and wait while flu cases skyrocket,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“The Minns Labor Government needs to step up and ensure every NSW resident can access a free flu vaccine—this is a simple, effective step to protect lives and ease pressure on our health system.”
 
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said the former Coalition Government successfully provided free flu vaccines in 2022, a program that was not continued by the Minns Government.
 
“With a monster flu season approaching, we need a vaccination blitz across NSW to save lives and ease the pressure on our already stretched emergency departments,” Ms Sloane said. 
 
“Flu isn’t just a bad cold—it can be deadly. Free vaccines mean fewer hospital visits, fewer sick days, and more lives saved. We need to make it as easy as possible for every NSW resident to get protected this flu season.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh says that declining vaccine rates in NSW in 2023 and 2024 showed that the Government needed to do more to help people access the flu vaccine.
 
“Flu Vaccination rates in NSW are lagging other states and declined 4.9% last year. In a cost-of-living crisis, the Government should be supporting families with access to free flu vaccines,” he said.
 
Health experts also support the Opposition’s calls for free vaccines.
 
Dr Rebekah Hoffman, specialist GP and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) NSW&ACT Chair, urged NSW families to fight vaccine fatigue and book an appointment with their GP.
 
“We too often forget just how devastating the flu can be,” Dr Hoffman said.
 
“Australia has been grappling with falling vaccination rates, and we’re seeing a resurgence of influenza and other preventable diseases as a result. We can’t be complacent. Viruses don’t suffer from ‘vaccine fatigue’ – they thrive in it. 
 
Founding director of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, Catherine Hughes AM says the NSW Government must act now to provide free flu vaccines.
 
“Cost should not be a barrier to protecting yourself and your family from influenza, a serious illness that can have devastating consequences, particularly for the vulnerable. A free flu vaccine program ensures equitable access for all members of our community, especially those most at risk, including the elderly, young children, and people with chronic health conditions”, said Ms Hughes
 
“We’ve seen the positive impact of free flu vaccine initiatives in other states, and it’s time for NSW to prioritize the health of its residents by making this essential preventative measure accessible to everyone.
 
 
BACKGROUND:
 

• In 2022, the Coalition Government ran a free vaccine program for all NSW residents in June and July. This was not continued in 2023 or 2024 by the Minns Labor Government.
• Health officials estimated the cost of providing these free vaccines in 2022 was between $20-$25 million.
• 3,417,365 people were vaccinated for Flu in 2022 in NSW. 2,649,895 people were vaccinated for Flu in NSW In 2024.
• In the July-September Bureau of Health Information data (which aligns with the peak of the flu Season) NSW saw 787,590 ED attendances a 2.1% increase and only 61.3% of patients starting their treatment on time – the lowest on record.
• According to the NSW Productivity Commission, making flu vaccines free for all could have major health and economic benefits for our community – saving around 500 lives and $530 million annually in NSW if just 55% of under 65s had the flu vaccine.
• The Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report found that those vaccinated were 62% less likely to attend a GP practice and 56% less likely to be hospitalised.
• Queensland is offering free flu vaccines for all residents from 1 March 2025 to 30 September.
• Western Australia offered free flu vaccines for all residents in May and June 2024.
• The United States is currently experiencing its worst flu season in 15 years.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s media statement issued 7:22 PM yesterday is another case of NSW Labor and Chris Minns being joined at the hip with Anthony Albanese and shows just how out of touch Chris Minns and Daniel Mookhey are with the cost of living crisis.
 
While families across NSW and Australia struggle with rising costs, Daniel Mookhey tried to spin the biggest private health insurance premium hike in seven years as a so-called win.
 
Daniel Mookhey and the Minns Labor Government stood by and cheered while the Albanese Government approved another hit to household budgets. More than 15 million Australians with private health insurance will now be slugged with higher premiums, at a time when they can least afford it.
 
Labor claims to stand for working families, but in two years Chris Minns and Daniel Mookhey have delivered little except re-announcements, cost of living pain, cuts, delays, excuses and spin.
 
The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) figures confirm emergency wait times have hit their worst levels on record, with just 61.3% of patients receiving treatment on time.

• 98,608 people are now stuck waiting for critical procedures, an increase of 7.7% in just 12 months.
• Labor’s failure to manage the health system is leaving frontline staff overworked and patients waiting longer than ever.

Two consecutive years of real cuts to the NSW health budget have led to poorer patient outcomes and a system under unprecedented pressure.
 
Instead of addressing these failures, Daniel Mookhey followed orders—backing in an above-inflation premium hike and attacking anyone who dares to question Labor’s failures.
 
The NSW Coalition warned the Treasurer last year about premium increases when Chris Minns and he went after the private health insurers to fix their own budget problems. 
 
Australia and NSW are worse off under Labor.