NSW Police will have the power to conduct knife wanding searches in any public place and at any time under a commonsense reform proposed by the NSW Liberals and Nationals.
The NSW Opposition will move amendments to the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Amendment (Knife Scanning) Bill 2026 when Parliament resumes in August to better protect the community.
The law changes follow an inquest into the Westfield Bondi Junction attack in which six people were killed and a recommendation by NSW State Coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan to assess whether knife scanning operations should be allowed at crowded places without the need for a declaration.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said knife scanning should occur wherever police have reasonable concerns.
“The clumsy process of requiring a senior police officer to make a declaration every 24 hours setting out where and when knife wanding would take place is a waste of police time and undermines the effectiveness of our officers,” Ms Sloane said.
“Our anytime, anywhere policy is exactly the kind of commonsense tool we need to equip our police with so they are empowered to protect the community from knife crimes.”
Acting Shadow Attorney General Susan Carter said the Minns Labor Government is creating new loopholes in its current Bill.
“The Minns Labor Government’s approach is reckless and absurd in narrowing the scope of police wanding operations on public transport to just the first two stations either side of a declared public transport area,” Ms Carter said.
“A knife carrier who tried to avoid wanding at a Parramatta station platform and jumped on an express to Central would be successful unless a police officer succeeded not only in jumping on the same train but wanding the offender within the 150 seconds it would take to pass Granville.”
Shadow Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism Anthony Roberts said a handheld wand is a simple and minimally intrusive tool that can help police detect a weapon before it is used.
“Knife crime can happen anywhere, anytime, and police need the flexibility to respond wherever the risk emerges,” Mr Roberts said.
“Our police officers make difficult operational decisions every day. They should be trusted to determine when and where knife wanding is needed to keep people safe.”
The amendments would retain existing safeguards governing the use of knife-scanning powers, including requirements for police to explain the search and identify themselves.
Author: admin
Statement on leadership of the ACTU
Working families are in a stronger financial position today than they would otherwise be because of the tireless advocacy and strong leadership of Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil.
Sally and Michele secured incredible successes for working people in their eight years together leading Australia’s union movement – the first all-female leadership team in the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ 99-year history.
It is fitting that Sally and Michele announce they’re stepping down from their respective positions at a time when there have been significant wage increases in critical and long-undervalued sectors, the gender pay gap is at a record low and union membership is growing for the first time in decades.
The announcement also comes mere days after Sally and Michele’s valued contributions at the 50th Australian Labor Party National Conference, a gathering which strongly backed working families to earn more and keep more of what they earn.
Personally, I will miss the friendship and support these two giants of the labour movement have offered me over many years, but especially since I became Labor Leader in 2019 and then Prime Minister is 2022.
I wish both Sally and Michele all the very best in wherever their next paths lead and look forward to working with the new leadership team of the ACTU once they’re in place.
First step announced to develop potential new oil refinery for Australia
The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have announced they will kick off investigations into building a new oil refinery in Western Australia. The project is proposed by Perdaman, and would help strengthen energy security in Australia.
The Prime Minister and Premier travelled to Karratha to announce they will conduct a jointly funded $4 million pre-feasibility study for a new large-scale oil refinery, which would be built by Perdaman.
This refinery would create thousands of jobs, boost the local economy and help to secure Australia’s fuel security, particularly diesel for regional communities in WA.
The Perdaman facility could be the first new large-scale petrol refinery built in Australia since the 1960s, creating a major boost to local jobs and manufacturing as part of the Cook Labor Government’s Made in WA plan and the Albanese Labor Government’s Future Made in Australia plan.
Australia currently has two refineries, in Brisbane, Queensland and Geelong, Victoria, after four refineries closed under the former Coalition Government.
This is the first agreement to be signed as part of the Albanese Government’s $10 million support for feasibility studies into new or expanded fuel refining capabilities, building on work with current refinery operators to retain current refining capability in the decade beyond 2030.
The study is part of the $15 billion Federal Government package to secure Australia’s fuel security now and ensure our energy sovereignty into the future. This package includes:
- $7.5 billion for the establishment of a Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility to increase supply and storage of fuel and fertiliser.
- $3.2 billion to establish a Government-owned Australian Fuel Security Reserve of around a billion litres focussed on diesel and jet fuel.
- A 10-day uplift to the Minimum Stockholding Obligation for petrol, diesel and jet fuel.
- $3.3 billion to reduce the fuel excise and slash the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge for four months to help with the cost of living.
- $1 billion in interest free loans through the National Reconstruction Fund’s Economic Resilience Program, to provide cashflow relief to manufacturing and logistics businesses in critical supply chains.
The announcement was made by the Prime Minister and Premier while visiting Perdaman’s Project Ceres in Karratha, which will produce around 2.3 million tonnes of urea each year, when fully operational.
Project Ceres is supported by Government loans of around $475 million for the project and supporting infrastructure. It is estimated that the project will create 2,500 jobs during construction, 200 ongoing jobs when it is up and running and estimated to deliver $8.5 billion in public benefit.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“The longer war in the Middle East goes on the greater the impact on Australia will be, and my Government will continue to do everything we can to shield Australia from the worst effects – and set us up for the future.
“My Government’s working to advance Australia’s interests – not just in this crisis but going forward as well to ensure we can meet future challenges.”
Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook:
“My government’s steady and experienced leadership has helped make Western Australia’s economy the strongest in the nation.
“It has allowed us to put WA first and prioritise getting fuel in bowsers during the war in Iran.
“Now, as part of my government’s Made in WA plan, I am proud to join the Albanese Labor Government to support Perdaman’s efforts to rebuild our State’s capacity to produce and distribute its own fuel.
“This includes diesel to support the regional communities which drive WA’s economy and which have been most at risk amid this conflict.
“While many Western Australians remain anxious about our State’s fuel security, we are doing everything it can to address these concerns by working with the Commonwealth to provide steady and experienced leadership and continue delivering our Made in WA plan.”
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
“At a time when overseas conflicts demonstrate the fragility of energy supply chains, investing in further onshore sovereign fuel refining capability is a sensible and prudent response to secure our energy security.
“Our Government will continue to work hard to ensure fuel supply remains secure now, while working with all states and territories to build a more sovereign and secure energy system for our country for decades to come.”
Western Australian Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“The Cook Labor Government’s nation-leading response to the fuel crisis has shored up supply and kept WA moving.
“A fuel refinery in the west will build further resilience into our energy system, keeping our $90 billion mining industry running and securing our economy against future shocks.
“I’m pleased that the Albanese Government is listening and delivering for Western Australians.”
AAMI Crash Index: Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford named Sydney’s worst crash hotspot
Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford has overtaken the Hume Highway in Liverpool as Sydney’s worst crash hotspot in the 2026 AAMI Crash Index. o Nose-to-tail remains Sydney’s most common crash type, followed by failure to give way and stationary object collisions o AAMI Driver Rewards data shows Sydney drivers recorded the lowest overall driving score of Australia’s major capital cities, with braking and acceleration identified as the biggest opportunities for improvement. Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford has been named Sydney’s worst crash hotspot, according to the 2026 AAMI Crash Index, knocking Hume Highway in Liverpool out of Sydney’s top spot. The latest AAMI Crash Index analysed more than 394,000 motor insurance claims lodged across Australia between 1 January and 31 December 2025, including almost 88,500 claims in Sydney. Rather than simply identifying just one particularly dangerous road, the Crash Index data paints a broader picture of Sydney’s crash problem, with the city’s worst hotspots sharing similar characteristics – major arterial roads, traffic lights, busy intersections, shopping precincts and high volumes of turning traffic. Sydney’s Top Five Crash Hotspots Rank Crash Hotspot Worst Intersection 1. Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford Pennant Hills Road & North Rocks Road Most Common Crash Type 2. Nose to tail Hume Highway, Liverpool Hume Highway & Cumberland Highway 3. Nose to tail Epping Road, North Ryde Epping Road & Wicks Road 4. Nose to tail Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills Windsor Road & Cook Street 5. Nose to tail Victoria Road, West Ryde Victoria Road & Adelaide Street The driving habits behind Sydney’s crashes Nose to tail While the AAMI Crash Index reveals where Sydney drivers are crashing, data from thousands of motorists using the AAMI Driver Rewards (ADR) technology via the AAMI App provides insights into how they’re driving… and where they can improve. The driving behaviour insights are based on Australians using ADR and provide a unique view of real-world driving habits across Sydney. Drivers are provided with a driving score (out of 100) across five key behaviours – speeding, distraction, acceleration, braking and cornering. The good news is Sydney drivers are generally doing the right thing when it comes to speed, recording an impressive average speeding score of 95.2 out of a possible 100. Phone distraction also performed strongly, with an average score of 88.1. However, braking was Sydney drivers’ lowest scoring behaviour at 74.3, followed by acceleration at 75.3 and cornering at 76.6. Sydney also recorded the lowest overall driving score of Australia’s major capital cities at 80.2, suggesting local motorists could benefit from anticipating traffic conditions earlier, leaving a bigger gap, taking extra care at intersections and driving more smoothly in stop-start traffic. When combined with AAMI’s claims data, a clear picture emerges – Sydney’s biggest crash problem isn’t excessive speed, it’s everyday driving behaviours like failing to give way, braking late, following too closely and reacting too slowly in busy traffic. Quotes attributable to AAMI Motor Prevention Manager, Mary Kennedy “Along Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford, the intersection with North Rocks Road stood out as the most dangerous, Ms Kennedy said.” “Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford may have taken out Sydney’s unwanted crash crown, but the bigger story is what the top hotspots have in common. “These are busy arterial roads with traffic lights, major intersections, shopping precincts and constant turning movements, where even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to a crash. “What’s interesting in Sydney is that nose to tail crashes are the city’s most common crash type. That tells us intersections, turning movements and decision-making under pressure are a real challenge for Sydney drivers. “The vast majority of claims we’re seeing aren’t high-speed collisions. They’re everyday bingles like failing to give way, nose to tail crashes and reversing into another vehicle or hitting a parked car, which means they’re also some of the most preventable. “Afternoons remain Sydney’s peak prang time, when school pick-ups, commuters, shoppers and heavier traffic volumes all converge. It’s a timely reminder to slow down mentally as much as physically, stay patient and expect the unexpected. “What’s particularly interesting is how closely our driving behaviour data aligns with our claims data. Sydney drivers score exceptionally well when it comes to managing their speed but braking and acceleration are where we see the greatest opportunity for improvements. “That tells us Sydney doesn’t necessarily have a speeding problem – it has a gap, give-way and concentration problem. Leaving yourself an extra second or two to react, taking extra care at intersections and remaining focused when behind the wheel can make all the difference between getting home safely and ending up in a crash. “The AAMI Crash Index isn’t about naming and shaming crash hotspots or drivers. It’s about giving Australians practical insights into where crashes happen, and how we can make small changes to keep ourselves – and everyone else on the road – safer.” 2026 AAMI Crash Index: Sydney by the numbers Total claims analysed: #1 crash hotspot: 88,400+ Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford Most common crash types: 1. Nose-to-tail (32%) 2. Failure to give way (28%) 3. Collision with a stationary object (18%) Peak prang time: Worst day for crashes: Afternoons (1pm – 4:30pm) Wednesday Biggest offenders: • Drivers aged 65+ Top vehicle makes involved in crashes: • Male drivers 1. Toyota 2. Mazda 3. Hyundai 4. Honda 5. Kia Most common vehicle colours involved in crashes: 1. White 2. Grey 3. Silver [ENDS] Notes to Editor Claims data collected from AAI Limited trading as AAMI. Data sourced from motor insurance claims from AAI Limited’s portfolio of brands from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. AAI Limited trading as AAMI. Data from AAMI App, 50,123 ADR participants in Australia aged 18+ (1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025).
Structural work complete as construction progresses on redevelopment of Gillieston Public School
Construction of the multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Gillieston Public School is well progressed, with NSW Premier Chris Minns and Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison visiting the site today to see how the new permanent buildings are taking shape.
When it opens on Day 1 Term 1, 2027, students will be learning in state-of-the-art permanent classrooms after decades in demountables, which multiplied across the site for years as the former Liberal National government failed to address long-standing enrolment growth.
The redevelopment of the school will deliver 32 new modern classrooms, three support classrooms, a new library and a new hall with a canteen, new outdoor spaces and upgraded sports facilities as well as an outside of school hours (OOSH) care facilities.
The new permanent buildings will cater for over 730 students, replacing 20 demountable classrooms, which had become a fixture in which the majority of students were learning under the Liberals and Nationals.
It will also include a new public preschool, one of 100 new public preschools the Minns Labor Government is delivering across NSW by 2027.
The onsite public preschool will have capacity for up to 120 children per week as part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to expand access to public early learning.
Structural works for the main three-storey school building have been completed, and the internal fit out is progressing well. The steel framework for the hall is in place, and internal fit out for the preschool is almost complete.
The delivery of new classrooms is being matched with more teachers in our schools, with teacher vacancies across public schools in Maitland by falling by 73 per cent under this government.
This follows the Minns Labor Government’s move to abolish the Liberals and Nationals’ wages cap, delivering NSW teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.
The Minns Labor Government is prioritising investment in new and upgraded public schools in Maitland, with recent growth rates indicating the region will exceed the projected population trajectory of 144,500 residents by 2041.
In addition to the Gillieston Public School redevelopment, the education infrastructure pipeline for Maitland includes:
· Thornton Public School upgrade
· New public primary school in Chisholm with co-located public early learning
· Relocation and expansion of Maitland Grossmann High School
· New public preschool at Tenambit Public School
In the broader Hunter region, the Minns Labor Government is also building the new and upgraded schools growing communities need, including a new public primary school in Huntlee and a new high school in Medowie.
The projects are part of a record $9.2 billion investment by the NSW Government in school infrastructure through the 2026-27 Budget, which includes $2.3 billion for new and upgraded schools across regional NSW.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“We’re removing the demountables that took over Gillieston Public School by investing in the schools, early learning facilities and teachers that that fast-growing communities in Maitland urgently need.
“It’s fantastic to see construction progressing well on this project, which will next year welcome local students and preschoolers for the first time into the state-of-the-art classrooms they deserve.
“We aren’t just building the schools that communities need, we’re also making sure that they have teachers in them by driving down teacher vacancies.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Maitland is the fastest-growing part of NSW outside of Western Sydney, and the Minns Labor Government is ensuring young families who move here to build their lives have access to a world-class, local public school.
“For years and years the Liberals and Nationals thought it was good enough to leave the majority of students at Gillieston Public School learning inside ageing demountables.
“Labor believes students deserve to learn and grow in high-quality, permanent classrooms and that’s exactly what we are delivering for families in Gillieston.”
Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:
“It’s incredibly exciting to see the new and improved Gillieston Public School coming together right in front of us. This is an investment in Gillieston’s future and a promise delivered for local families, who have been advocating for these upgrades for years.
“With 35 modern classrooms and a brand-new preschool, this redevelopment will transform education in Gillieston, giving local students access to the high-quality facilities they deserve.”
Gillieston Public School Principal Lauren Fernando said:
“Our school community has experienced significant growth, and we are incredibly excited to see this project continue to take shape. The new facilities will build on the strong learning environment already established at Gillieston Public School and provide contemporary spaces that will support our students, staff and community well into the future.
“These new learning spaces will provide our teachers with flexible and engaging environments that support high-quality teaching and help every student to learn and grow.
“We are delighted by the progress that has been made and look forward to welcoming our students, families and staff into the new facilities in 2027.”
Man charged with 42 offences following investigation into alleged historical sexual assault – Hunter Valley
A man will face court after being charged following an investigation into alleged acts of domestic violence, assault, sexual assault and firearm offences in the Hunter Valley area.
On Saturday 25 July 2026, officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation after receiving information a 29-year-old woman had been physically and sexually assaulted by a man known to her since December 2025.
It is further alleged in June 2025, the man shot the woman approximately 10 times with a gel blaster rifle, causing her significant bruising to her leg, arms and body.
Police will also allege the woman was assaulted by the man on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Following inquiries, about 2.45pm yesterday (Sunday 26 July 2026), police arrested a 39-year-old man at a home on Olney Street, Ellalong.
Police have searched the home where they allegedly located and seized multiple child-like sex dolls, prohibited weapons including firearms, crossbows a sword, a knife and whips along with cannabis.
He was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with 42 offences:
- Three counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm
- Two counts of common assault (DV)
- Three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV)
- Fire firearm manner likely injure persons/property (DV)
- Five counts of possess child-like sex doll or other object
- 20 counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
- Three counts of possess unauthorised prohibited firearm
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Three counts of possess prohibited drug, and
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today Monday 27 July 2026.
Woman dies following single motorcycle crash in Hunter Valley
A woman has died following a single vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Valley yesterday.
Just after 10am (Sunday 26 July 2026), emergency services were called to Quince Tree Lane, Congewai, about 18km south of Cessnock, following reports a quad bike had rolled.
On arrival, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were told the rider – an 18-year-old man – was riding a quad bike before it had rolled – ejecting the passenger – an 18-year-old woman.
The woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene; however, she could not be revived.
The man was taken to Cessnock Hospital for a mandatory testing.
A crime scene was established and specialist officers from Crash Investigation Unit attended and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and the woman’s death.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Middle East travel advice
The Australian Government has raised the travel advice level for Bahrain and Kuwait due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
Travel advice for both countries has been raised to Level 4, ‘Do not travel’. Bahrain and Kuwait now join Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen as ‘Do not travel’ destinations.
The situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Military strikes are intensifying in a number of locations in the region. There is a risk of further escalation.
Australians in ‘Do not travel’ countries should consider leaving if safe to do so and while commercial flights remain available.
Travel advice for the remaining countries in the Middle East region is set at Level 3, ‘Reconsider your need to travel’. This includes Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Jordan.
We understand many Australians continue to travel through major transit hubs in the region in order to get to other destinations.
We urge Australians with travel plans through Level 3 countries to strongly consider whether their plans are essential.
Airspace may close at short notice. Flights can be cancelled with little warning. Borders can close. Phone and internet access may be disrupted. You could become stranded for extended periods.
Smartraveller keeps all travel advice under constant review and levels could change at short notice.
Australians in the region and those looking to travel should subscribe to Smartraveller.gov.au to keep up to date.
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135, or +61 2 6261 3305 (if calling from overseas).
Watchdog warns NSW going backwards on climate under Labor Premier Chris Minns
The independent Net Zero Commission’s Annual Report released today warns NSW is further away from meeting its legislated emissions reductions targets than it was last year as new coal extensions and data centres put net zero further out of reach.
The Net Zero Commission is calling for stronger planning controls to account for emissions reductions targets in assessment of developments, and has warned that any new coal expansions are incompatible with the state’s binding emissions reductions targets.
Greens MP and Environment Spokesperson Sue Higginson said,“The Net Zero Commission’s striking report reveals that New South Wales is not on track to meet our legislated emissions reductions targets, and that dangerously we are actually getting further away year-on-year,
“Labor Premier Chris Minns went to the last election promising strong action on climate, but instead his Government has approved 11 new coal projects, in contradiction of the climate science and of his own climate legal framework,
“The Net Zero Commission has been unequivocal in its denunciation of the Minns Labor Government’s reckless NSW Coal Industry Strategy, the idea we can approve new coal extensions and expansions whilst reducing coal emissions is a dangerous fiction,
“People are losing trust in our planning system which is allowing so much harm and driving climate pollution emissions up rather than down. It’s clear that the system is structured to deliver for corporate lobbyists, whether it’s the Premier’s mentor Morris Iemma, his Minerals Council friend Stephen Galilee, and the proponents of data centres,
“The Net Zero Commission has been clear that climate impacts must be accounted for as the paramount concern in planning decisions, whether it is coal, gas, data centres or any other kind of development,
“Former Supreme Court Justice Basten has warned that our planning system’s approach to new coal is legally erroneous and contrary to our international obligations, it is time for the Premier to see the writing on the wall and announce an end to new coal and a moratorium on data centres and change the settings,” Ms Higginson said.
Labor’s ‘fair return’ on gas means nothing without action
The Prime Minister has been quick to reassure his gas industry mates that Labor’s draft platform commitment to a “fair return on natural resources” won’t actually mean multinational gas corporations paying their fair share via an export tax, said Greens resources spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May:
“Albanese has wasted no time rushing to appease his gas industry mates and calm them down over even the most watered-down commitment to a fair return on our resources in his party’s platform.
“The fact he has to run cover ahead of time for such a piss-weak commitment shows just how anxious the gas industry is, and just how in bed with them Labor is.
“Albanese has once again decided that the voices of a majority of Australians and even their own members matter less to them than the gas lobby.
“The Prime Minister has claimed that ‘a fair return on our resources’ doesn’t have anything to do with a tax on gas exports, which raises the question of what exactly he thinks it does mean – because what we’re seeing now under Labor is far from fair.
“‘Now isn’t the right time,’ is straight from the gas lobby’s playbook. It’s funny how it’s never the right time for multinational gas corporations to pay their fair share.
“Labor is all talk and no action. Words by themselves do not lower power bills or provide cost-of-living relief to families doing it tough.
“Until a gas export tax is legislated and multinational gas corporations are actually paying their fair share, this groundswell will only grow larger and stronger.
“The Greens will keep fighting alongside the majority of Australians until we see a minimum 25 per cent tax on gas exports all the way to the next election”