Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has wrapped up its first trade mission to India, opening new doors for NSW businesses, investment and jobs in one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey spent four days in New Delhi and Mumbai meeting senior government and business leaders across critical minerals, technology, tourism, education, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.

India was chosen for the Premier’s first overseas visit in recognition of the importance of the relationship between NSW and India.

Two-way merchandise trade between NSW and India is already worth almost $7 billion a year, but the clear message from the mission was that both sides believe the relationship can go much further.

The mission delivered and progressed a number of opportunities for NSW, including:

• Refreshing NSW’s sister-state agreement with Maharashtra, with both governments committing to develop a joint action plan within 90 days to grow trade and investment.
• A new partnership between NSW-owned traffic technology SCATS and HCLTech, exploring how AI can help expand the use of NSW traffic technology in India.
• A partnership between NSW Mid North Coast boat builder Steber International and Mumbai-based West Coast Marine to bring electric boat technology to India.
• Meetings with major Indian companies including Tata, Mahindra and JSW about opportunities to invest and expand in NSW.
• Putting NSW critical minerals directly in front of Indian government and industry, as India looks to secure the minerals it needs to grow its manufacturing sector.
• Pushing for more direct flights between India and Sydney, including discussions with Air India, and hearing directly from tourism operators about the opportunities to make it easier for more people to visit Australia.
• Building stronger education and research links, including Western Sydney University’s new Greater Noida campus and growing collaboration between NSW universities and Indian institutions.
• Opening the door to more Indian film production in NSW, including the announcement that Heyy Babyy 2 will be filmed in NSW.

The Premier and Treasurer met senior government leaders including Indian Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as well as senior business leaders across both Delhi and Mumbai.

Alongside the business program, the Premier and Treasurer took part in a number of community and cultural visits.

The Premier and Treasurer visited religious and community institutions, met Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas and spent time with people from India’s food, film and cultural industries.

The visits were an opportunity to better understand the country and its people, and recognise the important role NSW’s Indian community can play as a bridge between the two.

The mission concluded with a NSW-India investment forum in Mumbai, bringing together major Indian and Australian businesses to discuss where they could do more together.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The clear message we’ve heard this week is that we’re just at the beginning of what this relationship can become.”

“We already do almost $7 billion in two-way trade, but there’s much more we can do in critical minerals, technology, education and tourism.

“We’ve also spent time with communities here and had the chance to get a real sense of the people and culture.

“NSW has a huge advantage in the more than 200,000 Indian-born people who call our state home and understand both countries.

“Our job now is to turn the conversations we’ve had this week into more investment, jobs and opportunities back home.

“We leave India with a much better understanding of the opportunities in front of us, some strong new relationships and plenty of work to do.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“The big takeaway from this week is that India is ambitious, NSW is ambitious, and there is a genuine appetite to do more together.”

“We’ve met businesses with the scale, technology and capital to invest in NSW, and we’ve seen first-hand the opportunities for NSW businesses in India.

“But the relationship is bigger than business. The links between our people, our universities and our communities give NSW a head start that many other places simply don’t have.

“For a state of eight and a half million people, the opportunity to sell our goods, services and expertise into a market of 1.4 billion people is enormous.

“This trip has opened doors. The work now is to keep those doors open and turn that interest into real economic opportunities for NSW.”

The expansion of the Nioka Palliative Care Unit at Tamworth Hospital has reached an important milestone, with the first major concrete pour completed for the new building.

Funded as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $93 million world-class End of Life Care program, the expansion will double its current capacity, increasing the total number of beds from six to 12, enhancing services for Tamworth and surrounding communities.

Concrete has been poured to form the foundations for a new linkway to the existing palliative care unit in the hospital, and for the expanded section of the unit, which will feature six palliative care bedrooms with ensuites, communal areas, meeting spaces and flexible outdoor spaces.

Around 30 truckloads of local concrete were used, with more than 200 cubic metres of concrete poured at the site. With the foundations now laid, the building’s structure will start to take shape over the coming months.

When complete, the enhanced and expanded facilities will support staff to deliver specialist care while also promoting the privacy, comfort and dignity of people with life-limiting illnesses who have complex symptoms or end-of-life care needs.

The facility has been designed to create a home-like environment and will feature oversized bedrooms with warm interior finishes and large windows overlooking private courtyards.

Three courtyards will provide green spaces for relaxation, including a private outdoor area, and an overnight room to enable additional family members to stay close to their loved ones. An enclosed linkway will provide private access to the Palliative Care Unit and the Rehabilitation Unit from the Acute Services Building.

Work to refurbish the existing Nioka Palliative Care Unit is also underway, including improvements to inpatient rooms and general areas that will integrate with the expanded unit once complete.

Construction for the expanded unit is expected to be completed in 2027.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $11.9 billion to deliver more beds and expanded services across 32 new or upgraded health facilities in NSW as part of the 2026-27 budget. This includes nearly $3 billion over four years for hospitals across regional NSW.

The world-class End of Life Care program is redeveloping and refurbishing palliative care facilities across NSW. Other locations include Nepean, Orange, Westmead and Wyong hospitals.

For more information about the Program, visit nsw.gov.au/palliative-care-program. 

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring people with life-limiting illnesses receive the highest quality end-of-life care and the expanded Nioka Palliative Care Unit is a great example of this.

“The expansion of the Nioka Palliative Care Unit will double capacity of the current unit, meaning more people and their loved ones can access palliative care and support when it’s needed most.

“We are grateful to the staff and members of the community who have provided valuable input to shape the expanded unit, which will significantly enhance palliative care facilities for Tamworth and surrounding communities.”

Labor Spokesperson for Tamworth, Anthony D’Adam:

“This is a significant milestone that brings the Tamworth community another step closer to these expanded services.

“By delivering more comfortable, private, and welcoming spaces, we are helping to ensure that people receiving end-of-life care are supported with dignity and compassion.

“The expanded spaces will help deliver enhanced palliative care services for the region, making a big difference for the community.”

Director of Clinical Operations Hunter New England Local Health District, Susan Heyman

“I know how much the Nioka Palliative Care Unit means to our community, and it is so good to see this important expansion taking shape.

“When people are facing end-of-life care, comfort, privacy and time with loved ones matters. This expansion will help create a calmer, more welcoming environment for patients and families, while supporting our staff to provide compassionate specialist care.

“The first major concrete pour is an exciting milestone for the project, and over the coming months the community will start to see the new spaces take shape.”

The Minns Government is responding to three new events of H5 bird flu after samples were taken from greater crested terns at Port Kembla and Warriewood on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, as well as a Hutton’s shearwater at Corindi in Coffs Harbour.

This is the first confirmed detection in a shearwater bird in NSW.

There are no signs of any mass mortality in the area or anywhere else in NSW and surveillance is continuing so we can detect any further cases early.

As of 3 September 2026, there are 20 H5 bird events in NSW and 468 across Australia.

Given the spread of bird flu across Australia, NSW now reports detections under the nationally consistent event system, where a single investigation may involve one or more birds and considers factors such as location, timing, species and other findings.

A national surveillance plan is in operation to monitor for any further detections and facilitate rapid, coordinated response.

Bird flu has not been detected in commercial poultry flocks, captive birds or any other birds native to NSW and the risk to human health remains low.

The Government is continuing to receive many calls to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline and key stakeholders are being briefed regularly on the current situation.

The NSW Government has commenced a rollout of targeted vaccinations for vulnerable species of birds to help protect them against H5 avian influenza.

A combination of insurance populations in captivity, and wild populations of birds, are in the process of being vaccinated. This includes the Little Penguins in Manly and Barunguba Montague Island.

If you see sick or dead wild birds, domestic birds, marine mammals or other wildlife showing signs of H5 bird flu – Avoid contact, Record what you see, Report it via the online reporting form or Emergency Animal Disease Hotline –1800 675 888.

The NSW Government continues to work closely with Australian and State and Territory governments to roll out the plans developed with industry, agriculture and wildlife organisations.

The Chief Veterinary Officer has advised the poultry industry that there is at this stage only a voluntary housing recommendation for poultry birds.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“We are deeply concerned about the impact that H5 bird flu could have on our native wildlife.

“No government policy can stop this virus form spreading through our wild bird populations. What we can do to support our wildlife is vaccinate insurance populations, protect their habitat and eliminate invasive species.

“The public also has an important role to play by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and reporting them to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline, helping us detect new cases and target our surveillance efforts.”

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“NSW so far has 20 H5 bird events, while the rest of Australia has more than 460, and there have been no mass mortality or poultry bird events.

“Our focus is on preparedness, surveillance and responding to events quickly.

“Now is the time for everyone who has backyard chickens or pet birds in aviaries to take precautionary steps to ensure there are no interactions between their chooks and pets with wild birds.

“The Government also recommends people be careful with their dogs when walking on beaches or parks and ensure they don’t eat carcasses or chase wild birds. There is low risk of exposure but it’s important to minimise any risk for your pets”.

Almost 40 years since the first Tangara trains rolled out of the factory in Newcastle, they are now re-entering timetable service after an extensive refurbishment, extending their lifespan by over a decade and boosting reliability on the network.  

This week the first of 55 refurbished Tangaras operated in passenger service on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, between Hurstville and Waterfall via Sutherland from 10:55am.  

This marks a major milestone for the $447 million Tangara Life Extension program which is underway at Auburn and Flemington in Sydney, and Cardiff in the Hunter. Three more refurbished Tangaras will enter service before the end of Q1 2027, with production ramping up throughout 2027 via an additional production line at Cardiff.  

The refurbishment includes updating interiors and fittings, upgrading the onboard operating system, installing internal destination displays and CCTV, upgrading public address systems including digital voice announcements, installing new safety and accessibility features such as, flip up seating for priority wheelchair spaces, improved passenger emergency help points and the installation of internal emergency door release system.

The Tangara Life Extension program is extending the life of the fleet by more than ten years while the Minns Labor Government rebuilds local manufacturing capacity in order to deliver the next fleet with 50% local content.

Announced in July, the government has committed $12 billion over 15 years to deliver a state-owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter and the next fleet of NSW passenger trains.  

The Hunter train manufacturing hub will employ up to 780 workers in construction and 550 ongoing jobs in the facility and supply chains. Two potential sites have been identified – a former coal mine at Teralba and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot, with a government decision on site selection to be made later this year.  

The Tangara trains make up almost 30% of the Sydney Trains suburban passenger fleet and are in service predominantly on the T4. The improved security features including the installation of internal CCTV will make them less prone to vandalism and reduce the incidence of breakdowns and service interruptions.  

In the most recent Budget, the Minns Labor Government committed a record $2.1 billion to rail reliability, including increased network maintenance, improvements to the Rail Operations Centre and track, power and signalling works.  

On-time running for all suburban rail services on the Sydney Trains network has improved from 90.9% in 2024/25 to 92.7% in 2025/26.  

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“These refurbished Tangaras will look better, feel better, be more accessible and more reliable.  

Passengers on the all-important T4 line will spot them straight away. They are refreshed both inside and out and will be more reliable now they been modernised with the latest security features.  

“The Liberals said NSW was no good at building trains. Seeing these trains serve the people of NSW for yet another decade, will be a daily reminder of the strength of train manufacturing in our state and the reason we’re bringing it back.

“When we came to government there was no plan for the future of the Tangara fleet. We’ve now extended their life, got the first train back on the tracks and are investing in building the next fleet here in NSW.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:  

“Seeing the first refurbished Tangara back on the tracks is a major milestone for the network, and for the communities along the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line who rely on these services every day.”

“These upgrades mean safer, more accessible and more reliable trains for local passengers, from improved CCTV and door systems to new priority wheelchair spaces and modernised interiors.”

“This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader effort to strengthen the rail network, backed by record funding for maintenance, signalling, power and operations to keep services running safely and on time.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“Seeing the first refurbished Tangara back in service is a significant moment for our crews and the many teams delivering this program.

“These upgrades will improve reliability, safety and the overall experience for passengers who rely on these trains every day.

“With work now underway across Auburn, Flemington and the Cardiff Maintenance Centre, we are building momentum and will see more refurbished trains progressively return to the network.”

Motorists travelling along the New England Highway, between Tamworth and Willow Tree, will soon benefit from safer and smoother journeys with work now underway on a new overtaking lane.

Under the Road Safety Program, the Albanese and Minns Labor governments have invested a total of $5 million to build a new overtaking lane on the New England Highway, around 30 kilometres south of Tamworth.

The new 1.2km overtaking lane will improve safety and traffic flow for southbound motorists and provide an important safety initiative on the New England Highway between Tamworth and Willow Tree.

The project also includes:

• widening the sealed shoulders
• extending the concrete drainage
• realigning and resurfacing the existing road surfaces
• installing a one-metre-wide centre line treatment
• installing new guard rails and improving road safety signage

Transport for NSW is undertaking the improvements, with works expected to be complete in late March 2027, weather permitting.

Road works hours are between 6.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and between 6.30am to 6pm when required on Saturday.

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP:

“The Albanese and Minns governments are investing in essential road infrastructure that will serve people living in, working in, and visiting regional NSW for many years to come.

“Safety on our roads is a top priority, and with works beginning on New England Highway, this is another example of our commitment to protecting all road users.

“Once complete, these upgrades will ensure safer, smoother and more efficient journeys for the thousands of commuters who travel along this busy corridor each day.”

NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:

“Getting on with upgrades like this is about making sure regional communities have the safe and reliable road networks they deserve.

“The New England Highway serves as a critical connection for thousands of residents and freight operators every day, which is why safety improvements are so important.

“This new overtaking lane will provide safer and more efficient connections across the region, helping road users travel to work, return home as well as transport essential goods and services.”

Senator for NSW, Tim Ayres:

“The New England Highway is an important piece of infrastructure for residents, agriculture and local industry.

“This joint investment from the Australian and New South Wales governments delivers practical improvements that will help improve road safety between Willow Tree and Tamworth.”

NSW Labor Spokesperson for Tamworth, Anthony D’Adam:

“We know how important the New England Highway is to freight operators and people travelling through the region, and these upgrades will help make journeys safer and more reliable for everyone.

“With work now underway, we’re getting on with the job of delivering safer roads for the motorists right across the state.”

New dads would receive free mental health checks under a pilot to be funded under a Liberals and Nationals Government to address the number of men not getting the support they need during a critical period for families.
 
The pilot program, which is estimated to cost $2.5 million, would run for four years across multiple Local Health Districts, delivering important mental health support for dads at key perinatal and postnatal milestones. The pilot would help determine how these mental health checks could most effectively be delivered statewide.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said becoming a new dad was a life changing experience for men, but many fathers report they are not getting the healthcare they need.
 
“Recent research from Movember found that three in five dads were never asked by a health professional about their mental health in the lead up to, or in the 12 months following the birth of their child. I want to change that,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“Happy and healthy parents set up our kids for success, but right now too many new dads are not getting the healthcare they need. Looking after mum, bub and dad means the whole family gets the best possible start.”
 
Shadow Minister for Health Sarah Mitchell said this pilot would help identify new dads who need help early and would align with the touchpoints already embedded in NSW maternal health pathways.
 
“Mums are checked on regularly throughout pregnancy and after birth, and there is an opportunity for us to align those checks with health interventions for new dads as well,” Mrs Mitchell said.
 
“The pilot will be delivered in both metropolitan and regional health settings and ensure where a dad might be struggling with his mental health, we can support him earlier, reducing the risk of something more serious developing.”
 
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Matt Cross said celebrating his second Father’s Day with his son was a reminder of the joys being a new dad brings.
 
“Being a dad is one of my greatest joys, bringing immense love and purpose to my life. We need to ensure every dad feels supported and connected, because supporting dads helps build stronger families,” Mr Cross said.
 
Ms Sloane acknowledged the vital advocacy and research work of Dr Zac Seidler and Movember, which had shone a light on the health of new dads in their More than a Provider report, which called for routine mental health screening of new dads.
 
This announcement builds on the NSW Liberals and Nationals plans to deliver a dedicated 10-year Men and Boys’ Health Strategy by the end of 2027 and host a two-day Men’s Health summit next year.

Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton says Chris Minns has bowed to the radical left of the Labor Party and the Greens by making pill testing permanent, trashing his previous opposition and raising a disturbing question for NSW voters: if Labor’s left can flex its muscles like this now, what will it demand in a second Minns term?

The Daily Telegraph reported today that free and anonymous drug checking will become a permanent fixture at up to 15 NSW music festivals a year from October, backed by $4.3 million in taxpayer funding.

Mr Shelton said the decision was a worrying sign that Premier Chris Minns was losing his grip on the sensible centre of his party.

Chris Minns came to office presenting himself as the leader of ‘club sensible’ in Labor, and for much of his first term he has managed to keep some of his party’s worst ideological instincts in check,” Mr Shelton said.

But on pill testing he has folded. He opposed it, he warned against it, and now he is spending $4.3 million of taxpayers’ money making it permanent.

This has the fingerprints of Labor’s radical left all over it.

There’s no such thing as a healthy ecstasy pill.”

Mr Shelton said the bigger issue for voters was what the reversal revealed about the likely direction of a second-term Minns Government.

If this is how Labor’s radical left flexes its muscles while Chris Minns is still fighting for a second term, imagine the influence it will wield if Labor is returned for another four years.

This could be the first portent of what a second-term Minns Government looks like: club sensible pushed aside and the crazy left increasingly calling the shots on policy.”

Mr Shelton said pill testing itself sent a dangerous and contradictory message to young people.

The Government says these drugs are illegal, yet it has just committed $4.3 million to checking them for people who intend to take them. You cannot credibly run both messages at once.”

Family First opposed pill testing when Queensland introduced it and when Victoria legalised it.

There is no such thing as a safe illegal drug, even if tested,” Mr Shelton said. “These pills are cooked up by criminal gangs in dirty labs. A government test at a music festival does not magically make them safe.

Just because the gangs sometimes get the dosage wrong does not mean the pills that pass the government testers are as harmless as lollies.”

Health Minister Ryan Park concedes drug checking is no “silver bullet” in making drug use safe, while the service’s own harm-reduction message acknowledges that no illicit drug use is safe.

Nobody queues at a festival because they want someone to tell them not to take the pill they have already bought and carried in,” Mr Shelton said.

They are looking for reassurance, and the Government knows it.

No family should ever have to bury a nineteen-year-old because of drugs, and parents campaigning after such unimaginable loss deserve to be heard with compassion.

But checking illegal drugs is not stopping drug use. It risks normalising it and creating the impression that illicit drugs can somehow be made manageable if government experts are standing nearby.”

Mr Shelton said the $4.3 million should instead be directed towards rehabilitation, prevention and policing criminal drug networks.

Spend the money helping young people get off drugs, providing rehabilitation places they can actually access, targeting the criminal gangs supplying this poison and giving young people an unambiguous message that illegal drugs can destroy their lives.”

Family First is committed to enforcing laws on drug supply and possession, diverting people into successful programs that help them become free of addiction, and never giving up on the goal of keeping Australia free of illicit drugs.

A rideshare driver will face court today following an investigation into multiple alleged sexual acts, including one committed in Sydney’s CBD over the weekend.

Officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command commenced an investigation on Saturday 29 August 2026, following reports a rideshare driver had allegedly performed a sexual act on himself during a trip.

Detectives were told the incident occurred about 12.30pm the same day, during a booked rideshare trip through Sydney’s CBD, with a passenger – a 23-year-old woman – onboard.

Following inquiries, about 3.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2026), police arrested a 28-year-old man in Millers Point.

A short time later, officers – with the assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a home on Rangihou Crescent, Parramatta.

The 28-year man was taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of carry out sexual act with another without consent and two counts of sexually touch another person without consent.

Police will allege in court the 28-year-old man was involved in three additional, unrelated incidents of a similar nature between January 2026 and April 2026 at locations in Sydney CBD, Earlwood, and Otford. These alleged incidents occurred outside of his occupation as a rideshare driver.

The man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Local Court 7 today (Wednesday 2 September 2026).

Uniting NSW.ACT welcomes today’s announcement by the NSW government that drug checking will be allowed at 15 music festivals across the state each year. We believe this is an important step towards a broader evidence-based approach to reducing harm.
 
If NSW is serious about making this life-saving intervention available to everyone who needs it, then drug checking through permanent community-based services must be made available.
 
Alice Salomon, Director Advocacy and External Relations at Uniting NSW.ACT said:
“Today’s announcement is a welcome start, and the NSW Government should be congratulated for taking this positive first step. Drug checking gives people potentially life-saving information and creates an important opportunity to connect them with trusted health advice and support.  
 
“But people who use drugs, don’t only do so at music festivals. Access to proven harm reduction service shouldn’t depend on whether or not you can afford a festival ticket, where you live, or the circumstances in which you use drugs.  Everyone person who uses drugs deserves access to the harm reduction services that will help keep them safe.
 
“Fixed-site, community-based drug checking would make this service available to many more people, including regional communities where we know there is both need and demand.
 
“At a time when drug overdose deaths are double the road death toll, proven harm reduction services need to be available as widely as possible. 
 
Uniting is calling on the NSW Government to build on today’s announcement and commit to setting up fixed-site drug checking services in the community.