Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government has delivered a key milestone in Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program with the establishment of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.

The new statutory Agency is responsible for the effective regulatory oversight of Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion capabilities, providing independent assurance that the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection are upheld.

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce Mr Michael Drake as the inaugural Director-General of the new regulatory Agency. 

Mr Drake brings to the role technical expertise and a decade of maritime regulation experience, including most recently as the Executive Director of Operations with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and before that 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy where he served primarily in Australia’s Collins class submarines.

Commencing with over 70 trained staff, the new Agency has been working closely with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Commonwealth authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety, to ensure a smooth transition of regulatory oversight.

The new Agency is headquartered in Canberra and has a presence across the country as well as overseas. With personnel embedded in the United States and United Kingdom, the Agency’s workforce harnesses a broad range of skillsets to make independent and informed regulatory decisions.

Over the coming years, it will continue to expand its footprint in Western Australia and South Australia.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025, relating to licensing facilities and materials for activities related to naval nuclear propulsion, have been made following extensive consultation, including formal public consultation in July 2025.

Subsequent regulations will focus on future phases of the optimal pathway including Australia’s acquisition and operation of Virginia class submarines and the construction and operation of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.

This new regulatory framework is underpinned by the highest international nuclear safety standards, drawing on more than 70 years of safe nuclear propulsion practices in the United States and United Kingdom, tailored to Australia’s operating environment. 

Relevant licences issued by ARPANSA, including in relation to the Controlled Industrial Facility at HMAS Stirling, will now transition to the new Regulator. 

ARPANSA will continue to provide scientific and technical support to the new Regulator, and the two Regulators will work together to support consistent nuclear and radiological safety across Australia’s military and civilian activities.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Defence portfolio, and is established under the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Today marks another important step in the delivery of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“This new Agency will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety and stewardship.

“I congratulate Mr Drake on his appointment as Director-General, and commend everyone involved for the work they have done to deliver a fit-for-purpose legislative and regulatory framework.”

Director-General, Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, Mr Michael Drake:

“I am proud to be leading the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator and recognise its important role in delivering Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“The agency brings expertise from across Australia and internationally, with a clear mandate to deliver independent, evidence-based regulation.

“We are committed to working with all Australian stakeholders and our AUKUS partners to uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection.”

The NACC has announced that Commissioner Brereton will no longer participate in consideration of Defence referrals. They did this in a statement on its website on the afternoon of Friday 31 October announcing that Commissioner Brereton “has decided that he will not participate in consideration of any referrals which involve the interests of any Defence or ADF individual or unit that is or comes before the Commission, regardless of whether it might reasonably be perceived to involve a conflict”. 

The NACC goes on to say “The Commissioner is taking this step, although it is unnecessary from the perspective of properly managing actual or apparent conflicts, solely in an endeavour to recentre the focus on our important operational and educational work.” 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Justice and Defence Spokesperson said:

“This is a ‘major-general’ backdown from Commissioner Brereton who, up until now, tried to stare down the growing public revolt over the conflicts of interest.

“In a show of contempt for transparency the NACC only disclosed this major development with a website post put up after 5pm on Friday night. There’s a name for this, it’s called, “putting out the trash.”

“This announcement leaves so many unanswered questions:

– Why is Commissioner Brereton still a Major-General in the ADF?

– What happens to all the defence referrals he has been working on, and making decisions on, until now?

– Why is Commissioner Brereton being paid over $800k a year not to work on defence referrals?

“Defence, which is embroiled in a series of multi-million dollar procurement scandals, is one of the largest customers for the NACC which had over 120 Defence referrals as at April this year. 

“It is not just that the NACC’s statement came late on a Friday night, so too did the Government’s tabling of the NACC Annual Report which was over two weeks late.

“Astoundingly, given the serial failures of the NACC Commissioner Brereton to deal with conflicts of interest in his own role, the NACC says conflicts of interest is one of its three main corruption prevention themes.

“Corruption complaints concerning conflicts of interest are also identified in the NACC annual report as major elements of its ongoing work.

“It remains untenable for Commission Brereton to stay as the NACC Commissioner given his repeated failure to deal with his own conflicts of interest.  

“This latest step only highlights the damage he has done to the NACC’s public standing.

“Anti-corruption agencies should be modelling best practice, not cynically making significant announcements late on Friday afternoons.

“The Albanese Government needs to act and, if Commissioner Brereton will not leave of his accord, bring the matter before the Parliament for a decision on his future,” Senator Shoebridge said.

The Department of Defence has reportedly quietly issued an email to Australian defence manufacturers stating that they can no longer directly export to Israel.

This is a victory for the peace movement and shows the impact of the growing public revolt with Australia’s continued two-way arms trade with Israel.

Correspondence reported by The Nightly, sent to select defence companies from Defence Export Controls, said that a new condition is being imposed on them that prevents “approved goods” from being sent to Israel.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, said:

“This is still a real victory for those millions of Australians who have been calling, organising and marching for peace and justice in Gaza.”

“After two years of growing public opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza the Albanese Government has been forced to act.

“This was not announced by Labor or Defence, it has been disclosed through journalists doing their job and uncovering the truth.

“More work needs to be done to clarify the exact reach of this latest development but it does not look like it will impact weapons parts for the F35 fighter jet going from Australia to Israel.

“The Albanese government still says all decisions to send F35 parts from Australia to Israel are made by the US government and US weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

“This change also leaves open the possibility of Australian weapons manufacturers washing their weapons and parts to Israel through the US under AUKUS pillar 2.

“Having been forced to take this first step, we now need to push for a complete two-way weapons ban with Israel.

“The government cannot cherry-pick which weapons to send into a genocide, ending the two-way arms trade with Israel must mean ending it all.

“The Greens will keep working alongside our friends in civil society to force Australia to comply with international law and basic humanity.

“We do this because it is right and we do it because it is working.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded a successful visit to the Republic of Korea for the 2025 APEC Summit.

From 29 October to 1 November, the Prime Minister met with major partners to strengthen Australia’s trade and investment.  

APEC is a key platform for advancing inclusive, sustainable growth.  75 percent of Australia’s global trade is with the member economies of APEC.

Leaders endorsed the Gyeongju Declaration which advances shared objectives under the Summit’s three priorities, ‘Connect, Innovate and Prosper’.

The Declaration aligns with Australia’s focus on strengthening trade, driving innovation and promoting sustainability, and reaffirms leaders’ shared resolve to build a resilient Asia-Pacific.

The Prime Minister attended the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue to engage with Asia-Pacific business leaders and promote Australia’s forward-looking economic agenda.

The Dialogue fosters cooperation between governments and the private sector to shape policies that promote regional integration and innovation.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Albanese and the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung held a bilateral meeting.

Australia and Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) upgrading our bilateral trade and investment partnership – to increase collaboration and attract high investment in priority sectors, like climate and clean energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, defence and space, advanced manufacturing, health and biotech, education and agribusiness.  

Australia is also investing $7.5 million towards projects under the Australia–ROK Green Economy Partnership Arrangement on Climate and Energy – to invest in clean energy technology and boost supply chains.

While in the Republic of Korea, the Prime Minister paid his respects to fallen Australian soldiers at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, and commemorated the 75th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the Korean War.

The Prime Minister also visited the POSCO Pohang Steelworks where he met with POSCO Holdings Chairman and CEO Dr Chang In-hwa, and highlighted Australia and Korea’s longstanding trade and investment ties, as well as maturing cooperation on critical minerals and technology to develop green metals. 

During APEC the Prime Minister met with the leaders of multiple countries, including Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States of America and Vietnam.

Prime Minister Albanese

“One in four Australian jobs depend on trade, while 75 per cent of Australia’s trade is with APEC member economies – which is why this engagement is so important.

“When trade flows freely, Australians benefit – from lower costs at the checkout to more secure jobs.

“Through APEC, Australia is working with our regional partners to support economic resilience and deliver stronger outcomes for the Asia-Pacific.

“I thank President Lee for the successful hosting of this year’s APEC Summit.”

The Minns Labor Government has delivered 243 new public and affordable homes over the past three months in New South Wales, with another major redevelopment now underway in Western Sydney as work continues to address the states housing and affordability crisis.

It follows the largest net increase in government-built public and community homes in over a decade, with 1,711 new social, community, and affordable homes delivered in FY2024-25, the first year of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program.

This brings the total to 1,954 new homes built in just 15 months, putting NSW on track for another record-breaking year of public housing completions and means almost 3000 more people now have a safe place to call home.

This is in sharp contrast to the previous Liberal National Government, who oversaw a net reduction in public housing when in government taking the states supply from 110,805 in 2014 to 95,765 in 2023.

Between 2017 and 2021 while 2,257 social homes were delivered, that paled in comparison to the 3,269 they sold off.

Major Villawood Redevelopment Underway

Continuing this work construction is now underway on a 1.5 hectare site in Villawood, transforming a long-vacant block on Kamira Avenue into a vibrant mixed housing community featuring around 360 homes, plus green space, retail and commercial areas.

Under the former Liberal National Government, this site would have been downsized to just 55 social homes, reducing overall supply.

The Minns Government’s plan restores and expands the area with all 145 units built in Stage 1 dedicated to social housing. 

Construction has also started on two smaller nearby neighbourhood-scale projects that will deliver an additional 16 new homes in Villawood.

While this progress is historic, the Government recognises there is more work ahead to rebuild the public housing system and restore supply after a decade of cuts and neglect.

Last year, the Minns Labor Government announced the largest investment in housing in the state’s history, through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales package. This included:

$5.1 billion to deliver over 8,400 new social homes, at least 50% of which will be prioritised for victim survivors of domestic and family violence.

A world leading presale guarantee to fast track construction and increase housing supply.

The largest planning reforms in a generation, establishing the Housing Delivery Authority and prioritising well-located homes near public transport.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Every one of these homes means a family off the waitlist and into a place they can finally call their own. For too long, people have been stuck waiting while properties sat vacant or plans went backwards. We’re changing that by getting on with building homes that people need.

“Almost 250 homes in a quarter and almost 2,000 in 15 months. We’re not just talking about numbers on a spreadsheet; we’re talking about real homes that are life-changing for those in need.

“We’re building homes at a scale NSW hasn’t seen before. It’s real progress but it’s not job done, we’re only just getting started. 

“This redevelopment in Villawood is about more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about building a stronger, more inclusive community. By delivering a mix of diverse housing, we’re creating opportunities for people from all walks of life to live, grow, and thrive together.

“We’ve said time and time again that for people to grow and thrive, we need to deliver high-quality homes alongside transport, close to shops, schools and local services. This project ticks all those boxes.”

Member for FairfieldDr David Saliba said:

“It’s fantastic to see work finally underway on this site after it sat vacant for so many years. This redevelopment is a welcome and long-overdue transformation that will bring new life, new homes, and new opportunities to the Villawood community.”

“This redevelopment will help families have access to safe, secure, and modern housing.”

The report into the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 released this afternoon reflects the careful consideration by the cross-party Public Accountability and Works Committee of the valuable expert evidence gathered on the workers compensation scheme and its handling of claims for workers with a psychological injury.
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said “the Committee backed in two important recommendations which, taken together, reflect the balanced approach to Labor’s Bill taken by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Opposition.
 
Firstly, entry to the scheme needs to be tightened by excluding trivial or fanciful claims by workers alleging a psychological injury following reasonable management action by an employer.
 
Secondly, ongoing income and medical support needs to be maintained for seriously injured workers. Labor’s savage proposal to lift the threshold for the degree of permanent impairment to 31% was decisively rejected by the Committee.”
 
The Committee made a finding that “The provision in the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, as introduced into the Legislative Assembly, that would have excluded all claims for a psychological injury where reasonable management action is ‘a significant cause of the psychological injury’ is a fair and balanced approach that would reduce costs by excluding ill-founded claims”. It recommended restoring this provision which was dropped by the Minns Labor Government at the request of the Member for Sydney.
 
“While pretending to help businesses by reducing premiums, Labor’s political deal with the member for Sydney would have unnecessarily increased costs by allowing unjustified claims,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
The Committee also found that the Treasurer’s plan to lift the threshold for the degree of permanent impairment to 31% was based on two false claims: that anyone assessed as less than 31% can “by definition” work and that by lifting the threshold to 31% we would be catching up with reforms in South Australia. The truth is 31% under the PIRs, used in NSW, is equivalent to 55% under the GEPIC, used in South Australia, and that few, if any, of those assessed as between 21% and 30% are fit to work in any capacity. The Committee recommended that “’The provisions in the bill lifting the degree of permanent impairment thresholds to 31% should be withdrawn by the Government, and if put forward in the House, opposed.”
 
“The Treasurer has been selling his Bill to Cabinet, the Labor caucus, the Parliament and the public based on claims now exposed as false. The Opposition will be moving amendments to give effect to these two key recommendations of the Committee, with the aim of helping secure the passage of a  balanced Bill that will deliver substantial savings without abandoning those who genuinely need ongoing support”, Mr Tudehope said.

The Minns Labor Government has once again tried to mislead the public by claiming credit for the upgrades at Carlingford West Public School and Cumberland High School. This is yet another major education project planned, designed and funded  by the former NSW Liberals and Nationals Government.
 
This project was already well advanced before Labor came to office. The planning, community consultation, traffic solutions and designs were completed years ago, and the project was fully scoped and funded by the NSW Coalition to meet the needs of families in Sydney’s growing north west.
 
The Minns Labor Government’s attempt to paint this as their own achievement is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history. The truth is that Labor inherited a shovel-ready project and simply showed up at the ribbon cutting.
 
At every turn, the Minns Labor Government has failed to be upfront with the people of New South Wales. They take credit for projects they did not start; delay the ones they inherited and make no real progress on new infrastructure of their own. This is the same pattern seen across schools, hospitals, roads and rail.
 
Families in Carlingford and Epping deserve honesty. The NSW Coalition invested in new classrooms, libraries, halls, workshops and play spaces because we understand how important good schools are to growing communities. Labor is taking a victory lap on a project they did not deliver.
 
This government has become a media release machine, taking bows for projects built by someone else while failing to deliver much infrastructure project of their own.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this is another example of the Minns Labor Government trying to take credit for NSW Liberals and Nationals projects.
 
“Everything from the planning to the funding was done before they ever took office. The only thing Labor delivered was a media release,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the hard work on these upgrades was done years ago under the previous government.
 
“Labor didn’t plan it, Labor didn’t fund it, and Labor certainly didn’t deliver it. This is the worst kind of political window dressing,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
Member for Epping Monica Tudehope said these upgrades were made possible by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government’s commitment to invest in growing communities.
 
“Labor should be honest with parents and stop pretending they built these schools. They didn’t. They just turned up for the photos,” Ms Tudehope said.
 
The NSW Coalition built the foundations for Sydney’s future. Labor is simply cutting the ribbons.

The Albanese Government is making the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, with our $8.5 billion package delivering on our commitment to more bulk billing and more doctors for all Australians.

For the first time, bulk billing incentives will be paid to GPs for every patient they bulk bill. Previously these incentives were only available to children under 16 and concession card holders.

The Albanese Government’s investment will deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed GP visits every year.

This will mean 9 out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030, boosting the number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4,800 nationally – triple the current number.

Already over 1,000 GP practices that were previously mixed billing have signed up to become fully bulk billing practices. This is on top of the 1,600 GP practices that are currently fully bulk billing. This means that over 2,600 GP practices are expected to be become fully bulk billing around the country and counting.

Australian patients and families will save hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket costs, with patient savings of $859 million a year by 2030.

It is now easier to find a bulk billed GP appointment, with all Australians now eligible for bulk billing incentives.

GP practices can calculate how much they will be better off and register for BBPIP by visiting health.gov.au/BBPIP.

Prime Minister

“Labor built Medicare and now we’re strengthening it and improving health care for all Australians.

“No Australian should have to check their bank balance to see if they can afford to see a doctor. That is not who we are. That is not the future we want for Australia. 

“We’re delivering more bulk billing for every Australian, making it easier to see a doctor and saving families money.  

“Delivering on this election commitment lifts up our entire nation and ensures no one is held back, and no one is left behind.”

Minister Butler

“I want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the health care they need.

“Every electorate in the country will now have GP practices that bulk bill every patient.  

“After a decade of cuts and neglect from the Coalition bulk billing was in freefall.

“These investment builds on the three largest boosts to Medicare rebates in decades.

“Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare and that’s what the Albanese Government is delivering.”

Newcastle Police have charged a man after he allegedly assaulted a woman in a wheelchair on the weekend.

About 2.20am on Saturday 1 November 2025, police were called to a hotel on King Street, Newcastle West, following reports of an assault.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and were told an unknown man had allegedly pulled the wheel off a wheelchair causing the user to fall onto the ground before he ran from the scene.

The wheelchair user – a 23-year-old woman who lives hearing and sight impairment – was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Following inquiries, police attended a home on Turton Road, New Lambton, about 6.50pm yesterday (Sunday 2 November 2025), where they arrested a 23-year-old man.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 13 November 2025.

Major traffic relief has arrived for Hunter motorists, with one of the region’s most frustrating bottlenecks taking a huge step forward, with three southbound lanes now open on Hexham Straight.
The milestone marks significant progress on the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments’ $2.24 billion investment to bust congestion and improve safety through the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight Widening projects.
For the 50,000 motorists who rely on this corridor every day, the opening means smoother, safer and more reliable trips between Old Maitland Road and Sparke Street.
A new southbound bridge over Ironbark Creek is now carrying four lanes of traffic, two in each direction, while work continues on the new northbound bridge.
Once complete, motorists will travel across twin bridges with three lanes each way, improving travel times and freight efficiency across the Hunter.
Final works including asphalting, line marking, barriers and landscaping are now underway. The Hexham Straight upgrade remains on track for completion in 2026, delivering three lanes in each direction over six kilometres, from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass to north of Hexham Bridge.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King said:
“This is a big moment for the 50,000 motorists who use the Hexham Straight every day, as we open the new southbound bridge at Ironbark Creek.
“It will mean safer and more efficient commutes, with more improvements on the way as work continues on this important infrastructure project for the Hunter. 
NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
“This is fantastic news for the Hunter. For too long, Hexham Straight has been a source of frustration for locals, freight operators and visitors alike.
“The Minns and Albanese Labor Governments are investing in the infrastructure that matters and projects that make daily life easier and keep our region connected.
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
“This is a game-changer for local motorists, freight operators and visitors alike.
“With three lanes now open southbound, Hunter drivers are already seeing the benefits of our investment in safer, more reliable roads.
“This is Labor delivery in action, working together across all levels of government to build a better NSW.”
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon said:
““This is a huge win for local motorists and freight operators who’ve been battling the Hexham bottleneck for years. Anyone who’s been stuck in traffic here knows how frustrating it can be so this progress will make a real difference to people’s daily lives.
“Newcastle is growing, and that means our infrastructure has to grow with us. Labor is investing in the roads, bridges and transport networks that will keep our community moving well into the future.”
Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson said:
“Better roads mean safer communities, stronger freight links and more time back in people’s days.
“This is what Labor governments do: we listen, we deliver, and we build a better future for the regions.”
NSW Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said:
“This project is about more than smoother commutes, it’s about jobs, safety and a better future for the Hunter.
“Thanks to the hard work of the Transport for NSW team and local contractors, we’re seeing real progress on the ground.”
NSW Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said:
“For people travelling on the Hexham Straight, this upgrade is already making a difference.
“It’s about making everyday life easier, spending less time stuck in traffic and more valuable time at work, school and home.