The Minns Labor Government’s key housing policies are not building the new homes that were promised, with new data from the UDIA NSW Housing Accord Progress Report (July 2025) confirming that Labor’s flagship TOD and Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms are not enough to deliver any significant new housing for hopeful residents trying to get on the property ladder.
According to the report, only 3.7% of dwellings submitted for approval in the last financial year could be attributed to these policies.
The report also states that “current economic conditions will continue to make apartment projects unfeasible to build.” The Housing and Productivity Contribution, introduced by the Minns Labor Government, acts as a $12,000 tax on every new home — and record state taxes and charges are pushing projects beyond viability and being passed on to future homebuyers.
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the report confirms what industry has been warning: Labor’s policies are not working.
“These figures show that you can draw all the circles on a map that you like, but if it’s not feasible to build, then nothing will be done. With its record state taxes and charges, the highest in Australia, the Government has made it more expensive to build.”
“The only places where TOD is being taken up are in wealthy areas where first home buyers cannot afford to buy. Everywhere else, it’s been a failure. The only apartments that will ever get built from these policies are coming with over a million-dollar price tag.”
“Labor’s policies are simply not driving new housing projects, and an environment not feasible to build in is crushing the dream of prospective home buyers.”
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said the latest data makes clear that Labor’s approach is economically unviable and structurally broken.
“Developers are voting with their feet. They’re staying away from Labor’s TOD zones because the numbers don’t stack up. It is simply not feasible to build in this high-tax environment, confidence is gone, and the supply pipeline is drying up.
“You can’t talk about housing affordability with a straight face while slugging home builders and eventually future homebuyers with record taxes and charges, including Labor’s $12,000 housing tax. Industry is making it crystal clear – no matter how many rezonings there are, it is not feasible to build new housing in NSW.
“In The Low and Mid Rise housing policy was promised to build 112,000 homes over the next five years, but in the first year of the Housing Accord only 2.5% of the promise has been met. This is directly caused by a lack of infrastructure investment in selected areas to enable housing growth.”
Protesters interrupt Minns meeting as NSW Labor faces backlash on Palestine, nurses pay, environment
Backlash against Labor Premier Chris Minns’ suppression of protest is growing, as Tweed nurses and midwives, pro-Palestine activists and supporters of the Great Koala National Park today protested Minns’ visit to Tweed.
Minns is under increasing pressure to grant nurses and midwives a 15% pay rise, given their wages have been suppressed by Liberal National Governments since 2011. Just a stone’s throw from his meeting today, graduate nurses in Queensland are paid 18% more than in New South Wales.
Recent polling revealed Chris Minns’ personal approval rating has plunged 5 points, even as the Labor and Greens primary votes were up.
Greens MP and North Coast Spokesperson Sue Higginson said:
“The Premier is facing increasing backlash from his own caucus and from the community on his draconian anti-protest laws,”
“Tweed locals forced the Labor Cabinet to pause their meeting, because clearly communities right across New South Wales are horrified by what they’re seeing in Gaza and they want their Government to take action, not to suppress action,”
“Our wonderful Northern Rivers community cares deeply about the environment, about social justice, and about protecting each other. Chris Minns is a Labor Premier who is logging the heart out of the Great Koala National Park, shutting down peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza, and failing to deliver for key workers. Chris Minns and the Labor Government rode into power promising to deliver the Great Koala National Park and do better for key workers and people feel betrayed”,
“The Premier had a lot of nerve showing up 30 seconds away from the border while he refuses to give nurses and midwives even a fraction of the pay they get in Queensland,”
“For nearly 2 years now, the Labor Party has been gaslighting nurses and midwives by saying a pay rise is impossible. Now, Chris Minns is turning up 30 seconds drive from a State where graduate nurses are paid 18% more”.
“It’s increasingly clear that Labor Premier Chris Minns is on the nose across New South Wales for his crackdowns on peaceful protest, for his failure to announce the Great Koala National Park, and for his failure to deliver for our frontline workers.”
Greens call for transparent investigations into police misconduct following incidents
A disturbing pattern of incidents involving inappropriate behaviour and racism justify a more transparent process for investigation and reporting of police misconduct, says Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury.
Following a line of questioning in Budget Estimates, ACT Police and the Minister for Police could not provide or disclose details of the consequences for the officers involved in these incidents, citing secrecy and privacy provisions.
Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury:
“The reality is that there’s a deeply concerning pattern of systemic behaviour from elements of ACT Police towards First Nations people in this territory. From officers goading children in custody to take their own lives, to young men being charged with an offence when they shouldn’t have been during a night out—we’re seeing a serious problem with police integrity.
“It’s horrifying that some officers feel it’s acceptable to taunt children in their custody—people going through hard moments in their lives—about suicide or the family situations that led them to that moment.
“This kind of policing is seemingly so entrenched that First Nations mothers in our community are teaching their kids to keep a low profile in public just to avoid being targeted by police for simply occupying space.
“These parents are fearful that even when their children are doing nothing wrong, just hanging out with a group of their cousins, they’ll be singled out and targeted by some police–it’s appalling and needs urgent attention.
“Right now, when police engage in problematic behaviour, the investigation happens behind closed doors, investigated by their own. Now in fairness, this might be okay if things were improving—but incident after incident certainly suggests they are not.
“A system that lets police investigate themselves while this behaviour continues is a system that protects and entrenches racism, not people. It’s unacceptable. And after months and years of similar incidents, it’s clear we need far more transparency around the outcomes of police misconduct investigations.
“The Greens are calling on the government to address this broken system—one that enables racism and offers those who perpetuate it anonymity. This isn’t about every officer. But unless we hold those who abuse their power accountable, then the public will rightly continue to struggle to have confidence in the system as a whole.”
The Greens are calling on the government to improve how investigations into police misconduct are conducted which must include increasing transparency into the outcomes of investigations to enhance community trust in the police.
A report into the conduct of the Australian Federal Police recently found that the agency is dismissing complaints that should be investigated, including allegations of corruption and assault within its own ranks.
Comments provided by Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service:
Ms Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service, has emphasised the importance of investigating the nature of the relationship between ACT Policing and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community during Estimates hearings.
She is particularly concerned about a raft of findings in the recent report of the Commonwealth Ombudsman into the use of force by ACT Policing.
As the Ombudsman noted in his report the misuse of force by police has the potential to disproportionately impact vulnerable members of the community, such as First Nations people. Julie Tongs said while shameful, it is also relevant to any inquiry into the relationship between ACT Policing and the Aboriginal community of Canberra that the ACT has both the highest rate of incarceration of Aboriginal peoples in Australia and the highest rate of Aboriginal recidivism.
Quotes attributable to Chairperson of Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation, Ms Tahlia-Rose Vanissum:
“Indigenous women are the fastest growing prison population in the world. In the ACT our women are imprisoned at a 76.5 times greater rate than non-Indigenous woman. The highest level of overrepresentation in Australia.
“Strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are critical safeguards in our communities, keeping us safe, healthy and connected to culture, especially our children.
“Failure to address their needs has impacts on our entire community including increased rates of victimisation, criminalisation, child removal and homelessness.
“The current ACT justice system subjects our women to unique forms of intersectional discrimination, they are over-policed, under-protected, and ‘misidentified’ (targeted) by colonial enforcement agencies built on the principles of erasure and control.
“Police cannot be trusted to investigate themselves and they cannot be trusted by our communities to lead reform they actively resist.”
Liberal and Labor team up to build public housing for US troops under AUKUS
The Liberal and Labor parties today voted to stop an inquiry into legislation that will allow the Government to build public housing for US troops in Australia as part of AUKUS.
The Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025 is being rammed through the Senate to allow the Defence Housing Authority to build homes for foreign militaries in Australia. The target for these powers is housing for US troops under AUKUS.
To make matters worse, this legislation will be passed without a financial impact statement, leaving unclear how much public money Australia will allocate to building homes for the US military in Australia.
The Greens moved to refer the Bill to a Senate inquiry to allow public scrutiny and to obtain details about the cost and timeframes proposed, but this was opposed by the two war parties.
Reports indicate that there will be an initial 700 US troops stationed in Western Australia as part of AUKUS, with thousands more across Australia.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence, said: “You cannot make this up. The Albanese Government spent the last Parliament attacking the Greens for wanting more public housing, saying this call was unrealistic. Now, in Labor’s first big move in the housing space, it is building public housing not for people doing it rough, but for Trump.”
“There is no financial impact statement in this Bill, as if there is no cost to building hundreds of homes. It is another secret deal to put Australian public funds into the pockets of the US military, another bottomless pit of money for AUKUS.
“What this government is doing by putting forward this Bill in the first sitting period is sending a clear message that their priority is to keep Donald Trump happy, even if that means building the Mar-a-Lago of Perth paid for by the Australian public.”
Senator Barbara Pocock, Greens spokesperson for Housing said: “The Government’s priorities are clear – US troops are deemed more worthy of public housing than people in Australia desperately needing a roof over their heads.
“In our current housing crisis, the Government is choosing to play politics. Labor says it wants to solve the housing crisis but all they’re doing is pandering to US interests.
“Labor is proving they can deliver on public housing. So if the Government can provide public housing for US troops, why can’t they do it for vulnerable Australians desperately needing a roof over their head?
“Housing is a human right. The Greens call on Labor to take the housing crisis seriously by delivering public housing for Australians.”
Childcare bill passes but Greens say reactive legislation is not enough to keep kids safe
The Greens say the newly passed Strengthening Regulation of Early Education Bill – which gives the Government new powers to cut off Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments to services that repeatedly fail quality standards – doesn’t deliver what’s needed to truly address safety and quality in early learning.
The Greens supported the Bill but warned that without deeper reform of the early learning system, children will continue to face unacceptable risks, including abuse, neglect, and systemic malpractice.
Senator Hodgins-May questioned the Government on the Bill today, highlighting that most measures rely on the discretion of the Education Department Secretary—revealing what the Greens say is a lack of clear decision-making frameworks and inadequate sector consultation.
The Greens remain ready to work with the Government on real structural early learning reform when Parliament returns in three weeks.
Australian Greens spokesperson for early education and care:
“This Bill introduces measures the Greens support, but it does nothing to lift quality across the board and only kicks in after providers fail on safety or quality.
“The new measures rely entirely on the Secretary’s discretion, with no clear framework for how decisions will be made, including when it comes to what information is shared with families.
“The deeper issue lies in the subsidy funding model – a model that treats early education as an industry to profit from, not a human right.
“The CCS funnels billions into a system dominated by private operators where only 13 per cent exceed quality standards, compared to 28 per cent of not-for-profits.
“Only an independent national watchdog as proposed by the Greens and backed by the sector will genuinely lift quality and safety and move us towards a genuinely accessible and high quality early education system.
“It should never take tragedies to trigger reform. The Prime Minister says he wants universal, affordable childcare to be his legacy. Well, is he ready to work with us to deliver it?”
Support rolls in for Adamstown road safety improvements
The finishing touches have been completed on a $3.3 million project designed to improve the safety and accessibility of a notorious Adamstown black spot.
City of Newcastle has delivered a range of upgrades to improve navigation of the intersection of Glebe Road and Park Avenue, which has a history of vehicle crashes and frequent near misses.
This includes the installation of a new set of traffic lights, switched on last month. The lights have significantly improved safety for vehicles, while also making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access local schools, businesses, public transport, and the Fernleigh Track.
The intersection was adjusted to accommodate the traffic lights, with a new median constructed east along Glebe Road to assist with managing traffic movements.
New shared paths, cycle ramps, and on-road cycle lane were also installed at the intersection to address the challenge previously faced by cyclists when crossing Glebe Road.
Newcastle Cycleways Movement President Sam Reich said the changes have made a positive difference to navigating the precinct.
“Glebe Road is heavily trafficked at relatively high speeds and cyclists and pedestrians have been riding and running for their lives across it for years,” Mr Reich said.
“Much needed improvements to the shared spaces, paths and lanes have made the intersection much more user friendly, and pedestrians and cyclists can now cross Glebe Road at a signalised crossing.
“Newcastle Cycleways Movement has worked closely with the City of Newcastle for years to get this result, and we congratulate the planners and crews who have completed this complex project so successfully.”
More than 1,700 vehicles per hour travel through the busy intersection of during peak periods on a typical weekday.
The project was part funded by a $971,000 grant through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.
Mattara Dry Cleaners Director Lee Kliousis has operated his business in Adamstown for more than 30 years and said the recent safety upgrades were a welcome outcome.
“Before the traffic lights were installed, I was calling the police, a tow truck, or an ambulance almost every week because of vehicle crashes,” Mr Kliousis said.
“It was a notorious black spot, especially with drivers crossing from Park Avenue onto Glebe Road, it often felt like a game of chance than safe driving.
“The new pedestrian crossing has made a difference too. It’s much safer now to walk across the road to The Gates Hotel, a big improvement for locals and visitors alike.”
City of Newcastle will continue working with Transport for NSW to maximise the performance of the intersection, including ongoing works with Sydney Trains around the coordination of the signals with the operation of the rail gates.
For more information visit the project page on the City of Newcastle website: Glebe Road Adamstown – safety improvements.
Look at $120m upgrade of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital
The community is being given their first look at the new 30 bed inpatient unit planned for Blacktown Hospital, which will increase the hospital’s capacity to support patients recovering from a range of urgent conditions.
The Minns Labor Government is investing $120 million in the upgrade of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals to provide expanded and contemporary acute inpatient capacity. The project will include 60 additional beds across Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals.
This additional 60 beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals are part of the NSW Government’s delivery of more than $3.4 billion in hospital infrastructure across western Sydney over the next four years.
The redevelopment at Blacktown Hospital will include a mix of fit-for-purpose rooms supporting recovery. The project will also include expanded clinical and non-clinical support service spaces.
Staff, stakeholders and the community are invited to attend an information session at Blacktown Hospital to meet the project team and learn more:
Blacktown Hospital Foyer – outside Gloria Jean’s café
Thursday, 14 August, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Further consultation, planning and design will continue throughout the year, with construction timeframes to be finalised as part of the overall planning and once a builder has been appointed.
Work to deliver the project will be carried out in stages to minimise disruption to clinical services, which will remain operational throughout the redevelopment.
The $120 million upgrade of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals is being delivered by Health Infrastructure and Western Sydney Local Health District. Planning for the expanded Mount Druitt Hospital is progressing, which will include additional medical and surgical capacity.
For more information visit: nsw.gov.au/bmdh-additional-beds
The 2025-26 NSW Budget includes $1.3 billion of additional funding to support the delivery of health facilities across Western Sydney including:
- an additional $700 million for the new Bankstown Hospital, increasing the total investment to $2 billion;
- additional State funding of $90.0 million to provide the full range of maternity and birthing services as part of the new Rouse Hill Hospital, with a further $120 million announced by the Commonwealth Government;
- $492 million to develop a Statewide Pathology Hub on the Westmead campus;
- $40.1 million to fit out level 13 of the new Paediatric Services Building at Westmead in partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
- $22.3 million to establish a new paediatric hospice at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Other projects in the Western Sydney region include upgrades at Nepean, Liverpool, Canterbury, Fairfield, Camden and Campbelltown hospitals.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“It’s great to see this major step forward in our $120 million investment into Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals, increasing inpatient capacity for our growing Western Sydney Community.
“The project will boost access to a range of urgent and elective surgeries by creating space for patient recovery and the support needed before returning home.
“We’re also increasing inpatient capacity at Mount Druitt Hospital to reduce the need for patient transfers and further free up capacity at other Western Sydney hospitals.”
Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali:
“The Minns Labor Government is listening to community feedback by designing and building infrastructure to meet the health needs of Blacktown City’s fast-growing population. This means more nurses and allied health staff in appropriate facilities to deliver for our local residents.”
Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott:
“The new Blacktown Hospital inpatient unit is a much needed and welcome addition to our community’s healthcare, providing dedicated support for patient recovery from a range of urgent conditions.”
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby:
“The new beds at Blacktown and Mt. Druitt hospitals combined with the new Rouse Hill Hospital are a big improvement for the healthcare needs of my electorate.”
Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla:
“The investment to expand inpatient capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals is a significant step to supporting our community across Western Sydney.”
New women’s refuge to provide safe haven in Walgett Shire
The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping violence in regional communities, with the development of a new Aboriginal-led refuge in the Walgett Shire.
With an investment of more than $6.2 million, the refuge will be built by Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation Ltd as part of the government’s Core and Cluster program.
The project proposal will be for six, two-bedroom self-contained units, including one wheelchair accessible unit and pet-friendly spaces. The refuge will promote cultural safety and independent living for women and children fleeing violence in the region.
Through the ‘core’ service on-site, residents will have access to culturally responsive and trauma informed supports such as individual counselling, legal assistance, family therapy and employment services.
Common areas will include child-friendly spaces such as an indoor and outdoor play area, teen space, study nooks, and a multipurpose room, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for residents as they heal and rebuild their lives.
The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program, which provides women and childing fleeing violent situations with crisis accommodation and on-site specialist domestic and family violence support services. Once completed, the program will help more than an additional 2,900 victim-survivors of domestic violence each year.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s wider effort to address domestic and family violence in the state. It includes an historic $5.1 billion investment in social and affordable housing, with at least half of new builds prioritised for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
It also includes funding to expand our Staying Home Leaving Violence program, strengthening bail laws, earlier intervention and rolling out our first dedicated primary prevention strategy to stop the violence before it starts.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“Domestic and family violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children in New South Wales.
“This Core and Cluster refuge in Walgett Shire – and the 48 others we’re building across the state – will deliver much-needed emergency housing and specialist support for women and children fleeing violence.
“This safe haven will support its residents towards rebuilding their lives, healing from trauma, and reconnecting with community.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“The NSW Government is proud to partner with an Aboriginal-led organisation, Murdi Paaki, to deliver this refuge for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.
“We know that the refuge’s culturally responsive design will ensure victim-survivors feel culturally safe and supported as they rebuild their lives after violence and abuse.
“This Core and Cluster refuge is just one way the NSW Government is investing in efforts to meeting the Closing The Gap target to halve rates of family and domestic violence in Aboriginal communities over the next five to six years.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“The Minns Labor Government is proud to partner with Murdi Paaki on the construction of this refuge for domestic and family violence victim-survivors in Walgett Shire.
“There is a great need for crisis accommodation and specialist support services across the state, including in regional, rural and remote New South Wales. We are committed to providing appropriate support and safe housing to victim-survivors irrespective of their postcode.
“Walgett Shire is the LGA with the highest rate of recorded domestic violence assault in NSW.
“This refuge will ensure domestic and family violence victim-survivors in the local community have a safe place to receive culturally appropriate and trauma informed support so they can recover to live free from violence.”
Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:
“I welcome this announcement from the NSW Government. Domestic violence is a scourge on society, and one of the biggest challenges women and children face in escaping a violent situation is having somewhere safe to go. Facilities like this allow women and children subjected to family or domestic violence to remove themselves from the threat and stay in a safe, supportive environment while they can recover and plan for the future.”
General Manager of the Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation Ltd Paul Kemp said:
“Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation is proud to be leading the development of this refuge with our service partner Mission Australia and the NSW Government, to ensure there will be a safe place where women and children can escape violence and abuse”.
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
Eurobodalla residents invited to health planning update
Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) is inviting Eurobodalla residents to attend a community forum for an update on local health services including the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health facility.
The session will be held from 5.00pm to 6.30pm on Thursday 7 August at Moruya Golf Club.
Panel members will provide project updates and answer questions submitted by the community in advance, as well as share information about health services in the Eurobodalla.
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, and community members are encouraged to send questions in before the meeting via the email link below.
Event details:
Eurobodalla health planning update
Where: Moruya Golf Club, 28A Evans Street, Moruya
When: 5.00pm to 6.30pm, Thursday 7 August
Questions should be submitted by 5.00 pm Tuesday 5 August by emailing SNSWLHD-YourFeedback@health.nsw.gov.au
No registration or RSVP required.
For more information on the Eurobodalla Hospital project visit: nsw.gov.au/new-eurobodalla-regional-hospital
For more information on the Batemans Bay Community Health project visit: nsw.gov.au/new-batemans-bay-community-health
Ryan Park, Minister for Regional Health:
“This invitation is an opportunity for the community to receive clear, up-to-date information on the progress of health-related projects happening across the Eurobodalla as we work together to strengthen health services for our community.
“I encourage everyone who can to attend and help shape the great work being done across the region.”
Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland:
“Once complete, the purpose-built health facilities in Batemans Bay and at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will support the specific health needs of our growing community.
“This forum is a valuable opportunity for residents to hear firsthand about progress on these major health projects and to contribute by submitting questions and sharing local perspectives.”
Remembering NSW rangers on World Ranger Day
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff who lost their lives protecting the community and the environment have been remembered at a service in the Blue Mountains.
The 11 names on the NPWS Honour Roll were read in front of family, friends and colleagues at the NPWS memorial at George Phillips Lookout, near Govett’s Leap in Blue Mountains National Park.
Special mention was made of the 25th anniversary of a hazard reduction burn in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which claimed the lives of four staff members, seriously injured three others, and changed the way NPWS undertakes fire management.
World Ranger Day, held each year on 31 July, honours the people who dedicate their life’s work to protecting our environment for future generations.
This year’s theme – Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation – highlights the role rangers play as protectors of nature as well as partners in community-led conservation.
Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:
“Our dedicated NPWS staff show courage and commitment every day, protecting and defending our natural environment and cultural heritage on behalf of the people of NSW.
“We honour those who have lost their lives in this pursuit and thank them for their service. We also acknowledge those injured at work, as well as those who mourn the loss of their friends and colleagues.
“Twenty-five years on from the tragedy at Mt Ku-ring-gai, we especially remember those staff, families and friends who were affected.”