$2.6 million to boost police housing in Coonamble

Coonamble, in the state’s Central Western Plains, is the latest region to receive new key worker housing with the completion of three brand-new police homes.

The $2.6 million project contains three spacious four-bedroom homes, all with a separate kitchen, dining and living room, as well as a rumpus, laundry and private backyard with two-car garage and fitted with solar panels.

Some of the biggest barriers in maintaining rural and regional police numbers is the lack of suitable and available housing.

These new homes have already provided an incentive to serving police to transfer to the region, with all three homes now filled by officers and their families.

It’s part of the NSW Government’s Key Worker Housing Program committing $146.3 million over four years to deliver 271 homes for police and teachers across the state.

To date, the Program has delivered 178 teacher and police homes in regional NSW using a mix of traditional building, modern methods of construction and land and home packages.

The four-year program will create around 700 jobs across the state, helping to strengthen local economies.

The Minns Labor Government acknowledges the housing crisis across the state, and the need to build more homes, which is why we are delivering unprecedented investment in providing more social, affordable and key worker housing.

This investment in police housing also builds on the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to deliver better frontline services, support the NSW Police Force and keep the community safe.

The former Liberal-National Government had no plan for police recruitment, no plan for police retention and sent wages backwards for 12 years. As a result, thousands of experienced officers left the force.

We know we have a long way to go, but we are working hard to turn that around by:

  • securing a historic pay rise for officers
  • paying recruits to train, resulting in applications to join the NSWPF soaring by 70%
  • creating a pathway for recruits to serve in or near their hometown after attesting at the Goulburn Police Academy
  • establishing the Professional Mobility Program for serving officers across Australia and New Zealand to join the NSWPF and keep their equivalent rank up to Senior Constable
  • introducing the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command to better look after the mental and physical health of officers.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:

“You can’t keep a community safe without police, and you can’t keep police without housing. These new homes in Coonamble are a game changer for recruiting and keeping the officers we need in the Central West.

“Three new homes and three police families already in place – that’s how quickly the right investment delivers results for communities.

“We’re not just talking about supporting our police – we’re doing it. New homes, paid training, better pay and conditions, and real pathways to serve close to home are all part of rebuilding the NSW Police Force.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson said:

“Regional communities like Coonamble are crying out for key workers, but you can’t recruit police officers and teachers if there’s nowhere for them to live. That’s why initiatives like these are so vital for Regional NSW.

“We’re helping to combat the key worker shortage in regional NSW by delivering over 270 police and teacher housing across the state by the end of 2026.

“By building more homes for teachers and police in regional NSW we can help attract more essential workers to the areas who desperately need them. It’s beneficial on both a service front and for the regional economy.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler said:

“Without investment in key worker housing like this, many regional and rural towns struggle to attract skilled and essential workers.

“Suitable housing makes it much easier. We are facing a staff shortage at police stations in Barwon. These three four-bedroom homes hold significant value for places like Coonamble; they make communities safer, increase the local population, and boost the economy.

“I thank the NSW Government for this investment.”

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland APM, Western Region Commander said:

“This is an important initiative aimed at attracting and retaining police in regional areas.

“These new homes are vital in encouraging police officers and their families to move to this area and build a connection to the community.

“We know that some of the biggest barriers in maintaining police numbers in regional parts of NSW is a lack of suitable housing, and these new homes mean we can attract police to regional communities, where they’re most needed.”

NSW Government welcomes pay certainty for firefighters after independent umpire determination

The Industrial Relations Commission of NSW (IRC) has handed down its decision on the Awards covering Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters.

NSW firefighters will receive a 14 per cent wage increase over three years, backdated to February 2024.

This includes a one-off reset of two per cent spread over the life of the three-year Awards, which the IRC found was needed due to cost of living pressures after the former government’s wage decisions artificially repressed pay for the State’s almost 7,000 firefighters.

The Minns Labor Government was elected with a mandate to scrap the Coalition’s unfair wages cap for essential workers and reestablish the Industrial Relations Commission as an independent umpire.

The decision will deliver a four per cent pay rise backdated to February 2024, four per cent from February 2025 and three per cent in the final year from February 2026.

The IRC has also awarded an additional three per cent increase from 2026 to recognise firefighters’ competency in road crash rescue work. The Commission found road crash rescue is now a core function of the role, mandating its payment to all firefighters in recognition of the scope of work of modern firefighters.

This decision of the IRC reflects the vital role all firefighters can now play in responding to motor vehicle accidents, saving lives by extracting people from crashes sooner.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring a fair, modern and sustainable wages policy for all workers, consistent with our Fair Pay and Bargaining Policy.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“I welcome today’s IRC decision delivering wage certainty for our firefighters, including an important recognition of the work they do in road crash rescues.

“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state’s essential services and reforming the industrial relations system. 

“That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, and strengthening the Industrial Relations Commission’s ability to ensure there is continued fairness in our public sector workplaces and that services are delivered to the NSW community.

“We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services and that is what we are doing.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“After more than a decade of an unfair wages cap we are delivering pay increases for frontline firefighters that recognise their work and commitment to our communities.

“This offer increases wages and improves benefits for firefighters across NSW and demonstrates we are delivering a fairer workplace bargaining system.

“Our firefighters provide vital assistance in times of need and the Minns Government continues to support the people who protect and defend NSW communities.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“This outcome recognises the critical work our firefighters to every day to keep NSW communities safe.

“It also provides certainty as we work with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union to implement the decision and support firefighters across the state.”

Minns Government announces $1m to address impacts of Islamophobia

The Minns Labor Government has today announced $1 million in funding to help tackle Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate in NSW.

The grant, which is funded by the Premier’s Department and Multicultural NSW, will support the Action Against Islamophobia initiative.

The initiative aims to provide support for people affected by Islamophobia. The Minns Labor Government’s contribution will fund:

  • a Report Islamophobia Support Line
  • case management and support services for people impacted by Islamophobia
  • advocacy and building awareness of how to report incidents
  • community education, and training for police and other front-line services on how to respond to incidents.

This announcement comes as community organisations have reported an increase in Islamophobia in Australia in recent years.

This is despite waves of migration, including from Muslim communities, contributing immensely to the social fabric and growth of our state.

Research by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute has found that negative attitudes toward Muslims have remained at concerningly high levels across the last 10 years, with a particular rise since 2024.

The Action Against Islamophobia program is run by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and aims to both combat Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate while supporting those who are subject to it.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Naked racism and Islamophobia have no place in our state or our country and it is abhorrent that people perpetuate this sort of behaviour.

“Anecdotal evidence presented to me indicates that Islamophobia is far higher than what is reported, we don’t want Australians suffering in silence or enduring racism without help or support.

“We are proud to be partnering with the Australian National Imams Council to support those dealing with the trauma that Islamophobia causes.

“This program will play a critical role in providing support to those who have been affected by this hatred while also spreading awareness of the importance of rejecting racism in all its forms.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“NSW is one of the world’s most successful multicultural success stories and we need to call out racism when we see it.

“To safeguard our vibrant multiculturalism, we must ensure we’re putting the plans in place to stamp out hatred, like that faced by our Muslim community.

“Greater visibility and a broader understanding of this issue is extremely important – helping inform how we work towards eliminating this sort of bigotry.”

Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) President Imam Shadi Alsuleiman said:

“This rise in anti-Muslim hate has left many Muslims anxious about engaging in their daily religious activities, such as praying in mosques or leaving the house wearing the hijab.

“Islamophobia manifests itself in the community in several different ways, and we’ve seen an increase in micro aggressions that are often brushed off as ignorance or rude behaviour.

“Understanding how Muslims experience Islamophobia will help guide our approach to combatting the issue on a holistic level.”

Four Sydney Venues Locked In for Netball NSW State Titles

Netball NSW has confirmed four major netball hubs across Greater Sydney will host the HART Senior and Junior State Titles until 2027, continuing the proud tradition of one of the state’s biggest grassroots sporting events.

“Netball NSW is delighted to partner with four local governments and four netball associations to deliver the annual State Titles. Since 1969 this event has grown into one of the largest sport competitions and stands as a true celebration of grassroots sport and the Netball NSW pathway,” Tracey Scott, CEO of Netball NSW said.

The HART Senior State Titles will take place from Saturday 6 to Monday 8 June in 2026 and is being co-hosted by the Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association and the Penrith District Netball Association. The matches will be staged at Kellyville Netball Courts in The Hills Shire Council area and at Jamison Park Netball Complex in the Penrith City Council area.

This year, more than 3,500 registered players and officials competed across the 15U, 17U and Opens divisions and the event attracted around 7,000 spectators over three days. The event also demonstrated the growth in men’s netball with six male 17U teams competing and five All Abilities teams in the State Challenge.

“Over 10,000 participants, families and visitors swell the local area, which is really valuable not just for the economy, but for the whole netball ecosystem. Local businesses, restaurants and accommodation benefit from increased foot traffic and local juniors get to see high-level athletes in action, inspiring greater participation in our sport,” Stacy Harding, General Manager of Competitions at Netball NSW said.

The HART Junior State Titles will follow from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 July 2026. They will be co-hosted by the Camden District and Campbelltown Netball Associations at the Narellan Sports Hub in Camden and the Campbelltown Netball Complex. This premier development event in the Netball NSW pathway showcases players aged 12-14 years across four divisions, including the 14U Male Championship.

The 2025 tournament set a new record with 240 teams and 2,500 athletes from across NSW taking part. It was three action-packed days of elite junior competition, community spirit and netball magic, with more than 50,000 goals scored across 2,206 games.

Beyond the action on court, the State Titles deliver a significant tourism and economic boost for the host regions. Thousands of visitors fill hotels, dine in local cafes, shop in retail centres, and explore nearby attractions, injecting valuable revenue into local economies.

The event also fosters strong community connections, with local volunteers, businesses, and councils working together to create a welcoming and memorable experience for players, families, and fans from across the state.

Appeal to locate teenager missing from Weston

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the Hunter Region.

Jordan Christian, aged 15, was last seen in Weston approximately two weeks ago.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified about 4:45pm on Monday 11 August 2025, and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Jordan’s welfare due to his young age.

Jordan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, and about 175cm tall with medium build.

He is known to frequent Weston, Rutherford and Newcastle areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Two in hospital after SUVs crash in Hunter

Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam vision after a crash closed the Hunter Expressway earlier today.

Emergency services were called to Greta about 5.20pm (Friday 15 August 2025), after two SUVs – both travelling southeast – collided.

A 63-year-old woman driving the vehicle in front, a red 2022-model Isuzu, was not injured and stopped nearby; however, the occupants of the following vehicle were trapped when it rolled several times.

A 61-year-old woman, who was driving the grey 2020-model Honda HR-V, and her 88-year-old female passenger, were trapped for about an hour before the older woman was released and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

The driver was taken by road ambulance to the same hospital.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and have commenced investigations into the incident.

Woman dies in hospital after SUVs crash in Hunter

Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam after a fatal crash closed the Hunter Expressway earlier today.

Emergency services were called to Greta about 5.20pm (Friday 15 August 2025), after two SUVs – both travelling southeast – collided.

A 63-year-old woman, from Aberdeen, driving the vehicle in front, a red 2022-model Isuzu, was not injured and stopped nearby; however, the occupants of the following vehicle were trapped when it rolled several times.

A 61-year-old woman, from Bonnells Bay, who was driving the grey 2020-model Honda HR-V, and her 88-year-old female passenger, were trapped for about an hour before the older woman was released and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital where she later died.

The driver was taken by road ambulance to the same hospital.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and have commenced investigations into the incident. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or any witnesses to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Mental health experts and insurers unite to issue stark productivity warning to Treasurer Jim Chalmers

Leading mental health experts and groups have teamed up with the insurance industry to draw attention to a major drag on Australia’s productivity; mental ill-health.

In an open letter to the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the signatories have called for bold reform which will target the root causes of mental ill-health in Australia to avoid needless misery and financial hardship.

The signatories include:

  • Former Australian of the Year Professor Pat McGorry
  • Co-Director of the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre Ian Hickie
  • Former chair of the National Mental Health Commission Allan Fels
  • Mental Health Australia
  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
  • Australians for Mental Health
  • the Council of Australian Life Insurers and more

“The Productivity Commission has previously found mental ill-health is costing the economy up to $220 billion a year. That’s an economic drag the federal government cannot ignore. Our economy can only ever be as good as our people,” Executive Director of Australians for Mental Health Chris Gambian said.

Almost 1 in 2 Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, and mental ill-health was one of the leading causes of temporary and permanent disability for workers under the age of 30, with young people being disproportionately affected by mental health conditions.

“We must do more to support Australians’ wellbeing from the get-go, not when they reach a crisis point and can no longer contribute to their communities and workplaces because they are too unwell to work,” Chris Gambian said.

The coalition of signatories is urging the federal government to consider how mental ill-health is holding the nation’s productivity back, and to consider the following recommendations:

  1. Coordinate a whole-of-government response to the mental health crisis, including national mental health targets, to make every department accountable
  2. Guarantee timely and affordable access to mental health care by boosting funding and training for community-based services
  3. Bolster education and training within the mental health workforce to combat workforce shortages.

“Taking steps to stop people from becoming so mentally unwell to the point they can no longer work will be a major boost for the economy, communities, families and most importantly the person who got the support they need before a crisis takes hold.

“We know working and contributing to society is good for our mental health, but not when working hours and demands are unsustainable, contributing to burn out and psychological injury.

“We can’t treat our way out of rising rates of mental ill-health. We need bold reform to embed wellbeing in our policies. It will be better for Australians, and our economy too.”

Defence export success for South Australian missile manufacturer

Two major export deals worth a combined $80 million have been secured by Kongsberg Defence Australia, seeing missile launchers and command and control consoles made in South Australia soon to be exported to Europe.

Last year, the Albanese Government added Kongsberg Defence Australia to its Global Supply Chain Program, which has since opened the door to Australian defence industries. These export deals are made possible through Australia’s Naval Strike Missile procurement contract, which included an agreement for components to be manufactured in Australia.

As a result, South Australian companies are now contributing to exporting sophisticated defence hardware to Poland, Spain and Denmark. 

Through its parent company, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace in Norway, the company will deliver Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System Command and Control Consoles to Poland. 

The $30 million contract is Kongsberg Defence Australia’s first export as part of the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program. The company also secured another $50 million order for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile Launcher Systems to be exported to Spain and Denmark.

The export deals mark a significant milestone for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons manufacturing program. 

Both the launcher systems and command and control consoles will be assembled by Kongsberg Defence Australia, and tested in their production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The consoles and launchers will be manufactured using 100 per cent Australian made components and subsystems from companies based in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. 

The two projects are set to create 60 highly-skilled jobs at Kongsberg Defence Australia and across its local supply chain. 

The Naval Strike Missile is a modern anti-ship cruise missile designed to defeat highly capable enemy warships as well as land-based targets. The Naval Strike Missile is being installed on Navy’s Hobart class destroyers and Anzac class frigates with a successful first of class firing in July 2024 and Initial Operational Capability declaration in 2024.

These exports are part of the Australian Government’s investment in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise, underpinned by a commitment in Defence’s Integrated Investment Program of $16 to $21 billion over the next decade.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The Albanese Government’s efforts to support Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry have reaped further benefits with these significant export deals. This is an exciting milestone for Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry and a proud moment for Australian businesses to enter the global supply chain for missile manufacturing. 

“It will be the first time Naval Strike Missile launchers are manufactured outside of Europe and the United States, positioning Australia as a trusted source of supply to the Naval Strike Missile capability. 

“These deals underscore the Government’s commitment to working alongside our industry partners to strengthen Australia’s role in the global defence industry.”

South Australian Minister for Defence & Space Industries, the Hon Stephen Mullighan MP: 

“This is a fantastic result for South Australia’s defence sector, demonstrating our capabilities in delivering state-of-the-art technology to a global market.

“These significant contracts will not only boost the workforce at Kongsberg’s Mawson Lakes facility, but along the supply chain. 

“It’s successes like this that help cement South Australia’s reputation as the Defence State.”

Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia, John Fry:

“These major export contracts are a huge milestone for Kongsberg Defence Australia. 

“Together with our Australian suppliers, we have demonstrated our determination and competitiveness to be able deliver to our parent company, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for international customers, highlighting the capability, quality and reliability of our Australian team and supply chain.

“The export contracts under the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program are creating opportunities in the international market for our local suppliers, which is a fantastic outcome for Australian Defence industry.”

Greens urge the Government to put early learning on the productivity agenda

Ahead of the Government’s productivity roundtables, the Productivity Commission’s interim report on Delivering quality care more efficiently re-affirms that the Government must urgently deliver bold reform for the care sector, with the Greens arguing early childhood education and care should be firmly on the agenda. 

The interim report proposes that the Government pursue greater alignment in quality and safety regulation across all care sectors. 

Today, Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, has written to the Treasurer urging that universal, affordable and high-quality early learning be a central item on the roundtable agenda to help achieve its stated goals of improving living standards, boosting productivity and strengthening economic resilience.

Expanding access to high-quality early learning would enable more women to participate in the workforce, support children’s development and deliver substantial long-term economic returns. Yet the current privatised childcare system remains a major barrier, leaving too many children locked out of the quality education they need in their early years.

Australian Greens spokesperson for early education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“Early education is a vital part of the care sector and essential to lifting national productivity.

“A shift to a universal, low-cost, high-quality early learning system would be a game-changer for families, children and the economy. Research shows such a system could grow the economy by $168 billion and generate an additional $48 billion in government revenue.

“The childcare subsidy model and market-driven approach make early learning inaccessible and unaffordable for many families, and clearly fails to guarantee safety or quality.”

“This broken system is locking young parents, especially women, out of the workforce and stopping them from contributing their full skills to our economy.

“If the Government is serious about boosting productivity, it must examine every part of the system. 

“Early learning is low-hanging fruit for real reform. Let’s create a bold legacy of universal, high-quality early education that gives kids the best start in life and gives parents real choices to get back into work and study.”