Category: NSW News

Thanks, Anna, what a privilege to be here, following the Prime Minister with so many distinguished speakers and guests. Thanks, Simon and your team from this beautiful airport.

Can I also acknowledge the traditional owners, the Dharug people, and thank the Telegraph for hosting such an important discussion about the future of Western Sydney.

I’m very proud to stand here in Western Sydney and see a sea change in this community, both in the built environment and in how Western Sydney is perceived by Australia, Australians and people from around the world.

And that is, as a thriving, energetic and optimistic community of hard working families and entrepreneurs with the belief that whatever life throws up at them, no matter how hard and how difficult, they’ll beat it and be stronger for the experience.

For the first time in generations, we’re seeing new developments, housing developments and opportunities in Western Sydney communities that perhaps would never have been contemplated 30 or 40 years ago.

The numbers are staggering. For example, my government is spending in Western Sydney on infrastructure a whopping $30 billion over our forward estimates.

I’ve got no doubt that this would not have happened without a concerted and persistent campaign from The Daily Telegraph focusing, in particular, on Western Sydney, that began with their landmark ‘Fair Go for the West’ campaign, which I think was launched in 2014.

That focus and repeated follow ups in the paper and online has seen governments of both political persuasions have their feet held to the fire when it comes to making sure that communities are both liveable and have access to world class infrastructure.

Not a second class set of a future for this beautiful part of the world.

Because these suburbs are not just places where families travel from but live in. With access to jobs, schools, hospitals and amenities like parks, all while being able to access the rest of our beautiful city.

I’m proud to say that our government has been able to write the next chapter in this book, and I’d humbly say, it’s a long read.

Where we meet today, a magnificent new international airport.

Three brand new metro lines that feed into Western Sydney communities, with an additional 25 metro stations, connecting Parramatta to the City, the Northwest to the Southwest, and opening up this brand new airport to the rest of Sydney.

$7 billion for better roads at 15th avenue to this airport at Mamre Road, Henry Lawson Drive, Home Bush Bay Drive, Richmond Road and Garfield Road.

A new Riverside theatre and a new arts centre for Campbelltown, and as of today, a fully completed Powerhouse Museum, one of the biggest museums in the entire world, ready to welcome 2 million visitors to Parramatta.

I have to say, though, that sleek infrastructure, which looks amazing on a pamphlet, spectacular on a digital artist’s impression and eye catching on a media release, is only part of the infrastructure story for Western Sydney, and it’s the glossy part.

What’s been neglected in Western Sydney communities for too long is the elementary infrastructure that provides the must have services every community needs.

The schools, the hospitals, the essential suburban roads that make life bearable and provide the services that a suburb of families desperately need.

If you get on the Sydney Metro heading northwest, and you ride it to the end of the line, you hit the suburb called Tallawong.

Tallawong is a Dharug word, and it means apple gum tree. And until recently, when you were there, that’s all you saw apple gum trees.

Now that’s all about to change, and a decade on, when the area has been rezoned for thousands of residential homes, it’s a completely transformed community.

Now I’m not going to knock that decision, we needed to do it.

And in a city like Sydney, the second most expensive city on Earth, young families jumped at the prospect of moving into these beautiful new communities.

When they paid their deposit, Tallawong was still a paddock on the edge of town.

A school was promised, but unfortunately, never delivered.

And when the change of government occurred in 2023 the kids of Tallawong were learning into mountains that were located in playgrounds of the neighbouring school in Riverstone.

But I’m happy to say, thanks to the tenacity of the Parents and Friends Committee at the school and the enterprising persistence of the Deputy Premier and the Minister for Education – and can I also say, a proud Westie, Prue Car – Tallawong Public School finally opened its gates last week.

I was there on the first day with Prue, the first day on a new term. And let me tell you, I’ve never seen kids so happy to turn up to school on the first day after a holiday.

And I think the reason for that was that a permanent school facility had finally taken place.

Tallawong is not just a housing development, it’s a community.

And now they’re going to be the first generation to build in that community.

We believe that should have happened far sooner.

Last week, many of you may have seen that the ICAC published a report into school infrastructure, and it found that public servants have been directed to change population data with the effect, and I quote, “of diverting funds away from the northwest and southwest of Sydney and those educational corridors.”

It wasn’t just Tallawong. It was Gregory Hills, Melonba, Nirimba Fields, new suburbs all across the southwest and the northwest of Sydney, where the population has grown – get this – by 500%.

But the truth is, the infrastructure didn’t follow. Now we’re talking about the must haves, the basic expectations of life in a civilised, wealthy society like ours in Australia.

In 2021, 6000 people lived in Box Hill. When the new housing developments are complete, there will be 42,000.

Recently, a young woman who lived in Box Hill named Mikayla told me her story.

As many young people do, Mikayla had moved into the suburb after happily falling pregnant.

One night, at four o’clock in the morning, she began giving birth. And because she lived in Box Hill, and because there was no maternity ward nearby, she had to drive to Westmead, along old Windsor Road, which could take up to an hour even early in the morning.

Now it was close, but she got there. And in the end of a terrifying drive, she arrived at Westmead, and Mikayla had a little baby daughter.

A nearby hospital at Rouse Hill had been promised – get this – for 12 years.

And I’m pleased to announce that we’ve cut the red tape, allocated the money, and Rouse Hill Hospital is finally under construction.

And with the support of the federal government, the Albanese government, it will include a full maternity ward so that new mums don’t have the same experiences as Mikayla on that traumatising drive for what is essential care for every community.

I think it’s important that we remember these stories when we talk about the future of Western Sydney.

If you don’t have a school to send your kids to, if you’re worried about giving birth on the side of a road, if you’re sitting in traffic all morning along Fifteenth Avenue, then those plans, the plans for a city like this, have a massive hole in them.

We’re currently delivering the biggest infrastructure program over a four-year period in the history of New South Wales for Western Sydney.

It means eight brand new high schools and seven brand new public primary schools built from scratch just in those growth corridors alone.

That includes a new high school in Jordan Springs, which topped out just yesterday.

It includes 49 new public preschools, six of which will be in Campbelltown, five in Liverpool, five in Leppington. 90% of them are currently under construction.

And I’ve met a lot of the builders, most of whom are from Western Sydney, that are hard at work building those new public preschools, and they’re doing an incredible job.

When it comes to healthcare, it’s a new hospital in Rouse Hill, a new hospital in Bankstown, 10 other major hospital upgrades, including big developments in Canterbury and Fairfield.

Plus, 1100 nurses, 300 doctors and 73 paramedics to staff these beautiful new hospitals.

These are the essentials, but you need to provide the funds, and they need to be done just right.

We’re battling difficult times for families right now, the Middle East conflict, rising inflation, rising interest rates, increases to the family budget as a result of fuel escalating, all put massive pressure on Western Sydney families.

And that’s particularly tough for what is statistically a young community with lots of families in there.

I think it’s important to inject a note of reality or caution when it comes to spending also.

Governments, both here and around the world, are battling higher borrowing costs alongside eye watering debt accumulated partly through the pandemic and partly in the run up to the last state election.

As a result, we need to be somewhat wary of undoubtedly well meaning, but sometimes naive promises made about new projects without identifying how they’ll be built and how they’ll be paid for.

You’ve probably heard that familiar refrain, you can’t afford not to do it, or sure, it’s a large sum, but in the end, it’ll actually save you money.

Now that’s all well and good, and sometimes those arguments do make sense, but we do need to ask the question, is this code for bending accounting rules and worrying about the costs later on?

Because that’s how your state, your budget, your government gets into serious trouble.

Money borrowed must be paid back, and whilst everyone wants to hand over life changing infrastructure to the next generation, we can’t, at the same time, hand over a mortgage that cannot be paid off by young Australians who live in Western Sydney and other parts of the state.

It would be the worst inheritance of all.

So where does that leave us. Not with blanket opposition to new builds, or an end to the infrastructure pipeline that’s critical for Sydney’s growth and the enabling infrastructure that enables new houses to be built.

What it means is that when a new infrastructure idea is advocated, the question on everybody’s lips should be, look, it sounds great, but tell me how we’re going to pay for it.

You’re not being a killjoy or a party pooper when you ask these fundamental questions.

It’s essential in ensuring that infrastructure is sustainable and that there is a long term plan for deliverable projects that will continue to drive not just Western Sydney’s economy, but Australia’s economy.

For me, I’m determined to lead a government that has a reputation for delivering what it promises.

To be frank, that’s particularly important for a state Labor government and a Labor Premier with many having memories, particularly in Western Sydney, of phantom projects that were announced but never delivered.

The public’s entitled to know that if it’s promised, it is coming, and the truth is, we don’t have a choice.

We have to deliver.

Because if we break our promises, if we encourage people to move to new suburbs, if we ask them to make the biggest investment in their lives on a town or a suburb or a community and then yank the rug out from underneath them, they’ll lose faith in a growing city.

And they’ll lose faith in governments of all political persuasions.

You’d have also seen that we’ve consciously made a decision to build more houses closer to the city, so all that wasn’t being piled in the Western Sydney suburbs.

Now that’s obviously annoyed some people, often they live closer to the city.

But we did it to give these communities, particularly in Western Sydney, a chance to breathe. A chance to establish themselves, and most importantly, a chance to catch up on much needed infrastructure.

We need to go beyond the idea that these suburbs are just places to commute from, to leave, as if they’re satellites orbiting around a much bigger central city.

Today, we’ve seen the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta officially finished construction.

For young kids growing up, that museum will say you can live in Parramatta, you can live in Western Sydney, and you don’t have to travel into the city or to other cities to see amazing exhibitions.

Last week, on the first day of Tallawong primary, one of the parents said that his child was so excited she’d started dreaming about the new school.

It’s hard to dream about a demountable classroom on a basketball court, and the truth is we need to do better.

We can help our kids dream big, particularly kids here in Western Sydney.

We can give them the best start in life.

We can give them a chance to write their own chapter in the history of the best city on Earth.

Thanks so much.

The Minns Labor Government today announced a major construction milestone at Powerhouse Parramatta, with the museum now having reached completion and exhibition fit outs now well and truly underway ahead of opening later this year.

After more than four years of work, Powerhouse Parramatta has emerged as Western Sydney’s first state cultural institution and the largest museum ever built in New South Wales set to drive jobs, tourism and a huge economic boost in Western Sydney.

Construction has already delivered strong economic benefits, with over 4,000 workers contributing to over 2.7 million hours of work, three-quarters of which were from Western Sydney.

Local businesses also played a major role, with more than $329 million in contracts going directly to Western Sydney businesses.

The impressive internal spaces of the museum are now complete, revealing the scale and ambition of Powerhouse’s visitor experience which is expected to attract millions of visitors to Western Sydney every year.

Powerhouse Parramatta features seven expansive exhibition spaces including one of the largest exhibition spaces in Australia and will host major international and Australian exhibitions alongside a demonstration kitchen, and a rooftop terrace and garden with sweeping views across Parramatta.

With more than 18,000 square metres of public and exhibition space, Powerhouse Parramatta will offer unparalleled access to the museum’s collection alongside important objects and stories from across Australia and around the world. 

Powerhouse Parramatta will feature the Lang Walker Family Academy, 60 bed accommodation for NSW regional and Western Sydney school students to undertake immersive STEM programs, with over 10,000 NSW public school students to participate in the program each year.

Work is now focused on installing exhibitions across the museum, as well as completing final public domain areas, with Powerhouse Parramatta expected to open later this year. Task Eternal, one of the most ambitious aerospace exhibitions ever staged in the world, is one of five major exhibitions that will open when Powerhouse Parramatta first opens its doors.

Once open, Powerhouse Parramatta will be a major new cultural destination for NSW and is expected to welcome two million national and international visitors each year.

Powerhouse Parramatta is the first public building in Australia and the first project in Western Sydney to be assessed as a 6 Star Designed project under the Green Building Council of Australia’s new Green Star Buildings assessment tool.

The Powerhouse Parramatta was a project funded under the former Liberal Government and delivered by the Minns Labor Government.

For more information about the project, visit: https://powerhouseparramatta.insw.com

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest cultural project delivered in NSW since the Sydney Opera House and the first major state cultural institution built in Western Sydney.

“With the building now finished, the focus turns to bringing exhibitions to life and preparing to welcome visitors into this extraordinary new cultural home for Western Sydney.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“Reaching completion at Powerhouse Parramatta is a huge milestone and a proud moment for Western Sydney.

“This project has already delivered thousands of jobs and backed local businesses, and now we’re one step closer to opening the doors to a world-class cultural destination that will inspire future generations and drive tourism and economic growth for years to come.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:

“The people of Parramatta are watching the Powerhouse drawing closer and closer to completion.

“When it opens later this year it will truly change our city. The ambition of this museum matches the ambition of the people of Parramatta, and I can’t wait to see it.”

CEO Construction Lendlease Stephanie Graham said:

“The completion of building works at Powerhouse Parramatta marks a significant milestone, an iconic addition to Western Sydney and a world-class cultural destination.

“Through strong partnerships and local capability, not only have we brought this landmark to life, but exceeded our targets for local employment, diversity and community impact to create a place that will inspire future generations.”

David Borger, Powerhouse Trust President said:

“Powerhouse Parramatta will be transformative for Western Sydney. 

“We are proud and excited to be working towards opening this internationally important new museum, that will showcase the innovation of NSW and Australia and become embedded into the identity of Western Sydney.”

Ms Kalina Koloff has been appointed as the state’s new Small Business Commissioner.

With more than 20 years’ experience spanning the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, Ms Koloff brings a wealth of expertise in strategy, stakeholder engagement and economic resilience to the position. Her background is uniquely suited to the role – she is an experienced small business owner and most recently served as the NSW Cross-Border Commissioner.

As Small Business Commissioner, Ms Koloff will lead a dedicated team tasked with improving the economic and regulatory environment for the state’s small business sector. Established under the NSW Small Business Commissioner Act 2013, the Commission serves as a vital advocate, ensuring the interests of small businesses are represented at the highest levels of government.

Ms Koloff’s distinguished career includes leading major recovery programs following the Black Summer bushfires and negotiating landmark cross-border agreements between NSW and neighbouring states and territories. She has also owned and operated several small business enterprises across the professional services, consulting and hospitality industries.

Ms Koloff will formally commence her term on 25 May 2026. Ms Catherine Ellis, who has served as Acting Small Business Commissioner during the recruitment process, will remain in the role until Ms Koloff starts.

To find out more about the role of the NSW Small Business Commission, go to smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said:

“I am delighted to welcome Kalina Koloff as the new NSW Small Business Commissioner. Her extensive experience in both the public sector and as a business owner ensures she has the perspective needed to champion our state’s small business community.

“Ms Koloff’s proven track record in business and working across all levels of government will be an incredible asset as we continue striving to reduce red tape and foster a more resilient business environment.

“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Ms Catherine Ellis for her dedicated service as Acting Commissioner. Her leadership has provided vital stability and support for our small businesses throughout this transition period.”

Incoming Small Business Commissioner Kalina Koloff said:

“I am looking forward to connecting with the breadth of small businesses across NSW and to working with them to highlight key challenges and resolve long-standing issues.

“Small business is at the heart of the NSW economy and I am committed to supporting them to do what they do best, even in difficult and uncertain times.”

The Minns Labor Government will today welcome 349 new probationary constables into the NSW Police Force, with Class 368 attesting at the Goulburn Police Academy.

The record-breaking class is the largest to join the NSW Police Force in more than 13 years, highlighting the Government’s commitment to rebuilding and boosting frontline resources across the state.

Today’s ceremony recognises that our newest officers have officially completed their eight months of training through the Constable Education Program and will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training as probationary constables.

Class 368 will be deployed to Police Area Commands and Police Districts across NSW, including:

• Central Metropolitan Region – 89
• South West Metropolitan Region – 72
• North West Metropolitan Region – 66
• Northern Region – 62
• Southern Region – 31
• Western Region – 29

The class includes 90 women, 20 First Nations recruits, and officers born in 20 different countries – reflecting the communities they will now serve.

This attestation builds on the previous record-breaking Class 366, which saw 314 recruits sworn in last August – then the largest class in more than a decade.

The milestone is further evidence that the Minns Labor Government’s police recruitment reforms are gaining momentum, including paid study for recruits, a once-in-a-generation pay rise, the Be a Cop In Your Hometown program and the Professional Mobility Program.

It also comes as the first intake of cadets trainees prepare to start in our police stations next Monday under the NSW Police Force Cadet Traineeship Program.

The 12-month pilot program gives school leavers and young adults hands-on experience in policing, with cadet trainees rotating through general duties, detectives unit, crime prevention and Police Transport Command.

Cadet trainees will gain early exposure to policing culture, values and expectations, complete a Certificate III in Business and be supported to apply for further study and training at the Police Academy.

The first cadet trainee pilot program will operate in The Hills Police Area Command and Sutherland Shire Police Area Command.

The Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild the NSW Police Force includes:

• Delivering a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police officers
• Paying recruits to train at the Goulburn Police Academy
• Establishing the ‘Be a Cop In Your Hometown’ program
• Establishing the Professional Mobility Program to attract experienced officers from interstate and New Zealand
• Establishing the Cadet Traineeship Program to create a new early pathway into policing
• Establishing the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command to support officers across their careers

NSW Premier, Chris Minns said:

“Today, 349 new probationary constables join the NSW Police Force – the largest class in more than a decade.

“For every community, this means a stronger police force, fit for the job today and into the future.

“You can’t make the job of a cop safe, you just need good, brave people willing to step up.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:

“To every officer attesting today, and every family standing behind them: thank you. NSW backs you, NSW is grateful, and we wish you a long, safe and rewarding career.

“Every one of these 349 officers represents more support for the frontline and more protection for communities right across the state – and each of them have chosen duty, service and the responsibility of keeping NSW safe.

“The Minns Government is proud to be rebuilding the NSW Police Force. For too long, the former government failed to invest properly in our police. They capped wages, let recruitment slide and left the Force under pressure – and we know thousands of experienced officers left because it.

“There is more to do, but the momentum is real – the last class broke a 13-year record, and this class has broken it again.”

NSW Police Force Commissioner, Mal Lanyon said:

“It is my privilege today to welcome part of a new generation of officers who will shape the future of the NSW Police Force,” Commissioner Lanyon said.

“Each recruit has already shown discipline, courage and commitment to becoming a police officer and I’m confident in their ability to serve the communities they have been placed in.

“I am proud to welcome the recruits to a career that will demand a lot of them but one that will make an impact.”

North west Sydney is a step closer to a state of the art healthcare facility, with the designs for the $910 million Rouse Hill Hospital officially locked in and early works underway.

The Minns Labor Government, in partnership with the Albanese Government, is delivering the new public hospital which will provide world class, comprehensive, integrated health care to the growing region of north west Sydney now and into the future.

The delivery of this hospital is a major milestone for the community which was promised three times by the former Liberal National Government but never delivered.

The Coalition failed to deliver or properly fund major hospital projects around NSW leaving parts of the state missing entire hospitals and health systems under severe pressure.

The Minns Labor Government is fixing this by delivering more hospitals and more beds to meet the health needs of growing communities, including in Rouse Hill.

Early works have started to prepare the site and with the project now approved, the construction contract is expected to be awarded later this year.

Key features of the new hospital include:

• an Emergency Department
• comprehensive birthing services including birthing rooms and a maternity inpatient unit
• inpatient beds and day surgery services
• short stay medical assessment services
• pathology, pharmacy and medical imaging services
• outpatient and ambulatory care services including paediatrics and renal dialysis
• virtual care and hospital in the home services
• prehabilitation, rehabilitation and lifestyle medicine
• The project is expected to create 1,550 construction jobs.

This is another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering the vital infrastructure needed to support housing growth and create better communities.

The Minns Labor Government has a massive $30 billion per year infrastructure program – that’s $81 million a day – building the roads, schools, hospitals, water and transport for communities.

After the Coalition failed to deliver or properly fund major hospital projects in Western Sydney, the Minns Labor Government is making record investments to deliver more hospitals, more beds and better services.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $12.4 billion to deliver 32 new or upgraded hospitals, including:

• $910 million for the new Rouse Hill Hospital, which includes a $120 million contribution from the
• Commonwealth Government – which the Liberals promised at three elections and failed to deliver;
• $2 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital – which the Liberals promised in 2019 and failed to deliver;
• $630 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment, which includes a $80 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government;
• $350 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment;
• $120 million for additional beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals.

For more information visit: http://nsw.gov.au/rouse-hill-hospital.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering Rouse Hill Hospital for families in Sydney’s North West who waited too long after years of Liberal broken promises.

“This hospital will deliver the essential health infrastructure local residents deserve, including a full emergency department and comprehensive birthing services, which were missing under the former government’s inadequate plans, which they never delivered.

“This vital project is part of Labor’s record investment to deliver more hospitals, more beds and better services for families in Sydney’s growing west.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“This is a significant milestone and another step forward for the new Rouse Hill hospital, something the community has been waiting too long for.

“The Coalition’s failure to deliver on major hospital projects left parts of the state without whole hospitals, health systems under pressure, and jeopardised health services for local communities.

“The Minns Labor Government is making record investments to deliver more hospitals and more beds to meet the health needs of more patients in our growing communities.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The new $910 million Rouse Hill Hospital will provide north west Sydney with much needed health services that were promised by the former Liberal National Government but never delivered.

“It’s taken the Minns Labor Government to move it from a promise to delivery.”

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:

“Sydney’s north west were left out to dry by the former Government but where they failed the Minns Labor Government are getting on with the job.

“This approval is another exciting step forward for the project which will provide vital health services to the growing community for decades to come.”

Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said:

“I’m thrilled that families in my community are one step closer to having the high-quality hospital they deserve, close to home.

“This important milestone is a testament to how federal and state Labor are continuing to deliver for the North West, particularly after a decade of Liberal neglect.”

Communities in the Central Coast are benefitting from more timely access to urgent care, with more than 25,000 visits made to the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service since it opened in December 2023.

Since opening, the service has supported the community with timely care for a wide range of conditions that can be safely and appropriately treated outside of busy public hospital emergency departments (EDs). These include musculoskeletal conditions (sprains, pains, minor fractures, and plaster care), respiratory conditions, infections, minor injuries, rashes, bites and stings.

This Urgent Care Service is just one example of the services the Minns Government is delivering and expanding, making it easier for patients and families to access the care they need.

Open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, including public holidays, the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service is staffed by general practitioners, nurses and allied health clinicians. The service also offers access to onsite pathology and works with local radiology providers during business hours when imaging is required.

The multidisciplinary team is able to provide patients with high quality and safe healthcare, including referring them to Central Coast Local Health District’s Hospital in the Home service or other community services if additional care and support are needed.

Patients who have a non life-threatening condition should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free advice, anytime of the day or night. A registered nurse will assess the patient’s condition and connect them to the right care, which can include referral to an Urgent Care Service.

Patients needing language support can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.

The Minns Labor Government is investing in a suite of ED alternative pathways in an effort to ease pressure on busy hospital EDs and ensure the people of NSW receive the most appropriate care.

This includes:

• ​$171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED.
• $100 million to continue urgent care services for a further two years to 30 June 2027 to provide a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients
• $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours
• $15.1 million for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times​
• $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed
• $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.

Minister for Health Ryan Park

“Urgent Care Services like the one at Long Jetty are a key strategy in reducing pressure on our EDs and ensuring patients receive timely care.

“Every day we see how valuable this service is for the Central Coast community. Patients appreciate being able to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“This is why the Minns Government is continuing to invest in and expand access to ED alternatives.”

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris:

“The numbers speak for themselves, 25,000 visits to the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service since it opened less than two and a half years ago represents a lot of people receiving timely care and treatment and a large relief for our region’s busy EDs.

“It is wonderful that people in the growing north of the Coast have this care option and that they are making such good use of it.”

Member for The Entrance David Mehan:

“I want to thank the wonderful staff at the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service. Thanks to their dedication many people on the Central Coast have been able to receive timely advice and treatment without needing to attend a busy ED.

“I encourage anyone unsure about the type of care they need to contact Healthdirect, who can guide them to the most appropriate service.”

Central Coast Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Jude Constable:

“We are really pleased to be able to offer the community this service and to help make it easier for them to receive the care they need for urgent health conditions, particularly at times when they might find it difficult to make an appointment with their usual GP.

“Long Jetty Urgent Care Service is providing an important alternative option for the community while helping to keep our EDS for people with more serious conditions.”

Shadow Minister for Corrections Anthony Roberts has called on the Minns Labor Government to abandon any plan to scale back Goulburn Correctional Centre and instead commit to protecting local jobs, and expanding the site as a major corrections, rehabilitation and law-and-order training hub for New South Wales.
 
Mr Roberts said Goulburn had been a cornerstone of the State’s correctional system since 1884 and should be strengthened for the future, not quietly diminished.
 
“Goulburn is one of the most historic and important correctional sites in New South Wales – and historic does not mean obsolete,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“As Shadow Minister for Corrections and having held the Counter-Terrorism portfolio in Government, I know how serious decisions about this site need to be. The answer is not to run Goulburn down. The answer is to build it up.”
 
Mr Roberts said the Government’s first obligation must be to the workforce.
 
“These correctional officers and their families cannot simply pack up and move. They have mortgages, children in local schools and deep ties to the Goulburn community, and their jobs must be protected and grown, not used as line items in a budget exercise,” Mr Roberts said.
 
Mr Roberts reaffirmed the Liberal and Nationals’ position that the Supermax must remain at Goulburn while the broader site should be expanded across minimum and maximum security, Corrective Services Industries, education and training.
 
“The Supermax stays. That is non-negotiable,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“At the same time, this site should expand its minimum-security capacity, refurbish education and vocational facilities, grow Corrective Services Industries, and better prepare suitable inmates for life after custody through real work, real skills and real discipline.”
 
“Transferring suitable inmates from Long Bay to Goulburn would both revitalise the Goulburn Correctional Centre and assist the Long Bay transition.”
 
“A NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest in Goulburn Corrections, utilising the proceeds of our proposal to transition Long Bay into a future housing development.”
 
Mr Roberts acknowledged the strong advocacy of the Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman MP, and called on the Minister for Corrections to release the Government’s full plan for the site.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman MP said the facility should be operating at full capacity and supported by long-term investment.
 
“The Minns Labor Government has failed to plan and failed to recognise the importance of continued investment in this critical facility. That lack of foresight is putting local jobs and public safety at risk,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
 
Mrs Tuckerman challenged the Minister for Corrections to guarantee investment and job security for local officers.
 
“The people of Goulburn deserve answers. The workforce deserves certainty. What is the future bed capacity? What guarantees apply to local jobs? Has Long Bay transition capacity been properly assessed? Has an economic impact assessment for Goulburn been completed?” she said.
 
“Labor is looking at what it can shut down. The Liberals and Nationals are focused on what we can build.”

There are serious concerns about further delays on the stalled M6 motorway project on the eve of the 1 May deadline imposed by the Minns Labor Government, with no confirmation the contractor will resume work.
 
In March, Transport for NSW issued a formal default notice to the M6 contractor, directing it to resume substantive work, including tunnelling, on, or before 1 May 2026 or face potential legal action.
 
Shadow Minister for Roads, Mark Coure, said the Government’s silence as the deadline approaches is unacceptable.
 
“The Minns Labor Government set this deadline. They own it. But now, as 1 May approaches, they’re silent,” Mr Coure said.
 
“If the contractor fails to meet the deadline, what action is the Government taking? If they’re meeting it, why hasn’t the Government said so?”
 
“This is a critical moment for a $3.1 billion project, yet motorists are being kept in the dark.”
 
The M6 project has been effectively stalled since 2024 following major construction issues, with tunnelling yet to resume and completion now pushed out to at least 2028.
 
“Southern Sydney commuters have been waiting years for this road, only to be met with delays and disputes,” Mr Coure said.  
 
“This project has already been stuck in limbo for more than two years, while millions have reportedly been spent on legal disputes instead of getting the job done.”
 
“The Minister made a lot of noise only to go missing when it counts. The Minns Labor Government needs to front up today.”
 
Mr Coure is calling on the Minister to immediately disclose:
·        Whether the contractor has complied with the default notice;
·        What action will be taken if the deadline has not been met; and
·        A clear, updated timeline for completion of the M6.

I welcome today’s Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.  
 
The antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi was the worst terrorist attack our country has ever experienced. 15 people were killed and 40 more injured.  
 
Today, my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those no longer with us, our Jewish community and the many people in my local community who still live with the pain of that day.  
 
Everyone has a moral obligation to stand with the Australian Jewish community to confront and eliminate antisemitism, and the work of the Royal Commission is an important part of that.  
 
The recommendation that police procedures in respect to Operation Jewish High Holy Day be applied to other high-risk Jewish festivals and events should be adopted by the NSW Government immediately. 
 
Jewish community members must feel protected as they celebrate their faith as is their right.  
 
I’ll continue to work with our Jewish community in the coming weeks and will have more to say as the Royal Commission process moves forward. 

A new Opal app, easier ways to save money and the introduction of a digital Opal card will be delivered under the biggest overhaul of the NSW public transport ticketing system since its rollout 13 years ago. 

The $820 million investment will deliver much better real-time information on public transport services, including the installation of digital information screens on 5,000 buses for the first time.

This will provide passengers with information on upcoming stops and destination timings – as well as onboard audio announcements.

Passengers waiting at bus stops will now get much better information on the next service, ending the longtime commuter frustration of ‘ghost buses’ that show up on apps and maps but not in real life.

As announced earlier this month, almost a million public transport passengers will shortly be able to claim their concession, pensioner or seniors fares – and the lower weekly fare cap – through contactless technology on their device under the digital upgrade to the Opal network. 

Adult fares are capped at $50 weekly, Concessions and Child/Youth at $25, and a $2.50 daily cap is in place for Senior/Pensioner travellers – meaning once you hit those caps, your trips are free. On Fridays, weekends, public holidays and outside peak times, fares are 30 per cent cheaper on metro, train, bus and light rail services.

The project, Opal 2.0, has passed a significant milestone, with contracts now signed with two leading industry suppliers to deliver the ticketing overhaul.

Contractors will install 25,000 new Opal readers across rail, metro, bus, light rail and ferries, replacing the familiar machines passengers have “tapped on” to for more than a decade and have now reached their end of life.

Development of the new system will progress throughout 2026 before the first hardware installations starting in 2027 and completion expected in 2028.

This investment is part of a broader shift to focus on the parts of the public transport network people use every day like buses and heavy rail, alongside new metro lines.

For too long, investment has been concentrated in major metro projects, while reliability and customer experience on existing services has lagged. That is changing.

This upgrade will improve the day-to-day experience for millions of passengers, making services more predictable, easier to use and better connected.

Passenger benefits of Opal 2.0 include:

• Automatic fare adjustment if an incorrect fare is charged, without needing to contact customer service
• Digital Opal cards that can be added to your device of choice
• World-leading and Australian-first Contactless Concessions
• New and improved Opal travel app
• Personalised notifications sent after a passenger taps with advice on trip and fare
• Faster and more accurate patronage data to warn how busy onboard an upcoming service will be
• Information screens on 5000 buses
• Ability for event-goers to scan the QR code on their ticket at an Opal reader to access free transport
• Passenger information screens that display upcoming stops on all Greater Sydney and outer metropolitan buses
• Better real-time bus tracking and patronage accuracy

Following a competitive international procurement process, Transport for NSW has awarded contracts for the Opal 2.0 upgrade.

INIT Pty Ltd will deliver the Account Based Ticketing system. Headquartered in Germany with a Sydney office, INIT has delivered ticketing systems in more than 140 cities worldwide.

Trapeze Group will deliver the Bus Solution. With a workshop in Western Sydney, Trapeze operates in more than 70 locations globally and delivers transport technology across Australia, including for Yarra Trams and NSW Ambulance.

The NSW Government has allocated $77.8 billion over four years in the 2025-26 Budget to support public transport services and infrastructure, and the functions that keep them running.

Opal 2.0 budget remains within budget at $738 million, as previously announced, with new funding for the bus upgrades taking the overall investment to $820 million.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“At a time when families are under pressure, we are focused on making public transport a more reliable and affordable option for millions of people across NSW.”

“This upgrade is about improving the everyday experience, making it easier to get around, to save money and easier to rely on public transport.

“We are investing not just in new lines, but in the services people use every day like buses, trains and the systems that keep them running.”

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“Opal was introduced more than six years before the first metro service even ran in Sydney. It’s time for this tech-led transformation.”

“So-called ‘ghost buses’ have been a bugbear for Sydney commuters, and this solution is going to end that era once and for all.

Transport Secretary Josh Murray said: 

“This is the next frontier of Opal – helping us to achieve a safe, equitable, accessible and integrated transport network.

“The original Opal relied on technology from London’s Oyster system, which was first introduced in 2000. Like corresponding technology from the start of the century such as the Blu-Ray Player and the first Blackberry – it’s time for an overhaul.”

INIT Executive Vice President MENA-ANZ Eyad Tayeb said:

“We are delighted to bring the very latest account-based ticketing technology to NSW.

“Our technology is used in dozens of world class public transport systems across the globe, including playing a critical role in Atlanta and Houston’s hosting of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Munich.

Trapeze Group ANZ Head of Intelligent Transport Systems David Eason said:

“The NSW Government has set a bold and progressive vision for the future of bus operations. Passengers across Greater Sydney and outer-metropolitan areas deserve a predictable, reliable, and easy to use bus network that connects communities.”