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Patients across Western NSW are benefitting from improved access to planned surgery, following the Minns Labor Government’s $30 million investment to expand High Volume Short Stay surgical services across the state.

As part of this investment, high volume short stay surgery model of care has been established across the Western NSW Local Health District.

The model is helping to increase surgical capacity, improve theatre utilisation, and support patients to access surgery in a timely manner while supporting more efficient use of surgical services across the region.

As the WNSWLHD model expands, a range of specialties, including ophthalmology, urology, endoscopy and other short stay surgical procedures, will become areas of focus.

Around 100 surgeries have been completed since the program began.

High Volume Short Stay surgeries are planned procedures where patients are admitted for up to 72 hours.

Statewide, the number of overdue surgeries peaked at more than 18,000 under the Liberals. Since being elected, the Minns Labor Government has reduced the number of people waiting longer than clinically recommended from 14,059 in March 2023 to 3,955 in March 2026.

The $30 million one-off injection builds on the $200 million invested since 2024 to reduce overdue surgeries, and the establishment of the state’s first Surgery Hub at Northern Beaches Hospital, which has been active since 1 July and is expected to perform up to 5,000 additional surgeries per year.

The 2026-27 NSW Budget also included $10.3 billion to support increased capacity across the health system, including to deliver an estimated 2,900 additional planned surgeries.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government has taken action to slash the overdue surgery waitlist left behind by the Coalition.

“This is a significant boost to surgery services across Western NSW, that will help patients access care sooner, recover faster, and spend less time in the hospital.

“We are investing in surgery services across the state, expanding access to care, delivering surgeries on time, and improving patient outcomes.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on a key election commitment with the next and most comprehensive tranche of gaming reforms, giving people and families stronger protections against gambling harm and putting tougher rules around the way gambling is promoted and marketed.

The tranche of reforms,  NSW Gaming Reform package, being announced today are evidence-based and include a statewide exclusion register with mandatory facial recognition technology at the entry of gaming rooms,a third‑party exclusion scheme in hotels and clubs, an increased forfeiture rate of 1 in 2, (from 1 in 3) and the end of VIP programs related to gaming.  

It will also ban gambling advertising on all NSW Government and council-owned assets, ban unsolicited direct marketing to potential customers, and establish a state-based strategy to reduce online gambling harm.

Gambling harm doesn’t stop with the person sitting at the poker machine or online. It can mean bills going unpaid, savings disappearing and enormous pressure being placed on partners, children and families.

According to the NSW Gambling Survey 2024, 3.1% of the adult population experience moderate risk gambling, while 0.9% experience high risk gambling – and for them, and their families it can ruin their lives.  

These reforms put harm minimisation at the heart of our gaming system,making it easier for people to stop, giving families more options to intervene and putting stronger safeguards around gambling in NSW.

Fewer poker machines in NSW

Currently, NSW has around 87,000 poker machines across some 2,100 clubs and hotels. While the number of gaming machine entitlements has steadily declined over the past three years, these reforms will help accelerate that reduction and ensure that when entitlements are removed from circulation, they are removed permanently.

The NSW Government will increase the forfeiture rate when gaming machine entitlements are traded from one in three to one in two – meaning for every two entitlements traded, one will be permanently removed.It will also introduce a new ‘sinking cap’ so the statewide cap falls as entitlements are removed from circulation and tighten existing exemptions that allowed entitlements to be transferred without forfeiture, while giving venues the option to voluntarily cancel their entitlements.  

Introducing a statewide exclusion register and mandatory facial recognition technology

For the first time in NSW, people who choose to exclude themselves from gambling will be able to do so through a single statewide register covering every hotel and club with gaming machines.

Currently in NSW, people can enter into a voluntary self-exclusion agreement to ban themselves from the gaming areas of certain hotels and clubs or from the entire venue. However, the enforcement of this is largely left up to individual venues and staff to monitor compliance.

In a significant change, the new NSW Statewide Exclusion Register will replace this fragmented system with a single statewide framework backed by mandatory facial recognition technology at the entry of gaming rooms – meaning when someone makes the difficult decision to exclude themselves, that exclusion can follow them from venue to venue.

It will also support NSW Police efforts to prevent gaming machines being used for money laundering and other criminal activity.

Mandatory Facial Recognition will be introduced at the same time as the NSW State Exclusion Register in 2028, helping venues identify people who have excluded themselves and ensure those exclusions are enforced.  

Building the foundations for account-based play

As part of a staged approach, the Government will put in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate future account-based play.  

Account-based play is a model that enables a person to use a registered account to play a poker machine, rather than gambling anonymously. However, a significant proportion of gaming machine infrastructure rely on legacy technology.

The Government will upgrade the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS) over the next two years to allow for a transition to this technology, which would better allow venues to enable account-based play at their discretion.

Rapid advancements in technology since the Cashless Gaming Trial have demonstrated there are many account-based play solutions that can be implemented to meet the anti-money laundering and harm minimisation benefits of cashless, while allowing players to continue using cash if they prefer.  

Stronger regulations and broader harm minimisation

The  NSW Gaming Reform  package will also strengthen protections against harmful gambling advertising and marketing, including banning VIP programs linked to gaming, prohibiting gambling advertising on NSW Government and council-owned assets, and addresses unwanted direct marketing by outlawing betting service providers to market directly to people via calls, email or text messages without receiving their express consent in advance.

New transparency requirements will apply to gambling promotions by affiliates and social media influencers, alongside restrictions on commissions linked to higher-risk gambling products.  

The Government will commit to developing a NSW strategy to reduce online gambling harm and strengthen enforcement against betting providers and illegal gambling platforms, with new offences, tougher penalties and stronger regulatory powers.

The suite of reforms has been developed in response to issues raised in a number of key reports, including the Roadmap for Gaming Reform prepared by the Independent Panel for Gaming Reform, the Crime Commission Inquiry into Money Laundering via Electronic Gaming Machines in hotels and clubs, and consultation with stakeholders and the broader community.

The reforms deliver on a key election commitment from the Minns Labor Government and have been developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including gambling counsellors, family and domestic violence experts and law enforcement.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $95.2 million over 4 years to fund this next tranche of e reforms, sourced by the money remaining in the $100 million gambling harm minimisation fund and an increase in licence fees for clubs and hotels with gaming machines.

The NSW Government will also work with industry to support hotels and clubs to diversify their hospitality, events and live entertainment offerings to reduce their reliance on gaming machine revenue.

The reforms provide a $20 million boost to the Responsible Gambling Fund over the next two years to support delivery of its array of services and programs to prevent and address harm, including the GambleAware support services.

These reforms significantly build on the array of harm minimisation measures the Minns Government has introduced since coming into office.  

For more information on the reform package download a summary here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/liquor-and-gaming/gaming/gaming-reform-package/gaming-reform-package-summary

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor government is introducing wide-ranging reforms to help combat gambling harm across the state.

“These are common sense reforms that have been developed alongside industry, harm minimisation groups, stakeholders and privacy experts to address gambling harm while supporting the industry and protecting the livelihoods of the many people it employs.

“By combining new technology, stronger exclusion tools, strengthened regulation and increased funding for harm reduction, we are building a safer system for the future.

“Our government will continually explore and implement emerging technology to ensure NSW has the most up-to-date safety measures available built into our gambling industry.” 

The Minns Labor Government is investing $11.6 million to expand the Educational Pathways Program (EPP), giving thousands more NSW public high school students a direct pathway into trades, vocational training and skilled careers.

The investment across four years will expand the highly successful program into three more regions and an additional 24 public schools.

The EPP currently operates in 183 high schools across 11 regions, with the expansion set to reach an extra 7,500 students each year and bring the total number of participating schools to 207 from next year. Seven new schools in the Central West and Orana, seven in the Camden region, eight schools in southern NSW and two new schools in south-west Sydney will benefit from the expansion.

The EPP helps students connect with expert guidance, hands-on learning in real industry settings and access to VET pathways, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs), work experience and employment.

Our government is boosting school-based vocational education, with commencing enrolments in NSW public schools surging 36.5 per cent from 29,005 students in 2024 to 39,605 in 2025.

The expansion is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $3.46 billion investment in skills, training and TAFE NSW in the 2026-27 Budget, helping rebuild vocational education and deliver the skilled workers needed for more homes, major infrastructure and clean energy projects.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“The Minns Labor Government is making sure more young people can get the skills that work and the pathways they need into good jobs.

“Not every student wants to follow the same path after school, and that’s exactly why the Educational Pathways Program is so important in setting up our kids for future success.

“Whether it’s a school-based apprenticeship, a traineeship, TAFE, or another vocational pathway, we want young people to know the opportunities are there and help them take that next step. Those pathways can lead to rewarding, secure jobs in key industries like construction, clean energy, agriculture and manufacturing that our economy depends on.

“This National Skills Week, and every week, we’re backing our commitment to build the skilled workforce our state needs while giving young people, regardless of their location, the confidence and support to pursue rewarding careers close to home.

“As we deliver more homes, major infrastructure and renewable energy projects across NSW, it’s critical we have enough skilled workers in the pipeline, and this $11.6 million boost will help with exactly that.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing its commitment to supporting businesses across regional NSW holding a business forum in Cessnock. 

The forum will provide over 50 local businesses with practical advice, resources and insights all geared towards helping better manage their workers compensation premiums and save on their premiums.  

With the gross incurred workers compensation cost at $33M per year in the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA), the forum will include sessions on injury prevention, early intervention, and return to work strategies.  

Sessions will also include information on how workers compensation premiums are calculated, how businesses can unlock savings on their premiums and understand what newly legislated reforms will mean for them.   

With psychosocial claims on the rise, businesses will also hear about practical ways to manage psychosocial risks, invest in the wellbeing of their workforce and recovery support for mental health at work. 

The Minns Labor Government has made the most significant reform to workers compensation in a generation, ensuring injury prevention, early support to injured workers, a road to recovery and return to work. 

The reform also puts the workers compensation system on the path to sustainability so that it can continue to support injured workers and be affordable for business. 

The reform has seen the average premium rate for small businesses frozen from July, preventing what would have been a 36% hike to workers compensation premiums.  

It also strengthens employer defences against compensation claims ensuring reasonable management action does not result in claims made against businesses. 

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said: 

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the NSW economy, contributing over $535 billion every year and the key to successful small businesses, is the workers at the heart of them. 

“We know that navigating the workers compensation system can be difficult and we’re committed to helping local business navigate the system, saving on their premiums and provide resources to keep their workforce safe. 

“Helping businesses keep their workers safe, support recovery, and ensure everyone goes home safely isn’t just good for health and wellbeing – it saves businesses money.” 

Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said:  

“When our small businesses succeed, regional communities thrive.  

“We’re committed to creating an environment where local employers can focus on what they do best – growing their business, creating jobs, and serving their community.  

“This forum in Cessnock is a fantastic opportunity for local small business owners to cut through the noise, learn how to lower their premiums, and build safer, healthier workplaces.  

“I encourage local businesses to attend and take advantage of the support on offer.” 

Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said: 

“Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy and drive innovation, create local jobs, and build vibrancy across the Hunter and regional NSW.  

“The electorate of Cessnock has close to 8,340 local businesses employing more than 36,000 people. Forums like this support these local businesses and their workers to navigate government systems and help them grow.” 

icare Manager Mobile Engagement Team Manager David Huxley said: 

“We are here to help local business owners understand the impact their unique claims history and other risk factors have on the premium they pay and explain the savings and incentives that are often available to them. 

“The calculations behind icare’s premiums are risk-based, and businesses with strong safety performance are usually rewarded with discounted premiums. Our talk is packed full of top tips for local businesses looking to build safety and to help their injured workers get back to work faster.” 

A NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will restore Moore Park Golf Course to a full 18 holes after the next election, reversing Labor’s decision to carve up one of Sydney’s most popular public golf courses.
 
The commitment follows repeated attempts by the Opposition to force greater scrutiny of the Minns Labor Government’s plans for Moore Park, including a proposed Upper House inquiry which Labor voted against.
 
Community opposition has continued to grow, with 32,529 people now signing the petition to save the 18-hole course.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said Labor should immediately pause work and start listening.
 
“Labor has refused to listen, but the NSW Liberals and Nationals have and if elected we will restore Moore Park to a full 18-hole public golf course while also releasing 18 hectares of new public green space for the community to enjoy,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“This never needed to be a choice between protecting public golf and creating more open space. There was a sensible solution that could have delivered both, but Chris Minns chose not to take it.”
 
“More than 32,000 people have now put their names to the campaign to save Moore Park. They deserve more than a government that simply ignores them.”
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Chris Rath said Labor had been determined to push ahead with its plans despite sustained community opposition.
 
“We have tried every avenue to make Labor listen, including taking the fight to Parliament and seeking an Upper House inquiry into the factors behind this decision,” Mr Rath said.
 
“Moore Park is a popular and affordable public golf course. It should remain that way, and a Liberals and Nationals Government will make sure it does.”
 
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have consistently supported a compromise put forward by golfers that would retain an 18-hole course while also providing additional public green space.