Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government has renewed its commitment to protect workers from dust diseases by unveiling its new $2.5 million state-of-the -art Lung Health Mobile Clinic which will provide lung health checks to thousands of people across New South Wales.

The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.

These lung health checks can be lifesaving by ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.

Commencing this month, the icare Lung Bus will travel the length and breadth of the state, including visits to Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Tuncurry, Spears Point, Tweed Heads, Gosford, Nowra, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Tamworth.

The new mobile clinic features several innovations including:

• Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging.
• Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance.
• Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care.
• A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations.
• Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients.

The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state’s original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years.

That Bus travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.

This is the latest measure to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.

The Minns Labor Government led the campaign for the national ban on engineered stone which started last year.

The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws.

Since September, our Silica Compliance Team has conducted 140 inspections, with more than 125 improvement notices issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.

The Minns Labor government has pledged $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust.

The grant funding, administered collaboratively by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided over three years to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI).

Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at icare’s Sydney CBD clinic, or with local providers regionally when the lung bus is not in that part of the state. To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.

More information on the full list of Lung Bus destinations can be found here:

https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/injured-or-ill-people/work-related-dust-disease/services-and-support/lung-screening-service/workers-mobile-clinic-lung-bus-bookings-for-workers

For more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit:

https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/employers/employer-obligations/lung-screening-service

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The new Mobile Clinic underscores the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health.

“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Lung Bus demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“I welcome the $2.5 million investment into the new icare Lung Bus which will provide thousands of health checks for people living in regional NSW.

“Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.”

Icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe said:

“A lung health check could save your life.

“Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we’re here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.”

The Minns Labor Government has passed three new bills to ensure the community is protected from racial hatred, offensive Nazi symbols, and desecration and harassment at places of worship.

The Government’s package of legislation was developed in response to a series of unacceptable antisemitic attacks that caused community division and fear.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 2025, Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025, and Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025 all passed the Parliament overnight.

The legislation will create new offences and provide for tougher penalties for existing charges.

It will soon be a crime to:

• Intentionally block, impede or hinder a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse.
• Harass, intimidate or threaten a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship.

Such conduct is punishable by a fine of $22,000 or two years’ imprisonment, or both.

It will also be a crime to intentionally and publicly incite hatred towards another person, or group of people, on the grounds of race – with an exception for directly referencing religious texts during religious teachings or discussions.

The incitement of racial hatred will attract a maximum penalty for an individual of two years’ imprisonment, fines of up to $11,000, or both, while corporations can face fines of $55,000.

Our legislation also:

• Clarifies that graffiti is a “public act” for the purposes of the offences of threatening or inciting violence and displaying Nazi symbols;
• Provides for tougher sentencing for displaying by public act a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, the Sydney Jewish Museum or a Jewish school; and
• Aggravates sentences when a person’s conduct is partially or wholly driven by hate.

The laws send a clear message that we take racial hatred and antisemitism seriously, and we are prepared to act quickly and decisively to protect the community.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The Government has acted quickly in response to disgusting acts we have seen in our state.

“Our package of legislation is a strong response to recent antisemitism, but it will also protect people of all races.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“This package of legislation will protect members of our community in a variety of ways.

“When we drafted these laws, we were mindful of preserving protest rights and freedom of political expression while also ensuring adequate community protection.

“In today’s environment, this legislation sends a strong message that hatred will not be tolerated.”

The Minns Labor Government is urging all road users to rest and stay off the road while tired after NSW recorded a 47 per cent rise in people losing their lives in fatigue related crashes last year.

Sadly, 78 people died in fatigue-related crashes on NSW roads in 2024 compared to 53 people in 2023.

Alongside speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue is one of the top killers on NSW roads and the vast majority of crashes involving fatigue are happening on regional roads, with 69 of the 78 deaths occurring in regional communities in 2024.

While heavy vehicles make up only 2 per cent of NSW motor vehicle registrations, heavy vehicle drivers accounted for around 26 per cent of fatigue related deaths on NSW roads last year.

To help raise awareness of the dangers of driving fatigued, the Minns Labor Government is promoting fatigue safety and the benefits of taking a power nap during National Driver Fatigue Week which runs from February 21-27.

The awareness and education effort builds on the government’s other suite of road safety initiatives which are aiming to reduce fatigue related crashes and improve road safety overall. These include:

• Rolling out around $1 billion in lifesaving infrastructure upgrades on regional and metropolitan roads through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the joint federal/ state funded Road Safety Program.
• Investing $46 million on 2700 kilometres worth of rumble strips to help fight fatigue.
• Maintaining 673 signposted rest areas and building a new rest area on the Newell Highway north of Narrabri.
• Upgrading rest areas through the $11.9 million statewide Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Minor Works program.
• Promoting 56 volunteer run Driver Reviver rest area sites where motorists travelling during holiday periods can stop for a free tea or coffee.
• Running high visibility communication campaigns such as the ‘Don’t Trust Your Tired Self’ campaign
• Launching a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles in 2025.
• Upgrading mobile phone detection cameras to detect seatbelt offenders.
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with an additional 2,700 new sites where a camera can be deployed. (Total enforcement hours remain the same).

For more information and tips on how to combat fatigue, visit the Power Nap website: https://powernap.org.au.  

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:  

“Driving on country roads often involves driving for long distances, at higher speeds and sharing the road with heavy vehicles so the fatigue risk is much greater.

“We need all road users to be aware of the dangers of fatigue and remember if you feel tired while driving or experience any of the early warning signs such as yawning, restlessness or sore eyes, pull over in a safe place, stretch your legs and have a power nap at one of the many rest areas we have available in NSW.

“Make sure you have a good night’s sleep before getting behind the wheel and avoid driving at times when your body would naturally sleep, like late at night or early morning.”

NSW Ambulance has today welcomed 119 new paramedic interns and 14 emergency medical call takers, after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney.

This graduation follows the Post Employment Tertiary Pathway (PETP) induction held two weeks ago and will further boost frontline health services across the state, with many commencing their first shifts from tomorrow.

The new recruits joining the service come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including William Guthrie who is following his childhood dream to be a paramedic and Ebony Peterson, whose AFL career was cut short by injury but inspired by the healthcare she experienced, chose paramedicine as a new career option.

The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships, before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas. The emergency medical call takers will all be posted to Sydney Control Centre.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“Congratulations to NSW Ambulance’s newest inductees. The skills and compassion of these paramedic interns will touch countless lives across our state.

“The new paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers represent the next generation of dedicated first responders, ready to serve communities across NSW.

“Their commitment to patient care and emergency response will strengthen our frontline health services and make a real difference in people’s lives.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“Today’s induction is a proud milestone for these new recruits and for NSW Ambulance as a whole, and the uniform they wear represents trust, dedication and resilience.

“Every call the new paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers respond to is an opportunity to make a difference and help those in our community in their most vulnerable moments.”

William Guthrie

“I knew from a young age exactly what job I wanted to do, so graduating today really is the culmination of a childhood dream.

“I am immensely proud to wear this uniform and excited to start putting my training into practice.”

Ebony Peterson

“I have experienced first-hand the dedication of healthcare staff, which motivated me to join the profession myself and become a paramedic.

“I am excited and nervous but after all the training, I am ready to get out there.”

Patients and visitors at Boggabri Multipurpose Service (MPS) will benefit from an extended dining room with better wheelchair access thanks to a $200,000 funding boost from the NSW Government.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of almost $12 million in 61 projects as part of the Regional Health Minor Works Program.

The planned works at Boggabri MPS will see the space increase by an estimated 20 square metres and will improve accessibility for those with limited mobility, providing a better experience for all.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in upgrading health facilities to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.

“These small enhancements to the facility at Boggabri are significant to the comfort of our patients, and they better the work environment for our dedicated health care staff.

“This $12 million program is one of a number of investments our government is making to strengthen rural and regional health services, so people have access to the best possible care close to home.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler:

“This upgrade at Boggabri MPS, providing 20 extra square metres of space, will mean patients will have an improved dining experience during their time at the facility.

“We welcome this investment in in Boggabri MPS and we look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring once completed. Any investment in the regional health system is a step in the right direction.”

Acting Executive Director of Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Anna Styles-Tape:

“The work will see an extension of the facility’s dining space bringing a greater capacity and easier wheelchair access for the community.”

After significant delay, the Minns Labor Government has finalised Stage 2 of its Low and Mid-Rise Housing Reforms with no plan to deliver the roads, schools, and essential services needed to support growing communities.
 
The Coalition believe that higher-density housing around transport hubs is a sensible way to grow our cities—when it’s done right, with proper infrastructure and community input. The Coalition will continue our constructive engagement with the Government to build a planning system that is fit for purpose to support the delivery of greatly needed housing growth.
 
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said that whilst the Government picked 171 town centres and stations across metropolitan Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra and Hunter for additional density, the Minns Labor Government has failed to outline an infrastructure plan to support these communities.
 
“You don’t build the house before laying the foundation, but that’s exactly what Labor is doing—establishing density without the infrastructure to support it. Labor refuse to commit a single dollar in additional infrastructure funding for the 171 targeted communities as a result of these reforms,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“Train stations and town centres alone do not make a liveable community. We want to see more homes built, but well-located areas come with upgrades to roads, schools, hospitals and essential public space to support denser communities.
 
“For local communities to embrace new developments and to make a dent into the housing crisis, the Government must provide the funding to address schools that are already overcrowded, roads that are gridlocked, and local hospitals under strain.”
 
Shadow Planning and Housing Minister Scott Farlow said that while Labor have now finalised their plan for density, there was no infrastructure plan to support it.
 
“The Coalition support planned growth around public transport hubs, but Labor’s approach is all density, no infrastructure,” Mr Farlow said.
 
“Without proper investment in services communities will suffer. It’s vital that these reforms are matched with a supporting plan to ease congestion and improve local services.
 
“Labor introduced a $12,000 tax on every new home, which has made development less feasible across NSW.
 
“While Labor’s been happy to collect the tax, they still haven’t outlined a detailed infrastructure plan to show what will be delivered,” Mr Farlow concluded.

The Minns Labor Government has lost the plot. The RTBU is running the show, the train network is in freefall, and commuters are being treated like collateral damage.
 
Premier – pick up the phone, call your ally Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and admit what everyone in NSW already knows—you haven’t got a clue how to fix the mess you created by your unaffordable promises to union bosses before the election. Ask him to send in Murray Watt, the federal Workplace Relations Minister, and see if he has the spine to pull the handbrake on this rolling disaster.
 
Because this is no longer just a state issue—this is a full-blown Labor catastrophe, and the federal government has the power to stop it by invoking section 431 of the Fair Work Act. But what do we hear from Anthony Albanese and Murray Watt? Silence.
 
They could fix this today, but they won’t. Because Labor is Labor. Whether it’s in Sydney or Canberra, the unions pull the strings, and Chris Minns, Anthony Albanese and Murray Watt are all too weak to cut them.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns has lost control, and he knows it.
 
“Chris Minns has two choices—call in Murray Watt or keep pretending he’s in charge while Sydney grinds to a halt,” Mr Speakman said.
 
And what about Murray Watt? He’s ghosting New South Wales.
 
The only time we see Murray Watt act is when it suits Canberra’s politics, but when it comes to protecting NSW’s economy, he’s nowhere to be found. He and Anthony Albanese have left Chris Minns to flounder like a deer in the headlights—too scared to fix the problem, too scared to be attached to it.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said Chris Minns has one job—keep NSW moving and he’s failed.
 
“If he won’t stand up to the RTBU, then let’s see if his ally Anthony Albanese has any backbone. Because right now, NSW has no Premier—just a union sheep in a suit,” Ms Ward said.
 
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Transport Damien Tudehope said Chris Minns isn’t running NSW—the RTBU is.
 
“He’s too scared to stand up to them, too scared to ask Canberra for help, and too scared to admit he’s failed. If he had any guts, he’d be on the phone to Anthony Albanese.”
 
What’s it going to be, Premier?
 
Are you going to keep fumbling through this crisis like a bad episode of “Yes, Minister,” or are you going to call your ally and ask for help?
 
NSW deserves better than this circus.

The Minns Labor Government has changed the law to make it easier to convict prison staff who have sexual relationships with inmates.

Under the change, all sexual relationships between prison staff and inmates will be illegal, with staff facing criminal liability, including a potential prison sentence.

The Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 passed the NSW Parliament last nightand removes a requirement to prove that a sexual relationship between a member of staff and an inmate poses a risk to the safety and security of the prison.

The strengthening of the misconduct offence was recommended by the Special Commission of Inquiry into Offending by Former Officer Wayne Astill at Dillwynia Correctional Centre.

The inquiry found multiple failings in the management and culture at Dillwynia Correctional Centre and across the Corrective Services NSW system.

The Minns Labor Government accepted all 31 recommendations of the Inquiry, in full or in principle, as a commitment to lifting standards and restoring confidence in our prisons and improving safety for both staff and inmates.

The change is one of a number of amendments introduced in the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Amendment Bill 2024 to strengthen processes, enhance transparency, and improve Corrective Services NSW’s operations.

The Government is rebuilding trust in the NSW corrective services system through:

• Installing hundreds of new CCTV cameras and a network-wide capacity to store and access footage for at least 90 days so that serious matters can be reviewed.
• Establishing a new Sexual Misconduct Reporting Line and new advocacy service to ensure inmates can voice concerns.
• All uniformed staff at Dillwynia Correctional Centre who work with inmates now have body-worn cameras.
• Mandatory training for all new Corrective Services staff working in female correctional centres.
• Corrective Services NSW has been elevated to a stand-alone agency directly accountable to the Minister and the Government.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Corrective Services staff engaging in sexual conduct with inmates is utterly unacceptable and a total abuse of authority, which is why it is now a crime in any circumstance.

“Such behaviour indicates a deplorable abuse of the staff’s position and a breach of their duty of care to the inmate.

“While the majority of our Corrective Services staff do the right thing, for those that don’t, the days of receiving a slap on the wrist are over.

“We have provided $30 million for priority reforms so far in response to the Astill Inquiry, including setting up a sexual misconduct line to provide a free and confidential avenue for inmates to report illegal behaviour.

“We’ve also increased the number of CCTV cameras in our prisons and boosted our capacity to store and access footage for at least 90 days, to enable serious matters to be reviewed more effectively.” 

Legislation improving the way strata communities operate passed the NSW Parliament last night.

The reforms will help owners repair and maintain common property, support the uptake of sustainability and accessibility infrastructure, and give owners more options to pay levies when facing financial stress. 

This legislation is the Minns Labor Government’s third tranche of strata law reforms and builds on changes which came into effect on 3 February 2025, requiring strata managers in NSW to provide significantly more The reforms will help owners repair and maintain common property, support the uptake of sustainability and accessibility infrastructure, and give owners more options to pay levies when facing financial stress.

The laws will:

• Protect owners corporations from unfair contract terms such as limits on a strata managing agent’s liability.
• Encourage the uptake of sustainable infrastructure such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging by prohibiting bylaws that block the infrastructure due to external appearance.
• Protect owners from bill shock by requiring developers to have initial levy estimates to be independently certified, including increased penalties for non-compliance.
• Make it easier to terminate strata managing agents and building manager agreements if they carry on a business that is contrary to the law.
• Prescribe training requirements for strata committee members to help them perform their roles.
• Allow Fair Trading to enter into enforceable undertakings with owners corporations that do not meet their duties to maintain and repair common property.
• Help owners in financial hardship by requiring owners corporations to offer a payment plan before taking debt recovery action and prohibiting blanket rules to refuse payment plans.
• Make it easier to install accessibility infrastructure in common areas by lowering the voting threshold for approval from 75% to a majority vote.

This legislation is the Minns Labor Government’s third tranche of strata law reforms and builds on   changes which came into effect on 3 February 2025, requiring strata managers in NSW to provide significantly more detailed information to owners’ corporations about their services and relationships, to increase transparency and accountability within the strata sector.

Strata managers must now disclose any connections with suppliers and developers, provide detailed breakdowns of insurance quotes including commissions and broker fees, and report in real time if any new connections or interests arise.

The NSW Government’s reforms will be enforced by a dedicated Strata and Property Services Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading, backed by an $8.4 million investment. 

Consumer confidence in strata is vital to the government’s housing agenda, and the Taskforce will be focussed on high impact initiatives to support the 1.2 million people living in strata across NSW.

The Taskforce will strengthen compliance and enforcement, dispute resolution, and regulatory reform within the strata sector, with a focus on raising professional standards and delivering better outcomes for consumers.

For more information, visit the NSW Fair Trading website here: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/strata-and-community-living

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“The family home is often the biggest financial investment most of us will make – when it is in a strata community the Minns Labor Government is making sure that there are protections in place to help owners make informed decisions on the future of the property.

“Repairs to common property are the obligation of the owners’ corporation, and these reforms help to ensure the hard-earned money of individual owners invested in the property will prevent it from being run down, become a safety risk or cause greater damage through neglect.

“These changes will make buying into strata more transparent and improve the building owners experience when they receive the keys from the developer.”

Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann:

“The number of strata schemes in New South Wales has grown from around 70,000 at the end of 2015 to more than 87,000 – creating a greater need for targeted, proactive regulation to ensure practitioners and businesses in the property industry are properly trained and supervised.

“The Strata and Property Services Taskforce is improving the NSW Government’s oversight of real estate and strata managing agents by bringing together new and existing specialist staff across Fair Trading to uplift its enforcement of NSW strata and property laws – restoring consumer confidence and lifting standards across the sector.” 

A significant heritage building in the historic Lock Up complex in the heart of Newcastle has been given a face-lift thanks to a $70,000 grant from the NSW Government.

Number 88, located on Hunter Street, is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The historic, stone and painted masonry structure was first constructed in 1861 and served as a telegraph office, gaining a second storey in 1879.

New flooring was installed, replacing damaged carpet. As workers removed carpet tiles they discovered the original cedar staircase remained intact. The staircase was sanded, resealed and now takes pride of place as a central, period feature in the building. 

Unoccupied since 2018 due to building deterioration and the COVID, the repairs have assisted the Newcastle Historic Reserve Land Manager to secure a new long-term tenant, which will help the reserve to fund maintenance and improvements in the future.

Buildings 74, 88 and 90 Hunter Street form a suite of three historic stone and painted masonry buildings. Building 74 was constructed in 1873 and was Newcastle’s original post office. Number 90 was a police station built in 1861 and closed in 1982.

Building number 90 is known locally as ‘The Lock-Up’ and was originally built to support the Newcastle police station and was used from 1861 until its closure in 1982. The building has been re-imagined as an award-winning contemporary art space that showcases local, national and international artists. An artist in residency program invites artists to respond to the building’s history.  The Lock-Up’s padded cell is acknowledged as one of the best preserved in Australia.

Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure funded the upgrade work through its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF).

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:  

“The NSW Government is focused on building better communities, which is why we are committed to helping maintain these three beautiful heritage buildings in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD.

“Our statewide investments in Crown reserves help ensure they can continue to serve their communities for many years to come.”

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said:

“This is fantastic news. These buildings have become an integral hub for our local artists and are an iconic piece of Newcastle’s history dating all the way back to the 19th century.

“It is vital we continue to care for these buildings, which reflect important parts of our history here in Newcastle. I am very pleased Crown Lands has continued to fund this important maintenance work that will ensure our heritage buildings remain intact for future generations.”

Newcastle Historic Reserve Land Manager Chairperson Gillean Shaw said: 

“We are grateful to Crown Lands for their continued support in helping to protect these three historic buildings. This particular round of funding has helped upgrade number 88, keeping it consistent with its grand, mid 19th century character. 

“Number 88 had been without a commercial tenant since 2018, due to the building’s deterioration over recent years. As a direct result of these upgrades, NHRLM have attracted a long-term tenant, which will bring in a new revenue stream, allowing the land manager to continue to fund important maintenance to preserve these significant buildings for future generations.”