Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to rebuild public education across NSW, with construction underway on a major upgrade to Vincentia High School on the state’s South Coast.

The $13 million upgrade will provide the high school with a new two-storey building featuring 16 permanent modern classrooms, replacing ageing temporary demountables, and new bathrooms.

The project also includes internal roadwork upgrades to improve safety and provide better on-site parking.

The beginning of construction marks a significant step in delivering this Labor election commitment for families on the South Coast, with the upgrades on track for completion by Day 1, Term 1, 2027.

Once complete, the upgraded high school will have capacity for 1,300 students, future-proofing the school for the growing local community.

The upgrades are being delivered as part of the Minns Labor Government’s record education investment, including $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW.

This targeted investment will ensure growing communities have access to a world-class public education, close to home.

On top of the upgrades to Vincentia High School, the Minns Labor Government’s investment across South Coast schools includes:

• Batemans Bay High School – High Potential and Gifted Education upgrade
• Bomaderry High School – upgrade
• Former Shoalhaven Anglican School site – redevelopment for public education use
• Milton Public School – upgrade
• Moruya High School – High Potential and Gifted Education upgrade and new support unit
• Nowra East Public School – upgrade
• Ulladulla High School – upgrade
• Ulladulla Public School – upgrade
• Worrigee – new public school

The Minns Labor Government is also delivering new co-located public preschools at existing public schools in Barrack Heights, Berkeley West, Bomaderry, Cringila, Greenwell Point, Hayes Park, Lake Heights, Lake Illawarra, Sanctuary Point, and Worrigee.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 100 new public preschools by 2027, including 49 in regional NSW.

This investment doubles the number of public preschools in the state, the largest expansion of early learning in NSW history.

Once complete, up to 9,000 children will benefit from access to fee-free, quality early education in their community, prioritised in areas of the highest need based on a rigorous selection process.

In addition to building new schools where they are needed, the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild public education includes ensuring each NSW classroom has a qualified teacher.

Since March 2023, the Minns Labor Government has reduced teacher vacancies by 81 per cent in the South Coast electorate, leading to a significant reduction in the number of cancelled classes.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“Investing in regional communities is a top priority for the Minns Government, and this upgrade is part of our commitment to ensure all NSW students can access a world-class public education.

“For too long under the Liberals and Nationals, families on the South Coast were promised investment in education infrastructure but little was delivered.

“Our government, with the leadership of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is investing in local public schools to provide benefits to local children and their families for years to come.”

Member for the South Coast Liza Butler MP said: 

“I’m so pleased to be here for another sod turn on the South Coast to see the commencement of works at Vincentia High School.

“This school upgrade will enrich the lives of every student at Vincentia High School academically, physically, and creatively for years to come.”

Vincentia High School Principal Ruth Winfield said:

“I’m so excited about what this new building will mean for our growing school. We’re proud of our strong connection to country and the diverse range of learning pathways offered to our community.”

A woman will face court following an investigation into alleged intimidation at a university in Sydney’s Inner West.

On Thursday 9 October 2025, a group of Jewish students and other members of the Jewish community were celebrating the Jewish holiday Sukkot within the grounds of the university at Darlington campus, when a female passer-by yelled anti-Semitic comments at the group.

The matter was reported to officers from Inner West Police Area Command, who commenced an investigation in October into the incident.

Following inquiries, on Monday 22 December 2025, a 53-year-old woman was arrested at Parramatta Police Station.

She was charged with three offences – stalk/intimidate intend fear/physical harm (two counts) and offensive conduct.

The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Newtown Local Court on Tuesday 3 February 2026.

The NSW Government will introduce tough new laws into NSW Parliament to significantly tighten gun laws and reduce the risk of mass violence, following the devastating terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

The reforms respond directly to lessons from the attack, where the offender brought multiple firearms into a public place, and are designed to limit access to high-risk weapons, strengthen oversight and put community safety first.

If passed these reforms will ensure that NSW has the toughest laws in the country when it comes to firearms.

The new laws will include:

Capping and restricting the number and types of firearms:

• Imposing a cap of four firearms per individual, with strict exemptions for primary producers and sports shooters, who may hold a maximum of 10 firearms.
• Reclassifying straight-pull/pump-action and button/lever release firearms into Category C, limiting their access primarily to primary producers.
• Reducing magazine capacity for Category A and B firearms to a maximum of five to ten rounds, from a current unlimted capacity.
• Introducing a complete ban on firearms that can use belt-fed magazines.

Strengthening firearms licence checks and accountability:

• Removing the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) review pathway, ensuring we can use sensitive police intelligence without concern that a decision will be overturned by a tribunal, while retaining a rebust internal review process to ensure fairness and accountability.
• Reducing standard firearms licence terms from five years to two years, increasing the frequency of safety and suitability checks.
• Restricting firearms licences to Australian citizens only, with a carve out for New Zealand permanent residents engaged in roles such as primary production or security.
• Replace a current exemption allowing unlicensed shooting at shooting ranges with a robust NSWPF permit system to suitably assess unlicensed individuals before they access firearms.

Strengthening oversight, storage and compliance:

• Making gun club membership mandatory for all firearms licence holders, with the ability to exempt certain licence holders in the regulations.
• Requiring all gun clubs to use the GunSafe online platform to improve record-keeping, compliance and traceability of club membership and activities.
• Making safe storage inspections mandatory prior to the issue of a first permit to acquire a firearm, individuals will now need to meet the safe keeping requirements before obtaining a permit to aquire a firearm.
• Prevent any permit or licence holder from acquiring a firearm unless the Commissioner is satisfied that they meet safe keeping requirements. Police may conduct an inspection for this purpose.
• Tightening rules around deceased estates, requiring firearms licence holders to nominate alternative storage arrangements for safe keeping of their firearms in the event of their death when applying for, or renewing, their licence. Police will also be able to seize these firearms, if required.

In addition to new legislation, the Government will move quickly on a range of practical changes, including:

• Expanding disqualifying offences in the regulations, including personal and domestic violence offences within the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007.
• Increasing the use of criminal intelligence in firearms licensing decisions.
• A comprehensive audit of existing firearms licences, prioritising higher-risk cases, noting that licence holders will now be subject to scruitinty on reapplication evey two years, instead of five years.

A comprehensive buyback scheme will accompany these changes:

• These reforms will be paired with a buyback scheme, with further details to be announced before the changes are in force, in line the announcement by the Commonwealth Government.
• The NSW buyback scheme will be operated and funded in partnership with the Federal Government and AFP, to encourage gun owners to hand back guns that will now no longer be legal, to be destroyed.
• Existing unregistered firearms are already captured by the permanent national firearms amnesty and should be surrendered through that scheme.

The NSW Government will move to control access to all dangerous weapons – not just guns

• Consultation will commence around whether further knives or bladed articles should be made prohibited weapons under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998, as well as how knives are stored in retail settings.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Gun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but we can’t fail to act on restricting access to weapons which could lead to further violence against our citizens.

“We cannot undo what happened in Bondi, but we can act decisively to reduce the risk of this ever happening again.

“These reforms are about one thing: protecting people.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“These reforms are about putting the safety of the community above all else.

“Owning a firearm is a privilege, not a right and we are balancing that privilege with the overwhelming need for public safety.

“Our strong legislation reduces risk and increases oversight around firearms ownership with the aim of making this state safer for all.” 

The Federal and NSW Governments have declared Sunday 21 December a Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

The Commonwealth and State government will also work closely with the Jewish community on arrangements for a National Day of Mourning to be held in the New Year. This will allow families the time and space to lay their loved ones to rest and to support those still recovering.

The Day of Reflection will be observed on the final full day of Chanukah, a time traditionally associated with light, faith and resilience, making the loss felt by the Jewish community even more profound. All Australians share in their grief.

On Sunday, flags on Australian and NSW Government buildings will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the lives lost and the grief shared across the country.

We invite people across the country to light a candle at 6:47pm, one week since the attack unfolded, as a quiet act of remembrance with family, friends or loved ones. We are also asking Australians to observe a minute of silence.

This day is about standing with the Jewish community, wrapping our arms around them, and sharing their grief as one state.

It is a moment to pause, reflect, and affirm that hatred and violence will never define who we are.

The Day will include a number of ways to help the state reflect:

• Buildings will light up yellow for the evening.
• Light will beam into the sky from Bondi Pavilion
• NSW Government will support Jewish leaders to deliver a community memorial event
• Television and radio networks will be asked to pause for a minute’s silence at 6.47pm.
• A shareable candle image, will be used on social media to pledge support for Jewish Australians. This will be available on nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government has also partnered with Rotary to establish a dedicated fundraising appeal for the Bondi Beach attack.

The Unite for Bondi – Bondi Terror Attack Appeal will provide support to the survivors and families of those who lost their lives. People who wish to donate can do so via rawcs.org.au

Supports are available for everyone impacted by this attack. Information is at www.nsw.gov.au/bondibeachattack

The Bondi terrorist attack has had an immense impact on our community, especially our Jewish community. The following day the NSW Faith Affairs Council held an emergency session to bring together faith leaders and show our unambiguous support for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

This expanded Faith Affairs Council was joined by two Jewish leaders Rabbi Nochum Schapiro of Chabad House and Rabbi Benjamin Elton of the Great Synagogue.

When asked what our faith communities could do to help the Jewish community Rabbi Nochum Schapiro responded with two requests.

One, to stand with our Jewish community and show unambiguous support.

And two, do one mitzvah. An act of kindness or charity. To bring some light into the world.

In light of the Rabbi’s response, the Faith Affairs Council with support from the Minns Government is launching the #OneMitzvahforBondi campaign.

Asking all Australians to undertake one act of kindness, compassion or charity, and to share their good deed with the wider community. You can do this through:

• Volunteering
• Donating
• Giving blood
• Calling someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
• Buying a neighbour a coffee
• Supporting those in need.

Please share your good deed, by using #OneMitzvahforBondi or visit: nsw.gov.au/onemitzvah

One Mitzvah for Bondi is an initiative of the NSW Faith Affairs Council.

Chair of the NSW Faith Affairs Council Right Rev Dr Michael Stead, of the Anglican Church of Australia said:

“At the core of our faith communities is a commitment to love and compassion.

“The NSW Faith Affairs Council encourages everyone to take part in the One Mitzvah for Bondi campaign, to spread warmth and kindness to our fellow Australians.

“I would like to sincerely thank our Jewish leaders for their grace and guidance during this unfathomable period of grief.”

President of the Rabbinical Council of NSW Rabbi Shua Solomon said:

“This unspeakable horror has touched every Jew and every Australian. Our only response to this profound darkness can be with light.

“We ask every Australian to honour the memory of our lost not only with words but with action, unity and faith – by doing good.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“In the face of this terrible atrocity our Jewish community have responded with remarkable kindness and compassion.

“This call to action is the remedy our heartbroken city requires at this time. It can be something as small as calling in on a neighbour, or an act of service like helping out at a food kitchen or donating blood.

“Every single one of us has an obligation to build the world we want to live in. Now is a time for us to unite, first and foremost, as fellow Australians.”

The Minns Labor Government has partnered with Rotary to establish a dedicated fundraising appeal for the Bondi Beach attack.

The Unite for Bondi – Bondi Terror Attack Appeal will provide support to the survivors and families of those who lost their lives. Assistance may include immediate financial relief such as bereavement costs, medium-term recovery assistance, and longer-term needs including medical care, counselling and rehabilitation. The fund will also support longer-term healing initiatives for the Bondi community.

The Minns Labor Government is launching the appeal with a $1 million donation. 

Members of the public, businesses, corporates and philanthropists who wish to donate can do so via rawcs.org.au. Donors will receive tax deductible receipts for the contributions they make.

The appeal is administered by the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) which is a registered charitable organisation which delivers benevolent, humanitarian and disaster relief projects throughout Australia and internationally.

Rotary will work with the Jewish Board of Deputies to coordinate the distribution of funds to affected Jewish community members, supported by the NSW Government.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Despite the unimaginable grief this attack has caused, we’ve seen some beautiful acts of humanity across our city.

“We’ve seen long lines form around blood banks across the country, and community organisations handing out food at Bondi Beach.

“These quiet acts of humanity mean a lot, and donating is just another thing people can do if they wish.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Our community is at its strongest when it pulls together – and what better opportunity to do that than by giving to those who are hurting the most.

“The Rotary appeal is a chance to reinforce social cohesion at the grassroots, after recent days of pain.

“The Minns Government is very happy to kick off the appeal with this $1 million donation.”

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“We acknowledge the significant loss and trauma caused by this attack and the impact it has on individuals, families, and communities.

“We have seen extraordinary acts of bravery and compassion that demonstrate the strength of our community. We understand that many people want to help, and that’s why we are launching the Bondi Beach Appeal in partnership with Rotary.

“Everyone’s experience will be different, and the wrap around support will be in place as long as needed.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President, David Ossip said:

“We have been overwhelmed by Australians from every walk of life asking how they can help, and this appeal is a way they can. This is an opportunity to ensure the survivors of this massacre are supported, now and into the future. 

“We thank our fellow Australians for digging deep to support the victims of this savage and senseless terrorist attack.”

Heather Chong, Chair of Rotary Australia World Community Service said:

“This was an unimaginable tragedy that shook Australia. Families are grieving, survivors are facing long recoveries, and an entire community has been left traumatised.

“As Rotarians we stand united in our values of compassion, peace, and community with the victims and survivors of the Bondi shooting tragedy. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and all impacted by this devastating event.”

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The NSW Government will move to restrict the authorisation of public assemblies in designated areas following a terrorist incident, to protect the community, prevent intimidation and allow police to focus on keeping people safe.

The reforms follow the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last week, which claimed the lives of 15 innocent people, and build on the powers already activated under NSW’s counter-terrorism laws.

When a terrorist incident is formally declared under the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002, the Police Commissioner or Deputy Police Commissioner, with the agreement of the Minister for Police, will be able to declare specific areas where public assemblies are restricted for a limited period (a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration).

These powers are designed to ensure that members of the community are not intimidated or fear for their safety, and to minimise risks to community safety, in the immediate aftermath of an attack.

A declaration may be made in specified areas where police determine public gatherings may be likely to cause a reasonable person to fear harassment, intimidation or violence or put community safety at risk, including the safety of those attending a gathering.

Once a declaration is made:

• No public assemblies in the designated area will be able to be authorised, including by a court.
• Police will have access to existing powers to move people on where their behaviour or presence causes harassment or intimidation or obstructs traffic.

A strong signal will be sent to the community that assembling in public spaces in a designated area is unsafe and discouraged.

These measures are targeted. A declaration will last for 14 days and can be extended by further periods of 14 days, for up to three months.

Importantly, the powers are not designed to stop quiet reflection, prayer or peaceful gatherings that are not likely to cause fear or safety concerns. The restrictions and powers also do not apply to industrial action and associated assemblies.

Police move-on powers will only apply where behaviour causes harassment or intimidation or obstructs traffic.

Building on strong action against hate

The new measures sit alongside a suite of laws already passed by the NSW Government to confront rising hate and antisemitism, including:

• A tough new offence for inciting racial hatred;
• New protections for places of worship, including strong penalties and increased powers for police; and
• Laws banning the public display of Nazi symbols on or near synagogues, Jewish schools or the Sydney Jewish Museum.
• The Government will continue working with police, community leaders and legal experts to ensure the reforms are effective, lawful and focused on keeping people safe.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“This was a targeted terrorist attack that has shaken our state and devastated the Jewish community. The scale of harm demands a response that is decisive, sustained and unequivocal.

“Our first responsibility as a government is to protect people.

“There is a time for debate and protest in a democracy – but there is also a time for calm, care and unity. After an act of terror, public safety must come first.

“These reforms are about protecting people at a time of real vulnerability. They are about ensuring grief is respected, fear is not weaponised, and police can focus on keeping communities safe.

“These powers are proportionate. They are not about suppressing views – they are about preventing intimidation, escalation and violence.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“We are protecting social cohesion by limiting public assemblies which risk inflaming community tensions following a terrorist attack.

“There are clear risks associated with large gatherings after the awful events at Bondi, and we do not want police resources unnecessarily diverted from the investigation to manage public assemblies.

“This is a targeted, time-limited measure which will give NSW Police the tools they need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community.”

Today’s Half-Yearly Review confirms the NSW economy is continuing to strengthen, with the budget remaining on track to return to surplus in 2027-28.

NSW Treasury’s latest forecasts show:

• The state is expected to post a $1.3 billion surplus in 2027-28, $200 million more than projected at the 2025-26 Budget.
• Gross debt is projected to be $177.2 billion by June 2026, $1.5 billion lower than projected at the Budget.
• Average expense growth is projected to be 2.6 per cent per annum over the forward estimates, down from the 6.5 per cent average expense growth each year between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
• Real wages remain on track to grow each year over the forward estimates, despite inflationary pressures lingering in the Australian economy.

The Review reflects the Minns Labor Government’s disciplined strategy to turn around the large deficit it inherited in 2023. Since then the Government has:

1. Eliminated wasteful spending by implementing the most comprehensive expenditure review in decades.
2. Slashed interest expenses by $500 million per annum after cutting gross debt by $11 billion, compared to the Pre-Election Budget Update.
3. Cut spending on consultants and senior executives, using the savings to rebuild the state’s essential services.
4. Repaired the state’s broken insurance schemes by overhauling workers compensation and insourcing police death and disability protection.
5. Driven higher investment returns by creating OneFund, a framework which overhauls the state’s fund management strategy.

Today’s Review books the spending decisions the Government has taken since the 2025-26 Budget.

It includes the cost of offering ongoing cost-of-living relief to NSW motorists by making the $60 toll cap permanent, as well as the costs of terminating the Liberals’ disastrous privatisation of the Northern Beaches Hospital and returning it to public ownership.

The Half-Yearly Review is available here

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“NSW has had a horrible week. The state’s focus must remain on healing.

“Today’s Half-Yearly Review updates markets and the public about the state of the Government’s finances. It reports a slight improvement in the budget results, and accounts for our

decisions to make the toll cap permanent and return the Northern Beaches Hospital to public ownership.”

Finance Minister Courtney Houssos said:

“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the horrific events of the past week.

“The budget forecasts are steady and consistent with the June Budget. It demonstrates the Government’s careful and disciplined approach to managing the public’s money.”

The NSW Opposition will next week move to re-introduce legislation designed to strengthen community safety, protect social cohesion and reinforce public confidence in the rule of law, and is calling on the Minns Labor Government to reconsider its current position and support their urgent passage through the Parliament. 

Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said the horrific terrorist attack underscored the need for proportionate, responsible action. 

“Sunday’s attack was a profound shock to our State. It was an attack on innocent people in a public place, on the Jewish community, and on the values that bind NSW together,” Ms Sloane said. 

“It has forced us to confront a hard truth, when hatred is allowed to grow unchecked, the consequences are real, immediate and devastating.” 

“At a time of heightened social tension and rising antisemitism, bipartisan leadership on community safety is not optional, it is essential.” 

“The NSW Opposition stands ready to act constructively and responsibly. That is why we will re-introduce these measures and urge the Government to use the recall of Parliament to support their urgent passage.” 

The objectives of the Bills: 

Crimes Amendment (Display of Nazi and Terrorist Symbols) Bill 2025 

• Addresses a clear gap in current NSW law by extending existing offences beyond Nazi symbols to cover a broader range of extremist and terrorist symbols. 
• Expands section 93ZA to include terrorist symbols, including symbols that a reasonable person would recognise as a terrorist symbol, which are not comprehensively captured under existing federal law. 
• Targets the use of symbols that are deployed to intimidate communities, glorify violence and normalise extremist ideologies. 
• Strengthens penalties to reflect the seriousness of the conduct, including higher 5 year maximum penalties, District not Local Court jurisdiction and the introduction of a standard 1.5 year imprisonment non-parole period. 
• Sends a clear and unambiguous deterrent message that extremist hate, intimidation and glorification of terrorism have no place in New South Wales. 

Summary Offences Amendment (Public Assemblies) Bill 2025 

• Recalibrates the regulatory framework for public assemblies to better balance the right to protest with public order and the rights of the broader community. 
• Requires decision-makers to consider public amenity and social cohesion, economic impact, disruption to the community and the public cost associated with proposed protests. 
• Confers clearer powers on police and courts to assess and weigh these factors when determining whether a proposed assembly should proceed. 
• Is designed to operate consistently with the implied freedom of political communication. 
• Introduces measures to address repeat protests, the deliberate shielding of identity and the recovery of policing costs to deter intentional disruption and ensure accountability. 
• Preserves the right to lawful protest while discouraging conduct that imposes unreasonable costs or disruption on the wider community. 

Shadow Attorney General, Alister Henskens said the package was targeted and proportionate to risks that are no longer theoretical. 

“NSW should confront hatred early, enforce its laws firmly, and stand united in defence of our shared values,” Mr Henskens said. 

“Previously the Government have voted against these sensible measures. Now is an opportunity for the Parliament to show bi-partisan support to strengthen community safety and social cohesion in NSW.” 

The NSW Greens have grave concerns about proposed new laws to allow police to refuse all peaceful assemblies during undefined periods of terrorism designations.

Greens MP and Spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“In the aftermath of the horrific antisemitic Bondi Beach mass shooting, Australians have been called upon to unify, to wrap our arms around the Jewish community, and to check in on one another, and we must all heed those calls,”

“We have not been called upon to divide communities by infringing upon civil liberties. Peaceful assembly is a fundamental civil liberty and now is not the time to restrict our civil liberties. The Government should not do this,”

“If the Government is hell bent on doing this they must at the very least make such powers temporary, otherwise this move will be read in history as disingenuous opportunism,”

“There is such an important distinction to make between peaceful and nonviolent protests for peace, and gatherings with the express intention of hate speech, hate preaching, or violence. Police have so many tools at their disposal to address gatherings where hate speech may occur, and they should use those tools,”

“Now is the time for unity in the fight against all forms of hate and radicalisation. We need to make laws and take action based on evidence, reason and need,”

“Together with the Greens, the NSW Government has a chance to pass world-leading gun reform which will remove guns from extremists who would seek to harm the innocent. I think it’s such a shame to depart from that by assigning blame to peaceful protests in this moment,”

“I hold serious concerns that controversial changes to protest laws are counter-productive to the aims of genuine social cohesion right now. These laws, like other anti-protest laws before them, seem to me like they will face significant headwinds in the Courts due to their potential to infringe on our freedom of political communication within the Constitution,”

“Our protest laws are already some of the most restrictive in the world. Form 1 applications can be refused on the grounds of genuine risks to public safety,”

“There are no planned demonstrations right now, in fact many events including events calling for peace in Gaza have been postponed out of respect. I think the Premier’s assumption that a disrespectful demonstration could occur is out of step with the outpouring of respect, love and compassion we have seen from the people of New South Wales,”

“We are entirely committed to tackling antisemitism and racism wherever it occurs, limiting peaceful assembly is not how we do this,”

“For most of this year in the NSW Parliament the Greens have been opposing efforts to water down gun laws and calling for more investment in programs to counter violent extremism,”

“We have so much evidence about what solutions exist to tackle hate speech and violence and we should all be coming together to enact those solutions. It is such a shame to see a divisive response in these circumstances.”