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Riverina business Gundagai Lamb has been crowned NSW Exporter of the Year, taking out the top honour at this year’s NSW Export Awards.

Founded by the Barton family, whose involvement in the Australian meat industry spans more than a century, Gundagai Lamb has built a reputation for quality and innovation, exporting its products to global markets while supporting jobs and economic activity in regional NSW.

The business led a strong field of winners at the 2026 NSW Export Awards, which showcase the NSW businesses driving economic growth, creating jobs and taking the state’s products, services and expertise to customers around the world.

Now in its 64th year, the NSW Export Awards recognise the achievements and resilience of NSW exporters, with this year’s program spanning 13 national categories and three NSW categories.

Winners in the national categories progress as finalists for the Australian Export Awards to be held in Canberra on 18 November 2026.

Other winners included RBK Nutraceuticals, which took out the Western Sydney Exporter category. The manufacturer has been producing health and wellness supplements since 1996 and supplies retailers in more than a dozen countries.

Flavourtech won the Regional Exporter category. Established in 1987, the company specialises in aroma recovery, extraction and evaporation technology for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries and exports to more than 60 countries.

Newcastle-based Pitcrew AI won in the Resources and Energy category for its autonomous heavy-vehicle inspection technology. Its system uses thermal imaging, computer vision and AI to detect potential tyre problems, helping improve safety and reduce downtime. The technology is deployed across Australia, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.

Their success comes as the Minns Labor Government expands support for exporters through a renewed suite of programs being delivered in 2026-27.

For more information about this year’s NSW Export Award winners visit: https://export.org.au/nsw-export-awards.

For more information about the NSW Government’s support for exporters visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/export-from-nsw.

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Congratulations to Gundagai Lamb on being named NSW Exporter of the Year, and all of the excellent finalists who have won awards.

“The Minns Labor Government is focused on growing the economy the right way, by backing businesses to expand, invest and create jobs.

“The businesses recognised in these awards are proof that NSW can compete with anyone in the world when we support innovation, ambition and entrepreneurship.

“From the Riverina to Newcastle and Western Sydney, these exporters are putting NSW on the map and driving economic growth in communities across our state.”

Export Council of Australia Chair Dianne Tipping said:

“As Chair of the Export Council, I have the privilege of seeing the dedication and determination that sits behind successful export businesses.

“The organisations recognised through this year’s NSW Export Awards have demonstrated not only excellence in international markets, but the resilience, adaptability and leadership required to succeed in an increasingly complex global environment.

“Their achievements are helping strengthen NSW’s reputation around the world and will undoubtedly inspire other businesses to pursue their own export ambitions.”

Gundagai Lamb CEO Will Barton said:

“We are a family-owned and operated business from Gundagai, proudly exporting our lamb to major cities around the world.

“Gundagai Lamb has never stood still, constantly innovating to change how lamb is measured and valued, ensuring it earns its place on tables across the globe.

“The Export Awards are an opportunity to tell our story beyond the farm gate, showcasing how innovation, quality and a commitment to excellence have helped us build markets and relationships around the world.”

RBK Nutraceuticals Managing Director David Mumford said:

“We really appreciate the strong and ongoing support we receive from Investment NSW, particularly the opportunities to participate in major international trade exhibitions and programs.

“With the challenges all exporters are facing, this support makes a real difference, helping RBK build valuable business relationships, develop new markets and continue growing internationally.”

Flavourtech CEO Leon Skaliotis said:

“For more than a decade, the NSW Export Awards have provided Flavourtech with a platform to tell our story and celebrate the success of regional NSW manufacturing.

“They have allowed us to demonstrate that innovative food and beverage technology developed, engineered and produced in regional NSW can compete on the world stage and earn the trust of customers in more than 60 countries.”

Pitcrew AI CEO Tim Snell said:

“The NSW Export Awards provide an opportunity to tell our story.

“What began with a small team in the NSW Hunter developing solutions to reduce heat-related failures in tyres, brakes and bearings has grown into an export success, helping improve safety and reliability for heavy vehicle fleets on five continents.”

After years of planning and construction, combined with endless patience from commuters, the final touches are being put on Southwest Metro with passenger services from Bankstown beginning tomorrow morning.

More than two years since the heavy rail line closed, there is now less than 24-hours until the historic first passenger service departs Bankstown Station at 4.31am, marking the start of the fully integrated metro service along the 66-kilometre M1 North West and Bankstown Line.

The Southwest Metro is a world first engineering achievement in retrofitting a 130-year-old heritage heavy rail line with fully automated driverless metro technology.

It sets a global precedent by integrating modern screen doors and custom mechanical gap fillers across a legacy corridor, combined with highly complex curved platforms.

Train enthusiasts and members of the local community are expected to turn out in force in the early hours of the morning to be among the first passengers on the new Southwest Metro.

With the major transformation of all 10 stations between Sydenham and Bankstown complete, and the project receiving approval from the independent Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator to commence passenger services, crews have been focused on the finer details to make sure the trains, stations and surrounding precincts are looking their best for opening day.

This includes preparation of Train Set 29, which will carry the first metro passengers on the Southwest line on opening day. It is the same train set that carried the first passengers from Sydenham on opening day on 19 August 2024.

Ahead of its next journey, the six-car train is today getting the opening day treatment.

That starts with a trip to the automatic train cleaner, a drive-through washing facility similar to a large automated car wash, that will use automated brushes and cleaning systems to remove dirt, dust and grime. Crews will then complete additional cleaning of the doors and front window, before beginning a deep clean of the train’s interior including the seats, walls and floors.

The decal stickers and onboard maps will be updated to show the metro now travelling through the Southwest stations to Bankstown.

The last stop for Train Set 29 is a full mechanical check. The team will inspect the wheels, suspension, brakes, doors, air conditioning and passenger information and communication systems to make sure it’s ready to welcome the first passengers on board at Bankstown.

Across the Southwest corridor more than 200 hours of deep cleaning has been completed alongside removing temporary fencing and installing new wayfinding signage and updated maps.

More than 6300 workers have delivered the transformation of the historic 130-year old railway line, bringing the stations up to modern metro standards while retaining important heritage features.

Upgrades include refurbished station buildings, resurfaced platforms, upgraded toilets, more than 2,000 new wayfinding signs, 790 CCTV cameras,145 passenger information displays, 360 platform screen doors and 170 mechanical gap fillers.

All Southwest stations are now accessible by lift, with five new lifts installed at Wiley Park, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Punchbowl and Canterbury Stations.

New and improved public spaces along the corridor include shared paths, landscaping, seating and plazas designed to provide safer and more welcoming connections between stations and surrounding communities.

The MetroWay shared path, that will run the length of the corridor, is currently in procurement and will revolutionise active transport for local communities.

From tomorrow, Southwest communities will be directly connected into the existing M1 North West and Bankstown Line with faster, more reliable and more frequent services, including:

• Marrickville to Gadigal: 12 minutes – saving 12 minutes
• Bankstown to Central: 28 minutes – saving 6 minutes
• Campsie to Macquarie University: 44 minutes – saving 17 minutes
• Lakemba to Victoria Cross: 37 minutes – saving 24 minutes

Transport Minister John Graham said:

“The people of southwest Sydney have been incredibly patient throughout this process, and that patience is about to be rewarded. Tomorrow morning, your new Metro hits the track.

“There is an enormous amount of work that goes into preparing a new Metro line for passengers, right down to the smallest details, and today this train is getting the royal treatment before its historic journey.

“It is very fitting that Train Set 29, which carried the first passengers on the opening day service from Sydenham in 2024, will once again carry the first passengers through southwest Sydney.”

Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen said:

“Inner westies are so excited to say goodbye to the pink buses and say hello to the new Metro as we count down the final hours until opening.

“Our stations have had the ultimate makeover, and they’ve never looked better. They have new lifts, new signs and freshly cleaned platforms, with the heritage charm still front and centre.

“A huge thank you to the thousands of workers who brought this 130-year-old line into the 21st century, and to locals for their understanding along the way.

“Southwest Metro will transform how we get around our city and we can’t wait to get on board tomorrow.”

Member for East Hills, Kylie Wilkinson MP said:

“I want to thank Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Transport John Graham and the thousands of workers who have worked tirelessly to get the Southwest Metro ready for passengers. I also want to thank my community for their patience throughout the work to deliver this new service. It’s almost time to get on board, enjoy the journey, and celebrate a new chapter for public transport in southwest Sydney.”

Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said:

“In less than 24 hours, the lives of people in the inner south-west are going to change – for the first time ever, they’ll be able to travel directly to northern Sydney.

“This new line opens up so many opportunities for people across the inner south-west providing direct access to places of work and education, and it means that people from Northern Sydney can now come straight down to the inner-west and experience the diverse range of food and experiences on offer.

“It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point, and I want to thank everyone for their patience – from the commuters who have endured the pink buses for the past two years to the business owners and staff who are about to have people from right across Sydney on their doorstep.”

Member for Strathfield, Jason Yat-sen Li said:

“This is a huge win for our local communities. The Southwest Metro will make it easier for people to get to work, study and visit family, and it will unlock better connections across the Inner West.

“More frequent trains, simpler transfers at Campsie and Sydenham, and upgraded station precincts mean safer, more convenient journeys for commuters and other users. I’m proud this project delivers real, everyday improvements for local residents.”

Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:

“Members of my community are telling me what a massive difference the Metro will make to small businesses in the area and they’re getting ready for the benefits that it will bring. I’d urge people across Sydney to come and enjoy all that the Bankstown community has to offer.”

Sydney Metro Chief Executive Camilla Drover said:

“It’s Metro eve, and there’s a real sense of pride across the project. After years of planning, construction and testing, we’re just one sleep away from opening this transformational railway for Sydney.

“We can’t wait to welcome our inner and southwest community members on board and thank them for the patience and support they’ve shown as we delivered this city-shaping project.

“We’re expecting thousands of journeys on day one and will be closely monitoring the network as customers experience their new metro services. Our staff will be on hand across stations and trains to help passengers and answer any questions along the way.”

The Minns Labor Government is officially opening the upgraded Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital today as part of its $440 million redevelopment, delivering expanded, world-class facilities for the Illawarra and South Coast community.

The modern and purpose-built acute services building is the centrepiece of the redevelopment and is now serving the Shoalhaven.

The new seven-storey building will include an expanded emergency department, double the number of operating theatres and procedure rooms, along with a new rooftop helipad.

The major upgrade will transform healthcare for the growing region for decades to come, allowing Shoalhaven and South Coast communities access to treatment closer to home.

The new acute services building includes:

• a new emergency department and emergency short-stay unit
• a new intensive care unit
• medical wards
• a dedicated acute mental health unit
• double the number of operating theatres, endoscopy and procedure rooms
• a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, coronary care unit and cardiac catheterisation laboratory
• a new medical imaging unit, including MRI and CT machines
• a new rooftop helipad

The new building connects directly to the existing hospital via a new linkway.

Services from the new and expanded emergency department commenced at 8am yesterday.

The Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital will also be home to one of the most advanced hospital pharmacies in NSW, with the installation of a pharmacy dispensing robot – the first of its kind in a regional NSW hospital.

Working alongside pharmacy teams, this technology supports medications being stored, selected and supplied with greater accuracy and efficiency, freeing up clinicians to spend more time on direct patient care.

Over the coming months, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District will continue the staged transition of services into the new building, including the psychiatric emergency care centre, acute and non-acute mental health services and new cardiology services.

Following the transition of services into the acute services building, the next phase of the redevelopment will focus on refurbishing existing hospital facilities.

The official opening follows years of planning and construction and comes as Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital celebrates 75 years of caring for the local community.

The redevelopment forms part of the more than $1 billion investment from the Minns Labor Government towards health infrastructure across the Illawarra & South Coast region, including:

• $828.9 million for the new Shellharbour Hospital.
• $330.0 million for the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital redevelopment.
• $220.0 million for the Wollongong Hospital and Health Precinct.

Recruitment and retention of health staff for the new facilities have also been supported with the Government’s $200 million Key Health Worker Accommodation Program, which saw the purchase of nine townhouses in Bomaderry last year.

The former Liberal government devastated the health system, creating a wages cap, higher wait times and planned to privatise six of NSW’s public hospitals, including Shellharbour. The Minns Government is delivering more staff, more beds and more hospitals for the Illawarra and South Coast – and will continue to protect them from privatisation.

Investment in the South Coast

The Minns Labor Government has a strong record of delivering essential infrastructure on the South Coast, without privatising public assets.

After more than a decade of neglect under the former government, this Government is upgrading schools, hospitals and delivering critical road and transport projects the region needs.

A re-elected Minns Labor Government will deliver the largest single Illawarra rail investment in generations, committing $6.8 billion to the South Coast Rail Plan, including to electrify the Kiama to Bomaderry service.

The NSW Government is also delivering on our commitment to deliver Calderwood Public School and extend the Tripoli Way, a project neglected by the former government, which will ease congestion through Albion Park and Calderwood.

Major upgrades to Ulladulla High School and Milton Primary School are also ahead of schedule, and nine new fee-free public preschools are under construction.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We are delivering a world-class hospital for the Shoalhaven and recruiting more health workers across the South Coast.

“More procedures will be performed locally, and more people will receive care locally.

“We’ve made real progress rebuilding essential services across the Illawarra and South Coast, but we know there is more to do.

“We promised to redevelop the Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital and we have.

“And that’s how you know we will deliver on our promise to electrify the Kiama to Bomaderry train service.”

Minister for Health and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“These new facilities at Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital will be an absolute game changer for health access in the region, I’m absolutely thrilled to see the Acute Services Building now officially open for patients.

“With emergency care through to cardiology, critical care and medical imaging, this redevelopment has been shaped to meet the needs of this growing community now and into the future.

“Investment in recruitment and health worker accommodation has played a critical role in this project, it’s excellent to see the 120 additional health staff starting with us this week.

“For too long, our region was neglected by the Coalition. The Minns Government is delivering more hospitals, more beds, more staff and more services, it’s a very exciting day for the South Coast.”

Member for the South Coast Liza Butler said:

“This is an incredibly proud moment for our community. The opening of the new Acute Services Building means local families can access more of the care they need close to home, with modern facilities that will serve the Shoalhaven for generations to come.

“From the expanded emergency department to dedicated cardiac services and new medical imaging facilities, this investment will make a real difference to patients and their families, while giving our hardworking hospital staff the facilities they deserve.

“I make no apologies for fighting for better health services for the South Coast. Seeing the doors open on this $440 million redevelopment is a significant milestone, and I will continue advocating for the services our growing community needs.

“Thank you to our dedicated hospital staff, the construction teams and everyone who has helped bring this redevelopment to life. As Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital celebrates 75 years of caring for our community, we are opening a wonderful new chapter in its history.”

Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:

“Our community has waited a long time for this moment, this historic uplift means fewer patients transferred to Wollongong and Sydney, and more families getting vital care closer to home, surrounded by the people they love.

“I am so proud to be part of a government that is not only delivering significantly expanded services at Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital, but is also investing in the staff we need and key worker housing for them; with 48 additional nurses hired since the start of the year, 20 more on the way, new clinicians and doctors coming on board, and barriers to recruitment coming down through the first Key Health Worker Accommodation Program townhouses in Bomaderry and the $35 million Bomaderry Built to Rent partnership with Landcom delivering 60 homes for our essential workers.”

The Minns Labor Government is bringing back the popular Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow, with an investment of $60,000 for eight more regional locations to host the free workshops.

Delivered in partnership with St John Ambulance NSW, nearly 400 regional, rural and remote women have taken part in the training since it began in 2025.

The free accredited mental health and first aid training will return to communities across the state in late 2026 and to June 2027.

The sixteen workshops aim to help women build practical skills to assist their families, workplaces and communities.

The next round of the Roadshow is expected to reach up to 240 women with dates for the 2026 Roadshow confirmed for:

• Forster – 6 and 7 November 2026
• Nowra – 13 and 14 November 2026
• Armidale – 27 and 28 November 2026.

Dates for the 2027 locations will be announced as they are confirmed:

• Tweed Heads
• Queanbeyan
• Grafton
• Gunnedah
• Orange.

The workshops are accessible and include skills to respond effectively in emergency situations, recognise mental health issues, spot situations where people may be in imminent crisis, provide appropriate interventions and learn where to direct people for further support.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing effort to expand opportunities for regional, rural and remote women to build skills, strengthen connections and increase participation. It includes free regional wellbeing workshops in partnership with Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, the Investing in Women Grants program and the Rural Women’s Gathering.

The Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow includes a full-day workshop for both First Aid and Mental Health in each location.

Registrations will open today for Forster, Nowra and Armidale.

To find out more and register go to nsw.gov.au/rwn-roadshow.

Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarity said:

“Knowing first aid can literally be the difference between life and death, and in regional and rural communities, where help can be further away, women are often the first on the scene.

“Nearly 400 women have already taken part, and it’s great to see this training heading to even more communities, including Forster, Nowra and Armidale.

“It’s not just about physical injuries either. This program gives women the skills to recognise and respond to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, until professional help is available.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Women in regional and rural communities play an important role in supporting the people around them.

“This training gives women practical skills and recognised qualifications that can help them respond when someone needs support whether it is during an emergency or if they are experiencing mental health challenges.

“By bringing free training directly to communities, the Minns Labor Government is making it easier for women to access opportunities that may not otherwise be available close to home.”

St John Ambulance NSW Acting CEO, Vanessa Lorford-Smith, said:

“With nearly 400 women taking part since the Roadshow began, it’s clear there is a real appetite for this training in regional and rural NSW. Taking the program to eight communities across the state means even more women will gain the First Aid and Mental Health skills to step in when it matters most.

“This continued investment reflects a shared commitment to equipping regional and rural women with practical, recognised skills thar benefit not only them, but their wider communities.

“When women feel confident and prepared, whether at home, at work or in their local community, the whole region is stronger and better.”

After months of pressure from the NSW Liberals and Nationals and small business owners across the state, the Minns Labor Government has today announced plans to scrap their coffee cup mandate… after the election.
 
Yesterday on 2GB Premier Chris Minns defended his reusable coffee cup mandate, saying it was good policy with bad messaging. Less than 24 hours later, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has told Ben Fordham that Labor would reverse the laws after the March 2027 election.
 
This red tape confusion comes at a time of record business insolvencies and mum and dad businesses struggling to absorb the costs of rising interest rates, changes to credit card surcharges and spiralling fuel costs. 
 
That is why the NSW Liberals and Nationals will introduce a Bill to immediately repeal Labor’s reusable coffee cup mandate in the next Parliamentary sitting week to ensure these unnecessary laws are removed now, and not after the election.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said Labor created this mess by attempting to fix a problem that did not exist.
 
“We stood with cafés and small businesses to stop this mandate, but Labor refused to listen and support our sensible amendments,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“We will now give Labor another chance to reverse this legislation before Christmas by introducing a Repeal Bill next month.”
 
NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Small Business Gurmesh Singh said it is great to see the Minister has reconsidered her position after months of pressure.
“We now have an extraordinary situation where Labor has made a commitment to repeal their own legislation next year if they win the election,” Mr Singh said.
 
“Businesses can’t wait that long. They’ve had enough of pointless government intervention and red tape. We will bring our Repeal Bill to Parliament next month to give business owners the certainty they need and deserve.”
 
“Congratulations to the thousands of small business owners across the state who have made their voices heard on this issue.”
 
Shadow Minister for the Environment Felicity Wilson said Labor’s backdown exposed its failure to develop a workable policy.
 
“Any future proposal must be developed with the businesses expected to make it work.”

Families and businesses across NSW have been dealt another blow, with Sydney inflation jumping to 4.3 per cent in the year to September 2026, making the prospect of a fifth rate rise this year a near certainty.

According to figures released today by the ABS, Sydney inflation is up from 3.9 per cent last month, putting it higher than Melbourne’s inflation and well above the RBA’s target of 2-3 per cent.

Labor’s cost of living crisis is hitting families and businesses hard when it comes to essentials, with Sydney utility bills rising 14.0 per cent, with water and sewerage up 29.3 per cent, electricity up 12.4 per cent and gas up 6.7 per cent.

Since Labor came to office in March 2023, Sydney households have faced eight rate rises alongside a 12.6 per cent rise in prices overall. Over the same period:

• water and sewerage bills have risen by 38.8 per cent;
• insurance costs have risen by 27.2 per cent;
• property rates have risen by 23.5 per cent;
• electricity bills have risen by 21.5 per cent; and
• rents have risen by 20.6 per cent.

Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said today’s figures confirm the cost of living crisis is getting worse under the Minns Albanese Labor Governments.

“Already struggling families are paying more for water, power and at the bowser, and now face the reality of paying even more on their mortgages next week,” Ms Sloane said.

“Under Minns and Albanese Labor, families are paying more for almost everything, working harder than they ever have just to stay afloat but still drowning under rising costs.”

Shadow Treasurer Scott Farlow said Sydney inflation is now tracking well above the average 2.9 per cent under the former Liberals and Nationals Government, and being driven by Labor’s higher tax and big spending agenda.

“Under Labor, state taxes have grown by over 30 per cent, with another tax or charge appearing everywhere thanks to Chris Minns and Anthony Albanese,” Mr Farlow said.

“Sydney Water is owned and controlled by the NSW Government, yet water and sewerage bills are up by 29.3 per cent in a single year, despite Labor’s talk of keeping costs low.”