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Government expands paid prac to strengthen Medicare

The Albanese Labor Government is expanding the Commonwealth Prac Payment to people training in an additional ten key front line health professions. This will provide cost of living relief for students and support our future healthcare workforce.

Unpaid practical placements are a big part of healthcare degrees. For some courses such as radiography, it is more than a year of the degree. For that commitment, many students have to give up paid work and many have to move away from home.

Paid prac provides financial support to help students while they undertake practical training. Paid prac already covers eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students.

The Albanese Labor Government is now expanding it to eligible students studying these ten courses: 

  • clinical psychology
  • physiotherapy
  • occupational therapy
  • speech pathology
  • paramedicine
  • radiography
  • pharmacy
  • rehabilitation therapies
  • audiology
  • podiatry

This is another way the Albanese Government is helping with the cost of living in addition to policies such as our 20 per cent cut to student debt, tax cuts for every taxpayer, cheaper childcare and backing wage rises.

Eligible students currently receive $338.60 per week during their clinical and professional placement periods. It is a means tested payment benchmarked to the single Austudy rate and indexed annually.

Paid prac is reducing financial pressure on students and allowing them to spend less time worrying about paying the bills and more time focused on their training.

It helps students doing placements when they have to relocate, including in the bush. Travel, accommodation and relocation costs can discourage students from undertaking placements in regional and remote Australia, where health workforce shortages are often most acute.

The expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment will help more students manage these costs, complete their qualifications and move into critical health and care jobs.

Expanding paid prac to more healthcare professions will help to continue building the health workforce Australia needs and strengthen Medicare.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Paid prac is already making a real difference – it’s helping students with cost of living while they train and that’s why we’re expanding it.

“This is an investment in our future healthcare workforce. We need more of them and this will help more Australians get the qualifications our nation needs.

“We’re backing Australians to get the education they need and this announcement builds on our reduction to student debt, free TAFE and tax cuts that put money back in people’s pockets.”

Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler:

“The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Medicare by growing the health workforce Australians need.

“Training a domestic health workforce is crucial to ensuring every Australian can access quality health care where and when they need it.

“These are people who are going to look after us when we’re sick or old, helping women during childbirth, helping Australians living with disability.

“This expansion means that if you’re training to be a pharmacist, physio or psychologist, you’ll also now have a bit of extra help to get through.

“This will make a big difference for students doing placements in the bush who face extra costs when they’re training away from home.”

Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“Paid prac is working, that’s why we’re expanding it.

“Paid prac helps to pay the bills, pay the rent and pay for things like petrol and parking.

“Paid prac is making a difference now for students training for some of the most important jobs in our country.

“We’re expanding paid prac so more front line health workers will get that cost-of-living help while they train.

“This will help more students finish their qualifications and move into the jobs the country needs.”

Appeal to locate missing woman – Maitland

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the state’s Hunter region.

Tahlia Kim, aged 25, was last seen in Maitland about 6am today (Saturday 25 July 2026).

When she was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Family and police have serious concerns for Tahila’s welfare

Tahila is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait islander appearance, 160cm, thin build and brown hair.

It is not known what she maybe wearing.

Tahila is known to frequent the Maitland, Fletcher and Newcastle areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

New NT child safety laws ignore expert warnings, fail vulnerable children

The Australian Greens say the Northern Territory Government pushed through child protection reforms that will do nothing to keep children safer.

The changes were passed to weaken the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle despite expert opposition and a joint statement from Australia’s Child Safety Ministers and the National Commissioner for First Nations Children and Young People.

They clearly state that the principle does not override safety concerns; it recognises that connection to family, community and Country can be critical to keeping Aboriginal children safe.

The laws also ignore priority recommendations of the Webb-Shanahan interim review of the NT child protection system, released yesterday. The review identified systemic failures including inadequate risk assessments, incomplete investigations, workforce shortages and poor responses to family and domestic violence.

Senator Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for First Nations Justice:

“This Act is another example of the NT Government choosing racist dogwhistling over evidence-based policy. They’ve ignored the experts on youth incarceration, housing, the environment and now child safety. 

“The evidence is clear. Weakening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle won’t keep children safe. Fixing chronic failures in the child protection system will.

“The Webb-Shanahan review points to real problems: under-resourcing, workforce shortages, failures to investigate risks and inadequate responses to family and domestic violence. That’s what the NT Government should be focused on.

“Aboriginal women, families and communities have been clear about what works. Keeping children safe requires Aboriginal leadership and self-determination, not political scapegoating.

“Australia is going backwards on Closing the Gap and these changes will make that worse. In the Northern Territory, First Nations children are more than 13 times more likely to be in out-of-home care, and the Territory has the lowest rate of kinship care in the country.

“The Federal Government should consider withholding Closing the Gap funding while the NT Government continues to undermine national commitments and ignore the evidence on keeping Aboriginal children safe.

“These laws were developed in response to the tragic death of Kumanjayi Little Baby. We owe it to her, her family and her community to follow the evidence about how to prevent violence against Aboriginal women and children, not exploit that tragedy to justify laws that experts say will cause more harm.

Greens Call For Minister Berry’s Resignation Following Findings Of Serious Corrupt Conduct By Former Key Staff

The ACT Greens are calling for the resignation of Minister for Education Yvette Berry following findings by the ACT Integrity Commission of serious corrupt conduct by her then Chief of Staff and her then Director General of Education. 

“The Integrity Commission’s findings are clear,” ACT Greens Leader Jo Clay says.

“The Commission has found that the conduct of Ms Katy Haire and Mr Josh Ceramidas was ‘of a character that would be likely to threaten public confidence in the integrity of Government or public administration’ – and that both individuals undertook ‘a calculated attempt to cover up the truth.’ The Commission found this amounted to ‘serious corrupt conduct’. 

“At the time of the conduct, Mr Ceramidas was Minister Berry’s Chief of Staff and Ms Haire was the Director General for Education. This represents a serious failure of ministerial accountability and leadership and a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. Minister Berry cannot continue in her role. 

“Under the ACT Ministerial Code of Conduct, ministers are accountable for their own behaviour and the decisions and actions of their staff. Minister Berry failed in her duty to ensure her Chief of Staff complied with the Code. The Minister is also accountable for her then Director General of Education.

“Canberrans expect and deserve ministers who are accountable for their actions and the actions of those who serve directly under them. These findings expose a serious breach of the standards of accountability and integrity, and a clear betrayal of the community’s trust. We are calling on Minister Berry to do the right thing and resign now. We will call for further accountability measures as we consider this report.”

BACKGROUND

•    The ACT Ministerial Code of Conduct. We draw your attention to paragraphs 3(e) and 5(g).
•    The ACT Greens-Labor Supply and Confidence Agreement for the 11th Assembly. We draw your attention to page 2, which identifies the Greens’ criteria for opposing a Minister’s continued appointment.

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”

Designs unveiled for new Flinders High School

A new public high school planned for Flinders will provide modern classrooms, specialist learning spaces and community facilities for up to 750 students.

Illawarra families are getting their first look at the new high school in Flinders, as the Minns Labor Government unveils designs ahead of the school opening its doors to students on Day 1, Term 1, 2029.

To be built next to Flinders Public School, and with space for 750 students, this will be the first public high school built in the Shellharbour electorate in 55 years.

Designed to ease pressure on nearby Warilla High School and meet local growth, the new school will include 33 modern classrooms and three support classrooms.

It will also include specialist workshops for science, woodwork, and metalwork, a covered outdoor learning area, a multipurpose hall for sports and school performances, a playing field, and a library.

Families can learn more about the new school during a community information session on Tuesday, 28 July, from 3:15 pm to 5:30 pm, at Flinders Public School.

This project builds on the 2023 election commitment made by the Minns Labor Government and the Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson, to begin planning for a new high school in Flinders.

The Minns Labor Government will invest $2.3 billion in school infrastructure for regional NSW over the next four years, delivering new and upgraded schools to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education.

More than $220 million has already been invested in new school infrastructure in Shellharbour with construction underway on co-located public early learning at Barrack Heights and Lake Illawarra South Public Schools and work beginning, next year, on a new public school with co-located public early learning for West Dapto.

With the Flinders and Shell Cove communities set to grow by more than 1,500 homes over the next 15 years, this ensures families will have access to a world-class education, close to home.

In addition to ensuring students have modern classrooms and schools, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff from uncertain temporary contracts to permanent employment.

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.

This reform is attracting teachers into public schools and helping retain those already there, with teacher vacancies at a 12-year low and the number of merged and cancelled classes in NSW halving since the election of the Minns Labor Government.

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“For too long, Shellharbour families have watched new houses go up without a new local high school, and now that high school is exactly what the Minns Labor Government is delivering.

“We’ve not just delivered on our promise to plan for a new high school in Flinders, we’ve fully funded this project, ensuring it can open its doors for students on Day 1, Term 1, 2029.

“This will be the first public high school built in the Shellharbour electorate in more than half a century, and the first public school built in the area in over two decades.

“The Minns Labor Government is working to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education, close to home.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“The Illawarra is a growing region, and communities like Flinders have been crying out for the essential services they need to keep up with that growth.  

“This new high school in Flinders will mean hundreds of families will have access to a world-class education right at their doorstep.

“We are investing in the services families and communities in the Illawarra need, from new schools and hospitals to roads and public spaces.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said:

“As one of the fastest growing areas in NSW, the new high school for Flinders is not just what local families deserve, it’s what we need.

“Being built right next door to Flinders Public School means local children can start and finish their entire school journey on the same site, close to home.

“I’m proud to be part of a Labor Government that has kept its promise to plan and deliver a brand-new high school for our growing community.”

Principal of Flinders Public School Greg Wells said:

“’I’m thrilled with the announcement of the new high school being located beside our primary school.

“This outstanding investment will benefit both our students and the broader community by providing a seamless transition from primary to secondary school.

“We look forward to collaborating with the new high school to ensure our students achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the broader community.” 

More than 400 new social homes coming to Macquarie Park

Hundreds more people will have access to safe and secure housing, with construction now underway on the next stage of Midtown Mac Park which will deliver more than 400 social homes.

The Minns Labor Government has partnered with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver an additional 190 social homes thanks to a funding injection from the  Building Homes for NSW Program and round two of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).  

Start of work on stage two marks the next major step in the transformation of the former Ivanhoe Estate into a thriving mixed community.

The redevelopment is being delivered over eight stages and once complete will contain approximately 3,300 new homes, including:

  • More than 1,100 social homes – an uplift of more than four times the social homes previously on the site
  • 130 affordable homes
  • More than 2,000 private homes
  • Community facilities and public spaces including a new parks, childcare centres, shops and dining, a swimming pool, gym, and new road infrastructure.
  • Macquarie Park Public School, which is expected to be ready for student from Term 1, 2027.

The latest stage will deliver 519 new homes, including 401 new social homes across two new residential buildings.

Expected to be completed in 2029, the new homes will provide more people with access to safe, modern housing in one of Sydney’s best-connected communities, close to public transport, jobs, schools and essential services.

The NSW Government has partnered with Frasers Property Australia and their partner Mitsui Fudosan Australia to deliver Midtown Mac Park, with Mission Australia Housing continuing its role as a community housing provider at the precinct.

Mission Australia Housing will manage 211 of the new social homes, with a competitive tender process planned for 2027 to appoint a community housing provider to part-own and manage the additional 190 homes.

The Minns Labor Government is boosting the supply of social housing in large scale housing renewals like Waterloo, Telopea, Tolland and Bellambi thanks to a record $6.6 billion investment in the  Building Homes for NSW program.  

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson:

“What makes Midtown Macquarie Park so significant is that we’re not simply replacing old housing, we’re delivering more than four times the number of social homes that were previously on this site, right in the heart of one of Sydney’s most connected communities.

“For too long, governments sold off public housing and failed to replace it. We’re taking a different approach by building vibrant mixed-tenure communities in sought-after locations, with an increased supply of social and affordable housing locked in from the start.

“This renewal brings together housing, transport, jobs, schools, parks and community facilities. That’s exactly the kind of neighbourhood people deserve and exactly the kind of housing project we can get behind and be proud to deliver.”

Frasers Property Australia CEO Cameron Leggatt:

“Frasers Property has delivered high-quality community housing developments across Australia partnering with Governments at all levels and in collaboration with community housing providers, and this is evident in the inclusive community being created at Midtown MacPark.  

“It’s extremely rewarding to actively contribute to the provision of much-needed social, affordable and market housing at Midtown that delivers a flourishing mixed-tenure neighbourhood enabling healthy, happy lifestyles for all residents.”

Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister:

“Mission Australia is proud to be a part of the vibrant community that has grown at Midtown MacPark, providing social and affordable homes alongside the support people need to build stability and thrive. In just over two years, we’ve seen the difference that a safe, secure home can make, with residents connecting with each other and forming a sense of belonging at Midtown.  

“Midtown shows what can be achieved when residents are supported to sustain their tenancies, reach their goals and form community connections. There are residents here who have experienced the trauma of homelessness and housing instability who are now pursuing work and education opportunities and building a positive future.  

“The start of construction on more than 400 new social homes is an exciting milestone. We’re really looking forward to welcoming more people to Midtown MacPark and supporting them as they become part of this inclusive, connected community. This is what can be accomplished when governments, community housing providers and the private sector come together to deliver more homes where they’re needed most.” 

Minns Labor Government powers ahead on Western Sydney’s next sporting icon

The Minns Labor Government is today announcing another major milestone as the new roof at Penrith stadium is now complete. The completion of the roof transforms the Western Sydney skyline and provides the first real glimpse of the world-class venue that will become the beating heart of sport, entertainment and community life in Western Sydney.

The roof was assembled on the ground before eight prefabricated modules weighing between 42 and 120 tonnes each were lifted into place by crane, seeing more of both the eastern and western grandstands covered.

When complete, more than half the seats in the stadium will be under cover, providing more shade and rain protection for crowds. The western grandstand roof is also fitted with solar panels which can generate up to 120 kilowatts of electricity, improving the stadium’s energy efficiency and reducing reliance on the electricity grid.

The stadium will have more food and beverage outlets (one point of sale for every 150 patrons) and around 450 toilets (three times more than the previous venue) and will be accessible, safe and inclusive for all users with 180 wheelchair compliant seats, up from 37 in the previous venue.

More than 1,300 workers have contributed to the new beating heart of Penrith, delivering essential local jobs and keeping construction activity flowing through the Western Sydney economy.

The precinct will be accessible to the community all-year round with access to a landscaped forecourt, including basketball hoops and a playing field.

The completion of the roof follows the Western Grandstand reaching its highest point last month highlighting the steepness of the stands which will significantly improve vantage points for spectators.

The next steps in the project will include the internal fit out (corporate suites, function rooms, player facilities, food and beverage stands and amenities), installing seating and the field of play. The stadium is expected to open in 2027 in time for the NRL season and will be known as Helloworld Stadium.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car said:

“ We’re one step closer to returning local fans to the stands for the 2027 NRL season to cheer on the mighty Panthers in their new world-class stadium.”

“Built by Western Sydney, for Western Sydney – this government is delivering on its commitment for a brand-new stadium in Penrith.”

Acting Minister for Lands and Property, Kate Washington said:

“Penrith Stadium is taking shape – the roof is on and anticipation is building.

“Fans are excited to raise this new roof, cheering on their favourite sports team or rocking out to incredible live music when it opens next year.”

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown said:

“The roof is on and Penrith Stadium cuts a striking silhouette, taking pride of place on the Western Sydney skyline.

“We’re looking forward to the return of our mighty Penrith Panthers and hosting headline acts. “Our stadium will be the beating heart of Penrith the premier major sporting and cultural hub – attracting visitors, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.”

Quality Rigging Structural Erectors (QRSE), Director, John Neilsen said:

“Being involved in the Penrith Stadium redevelopment has been a project that our team at QRSE is incredibly proud of.

“Watching the stadium take shape and knowing that our work contributes to the future of the Penrith community and the passionate fans who will fill the stands is something truly special.

“From a 320kg step to the 155-tonne roof module and all 3480 critical lifts in between, we’re honoured to have played a role in delivering a lasting landmark for Western Sydney.”

New Shellharbour Hospital reaches highest point

The eight-level Shellharbour Hospital has reached a key milestone, moving the region closer to accessing a broader range of health services closer to home.

Communities across the Illawarra are a step closer to accessing expanded health services, with the construction of the new eight-level Shellharbour Hospital reaching its highest point.  

A traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony was held on site today, to mark the structural completion milestone.

The new facility features a rooftop helipad which will provide Illawarra residents with faster access to emergency and critical care services once the hospital becomes operational.  

Overlooking expansive views of the escarpment, the purpose-built facility provides a welcoming and supportive environment for staff, patients, and visitors.

Over the coming months, work will progress on the internal fit-out and external works to install the façade of the building.

Construction of the new Shellharbour Hospital is on track to be completed in late 2027 and will deliver a broad range of health services, helping communities across the Illawarra access care and treatment closer to home. This includes:

  • An expanded emergency department  
  • Specialised elective surgery services  
  • Rehabilitation and aged care services  
  • Paediatric Assessment Unit  
  • Acute medical services  
  • Expanded mental health services  
  • Maternity services including midwifery-led clinics, doctor-led clinics, midwifery group practice (MGP) clinics, and pre- and post-natal care.
  • A new drug and alcohol unit  
  • Renal dialysis services  
  • Outpatient care services  
  • Car parking  
  • A rooftop helipad  

The hospital campus will also include transport connections, a new bus stop and green spaces to enhance access to the hospital.  

The Geera Gardens will span approximately 15,000 square metres, the equivalent to around three football fields, and has been co-designed with local Aboriginal groups. The gardens will feature native species and offer a welcoming and recreational space for patients, visitors and staff.  

The Coalition failed to deliver or properly fund major health facilities around NSW, leaving parts of the state missing entire hospitals and health systems under severe pressure. The Minns Labor Government is fixing this by delivering more hospitals and more beds to meet the health needs of growing communities.

The NSW and Commonwealth governments have committed $828.9 million towards the New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services project, which includes improved road infrastructure, a new safe assessment unit, and other essential works.  

The new Shellharbour Hospital project is being delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, with BESIX Watpac as the principal contractor.  

Minister for Health Ryan Park:  

“This milestone means we are one step closer to the hospital opening its doors, providing a much-needed uplift to health services in the region.

“The Minns Labor Government is making record investments to deliver more hospitals, more beds, and more staff for growing communities in the Illawarra and right across NSW.

“The new hospital forms part of more than $1 billion in health infrastructure investments across the region, including Shoalhaven, Shellharbour, Wollongong and Milton Ulladulla, helping to ensure people have access to world-class care closer to home.”  

Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler:  

“It’s fantastic to see construction of the new Shellharbour Hospital is on track to deliver new and expanded health services for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven communities.  

“The Albanese Government is working with the Minns Government to deliver this new public hospital, supporting the healthcare demands of the Illawarra–Shoalhaven’s rapidly growing population.

“The Albanese Government’s record investment in public hospitals means New South Wales is forecast to receive $64 billion in Commonwealth funding over the next five years, helping to deliver projects, like the Shellharbour Hospital. This project will ensure patients in the local community, can access the care they need, close to home.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:  

“This is a major milestone for our community and brings us another step closer to opening the new Shellharbour Hospital.”

“The new hospital will provide expanded emergency, mental health, surgical and rehabilitation services, giving local families better access to care closer to home.

“I am pleased to see the progress being made and proud to be part of a government delivering this important investment for Shellharbour and the wider Illawarra.”  

Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney:

“For the community in the Kiama Electorate this represents an exciting new chapter in accessible regional healthcare, taking us one step closer to hospital that will deliver for the current and future needs of our community.  

“This project represents the single largest investment in a regional hospital in NSW’s history and reflects commitment of the Minns Labor Government to ensuring regional residents receive accessible, quality healthcare close to home.”