Progressive Parliament with a politics of heart – incoming Greens Leader Larissa Waters outlines “firm but constructive” approach for her leadership

The Greens federal party room has unanimously elected Senator Larissa Waters as the new leader of the Australian Greens.

The leadership ballot was uncontested.

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters will be ably supported by a team of proven performers:

  • Senator Mehreen Faruqi will remain in the role of Deputy Leader
  • Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be the Greens Manager of Business
  • Senator Nick McKim will be Party Whip
  • Senator Penny Allman-Payne will be Party Room Chair and Deputy Whip

Larissa Waters was elected to federal parliament in 2011 after a career as an environmental lawyer working on high profile cases protecting biodiversity, world heritage-listed sites, stopping native species extinctions and broadening environmental impact assessments.

Larissa has held various portfolios in the Greens, most notably the women’s portfolio and climate spokesperson in the Senate.

In the women’s portfolio, Senator Waters established the Issues related to menopause and perimenopause senate inquiry which gave voice to legions of women and resulted in cheaper  menopause treatments being included on the PBS. She also instigated the Universal access to reproductive health senate inquiry to protect Australia’s abortion rights from global threats under the first Trump administration, which highlighted the lack of accessibility and affordability of abortion and the need for free contraception.

A strong advocate for women’s rights in the workplace, Larissa made history in 2016 as the first MP to breastfeed in federal parliament. Larissa was also the first person to say the word perimenopause in the federal parliament in 2023.

Larissa is the single mum to two school-aged kids and resides in Meanjin/Brisbane.
Portfolio allocations are decided by the Greens Leader, and will be allocated at a later date.

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters:
“I call today for politics with heart – for a progressive parliament that gets outcomes for people and genuinely tackles the problems we’re all facing.

“This parliament could achieve real progress: climate and environment action, dental into Medicare and free childcare.

“The Greens will be firm but constructive in our approach with the Labor government, and work for outcomes that help improve peoples’ lives and protect nature and the climate.

“Voters across this country delivered the Greens the sole balance of power in the Senate and we take that responsibility really seriously.

“Labor will have a choice: work with the Greens for climate action and dental into Medicare, or work with the Liberals to keep opening up new coal and gas and tinker around the edges of the housing and cost of living crises.

“I thank my party room colleagues for their unanimous support today, and I also want to pay tribute to Adam Bandt for his leadership and dedication to our movement over the last 15 years.”

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi:
‘I’m delighted to get the trust of my colleagues to continue on as the deputy leader with Larissa as leader.

“I’m really excited that for the first time there are two women at the helm of our Greens ship and we are ready to start the work our members, voters and the community have given us to do.

“Migrant and multicultural communities in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have backed us for speaking the truth and standing against the genocide in Gaza.

“To the right wing media, the billionaires, the big corporations and the Albanese Government this is my message: We will not be taking a step back on climate action, on the environment, on housing and on Palestine. People want us to fight for them and the planet, and that is exactly what we will be doing.

“This moment demands more from us, not less. The planet is burning, inequality is deepening, and young people cannot afford a Government that tinkers around the edges as their future disappears.

“We will deliver the hope, courage and transformation this moment demands.

“People have voted for the Greens to hold the sole balance of power in the senate and we will not let them down.

Former Greens Leaders welcome Larissa Waters’ ascendancy to the Australian Greens leadership

Former Greens Leaders Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Richard Di Natale and Adam Bandt offer their sincere congratulations to Queensland Senator Larissa Waters, new leader of the Australian Greens.

We are delighted that Larissa has stepped up to take the leadership baton and she has our full support and encouragement.

“Larissa is a dedicated Environmental lawyer, feminist, mother and an all round warm, caring person of integrity. She is a team player and is exactly the right person to lead The Greens as we drive serious climate and Nature policy. The Parliament is dominated by fossil fuel corporate interests and who better to take them on than Larissa?” said the first woman to lead the Greens, former Senator Christine Milne.

“The world is facing an existential crisis in which extinction is happening before our eyes, and collapse characterises ecosystems from the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo to our native forests. With the Albanese Government saying it intends to address our weak and outdated Nature laws, it is critical that there is a strong Greens voice injecting the dire state of the natural world into the debates. Larissa will do that splendidly,” said Bob Brown.

“Larissa has fifteen years experience in Parliament working hard to strengthen our democracy, create a more just society and uphold the rights of women. She was a terrific Deputy during my time as Leader and I always appreciated her policy expertise, and her sheer hard work,” said Richard Di Natale.

“As Australia faces a growing climate crisis and as inequality gets worse, Larissa’s integrity, intelligence and strong sense of justice are just what this country needs,” said Adam Bandt

Larissa is a great role model for women in politics. She broke new ground when she became the first woman in Australian history to breastfeed a baby on the floor of the Senate. As a Greens leader, she will inspire another generation of young women to consider entering politics to drive environmental and social change.

Damning report reveals Transport Minister was warned about botched MyWay+ system pre-launch and did nothing

Today, a damning independent report undertaken in the month before MyWay+ went live. The report revealed that the Transport Minister, Chris Steel, was advised that the system was ‘sub-optimal’, the ACT Government was avoiding robust conversations with the contractor, and there was a lack of planning for the transition.

“This report reveals shocking evidence that Minister Steel let the MyWay+ go live – without question, despite extensive warnings about the system’s issues,” said Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Transport.

“The report highlights that there was ‘avoidance of robust conversations’ between Transport Canberra and NEC due to the desire to maintain positive working relationships. Minister Steel chose his relationship with a consultant over the basic rights of Canberrans to access public transport in their city.

“Despite promises to bring Canberra’s public transport network into the future with ‘seamless’ experience and ‘world-class’ capability, NEC and Transport Canberra agreed to reduce the functionality of the system ahead of launch and even described the system as a ‘minimum viable product’.

“It is insulting that our Transport Minister has such low standards for public transport in our city. Canberrans deserve the world-class system that they were promised.

“Since launch, validators have not worked, senior Canberrans and those with a disability have been locked out from the system, and Canberrans’ personal and payment information has been put at risk to hackers. There is nothing seamless or world-class about an inaccessible and insecure transport system.

“While we are still awaiting the Assembly Committee findings, this report is incredibly damning and supports the evidence that has been gradually coming to light through the Committee Hearing process.

“What more do we need to find out before Minister Steel apologises to Canberrans for this botched MyWay+ rollout and before he addresses the issues that continue to plague commuters?” said Mr Braddock. 

Greens drive better outcomes for homes and environment

Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens Jo Clay:

“On the crossbench, the ACT Greens have effectively pushed the government to balance the needs for housing and the environment.

“The Greens have pushed the government to progress work on the Missing Middle since early 2023. Two months ago we got the Government to move faster and release the guidelines issued today. 

“Not long after, we secured Government commitment to set an urban growth boundary to prevent needless sprawl.

“Just days ago we heard from the ACT’s Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment report that decades of prioritising new suburbs over infill in planning Canberra’s urban environment has seen a rapid decline in the state of our natural environment.

“We need more homes in Canberra, and we can build them without paving over our precious environment.

“The Missing Middle Design Guidelines released today are an important start to publicly discuss how Canberra will build more homes across our existing suburbs.

“We need the right kinds of homes in the right places. With more town houses, terrace houses and three-storey apartments, more people will live close to the things they need and want in their lives such as parks, schools, work, shops and public transport.

“It gives us a greater housing diversity to meet the needs of the growing number of people who are making Canberra their home.

“But it is just a start. To get this right we need people living in Canberra to be part of this process so we build a city together that best supports the way people live within our current footprint without impacting our marvellous bush capital.”

The guidelines and public consultation is available on the ACT YourSay website.

McKell Institute – 2025-26 Budget Preview

Friends –

Here I am again: at McKell. Ready for the start of budget season. The time of the year we can all gorge ourselves in the finer points of state finance.

The McKell Institute is my agora praeferenda for marking the looming arrival of a state budget.

Because, like your namesake, this Institute is optimistic. It’s also realistic. Two traits that combine to make its counsel pragmatic. Which lights the way forward for progress. Resulting in leadership.

Your institute has superb leaders.

You know him as Chairman Dan Walton, I know him as Comrade Walton. Dan, and CEO Ed Cavanagh: thank you both for your active citizenship and your welcome here today. 

Hello to McKell Institute leaders from further afield: Queensland Executive Director, Sarah Mawhinney, and Queensland Chair, Rachel Nolan. Thank you all for building this very fine organisation north of the border.

Ashley Tsacalos and the team here at Clayton Utz: thank you for playing host to us all today.

Of course – I acknowledge the Gadigal people upon whose land we gather today. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.

And by the way –

I look forward to never having to bear witness to a federal election where gestures of respect like ‘acknowledging country’ are used to divide us – not unite us – ever again.

One more upside of the federal election result is the stability it has engendered.

The Albanese Government has been re-elected with a clear majority. Armed with a powerful mandate to carry forth with the task of national modernisation.

NSW Labor is eager to partner with Federal Labor. To jointly solve the nation’s challenges. Especially the challenge of boosting economic growth.

So one month out from the Minns Government’s third budget,

at a time when inflation is receding, but the threat of low-growth is increasing; amidst a punishing housing crisis; tremendous uncertainty in global trade; but with real wages growing, interest rates falling, and public finances beginning to stabilise: I have come here to tell you about the next steps we intend to take to boost economic growth.

To explain why we need to build, build, build.

How the task of lifting productivity means building more homes, more power, and more water. 

Friends –

In preparing for the next budget, I have been meeting with those who are building NSW, and are building in NSW, every day.

The workers, manufacturers, investors, tech leaders, and innovators whose decisions help determine the pace of NSW’s economic growth.

I’ve asked them directly:

What is stopping you from scaling your business? What is stopping you from creating more jobs? Or paying higher wages?

Or spending more on R&D?

Above all –

What stops you from investing more in NSW?

Especially given that every serious economist agrees: more private sector investment will unlock the next great era of Australian economic growth.

Here is what they say:

Everything about NSW is awesome! Except the time it takes to get major projects done.

Getting major projects – the projects that drive productivity – getting them done in NSW is taking too long.

Why?

Construction costs are rising, planning delays are slowing delivery, and the construction workers we need to literally build our brighter future are increasingly scarce.

Which means…The time to build is now the biggest deterrent to capital investment.

So to boost investment, we need to get projects built faster.

Put like that – the task is simple. But, plainly, the task is not easy.

The task begs us all to look at how we can increase competition to improve economic dynamism.

To support investment in infrastructure and technology so our workers have the very best tools of trade.

To encourage regulatory experimentation to boost efficiency and innovation. So we have a smart state – instead of a slow state.

But if reform is to endure, if the economy is to fire on all circuits – we need it coordinated like an electric powertrain: fine-tuned from battery to inverter, through motor to drivetrain.

Getting the set-up right can put maximum thrust behind our prosperity and the lives people in NSW enjoy.

What we need to sequence for maximum effect are reforms to: Housing, Water, Energy, Transport, Technology and Investment.

Upon these things rest our ability to set up our people and our businesses for the next decade.

Our program of reform, whether it be improving service delivery or infrastructure alignment, is reform with an eye to how all these systems connect down the line.

Better connected workplaces are more productive and more creative.

More profitable businesses can use that capital to invest in the potential of their people. Getting that virtuous circle to turn is key.

Let me explain, beginning with Housing:

Housing is shelter, it is security. It is where people make a home and a life. It is where people find connection. It also makes a big difference to economic mobility. The home you live in determines the job you can reach, the school your child attends, and the support network around you.

But right now, housing insecurity is acting as a drag on productivity and a barrier to belonging.

The Department of Communities and Justice tells us that rent price concern is above 80 out of 100 across all of Sydney. That level of stress is not sustainable — for individuals, for families, or for the economy.

That’s why Paul Scully is delivering zoning reform so more homes are built near existing infrastructure and services.

We’re continuing that push through our low- and mid-rise housing policy — and we are standing firm against efforts by councils and others to delay or dilute supply where demand is strong.

We are tackling this from every angle:

The largest investment in social housing since World War II.

Stronger protections for renters.

Record increases to homelessness services.

And, with the Commonwealth, the Help to Buy scheme — opening new paths to ownership for working families.

We will use the next budget to take the next steps forward in building the homes we need to make sure we can house the people we cannot do without to keep our economy humming.  

Just like we will use the budget to direct more investment into our water and power systems.

Water infrastructure underpins every one of our housing plans — and every job, factory, and community that will grow around them.

IPART’s review makes it clear: big investment in water infrastructure is needed to support the homes and industries our population will require.

That means replacing 50-year-old pipes to support urban density. It means expanding water treatment. It means finally matching land use to infrastructure delivery — something the last government failed to do.

As for energy, it is both a constraint and a catalyst.

Just two weeks ago, we approved 10 major projects in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone — delivering 7.15 gigawatts of capacity, enough to power 2.7 million homes and cut 10 million tonnes of emissions each year.

But as we heard from manufacturers, energy certainty is still a concern. Long wait times for grid connection, project risk, and rising operating costs are slowing down investment and local industry growth.

This Government will act to build not just new power generation — but new confidence in our energy future. 

NSW has a strong manufacturing base — but we’re being clear-eyed about the challenges.

Construction costs are higher than our global competitors. Tier 1 builders are struggling to deliver. High-value precincts face fragmentation and zoning hurdles. And too many businesses still find it difficult to work with government.

We will look to address that by helping businesses navigate the system — with concierge-style support, investment in skills and training, and better alignment of planning, infrastructure, and industrial land use.

We are also supporting a next-generation manufacturing sector — focused on advanced capabilities, domestic supply chains, and export readiness. That includes making sure the right trade agreements, logistics and infrastructure are in place to help firms grow and reach new markets.

And finally — we are backing our tech sector to lead.

The Innovation Blueprint we will start funding in this Budget sets out a clear path: invest in precincts like Tech Central, support early-stage startups, improve talent attraction, and grow the pipeline from research to revenue.

NSW is a great place to start a tech company — but not always to scale one. That’s what we’re changing. Because the race for innovation is global. With proper support, our best ideas — and our best people — will stay right here, and boost success for us all.

Security and amenity, training and development, connectivity and convenience. These are the measures of success that mean something to people, and which the Minns Labor government is focused on.

Strong management of the state’s finances certainly adds capacity to drive these things, but there is so much more to productivity.

So while I am proud as a Labor treasurer:

to have reduced our debt,

to so far have retained our credit ratings,

to have lowered expense growth from 9.7% during the last five years of the Liberal Government, down to 1.8% over the forward years.

And to have already returned the budget cash surplus

I’m more excited about financial management as a platform for our next big leap, not as the end goal.

In Budget number three, the bigger picture should be coming into view. Let me recap our journey so far.

Budget 1 was about resetting the priorities of government in NSW.

Our focus was on rebuilding essential services, helping people with the cost of living, and resetting the fiscal settings of the state. $7 billion of programs without funding. Debt projected to reach $188.2 Billion. Covid-Level spending that was driving post-Covid inflation. And ending the wages cap that was driving down recruitment and retention across the public service.

Budget 2 saw NSW lose $12b in the GST carve-up as we were writing it. I’m still sore about that. 

But through all this I’ve realised that one key to lasting reform is to choose what to renew and where to free up capacity for the next challenge.

I’m proud that –

Because we fixed the Department of Education’s budget, we were able to make NSW teachers the best paid in the nation; keeping more teachers in classrooms; slashing the number of merged and cancelled classes, making sure our kids actually have a teacher to help them learn.

I’m just as proud that we partnered with the Police Association to overhaul a police death and disability insurance scheme no longer fit for purpose: we have been able to make the biggest investment in police wages in a generation.

Leading to record enrollments in the Goulburn police academy – helping us make sure we recruit and retain enough cops for every community.

I’m glad we abolished TAHE. That obscure transport agency no one understood. The one that was robbing the budget of billions of dollars.

Because we abolished it, we had the money needed to rescue the Metro South West.

A real public transport project. Not a weird accounting trick masquerading as one.    

And I’m proud we abolished the wage cap.

Meaning we can recruit the essential workers we need to deliver the services the public expect. Resulting in every public service worker getting their biggest wage boost in more than decade. Resulting in the public getting better services in their communities. 

The third Budget of the Minns Labor Government is an important one. Like Budgets One and Two, it reflects studious choices—decisions grounded in discipline, shaped by purpose.

It comes at a time when the world is moving fast. Trade is shifting. Technology is accelerating. The energy transition is reshaping everything. But NSW is ready.

We have the skills, the scale, and the diversity to not just respond to change—but to shape it.

And as we enter the final four weeks to June 24, that’s exactly what this Budget will do.

It brings the pieces together—so we can keep building a better NSW.

A NSW that’s more secure, more productive, and more fair. A NSW that works—for the people who live here, and for the nation we help to power.

Thank you

First Strategy to protect NSW heritage released

Community members and heritage stakeholders are being invited to have their say on the first NSW Heritage strategy. It will seek to update the approach to heritage by recognising, protecting, enhancing and celebrating our state’s rich history.

The Minns Labor Government’s vision is for a heritage system that recognises the rich places, people and experiences that have shaped NSW. 

The draft strategy examines ways to modernise the approach to heritage and at the same time ensuring that housing can be built. 

The draft strategy has been informed by more than 1,750 submissions from heritage experts, advocacy groups, government bodies and members of the public.

Key questions within the strategy are how to:

  • recognise and protect a broader range of stories and values to represent the diverse history and communities of NSW within the heritage system
  • improve alignment between the heritage and planning systems including simplifying approval processes
  • enhance support for heritage owners and custodians
  • encourage new uses for heritage places, including government-owned heritage
  • champion activation and adaptive reuse of heritage places and spaces to create significant social and economic benefits
  • work with Aboriginal communities to better acknowledge, celebrate and protect cultural heritage
  • promote climate adaptation and sustainability upgrades to heritage places and objects
  • establish a more robust State Heritage Register and underpinning legislation.

Individuals and organisations can provide feedback on the draft NSW heritage strategy and submit ideas on the Have your say web page.

Consultation is open until 13 July 2025. 

Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe:

“Establishing the state’s first heritage strategy is a significant step to ensure we protect and celebrate the heritage items that reflect and resonate with all members of our community. 

“The strategy reflects the diverse and changing needs of our community. I encourage you to have your say about how NSW can make our heritage system world leading.”

Coffs Harbour Foreshore proposal now on public exhibition

The Coffs Harbour community is being invited to have its say on the opportunity to deliver more housing and bolster the local economy as the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct proposal goes on public exhibition.

Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) is leading the proposed revitalisation of the precinct on behalf of the NSW Government and a planning proposal is now on public exhibition.

The planning proposal provides the opportunity to support a thriving regional economy through more tourism and hospitality, more liveable and walkable public open space, and more housing across on what is largely inaccessible, fenced off land.

The vision for the proposed precinct includes a mix of commercial, retail, tourism, residential and tourist accommodation, recreation and community/cultural uses. Importantly, all revenue generated through the proposed project will be reinvested into the existing parklands to upgrade offerings for the community.

The planning proposal seeks to change permissible land uses, building heights and introduce planning controls for future State Significant Development Applications. Under the planning proposal, there is no plan for high-rise buildings.

Building heights will be between two and six storeys which is consistent with existing buildings in the Coffs Harbour Jetty area. Development would align with the surrounding local and regional plans, including Local Environmental Plan controls for land use.

Any future development will be implemented in stages, allowing the precinct’s gradual transformation, subject to future funding, community consultation and planning approvals.

The public exhibition of the rezoning proposal will end on 16 June. For more information visit the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct revitalisation web page.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“When I went to Coffs Harbour as a kid it was a thriving tourist destination, the reality today is that the coastal centres like Yamba and Byron Bay have surpassed it. While Port Macquarie grew tourism by more than 22 per cent over recent years, Coffs Harbour went backwards.

“Coffs Harbour like all of NSW is feeling the housing crisis, and young people are moving away for better employment and opportunities elsewhere. With the bypass going in, the reality is we need to make Coffs Harbour a more attractive destination.

“We’re not saying this proposal is a ‘silver bullet’ to the problems Coffs Harbour faces, but it will inject new opportunity and new life into the city.

“It will help to deliver more housing supply to address the region’s housing crisis. It will give confidence to tourism and hospitality operators to invest in Coffs Harbour, bolstering the local economy.

“Importantly the existing parklands and recreational space will be protected, with all revenue generated from this project to be reinvested into the surrounding precinct.

“We will continue to work with the community to realise this exciting vision and deliver community, economic, tourism, and housing benefits to the city.”

Property and Development NSW Deputy Secretary Leon Walker said:

“This community-led vision to revitalise the jetty foreshore area Coffs Harbour was informed by more than 3,600 community submissions in 2022.

“The NSW Government is not developing the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct for profit, with all funds generated to be reinvested back into the wider precinct for the benefit of the Coffs community.

“The number and mix of housing to be delivered, in addition to timing of development will be determined in the future, following the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s assessment and responses to the planning proposal.”

Start your midwifery career with NSW Health

NSW Health invites registered nurses to take up the opportunity to train as midwives in a NSW public hospital in 2026. Training includes completion of a postgraduate course and employment as a midwifery student to gain clinical experience.

Applications have now opened for MidStart 2026 and close on 2 June 2025. Training locations are available across the state, including in rural and regional areas. Associated university enrolments into a postgraduate course open later in the year.

Candidates may be eligible for scholarships and study subsidies.

People are eligible to apply if they are:

  • an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
  • a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia at the time of application.

More information on MidStart is available on the NSW Health website.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“I’d like to encourage all registered nurses interested in becoming a midwife to apply for this annual program.

“MidStart is a great opportunity for registered nurses to become midwives in the NSW public health system and share the special journey from pregnancy to parenthood with women and their families.

“Midwives do an exceptional job in our hospitals, making a difference every day in the lives of women, babies, and their families.”

Major Safety Upgrades for the Princes Highway

$60 million is being invested to deliver vital safety and congestion upgrades on the Princes Highway, as the Minns Labor Government continues work to build better connected communities while prioritising the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

The first phase of this program will see $10.4 million invested this year between Sussex Inlet Road and Moruya.

The work, which begins next month, includes 5.4km of flexible safety barriers between Conjola Creek and Lake Conjola Entrance Road, and wider centrelines near Conjola to better separate opposing lanes of traffic, reducing the risk of head-on crashes.

Later this year, work will kick off to install an additional southbound lane and concrete median on a 750-metre section of the highway at Batemans Bay to improve traffic efficiency and reduce congestion during peak periods.

The 110km stretch of road between Moruya and Sussex Inlet saw 276 crashes in the five years from 2019 to 2023. These safety upgrades are targeted at decreasing the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

Additionally, Shoulder widening and road resurfacing will be completed on the Princess Highway near Mogo and Bimbimbie.

This work is happening in conjunction with major works which are progressing on the Prince Highway upgrade projects including the Jervis Bay intersection upgrade, the Jervis Bay to Hawken Road upgrade and the Milton Ulladulla Bypass.

Future upgrades are in planning for Batemans Bay, Moruya, Bodalla, Narooma, Bega, and Eden. This includes signs, coloured pavement and line marking to encourage safer driving speeds for motorists entering towns by reinforcing a changing speed zone.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to reduce the New South Wales road toll and deliver the essential infrastructure communities rely on. This has included:

  • Investing over $200 million into the Towards Zero safer roads program:
  • Turning on the existing mobile phone camera detection network to detect seatbelt infringements.
  • Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months.
  • Implementing the demerit return trial that rewarded more than 1 million drivers for maintaining a demerit-offence-free driving record during the second year of the trial
  • Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2,700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same
  • Signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth
  • Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum in 2024 with international experts and a Motorcycle Safety Roundtable in April this year.

More information: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/princes-highway-upgrade-program

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“Any life lost on our roads is a tragedy.

“The South Coast is a beautiful place, whether someone lives here or are just visiting for the night, we want to ensure when someone gets in their car, they know they are safe on our state’s roads.

“We ask drivers to take every precaution they can on our roads, it’s important as a government we also do everything we can.

“Today’s announcement is one part of that work.”

Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“As the Minister for Roads, road safety is my top priority. We know that the road toll in NSW is far too high, and that two thirds of deaths on our roads happen on country roads. These important safety upgrades are crucial in helping us move towards zero road fatalities on our roads. 

“The Princes Highway is most important road connection through the South Coast, linking communities from Sydney to the Victorian border.  I am pleased that we have been able to provide a further $60 million towards improvements to the route.                                           

“This project will deliver road safety improvements for the local community and improved connections for locals, tourists and freight operators up and down the south coast.”

Member for Bega, Dr. Michael Holland MP said:

“Our community has seen far too many fatalities on local roads over the past few weeks. Any death on our roads is one too many. These are important safety upgrades that will ensure a safer trip for Princes Highway users.

“The previous Government completely neglected communities along the South Coast, it’s great to see the Minns Labor Government is making real investments to keep road users safe.”

Member for the South Coast, Liza Butler MP said:

“I’m pleased to see that the Minns Labor Government has committed $60 million to improve road safety along the Princes Highway. 

“The upgrades pave the way for a safer journey for those who want to enjoy our beautiful south coast. “

A better, fairer system for renters as the Minns Labor Government’s rental reforms come into effect

A new era in stability and security for renters starts today with three key changes coming into force as a result of the Minns Labor’s Government’s reforms to make renting fairer in NSW.

Delivering on a key election commitment to the state’s 2.3 million renters, from today the following legislation comes into force:

  • Ending of no-grounds evictions – owners will now be required to provide a valid reason to end all lease types, set out in legislation, increasing security and transparency for renters. Longer notice periods will apply for some leases, giving renters greater certainty and time to find a new home, while ensuring investors can still effectively manage their properties. Renters who find a new property after receiving an evictions notice will also have improved rights to end a lease early.
  • Pets in rentals – tenants will be able to apply to keep a pet in their rental home, with owners only able to refuse for specific reasons, such as the owner living at the property or failure to comply with local council laws. A standard application form and process has been developed to make the system clearer and more efficient for both renters and owners. Approval will be automatic if owners do not respond to pet applications within 21 days.
  • Fee-free ways to pay rent – owners and agents must enable renters to pay their rent using certain fee-free rent payment methods such as direct bank transfer, ensuring there are convenient and modern payment methods available without extra cost.

These important changes come alongside other key initiatives from the Minns Labor Government:

  • Limiting rent increases to once per year – Rent increases are limited to once per year across all lease types – including fixed-term and periodic leases.
  • Ending tenants having to pay for their own background checks – Clarifying that rental applicants can’t be charged fees before entering a tenancy, for example costs for background checks.
  • Portable Rental Bonds Scheme – The Minns Labor Government is investing $6.6 million to develop and deliver the nation’s first Portable Rental Bonds Scheme. This means eligible renters can move homes and digitally transfer their existing bond with them. The scheme is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
  • Rent Check – A new, free website – Rent Check helps renters to understand how the rent they’re being asked to pay compares to other similar homes.

Penalties are now in place for agents or owners who do the wrong thing, with the changes to be enforced by the Minns Labor Government’s Rental Taskforce, with inspectors and support teams to help renters and act on serious breaches of rental laws.

People are encouraged to visit the NSW Fair Trading website for clear, up-to-date guidance on the new rental laws and their rights and obligations here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live   

The Government has undertaken a comprehensive consultation and engagement process to inform and communicate these new reforms.

These important changes ensure that the rights between renters and owners is balanced, and the rental system in NSW is fairer.

Premier Chris Minns:

“Today marks a significant change which brings the rental market into the 21st century and makes renting fairer.

“More people than ever are renting, and they are renting for longer, so these reforms improve security and fairness in the rental market.”

“These are sensible reforms and With more than 2 million renters in NSW and over 600,000 investors, we have taken the time to get these major changes right.”

Acting Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Paul Scully:

“The implementation of these reforms creates a fairer, more balanced rental market that gives tenants greater security while making sure owners have clear and transparent processes to follow.

“We’ve listened to renters, owners, and industry experts to shape these changes, and have worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the transition is smooth and well understood.

“Agents and landlords who choose to flout the laws should be aware the Rental Taskforce will act on serious breaches of the new rental laws.”

Minister for Housing & Homelessness Rose Jackson:

“For too long, renters have lived with the fear of being kicked out for no reason. That ends today. We’re delivering the security and stability that 2.3 million renters in NSW deserve.

“These reforms recognise that pets are part of people’s families. Renters shouldn’t have to choose between a place to live and keeping their companion animal. These changes put common sense into the rental system and end the blanket ban on pets.

“This is the biggest step forward for renters in a generation, we’re building a system that’s fair, modern and puts people first.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones:

“Our team at Fair Trading has engaged extensively with industry and communities across NSW to make sure these reforms are well understood and practical.

“We have new information and resources on the NSW Government Website providing clear, reliable information to help renters, landlords and agents navigate these changes with confidence.”

“Our focus now is on successful implementation and dedicating our efforts to prevent and act on breaches of the law.”