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New rules requiring early learning services to undertake strict screening checks and verify suitability to work with children are now in place as part of the Minns Labor Government reforms to keep children safe.

Approved providers and services must ensure all recruitment involves rigorous screening checks to verify each applicant’s suitability to work with children prior to employment or engagement.

They must also confirm that prospective and existing staff are not subject to a suspension, supervision or prohibition notice, or an enforceable undertaking. Penalties apply where individuals provide false or misleading information.

Other new mandatory requirements now in force include whistleblower protection policies and training for staff to encourage a culture of reporting in early learning services across NSW. 

The new measures come as NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car yesterday announced the appointment of Mr Darryl Currie as the ongoing Early Learning Commissioner.

Mr Currie has been acting in the role since 1 December 2025 and has played a central role in establishing the Early Learning Commission and driving significant reform across the sector during its formative period.

His appointment forms a key part of the NSW Government’s nation-leading child safety reforms. The reforms are focused on ensuring every child in early learning settings is safe, supported, and receiving high-quality education and care.

Mr Currie brings extensive experience in education and public administration, as well as a deep understanding of statutory environments where the rights and best interests of children are the paramount consideration.

His ongoing appointment will strengthen the regulation, monitoring and accountability of early learning services across NSW, providing greater confidence for families and driving consistent, system-wide improvements.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is building a system where child safety and quality are non-negotiable, and an ongoing Commissioner ensures there is clear accountability at the heart of that effort.”

“The Commissioner will play a critical role in ensuring strong oversight, high standards, and consistent regulation across the sector.”

NSW Early Learning Commissioner Daryl Currie said:

“I am honoured to take on this permanent role and to continue working to strengthen early learning across NSW.”

“Every child deserves a safe, high-quality early learning environment, and that will remain at the centre of my work every day.”

“Transparency and accountability will remain central to how the Commission regulates and supports the sector, so that families can have confidence that wherever they access early learning in NSW, their children are safe and supported.”

The Minns Labor Government is expanding opportunities for street performers, with four new busking sites added at the Sydney Fish Markets.

Sydney’s newest destination, which has welcomed around 1.5 million visitors since opening, has quickly become a vibrant place to gather, relax, and connect, with extensive tiered seating and communal tables promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for locals and visitors alike.

Spanning 6,000 square metres of public domain, the precinct is the perfect stage for talented performers to bring energy and atmosphere, as visitors enjoy some of Sydney’s best food against a world-class harbour backdrop.

This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s expansion of busking across The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, where 16 new locations were introduced late last year, bringing the total number of dedicated performance sites to 38.

Since the expansion, 43 new permit applications have been received from street performers.

An additional four sites at the Sydney Fish Market will be trialled over three months, further boosting opportunities for our creative citizens.

To add further vibrancy, new performance opportunities have been introduced across all precincts for visual art activities such as cartoonists, chalk artists, and painters.

With millions of visitors passing through Sydney’s harbourside precincts each month, these spaces are the ideal platform to showcase local talent while enriching the visitor experience.

This initiative builds on the Minns Labor Governments broader push to boost vibrancy across NSW by lifting event caps, cutting red tape, and making it easier for entertainment, dinking and cultural experiences to thrive.

For more information visit:  The Rocks  Barangaroo  Darling Harbour  BarangarooSydney Fish Market

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“One of the best ways to experience our harbour city is through its food, its culture, and its local talent. Busking brings all of that together.

“The new Sydney Fish Market is fast becoming a must-visit destination, and these performance spaces will add to the atmosphere, giving people even more reason to stay, explore and enjoy everything on offer.

“We’ve already seen the huge success of the New Wave Concert Series in bringing live music, energy, and nightlife to the Sydney Fish Market, and expanding busking opportunities is another way of continuing that success.

“From The Rocks, to Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and now the Sydney Fish Market, these precincts attract millions of visitors and busking will help bring a vibrant soundtrack to our streets.

“This is another example of the Minns Labor Government unlocking opportunities which support Sydney to be a world-class, bustling and vibrant city.”

The NSW Government has brought together an emergency working group following the heartbreaking death of a newborn baby in a Wagga Wagga homeless encampment.

A meeting was convened on Thursday between the NSW Government and City of Wagga Wagga Council to discuss homelessness in the city, particularly rough sleeping camps in Wilks Park and along the Murrumbidgee River.

An agreement was reached to bring together a cross-agency group to support rough sleepers into more permanent forms of housing.

Homes NSW, local homelessness service providers, NSW Police, and City of Wagga Wagga Council will work in partnership to do this. This collaborative approach escalates ongoing work to address homeless in the city.

The Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson will visit Wagga Wagga in coming weeks as part of this work.

The planned approach will mirror recent, successful models used to address homelessness encampments on the Central Coast.

The priority is to ensure that all rough sleepers are not only moved on, but moved forward into safer, stable housing.

Homelessness is one of the most challenging issues faced by government and it requires a coordinated approach that is grounded in compassion and an understanding of individual complexity.

Premier for NSW Chris Minns said:

“This has been heartbreaking news. Every person experiencing homelessness deserves safety and support, and the loss of a newborn child is devastating.

“Yesterday, I met with Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout, the General Manager, local member Dr Joe McGirr, and the Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson, to talk about the way forward.

“It was a productive meeting that allowed us to come up with an immediate plan to support those people currently camping at Wilks Park and along the Murrumbidgee.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Our thoughts are with the parents and their newborn, who remain in hospital care. This tragic death is a timely reminder that we must all double our efforts to look after the most vulnerable among us.

“I want to acknowledge the work of Homes NSW staff and the local services providers in Wagga Wagga, who work tirelessly to make sure everyone who seeks support can access it.

“We thank the City of Wagga Wagga and NSW Police for partnering with us to address this challenge.”

Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

“I want to thank the Premier and the Minister for Housing for their swift action and I welcome the establishment of this emergency working group.

“It’s crucial that we take a cross-agency approach to support rough sleepers to find more suitable accommodation.

“Today’s meeting has allowed us to move beyond blame and towards a positive, proactive response.”

City of Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said:

“Wagga Council recognises the prompt and cooperative response of the NSW Government to address this tragedy and we thank them for the opportunity to meet throughout this week.

“Council also acknowledges the ongoing work and coordination by local member Dr Joe McGirr who attended all meetings.

“Discussions acknowledged the need for a joint government response to the situation which provides both support and safety. Work is now underway across multiple agencies to prepare and deliver this action.”

The Minns Labor Government has taken an ultrasound of the Earth’s crust, and what it found could unlock the next generation of mineral discoveries across the state.

New geological data from the Lachlan Fold Belt, released today as part of NSW Minerals Week, delivers a major step forward in understanding one of Australia’s most prospective regions for critical minerals and high-tech metals.

Preliminary results show that rock formations known to host copper and gold may sit closer to the surface than previously understood, while large fault systems linked to existing mining areas can be seen extending even further underground.

The survey has also identified underground rocks associated with minerals used in manufacturing and clean technologies. This includes tin, tungsten and molybdenum, as well as rock types linked to high-value metals such as scandium, nickel, cobalt and platinum.

These critical minerals are essential for modern life. Cobalt and nickel go into the batteries that power electric vehicles. Tin and tungsten are essential to everyday electronics. Finding them in NSW means finding them in a stable jurisdiction with the ability to get them to market.

The seismic survey was conducted over two geographical lines extending 420 kilometres across the Lachlan Fold Belt, including the longest continuous seismic line ever acquired in NSW.

Also released this week is the foundation of a Petrophysical Atlas of NSW, giving explorers access to vital rock property data including magnetic properties, conductivity, resistivity and density. Developed through the assessment of more than 1,200 core samples over four months, the atlas will make high-quality exploration data more accessible to industry, researchers and the broader geoscience community.

The releases coincide with NSW Minerals Week, which has seen hundreds of investors and explorers attend events including Exploration in the House, the Exploration and Tenures Forum and the Sydney Resources Round Up.

Both form an important part of the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024–35, including a royalty deferral to support new critical minerals projects moving to production and a co-funded exploration program for explorers, researchers and industry partners.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring that as global demand for critical minerals grows, the benefits are felt across the communities that depend on a strong and sustainable resources sector.

Mineral royalty revenue for 2025–26 is forecast to reach approximately $302 million, up from $250 million the previous year, funding the roads, schools, hospitals and transport that communities rely on.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos:

“Mining has a long history in NSW and it will continue to play an important role in our economy, particularly as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

“By releasing high quality geoscience data this NSW Minerals Week, the Minns Labor Government is partnering with industry to reduce exploration risk and give investors greater confidence.

“Critical minerals are essential for modern manufacturing, clean energy technologies and advanced industries. Finding and developing them in NSW means producing them in a stable jurisdiction with clear rules and strong environmental and regulatory standards.

“Royalties from our mining sector fund the roads, health services and community infrastructure that regional NSW depends on. Supporting exploration today means supporting those communities for years to come.”

Over 26,000 Central Coast motorists are a step closer to ditching one of the region’s worst bottlenecks, with the first construction stage of the Tumbi Road intersection upgrade wrapping up this week.

As part of a broader plan to improve safety and traffic flow between Wamberal and Bateau Bay, the intersection of Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road is being upgraded with a $52.4 million investment from the Albanese Labor Government and a $13.1 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.

Delivered in construction stages, the project is already making strong progress on the ground.  

Stage 1 focused on improving traffic movements through the intersection by removing the old concrete medians and roundabout, replacing them with a temporary asphalt roundabout, and relocating critical utilities including water, sewer, gas and electrical services.

Stage 2 will see earthworks on the western side of the project, north of the roundabout, to create the required width for the new traffic lanes. It will also continue installation of the sandstone and concrete retaining walls, as well as property adjustments at businesses along the Central Coast Highway.  

This next construction stage will also see new stormwater drainage installed, upgraded and smoother road pavements and footpaths, and improvements to bus stops to better support the growing communities of the Central Coast.

Since construction began in June 2025, crews have completed extensive vegetation clearing, major earthworks, utility relocations, new street lighting and the construction of a 2.5-metre-high sandstone retaining wall to support road widening and safer pedestrian access.

For the thousands of locals who rely on this stretch of road every day, whether commuting to work or getting kids to school, this upgrade will mean less time stuck in traffic and more reliable trips across the Central Coast.

The full upgrade is on track for completion by mid-2028, with the community to be kept informed as work progresses.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:

“This is an exciting step toward improving traffic flow at a notorious bottleneck for commuters on the Central Coast.  

“The Australian and NSW Governments are committed to delivering the new roads communities need. This safer intersection will mean smoother traffic flows and better connections for everyone using Central Coast roads.”

Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride:  

“I’m pleased to see the first construction stage of this important upgrade to Tumbi Road now completed.

“Replacing the roundabout with traffic lights will ease local congestion, improve safety and help reduce travel times.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:  

“The Central Coast community can breathe a sigh of relief this week knowing we’ve reached the next milestone in this major upgrade.  

“Getting stage one complete means we can now move into the next phase of work to build a safer, more reliable intersection that makes everyday trips easier – whether you’re heading to work, school drop-off or running errands.

“This is about making sure people can get where they need to go safely and with less stress, and we’ll keep the community updated as the upgrade takes shape.”

NSW Minister for Central Coast, David Harris:  

“I’m proud to be part of a government delivering infrastructure to our growing region and in this case upgrades that make a real difference to improving safety, easing congestion and giving people more time back in their day instead of sitting in traffic.

“This project has also delivered for the local economy, supporting 125 local jobs throughout construction.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan:

“Seeing stage one complete shows real momentum on a project that will make a lasting difference to how people move around the Central Coast.”

“No matter if you’re heading to the shops, school drop-off or work, this project is about making everyday trips faster, safer and more reliable.” 

A major contractor on the Western Sydney Airport Metro project has been terminated after a probity investigation into supply chains.

The investigation’s findings have been referred to police and integrity agencies.

A Ministerial Direction has been issued to the independent board of Sydney Metro requiring that all future subcontracting is carried out under strict compliance prior to any settlement of claims on the project.

In December 2022, the former Liberal-National Government awarded the largest ever Public Private Partnership contract in NSW to Parklife Metro, known as the Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance contract.

Sydney Metro commissioned the contracting investigation in September 2025 after media reports of potential criminal activity and workplace breaches at Western Sydney Airport Metro.

Initiated under the terms of the project’s contract, the investigation by Max Kimber SC has made several significant findings about Future Form Civil Pty Ltd and numerous downstream contractors it engaged.

These include the suspected underpayment of workers, inadequate insurance coverage and tax fraud.

From July 2024, Future Form was engaged by Webuild under four subcontracts for formwork, reinforcing and concrete pouring services, as well as the provision of construction workers.

Future Form then sourced labour from downstream contractors for which it did not obtain approval for or disclose as required.

Due to its complex contractual chain, the investigator believes Future Form was unable to track who was on site, the work they were performing and how much they were being paid.

This includes an inability to verify basic details on invoices worth more than $10 million.

Mr Kimber found at least one worker was asked to come to site to be paid “cash in the hand” before having money transferred to his bank account by an unknown subcontractor.

Text evidence shows the man was instructed to say he was working directly for Future Form, not the unnamed subcontractor.

An email claims “some other workers are on social benefits and working for cash”.

The confidential Kimber report also details a number of labour supply companies were incorporated within days of each other and to the same residential address.

The companies had the same director and secretary and sent invoices and verifying material to Future Form over the Signal app, through which messages later self-delete and erase all information.

The report also flagged potential insurance fraud by at least one contractor, with significant discrepancies between its notification to iCare and its payroll records.

Mr Kimber noted key individuals from subcontracting organisations refused to cooperate with his investigation.

His report is being referred to agencies which have the power to compel witnesses and documents.

These include:

• NSW Police
• NSW Crime Commission
• Independent Commission Against Corruption
• National Anti-Corruption Commission
• Fair Work Ombudsman
• Australian Tax Office
• Revenue NSW

As operating company on the Western Sydney Airport Metro project, Parklife Metro has now removed Future Form and all its downstream contractors.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“We will not tolerate any impropriety on our building sites, including such an important and generational project as Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport.

“The disturbing findings of investigator Max Kimber SC will now be put in the hands of the right agencies with the coercive powers to investigate this matter fully.

“The Liberals were convinced that public-private partnerships were the best model for projects like this, but we are concerned it has privatised the profit, socialised the risk and kept probity as private as possible.

“I have issued a Ministerial Direction which makes clear to the directors of Sydney Metro that the NSW Government expects this to be fixed.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“The public is right to demand that anyone working on a taxpayer funded project, big or small, always follows the law and follows the rules. Regardless of whether they are the head-contractor, or a sub-contractor.

“Expect this Government to act when and wherever suspect behaviour surfaces in our $130 billion infrastructure program.

“All members of the infrastructure and construction industries must do the same.”

Community organisations are invited to apply for funding under a special round of the Community Partnership Action (COMPACT) Program, which will deliver $1.2 million to projects supporting whole-of-community initiatives.

Not-for-profit organisations in NSW may be eligible for grants of $50,000 to $100,000 per year for partnership projects for up to 2 years.

The COMPACT program has grown to support a state-wide network of community partners and allies, engaged more than 80,000 young people, and has proven to build social cohesion and community resilience.

COMPACT supports partnerships and collaboration between community, non-government, youth, sports, arts/media, educational, industry and other organisations by providing grant funding for innovative, evidence-based community projects.

Successful projects build youth leadership and support networks, facilitate respectful dialogue and engage young people through sports, art, charity and community service. New projects will join the COMPACT Alliance alongside current partners including Courage to Care, Youth off the Streets, Story  Factory and the NRL.  

Eligible organisations are invited to apply for funding before 4pm on Friday 29 May 2026.

An online information session will be held on 14 May 2026 to provide further information on the program and guidance on the application process.

To apply click here: https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/compact-grants/compact-sccr-2026-2028/

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“Communities across NSW have shown extraordinary solidarity in the face of recent acts of hate and extremism.

“This round of COMPACT funding will support community-led initiatives that bring people together across cultures and faiths, strengthening trust, connection and resilience across our state.”

Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta said:

“Over the past decade the COMPACT program has inspired 80,000 young people to stand together against hate and division.

“We’re now inviting organisations to partner with us to continue delivering initiatives that build strong, resilient local networks.”

The Minns Labor Government is investing $600,000 to help transform the streets, parks, and public spaces of Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy into cooler, greener environments

The funding will allow Central Coast Council to deliver 360 trees and 1,500 square metres of biodiverse understorey planting, creating more liveable and climate-resilient communities on the Peninsula.

It’s part of the Greening our City program which supports councils to grow tree canopy cover, which helps reduce urban heat and boosts biodiversity, so neighbourhoods are more liveable and climate resilient.

As part of round five, eight projects across the Central Coast, Hunter, and Illawarra-Shoalhaven will receive more than $3 million to plant more than 12,000 trees and 14,500 square metres of understorey planting.

It’s the first time the program – which targets councils in fast-growing areas where urban greening will make the biggest difference for growing populations – has been expanded beyond Greater Sydney.

Almost 90% of plantings in the current round will go into sites that have less than 20% canopy cover. These plantings will cool neighbourhoods, improve air quality, and support communities in areas that need it most.

Since 2019, the program has awarded $46.8 million to 164 greening projects across Greater Sydney Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra-Shoalhaven to build climate resilience, improve air quality, and connect communities with nature.

The program is funded by the NSW Climate Change Fund and administered by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, with applications assessed by an independent panel and overseen by a probity advisor.

A list of successful applicants is available on the NSW Government website.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This is another example of the Minns Labor Government helping create high-quality green spaces.

“Greening our City delivers beautiful public spaces where people can relax and play in cooler, more liveable communities.

“This grant will make the Central Coast a greener and more enjoyable place to live, work and visit.”

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“Planting more trees across Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy is a practical way to help beat the heat in our growing community.

“More trees mean more shade, cooler streets, and a better, more sustainable quality of life.

“The Greening our City program is helping our region grow into a healthier, more resilient place for future generations.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:

“I’ve been fiercely advocating for further investment in greening across the Gosford electorate and I am thrilled to say that the Minns Labor Government is delivering $600,000 to tackle urban heat across the Peninsula.

“This is fantastic for our community and will make a real difference in shaping the liveability of our community into the future.

“This is the kind of investment that makes the Peninsula a better place to live, not just for the residents of today but for the families who will call this community home for generations to come.”