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NSW prison reforms pave way for a safer, modern system that responds to growing demands

Prison facilities dating back to the late 1800s at Goulburn, along with ageing facilities at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre, will be retired under changes designed to make conditions safer for inmates and Corrective Services NSW staff and improve coordination across a modern, statewide correctional system.

These changes form part of a broader investment in the correctional system, with the Minns Labor Government planning to bring more beds online and frontline staffing positions into public hands than ever before, including the ability, if required, to scale up in other prisons around the state.

Correctional services will continue to operate from Goulburn and Silverwater. The changes impact outdated wings and units, some of which date back more than a century and no longer meet modern safety standards.

The changes announced today will ensure all affected staff are presented with opportunities for redeployment to equivalent positions within Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW), and there are also incentives for those who may wish to relocate.

The changes respond to recommendations previously made by the Inspector of Custodial Services to retire these Victorian-era wings at Goulburn, and feedback provided regarding the state of the facilities at Silverwater.

Goulburn Correctional Centre’s maximum-security accommodation wings opened in 1884 and are among the oldest custodial infrastructure still in use in NSW.

Their age makes them difficult to maintain and operate consistently with the requirements of modern correctional environment.

Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre was built in 1969 and has been criticised for its dilapidated accommodation cells that contain ligature points.

It currently houses two specialist units – the Mental Health Screening Unit and Mum Shirl Unit – which will be moved to Dillwynia Correctional Centre and expanded.

Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre will continue to operate as an intake and reception centre for processing women into custody.

These changes will come into effect operationally by the end of September 2026.

Although periods of transition can be challenging, this Government is committed to retaining all staff and supporting people while they navigate these changes.

They are a positive step towards better work environments for staff and more safe and modern beds for inmates.

CSNSW and the Minister will continue to work with the Public Services Association as these changes are implemented.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to create safer communities and build stronger workforces, including:

  • Bringing Junee and Parklea prisons back into public hands, after a decade of Liberal-National privatisation
  • Lifting the Liberal National’s wages cap
  • Prioritising the removal of litagure points
  • Investing $30 million in priority reforms across the system, including critical upgrades

Minister for Corrections, Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Community safety is this Government’s top priority. It is for this reason that we are retiring these Victorian era facilities and investing in modern, secure and fit-for-purpose correctional centres.

“As inmate numbers rise, we are ensuring our staff have the safest possible workplaces and that those in custody are housed in facilities that meet contemporary standards.

“These changes strengthen our system and keep the community and staff safe.”

Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW, Gary McCahon PSM said:

“We’re committed to ensuring our correctional facilities are in the best condition and have the functional capabilities to meet our high operational standards – and part of that is taking some of the state’s oldest beds offline.

“After reviewing prisons around the state, we decided these reforms to our prison infrastructure are necessary to bring the system in-line with our focus on operating safe, secure and humane prisons that provide better working conditions for our officers too.

“Crucially, these changes will allow us to move high-needs female inmates from Silverwater Women’s to modern accommodation units at Dillwynia Correctional Centre – ensuring our most at-risk women are in specialised, up-to-date facilities.”

218 Tocal College graduates set for rewarding careers in State’s booming agriculture sector

Today 218 of the State’s future agriculture leaders will graduate from the NSW Government’s Tocal College destined for careers spanning livestock production, cropping, farm management, equine studies and agtech in NSW’s $25 billion agriculture sector.

Tocal College is the State’s leading agriculture education institute with 2,400 students enrolled in courses at 73 locations around NSW, making it one of the biggest and oldest agriculture education organisations in Australia.

The training of students at Tocal College is part of the Minns Labor Government’s comprehensive plan to build the State’s agriculture sector and ensure a well-trained and versatile future workforce.

The graduation took place at Tocal’s campus in Paterson in the State’s Hunter region.

Among the 2025 graduates to receive top honours are:

  • Alyvia Lieb, from East Seaham in the Hunter, Dux of Certificate III in Agriculture (Tocal Agricultural Production Program),
  • Grace Shields, from Lakesland in the Hunter, Dux of Certificate III in Horse Care (Tocal Stock Horse Breeding and Training Program),
  • Sarah Hanks, from Louth Park in the Hunter, Dux of Certificate IV in Agriculture (Tocal Farm Supervisor and Agribusiness Program),
  • Natalia Luci, from Mangrove Mountain in the Central Coast, Dux of Certificate IV in Agriculture (Traineeship Program).

Through its practical, industry-aligned training programs, Tocal supports both new entrants to agriculture and those already working in farming, agribusiness and natural resource management.

Its focus on developing skills, lifting safety standards and supporting productivity ensures NSW remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation.

Tocal’s educational outcomes continue to exceed national standards, with full-time program completion rates more than 40 percent higher than the national average. In addition:

  • 92 percent of students in full-time training who began training at Tocal in 2025 successfully completed their qualification.
  • 22 percent of students in full qualification programs identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and just under 50 percent of all 2025 enrolments are women.

As Tocal College enters its seventh decade, it continues to adapt to emerging industry needs, integrating digital agriculture technologies, enhancing regional training delivery, and strengthening partnerships with industry, producers and rural communities.

Visit Tocal College website for information – https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/home

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said:

“Today’s graduation is a proud moment for every student, their families, and the broader agricultural community.

“From livestock production and cropping to Agtech and sustainable land management, the training delivered at Tocal ensures students are ready to contribute from day one on the job.

“As agriculture continues to evolve, Tocal College remains agile and forward‑looking, integrating new technologies, modern production techniques and emerging industry needs into its training.

“The achievements of this year’s graduates speak to the exceptional teaching, mentorship and real‑world experience they receive at Tocal.

“Each student has earned the skills and confidence needed to build meaningful careers and contribute to a stronger agricultural future for the state.”

Alyvia Lieb – Dux, Certificate III in Agriculture said: 

“Studying at Tocal has strengthened my passion for agriculture and given me the confidence to start building a career in the industry. I’m grateful for the support of my trainers and the friends I’ve made along the way.”

Grace Shields – Dux, Certificate III in Horse Care said:

“Working with horses every day has been incredible, and the program has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. I’m excited to take these skills into the equine industry and keep learning.”

Sarah Hanks – Dux, Certificate IV in Agriculture (Farm Supervisor and Agribusiness) said:

“The Certificate IV program challenged me in the best possible way and helped me develop real leadership and agribusiness skills. I’m looking forward to using these skills and stepping into the next stage of my career with confidence.”

Natalia Luci – Dux, Certificate IV in Agriculture (Traineeship Program) said:

“Throughout my traineeship at Tocal I have learnt a lot about different industries in Agriculture. Working and study was a good balance and helped me to learn more. I’m grateful to the Tocal staff/teachers for helping me throughout the course.” 

Minns Government’s botched bathroom puts foster child’s life at risk

The Shadow Minister for Families and Communities, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, has condemned the Minns Government over a botched bathroom modification that has left a young person in foster care suffering life‑threatening seizures.
 
“Accessible home modifications are meant to keep people with disability safe, not push them into repeated medical emergencies because basic standards were ignored,” Mrs Maclaren‑Jones said.
 
“The Minister allowed a family’s home to become a danger zone for their child.”
 
Reports reveal a teenager in out‑of‑home care, who lives with disability and needs an accessible bathroom, was left without one after the government‑funded renovation was botched. The foster carer was forced to shower the teen on the floor, and the young person has since developed severe, potentially life‑threatening seizures linked to the stress, disruption and unsafe conditions.
 
Despite repeated requests for help, the Minister failed to act.
 
“The Minister needs to explain why she ignored this child’s safety and wellbeing after repeated calls for assistance,” Mrs Maclaren‑Jones said.
 
“The Minister has a duty of care and she has failed this young person and their foster carer. Instead of taking immediate action, she blamed others and shuffled paperwork.”
 
“When a government signs off on works in a foster carer’s home, where a child with complex needs lives, they must ensure the work is done properly, safely and on time.”
 
“The Minister must front up, apologise to this carer, and guarantee that no other child in care will be left in this situation again.”
 
“This young person and their carer have been badly let down.”

Appeal to locate man missing from Muswellbrook

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Hunter Valley area.

Matthew Griffiths, aged 54, was last seen on Tindale Street, Muswellbrook, around midnight on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Matthew’s welfare.

Matthew is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 170cm tall, of medium build, fair complexion, with black hair and brown eyes.

He is believed to frequent the Muswellbrook, Hamilton South, Hamilton and Newcastle areas.

Lakemba mosque violence is proof radical Islam is hiding in plain sight

There’s nothing more humiliating than the Australian Prime Minister seated on the floor taking foreign policy advice from a cleric.
 
So-called “moderate Muslims” at Lakemba mosque violently accusing the Australian government of supporting “genocide” should be a wake-up call that dangerous Islamic radicalism is hiding in plain sight, according to Family First.

 
“The truth is that no genocide has occurred in Gaza, but thousands of Gazans tried to commit one on October 7, 2023,” Family First National Director and New South Wales Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton said in response to the wild scenes at today Australia’s biggest mosque.
 
“Women were raped, 1200 innocent people brutally murdered and hundreds taken into terror tunnels as hostages.
 
“It is alarming that Muslim leaders do not have the moral compass to see this and that they continue their victim blaming.
 
“Israel has waged a war of self-defence and continues to do so against Islamic extremists in Lebanon and Iran.
 
“The only attempted genocide has been via calls to kill Jews ‘from the river to the sea’ and to ‘globalise the intifada’,” Mr Shelton said.
 
“Australian politicians have lacked the courage to forcefully and respectfully tell the truth to Muslim leaders and their partners in the radical left. That truth is that Israel has committed no genocide.
 
“By all means critique Israel’s battle tactics but even that must be in the context of the existential threat Israel faces from Islamists who are trying to destroy it.
 
 “It’s time the lies about ‘genocide’ stop because lies are fuelling hatred and violence in Australia, as we saw with Bondi and now with today’s violent scuffles in a mosque in the Prime Minister’s presence.
 
“We do not want foreign hatreds playing out in our nation and pressuring our government to take unconscionable policy positions against an ally like Israel.
 
“What is more humiliating than the Australian Prime Minister sitting on the floor taking foreign policy advice from a cleric?
 
“Australia’s Muslim leaders need to realise that the Islamists of Hamas and Iran were the aggressors on October 7 and it is their on-going bloodlust for Jews that has destabilised the Middle East.
 
“There would be no civilian casualties if Gazans had not tried to invade Israel and commit genocide after decades of using international aid money to build military terror tunnels.
 
“Political courage to confront Australian Muslim leaders with this truth is what is needed for social cohesion in our nation,” Mr Shelton said.
 
“I’m sure the majority of Muslim people just want to get on with their lives and enjoy being Australian. Ancient hatreds should be left behind.”
 

EPA investigating Mount Thorley fish kill

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating a fish kill event in the Hunter River at Mount Thorley.

Officers were called to the site on Friday 20 March where they collected water and fish samples for analysis.

Reports from locals suggest hundreds of dead fish were seen along a 2-kilometre stretch of the river. At this early stage, the cause is unknown.

NSW EPA Director Operations, David Gathercole, said the Hunter River at Mount Thorley receives inputs from a range of sources including industrial estates, agricultural runoff and mining activities.

We are contacting any licenced facilities in the area that have known discharge points into the river to ensure they are operating normally and to determine if a pollution incident has occurred,” Mr Gathercole said.

We will work with other relevant government agencies to finalise sampling results and monitor water quality in the area.

As a precaution, we recommend anyone swimming in the river follows standard NSW Health advice not to drink any untreated water.

For downstream users if you don’t need to extract water from the river, wait until we have confirmation that the water quality is normal.”

Water sample analysis results should be available within the next week. Fish sample analysis could take up to three weeks.

Indexation is not an increase’: welfare recipients react to Centrelink rise

Today people relying on poverty-level Centrelink payments will receive an insulting “increase” due to legislated indexation, a mechanism used to calculate new payment rates based on past CPI changes.

As the government celebrates its generosity for delivering on legislated requirements, the cold reality is that the maximum that will land in our bank accounts is a pittance that leaves us further behind*:

  • the JobSeeker payment will change by $7.55 to $408.75 a week
  • Parenting Payment will change by $9.80 to $533.15 a week
  • the Disability Support Pension will change by $11.10 to $600.45 a week
  • Commonwealth Rent Assistance will change by $2 to $109.70 a week for people who live alone. CRA for people in share houses will change by $1.34 to $73.14 a week.

Poor people are utterly exhausted by 4 years of Albanese government “no-one left behind” rhetoric and boasting about so-called “increases” to Centrelink payments. In reality, legislated indexation lags behind inflation and does not reflect the real increase in living costs for many people in poverty.

Over the same period, we have suffered relentless price hikes across every essential item, from housing costs to energy bills, transport to groceries. For example, energy bills increased 22 per cent in the past 2 years, while the Albanese government handed over $5 billion in subsidies to price gouging energy companies whose profits soared. In the past two years, indexation has seen the JobSeeker payment change from $385 to $409 a week – or about 6 per cent.

Indexation is not an increase.

As the flow on effect of war bleeds through the economy and the RBA continues to punish people for reasons beyond our control, action must be taken to stop companies profiteering from crisis at the community’s expense.

The Antipoverty Centre is calling on the government to:

  • Increase all Centrelink payments to at least the Henderson poverty line and work with welfare recipients to understand what payment rates should be for us to live a decent life.
  • Directly invest in buying and building high quality public homes, and upgrades for neglected housing stock.
  • Abolish negative gearing for property investors and capital gains tax discounts.

Tax breaks for the wealthy should be dealt with at this budget, but more must be done to reverse out-of-control inequality and fund essential supports that address high living costs and benefit us all such as public healthcare, housing, education and welfare.

Antipoverty Centre spokesperson Jay Coonan said:

Time and again this prime minister has failed to rise to the occasion. What does he want to be remembered for?

People are hurting a lot right now and what we need is to have some faith restored.

We need the government to stop hiding behind powerful lobby groups and muttering about consensus, while concentrating all the power and decision making in the hands of a tiny few who choose timidity over ambition.

If the prime minister doesn’t have the courage to help people out in our time of need he will only fuel more division and resentment.

The community is crying out for bold changes that will reduce inequality and the damage done by high living costs. No more corporate subsidies, no more tightly targeted policies, no more kicking the can down the road.

The things we are asking for are not as complicated as politicians want us to believe: increase Centrelink payments to ensure we can all live a decent life, invest in public housing to bring down housing costs for everyone, and abolish the tax breaks that go to people who profit from the rest of us suffering.

Crisis support and counselling services

If you need support you can seek guidance, counselling or crisis help from the below organisations or talk to someone you trust.

Appeal to locate teenage boy missing from Mayfield

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the state’s north.

Eli Tomaszewski, aged 13, was last seen on Nile Street, Mayfield, about 8.30pm on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

When he was unable to be located, officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District were notified yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

There are concerns for Eli’s welfare due to his young age.

Eli is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair, and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a maroon shirt, black denim shorts and blue Nike shoes.

Eli is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace area.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Raymond Terrace police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter

Almost 40 years since the Tangara trains were built in Newcastle, the work to extend their life is coming back to the Hunter, with the Minns Labor Government establishing two new production lines at the rail facility in Cardiff. 

This investment will create around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter, rebuilding the train manufacturing workforce after the former Liberal-National Government ended passenger train manufacturing in the region in 2013 and prioritised overseas manufacturers. 

The $447 million Tangara Life Extension program will extend the life of 55 eight-carriage trains by over a decade by replacing internal cladding, the computer operating system, installing more accessible emergency help points, emergency door release, passenger visual displays, upgrades to the passenger address system and CCTV.

The two new production lines in the Hunter, in addition to the existing three lines at Auburn and Flemington, will increase the pace of train upgrades from 12 per year to 20. This increased capacity means more upgraded Tangara trains will be on the network sooner.

The 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter brings the total number of jobs on the Tangara Life Extension program to 320. 200 people including apprentices are already working on the program at Auburn and Flemington. 

This investment in local skills will help develop the workforce that will build the new Tangara fleet in NSW, which will begin procurement by 2027 and meet the 50 per cent local manufacturing target as part of the Future Fleet Program.

The life extension program is part of the Government’s focus on improving rail reliability in response to the Independent Rail Review.

The Tangaras are some of the oldest rolling stocks and refurbished carriages will help to reduce maintenance faults. 

To date, four Tangara trains are undergoing upgrades with the first train now in the network undergoing dynamic testing activities before it re-enters service on the network.

Tangara vision and historic images can be downloaded HERE.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“I lived in Newcastle when it was a proud train building city. We’re now bringing train manufacturing jobs back to the Hunter, the home of the original Tangara fleet.

“The former government sent Hunter jobs offshore because of their obsession with buying trains overseas. Anywhere but NSW, that was their policy on transport manufacturing jobs.

“This investment accelerates the life extension of our Tangara fleet while creating real jobs and skills development in the Hunter region.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The people of Newcastle built these trains more than 35 years ago, and it’s only right that the Hunter is once again at the heart of this work. We’re truly a proud train manufacturing town.

“But this is about more than upgrading trains. It’s about creating secure jobs, training apprentices and giving local families confidence that opportunity exists right here in our region.

“We’re backing Hunter workers and making sure the skills and industries that built this region continue to thrive into the future.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Almost 40 years after the Tangara trains were first built in Newcastle, it is fantastic to see this work returning to the Hunter.

“This is what rebuilding public transport capability in NSW looks like – more skilled jobs in the Hunter, more apprenticeships and more work being done here at home.

“After years of offshoring and neglect, we are rebuilding the workforce and capability NSW needs for the future.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“This is a key step as we rebuild our domestic manufacturing capability and turn around 12 years of offshoring by the previous Liberal-National Government.

“We know that for every one job in manufacturing there are a further 3.5 in the supply chain, and that’s why we want our procurement dollars creating jobs here in NSW.

“We want to better leverage our precious procurement dollars through projects like this so we can maximise our support for workers and industries here in NSW, not on the other side of the world.”

Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said: 

“The two lines to be added to this facility are also adding new jobs and apprenticeships, offering great opportunities for locals. 

“There will be cost savings associated with the acceleration of the program of work and by opening up these additional lines, the project will be finished sooner than previously forecast. 

“That means the benefits of this initiative will be felt far beyond Wallsend.” 

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“The Tangara Life Extension Program is the most comprehensive refurbishment of its kind ever undertaken by Sydney Trains.

“Our teams in Sydney and soon, in the Hunter are carrying out critical system upgrades, modernising on‑board technologies and improving safety and accessibility features to bring these trains in line with contemporary standards.”

Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN 2+2)

Today we will host New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters MP and Defence Minister Judith Collins KC MP for our annual Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN 2+2) in Canberra.

These dialogues are an opportunity to shape our cooperation to respond to the demands of our region, including how we strengthen our Alliance.

Australia and New Zealand have a uniquely close bond and are working together across a range of foreign affairs, defence, economic and cultural interests.

In the face of growing strategic challenges, working in partnership with New Zealand to strengthen regional stability and energy security has never been more important. 

In addition to the 2+2 meeting, the Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting and Foreign Ministers’ Consultations will also be held in Canberra.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Collins will also visit the Australian War Memorial in recognition of our enduring ANZAC spirit.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles:

“Australia and New Zealand are fundamentally aligned across the challenges we face and are working together to advance our shared interests and those of our region.

“We are strengthening our defence partnership to become an increasingly integrated Anzac force in support of our shared interests and our common values.

“I look forward to discussing how we can further strengthen our defence and security Alliance.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Australia and New Zealand’s relationship is built upon generations of deep friendship, democratic values and a common outlook as Pacific countries.

“The trans-Tasman relationship is more important than ever as we work with our Pacific neighbours to respond to global developments and create a more peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“We extend a warm welcome to our Kiwi counterparts – I look forward to discussing how we can deepen our cooperation to advance our shared interests and those of our region.”