Greens and crossbench join in parliament push to honor Robodebt Royal Commission

Greens Spokesperson for Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, and Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie MP, will today co-introduce a bill into the House of Representatives and the Senate to implement the recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission and put pressure on Labor to cease harmful debt recovery practices that are putting income support recipients at risk. In the House, the bill will be seconded by Helen Haines, Member for Indi.

Senator Allman-Payne and Mr Wilkie will announce the move together from Parliament House alongside key community advocates including Economic Justice Australia, who helped to draft the bill, and other sector advocates including Anti-Poverty Centre who have been calling for the changes to be implemented urgently. 

Recommendations outstanding from the Royal Commission, and fulfilled by the Greens and crossbench bill include:

  • Reinstating the 6 year limit on recovery of debts
  • Establishing  a duty of care for the Department of Social Services that prioritises the needs of social security recipients while administering the law,
  • Restricting the kinds of decisions which can be made or automated without human oversight
  • Better protections for people experiencing hardship from receiving compliance notices. 

The move comes while more than 100,000 income support recipients await a decision from Labor on whether the Government will cancel more than $1 billion in unfair historical welfare debts that are currently being assessed for collection by the Department of Social Services. 

Those debts, which pre-date 7 December 2020, were levied using the Department’s ruthless and dubious methods of ‘income apportionment’, similar to Robodebt. A recent court ruled that the Government was able to reassess these debts using alternate methods, putting them back on the table. 

The average age of the ‘income apportionment’ debts affected by this decision is 19 years old. To pursue these debts would effectively contravene the 6 year limit on debt recovery recommended by the Royal Commission, and previously agreed to by Labor. The Greens have previously written to Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek urging Labor to immediately waive those debts and put the Robodebt era behind them. The Department currently holds income support debts dating back to 1979. 

In echoes of the Robodebt scandal, a recent Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report found that around 1,000 people have had their support payments unlawfully cancelled by the Government’s automated IT system between April 2022 and July 2024, despite warnings from external legal advisors.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Social Services:

“I’m pleased to be joined by advocates and members of the crossbench in urging Labor to finally honour the victims of Robodebt and bring about these protections for people who rely on income support.”

“More than two years on from the Royal Commission, and still Labor is treating vulnerable welfare recipients like criminals.”

“It’s just ridiculous that while 1 in 3 big corporations get away with paying no tax, Labor’s time and effort goes into chasing ancient welfare debts dating back to the 1970s.”

“If you’re struggling to pay the rent or put food on the table, getting hit with a dodgy debt notice can be catastrophic.”

“This legislation is ready to go, the Greens are urging Labor to walk the walk on Robodebt and end the cruelty in the welfare system for good.”

$1 million funding boost to deliver safe accessible paths on popular coastal stretch

People walking and cycling will soon share safer access to a popular beachside precinct following upgrades from City of Newcastle.

New shared path connections and improved crossing facilities will be delivered as part of the projects, which are located adjacent to Bar Beach and King Edward Park. 

Memorial Drive workState Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and City of Newcastle Executive Manager Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter with the City of Newcastle work crew completing the shared path connection on Bar Beach Avenue, as part of the Memorial Drive crossing upgrade. 

The projects have each received $500,000 through the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active funding program. 

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the Minns Labor Government is committed to improving active transport infrastructure and encouraging people to leave the car at home.

“The benefits of active transport are boundless. It supports personal physical and mental health, environmental health, and the health of our community,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“Both of these projects extend and improve the safety our city’s most iconic walking track, working towards a safer, more active Newcastle.”

Executive Manager Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said the work forms part of City of Newcastle’s ongoing commitment to supporting active travel options.

“City of Newcastle is dedicated to delivering projects that support the entire community to be able to enjoy getting where they need to go safely, with good pathway connections, safe crossings and calm streets,” Mr Tranter said. 

“Memorial Drive and Reserve Road are key points of access to King Edward Park and Empire Park, Cooks Hill Surf Club and the beach.

“Improved pathways and crossings will help us all enjoy walking and bike riding, which is in alignment with Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan in promoting active transport as the best way to connect to our key areas around the city.”

Work has already begun on the Bar Beach upgrade, which will include safety improvements to the pedestrian refuge on Bar Beach Avenue and a new shared path connection. 

This will meet up with a new raised shared path crossing from Empire Park across Memorial Drive through to Bathers Way, which replaces the existing zebra crossing and refuge island on Memorial Drive. 

Landscaped kerb extensions and a new narrow median will be installed to create a safer and more streamlined solution for all road users in this area.

City of Newcastle is also delivering a new 320 metre long shared pathway on Reserve Road between York Drive and The Terrace, with work expected to begin in September.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said both projects align with City of Newcastle’s Cycling Plan 2021-2030.

“By prioritising connected cycleways and pedestrian facilities, walking and riding will become a natural and safe choice for our city,” Cr Winney-Baartz said. 

“These upgrades will enhance the cycling network in the area, creating an off-road link for cyclists, including the new three-metre-wide path adjacent King Edward Park, providing a much improved transport option for all users of this area.”

Both projects will be completed in 2026.

Minns Labor Government injects $9.2 million to accelerate building certification and trades licensing approvals

As part of its commitment to meeting National Housing Accord targets the Minns Labor Government is injecting $9.2 million across four years into initiatives aimed at increasing the number of building certifiers and speeding up the licensing of building tradespeople.

The critical funding will boost the certifier workforce through reducing red tape and speeding up home building licence application approvals to help fill skills gaps in the building industry.

There are around 1,300 building certifiers across different registration types in NSW working in both private industry and local government, who as public officials play an important role in conducting critical inspections required to finalise residential building approvals.

To ensure the state has enough certifiers to help meet demand as the state pushes towards building 377,000 new homes by 2029, the NSW Government will inject $4.72 million across four years into measures to make it easier for existing certifiers to stay in, and new certifiers to enter, the industry.

Under the changes, new flexible certifier registration options will be introduced, providing pro-rata registration fees for part-time certifiers, and a pause on registration fees for those on extended leave to ensure fees do not disincentivise them from practicing part-time or returning to the profession.

Building Commission NSW will also increase its capacity to process new certifier applications and renewals to facilitate faster entry into the sector.

A free continuing professional development course to support certifiers returning to work after a career break will also encourage those who have been away from the industry to get back into the profession.

Additionally, “Inspecting Up” provisions, which allow restricted building surveyors to conduct critical stage inspections under supervision, will be supported to boost capacity in the industry.

To accommodate the expected increase in the number of trades hoping to enter, re-enter or gain a new licence in the industry, a further $4.48 million across four years will create additional capacity to process home building licence applications.

This will ensure the required rigorous relevant checks and balances are completed at pace when assessing licence and certificate applications as well as renewals.

Building Commission NSW assessed almost 24,000 new home building related licencing applications in the 2024-25 financial year.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Building homes for the people of NSW is a top priority for the Minns Labor Government.

“Certifiers and tradespeople are the backbone of our construction sector, and with this investment we are shifting roadblocks standing in the way of getting more of these vital certifiers and trades on the tools, faster.

“With an average entry age of 49 and exit age of 55, there is a short practicing window for unrestricted certifiers, who are some of the most qualified and experienced professionals in the building industry.

“These reforms will help us attract new certifiers, whose numbers have remained static for years while also overcoming our retention barriers by making it easier to be a part-time certifier.

“The additional funds to boost the licensing team will also help the Building Commission NSW prioritise applications, so new trades can fill the skills gaps the construction sector is facing.”

NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard said:

“Building certifiers play a critical role in checking the compliance of proposed developments with planning, building and other legislative requirements.

“While we need certifiers to enter or return to the industry to meet housing targets, Building Commission NSW will not let speed get in way of quality, safety, and compliance.

“Building Commission NSW has a strong regulatory regime in place for certifiers and will ensure there is proper oversight as more enter the profession and land on sites across NSW.”

CEO of Association of Australian Certifiers Jill Brookfield said:

“This funding boost will go a long way to ensure we attract the additional certifiers needed to complete the houses we need to build, and to boost consumer confidence.

“This package provides the right incentives to retain the hardworking independent certifiers we currently have in the industry, by supporting upskilling, embracing work life balance and flexibility, and professional development.

We have been working closely with the Minister on the reforms to building certifier registration and practice and welcome the funding as part of the move to more and better quality homes being delivered.”

Avoid the click trap and stay scam aware

Consumers are being reminded to take a moment to stop, check, and protect themselves when transacting or interacting online as Scams Awareness Week returns from 25-29 August 2025.

Australians have already lost more than $147 million to scams in 2025, with NSW residents alone reporting more than $48 million in losses, and more than 25,000 scams to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s National Anti-Scam Centre – Scamwatch.  

Phishing scams where people are tricked into clicking links or entering details on fake websites which impersonate trusted organisations like banks, governments, or other services, are still the most common scams in NSW with nearly 9,000 reports, followed by identity theft, online shopping scams, and false billing. 

Those aged 65 and over continue to be disproportionately affected, with older Aussies lodging more than 6,100 reports in the last year alone.  

In the past year, more than 40 per cent of scam reports received by NSW Fair Trading were related to phishing attempts involving impersonation scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp.  

Around 27 per cent involved tele fraud, false billing, or itinerant trader scams, while others concerned fake fundraising, trade promotions, and community gaming – reflecting the diverse ways scammers target consumers. 

But it is not just online and digital scams which can cause harm, consumers are also being warned to be vigilant when shopping online. 

Often based overseas, fake, or temporary online shops can seemingly pop-up overnight and employ ‘bait’ advertising like urgent calls to action which aim to rush shoppers into securing a purchase before authenticity is verified. 

While Australian Consumer Law applies to online purchases made in Australia, purchases from overseas-based scammers are difficult to resolve. 

Shoppers are urged to stay vigilant, research the seller, use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal for buyer protection, and always beware of deals which may look too good to be true. 

People who have been scammed from bogus shops should keep receipts and screenshots of correspondence to assist with lodging a complaint with NSW Fair Trading. 

Everyone can also join ID Support NSW’s free 30-minute webinar on 27 August for Scams Awareness Week 2025 to learn how to spot, avoid, and report scams – register for the webinar here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/events-hub/events/scams-awareness-week-2025-webinar.  

To help people shop safely online, ID Support NSW also offers a free online shopping module which explains how to spot fake websites, avoid scams, and know what to do if something goes wrong: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/learn/learning-modules/online-shopping. 

Clear advice on spotting scam messages, managing privacy settings, securing devices, and monitoring financial information, including how to request a temporary credit ban if needed, is available at www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/be-prepared. 

NSW Fair Trading encourages consumers dissatisfied with a business’s services to lodge a complaint online here: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaint or on 13 32 20.  

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said: 

“It’s worth taking the time to be sure you are not being scammed and we want everyone to take a moment to stop, check, and protect themselves and their loved ones against scams. 

“Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, targeting people through social media, messaging apps and impersonating trusted organisations.  

“Phishing scams are still the most reported in NSW, and they’re becoming harder to spot, so if something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t engage.”  

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said: 

“Consumer protection is one of the Minns Labor Government’s top priorities.  

“When a business is based in Australia and a consumer has been misled or scammed, NSW Fair Trading can step in to help resolve the issue where appropriate. 

“Buying from private sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can carry real risks, so if a deal seems too good to be true, it often is, and consumers should take extra care and trust their instincts. 

“NSW Fair Trading encourages people to buy from reputable retailers and to be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar online sellers.  

“If someone believes they’ve been scammed, they should report it to the ACCC via the Scamwatch website, which helps protect others and contributes to national efforts to disrupt scam activity.” 

Next stop Woollahra train station – delivering up to ten thousand new homes in the heart of Sydney

The Minns Labor Government will deliver Sydney’s first new heavy rail station in more than a decade – enabling up to 10,000 new homes by rezoning land around Woollahra and Edgecliff stations, right next to the CBD, to tackle the housing crisis and rebalance growth across the city.

Recent reports by the NSW Productivity Commission have warned that Sydney is losing twice as many young people as we are gaining, while also finding that Woollahra is the most feasible Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales to build new housing.

Despite this, housing approvals in Woollahra consistently lag well behind other LGAs, and the population has declined by 11 per cent over the past 50 years while Greater Sydney as a whole has grown by 74 per cent.

The new station that will be an 8 minute trip from Sydney CBD, will be located on the Eastern Suburbs train line in Woollahra, where a station build was started in the 1970s but never completed.

To enable the delivery of new homes the NSW Government will lead a rezoning of Woollahra and Edgecliff stations similar to other state led rezonings to allow additional homes to be built around the stations.

Affordable housing will also make up a proportion of development on the site with the final amount of affordable housing required, to be determined as part of the rezoning process.

The area surrounding the new station is within walking distance of major green and recreational space including Cooper, Trumper, Rushcutters Bay and Centennial Parks.

The Eastern Suburbs train line between Bondi Junction and Sydney CBD also has the lowest passenger usage rates during the AM peak of any line on the Sydney network, with only 43% of operating capacity during the AM peak currently being utilised by passengers.

Additionally, there is also significant capacity in essential services with existing capacity for hundreds of additional students at public primary and high schools.

Sydney Water and Infrastructure NSW have confirmed there is capacity in the water and wastewater systems to accommodate the proposed 10,000 dwellings without major upgrades.

The rezoning is expected to take around two years and will further support the Government’s housing targets that rebalance the delivery of new homes around existing infrastructure.

Value capture will also be used to ensure the public retains some of the value unlocked through the rezoning and to offset the cost of bringing the station online.

We know that housing costs are the biggest single cost of living pressure facing the people of NSW with Sydney ranked as the second most unaffordable city in the world to buy a home.

That’s why the Minns Labor Government is committed to building more housing in the right places, where people want to live – to improve affordability, reduce building and infrastructure costs and to build a better New South Wales.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“We are delivering on our promise to rebalance the delivery of new housing from the West of Sydney that has accepted the overwhelming number of new homes without infrastructure, towards the East and North of Sydney where there is existing infrastructure.

“For too long, young people and families in NSW have been forced to choose between moving away from the Sydney CBD or not being able to afford a home at all.

“This new train station will allow us to deliver up to ten thousand new homes right here in the heart of Sydney, close to jobs, public transport, green space and essential services.”

Minister for Transport, John Graham said:

“I applaud Neville Wran for his foresight, including a future station at Woollahra when his government completed the Eastern Suburbs line. That future has now arrived, and will deliver housing and transport close to the Sydney’s CBD.

“For decades, this site has been an opportunity squandered to provide an eight-minute, direct train trip to the Sydney CBD and allow more people to get out of their cars in the eastern suburbs.

“We look forward to working with the local community to provide an accessible station that complements active transport and other transport connections.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job, beginning a state led rezoning around Woollahra and Edgecliff to unlock up to 10,000 new homes close to the CBD, transport and greenspace.

“Completing Woollahra train station will help keep us on track to rebalance Sydney’s housing growth and tackling the state’s housing challenges.

“It has always been the Minns Government’s approach that opportunities for new homes and jobs should be pursued alongside new transport investments.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson said:

“For so many the Australian dream has slipped out of reach and if nothing changes our city will be one with no grandchildren. I want our city to dream again – a dream of affordable homes for all and a future for every family.

“That’s why we’re locking in a dedicated portion of affordable housing from the start, giving people from all walks of life a fair chance to live in quality homes, close to opportunity.

“We are not afraid to take on NIMBYs to deliver more housing where there is the space and infrastructure to support it. This new station just makes sense.”

Shoalhaven Hospital’s new Key Health Worker Accommodation ready to welcome staff

The Minns Labor Government is today announcing that healthcare workers in Shoalhaven will soon benefit from new key worker accommodation, with nine townhouses in Bomaderry now purchased and final touches underway to welcome the first residents in the coming weeks.

Bomaderry is the first of more than 20 projects to be completed in rural, regional and remote NSW, under the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation Program, which will help attract and retain healthcare staff in the regions.

The new modern two storey townhouses include four three-bedroom, two-bathroom units and five two-bedroom, two-bathroom dwellings. 

Each townhouse is fully furnished and features a light-filled living and dining area, modern kitchen, ensuites and a private courtyard.

The accommodation includes onsite parking, low maintenance grounds and is conveniently located next to Bomaderry CBD, only minutes from the train station.

The connection of services, furnishing, fixtures and equipment has been completed and installed to ensure the new units will be fit-for-purpose and comfortable for healthcare workers.

This $200.1 million investment by the NSW Government in key health worker accommodation across rural and regional areas was made as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget.

This is a Minns Labor Government initiative, from start to finish as part of our commitment to rebuild regional health services.

By contrast, the former Liberal National Government capped wages for health workers, teachers firefighters and police for 12 years, tried to privatise Shellharbour Hospital, and even left 1,112 nurses and midwives funded only temporarily — including 61 jobs on the South Coast. Labor had to step in and save them.

This investment in key health worker accommodation builds on the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to improve access to care in regional communities like the South Coast, including:

  • Lifting the Liberals’ wages cap and giving all health workers the largest pay rise in over a decade, resulting in more health workers in our hospitals;
  • Upgrading Shoalhaven Hospital and building a new Shellharbour Hospital complete with a helipad;
  • Delivering safe staffing levels at Shoalhaven and Shellharbour Hospitals
  • $83 million to boost maternity care in the bush;
  • doubling rural health incentives and delivering study subsidies for regional health workers;
  • Providing payroll tax relief to GPs that bulk bill making it easier to see a GP and reducing the strain on our emergency departments;
  • boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model; and
  • delivering an extra 500 regional paramedics.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“While we’re upgrading Shoalhaven Hospital and building a new Shellharbour Hospital, we know that it’s health workers that are the backbone of our regional and rural communities, which is why we’re heavily investing in dedicated accommodation right here in Bomaderry.

“This project is especially important in the Shoalhaven, where housing is hard to find and increasingly expensive — making it even more difficult to retain the essential workers our communities depend on.

“To keep this momentum going, Kiama needs Katelin McInerney – a strong local voice inside the NSW Government who will fight for this community and make sure projects like this keep getting delivered.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:

“Accessible and affordable housing is critical to attracting and retaining essential healthcare workers, including right here in Bomaderry.

“Today, we’re announcing new accommodation will be available for health staff in the Shoalhaven with the acquisition of 9 new townhouses in Bomaderry.

“This is the first of more than 20 key health worker accommodation projects being rolled out across regional, rural and remote NSW under a $200.1 million investment from the NSW Government.

“More staff, more hospitals, more investment, lower wait times – we’ve got a way to go, but we’re making good progress.”

Labor candidate for Kiama, Katelin McInerney said:

“This is just another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering the essential services our community needs – from brand new and upgraded hospitals to accommodation for the incredible health workers in them.

“It’s projects like this that a strong local voice in the Minns Labor Government will deliver for our community, so that we have access to world class health care.

“Bomaderry’s key health worker accommodation townhouses look fantastic, are well designed and equipped, which will make it easier for healthcare staff to live comfortably and enhance delivery of care in the Shoalhaven.”

Liberals to deliver lifesaving helipad for new Shellharbour Hospital

Liberal candidate for Kiama Serena Copley welcomed the commitment by NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman that a NSW Liberal Government will deliver a lifesaving helipad for the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital.
 
Ms Copley said she has been listening to the local community and health workers, who have very clearly said that a helipad at Shellharbour Hospital is vital to saving lives.
 
“In an emergency, every minute matters and a helipad for the growing Shellharbour population is essential. The current hospital has one and the new hospital should have one too.
 
“People on the South Coast have been ignored by the Labor Government, but we deserve access to healthcare services that we need – and only the Liberals have the proven record of delivering infrastructure and services for Kiama,” said Ms Copley. “Labor should not be rewarded for neglecting our region.”
 
“The former NSW Liberal Government had a strong track record of delivering for the Illawarra and South Coast, while the last Labor government neglected the region for 16 years.
 
“That’s why the former Liberal Government invested $780 million to build the new Shellharbour Hospital and $440 million for the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment.
 
“While the Labor Government is refusing to commit to building a helipad that the community has been crying out for – a Liberal Government will deliver it.”

Albanese Government delivers 5% deposits for all first home buyers sooner

The Albanese Labor Government is helping more Australians realise their dream of home ownership sooner, by launching 5 per cent deposits for all first home buyers early on 1 October 2025, instead of next year.

Through the expanded 5 per cent deposit scheme, the Albanese Government will guarantee a portion of a first home buyer’s home loan, so they can purchase with a lower deposit and not pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Under the changes, all first home buyers will have access, with no caps on places or income limits. Property price caps will also be set higher in line with average house prices, providing access to a greater variety of homes.

For the average first home buyer, access to the scheme cuts years off the time it takes to save for a deposit and saves tens of thousands of dollars on Lenders Mortgage Insurance. In just the first year alone, first home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential mortgage insurance costs.

The median home price in Australia today is $844,000 and 5 per cent of that is $42,200. The last time $42,200 covered the 20 per cent deposit for a median home was 2002, which shows the generational scale of this change.

The expanded scheme means a first home buyer in Brisbane can purchase a $1 million home with a $50,000 deposit. They could save up to 10 years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, save about $42,000 in mortgage insurance, and could pay up to $350,000 towards their own loan instead of paying rent.

It means that a first home buyer in Bendigo could purchase a $600,000 home with only a $30,000 deposit. They could save up to 6 years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, save about $25,000 in mortgage insurance, and could pay up to $126,000 towards their own loan instead of paying rent.

After consulting with industry, the Government will also direct Housing Australia to promote the diversity of lenders who offer the scheme, giving first home buyers greater choice to buy a home through smaller, customer-owned and regional banks.

Labor was re-elected with a clear mandate to bring down the deposit hurdle for first home buyers and this is just one part of the Albanese Labor Government’s ambitious $43 billion housing agenda. We are building more homes, backing first home buyers, and supporting renters.

Since coming to office in 2022, Labor has helped over 180,000 first home buyers get a home of their own with a lower deposit. On average, there have been 6,000 more first home buyer loans a year under Labor compared to the Coalition’s previous period in office.

For more information on the 5 per cent deposits scheme, go to the Housing Australia website.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“We want to help young people and first home buyers achieve the dream of home ownership sooner.

“Bringing the start date of our 5 per cent deposit scheme forward will do just that.

“Getting more Australians into their own home quicker, while saving them money along the way.

“Labor was re-elected with a clear mandate to bring down the deposit hurdle for first home buyers, and we’re delivering.”

Minister for Housing, Clare O’Neil

“5 per cent deposits for all first home buyers will mean people can get into their own home sooner.”

“The Albanese Labor Government is stepping up to level the playing field and back a new generation of first home buyers into the housing market.”

“It’s just not right that an entire generation of young Australians have been locked out of the housing market – saving for decades while paying off someone else’s mortgage. So Labor’s changing it.”

“Yesterday we announced reforms to unlock tens of thousands of new homes and today we’re announcing changes to help tens of thousands of first home buyers get into home ownership.”

Man charged after pursuit in Muswellbrook

A man was charged with multiple driving and vehicle related offences after a pursuit in the state’s Hunter Valley region this morning.

About 2.20am today (Sunday 24 August 2025), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling the New England Highway, near Muswellbrook, when they attempted to stop a Holden Commodore, allegedly being driven in a dangerous manner.

When it failed to stop as directed a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued along the New England Highway towards Whittingham, where road spikes were successfully deployed; however, the pursuit was then terminated due to a safety concern.

A short time later, police located the vehicle on Hunter Expressway, near Loxton and another pursuit was initiated; however, it was terminated due to a safety concern.

About 2.50am, police sighted the vehicle on Main Road, Cliftleigh, after it had crashed into a car travelling in the opposite direction.

When officers attempted to speak to both drivers; the driver of the Holden – a 34-year-old man – left the scene.

Following inquiries, the man was arrested nearby after police seized a syringe from him.

He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition under police guard.

He was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (two counts), not keep left of dividing line – not class B/C vehicle, not keep left of oncoming vehicle – motor vehicle, not keep left of median strip-motor vehicle, use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road, use uninsured motor vehicle, Class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h – estimated, class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 10km /h – radar, not give particulars to other driver, assault police officer in execution of duty without aggravated bodily harm, and hinder or resist police office in the execution of duty.

He was refused to bail to appear via bedside hearing before Bail Division Court 2 tomorrow (Monday 25 August 2025).

Travel to the United States

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles will travel to the United States this week. 

In Washington DC, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other senior Administration officials.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also participate in several defence industry engagements. 

The Alliance between Australia and the United States is built on an enduring foundation of trust, a long record of collaboration, and a shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo Pacific.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“I was pleased to speak with Secretary Hegseth at the Shangri La Dialogue in May, and welcome the opportunity in Washington to build on our valuable discussions of shared defence and security matters.

“Given the shared challenges we face in our region, I look forward to reaffirming our commitment to the Alliance and advancing our strong partnership.”