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City of Newcastle seeks partner for landmark affordable housing project

City of Newcastle is seeking a development partner for its landmark affordable housing project located on vacant land in the Newcastle CBD.

Known as Rail Bridge Row, the site on Hunter Street, which is part of the former heavy rail corridor, is set to play a key role in increasing affordable housing supply in the city.

A national invitation for expressions of interest (EOI) has been issued to find suitable partners with the capabilities and expertise to deliver the project in collaboration with the City.

Executive Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer, David Clarke, said City of Newcastle is embarking on a journey to forge a vibrant community where everyone can thrive.

“As we prepare for a significant population increase of more than 40,000 by 2041, we are fully aware of the pressing need for safe, convenient and affordable housing,” Mr Clarke said.

“By seeking to partner with an experienced community housing provider and other interested parties to deliver this project, we are creating a new affordable housing model that could potentially be replicated at other sites within Newcastle.

“Our long-term strategy is based on thoughtful collaboration with housing experts and industry stakeholders. Through strategic collaboration, meticulous planning, and unwavering dedication, we are not just dreaming of a better Newcastle – we are creating it.

“Our commitment to achieve our vision is strengthened by a groundbreaking partnership between the City of Newcastle and the NSW Government leading to a historic $12 million investment in social housing right here in our city.

“This partnership has already begun to positively impact our local area with the rapid development of additional social housing in Wallsend. 

“We invite all interested community housing providers and other parties to review the expression of interest documentation for the Rail Bridge Row Affordable Housing Project, with EOIs closing on 7 March 2025.”

City of Newcastle has undertaken detailed investigations on the site, which has the potential to provide more than 30 affordable housing units which would be operated by an experienced community housing provider, making the project ideal for funding through the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund.

Following assessment of the EOIs, a number of parties may be invited to submit detailed proposals later in 2025, with a view to the project then proceeding through formal design and approvals processes.  

The 4,125 sqm lot at 280 Hunter Street stretches from Brown Street to near the intersection of Darby and Hunter Streets and is opposite the Crown Street light rail stop. 

It was purchased by City of Newcastle from Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation in 2020.

Additionally, the site has also been earmarked to deliver an important east-west commuter cycleway connection between Argyle Street and Wharf Road, strengthening Newcastle’s cycling infrastructure while enhancing the sustainability and liveability of the city.

Regular updates about the Rail Bridge Row Affordable Housing Project will be provided on the City’s website.

Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works to read more about our current projects.

More families to benefit from flexible early childhood education and care

The Minns Labor Government has announced today that 36 early childhood education and care services will receive more than $5.9 million to trial extended hours and create an additional 350 places for children.

The recipients are part of the second round of the Minns Government’s Flexible Initiatives Trial (FIT). The first round in April 2024 saw 16 services across the state supported to offer longer hours, weekend operating hours and additional places. This year’s grant recipients include 6 in metropolitan Sydney, 9 in Western Sydney and 21 in regional NSW.

The trial supports services to test new and expanded operating models to better cater for local families’ needs, increase availability of places where and when they are needed most, and reduce barriers to workforce participation.

The grants will help services create up to 350 additional places in long day care services and community preschools, extend hours including before and after school and on weekends, fund new educator and teacher positions, open new rooms, expand programs and establish five new family day care services.

This is part of the NSW Labor Government’s long-term commitment to support children and young families in the early years, which includes an historic $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools in NSW, which is the largest investment in public preschools in the state’s history.

We have also committed $60 million to build and upgrade preschools at non-government schools in areas where they are needed most, and $17 million to support capital works for early childhood services.

The new offerings include:

  • Choice Preschool Kindergarten Auburn plans to increase their licensed places by 20 and provide two sessions per day, from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm. The service is in a community with a high proportion of new migrants and asylum seekers.
  • Koorana Croydon Street Preschool Lakemba plans to add a vacation care program for up to 18 preschool children in the April, July and October school holidays. The service supports children of all abilities, including those with additional needs. Children can also access NDIS-funded therapy on site during the term and as part of the new vacation care program.
  • Indigo Early Learning Centre Forresters Beach on the Central Coast will increase licensed places by 41, from 79 to 120.
  • Murray-Toola Damana (Many Hands) Preschool Mount Druitt will open for an extra day each week from three to four days, and employ a bus driver to pick up and drop children home.
  • Planet Long Day Care in Coledale plans to extend their operating hours by two hours each day, increasing licensed places by 20.
  • Eurobodalla Shire Council plans to establish five new family day care services to provide early childhood education and care for up to 50 children six days a week. It also proposes to employ a full-time family day care relief educator to cover leave across the shire’s family day care services.

The Flexible Initiatives Trial is a $20 million trial program launched by the Minns Labor Government in 2023, through the NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund. The program aims to improve equitable access to affordable quality early childhood education and care services.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring children across NSW get the best start in life through high-quality early learning – no matter their postcode.

“The Flexible Initiatives Trial is supporting our valued early childhood services, teachers and educators to trial new ways of meeting families’ needs.

“Not only does this program increase access for children in our state to early quality education and care, it also removes a barrier facing parents who wish to re-enter the workforce or enter it for the first time.

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering a plan to build stronger, more accessible education for families across the state.”

Parkline Place new workplace hub for NSW Government agencies

The NSW Government is set to take up residence in a new workplace hub in the heart of Sydney from early 2025.

Parkline Place is a 39-storey energy efficient tower building located on the corner of Pitt and Park Streets above Gadigal metro station. The development has created 600 construction jobs and will support up to 4000 workers spanning across the government and private sectors.

The NSW Government’s central property agency, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) has negotiated the lease arrangements for the four agencies, and is leading the CBD Workplace Hub design and delivery project, which aims to provide modern and sustainable government workplaces as public sector workers return to the office.

The lease arrangements are as follows:

  • A 12-year lease for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with the agency now occupying four floors since the start of January.
  • A 12-year lease for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for flexible touchdown space across three floors. The agencies are due to move into the building from April 2025.
  • A 13-and-a-half-year lease for the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) to occupy three full floors, plus another floor partially, with the agency set to relocate in mid-2026.

The leases support the NSW Government’s net zero emissions targets. Parkline Place is fully electric and powered by renewable energy, and targets net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions in operation. It is also designed to achieve 5.5-star NABERS Energy, 3.5-star NABERS Water, and 6-star Green Star Design and As-Built V1.3 sustainability ratings.

The development has been delivered and will be managed by Investa, on behalf of co-owners Oxford Properties Group and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, with four government agencies to occupy more than 10 floors in the building.

For more information about the CBD Workplace Hub at Parkline Place, visit the Parkline Place workplace hub page.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“Our leases at Parkline Place will provide public servants with quality and sustainable modern workplaces. They will support flexibility and increased collaboration to deliver better service outcomes for the people of NSW.”

Investa Head of Leasing Mark Podgornik said:

“We are delighted to welcome the NSW Government this year as one of the first tenants at Parkline Place.”

“Many major employers are progressively bringing employees back to the office and placing significant value on creating a desirable workplace experience for their people through access to amenity, connected and sustainable workplaces. We are pleased to help facilitate this at Parkline Place.”

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) Secretary Kiersten Fishburn said:

“This new touchdown space offers a great opportunity for our Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s employees to access modern facilities conveniently located near the new Metro and other excellent transport options. It also provides a prime location for them to engage with sector colleagues and key stakeholders in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.”

Sydney to host Rugby World Cup final and semi-finals

NSW is the big winner from the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 host city announcement, with our state set to host more games than any other, including both semi-finals and the final.

The third largest sporting event in the world, the Rugby World Cup has delivered decades of drama including Wallabies glory, extra-time heartbreak and Nelson Mandela hoisting the trophy alongside the Springboks.

All of that history, along with 24 national teams, an estimated 215,000 visitors, and hundreds of millions of global TV viewers, will culminate in NSW for six weeks in October and November in 2027.

The host city agreement has resulted in 17 of a total 52 games being played in NSW, with Newcastle hosting four pool matches and Sydney hosting 13 fixtures, including five pool matches, two Round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final set to take place at Stadium Australia on November 13.

Destination NSW estimates the tournament will inject more than $610 million into the state’s visitor economy and be Sydney’s biggest sport event in over 20 years.

In addition to the direct social and economic benefits, the right to host the finals will mean Sydney is centre stage for the global television audience, providing immeasurable marketing impact for the NSW visitor economy.

The announcement confirms NSW as a premier destination for world class sporting events including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Sail GP and the Sydney Marathon which recently gained world marathon major status.

Supporting major events is a key part of the Minns Labor Government’s strategy to grow the visitor economy. In October the government committed to a new ambitious growth target of $91 billion of visitor expenditure by 2035, a 40% increase on the previous 2030 goal.

Sydney has a proud Rugby World Cup history, having hosted six games during the inaugural tournament in 1987 and 16 games – including the final – when Australia last hosted in 2003. The NSW Government is also proud to support this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour while Australia will also host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

In the lead up to the event Chair of Destination NSW Sally Loane will lead a committee tasked with maximising the tourism opportunities of hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“It’s great to see NSW come out on top – securing hosting rights to the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

“Staging the finals and having more matches than any other state, demonstrates just how attractive NSW is as a destination for global sporting events.

“To all those keen rugby fans across the globe – it’s time to lock in your travel plans. Not only will you get to watch some fantastic sport, but you will also get to tour the best state in the world, home to extraordinary national parks and unparalleled Harbour views.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“With more games than any other state, NSW will be the home of the tournament which means hundreds of thousands of fans will travel here and experience what our incredible state has to offer.”

“The stadiums and the streets of Sydney and Newcastle will be absolutely buzzing during the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.

“Hosting world class events is a key part of our strategy to significantly grow the NSW visitor economy over the next ten years.”

“My message to rugby fans around the world is – come for the rucks and mauls, stay for the food, the wine, the beaches and cultural experiences!”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be a festival of rugby union like no other that will inspire the next generation of players.

“The choice of Sydney to host the tournament’s final match – along with both semi-finals and the bronze final – reflects the city’s position as world class sporting events capital, and the NSW Government is excited to welcome the world’s best rugby teams – and their fans – in 2027.

“For 6 weeks, we are going to be centre stage for the sporting world.

World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson said:

“We are delighted to reach another significant milestone on our journey to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. The selection of these incredible host cities reflects our commitment to bring Rugby World Cup to Australians’ backyard and maximise the tournament’s positive impact and sporting legacy in all host communities.

“Australia’s iconic cities and rich culture will create an extraordinary atmosphere for fans and players alike, uniting an entire nation for six unforgettable weeks. We look forward to working with host cities to make this tournament one for the ages.”

Improving flood resilience in Kempsey Shire

A Kempsey Shire causeway that’s highly susceptible to flooding is to be replaced with a new 75-metre-high bridge following approval of more than $3 million in natural disaster betterment funding from the Albanese and Minns Governments.

The Dungay Creek causeway at Yessabah has been repeatedly damaged across multiple natural disasters in recent years, leading to frequent closures which have impacted and isolated local communities. 

A more resilient and higher concrete structure is being funded through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Funding Arrangements. The funding will allow council to build more resilience into the road network to help communities to stay connected during extreme weather.

Work will start this month with the construction of precast elements off-site, and is due to be complete in February 2026, weather permitting.

Senator Tony Sheldon:

“Infrastructure that keeps communities connected during natural disasters isn’t just about roads or bridges – it’s about ensuring families can stay safe, access medical help when they need it, and recover together after the worst has passed.”

“There’s often an increased demand for medical services during natural disasters, so having infrastructure that provides access to those services is essential.”

“I’m really pleased to see Kempsey Shire Council leading the way on this project. With the backing of the Albanese and Minns Governments, this new bridge will be a game-changer for locals, keeping them safe and connected when they need it most.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“The NSW Government is committed to making sure we do all we can to improve the safety of local infrastructure and mitigate against future disasters.

“This bridge is critical to the livelihoods of locals, and not only will this work mean it is more resilient in the event of future disasters, it will also help keep them safe and connected.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“It’s great to see all three levels of government working together to improve the reliability of the crossing over Dungay Creek which will provide social and economic benefits for Council and the community.

“The new bridge will reduce the number of closures and will mean communities can stay connected during and after flood events, ensuring Council can focus on other assets or functions during post-flood events.”

Kempsey Shire Council Infrastructure Delivery Group Manager, Dylan Reeves:

“The Dungay Creek causeway project is a significant undertaking for our community and will greatly enhance the reliability and safety of access for the community of Wittitrin.

“With preliminary off-site works commencing in January 2025, we’ve already completed essential groundwork, including site surveys, geotechnical investigations, and environmental assessments.

“The construction will be managed by Kempsey Shire Council, with specialised contractors engaged to ensure we deliver a high-quality project. We’ll minimise disruptions by keeping the existing causeway open during construction, with only limited closures during key phases.

“This bridge represents an incredible enhancement to our transport network, ensuring safety and better connectivity for all who rely on it.”

Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Kinne Ring: 

“The Dungay Creek causeway project is a powerful step forward in connecting the Macleay Valley, improving road safety for all, and enhancing the daily lives of our residents.

“With work beginning in January 2025, this bridge is an essential piece of infrastructure, made possible through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package.

Kempsey Shire Council is proud to manage this significant upgrade to our transport network, providing safer, more reliable access for our entire community.”

The next generation of NSW Electric Buses will be built in Nowra

The South Coast is set to become a new manufacturing hub for the next generation of public transport with the creation of a brand-new electric bus manufacturing facility in Nowra.

Australian owned bus manufacturer Foton Mobility Distribution is set to build a 6,000 square metre manufacturing facility in South Nowra from late 2025, subject to council approval.

This follows the Minns Labor Government awarding a contract to Foton to deliver 126 battery electric buses that will be built in Nowra and service bus routes across Greater Sydney.

The facility will also produce battery electric trucks, as well as hydrogen fuel cell engines, creating around 100 ongoing quality, skilled manufacturing jobs for local workers.

Foton’s bus contract was one of the first bus orders made through the NSW Government’s Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) program.

This program is also converting 11 existing bus depots in Greater Sydney to battery electric technology, building a new battery electric depot at Macquarie Park and procuring around 1,200 new electric buses by 2028.

Transport for NSW is delivering the ZEB program in stages in close consultation with industry, including manufacturers, to provide an opportunity to increase capability and capacity supported by a published pipeline of bus orders.

While the domestic manufacturing sector can’t be rebuilt overnight – facilities like this are the first step towards building things here in NSW again.

This facility delivers on the NSW Government’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, supporting local jobs and local industry to build the public transport our state needs.

This follows 12 years of offshoring by the former Liberal National Government, leading to NSW missing out on thousands of job opportunities and bringing lengthy delays and cost blowouts on major transport contracts.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“The offshoring of public transport by the former government was a complete disaster, which is why we’re building these buses here in NSW – creating local jobs and public transport that works.

“This state of the art facility in Nowra will create ongoing skilled jobs in regional NSW while also delivering emissions free world class public transport for the people of our state.

“Workers across NSW are great at building public transport like these buses, and under our government they’re building them here again.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“When the Minns Labor Government says we want to build more buses here, we mean it.

“Once our partners at Foton get this plant up and running there will be an extra 100 quality manufacturing jobs right here. That’s great news for Nowra and a big boost for NSW manufacturing.

“We want our local manufacturers and suppliers have good opportunities to get involved in building the Zero Emissions Buses that we need. That’s why we have structured our zero-emissions bus program in a way that builds our bus manufacturing capacity for the long term.”

“We are at the beginning of our project to build the clean, green buses of the future. Transport for NSW announced the first battery electric bus orders under the Zero Emissions Bus program for Greater Sydney in December 2024.

“There will be many more orders to come for Sydney, Outer Metropolitan and Regional NSW and many good quality, skilled manufacturing jobs that will be created thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s support for building our buses, trains and ferries right here in Australia.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“This new facility shows the high-quality products that NSW workers and businesses can deliver.

“The previous government sent contracts like this offshore, costing NSW thousands of jobs and billions of dollars. We are choosing to support local jobs and local businesses.

“By leveraging the power of government contracts like this, we can rebuild local industries, support local workers and grow the NSW economy, particularly in regional communities.

“This is an important milestone as we deliver on our pledge to bring domestic manufacturing back to NSW.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“The Minns Government understands the importance of local jobs and skills training for regional communities.”

“The proposed new bus factory here in Nowra will provide fantastic employment opportunities for up to 100 people once fully operational and enable the re-skilling and upskilling of many workers who wish to be a part of the transition to zero emissions transport.”

Member of the Legislative Council Sarah Kaine said:

“We’re building Australia’s future right here in the South Coast and delivering good quality, local jobs in the process.”

“This is a Labor Government that is investing back into its regional economies and ensuring equal opportunity for local manufacturing of our world-class transport system. 

Off the plan contract laws under review to provide greater certainty to buyers

Developers could face financial penalties for failing to deliver homes and unfairly profiting off buyers under reforms being considered by the NSW Government.

Feedback is being sought on stronger protections for consumers in off the plan contracts for homes and land in NSW, to guide the delivery of new housing and prevent lengthy delays that leave people out of pocket.

An off the plan contract is an agreement for the sale and purchase of a property that is yet to be developed or constructed. These contracts can apply to the sale of a proposed lot in a strata or community land scheme or to the sale of land in a conventional subdivision.

The reforms are being designed to help increase housing supply by providing greater certainty and clearer deadlines for home buyers and to free up land for development faster by removing outdated restrictions on development sites.

The reforms are intended to help more people achieve the Australian dream of home ownership and build greater confidence in the housing market by improving protections for buyers and preventing developers from delaying homes they have been contracted to deliver.

About five per cent of 180,000 residential purchases in NSW last financial year were off the plan contracts which allow a buyer to commit to purchasing a property before the complex is built or land is subdivided.

Potential reforms being released for comment aim to tighten contract rules to give buyers a clearer understanding of when they can expect to move into their new home, reducing uncertainty and the risk of being left behind in the market when a contract is cancelled.

This could include scrapping the ability for developers to draw the contract out with indefinite sunset clauses which give buyers no clear path forward, or ability to exit the arrangement.

Other proposed changes the NSW Government is considering include:

  • Making sunset clauses mandatory in contracts so that buyers can withdraw if sunset events do not occur by a set time
  • Requiring developers to disclose the status of the development against construction milestones so buyers have a better understanding of timeframes and potential risks
  • Limiting a developer’s ability to extend sunset dates only for certain reasons beyond the developer’s control such as weather or supply issues, and imposing time limits on extensions
  • Requiring developers to take reasonable steps to meet dates by potentially introducing penalties for inaction.

The Government is also looking at unlocking potential development sites by making it easier to remove private, outdated agreements from land titles (known as obsolete restrictive covenants) which can limit how land is used or developed.

Covenants can continue to bind future landowners indefinitely, even if they become outdated – for example, an obsolete covenant may prevent more than one property from being built on the land or ban the use of certain building materials.

To support the reforms, the Office of the Registrar General has released a discussion paper called ‘Contracts and Covenants: Reforms to support development of land’ outlining the options.

The community is invited to respond to survey questions or upload a submission on the reform proposals and share their experiences on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say platform.

The consultation will lay the groundwork for legislation to be developed in 2025.

The Contracts and Covenants consultation is open until 7 March 2025.

To have your say, visit: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/offtheplan-contracts-covenants 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Buying a home is one of the most stressful experiences for an individual, these proposals are designed to provide greater certainty and consistency. This review is about making sure home buyers have the right protections and information they need to make informed decisions.”

“Off the plan contracts play a crucial role in supporting essential housing supply initiatives in NSW. They allow buyers to purchase property early in the development process, while giving developers the confidence and financial security to build.”

“We know that most developers do the right thing, but we don’t want situations where businesses try to run down the clock on a contract to sell to a higher bidder or mislead consumers by unfairly changing the goalposts for when they can move into their dream home.”

“These reforms are designed to provide greater transparency as well as encourage the delivery of new homes. These proposals are about encouraging developers to be upfront about timelines and challenges to assist homeowners.”

“We encourage people to have their say on these proposals which aim to boost consumer confidence in the off the plan contract process and help NSW achieve our housing targets.”

Registrar General Danusia Cameron said:

“Off the plan buyers need more information and support than buyers of established homes because they are not able to inspect a property before committing to buy it.”

“It is important that the laws governing off the plan contracts also arm buyers with appropriate safeguards, meet the needs of the community and address emerging issues in the sector to ensure there is continued confidence in the process.”  

Times are tough – time for tough decision

Australians are doing it tough. Inflation is through the roof, food and fuel prices keep climbing, and power bills are out of control. People need cheap power, a reduction in their fuel bills, less income tax and solutions to the housing and food crises.  

Meanwhile, the Labor government is more focused on increasing taxes and mass migration than actually fixing the problems everyday Australians are facing.

While Labor and the Liberals keep offering band-aid solutions that do nothing to lower the cost of living, One Nation has been delivering real policy solutions that put money back in Australians’ pockets.

This year, One Nation has made huge inroads in policy announcements that tackle the financial pressures Aussies are facing—without blowing out government spending.

Cutting Taxes and Giving Australians a Fair Go

One of the biggest ways to ease the cost of living is tax relief, and One Nation is the only party putting forward serious, commonsense tax reform.

  • Raising the tax-free threshold for self-funded retirees to $35,000 – Retirees who’ve worked hard and saved responsibly should not be slugged with tax just for funding their own retirement. Unlike pensioners, these Australians receive no government support, yet Labor still wants to take more from them. One Nation will let them keep more of their money.
  • Income splitting for families – Families should be able to file joint tax returns, so couples with children aren’t unfairly taxed when one parent stays home. This policy helps families keep more of their income, reduces the tax burden on single-income households, and makes it easier for parents to raise their kids without needing government handouts.
  • Removing work limits for pensioners and veterans – Australia has a worker shortage, yet we punish pensioners and veterans for working by cutting their payments if they earn too much. One Nation will scrap these penalties so older Australians can work as much as they want without losing their pension. This helps businesses, fills workforce gaps, and reduces the need to import foreign workers.

These are real, practical solutions that make life more affordable for Australians without increasing debt or wasting taxpayer money.

Fixing the Housing and Skilled Worker Crisis

Housing prices and rents are skyrocketing because of Labor’s mass migration policies. Meanwhile, we have massive shortages in skilled trades, healthcare, and education. Instead of addressing the problem, Labor’s solution is to bring in more migrants—which only drives up housing demand and makes things worse.

One Nation’s policies tackle this issue head-on by:

  • Encouraging older Australians to re-enter the workforce by removing pension earning limits, helping to fill critical job shortages without relying on foreign workers.
  • Reducing the need for taxpayer-funded childcare by making it easier for one parent to stay home with children through income splitting, rather than forcing both parents into the workforce just to survive.
  • Giving self-funded retirees more financial freedom so they can invest more in Australian property and businesses, stimulating the economy without government intervention.

Labor and the Liberals refuse to address the real causes of the cost-of-living crisis. One Nation is leading the way with policies that provide long-term solutions instead of quick fixes.

Real Action

Labor promised lower power prices – remember that $270 lower power promise Albo made.. Instead, they shut down coal and gas projects, pushing prices even higher. They promised more housing, but their mass migration policies have made the crisis worse. Every time they make a promise, it ends up costing Australians more money and more hardship.

One Nation doesn’t make empty promises. We deliver policies that work—solutions that put money back in people’s pockets, ease cost-of-living pressures, and ensure Australians come first.

The 2025 Federal Election is coming, and Australians will have a choice:

  • More taxes, more migration, and more cost-of-living pain under Labor
  • Or real economic relief with One Nation’s common-sense policies

The solutions are here. It’s time for a government that actually listens and puts Australians first.

Appeal to locate man missing from Belmore

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Sydney’s inner west.

St Clair Rex Wydeman, aged 76, was last seen in Liberty Street, Belmore in late 2023.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Campsie Police Area Command were notified today, 30 January 2025 at 2pm and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for St Clair’s welfare due to several medical conditions.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, of a medium build, with grey hair and brown eyes.

He is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Campsie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

RBA needs to meet now to cut rates

The RBA should call a meeting immediately to cut interest rates, the Greens say.

“Inflation is coming down rapidly, markets are pricing in a rate cut, and it appears inevitable that rates will be cut when the RBA board meets next month,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“But there is no need to wait that long. Most of the country is back at work – the same should apply to the RBA Board.”

“The latest CPI of 2.4% is well within the RBA’s target band of 2-3%.”

“People are being smashed by needlessly high interest rates and the RBA needs to act immediately.”

“This current high interest rate cycle has been hugely damaging to so many people through higher rents and higher mortgages. It needs to end now.”