Category: NSW News

Important reforms tightening gun laws, cracking down on hateful symbols, restricting public assemblies following a terrorist attack and giving police more tools to protect the community have passed NSW Parliament.

The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed Parliament today following the horrific antisemitic terror attack at Bondi which killed 15 innocent people earlier this month.

Toughest gun law reforms in a generation

The bill ensures that NSW has the toughest gun laws in the country, imposing a cap meaning that an individual can have no more than 4 firearms, with exemptions for primary producers who can have up to 10.

It limits straight-pull/pump action and button/lever release firearms to primary producers, reduces magazine capacity for category A and B firearms and prohibits firearms using belt-fed magazines.

Gun club membership will be mandatory for all firearms licence holders and people will no longer be able to seek to overturn a licence decision through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Other significant gun reforms include requiring all gun clubs to use the GunSafe online platform, and a mandate of safe storage inspections before the issue of a permit.

This legislation will be accompanied by a comprehensive audit of existing firearms licences, as well as a gun buyback scheme, in partnership with the Federal Government.

Prohibiting hateful symbols

There is no excuse for hateful symbols which divide and inflame community tensions.

The legislation makes it an offence under NSW law to display publicly and without reasonable excuse a prohibited terrorist organisation’s symbol such as an ISIS, Hamas or Hezbollah flag.

This will carry a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a $22,000 fine or $110,000 for organisations.

A reasonable excuse includes for an academic purpose or another purpose in the public interest.

Restricting the authorisation of public assemblies

The bill also allows the Police Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner with the Minister for Police to restrict authorised assemblies in specific areas for 14 days following a terrorism declaration.

This is designed to deter divisive, inflammatory public assemblies which put community safety and cohesion at risk in the immediate aftermath of an attack.

Once a declaration is made, no public assemblies can be authorised in designated areas including by a court and police will be able to move people on if their behaviour or presence obstructs traffic or causes fear, harassment or intimidation.

The declaration can be extended by 14-day periods for up to three months. It will not stop quiet reflection, prayer or peaceful gatherings, which are not likely to cause fear or safety concerns.

The legislation also gives police greater powers to require someone suspected of committing an offence during a public assembly to remove their face covering.

Anyone at a public assembly who is suspected of committing an offence can be required to remove their face covering. Previously, this requirement only applied to someone suspected of committing an indictable offence.

Further measures to combat hate speech

Horrific recent events also show chants and slogans can shatter community cohesion and encourage violence.

Serious concerns have been raised over chants like “globalise the intifada” and hateful statements used to vilify and intimidate our community must be banned. 

The Attorney General has asked the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety to conduct an inquiry into hateful statements.

It will recommend what laws should be introduced to tackle this abhorrent conduct with a view to introducing them when parliament returns in the new year.

These measures build on previous legislation to combat hate including new offences for inciting racial hatred and displaying Nazi symbols at Jewish places and additional protections for people seeking to attend their place of worship.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“None of these measures alone will end antisemitism and violence but together these reforms are the single best thing we can do to keep the people of New South Wales safe and prevent further harm.

“I acknowledge that these are very significant changes that not everyone will agree with, but our state has changed following the horrific antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach and our laws must change too.

“These laws get the balance right by providing police with the tools they need to calm a combustible situation in our state and keep people safe, while restricting access to dangerous weapons on our streets to reduce the risk of this happening again.”

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said:

“The antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach has changed us forever and the Government is responding to try to prevent future harm.

“These reforms strengthen oversight, improve enforcement and reduce the risk when it comes to firearm ownership.

“We’re giving police the powers they need to best ensure the community is safe.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“These measures form a strong regime to protect the community from those who would seek to do us harm and tear us apart.

“There is no place for conduct which espouses hate, threatens or intimidates others and we are giving police the tools they need to hold perpetrators to account.

“We are ensuring those who publicly display terrorist symbols are met with the full force of the law.

“I know there is more work to do and have asked the Committee on Law and Safety to provide recommendations about further reforms to curb hate speech.

“The Government will take whatever measures needed to keep the community safe.”

As we wrap up another big year for New South Wales, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

This time of the year is about spending time with loved ones and enjoying everything that summer in our state has to offer. But I know that for countless families and communities, this season has been overshadowed by the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach. It was an act of violence that shocked our city, rocked our state, and left a deep mark on all of us.

December the 14th should have been a normal summer day at one of the world’s most iconic places, but it became something none of us will ever forget. We grieve for the innocent lives lost, we hold their families tight and we continue to support those who were injured or traumatised. The pain of that day is real, and it will not be forgotten.

I also want to acknowledge the extraordinary courage and bravery shown in the face of unimaginable violence, from members of the public who acted instinctively to protect others, to the police, paramedics, lifesavers and hospital staff who responded with professionalism, compassion and bravery.

Their actions saved lives and reminded us of the very best of our community.

At the same time, we cannot allow terror, hatred or fear to define who we are as a city or a state. Our state is strong and united. Our beaches, our parks, our streets and our neighbourhoods belong to everyone. We will continue to enjoy our summer, support one another, and look out for each other.

I know not everyone will get to take a break this Christmas. So, to our essential workers, thank you for continuing to keep us safe, we are deeply grateful.

I wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Christmas and New Years.

The first project has been approved through the Minns Labor Government’s Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway, paving the way for homes to progress to construction.

The Gordon project is one of more than 300 proposals amounting to over 102,000 potential new homes to be declared State significant following the HDA’s recommendation and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ declaration. It has been assessed and approved in seven months, faster than the nine month average expected timeframe.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure then assessed, publicly exhibited and finalised the $110 million development under the Gordon Transport Oriented Development controls.

It will deliver two connected 7-8 storey towers with 106 apartments including affordable housing, landscaping and new communal open spaces.

Located just 200 metres from Gordon’s shops, residents will also be within a five-minute walk of Gordon train station.

The proposal underwent a full assessment process and community consultation to consider its economic, environmental, and social impacts.

The project is expected to generate 165 jobs – 160 construction roles and five ongoing operational roles – delivering a jobs and housing boost to North Sydney.

The NSW Government established the HDA to help streamline the delivery of high yield, well-located homes and help the state reach its Housing Accord target.

It offers a clear planning pathway for large residential and mixed-use developments to be assessed as State significant development or State significant development with a concurrent rezoning.

The HDA builds on the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to the planning system to supercharge the delivery of more homes, including:

• Passage of the landmark Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 through both houses of Parliament with almost universal support.
• The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
• The largest rezoning in NSW history around transport hubs and shopping centres to address the “missing middle.”
• The largest ever investment in the delivery of social and affordable housing in NSW.
• $200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
• $450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters.
• The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to accelerate housing supply by reducing the risk for lenders and getting residential construction started.

Since the formation of the HDA, 146 projects have had Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements issued and 21 projects have lodged State significant applications under the pathway.

Construction of the Gordon project is expected to begin in mid-2026.

For more information visit the Housing Delivery Authority web page.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Less than 12 months after setting up the Housing Delivery Authority, we’re seeing major progress with the HDA pathway fast-tracking homes that will soon be under construction.

“This shows what happens when we remove roadblocks and provide clear planning pathways.

“This project was enabled under our Transport Oriented Development planning controls. This is our Government’s planning reforms working together to deliver homes for families, young people and downsizers.

“We have seen housing proposals of this size and scale getting stuck in local planning systems for too long, this project was assessed and approved in seven months, less than our expected assessment timeframe of nine months.”

An independent review has identified no issues with the integrity of the Housing Delivery Authority’s (HDA) statutory decision-making processes.

The review, by eminent former public servant Peter Duncan AM, was commissioned at my request after the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure identified use of unauthorised software in collating information into reports for the HDA.

The Duncan Review found the likelihood of risk or integrity errors from the use of the software was low, concluding:

It is not apparent that the Software used has been more effective than other authorised software available for use within the Department or available elsewhere in the NSW Government. In fact, external Cyber Security specialist advisors reviewed and identified that the software was used as an administrative assistance tool. It appears to have been used to input information from the EOI application and various other inputs from Departmental or public database(s) into a template. This template was included in the Reports provided to HDA members prior to a HDA meeting. The Reports also included a range of other information drafted by planning professionals in the Department.

The Duncan Review makes four recommendations which I have accepted in full, including to:

• Reinforce the NSW Government and Department’s policies on the use of artificial intelligence within the HDA and Department.
• Consider using authorised software to support the work of the HDA.
• Review all unsuccessful EOI reports prepared with support from the software to confirm there are no errors.
• Undertake a previously planned review of the HDA’s first 12 months of operations with a view to making continuous improvement.

The independent review shows the integrity of the HDA and its statutory decision-making processes has not been compromised. All necessary steps will be taken to support the continued function of the HDA.

The NSW Parliament passed legislation in November that provides the HDA with an enduring role in supporting the delivery of housing in NSW. The permanent establishment of the HDA was part of the first proclamation of the Planning System Reforms Act on 15 December 2025.

The detailed recommendations and full report can be downloaded here (PDF 641.19KB).

The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 has passed the Parliament with the support of the NSW Liberal Party.

The NSW Liberals supported the passage of this Bill because community safety must always come first, and the Parliament has a responsibility to act in the wake of such a serious and confronting terrorist attack.

However, we should be clear-eyed about the core issue at stake. Antisemitism was the reason for this attack, and the people of New South Wales rightly expect strong and decisive action to confront and eliminate it.

This Bill was rushed through the Parliament with limited consultation and insufficient engagement with stakeholders. That is not best-practice law-making, particularly in an area as sensitive and consequential as counter-terrorism and social cohesion.

The NSW Liberals have been clear and consistent, confronting rising antisemitism and hate speech must remain a priority of the NSW Parliament. This is why we sought to strengthen the Government’s Bill by reintroducing measurers that we have prosecuted throughout the year. Unfortunately, the Government once again rejected our bipartisan efforts.

We expect the Government to use the next parliamentary sittings to pursue further reforms and encourage the Government to engage in good faith with the Opposition and the Parliament to strengthen these laws where required. We will have more to say over the coming weeks and months on our plan to deliver a stronger and safer NSW.

Our determination is to ensure that NSW has a framework that confronts and defeats antisemitism, hate speech and extremist violence.

Today, the NSW Police Commissioner has made a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (a declaration) under the new laws which passed Parliament today in response to last week’s Bondi terror attack.

Under the new laws, the NSW Police Force Commissioner is granted power to temporarily declare public areas “restricted” from assemblies following a declared terrorist incident. Today’s restriction follows the declaration made by Commissioner Lanyon that the Bondi attack on Sunday 14 December was a terror-related incident.

The declaration made by the Commissioner today restricts public assemblies in the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas for 14 days.

During this time, no public assemblies can be authorised under the Summary Offences Act 1988 and Form 1 applications for the authorisation of public assemblies will not be accepted. Any public assembly will thereby be taken to be unauthorised, and participants will not have the protection of the Summary Offences Act with respect to obstructing traffic and pedestrians and may commit offences if they do. If a public assembly had been authorised prior to the declaration, the authorisation will be taken to be revoked.

The declaration was made this afternoon with the Police Executive Panel after considering the new legislation and public safety impacts of further protests in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

The declaration will be reviewed and can be extended fortnightly for up to three months.

Gatherings are permitted but police may issue move on directions for people causing obstructions or behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner, or people who might cause or be likely to cause fear in another person.

Police will also have authority to require removal of any face coverings worn by people suspected of committing offences for identification purposes.

Commissioner Lanyon says this declaration is designed to give police the powers to ensure community safety.

The tragic events at Bondi Beach have left a profound impact on our community and reaffirmed the urgent need for stronger safeguards to reduce fear and increase safety,” Commissioner Lanyon said.

The NSW Police is committed to exercising these new powers responsibly and transparently. This is a time for community to come together and to show respect and courtesy – it’s not a time for large public assemblies and division. The community deserves to be safe and feel safe.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack at Bondi last week, further protest activity would aggravate fear and divisiveness in the community at a time when we need to build safety and confidence.”

We will continue working closely with the Government and community leaders to ensure these laws are implemented in a way that strengthens safety and cohesion across our state.”

Commercial and Residential development in Australia’s newest city, Bradfield is gearing up following the finalisation of a development agreement between the Minns Labor Government and global Australian development and investment company, Plenary.

The more than $1 billion agreement will see Plenary transform the first Superlot, a 5.7 hectare parcel of prime land adjacent to Bradfield City’s First Building, Central Park, and new Metro station into a vibrant mixed-use precinct, unlocking new homes, jobs, and industries in Western Sydney.

The development agreement will deliver:

• The first 1,400 homes in Bradfield City, including at least 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing.
• A quarter of the site will be allocated to commercial uses including:
  • advanced industries,
  • a hotel
  • a university campus,
  • essential services such as retail, childcare and health facilities and
  • a 1,500 square metre food and beverage venue overlooking Central Park.

This is a foundational step in building Australia’s first new city in 100 years, delivering new homes, industry and vibrancy to Western Sydney.

Development of the site will roll out in stages, generating thousands of construction jobs and boosting Western Sydney’s economy as Bradfield City grows.

Stage 1 of the project will over the next five years deliver the essentials of a great city including lively public spaces, affordable housing and childcare, a university, and dynamic commercial hubs.

In 2026, Plenary will start the market process of finding a university partner and a major commercial anchor tenant, as well as lodging State Significant Development Applications for a food and beverage venue and a Concept Plan for housing, commercial space and a hotel on the northern part of the site.

To provide the most efficient and coordinated planning pathway, developments in Bradfield City will be assessed by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure as State Significant Developments.

This partnership unlocks new opportunities for businesses to invest or establish themselves in Bradfield City which will be a vibrant destination for residents, workers and visitors alike right next to a 24/7 airport.

Bradfield city will be a thriving, globally connected city, which will deliver 10,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs building a stronger future for Western Sydney. 

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW with a greater choice of homes, so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live in the communities they choose.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Bradfield City is coming to life with the release of the first Superlot to global Australian development and investment company, Plenary.

“This more than $1 billion partnership is set to deliver the first homes, a university and essential services like childcare, shops and health facilities providing the foundation for the future growth of Bradfield City.

“This builds on the momentum of the opening of first building, the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility which is already establishing Bradfield as a hub for innovation with customers across Sydney.”

Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said:

“The Minns Labor Government is building a city that will support new industries, jobs and opportunities in Western Sydney for the next century.

“This deal is an important step towards creating a vibrant and globally connected, 24/7 city which will deliver high-quality housing, education and jobs at the heart of Bradfield City.”

Plenary Chair Paul Oppenheim said:

“It’s an honour to be entrusted by the NSW Government to be a long-term development partner with the Bradfield Delivery Authority team to help deliver Australia’s newest city, in the heart of Western Sydney.

“Central to the success of this project will be the delivery of 1,400 new homes, including more than 10% as affordable homes; complemented by a masterplanned precinct integrating a university campus, commercial space, childcare, retail spaces and a hotel – all next to the new two-hectare Central Park.

“Our experience in the formation of long-term partnerships to deliver complex projects here and overseas make us ideally placed to perform the role of development partner, and we look forward to delivering on the exciting vision for Bradfield.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to rebuild public education across NSW, with construction underway on an upgrade for Orana Heights Public School in Dubbo.

Despite the former government promising much-needed school upgrades for the families of Dubbo, students at Orana Heights have spent years learning in demountables and ageing classrooms.

The upgrade work will include replacing all eight ageing, temporary demountables at the school with permanent modern classrooms, as well as refurbishing 18 existing classrooms. The school is also receiving an expanded school hall and improvements to the library.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering these upgrades for the families of Dubbo ahead of Day 1, Term 1, 2027.

The upgrades are being delivered as part of record education funding in the 2025-26 Budget, 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 at Orana Heights Public School, the Minns Labor Government recently completed much needed upgrades and repairs at Dubbo South Public School.

This work was required after a fire in December 2021 destroyed several classrooms, with students moved into temporary demountables.

Despite the former Liberal National Government promising to deliver permanent replacement classrooms for Dubbo South, no construction had begun when Labor was elected in March 2023.

In addition to completing upgrades and 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 61 per cent across NSW, leading to the number of cancelled classes in NSW nearly halving.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said: 

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering upgraded facilities for the Orana Heights school community, as part of our record investment in regional education and communities.

“Our government, with the leadership of the Deputy Premier, is delivering modern permanent classrooms that students in Dubbo deserve after years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.

“For too long under the former government, families in regional NSW were promised the world, while little was delivered to the regions.”

Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Students in regional NSW deserve access to high quality schools, and the Minns Labor Government is continuing to make significant investment in regional communities.

“Our government is rebuilding the NSW public education system to ensure all students have access to a world-class public education and the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live.”

Duty MLC for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering much-needed regional school upgrades to communities left behind by the Liberals and Nationals.

“Only a Labor government delivers the much-needed schools for our growing regional areas.”

Orana Heights Public School principal Annie Munro: 

“At Orana Heights Public School our staff, students, and community are excited to be receiving new and improved facilities.

“We look forward to seeing our school community grow and thrive in these wonderful new and refurbished spaces.”

Southern NSW’s primary industries are in good shape ahead of the summer season with millions of dollars in fire protection measures completed to help protect local communities and critical softwood plantation timber from bushfire threats.

The seven completed projects, valued at $3.2 million, are part of the Minns Government’s $12.9 million Southern NSW Timber Plantations Fire Protection funding package.

While the projects will protect plantation resources, they also provide increased protection for local residents and businesses in the area following the 2019/20 devastating bushfires and play a vital role in protecting the remaining critical timber supplies in the Murray region.

Funding recipients including Forestry Corporation of NSW, Southern Cross Forests and NSW Rural Fire Service have completed a number of projects within the region, including:

Forestry Corporation of NSW

Tumut – $1,537,800 – Firefighting Forwarder with water tank and high flow pumped water distribution

• Firefighting Forwarder with water tank and high flow pumped water distribution that will improve tactical and operational response and enhance firefighter safety. It will enable delivery of large volumes of water in difficult terrain and situations and reduce exposure of firefighters to overhead hazards and manual cutting and lifting tasks.

Tumut – $100,000 – Two trailer mounted quick fill water pumps

• The provision of two high volume, trailer mounted water pumps will facilitate rapid refilling of bulk water transport trucks and larger capacity fire tankers (Cat 1, Cat 6) for tactical firefighting operations significantly reducing turnaround times.

Green Hills/Tumut – $456,000 – Firefighting water transport equipment

• Two 32Kl semi-trailer tankers for delivery of bulk water for firefighting operations undertaken by all agencies. Tankers will be fitted with high volume capacity pumping for delivery to firefighting appliances. The tankers will be set for deployment utilising trucks from the existing industry log fleet.

Southern Cross Forests

Mt Ikes, TableTop and Mt Flakney – $325,000 – Additional fire detection cameras

• The installation of three additional cameras and associated AI platform to help in the early detection of fires. The installation of these cameras adds to the existing extensive detection network in the region.

Rural Fire Service

Southern NSW – $329,490 – Improved data quality with additions to the Automated Weather Stations network

• A network of Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) that will provide granular and timely data to the Bureau of Meteorology and help inform fire preparedness and response.
• This will provide the ability for the BOM to provide an improved and accurate forecast fire weather conditions for the South Eastern Local Government Areas of Snowy Valleys, Greater Hume, Cootamundra-Gundagai and Wagga Wagga City. This will also provide valuable live weather data for fire behaviour practitioners and Incident Controllers to predict fire spread and make timely decisions to combat existing fires based on accurate weather conditions.

Snowy Mountains Forests 

Ellerslie and Bobs Creek – $70,625 – Firefighting water storages in strategic locations – private plantation land

• The installation of bulk water tanks in strategic locations where firefighting water is limited, particularly in dry seasons. All firefighting agencies will benefit from these tanks being able to quickly source bulk water for fire suppression when required in these locations.
• This project will see two 110,000 litre tanks installed in the Takejo Plantation and a further 250,000l tank in the Bobs Creek Plantation complex. These tanks will be zincalume and have RFS compliant store fittings to enable the rapid filling of firefighting units.

Snowy Valleys Council

$387,106 – Specialist tractor and mulcher for fire management

• Purchase of a tractor and mulcher with reach attachment for heavy-duty fuel reduction activities along strategic road corridors to undertake larger area growth suppression and no-burn hazard reduction works along key fire control corridors.

A total of 15 projects were approved for funding under the Southern NSW Timber Plantations Fire Protection package. These projects will form a network of enhanced fire protection initiatives across the Murray region, including Greater Hume, Snowy Valleys, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Albury and Wagga Wagga LGAs.

The remaining eight projects, valued at some $9.7 million, on track to be completed over this fire season include:

• Expanded (Public Safety Network) PSN radio network for plantation and council workers
• Tumut Aerodrome water supply for fire management
• Improved data quality with additions to the Automated Weather Stations network
• Australian Fire Danger Rating System – plantation tools
• Upgrade fire towers for ongoing early detection
• Tumut Aerodrome – hangar for fire suppression aircraft
• Fire Trails Bondo, Bago, Carabost, Jingellic
• Upgrade of priority strategically important fire trails for the protection of at-risk plantation estates

These projects will be administered as a pilot program, with monitoring and evaluation to be undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to help determine the potential to broaden this program across the State.

The NSW Government’s $12.9 million Plantation Fire Protection funding package is preventing bushfires by supporting fire preparation with fire management equipment and strategic fire trail upgrades.

All projects were identified by representatives from the NSW Rural Fire Service, DPIRD, the Softwoods Working Group, Forestry Corporation NSW and plantation managers with the Softwoods Working Group, facilitating input from additional plantation owners, local councils and local fire authorities.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This is about making sure our firefighters have the best equipment and resources to protect our communities and our forests.

“These projects have been identified to deliver the maximum fire protection, hazard reduction and response capabilities across southern NSW.

“We are delivering on the latest technology in fire detection cameras to aerodrome-based water supplies for firefighting.

“This is an important step forward as we work to build on the resilience of this important regional softwood timber industry.

“The NSW Government has a plan for developing regional NSW and a plan for delivering more housing. Protecting softwood forests and production is critical to delivering on both.”