Author: admin

An unhappy birthday to Labor’s national housing accord

Two years ago, the National Housing Accord was announced with the promise of delivering more homes for Australians, yet after 730 days of promises, the Minns Labor Government remains 40% behind its commitment of 377,000 new homes by 2029.
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Chris Rath said the second anniversary of the Accord should be a wake-up call for a government that has made housing one of its signature promises but is delivering one of its signature failures.
 
“Two years into the Housing Accord, Labor is nowhere near where it promised to be and NSW first homebuyers and families are paying the price,” Mr Rath said. 
 
“Instead of celebrating progress, the Minns Government is presiding over one of the biggest housing delivery failures in recent history.”
 
Mr Rath also said Labor appear more interested in hiding the problem than fixing it.
 
“Last year’s Budget Papers included a graph tracking housing completions. This year, it has conveniently disappeared. You don’t delete the scoreboard when you’re winning, you delete it when the numbers expose your failure.”
 
Chris Minns needs to be building around 75,000 homes a year to reach his housing target. But the last time Labor delivered more than 50,000 housing completions was in 2000.
 
“The last time Labor could boast about housing completions was when Cathy Freeman was winning gold at the Sydney Olympics,” Mr Rath said.
 
Despite housing affordability remaining the number one issue facing young people and families, last week’s Budget contained no meaningful new measures to improve project feasibility, reduce government taxes and charges, or remove the hurdles preventing homes from being built.
 
“40% of the cost of a new home in Sydney is fees, taxes and charges. Labor had the chance to tackle the extra costs sinking completion numbers and making projects unviable, but instead delivered more of the same,” Mr Rath said.
 
The Liberals and Nationals have a plan to boost housing supply and invest in infrastructure across NSW. It includes:

  • Pausing Labor’s $12,000 tax on every new home until 30 June 2029.
  • Cutting payroll tax for small and medium construction businesses. 
  • Repurposing the Long Bay Jail site for 12,000 new homes.
  • State-led rezoning in Erskineville, Macdonaldtown, Newtown and St Peters for 10,000 new homes.
  • Delivering the Camellia-Rosehill Place Strategy for a further 10,000 new homes.
  • A $2 billion Community Benefit Fund to fund local roads, parks, schools and services tied to actual housing delivery.

Labor can’t justify three strikes drug driving changes

The Minns Labor Government must abandon its reckless three strikes drug driving policy after the Roads Minister admitted cannabis use impairs driving and was unable to explain the medical evidence underpinning Labor’s changes.
 
In an extraordinary interview with 2GB’s James Willis this morning, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison refused to name a single doctor, road trauma specialist, scientist or medical expert who supported the 50ng/mL limit or the decision to allow multiple detections before penalties applied.
 
The Minister also claimed that the 50ng/mL limit has been in place ‘for years’ despite NSW Police stating the threshold remains zero.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said Labor’s experiment with road safety will risk lives.
 
“It is deeply hypocritical for the Minister to claim her top priority is road safety when she is allowing drug driving despite experts warning it will result in more body bags,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“20 experts have said there is no scientifically agreed level of THC which reliably indicates impairment, if the Minister has medical evidence to the contrary she should release it or abandon this reckless change to road safety.”
 
Shadow Minister for Roads Mark Coure said it was concerning Minister Aitchison saw no need to increase roadside drug tests given the new laws would see more drivers with drugs in their system on NSW roads.
 
“Throughout the interview the Minister repeatedly argued the reforms were about fairness for medicinal cannabis users yet failed to explain how allowing drivers with THC in their system makes NSW roads safer,” Mr Coure said.
 
“The Minister cannot simultaneously admit cannabis impairs driving while weakening the laws designed to keep impaired drivers off our roads.”

Delivering real change for Australians on July 1

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering real change for Australians, with a suite of cost-of-living measures starting on 1 July 2026, including more tax cuts, a full six months of Paid Parental leave, strengthening Medicare and more hospital funding. 

Starting 1 July 2026, the Albanese Labor Government is:

  • Giving every taxpayer another tax cut, as part of our plan to deliver a series of five tax cuts and ultimately save the average worker up to $2800 a year.
  • Expanding Paid Parental Leave to a full six months, helping new parents spend more time at home with their newest family member.
  • Backing minimum wage and award wages increases, to boost the pay of 3 million workers.
  • Permanently extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small business.
  • Banning supermarket price gouging with a new mandatory Food and Grocery Code that prohibits very large retailers from charging prices that are significantly excessive.
  • Making Medicare Urgent Care Clinics a permanent part of Australia’s health system, to help deliver patients the best care and take pressure off hospitals.
  • Injecting an additional $25 billion into public hospitals, to help states deliver care.
  • Expanding services at our Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics to include menopause and perimenopause.
  • Improving patient outcomes by requiring pathology and diagnostic imaging providers to upload test results to My Health Record.
  • Opening a new National Environmental Protection Agency, the first in Australia’s history.
  • Setting up a new Veteran Wellbeing Agency, to improve outcomes, access and wellbeing.
  • Introducing payday super, so workers start earning returns sooner and reducing the chances super will go unpaid.

The Albanese Labor Government will keep working to deliver more cost-of-living help and build a more productive economy, a better tax system, and a fairer housing market to help Australians.

the Prime Minister: 

“My Government is focused on delivering real change for Australians – that means a full six months paid parental leave for new parents, making it easier for first home buyers to get into a home, and major investments in Medicare including making Urgent Care Clinics permanent.

“From 1 July we’re cutting taxes again for over 14 million taxpayers, and our combined tax cuts mean an Australian worker on average earnings will be up to $2,800 better off every year.

“We’ve also backed in a pay rise for 3 million minimum and award wage workers – because we know every bit of help matters.”

the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers: 

“We’re delivering cost of living relief and we’re delivering real change in the tax system to help first home buyers.

“We are cutting taxes five times in three ways, helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn.

“Whether it’s tax cuts for every taxpayer, higher wages for workers or support for small businesses through the instant asset write off, we’re delivering more help that will make a meaningful difference to people under cost of living pressure.”

the Health Minister, Mark Butler: 

“Our initiatives to strengthen Medicare are changing the face of frontline care delivery and helping keep costs down for Australians – good for their health and good for their hip pockets.

“From July 1 under our Government, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are here to stay, women have greater access to Menopause and Perimenopause support, and Australian patients can more freely access their pathology results, through My Health Record.

“We haven’t just stopped the Medicare freefall under the previous government, we have reversed it and strengthened it – dramatically.”

Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations:

“From today, millions of Australian workers will see a real boost to their pay with the minimum wage rising above $1,000 a week for the first time.

“We backed a real wage increase because we are focused on supporting working people and easing cost‑of‑living pressures.

“Labor is delivering higher wages, tax cuts for every taxpayer, and stronger workplace protections, because we want workers to earn more and keep more of what they earn.”

the Social Services Minister, Tanya Plibersek:

“Labor’s changes to Paid Parental Leave mean working parents get more time off and more money when they welcome a new arrival into their family.

“It was a Labor Government that introduced Paid Parental Leave in this country, and now it’s the Albanese Labor Government expanding it to a full six months of leave.

“Labor will keep delivering real change that helps Australian families.”

Appeal to locate man missing from Hamilton

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s north.

Luke Timbery, aged 25, was last seen at a hotel on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 7pm on Wednesday (1 July 2026).

When he could not be contacted or located, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District was notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for his welfare as he requires regular medication.

Luke is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 175cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair.

He is known to frequent the Narooma, Kianga, Dalmeny, and Nowra areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle City Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Seven arrested following unauthorised protests – Newcastle

Seven adults will face court following unauthorised protests in the state’s north last week.

About 6.30am on Friday 26 June 2026, officers from Newcastle City Police District responded to multiple locations within the Newcastle Local Government Area regarding trespass and unauthorised protest activity.

Police were told six protestors allegedly entered a rail corridor at Mangrove Road, Sandgate, with the intention of stopping a coal train.

Security guards intercepted the group, with police later arresting two of the protestors.

A short time later, police arrested a further two protestors attempting to leave the area on Riverside Drive, Mayfield West, while another protestor was arrested attempting to leave the scene in a motor vehicle.

About 10am the same day, officers arrested a 66-year-old woman outside a building on Hunter Street, Newcastle, after police intercepted a group of protestors allegedly attempting to gain access inside the premises.

Following inquiries – about 2pm later that day – a 23-year-old man attended Waratah Police Station where he was subsequently arrested.

The seven individuals arrested were conveyed to either Waratah or Newcastle Police Station.

Those arrested included:
an 18-year-old man – charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere with business
a 54-year-old man – charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere with business
a 22-year-old woman – charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere with business
a 20-year-old woman – charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere with business
a 23-year-old man – charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere with business
a 62-year-old man – charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere with business, and
a 66-year-old woman – issued a Court Attendance Notice for enter enclosed non-agricultural lands – interfere etc business.

The first five individuals were all granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 6 August 2026, while the 62-year-old man was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division – Court 2 on Saturday 27 June 2026, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 6 August 2026. The 66-year-old woman will appear in the same Court on Thursday 23 July 2026.

Two charged after woman shot – East Maitland

Two people have been charged after a woman was hospitalised with gunshot wounds in Maitland overnight.

About 11.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 1 July 2026), police received a report that a woman had presented to hospital with gunshot injuries.

Officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and were told the woman – aged 31 – was at a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when an argument began between her and the residents.

Police will allege one of the residents – a man aged 55 – shot the woman with what was described as being a shortened shotgun before she ran from the property.

She was then taken by car to Maitland Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment of injuries to her head, neck and shoulder. Police have been told none of her injuries are considered life threatening.

Following inquiries, police attended the home on Alliance Street, where they arrested the 55-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman and established a crime scene.

The pair were taken to Maitland Police Station where they were each charged with shoot with intent to murder.

They were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Thursday 2 July 2026).

Woman injured, two in custody after shooting – Maitland

A woman is in hospital with gunshot injuries and two other people are in custody after a shooting in Maitland overnight.

About 11.40pm (Wednesday 1 July 2026), police received a report that a woman had presented to hospital with gunshot injuries.

Officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and were told the woman – aged 31 – was at a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when an argument began between her and the residents.

Police will allege one of the residents – a man aged 55 – shot the woman with a shortened shotgun before she ran from the property.

She was then taken by car to Maitland Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment of injuries to her head, neck and shoulder. Police have been told none of her injuries are considered life threatening.

Following inquiries, police attended the home on Alliance Street, where they arrested the 55-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman. They have been taken to Maitland Police Station.

A crime scene has been established and the investigation into the incident is continuing.

Appeal to locate teen missing from Lake Macquarie area

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the State’s north.

Charlie Ravesi, aged 13, was last seen on Donnelly Road, Arcadia Vale, on Thursday 18 June 2026.

When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified yesterday (Tuesday 30 June 2026) and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Charlie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 140cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair, and blue eyes.

He is known to frequent the Belmont, Belmont North and Charlestown areas.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man charged after alleged explosive thrown at police during operation – Muswellbrook

A man has been charged after an alleged explosive was thrown at police, setting them alight, during an operation in the state’s north last week.

About 2pm on Thursday 25 June 2026, officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a house on Parkinson Avenue, Muswellbrook, to execute an arrest warrant.

Officers attempted to arrest a 58-year-old man; however, he allegedly resisted and threatened police with a compound bow.

A perimeter was established and an operation commenced with the assistance of the Tactical Operations Unit.

Whilst attempting to speak with the man, he allegedly poured fuel throughout the house and threw gas bottles at officers.

About 6am on Friday 26 June 2026, tactical officers forced entry into the house where the man allegedly threw an improvised explosive device at the officers setting them alight.

The officers were able to extinguish themselves, before using beanbag rounds to arrest the man.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for further assessment.

Several officers were treated on scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor burns to the face, arms, and neck. They did not require further treatment.

About 12pm the same day, investigators executed a search warrant at the premises and allegedly located and seized offensive weapons including a mace, crossbow and cannabis.

The man was subsequently charged with 19 offences including throw/lay down etc explosive etc with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and assault police.

The man was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 2 yesterday (Tuesday 30 June 2026) where he was formally refused bail to appear at a later date.