Category: Australian News

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Mr Simon Draper PSM as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Mr Draper brings extensive public sector experience to the role, currently serving as Secretary of the New South Wales Premier’s Department.

Prior to this, Mr Draper held senior leadership positions including CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, CEO of Infrastructure NSW, and Secretary of the NSW Department of Industry. 

He also has experience working across the infrastructure, utility and energy sectors.

In 2022, Mr Draper was awarded a Public Service Medal for his outstanding public service at Infrastructure NSW, for coordinating the construction industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing to the state’s economic recovery.

Mr Draper’s term will commence on 6 October 2026 for a 5-year period.

I would like to thank Ms Julia Pickworth for acting as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

The Albanese Government is investing in the supply and refurbishment of combat helmets for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through Victorian company, Aquaterro.

This investment of up to $160 million across seven years will support Australian industry and jobs, and ensure ADF personnel have access to reliable, locally supported and up-to-date protective equipment.

Aquaterro has supported the ADF for ten years, supplying over 75,000 ballistic helmets and conducting refurbishment maintenance services on over 30,000 helmets.

The contract includes the provision of 100% Designed and Made in Australia camouflage helmet covers.

Defence and Aquaterro have also signed a $1.16 million support services contract, increasing technical support for small arms capability used by our soldiers, sailors and aviators.

This contract provides Defence with access to Aquaterro and SIG Sauer technical expertise, strengthening Australia’s local defence industrial base while supporting relationships with international suppliers.

Aquaterro employs more than 70 staff at its facility in Pakenham, located in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This investment is about keeping Australian soldiers, sailors and aviators safe and supporting local defence industry and jobs.

“Aquaterro’s work will play an important role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign domestic supply chains and supporting the sustainment of critical ADF capability.

“This is another example of how the Albanese Government is ensuring the capability and protective equipment used by the ADF are supported by local, accessible and responsive technical expertise.

“Importantly, it supports Australian jobs and strengthens our skilled technical workforce.”

The Albanese Government has today launched the 2026 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) Strategy – a 10-year blueprint to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions and new technologies for Defence and strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial base. 

In a rapidly evolving strategic environment, the pace of technological change is accelerating and emerging technologies are reshaping the character of warfare. To maintain Australia’s strategic advantage, Defence must be equipped to innovate, adapt and deliver capability at speed.

The 2026 IS&T Strategy focuses on six key capability priorities: 

1. long-range fires and hypersonic weapons; 
2. high-energy lasers; 
3. autonomous systems; 
4. quantum technology; 
5. artificial intelligence; and 
6. undersea warfare. 

These priority areas will be critical to the delivery of capabilities and autonomous platforms for our Defence Force, such as the Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft and the Ghost Shark autonomous undersea vehicle. They will also support the development of quantum technologies which provide secure navigation and timing in GPS-denied environments, and advanced systems to counter drones and protect Defence personnel and infrastructure – drawing on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. 

This is a national endeavour, drawing on and contributing to capabilities across government, industry, research institutions and universities. The 2026 IS&T Strategy strengthens these partnerships to accelerate innovation, build sovereign capability and contribute to the peace and security of our region. 

Defence also continues to work with trusted international partners to expand collaboration across areas of innovation, science and technology. 

The 2026 IS&T Strategy is being launched in conjunction with the 2026 ADSTAR Summit which begins in Adelaide today. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy sets clear direction for Defence, industry, academics and researchers to work together on the technologies that will define the future of modern warfare. 

“Technology is reshaping warfare at a pace we have never seen before. The lessons from conflicts around the world are clear: nations that can innovate faster and adopt new technologies more effectively will have a decision advantage. 

“The 2024 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy made strong progress and the 2026 Strategy builds on this and aligns efforts with the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Defence Industry Development Strategy.” 

Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Mark Hammond:

“The new Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy offers a blueprint for providing the capability our warfighters need.

“The Strategy will enable us to transition new technologies to our people sooner through a balanced approach to risk, deeper partnerships with industry, academia and international allies, and a culture of rapid experimentation that allows us to fail fast, learn faster and adapt quickly.

“Today is an invaluable opportunity for all of us to come together at ADSTAR, to discuss how we can take collective action to accelerate and enhance Australia’s asymmetric advantage to preserve peace, prosperity and security for all Australians.”

Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro:  

“The Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy clearly outlines Defence innovation, science and technology priorities, helping our partners focus their expertise and investment on the areas that will have the greatest impact on Australia’s national security and defence capability.

“This represents a significant step towards deeper co-design and co-development with industry and academia, ensuring research programs are shaped from the outset by shared priorities and real capability challenges, while strengthening research security across the innovation ecosystem. 

“This Strategy will help align research effort, investment and innovation with Defence’s highest-priority needs and strengthen Australia’s strategic advantage.”

After sustained pressure from the Greens, working alongside the families of those harmed by police during mental health emergencies, people with lived experience, and experts, the Minns Labor government has finally announced a welcome change to the way that Triple Zero calls for mental health are responded to, two years after committing to reform in this space.

A health-led response to mental health emergencies, with police activated as a secondary response only when required to support the safety of health workers, was a key recommendation of the Greens-led inquiry into community mental health care, which handed down its report in June 2024.

Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens spokesperson for Health including Mental Health, said today’s announcement is welcome and significant, but is not yet sufficiently resourced.

“When someone calls Triple Zero for their mental health or for a loved one, they need mental health care, not law enforcement. Too many people have been harmed by police as the default response in NSW while alternative response models have been operating in other states.”

Eight Mental Health Acute Assessment Teams (an expansion of the successful trial in Western Sydney), available 12 hours per day, leaves police as default responders for the vast majority of calls across NSW for care and support.

“People across the state are still at risk of harm from police-led responses. Now that this significant reform has commenced, the Greens are calling on the Minns Labor government to finish the job and ensure that people calling Triple Zero for mental health can get the care they need, regardless of the time of day or where they live.”

Selected Parliamentary activity by Dr Cohn calling for reform:

• 2024 Greens-led Inquiry into community and outpatient mental health care in NSW
• Greens Motion Passed in NSW Legislative Council 26 June 2026 includes reference to past questions to the Minister at Budget Estimates hearings

The Victorian Greens are deeply disturbed by reports of an assault at Camp Sovereignty on Sunday night and extend our solidarity to Ash Ni Mara, everyone present at the camp, and the First Nations community.

It comes at a painful time for the community, just days after guilty pleas were entered in relation to last year’s violent attack on Camp Sovereignty and as the community approaches the one year anniversary.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“We’ve seen vile and racist attacks on Camp Sovereignty, which are deeply disturbing. It’s heartbreaking that First Nations people are being forced to relive this trauma so close to the anniversary of the violent neo-Nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty last year.

“Camp Sovereignty is a sacred place of truth-telling, resistance and the survival of the oldest continuing culture on Earth. It is a place that brings people together, and one that so many in our community feel deeply proud of and grateful to be welcomed to share in.

“Attacks like this do not happen in a vacuum. We are seeing racism and far-right extremism become increasingly emboldened, fuelled by those who seek to divide our communities.

“Now more than ever do we need to come together and unite against fear, hate and division. To stand in solidarity with First Nations communities, to protect and strengthen Treaty, truth-telling and justice.”

Labor’s reshuffle tells us a few things – Environment? Don’t care. Cyclists? Don’t care. AI data centres? More please! 

The Victorian Greens say that Labor’s priorities have been made crystal clear: rolling out the red carpet for big tech corporations top the list, while the environment is not even on the page. 

Victoria now has the fifth Environment Minister in five years. A revolving door that shows how little priority Labor gives to protecting our natural environment. 

‘Active’ has been dropped from the Public Transport Minister’s title – which the Greens say sends a clear signal that helping more Victorians to safely walk or cycle and lowering vehicle emissions, is not a priority. 

And the cherry on top is that Victoria now has a Minister for AI as Labor doubles down on special treatment for big tech corporations and even more AI data centres that spell disaster for Victoria’s environment. 

The Victorian Greens say that if anyone is going to believe that Labor’s AI data centre plan and the environment are compatible, they should think again. 

Not only is Labor already neglecting nature as it is, they’re now walking away from active transport and doubling down on AI data centres that will make things far worse. 

Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Dr Sarah Mansfield: 

“Labor’s been rolling out the red carpet for these AI data centres that guzzle water and energy and spell total disaster for the environment – and now they’ve even got a new Minister dedicated to bringing in even more of them. 

“If anyone in Labor actually cared about the environment, they wouldn’t be throwing the portfolio around like a hot potato every ten seconds while fast-tracking data centres that risk wreaking havoc on our environment and keeping Victoria hooked on coal and gas longer.

“If Labor genuinely cared about responsible investment, they would be supporting industries that create jobs to protect our climate, water and environment. But instead, they’re prioritising big tech corporations and fast-tracking data centres that send us backwards on all of the above.” 

“The Albanese government needs to stop high-fiving falling house prices, because they’re sending first home buyers and Australian families into negative equity”, said Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson.

Mr Wilson’s comments come as new PropTrack analysis confirms $230 billion has been wiped from Australia’s property market in just four months, with property values falling from $12.77 trillion to $12.54 trillion since Labor’s tax changes, global turmoil and interest rate rises began to bite.

“It’s clear that the Albanese government doesn’t understand that they’re deliberately crashing Australians’ wealth”, Mr Wilson said.

“Yesterday, Albanese government Minister Matt Thistlethwaite couldn’t even tell the difference between negative equity and defaulting on a mortgage on national television, and this is the government deciding the fate of Australians’ biggest asset”.

“First the Albanese government came for the savings of retirees, then they came for the equity of small business owners, then the wealth of families, and now they’re coming for the hopes of first home buyers”.

“Their own 5 per cent deposit scheme has loaded first home buyers up with government-guaranteed debt right as they’ve crashed confidence in the property market, and now those same Australians are being walked into negative equity by the government’s own design”.

“This isn’t a fundamental problem with real estate, it’s a sentiment of fear created by an Albanese government that thinks smashing the value of Australians’ homes is somehow a win”.

“Taxpayers are now on the hook for $11 billion in liability because Labor’s scheme has more than quintupled since they came to office, while almost 60 per cent of new entrants are borrowing more than 94 per cent of the purchase price”.

“The Albanese government should stop treating a housing wealth wipe-out as some kind of victory lap and start taking responsibility for a crisis of confidence they created”.

The Minns Labor Government has passed nation-leading building reforms through NSW Parliament introducing a new, modern era of approvals and construction methods.

The laws make it faster, easier and cheaper to build high-quality homes by supporting the uptake of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and streamlining project approvals to get more homes out of the ground as quickly as possible.  

These reforms come as the Minns Labor Government is set to turbocharge the way homes are built in NSW, unlocking the potential of MMC and lifting productivity in the building sector. The Government has invested $32.3 million in the NSW 2026/27 Budget to implement these laws, including modernising the building approvals system, integrating it into the NSW Planning Portal and piloting AI tools to speed up licence application processing.

Constructing a new approach to MMC

The adoption of MMC, including modular and prefabricated housing, is key to boosting housing supply in NSW. MMC has the potential to reduce overall building costs by up to 20 per cent and result in homes being built up to 50 per cent faster.

Despite these benefits, MMC has historically relied on approvals that are slow and inconsistent.  

This legislation decisively changes that. NSW is now the leading Australian jurisdiction to provide a clear regulatory framework that:

• Recognises MMC in law by defining “prefabricated buildings”,
• Integrates prefabricated buildings into the building approvals system,
• Sets clear rules for the manufacture, supply, transport, delivery and installation of prefabricated buildings.

Together, these changes will increase industry certainty, boost consumer confidence, and encourage more builders to take advantage of innovative MMC.  

Laying the foundations for streamlined building approvals

The Bill will also streamline complex, fragmented and often duplicative approvals processes into one single piece of legislation.  

This includes:

• Removing duplication between building and planning legislation,
• Simplifying building and completion approvals,
• Establishing a system of staged approvals to allow construction to begin and for people to move in as early as possible,
• Allowing minor variations to a building’s approval – like changing the size of a door or installing a tap outside – to be approved without the need for a new planning consent if it fits the approval framework,
• Operating in an easy-to-use digital environment,
• Creating a single authoritative source of truth for consumers, regulators, and industry, making the approvals process easier for everyone who needs to access it.

These changes will save the building industry valuable time and reduce costs. Requiring just one set of designs for apartment buildings to gain building approval is expected to save an average of $327,000 in design costs per apartment block alone.

The Bill also establishes a new framework for dispute resolution by Building Commission NSW to minimise the need for costly court proceedings, as well as impose stronger integrity measures for certifiers by increasing fines from $33,000 to $1.1 million for those who breach bolstered conflict of interest rules.  

These changes form part of a growing suite of reforms to unlock the potential of MMC, including:

• Inviting experienced local and international MMC operators to partner with the NSW Government to build a world-class facility to deliver prefabricated components and modular housing at scale,
• Opening applications for the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund and Housing Innovation Network Grants Program – a nearly $4 million investment to strengthen the local industry MMC sector.

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

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“There has never been a more important time to find modern solutions to the state’s housing supply challenges.

“These laws build on last year’s landmark planning reforms to make the process from planning to building and moving into a new home as smooth and simple as possible.

“We’ve made common sense changes to drive better outcomes for the people of NSW. Overhauling another fragmented, duplicative system with one clear set of rules targeted at building more quality homes faster in every corner of the state.”  

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“Today’s housing challenges require modern solutions – and that’s exactly what these reforms are enabling.

“Prefabricated and modular homes are no longer fringe options. They are central to our housing solutions, and the Minns Labor Government is proud to be leading the nation in our adoption.

“This marks a new era of innovative, high-quality homes in NSW.”

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“We know that productivity in the building industry has not kept pace with the need to build more, quality housing across our state.  

“So the Minns Labor Government is removing red tape to boost housing completions and support innovative ways to build safe, high-quality homes.

“We’ve listened to the building industry and progressed reforms that will deliver the certainty and modernisation they need.  

“We’re building more quality homes faster and cheaper without compromising on quality.”

NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard said:

“These reforms support Building Commission NSW’s role as NSW’s building regulator by making it easier for people to understand and comply with building requirements.  

“Not only will these laws encourage the nation-leading adoption of MMC, but they also give industry and consumers alike more confidence in every stage of the building process – from approvals to construction to certification.”

Executive Director of Master Builders NSW Matt Pollock said:

“The passage of this Bill will deliver a streamlined approvals processes that will cut costs, reduce delays and enhance the viability of new housing projects so the industry can get on with constructing more new homes.

“Providing a framework that brings MMC into the mainstream and provides confidence means there will be more opportunities for builders to construct more new homes faster in a controlled environment.

“We thank the Minns Government for its collaborative approach and congratulate it on passing these reforms that will underpin increased building activity and economic growth.”

UDIA NSW CEO Stuart Ayres said:

“UDIA welcomes the passage of this important building Bill which removes the duplicate regulations that have been holding back manufactured homes in land lease communities across NSW.  

“This practical reform will put NSW on the front foot with streamlined approvals, a reduction in unnecessary costs and support faster delivery of this emerging type of housing.”

Executive Chairman of prefabAUS Damien Crough said:

“This is a significant step forward for New South Wales and one that recognises how buildings are increasingly being manufactured as well as constructed.

“Good regulation should enable innovation, not create uncertainty. This amendment provides a clearer legislative foundation for modern construction methods while maintaining the rigorous building standards that Australians rightly expect.” 

A prominent Sydney cardiologist has been awarded $750,000 in NSW Government funding for research to enable much earlier detection and treatment of coronary artery disease which is a major killer if left untreated.

Every year in NSW coronary artery disease causes around 6,000 deaths and 50,000 hospitalisations, with many people unaware they have the disease until they experience a heart attack, which is often too late.

Professor Gemma Figtree from the University of Sydney is one of 28 health researchers receiving $14 million in funding under the latest round of the NSW Government’s Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant program.

The funding will enable Professor Figtree and her research team to explore ways to identify biomarkers of coronary artery disease before symptoms appear and to develop a program to screen for the disease across the broad population of NSW.

Professor Figtree is looking for the presence of atherosclerotic coronary plaque, which can be a cause of heart attacks and can be present in people well before any symptoms arise.

The grants are part of the NSW Government’s Cardiovascular Research Capacity Program, a $150 million commitment over 10 years, which aims to improve the cardiovascular health of people in NSW.

The latest round of funding will support research across several priority areas including:

• heart-protective cancer treatments
• safer immune therapies for cardiovascular disease
• the impact of stress and air pollution on heart health
• prevention of blood clots in life support machines
• developing monitoring devices for heart rhythm treatments
• creating synthetic grafts that regenerate into arteries
• codesigning cardiovascular disease prevention strategies for adolescents.

For more information on the Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant program visit:

https://medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/grants/cardiovascular-research-capacity-program/cardiovascular-senior-early-mid-career

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“Our Government is supporting some of the best and brightest minds in cardiovascular research through this grant program, which aims to keep our state at the forefront of medical research.

“This round of grants was highly competitive, and I would like to congratulate the 28 successful recipients who will now be better able to continue the amazing work they are doing.

“A great example is Professor Gemma Figtree’s project to detect coronary artery disease well before symptoms appear to give people the best chance of staving off a disease that causes so many deaths and hospitalisations in NSW every year.

“I look forward to seeing how the important work undertaken by these talented researchers, their multi-disciplinary teams and collaborators, will make a real difference to the lives of people living in NSW and across the globe.”

Cardiologist and University of Sydney Professor Gemma Figtree said:

“A large proportion of heart attacks happen with no prior warning symptoms, and often without any major red flags from a risk factor perspective.

“This grant is invaluable and will support my team in discovering and translating new blood-based biomarker and imaging strategies to achieve early detection and treatment of atherosclerotic coronary plaque with a focus on equity and scale.

“We will develop new clinical pathways to maximise equitable access to early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease to prevent heart attack.”

Australia is sending aerial firefighting assets and teams to support the response to devastating wildfires in France.

A CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre water tank, and a Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft will be deployed to France, accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).

Together, they will support around-the-clock firefighting operations, providing much-needed relief to emergency services responding on the ground.

The wildfires in France are among the worst the country has experienced in decades, driven by multiple active fire fronts and a prolonged summer heatwave.

The NSW RFS is internationally recognised as an expert in bushfire management and represents the very best of Australian emergency management capability.

The assistance is being provided in response to a request from the French Government. It will be delivered in close partnership with the Australian Defence Force, which will support the rapid deployment of personnel, aircraft and equipment through strategic airlift and logistics.

The deployment will take place in coming days.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles: 

“Australia and France work closely together in our region, and we are proud to be supporting them now during their time of need.

“The Australian Defence Force will make an important contribution to these efforts, using its assets to help get assistance to where it’s needed.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong: 

“France is a close and valued friend of Australia, and we stand with the French people as they respond to these devastating wildfires.”

“The scale of these fires is immense, and it is in moments like these that the strength of our partnership and solidarity is most evident.”

Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain: 

“Having seen firsthand the severe impacts bushfires have had on both my own community and many others across Australia, my heart goes out to the people of France.

“Australia has some of the finest fire-fighting capability on the planet and we are only too happy to do whatever we can to assist, just as France came to our aid during the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires.

“I want to thank the emergency services personnel who are travelling to France. I wish you a safe deployment.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:

“Our emergency services are proud to support our international partners in their time of need, and the Chinook will be a welcome boost to French firefighting capabilities with its large water storage and night-time capabilities.”

“The deployment of RFS personnel, the Chinook and Bell 412 support aircraft, together with the ongoing work of the Marie Bashir large air tanker in the US, demonstrates the depth of capability NSW can deliver during major fire emergencies.”