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The Minns Labor Government is taking another important step to protect workers against dust diseases, by strengthening the safety code of practice for tunnel construction.

Tunnelling can be a vital part of building public transport infrastructure yet poses risks to workers including silica dust exposure from the rock and sandstone being tunnelled through. It is vital that workers are protected.

The existing Tunnels Under Construction Code of Practice hasn’t been reviewed since 2006.The NSW Government is opening consultation on a new code of practice via the Have Your Say website, with industry and union stakeholders invited to make submissions until 28 November 2025.

Since January 2024 to present, SafeWork NSW has conducted over 100 site inspections in tunnelling sites in the Sydney metro area.

Tragically, there have been 516 cases of silicosis and 36 deaths due to the disease in NSW since 2017.

The draft updated code of practice has been developed in consultation with an industry and social partners working group and covers many aspects of tunnel construction. Proposed updates to the code include:  

• Managing silica risks using appropriate controls with a strong focus on the use engineering controls including adequate ventilation.
• The inclusion of ventilation officers and certified occupational hygienists in tunnelling as best practice measures. This inclusion is consistent with recommendations from the 2024 Review of the Dust Diseases scheme.
• Managing psychosocial hazards such as remote working which is often a feature of tunnelling.
• Tunnel boring machine content to account for changing industry practice and the move away from using explosives to tunnel.  

The Minns Labor Government will analyse Have Your Say contributions and continue to consult with industry and unions before finalising the new code.

Eliminating the risks associated with silica is a high priority for the Minns Government. Other initiatives include:

• Leading the ban on engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs containing one per cent or greater crystalline silica. This included a national ban on its importation from January 1, 2025.
• Establishing the Silica Worker Register to monitor and track the health of workers undertaking high-risk processing of crystalline silica substances (CSS).
• Establishment of the Tunnelling Dust Safety Taskforce to help address silica related health risks in tunnelling projects. The Taskforce is made up of Government, medical, industry and union representatives and provides expert guidance on the prevention of silica and other dust-related diseases, associated with tunnelling projects in NSW.
• The establishment of a dedicated silica unit within SafeWork NSW which includes a Silica Compliance Team to enforce strengthened regulations, including proactive visits to sites conducting high-risk CSS processing.
• Committed $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust. The grant funding, administered collaboratively by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided over three years to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI).
• Committed $2.5 million for a state-of-the-art Lung Bus which is currently travelling NSW to protect workers from dust diseases. The icare Lung mobile lung clinic provides specialised lung health assessments to current and retired workers who are at risk of developing a workplace dust disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or silicosis.

To make a submission, and for more information on the “Health and safety risk management of tunnels and shafts in construction code of practice”, visit:

haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/tunnels-in-construction

Any worker who wishes to raise concerns about workplace safety is encouraged to contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The NSW Government is committed to addressing health and safety risks in the workplace, especially relating to silica dust. This consultation opportunity is a chance to ensure everybody has a say in making sure we get it right.

“The Have Your Say consultation gives everybody a seat at the table. This is a way to come together and discuss the safety of tunnel construction workers, because when it comes to worker safety, it impacts more than just the people on the job but also families, friends and communities.

“The reviewed “Health and safety risk management of tunnels and shafts in construction code of practice” builds on the NSW Government’s strong record of tackling high-crystalline silica processing risks, which includes banning engineered stone, establishing the Tunnelling Dust Safety Taskforce and launching the silica worker register.”

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:

“SafeWork NSW is always open to consulting with anyone who can provide insight into work health and safety and is committed to maintaining leading practices which protect the workers of this State against the dangers of silica dust and other hazards in tunnel construction.

“Addressing the dangers of silica and protecting workers building the infrastructure of our future is a priority for SafeWork NSW and ensuring our codes of practices are updated and reflect best practice is crucial in making that happen.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris has launched a powerful new art exhibition at the Anzac Memorial featuring works by 2025 Veteran Artist in Residence Hugh Semple that explore stories of post-service life through watercolour.

The exhibition, Beyond Service: Veterans’ New Journeys, presents eight evocative watercolour paintings that illuminate the personal and transformative journeys of Australian military veterans as they navigate life after service.

Each artwork captures a veteran’s chosen path, whether through art, music, storytelling, or cultural practice, revealing the renewed sense of purpose and identity these pursuits inspire.

Hugh Semple, a veteran of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport, first turned to painting as a therapeutic outlet following his medical discharge from the Army. What began as a means of healing has since evolved into a full-time artistic career. His deeply personal works reflect not only his own journey but also those of fellow veterans who have found strength and meaning in creative expression.

In June Hugh was named as one of two 2025 Anzac Memorial Veteran Artists in Residence and awarded a $10,000 grant to develop this significant body of work. Over recent months, the Anzac Memorial has served as both an inspiring backdrop and creative workspace for his artistic practice.

This year, the residency program was supported with funding from Veterans Benevolent Fund, supported by RSL & Clubs Services.

Launched in 2019, the Veteran Artist in Residence program supports current veterans in their development as artists and the use of the creative process in their healing journeys. The program also recognises the strong historic connection between art and military experience.

Beyond Service is on display at the Anzac Memorial which is open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm – entry is free. Visitors will also have a chance to meet Hugh and discover the stories behind the artworks during exclusive artist drop-in sessions.

More information is available here: https://www.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/event/beyond-service-veterans-new-journeys

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Hugh has created an extraordinary and deeply moving collection that not only shares the personal journeys of our veterans beyond service, but also celebrates the passions that now define their lives. His work is a tribute to resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of those who have served.

“We’re deeply grateful to Hugh for his generosity, and to the veterans whose stories he brings to life through each painting. Their willingness to share these personal journeys offers the broader community a rare and meaningful insight into life beyond service.

“The Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence program is a valuable opportunity to support veteran artists in their creative and healing journeys as they navigate life post service and honours their stories in a way that resonates deeply with the broader community.”

2025 Veteran Artist in Residence Hugh Semple said:

“Life after service does not end the journey. It reshapes it. These artworks honour the courage it takes to rediscover purpose and build a new identity beyond the uniform.

“The residency has given me a unique space to process my past, explore my present, and imagine my future. Exhibiting at the Anzac Memorial has made my art, and my story, feel truly valued.

“Art has been a lifeline in my journey after leaving the Army. It has given me a way to process the experiences, challenges, and emotions that often feel impossible to express.

“Through creating, I have found a path to understanding myself, rebuilding my sense of purpose, and transforming the struggles of my past into something meaningful. Art has not only been a tool for healing, it has become a way to connect with others, to share my story, and embrace life beyond the uniform.”

The Minns Labor Government is powering ahead with Sydney’s first new road harbour crossing in almost 30 years, delivering a world-class, publicly-owned piece of infrastructure that will reshape the way Sydney moves.

Western Harbour Tunnel crews have completed construction of massive twin underground caverns at Birchgrove that will serve as the launch chambers for the largest twin tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in the southern hemisphere, Barangaroo and Patyegarang.

Together these technological behemoths will dig the 1.5 kilometre underwater section of the Tunnel up to 50 metres below sea level to Waverton.

The Tunnel is a true game changer that will deliver travel time savings to motorists and reduce traffic on the Western Distributor by 35 per cent, in the Harbour Tunnel by 20 per cent and on the Sydney Harbour Bridge by 17 per cent.

The two 28-metre high caverns are among the largest ever excavated in Australia, each big enough to fit 22 Olympic swimming pools or six Emerald-class Sydney Ferries. They are located just 230 metres from the edge of Sydney Harbour ready for the TBMs’ epic dive.

The milestone comes as the second TBM arrived in Sydney on 21 October, joining its twin, which landed in August.

Each machine is an engineering marvel: 137 metres long and weighing more than 4,300 tonnes which is the equivalent of 88 double decker buses. The pair will carve a 1.5-kilometre route under Sydney Harbour to the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney.

Over the coming months, workers will assemble the TBMs piece by piece inside the Birchgrove caverns using a 500-tonne gantry crane. Once launched, they’ll tunnel around the clock, supported by 40 skilled workers per shift, as they begin their epic journey beneath the harbour.

The TBMs will begin excavating under the harbour in the first half of 2026 once the TBMs, comprising 263 major parts each, have been assembled in painstaking correct order. TBM assembly will take several months. They are expected to take around a year to complete their work.

When complete, the Western Harbour Tunnel will provide a seamless 6.5 km connection between the Warringah Freeway and the Rozelle Interchange, reducing congestion, improving travel times, and strengthening connections across the city’s north, west and south.

The Western Harbour Tunnel is on track to open to traffic in 2028 and will remain in public ownership, ensuring the long-term benefits of this investment stay with the people of NSW. The project is supporting 7,000 jobs over the course of construction.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Today, the Minns Labor Government is one step closer to delivering the Western Harbour Tunnel.

“This is a once-in-a-generation project, with the Minns Government on track to deliver Sydney’s third road harbour crossing.

“After 12 years of Liberal-National privatisation, we are building this project as a public asset for the people of NSW.

“These giant caverns are vast enough to fit six Emerald class Sydney ferries each, but once the TBMs are assembled inside them, there will only be around 1-2 metres between each TBM and the launch chamber walls.

“The scale of this project is absolutely breathtaking. More than 4,800,000 tonnes of material already have been excavated across the Western Harbour Tunnel project to date.

“The Western Harbour Tunnel TBMs are the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest in the world to be assembled underground. The mega-machines were shipped to Australia in 263 pieces, with 125 shipping containers of other components, and our team is now preparing them for launch.

“In a few days, the TBM parts will be loaded onto specialised heavy vehicles and transported into the launch chambers via the City West Link portal.

“The Western Harbour Tunnel is on track to open in 2028 and importantly, will remain in public ownership.”

Jenny Aitchison’s media release this morning and her anticipated performance at her press conference today show just how far the Minns Labor Government will stretch the truth to take credit for projects they did not plan, did not fund and did not start.
 
The Western Harbour Tunnel, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel before it, have been projects delivered by NSW Liberals and Nationals governments.
 
All Labor has done is cut ribbons and issue media releases for projects built on the back of NSW Liberals and Nationals planning.
 
Jenny Aitchison calls it Labor’s “first new harbour crossing in 30 years” but the facts tell a different story. The Sydney Harbour Bridge passed through the NSW Parliament under the conservative government in 1922. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel was delivered by the Greiner and Fahey Coalition Governments and opened in 1992. The Western Harbour Tunnel was approved and funded by the previous NSW Liberals and Nationals Government well before Labor took office.
 
For a government that constantly shouts about “public ownership”, Labor’s record on privatisation tells the real story.
 
Privatisations under Labor:

• Axiom Funds Management – sold in 1996 for $215 million under Carr Labor.
• Sydney Markets Authority (Flemington) – sold in 1997 under Carr Labor.
• TAB Ltd – privatised in 1998 for $1.017 billion under Carr Labor.
• Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited – transferred in 1999 under Carr Labor.
• Coleambally Irrigation Ltd – transferred in 2000 under Carr Labor.
• FreightCorp – sold in 2002 for $669 million under Carr Labor.
• Integral Energy Gas Pty Ltd – sold in 2002 under Carr Labor.
• Powercoal Pty Ltd – sold in 2002 for $323 million under Carr Labor.
• Pacific Power (International) Pty Ltd – sold in 2003 under Carr Labor.
• Pacific Solar – sold in 2004 under Carr Labor.
• QStores and cmSolutions – sold in 2005 for $38 million under Carr Labor.
• Emmlink (Country Energy) – sold in 2006 for $85 million under Iemma Labor.
• EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd (subsidiary) – sold in 2007 for $207 million under Iemma Labor.
• NSW Lotteries – sold in 2010 for about $1 billion under Keneally Labor.
• Country Energy Gas Pty Ltd – sold in 2010 for $107 million under Keneally Labor.
• WSN Environmental Solutions – sold in 2010 for $234 million under Keneally Labor.
• Electricity retail businesses – Country Energy, Integral Energy and EnergyAustralia retail arms sold in 2010–11 for over $5 billion under Keneally Labor.
• Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) under Labor – many with international backers –
• Eastern Distributor – tolled and contract awarded 1997 under Carr Labor.
• Cross City Tunnel – tolled and contract awarded 2002 under Carr Labor.
• Lane Cove Tunnel – tolled and contract awarded 2003 under Carr Labor.
• Westlink M7 – tolled and contract awarded 2003 under Carr Labor.
• Chatswood Transport Interchange – contract awarded 2005 under Iemma Labor.
• Parramatta Transport Interchange – contract awarded 2004 under Carr Labor.
• School Project 1 – 9 new public schools in Sydney, Wollongong, Shell Harbour and on the Central Coast – contract awarded 2003 under Carr Labor Government
• School Project 2 – design, construction and financing of 7 primary schools, 3 high schools and one special development school, located predominately in new urban growth areas of NSW – contract awarded 2006 under Iemma Labor Government.
• Newcastle Community Health Centre – contract awarded 2005 under Iemma Labor.
• Newcastle Mater Hospital Redevelopment – contract awarded 2005 under Iemma Labor Government.
• Long Bay Prison Hospital and Forensic Hospital – contract awarded 2006 under Iemma Labor.
• Orange Hospital and associated facilities – contract awarded 2007 under Iemma Labor.
• Royal North Shore Hospital and Community Health Facility – contract awarded 2008 under Rees Labor.
• Waratah Trains (Reliance Rail) – contract awarded 2006 under Iemma Labor.
• Sydney SuperDome (Qudos Bank Arena) – contract awarded 1997 under Carr Labo Government.
• Bonnyrigg Living Communities Project – contract awarded 2007 under Iemma Labor.
• Global Renewables Eastern Creek – contract awarded 2003 under Carr Labor.
• Rosehill–Camellia Recycled Water Project – contract awarded 2009 under Rees Labor Government.

For all their talk about “keeping things public”, Labor has privatised billions worth of public assets and delivered infrastructure deals through PPPs.
 
Jenny Aitchison and Chris Minns might talk about “Labor’s vision” but the truth is every piece of rail, metro and road she now cuts ribbons for was planned, funded and contracted by the NSW Liberals and Nationals. From the Sydney Metro to WestConnex, NorthConnex, M8, M12, and the very Western Harbour Tunnel she boasts about today, the groundwork was planned, funded and laid by the NSW Liberals and Nationals.
 
And let’s not forget, her boss Premier Chris Minns knows better than anyone how the system works. As senior staffer to former Labor Roads Minister Carl Scully, Chris Minns helped design Sydney’s toll road network.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Jenny Aitchison’s media release shows Labor’s selective memory at its worst.
 
“Labor has a long history of selling what it cannot manage, then trying to take credit for what it did not build,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said every road, bridge and metro she has tried to claim was from Labor was delivered by the NSW Liberals and Nationals.”
 
“Instead of rewriting history, Labor should try delivering something of its own. NSW deserves builders, not broadcasters,” Ms Ward said.
 
If Jenny Aitchison spent half as much time delivering her own projects as she does polishing NSW Liberals and Nationals achievements, she might finally build something her government could truly call its own.