16 News

Aboriginal children and families will soon benefit from greater access to Aboriginal Family Preservation, a new model of intensive support for Aboriginal families.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a record $350 million over five years in Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver evidence-based support to reduce risks to children and keep families safely together.

Family Preservation services offer intensive support to families in an effort to prevent children from entering foster care by strengthening families, building parenting skills and creating safe home environments.

This new program was developed in partnership with AbSec and co-designed with Aboriginal families, communities, and ACCOs. The eight-week tender process was also supported by AbSec, who were funded to provide access to specialist tender-writing support to 35 established, emerging, and new ACCOs, reflecting strong interest and engagement across the sector.

These reforms are part of the NSW Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap on the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering historic long-term support to ACCOs, reflecting the strengths, knowledge and connection of Aboriginal communities, and investing in the future of Aboriginal-led service delivery in NSW.

Tender outcomes will be announced in March, with new contracts commencing on 1 July 2026.

The Minns Labor Government’s broader Family Preservation reform is backed by a $900 million investment over five years, including the historic 40% dedicated to ACCO service delivery. The government’s reforms aim to improve the quality of intensive supports available to families at risk of child protection intervention, and for the first time in NSW, will allocate family preservation packages to areas based on need.

Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington said:

“This investment is about providing high-quality, culturally appropriate supports for Aboriginal families to stay safely together. It’s designed to drive self-determination by empowering Aboriginal communities to support Aboriginal families.

“For the first time in NSW history, we are delivering funding to Aboriginal community organisations that matches the shocking level of over-representation we are all working hard to address.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said: 

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering record investment to support Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations to help deliver positive outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities.

“Our investment is about supporting the long-term sustainability of the Aboriginal community services sector and turning Closing the Gap commitments into action to improve lives.”

AbSec CEO, John Leha, said:

“This is an important step forward – a sign that policy is beginning to translate into real action. Aligning with the Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, this framework signals a stronger role for ACCOs in designing and delivering effective and culturally responsive supports for our people.

“AbSec recognises how important it is that ACCOs are well-equipped and positioned to lead this work, and this is central to our mission. This work is about self-determination in practice – Aboriginal communities shaping the services that affect their children and families. That’s how change is sustained, across communities and across generations.” 

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has confirmed that they will investigate the Police Operation at Town Hall on 9 February 2026, including actions by individual officers. The investigation was prompted by a significant number of complaints made to the LECC by community members.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“This is the first important step forward for transparency after the awful experience that thousands in our community had at the hands of the NSW Police last Monday,”

“I’m relieved that the LECC have decided to take this course of action, despite the Premier saying yesterday in Parliament that he did not support an independent investigation into police actions,”

“We are lucky in NSW that we have a strong police oversight body in the LECC, and I am very grateful that they have authority to act on the reports that they have received,”

“This investigation will have the opportunity for hearings, and will result in a public report made to Parliament. This is what the community needs, and it’s what the Police need too. It is in no one’s interest to have police acting with impunity, it leads to violence, and Labor leaders Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley should cooperate fully with this investigation,” Ms Higginson said.

Last night the Minns Labor Government’s digital work safety bill passed the NSW Parliament.

The bill will ensure that all work demands must be safe, whether they come from a human or come through artificial intelligence (AI) or algorithms. 

This will particularly benefit the growing number of gig workers who receive work instructions through an app or digital platform, including thousands food delivery drivers and riders, warehouse workers and home care workers.  

NSW is the home of innovation in Australia and digital work systems are being used extensively in NSW to grow productivity and efficiencies. The bill will ensure this continues safely.  

Throughout the public debate on the bill, including in Parliamentary inquiries since 2020, NSW has heard of the growing concerns of workers, including stories of workers using an app penalised for taking breaks, penalised if they don’t take an unsafe delivery route or pressured to rush care for NDIS clients. 

The need for these protections is underscored by the more than 366 total incidents involving gig food delivery riders, including tragically 7 fatalities in NSW.  

The bill requires industry guidelines, in consultation with business and unions, before any inspection powers are switched on. This will include specialised guidelines for the food delivery industry. 

The guidelines will provide further clarity to workers and businesses about what their rights and obligations under the new legislation are.  These measures will ensure that NSW gets the balance right. 

The Government and SafeWork NSW will also make a funding package available to assist businesses and unions in understanding those obligations. 

The bill also extends the well understood and existing right of entry framework under the Work Health and Safety Act (2011) (WHS Act) to digital systems.   

Despite the misinformation campaign from the NSW Opposition, the Bill does not override the existing safeguards in the WHS Act, including protections on data and privacy and penalties for misusing inspection powers.  

The passage of the bill demonstrates the commitment of the Minns Labor Government to keeping all workers safe at work, no matter how they work.  

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said: 

“The Minns Labor Government is ensuring that workers are protected in the digital age. Behind every safety statistic is a person, a family, and a community. Our focus is simple: making sure every worker gets home safe at the end of the day.

“This reform follows the $127.7 Million package to workplace health and safety, ensuring better support for workers and businesses.

“Thank you to everyone involved and who contributed, especially those who gave evidence at the parliamentary inquiries that informed this Bill, and the families who have lost their loved ones to an unsafe system.

“I look forward to our continuing, productive dialogue with industry and unions to keep working Australians safe.” 

A bold and vibrant red illuminated the sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House on Thursday night to mark the Year of the Horse as part of a Lunar New Year event hosted by the NSW Premier and Minister for Multiculturalism.

The event and illumination of Sydney’s most iconic landmark come ahead of Lunar New Year beginning on February 17 and marks the start of Lunar celebrations across the city and state, which include a month of fabulous feasts, spectacular shows and magnificent artwork.

Hosted by Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, hundreds of community members gathered at the Museum of Contemporary Art at The Rocks to mark the important celebration and watch together as the Opera House was bathed in a deep red.

Lunar New Year has become a highlight of the multicultural calendar, reflecting the state’s diverse cultural heritage and the strong ties that link communities to this ancient tradition. More than 100 events are planned across NSW this year.

In Sydney, Lunar New Year festivities have grown to include street parades, night markets and cultural performances that attract both residents and visitors.  

As home to one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in the Asia–Pacific, Sydney sees a surge in tourism that delivers a significant boost to the NSW economy, and the Minns Labor Government expects that visitation surge to continue this month as the city celebrates the Year of the Horse.

Details of Lunar New Year events across the state can be found here.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“Lunar New Year is a special time to celebrate life, family and culture, and to express gratitude, hope and joy.

“As a festival it is a wonderful example of how deeply we are connected to global traditions while giving them a uniquely local twist.

“The Minns Labor government wishes all communities celebrating a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.”

Multicultural NSW Acting CEO James Jegasothy said:

“Lunar New Year is now a major fixture on NSW’s cultural calendar, celebrated by people right across the state.  

“The many public events, from traditional performances to food and art, create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together.

“At its heart, Lunar New Year is about renewal, family and connection, values that resonate strongly across our multicultural society.”

The Minns Labor Government is unlocking up to 2,500 new social, affordable, and market homes within the Bellambi estate, as part of a staged renewal of the site led by Homes NSW.

The State Assessed Rezoning Proposal, now on public exhibition, is being assessed under the Social and Affordable Housing Pathway and will seek changes to the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan to enable:

• a minimum 30 per cent new social homes
• maximum building heights of between three and six storeys
• a new local centre with shops and services
• improved open space and community facilities
• increased tree planting and landscaping, targeting a minimum 30 per cent canopy cover.

Renewing Bellambi estate will enable Homes NSW to deliver more contemporary, fit-for-purpose social and affordable homes that better meet the needs of current and future residents.

Most of homes in Bellambi estate were built in the 1950s and 60s with some now more than 70 years old.

The long-term proposal will also help ease pressure on the housing market by increasing local housing supply and choice for Wollongong residents. The renewal will be delivered in stages over several years.

Since the NSW Government announced the area as suitable for housing renewal in June 2024, Homes NSW has undertaken extensive engagement with residents and the local community, with findings published in the Bellambi People and Place Plan in October 2025.

The Minns Labor Government has made a record $6.6 billion investment in social housing.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so people have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The Rezoning Proposal is on public exhibition for 28 days and we encourage all members of the community to submit their feedback via the NSW Planning Portal before 5pm Friday, 13 March.

Community drop-in sessions will be held to enable residents to view the plans and provide feedback.

For more information, visit Homes NSW.

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

“This community-led renewal will deliver much-needed housing to the Illawarra region, while also delivering improved roads, parks, and public spaces for the Wollongong community.

“It’s about strengthening our community and ensuring Bellambi remains a welcoming and vibrant place for the people of Wollongong for generations to come.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“This is a major milestone for Bellambi, which supports sustainable housing growth by enabling the thousands more social, affordable and market homes for current and future residents.

“The rezoning will also improve access to open space and amenities, making Bellambi a great place to live.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Renewing Bellambi means providing more and better homes that meet local needs, while addressing the housing challenges across the Illawarra and NSW.

“We’re locking in a minimum 30 per cent social housing from the start to ensure our most vulnerable are looked after, plus we’re proposing some big improvements to community amenities.

“We’ve listened closely to the community since August 2024, and we now want to hear their feedback on this proposal, which reflects the priorities and vision of residents, stakeholders, and the community.”

After Monday night’s disgraceful scenes, and a week of open in-fighting, the Minns Labor Government has today voted to reject the NSW Liberals and Nationals plan to strengthen social cohesion and prevent professional protestors from wasting taxpayers’ money and repeatedly clogging up Sydney’s streets.
 
The Summary Offences and Other Legislation Amendment (Public Assemblies) Bill 2025 would have recalibrated the regulatory framework for public assemblies by:

• Requiring decision-makers to consider public amenity, social cohesion, economic impact, community disruption and the public cost of proposed protests.
• Providing clearer powers to police and courts to properly weigh these factors.
• Addressing repeat protests and the deliberate shielding of identity.
• Allowing for the recovery of policing costs where there is intentional and unreasonable disruption.
• Preserving the right to lawful protest while deterring conduct that imposes significant and unjustified costs on the wider community.
• Operating consistently with the implied freedom of political communication.
• Shadow Attorney General Damien Tudehope has said Labor’s opposition to sensible reforms would have ensured a greater balance between taxpayer money and the right to protest.

 
Unfortunately for the people of NSW, Chris Minns is unwilling to confront escalating disruption and rising community tensions because of the gaping divisions in his own party.
 
“Our Bill was a targeted, proportionate and carefully drafted reform to ensure the right to protest is balanced with the rights of the broader community,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“Instead of backing stronger safeguards for public order and social cohesion, Chris Minns and Labor chose to vote against practical measures designed to protect everyday people.”
 
“Week after week, we have seen professional protestors repeatedly shut down Sydney’s streets which that harm CBD businesses, divide communities and stretch police resources.”
 
“Today was an opportunity for the Premier to put his money where his mouth is.”
 
“Instead of backing common-sense changes, the Premier caved in to the radical left flank in his own caucus and opposed our sensible reforms.”
 
“All week we have seen Labor divided, with Labor MPs openly defying the Premier, criticising his laws and even attacks on the hardworking men and women of the NSW Police Force.”
 
Labor’s refusal to take action on repeated protestors means that families, businesses and frontline police officers are left to bear the consequences of unchecked disruption.

Businesses in NSW will be waking up to unions knocking on their door after the Minns Labor Government’s bill to grant unprecedented digital access powers to union officials passed the NSW Parliament tonight.
 
While the NSW Liberals and Nationals successfully secured amendments requiring a 48-hour notice period before a union official can gain access to a business’ digital systems, and ensuring the laws will not commence until relevant guidelines are published, the Minns Labor Government rejected a broader package of changes requested by leading industry groups.
 
Despite these amendments, the NSW Liberals and Nationals voted against the final Bill due to the significant risks it presents to businesses of all sizes.
 
NSW Leader of the Opposition, Kellie Sloane, said that the bill is bad legislation that makes it harder for businesses to do business in NSW.
 
“For weeks, we have heard small businesses, chambers of commerce and industry leaders tell us that they do not support these unprecedented new powers for unions,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“At a time when businesses are already grappling with rising energy bills, insurance premiums, wage pressures and interest rates, Labor has chosen to add another layer of red tape and legal risk.”
 
Shadow Minister for Small Business, Gurmesh Singh, said that thousands of small businesses have had their concerns ignored by the Minns Labor Government.
 
“This is a tough day for small businesses across our state who now must wonder when and if a union official will roll into their business and demand access to their sensitive commercial data,” Mr Singh said.
 
“Despite widespread opposition from business, Chris Minns and Labor pushed this Bill through Parliament.”
 
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading, Work Health and Safety and Building Tim James said the bill puts union influence ahead of sound policy outcomes.
 
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals will always support the right of workers to be safe and treated fairly,” Mr James said.
 
“However, this Bill was not about safety, it was about expanding union influence and control over businesses in NSW.”
 
“These laws place NSW out of step with the rest of Australia and have been brought outside of the nationally consistent approach to work health and safety law reform.”
 
“Throughout this process, the NSW Liberals and Nationals sought to represent the interests of businesses and community groups whose concerns were not adequately addressed, and unfortunately most of these proposals were dismissed by Labor.”

The Premier has today been forced into a grovelling apology to Australia’s Veterans after his “shocker” response to a question on whether he supports Victoria Barracks from Nationals MP and veteran of three tours of duty, Michael Kemp MP.
 
In Question Time today in the NSW Parliament, the Premier was asked by Mr Kemp whether he supported the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to sell-off Victoria Barracks, or whether he supported his Labor colleagues Greg Warren and Marjorie O’Neill in opposing the sell-off.
 
In response the Premier said:
 
Chris Minns: It is a matter for the Federal Government. To the extent that I have thought about it, I will leave it up to them. I am not proposing a major campaign.
…
Chris Minns: I do not own it. It is a bit like when my neighbour wanted to sell his boat. I was happy because it would clear up the street, but it did not really have much to do with me.
…
Chris Minns: I am not trying to trivialise it. If it is a matter of deep passion and concern to the veterans community, I respect that. I suspect that the pride and honour they feel—and that Australians feel in them—is protected in their image, character and the values they possess, not necessarily in a physical landmark.
 
Robyn Preston: You don’t get it.
…
Chris Minns: That may well be true. I am not a veteran. I cannot be held accountable or responsible for the decisions of the Commonwealth Government, and I am not prepared to launch a campaign against them. It is their call.
 
After significant backlash from the Veteran and wider community, the Premier admitted his error and called in to 2GB’s Drive Program with Clinton Maynard to issue an apology to the Veterans community:

            Clinton Maynard: Do you regret those comments?
 
Chris Minns: Yeah, I’ve had a shocker there. I really regret it. Anything to do with the veterans community, it has to be done in a in a respectful way. And I didn’t do that. I think the point I was trying to make is that the veterans and the respect that they’re held in the community is more than a physical presence, but I just I did it in such an inarticulate way. It’s not my feeling, and I would hate for anyone in our veterans community to be offended by it, or think that’s what I really think about their dedication service to our country.
 
Clinton Maynard: I’ve had a mountain of text messages about this, Chris, and they’re actually really angry with you.
 
Chris Minns: Well, I’ve had a shocker, and they’ve got every right to be, and I’m hoping that they give me a second go and recognise that it’s a genuine apology.
 
Clinton Maynard: Well, I think they’ll appreciate that is, and I have to ask this, because I’ve had a couple of other messages claiming, suggesting this is out of character for you. And I think it is, you know, we know each other reasonably well. I think it’s out well. I think it’s out of character. Is this because you’ve been so focused on what occurred at the start of the week with the protests that that you haven’t been able to have the bandwidth to think about other issues?
 
Chris Minns: Look, I think I probably dropped the ball. I…you know, it’s a funny thing in Question Time you get set on what you think the questions will be, and usually that’s what’s occupying your time. Fair play to the Opposition. It came out of left field. I wasn’t ready for it, and I didn’t put the care into a kind of answer. Now… you know…that’s a that’s an excuse, not a reason, but yeah, if I had another go at it, there’s no way, there’s no way, I would leave veterans with any with any doubt as to my reverence for their commitment to this country, and I can promise you, they’re not empty words at all. We owe them so much, and I’ve had a lot to do with returning veterans on the Iraq and Afghanistan war. People have given everything, everything to the country. And you know, if I’ve added to some of the burden that they’re feeling, then I feel pretty, pretty bad about that.
 
Shadow Minister for Veterans, Tim James, said that the gobsmacking answer in Question Time and stunning backdown was best described by the Premier himself.
 
“The Premier put it best – he has had a shocker,” Mr James said.
 
“Except it wasn’t just on this issue – he has had a shocker of a week, with his own team at war with itself over Monday night’s protest where four members of his own Labor team attended a protest that the Premier didn’t want them to attend, which has now devolved into the Police Minister and Labor MLC Anthony D’Adam openly criticizing each other in the NSW Parliament.”
 
“The Premier’s apology to Veterans is welcomed.”