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NSW Government adds sexual harassment and violence to Responsible Service of Alcohol training, protecting staff and patrons

In an Australian first, the Minns Labor Government has mandated all hospitality staff and liquor licence holders receive specialised sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention training.

The training will enable hospitality staff to identify and respond to sexual harassment and sexual violence in licensed venues, is part of an update to the state’s Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training program.

The additional training is an important step in helping improve workplace safety for hospitality staff across NSW.

RSA training is mandatory for anyone who sells, serves or supplies alcohol in NSW. Certification is valid for five years and must be renewed to remain current.

The new sexual harassment and sexual violence course material was developed by Liquor & Gaming NSW in partnership with Good Night Out, an international campaigning organisation focused on gender-based violence prevention in night-time economies.

Approved training providers must now deliver all RSA courses using the updated materials.

This update builds on last year’s RSA training handbook revision, which included new guidance on drink spiking, and is part of a broader strategy to improve both patron and workplace safety in the hospitality industry.

The strengthened RSA module gives hospitality workers a clear understanding of the law, including the differences between sexual harassment, sexual assault and drink spiking.

It explains how alcohol can affect a person’s ability to consent and the role coercion can play. The training reinforces that alcohol is not the cause of sexual violence and is often used to excuse perpetrators and shift blame onto victims. Staff will also be trained in how to respond when patrons disclose sexual harassment, sexual violence or suspected drink spiking, and how to connect them with appropriate support services.

Licensee training has also been updated to reflect employers’ obligations under the federal government’s Respect@Work legislation, which requires businesses to take proactive steps to prevent workplace sexual harassment, including providing relevant education and training for all employees.

The licensee training now references workplace safety requirements for prevention of sexual harassment in addition to guidance on patron safety requirements.

These changes complement existing initiatives such as Think Safe to Drink Safe and Ask for Angela, reinforcing the NSW Government’s commitment to a safer, more inclusive night-time economy.

Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said:

“We want NSW to be the global gold standard for live music, nightlife and entertainment. That only happens if our venues are safe, welcoming and respectful for everyone who walks through the door.

“The updated RSA training course gives hospitality staff real-world tools and guidance needed to step in, defuse trouble and assist their patrons when it counts.

“One of the key priorities in the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy is safety for night-time workers and these changes are all about ensuring workers can look after their colleagues and customers.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Sexual harassment and sexual violence have no place in NSW and are completely unacceptable in our pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants.

“That’s why it is so important that RSA courses now include training on how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and violence and that this training is required to gain certification to serve or supply alcohol in NSW.

“These changes will give the more than 100,000 workers who complete a course each year the skills and confidence to recognise and respond to unacceptable behaviour and is a major step towards making venues safer for everyone.”

Minister for Work, Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“Sexual violence and harassment have no place in any workplace or community.

“SafeWork NSW is committed to educating employers, enforcing Work Health and Safety laws, and supporting respectful, safe workplaces across the state.

“With a dedicated Respect at Work team and the largest investment in workplace mental health in NSW history, we are strengthening protections and expanding specialist inspector roles to prevent psychosocial harm and workplace sexual harassment.

“Every worker deserves to go to work and return home safely to their loved ones.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government has a zero tolerance approach towards sexual violence and harassment, and we are working to stop it before it starts.

“We are implementing the first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy in NSW to address the underlying and gendered drivers of violence against women.

“It’s important for us to engage with people where they live, learn, work, socialise and play, including the hospitality sector.

“This training is one example of the work underway to change the beliefs and cultures that tolerate or condone violence.”

NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said:

“There should be no places or spaces where women in NSW feel unsafe. Everyone should feel confident that they’ll be safe when they’re socialising or working in a bar, club, restaurant or pub.

“These changes to RSA training represent an important step in making these spaces safer and more respectful for women. Women will be reassured that staff in licensed venues across NSW will now receive enhanced RSA training, and that this will better equip staff to recognise and respond to unsafe or unacceptable behaviour.”

Full Stop CEO Karen Bevan said:

“Full Stop Australia welcomes the addition of new and updated sexual violence prevention and response content in the Responsible Service of Alcohol framework. We were pleased to support the development of the content.

“Sexual violence is widespread and prevalent across the community, and particularly in nightlife settings. Ensuring hospitality staff are equipped to respond sensitively and safely to disclosures of sexual violence is a positive step towards improving outcomes for victim-survivors. Nights out should be fun and safe for everyone. This change is a step in the right direction to ensure the safety of all workers and patrons in NSW venues.”

Support: Anyone impacted by sexual violence can contact the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline 24/7 on 1800 424 017.

Chris Minns talks housing reform but keeps the tax

NSW Government taxes and charges on new housing remain at record levels and the highest in the country notwithstanding today’s Government announcement. The Opposition welcomes giving developers a choice to do works in kind to partially meet those taxes and charges, but the total amount they have to meet remains the same.

Nearly two years after slapping homebuyers with the Housing and Productivity Contribution, Labor now wants credit for releasing a draft guideline that gives developers a way to do the Government’s job for it — building basic infrastructure. But the tax still stands.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Labor is always quick to blame others but slow to deliver.

“This announcement is an admission that Labor can’t build the infrastructure needed to support housing — so now they’re begging the private sector to do it instead.

But the $12,000 tax per home still exists, driving up costs and driving down supply,” Mr Speakman said.

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said Labor’s move is too little, too late.

“The $12,000-a-home tax is still there, it’s still pushing up prices, and it’s still holding up supply.

While the Government tries to distract with this announcement, the real sting in the tail is that all HPC concessions come to an end on 30 June.

Today’s announcement is an attempt to soften a policy that’s done nothing but make the housing crisis worse,” Mr Tudehope said.

Shadow Planning and Housing Minister Scott Farlow said Labor was pretending to fix a problem it created.

“Developers have been asking for this. The Government promised it two years ago and they have been sitting on their hands ever since.

This isn’t reform — it’s a panic patch job, and the tax hasn’t gone anywhere. Housing is still less affordable because of Labor,” Mr Farlow said.

The Housing and Productivity Contribution, introduced by Labor in October 2023, adds up to $12,000 per new home in charges. That cost still applies. The only change today is a draft guideline letting developers pay the tax by delivering infrastructure such as roads or schools, or land themselves.

Chris Minns spins while commuters wait in Western Sydney

The Minns Labor Government has doubled down on spin while commuters in Western Sydney are stuck in traffic and cut off from future rail investment.

Today’s media release from its Roads Minister referred to “vanity projects”, an apparent reference to generational Metro investments and motorways, a stunning admission of this do-nothing government’s lack of vision and ambition. Instead the Government is now handing out press releases with vague timelines, offering zero clarity for families crying out for real infrastructure.

The NSW Minns Labor Government’s refusal to commit to long-promised Metro extensions to the new Western Sydney Airport – and then apparently calling them “vanity projects” – shows just how out-of-touch this government is with the future needs of our state.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said that while the former Liberal–National Coalition Government delivered the North West Metro, the South West Metro, WestConnex, the M12 and the first stage of the Parramatta Light Rail, Chris Minns and Labor are cutting, delaying and spinning.

“Chris Minns needs to explain how his Government can call future Metro connections to a brand new international airport a ‘vanity project’.

If the Roads minister was referring to other projects as ‘vanity projects’, the Premier needs to come clean on what he thinks they are,” Mr Speakman said.

Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said families in Western Sydney don’t need spin – they need transport options that work – Labor has ditched real rail investments and is now dressing up planning dollars as progress.

“No new major roads are being built, no trains are being extended, and no congestion is being busted,” Mrs Ward said.

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said Labor used to talk about delivering for the suburbs – now they call rail projects to Western Sydney vanity and hope no one notices they’re pulling the pin.

“The only thing getting a green light under Labor is another media release,” Mr Tudehope said.

The Opposition will fight to ensure the infrastructure Western Sydney deserves doesn’t become just another broken Labor promise.

Advancing Australia’s interests at the G7 Leaders’ meeting

Over the past two days, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with leaders from across the world at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta, Canada.

The Prime Minister participated with other G7 invited guests in a session on the future of global energy security.

Leaders discussed the need to diversify energy sources and strengthen critical minerals supply chains.

Australia endorsed the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, which increases cooperation to build standards-based markets, mobilise capital and promote innovation.

This opens up the prospect of further expansion of the Australian critical minerals and rare earths industry.

Leaders also discussed how innovation in emerging technologies like AI and quantum can support productivity and economic growth.

The Prime Minister joined G7 members in endorsing the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, which aims to build a stronger and more coordinated global approach to preventing, fighting and recovering from bushfires.

As a nation, Australia knows the complete destruction bushfires can cause.

Across the world, bushfires are becoming more severe with climate change impacting their frequency and severity.

The Australian Government welcomes the global effort to fight what can be absolutely devastating events.

Australian and Canadian firefighters travel across seas regularly to provide support during our respective fire seasons, and just this month, Australia deployed a contingent of 97 personnel to Canada to assist in combating its recent wildfires.

Prime Minister Albanese thanked Prime Minister Mark Carney for inviting Australia to his hosting of the G7 this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Our participation in the G7 Leaders’ Summit reinforces Australia as a key voice in global economic affairs.

“My Government is building on the foundation we have laid over the past three years for future sustainable growth, which makes participation in economic forums like the G7 all the more important.

“I look forward to capitalising on the outcomes of the Summit, including the cooperation outlined in the Critical Minerals Action Plan, which will deliver benefits to our nation and our region.

“I am pleased Australia has been able to help our Canadian friends battle the recent wildfires – Australia has not forgotten Canada’s assistance during our Black Summer bushfire response in 2019-20.”

Australia committing to security and defence partnership with the European Union

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa and agreed to start negotiations on a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) with the EU at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta, Canada.

The Partnership will provide a framework for current and future cooperation including in areas such as defence industry, cyber and counter-terrorism.

Existing SDPs the EU has with other countries include cooperation on cyber, countering hybrid threats, maritime security, non-proliferation and disarmament, space and economic security.

A Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) aims to strengthen cooperation on global security challenges.

It does not have military deployment obligations.

Discussions on an SDP with the EU and renewed engagement to conclude an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, demonstrate strong momentum in the Australia – Europe relationship.

Negotiation of an SDP will remain separate to efforts to conclude an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement that we are focussed on taking forward in Australia’s national interest.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I am pleased to announce we’re stepping up our cooperation with the European Union today.

“We see how deeply connected Europe’s security and the Indo-Pacific region have become.

“I very much welcome the EU’s offer for a Security and Defence Partnership and Australia will warmly take it up and commence work immediately.

“This will open the door to joint defence procurement opportunities and will benefit both our industries and our security.

“At a time of global uncertainty, it is our collective responsibility to work together to uphold peace, security and economic prosperity.

“That is what I will continue to do every day and that has been a key take out of our work here at the G7 today.”

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen:

“In a time of rising tensions and strategic competition, trusted partners must stand together.

“Europe and Australia’s enduring friendship enters a new chapter today.

“Recognising the shared security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific, we are launching talks on a Security and Defence Partnership.

“We’re also committed to advancing free trade negotiations—because economic security matters too.”

President of the European Council Antonio Costa:

“Australia is an important partner for the European Union.

“We share the same values and a strong commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based global order.

“Europe’s and the Indo-Pacific’s regions are connected.

“Opening negotiations on a Security and Defence Partnership opens new opportunities to further strengthen our cooperation.”

Sold-Out Sydney Derby Set to Showcase the Best of Netball

More than 10,000 passionate netball fans will pour into Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday 22 June, to witness one of the most anticipated matchups of the Suncorp Super Netball season – the second NSW Derby of the year between the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.

Fast becoming one of the standout events on the NSW sports calendar, the Round 12 clash has officially sold out, with all tickets snapped up weeks in advance. It’s yet another sign of the incredible momentum behind Australia’s No.1 female sports league, and the undeniable pulling power of elite women’s netball in NSW.

This Derby comes as netball continues to confirm its place as the leading female sport, following a record-breaking 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season that saw a 25% surge in national attendance. In 2025, Round 1 alone attracted a record 22,369 fans nationally, an 8% increase on the 2024 Round 1 figure, which had set the previous benchmark just a year earlier.

The NSW Derby has quickly grown into a marquee moment for women’s sport, and the early sellout is a powerful reflection of the league’s growing influence. From young aspiring athletes in the crowd to household names on court, this fixture shines a spotlight on the strength and reach of netball in New South Wales.

“The Sydney Derby is a true celebration of women’s sport and the strength of netball in New South Wales,” said Tracey Scott, CEO of Netball NSW.

“To see Ken Rosewall Arena sold out more than a week in advance is a testament to the passion of our fans and the incredible athletes who inspire them. It’s moments like this that show just how powerful our game is and continues to be.”

Distinguished parliamentarians and VIPs will be in attendance, adding a touch of prestige to the occasion as they join thousands of fans in celebrating what’s fast becoming a must-see event in the sporting calendar. Their presence highlights the significance of the match not only within the netball community but also at a broader cultural and national level.

Sixteen of the 18 previous NSW Derby clashes between the Swifts and GIANTS have been decided by single figures or ended in a draw, including three thrilling one-goal finishes.

Both teams come into the Derby with contrasting recent form. The GIANTS have claimed back-to-back wins and are gaining momentum heading into the business end of the season. The Swifts, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after two consecutive losses but still sit on top of the Super Netball ladder thanks to their strong start to the year.

As the fans roll into Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday afternoon, one thing is certain – netball in NSW is on the rise, and the Derby is its main event.

Australia imposes sanctions on Russian shadow fleet vessels

The Australian Government has imposed targeted sanctions on 60 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

This is the first time Australia has imposed sanctions against the shadow fleet.

Russia uses these vessels to circumvent international sanctions and sustain its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine.

Operating under deceptive practices, including flag-hopping, disabling tracking systems, and operating with inadequate insurance, the shadow fleet enables the illicit trade of Russian oil and other sanctioned goods.

These sanctions reinforce Australia’s consistent commitment to ensuring Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion of Ukraine, face consequences.

Alongside those of key international partners, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, these sanctions help starve the Russian war economy of oil revenue.

Australia has imposed over 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We will continue to take coordinated and decisive action to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and disrupt Russia’s ability to fund its aggression.

Australia once again calls on Russia to immediately end this war and withdraw from Ukrainian territory. We remain steadfast in our support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

Supporting More Homes and Better Infrastructure for NSW

The Minns Labor Government is taking further steps to help address the state’s housing crisis and build a better NSW, with new Budget measures that make it easier to deliver more homes—alongside the infrastructure and services communities need.

As part of the 2025-26 Budget, the Government will:

extend tax concessions for build-to-rent (BTR) housing developments
release draft guidelines to speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure through works-in-kind agreements with developers.

These reforms are about ensuring we are building the homes NSW needs—while continuing to deliver better essential services for communities across the state.

Extending tax concessions for build-to-rent developments

To give investors long-term certainty and encourage more rental housing supply, the 2025-26 Budget will extend key tax concessions for build-to-rent developments.

Under this change owners of eligible new build-to-rent developments will now be able to access a land tax concession of a 50 per cent reduction in assessed land value indefinitely—rather than the previous 2039 end date set by the former government.

Build-to-rent developments typically make their returns to investors through providing long-term and stable rental income.

This means that build-to-rent housing may offer longer-term lease options, better security for tenants, and more housing choice for people at different life stages.

It also means that the expiry of the tax concession in 2039 is a key factor impacting investment decisions today.

This measure will improve the feasibility of build-to-rent developments, helping to unlock a steady pipeline of secure, high-quality rental homes across NSW.

It’s part of a broader strategy to deliver housing that meets the needs of today’s renters—families, key workers, and young people alike.

Ensuring new housing comes with the infrastructure people need

The Minns Labor Government is making it easier for developers to build the housing we need, along with the infrastructure we need to go with it, with the release of proposed guidelines for works-in-kind.

A works-in-kind agreement allows a developer to dedicate land for public purposes or deliver an infrastructure project, instead of paying a Housing and Productivity Contribution.

For example, rather than paying the state government a monetary contribution for the government to build a state road or school, the developer can instead provide the land for the school or build the road themselves and then hand the infrastructure over to the public authority.

This will help speed up the delivery of homes, especially in cases where critical infrastructure is required to unlock more housing, providing works-in-kind means a project can get underway faster.

The draft guideline outlines how works-in-kind proposals are evaluated, prioritised, and managed under the Housing and Productivity Contribution scheme.

The Government is inviting feedback from industry before finalising the guidelines to ensure they achieve their intent of delivering more housing and infrastructure, more quickly.

The Housing and Productivity Contribution was introduced in October 2023 as a replacement to the former Government’s ad hoc State Infrastructure Contributions.

It helps fund the delivery of state infrastructure in high-growth areas of NSW like Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, and the Lower Hunter.

The NSW Government is also preparing Infrastructure Opportunities Plans to identify and sequence the infrastructure required to support housing and industrial land targets.

The draft Works-in-kind Guideline is on exhibition for public feedback until 17 July 2025 on the Housing and Productivity Contribution Scheme Works-in-Kind Guideline web page.

Building more homes for NSW

The Minns Labor Government is pulling every lever available to address the housing crisis.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families, and key workers across the state have a place to call home, in the communities they choose.

We know there’s much more to do, but we’re getting on with the job of building the homes NSW needs by:

undertaking the most extensive rezoning in the State’s history, through the Transport Oriented Development and Low and Mid Rise policies
rebalancing housing to areas better serviced by existing infrastructure, through the 5-year housing targets
establishing the Housing Delivery Authority, which provides a faster and more certain approvals pathway for major housing developments, with over 53,000 homes already declared State Significant
delivering 30,000 new homes on surplus government land, including 8,400 new social housing units in the biggest housing investment in the State’s history.

The draft Works-in-kind Guideline is on exhibition for public feedback until 17 July 2025 on the Housing and Productivity Contribution Scheme Works-in-Kind Guideline web page.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“You can’t build new homes without roads, parks, and schools to match, and the community shouldn’t have to wait for them.

“Whether it’s new tax incentives, planning reforms or fast-tracking infrastructure, we’re focused on making it faster and easier to build the homes and communities NSW needs.”

Treasurer of NSW Daniel Mookhey said:

“These measures will give industry the certainty they need to build more homes, faster.

“We are making sure we build the homes we need, along with the essential infrastructure we need to go with them.

“Extending the tax incentives for build-to-rent will make it easier for developers to build, and give renters more choice.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Local infrastructure was an afterthought with the former Liberal-National Government. We’re doing things differently, making sure homes are delivered alongside parks, roads and schools.

“The Minns Government is delivering more homes and better choices for home buyers and renters across the state.

“Works-in-kind is an important part of the mix in our provision of infrastructure. The Works-in-kind Guideline provides a clear, consistent approach to when and how it can be used.”

Minister marks State Heritage listing of Cooma Gaol while acknowledging its challenging past

Cooma Correctional Centre has been honoured with an official plaque to recognise its inclusion on the NSW State Heritage Register.

The plaque was unveiled today by Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong, who attended the Correctional Centre for a formal ceremony.

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon also attended the event, which recognised the challenging past of Cooma Gaol, a correctional facility used exclusively between 1957 and 1984 to imprison people based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Over these decades, gay men, transwomen, and non-binary people were incarcerated at Cooma Gaol for the crime of homosexuality, a crime that remained illegal in NSW until it was decriminalised in 1984.

The Minns Government would like to reiterate its apology to the people convicted under discriminatory laws and held in custody for no crime other than expressing their identity.

The inclusion of Cooma Correctional Centre on the NSW State Heritage Register acknowledges the Gaol’s challenging history and will ensure the physical site is preserved for generations to come.

Today, as every day, we acknowledge the struggles and the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:

“The inclusion of Cooma Gaol on the State Heritage Register is important because it acknowledges and preserves the history of those who were unjustly treated, for generations to come.

“On behalf of the Minns Government I reiterate our apology to those who were incarcerated unjustly due to discriminatory laws for homosexual acts.

“I am pleased to see Cooma Correctional Centre acknowledged by the NSW State Heritage Register for the unique and challenging role it played in our state’s history.

“In the interests of not ignoring history lest we be doomed to repeat it, let us also be clear that the history of Cooma Gaol should serve as a stark warning of the perils of discrimination.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan:

“Despite its challenging history, Cooma Gaol has been a prominent landmark for the Cooma township for generations, serving as a visible reminder of our heritage as one of the state’s original prison towns.

“I welcome the Cooma Gaol State Heritage listing as an important recognition of the Gaol’s historical significance, while noting that the current Cooma Correctional Centre will continue to operate as a modern correctional facility for the broader Cooma community.”

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McMahon PSM:

“It’s a momentous occasion to see Cooma Correctional Centre acknowledged by the NSW State Heritage Register.

“It’s a prison with a varied and at times dark past that must be protected for future generations.

“It is both distressing – and perhaps almost unbelievable – that such archaic attitudes could have existed as recently as 1984, when homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW.

“I am pleased to say that in 2025, it’s a past that’s long behind us.

“Discrimination and the persecution of others for their sexuality, race, religion or any other quality, has no place in society today.

“I’m honoured to see Cooma Correctional Centre receive recognition on the NSW State Heritage Register and look forward to seeing its history protected as it continues to thrive, as a valuable and dynamic part of the Snowy-Monaro region into the future.”

Cooma Gaol Historian and Journalist Patrick Abboud:

“The practices that led to inmates being incarcerated at Cooma Gaol, and the treatment they received while they were there, had lifelong impacts for all of those involved.

“Along with the Minns Government’s formal apology for the criminalisation of homosexual acts, the NSW State Heritage acknowledgement of Cooma Gaol as a place of incarceration for gay men, transwomen, and non-binary people is a step toward healing for those former inmates still living with past traumas, and the redemption of the memory of those we have lost.”

Anzac Memorial veteran artists in residence named

Two veteran artists have received $20,000 in NSW Government funding thanks to the Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence program.

The program offers contemporary veterans with established creative practices the opportunity to engage with the Memorial and the broader community through an artwork or project.

Thanks to support from the Veterans Benevolent Fund, for the first time two residencies have been funded with veterans Hugh Semple and Warrick Young today announced as the 2025 Veteran Artists in Residence, with each awarded $10,000.

Semple, an Army veteran of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport is a watercolour painter.

What started as a therapeutic outlet, became a passion and full-time career after Semple found refuge in art to heal and find balance after medically discharging from the Army.

Young will use the residence to assist with production of a film titled Echoes of Sacrifice, which aims to bring the Memorial’s symbolism to life through poetry, music, and archival imagery.

Young’s Army career began in 1983 with a mixture of full-time and part-time service including deployment on operations, including Iraq.

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.

The use of art to depict and record Australia’s involvement in war and its impact has resulted in a vast collection of trench art, paintings, music and poetry whilst also serving as an important tool in the rehabilitation and recovery of veterans that have been affected through their military career.

More information is available on the Veteran Artist in Residence web page.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“I am pleased to announce the successful recipients of this year’s Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence program.

“I want to congratulate Hugh and Warwick for presenting two amazing concepts that won them selection this year.

“Art is a powerful tool whether practised as a hobby or profession, its importance to veterans can be priceless as a form or rehabilitation or a vehicle for sharing their experiences with the broader community.

“I am glad that this year’s program has enabled two veterans to use their art to share their story or to honour service to our nation.”

Hugh Semple said:

“The artist in residency for me is a way to connect back with my military roots. I will be producing a series of watercolour paintings on veterans, and their new journey after service. I will get to surround myself with Anzac spirit on a daily basis.

“Like my own story in finding purpose, I want to show the passions that other veterans have to keep them moving positively in life outside defence. I hope through this series of paintings I can inspire other veterans to take a new direction after service, that benefits their existence and gives purpose to their lives.

“After discharging most veterans feel a loss of identity. Through art, I have rebuilt who I am and now have a lasting purpose in life. I started painting a year after my medical discharge to bring purpose to my life. I was going down a road of darkness and destructive behaviour, so I decided to do something meaningful and rewarding to bring myself on track.

“Throughout the last 4 years I have had continued interest in painting and now have made a business out of it. I am proud to now call myself an artist.”

Warwick Young said:

“I’m deeply honoured and grateful for the opportunity to be one of the veterans to feature in this program. Creating a film that reflects the meaning of sacrifice at the heart of the Anzac Memorial is not just a privilege, it’s part of my own healing, and I hope it resonates with others in the veteran community too.

“I’m genuinely excited to make this film alongside fellow veterans from the Screen Warrior Program. Together we can honour the sacrifices of those who came before us, and those still serving, in a way that feels deeply personal and connects audiences across the whole state of NSW.”