A Sloane Liberal and Nationals Government will crack down on criminals and make communities safer by introducing new Adult Crime, Adult Time laws within the first 100 days of Government.
Labor has lost control of crime across NSW with young people increasingly at the centre -being recruited to carry out gangland hits, committing violent crimes and breaking into people’s homes.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have repeatedly put forward stronger laws, which include Anytime, Anywhere Knife Wanding laws and tougher penalties for those who recruit children to commit crimes, only to be met by opposition from the Minns Labor Government.
Under our reforms, the list of serious children’s indictable offences (SCIOs) would be expanded, meaning maximum adult sentences would apply to additional serious crimes.
The offences would be backed by guideline sentencing and new sentencing principles to ensure detention is not treated as a last resort, especially where that applies to multiple sentences. Greater weight will be given to victim impact rather than the age of the offender.
We will also double funding for the Community Safety Investment Fund to $10 million and fund expanded diversion, school suspension and post-detention rehabilitation programs to put young people back on the right track.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said that under our plan victims would be put first and serious youth offenders will face real consequences for their crimes.
“I believe in tough love which means doing everything we can to support young people and put them on the right track. But if you commit a serious adult crime, there should be serious adult consequences,” Ms Sloane said.
“For too long youth offenders who have committed serious crimes in our state have faced consequences that don’t match community expectations. That will end under the NSW Liberals and Nationals Adult Crime, Adult Time laws.”
NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said regional NSW was dealing with a youth crime crisis and was sick of waiting for Labor to get tough on this issue.
“Regional NSW has had enough. From Moree to Dubbo, families, business owners and older Australians have had enough of living with violent crime and kids running riot,” Mr Singh said.
“We will put community safety first in regional NSW and ensure serious youth offenders get the book thrown at them for their crimes.”
Shadow Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Anthony Roberts said police officers were sick of arresting the same serious youth criminals just to see them back on the streets.
“Our police do a great job keeping our communities safe, we need to back them with laws to ensure that serious youth offenders face proper consequences for violent crimes,” Mr Roberts said.
Acting Shadow Attorney General Susan Carter said these laws would also be accompanied by further investment in youth diversion programs.
“Young people who commit serious crimes should face serious consequences, but we also want to be doing all we can to ensure young people don’t commit those crimes to begin with,” Mrs Carter said.
“Adult Crime, Adult Time laws will form one part of a broader Liberals and Nationals youth justice package that will be based on a clear principle that we will hold serious offenders properly accountable while also doing everything reasonably possible to stop young people becoming serious offenders in the first place.”
Shadow Minister for Prevention of Regional Crime Brendan Moylan said the NSW Liberals and Nationals would tackle serious youth crime through both prevention and consequences.
“We must tackle crime from all sides, intervening early, deterring offending and throwing the weight of the law at those who commit crimes to keep NSW communities safe,” Mr Moylan said.
Former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner and Liberal Candidate for Camden Mick Willing said the police must have the powers to get control of the issue.
“The face of crime has changed, we now have a situation where innocent members of the public are no longer off limits, and sentences need to represent that and community expectation around that,” Mr Willing said.
Author: admin
Seatbelt education urgently needed as fines alone won’t save lives
New figures have revealed seatbelt fines surged by 2,357 per cent in just one year, with the NSW Liberals and Nationals calling for an immediate public education campaign.
A staggering 132,755 seatbelt fines were issued in 2024–25 following the introduction of AI-powered detection cameras. Concerningly, more than one in ten fines were issued for failing to wear a seatbelt at all.
Despite the huge increase in fines, the latest Transport for NSW figures show:
- 12,157 people were seriously injured during 2025, an increase of 598, or 5.2 per cent, from 11,559 in 2024.
- 244 lives have been lost on NSW roads in 2026, compared with 240 at the same time last year.
Shadow Minister for Roads Mark Coure said enforcement must be supported by clear and practical education.
“These figures show that current deterrence measures are not enough to improve road safety,” Mr Coure said.
“Cameras can detect an offence and issue a fine, but the evidence is showing it is not addressing the cause and changing behaviour.”
“The Minns Labor Government must back current deterrent measures with a comprehensive education campaign, which the NRMA is also calling for – with targeted information for passengers, parents, pregnant women and culturally diverse communities.”
“Two-thirds of the offences reportedly involved passengers, demonstrating that the Government’s message is simply not reaching the broader community.”
“With the NSW road toll remaining unacceptably high, fines alone are not a road safety strategy. Education and enforcement must work together.”
Little wings flying high
The Albanese Government is providing another $1 million for Little Wings to help seriously ill children in regional communities access the health care they need.
The funding will extend the Government’s support for Little Wings for a further two years, helping families across regional NSW, Queensland and the ACT access the specialist health care their children need.
The Government will also match every dollar raised by 12-year-old Dusty Langby, who has walked an incredible 540 kilometres from Warren, NSW to Parliament House in Canberra in support of Little Wings.
Little Wings provides free aeromedical and ground transport and specialist outreach clinics for families living outside major cities, helping remove distance as a barrier to essential health care.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler announced the funding today as they welcomed Dusty to Parliament House after his remarkable journey.
Dusty has raised over $500,000 for Little Wings, with the Albanese Government matching that amount dollar-for-dollar and doubling the impact of his fundraising effort.
Dusty was joined in his walk by his mother Sarah Langby, a Registered Nurse, Little Wings Chief Executive Officer Clare Pearson, local nurse Christine Letton, Little Wings nurse Nichole Callan, and other members of his support crew.
The new $1 million investment will extend the Government’s support for Little Wings for a further two years, helping the organisation continue its vital work for children and families across regional NSW, Queensland and the ACT.
The Albanese Government has been a proud supporter of Little Wings since 2022. In the 2022-23 Budget, the Government committed $4.3 million to Little Wings for the purchase of an additional aircraft and $2.5 million in operational funding from 2022‑23 to 2026-27.
In 2025-26 alone, the Albanese Government supported 350 Little Wings missions. This included 296 hospital flights and 54 outreach specialist clinics, helping 1,260 families to access specialist care closer to home.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“Dusty has done something extraordinary and has walked 540 kilometres to help seriously ill children and their families.
“My Government will match every dollar Dusty has raised so his incredible effort can make an even bigger difference.
“On top of that, my Government will invest another $1 million to keep Little Wings flying and help regional families get their children the care they need.
“Dusty has shown that you’re never too young to make a difference and we’re proud to back Little Wings and the work they do.”
Minister Mark Butler:
“The Albanese Government has supported Little Wings because for families facing the unimaginable, Little Wings is a beacon of hope, delivering swift and secure transport during their most trying moments.
“Dusty’s extraordinary effort has shown no parent should worry about distance, affordability and reliability when it comes to their child’s health care.
“The extension of support for Little Wings reflects our Government’s commitment to strengthening the health infrastructure that binds our nation together.
“Little Wings helps to ensure no child’s health is compromised by distance or location.”
Assistant Minister Emma McBride:
“Where a child lives should never determine the health care they can access.
“This additional funding will help Little Wings continue supporting children and families who rely on these vital services, it was a pleasure to meet Dusty yesterday and recognize his outstanding advocacy in person.
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to delivering quality, affordable and reliable health care for all Australians, wherever they live.”
Senator Deborah O’Neill:
“The Albanese Labor Government continues to deliver for regional Australia.
“I am proud to be a member of the Labor Government that listens to strong regional advocates like Dusty and invests in quality health care for regional Australians.
“Dusty has inspired communities across New South Wales and should be incredibly proud of what he has accomplished.”
Two men charged after alleged stabbing – Muswellbrook
Two men have been charged following an alleged stabbing in the state’s Hunter region last week.
About 2.25am on Friday 11 September 2026, emergency services were called to Sydney Street, Muswellbrook, following reports of a stabbing.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and were told a 23-year-old man had allegedly been stabbed during an assault by two unknown males.
The two men allegedly ran from the scene prior to police arrival.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 23-year-old man at the scene before he was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Police established a crime scene and an investigation into the incident commenced.
Following inquiries, about 12pm the same day, investigators, with the assistance of the Hunter Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team and North Region Operation Support Group, attended a home in Muswellbrook and arrested two men – aged 19 and 40.
A crime scene warrant was executed with police allegedly locating and seizing knives, cannabis and items believed to be linked to the incident.
Both men were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The 19-year-old man was charged with wound person intend to cause grievous bodily harm (DV) and face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence.
The 40-year-old man was charged with wound person intend to cause grievous bodily harm (DV) and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
Both men were refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 2 on Saturday 12 September 2026 where they were further refused bail with their next appearance on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Greens welcome end to cruel, draconian laws criminalising begging
The Victorian Greens have welcomed the long overdue passage of reforms to decriminalise begging and void outdated historic imprisonment warrants for unpaid fines after years of advocacy from the Greens and community legal organisations.
The Greens were proud to support amendments in Parliament today to decriminalise begging and stop people being thrown in jail for something that should be shown compassion instead. This comes after the Greens have moved their own amendments to decriminalise begging many times, which Labor blocked.
The Greens have campaigned to decriminalise begging for more than a decade, with former Greens justice spokesperson Sue Pennicuik introducing legislation to repeal the offence in 2016 and local Greens MP Ellen Sandell campaigning heavily on the issue as far back as 2017. At the time, Labor explicitly rejected the Greens’ push.
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell MP:
“For more than a decade, the Greens and I have fought to end these cruel and outdated laws.
People who are begging should be treated with compassion not threatened with jail time, and I’m proud to have stood with people experiencing homelessness and the community legal sector to push for this important change to our laws.
“When the Greens introduced legislation to decriminalise begging back in 2016, Labor refused to support it. We didn’t give up, and we’re incredibly pleased that this reform has finally become law.”
Victorian Greens justice spokesperson Katherine Copsey MLC:
“Being poor should never have been a crime. Asking another person for help should never have put someone at risk of a fine, a criminal record or prison.
“It’s well past time to recognise that in a wealthy country, poverty is a failure of governments, not individuals.
“People begging on our streets need housing, income and support – not police, courts and punishment. Criminalising poverty only pushes people already doing it tough further into the justice system.
“This reform has been a long time coming, and it is a testament to the advocates, legal services and people with lived experience who have fought for a more compassionate justice system.”
Greens condemn vile Islamophobic attack on Warragul Mosque, warn that racist and far-right hate is becoming emboldened in Victoria
The Victorian Greens have condemned the vile Islamophobic attack on the Warragul Mosque and warned that racist and far-right hate is becoming increasingly emboldened across Victoria.
CCTV captured a man deliberately throwing bacon and ham around the entrance and signage of the mosque on Wednesday, just days after inflammatory social media posts about the mosque attracted comments encouraging people to target the site with pork products.
The attack follows other recent incidents targeting Victoria’s Muslim community, and the Greens say that political leaders cannot keep treating racist and religiously motivated attacks as isolated – warning that incidents targeting Muslim, migrant and multicultural communities are being increasingly normalised online and in public debate.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
“This was a vile, deliberate act of Islamophobic hate designed to intimidate Muslim Victorians simply for practising their faith.
“It is no coincidence that at a time when parties like One Nation are being given a massive megaphone, Muslims and multicultural communities are being targeted.
“Every political leader has the responsibility to do everything in their power to loudly call out the escalation in these vile, racist attacks and do everything in their power to fight back against the far-right extremism that’s fuelling it.
“The Greens stand unequivocally with the Warragul Mosque and Muslim communities across Victoria. There can be absolutely no tolerance for Islamophobia, or any kind of racism in Victoria.”
Victorian Greens spokesperson for Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism, Anasina Gray Barberio:
“Our Muslim communities should not have to become ‘used to’ or expected to be ‘resilient’ every time they are targeted by racism. Nobody should have to wonder whether their mosque, their women and children will be the next target.
“The Muslim community is our community, and the overwhelming solidarity shown to the Warragul Muslim community is a much better reflection of who we are than the pathetic actions of racists trying to spread hate and division.
“We are seeing an increasingly toxic political environment where racism and white supremacy is being legitimised by the likes of One Nation and people who trade in hate feel emboldened to take that hatred into the real world. The people responsible for this disgusting attack wanted to make the Muslim community in Warragul feel unwelcome. They have failed.”
Labor loses control of gutted WFH Bill – Greens demand Parliament be recalled to pass it now
Victorian Labor has spectacularly failed to pass its own gutted work-from-home (WFH) laws, leaving workers’ promised rights in limbo and raising serious doubts about whether they will ever become law.
After already delaying and hollowing its WFH commitment to appease CEOs, corporations and the property lobby, Labor today failed to manage the parliamentary numbers needed to pass its own legislation, with the laws instead sent to an inquiry and now unlikely to pass before the November election.
The Victorian Greens say Premier Ben Carroll must immediately commit to recalling Parliament to pass WFH rights before the election, and work constructively with the Greens to get the bill through instead of sabotaging the laws to appease bosses and corporations.
The Greens had been fighting to strengthen the legislation and restore the original September 2026 commencement date after Labor delayed and watered down the Bill after heavy lobbying from the Property Council, whose corporate members wanted to force workers back to the office so as not to lose rental income from offices in the city.
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell MP:
“Workers were promised a right to work from home. Labor delayed it, gutted it and then completely botched getting it through Parliament.
“Labor has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Labor had the opportunity to pass a Bill, and through sheer political incompetence and kow-towing to big corporations, they’ve now left workers with nothing.”
Victorian Greens spokesperson for workers’ rights Aiv Puglielli MP:
“Workers have been promised these rights for months. They shouldn’t lose them because Labor can’t manage its own legislation through Parliament.
“Ben Carroll bent over backwards to make this bill acceptable to big business, but apparently forgot he also needed to get it through Parliament.
“Labor and the Liberals can keep pandering to CEOs and corporate lobbyists. The Greens are the party of workers, and we’ll keep fighting to make sure Victorian workers actually get the rights they were promised.”
Labor’s economy pushing women and young Aussies into second jobs
Under Labor, the number of Australians working more than one job has passed one million for the first time on record, and it is women and young Australians who are having to work the hardest.
1,049,100 Australians worked more than one job in the June quarter 2026 and the multiple job-holding rate has climbed to the highest share on record.
The rate of women working more than one job has hit the highest level ever recorded, with new ABS figures released today showing one in thirteen employed women now hold multiple jobs.
More than one-in-nine workers aged 20-to-24 hold more than one job, also a record. The biggest increase since the change of government has been among 25-34 year olds, the generation facing the steepest rents and first mortgages in the aftermath of Labor’s disastrous economic management.
Since the Coalition left office, 151,600 more Australians are working more than one job, an increase of 16.9 per cent.
Labour Account data released last week shows secondary jobs now make up a record 7.1 per cent of all filled jobs, and that 57 per cent of employment growth under Labor has been in the non-market sector of public administration, education and health.
the Deputy Leader, Senator Jane Hume:
“Under Labor, Australians are working harder than ever just to go backwards. More than one million Australians are now working multiple jobs just to make ends meet – that is not an economic success story, it is a cost of living crisis.
“When more than one in nine 20-to-24 year olds is working multiple jobs, and the rate for women has hit a record high, it shows the real human cost of Labor’s economic mismanagement.
“Labor promised Australians they would be better off, but wages have gone backwards, housing costs have surged and now a record number of Australians are taking on a second job.”
the Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson MP:
“More than one million Australians are now working two jobs to get by in the economy Labor built and to survive the Albanese active inflation agenda.
“The Albanese active inflation agenda has led to real wages going backwards by $1,600 a year under this government, and that’s forcing people to work more jobs just to keep their head above financial water.”
DA approval paves the way for more homes in Bega
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to build more homes for Bega, with approval granted for the next stage of a development to transform the former TAFE site.
The approved plans will create a 72-lot subdivision on the underutilised government owned land for around 95 new homes, with 30 per cent dedicated to social and affordable housing.
This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to help ease the ongoing housing crisis by unlocking surplus government land that can be repurposed to create more housing supply for more people, including seniors, families, key workers and those on the social housing waitlist.
Designed with community in mind, the subdivision will include:
- infrastructure to support a mix of private, social and affordable housing lots
- space for single dwellings, duplexes and seniors’ housing
- safe, connected walking paths and improved streets
- landscaping and street lighting to enhance amenity
- a bio detention basin to manage stormwater and protect the environment.
Located on the traditional lands of the Yuin Nation people, the project demonstrates how government and local council can work together to deliver more homes and stronger regional communities.
This development is part of the NSW Government’s historic $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, which will deliver 8,400 social housing homes, 21,000 affordable and market homes, and upgrades to 30,000 existing social housing properties.
Subdivision works are expected to begin on site in early 2027 and be completed by early 2028, with construction of homes anticipated to start later that year.
Housing is the number one issue for the people of New South Wales and the Minns Labor Government will continue to deliver the largest housing and planning reform agenda in the state’s history.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson:
“This approval is a significant step towards delivering almost 100 new homes. After years of sitting empty and underutilised, this land is now the canvass for a whole new community which will provide safe and secure housing for so many people.
“We know the need for housing in regional areas like Bega has never been greater, which is why this is exactly the kind of smart, flexible thinking we need.
“We are committed to getting more homes built, unlocking more supply and ensuring regional communities like Bega have access to safe, secure and affordable housing for the future.”
Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland said:
“This is a significant step forward for Bega and for local people who are looking for a place to call home.
“For too long, this government-owned land has been underutilised while families, seniors and key workers have faced increasing difficulty finding secure and affordable housing locally.
“The delivery of around 95 new homes, with 30 per cent dedicated to social and affordable housing, will make a real difference. Importantly, this development provides a mix of housing options, recognising that our community needs homes for families, seniors, workers and people who need the security of social housing.
“This is about putting government land to work for the community and delivering housing where it is needed. I look forward to seeing work begin in 2027 and, ultimately, seeing new families and residents call this part of Bega home.”
Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick:
“It’s great to see multiple agencies working together to tackle our local housing shortage head on. The housing crisis is wide-reaching and we need broad, practical solutions that deliver homes for the people who live and work here.
“This is a smart step forward because it caters for a broad cross-section of our community, including older residents, growing families, essential workers and people who need a secure and affordable home.”
Ministerial travel audit
My office has completed an audit of all Ministerial and staff travel expenses since I became a Minister in March 2025. The audit was done with advice and support from the Department of Parliamentary Services, The Cabinet Office and the Premier’s Department.
I ordered this audit to ensure that all travel expenses were appropriate and claimed in accordance with the Ministers’ Office Handbook and the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal’s determination. All of my travel expenses have been declared and published since my appointment as Minister.
The audit has confirmed that expenses associated with official travel to Sydney were inadvertently paid for from my Ministerial office budget.
Expenses relating to parliamentary business should have been funded from the Sydney Allowance provided to MPs in non-metropolitan electorates.
As a result of the audit, I will reimburse my Ministerial office budget for these travel expenses. Costs associated with travel to Sydney will instead be claimed from the parliamentary Sydney Allowance as appropriate, in accordance with the usual process for MPs claiming parliamentary entitlements.
The audit has separately reviewed Ministerial staff travel expenses and has not identified any further issues requiring action.
I regret that this administrative error was not picked up and rectified sooner but I hope my experience will result in greater awareness of Ministerial and MPs’ entitlements for everyone.
I strongly believe regional MPs should be able to serve as Ministers. Regional communities deserve a strong voice around the Cabinet table, and the practical reality of living outside Sydney should never be a barrier to that.
In my 22 years of public service as an elected official, I have always acted with integrity and will continue to do so. It is my great honour and privilege to serve the people of my Lismore Electorate and the people of NSW as Minister for Small Business, Recovery and the North Coast.