No US wars: Albanese must choose peace

President Donald Trump’s claim today to have bombed Iran directly is such a fundamental threat to world peace that the Albanese Government must immediately take steps to distance Australia from these attacks and condemn them.

Australia cannot be dragged into another brutal US war in the Middle East. President Trump’s claim to have bombed nuclear sites in Iran is a blatant breach of international law.

The Greens join with millions of Australians to oppose any involvement of Australia in the ongoing violence and call on the Albanese Government to take material action towards peace.

The Albanese Government must under no circumstances let the US re-fuel or use Australian airspace to perpetuate the bombing of Iran, and all Australian Defence personnel on secondment in the US military must be withdrawn, including the dozens on US nuclear submarines.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has made clear that there is no evidence Iran was moving into a nuclear weapon capability.

Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters said:

“This is a terrifying and catastrophic escalation by the USA, and Australia must condemn it.

“From Iraq to Afghanistan, we have seen Australia follow the US into devastating and brutal wars that have done untold damage to the people of the Middle East. We know that you cannot bomb your way to peace.

“Australia must always work for peace and de-escalation. Australia is not powerless, and we cannot be involved in another brutal war in the Middle East.

“Australia must take this opportunity to get out of AUKUS, have an independent foreign policy that centres peace, and must not allow the use of Australian US military bases like Pine Gap in this conflict.

“Only when countries like Australia push back and hold to principles and international law and back them up with material actions, will there be a chance for peace.”

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

“The world is at a crossroads and the Albanese Government must choose to be a force for peace not for war.

“With US President Trump’s bombing of Iran showing clearly that he is no friend of peace, and the Albanese Government must distance Australia from these actions.

“That means ending the AUKUS agreement, prohibiting the use of US military bases in Australia, including Pine Gap, from being used in this conflict, and clearly opposing military action by the US and Israel against Iran.

“Like every war, the cost will not be carried by governments, but by people, families and communities who face destruction.

“The impact of war is always inflicted on ordinary people. The Iranian people, who currently face oppression under the Iranian regime, are only put at further risk of violence and persecution by these US and Israeli attacks.

“The world must now isolate the US and Israel and come together through peace and diplomacy to end this war and support a pathway that protects the people of Iran.

“The Greens for nearly two years have joined with millions of Australians in calling for our country to be a force for peace and to oppose the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

“The Albanese Government has politically attacked those calling for peace, and this has only empowered bullies like Trump and Netanyahu, who again respond with bombs and killing.”

NSW Budget provides additional $35 million for Thornton Bridge duplication project

Two much awaited Hunter Valley projects have received a major boost in this year’s State Budget, with the Thornton Bridge duplication project to receive an additional $35 million to get on with construction.

The additional $35 million in new funding for Thornton Bridge builds on existing funding of $15 million in previous State Budgets to kickstart planning work, making a total commitment of $50 million from the Minns Labor Government.

This is on top of $100 million to deliver a Westbound Overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland, recently committed by the Albanese Labor Government to enable major work to be undertaken.

These projects are prime examples of the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments getting on with providing fast growing communities facing traffic congestion with the new and widened roads they need.

When delivered, the Thornton Bridge project will ease congestion and expand access to Thornton Road which is an essential flood-free route for local residents during natural disasters.

Transport for NSW are currently carrying out early works, which includes surveying the road surface of Thornton Road and Railway Avenue between Huntingdale Drive and Glenroy Street that will help inform a design solution for the project.

Thornton Bridge is one of the many vital regional road projects that the former Coalition government failed to complete in 12 years. Instead, the former government removed the cap on development north of the bridge, allowing more homes to be built without committing more funding to regional infrastructure.

The NSW Government has quickly added the recent commitment by the Australian Government of $100 million to deliver a westbound overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland Station into its forward program of road projects.

Early investigation work has been completed by Transport for NSW, so work can begin quickly when design scoping is complete and construction contracts signed. The Hunter is the most populous area of regional NSW, with more than one million people living in the region.

These projects add to a long list of improvements to major road projects in the Hunter Region to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and bolster road safety. This includes:

  • the Singleton bypass
  • the Muswellbrook bypass
  • upgrades to the New England Highway
  • the Golden Highway upgrade projects
  • Newcastle Inner City Bypass
  • extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace
  • widening of Hexham Straight to connect journeys from M1/Hunter Expressway through to the Port of Newcastle
  • Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm Upgrade
  • other intersection and road upgrades.

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering the roads infrastructure that the Hunter Valley community needs.

“This is a fast-growing community that needs new and improved road links to bust congestion and improve safety.

“The Liberals and Nationals prioritised building massive toll roads in Sydney at the expense of regional roads but the Minns Government is determined to get important regional infrastructure back on track.

“Peak hour congestion around Thornton Bridge is so bad it is like a massive car park. This will be a game changer for the community connecting people to home, work and essential services.

“When the eastern overpass of the Maitland Station roundabout opened in 2016, I said it was a job half-done. I am delighted that the Australian Government has stepped in to support the NSW Government to deliver this essential project.”

NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, said:

“The Hunter is quickly becoming one of the best places to live, work and play– and that means we need smart, future-ready infrastructure to keep up – something the Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering.

“We’re focused on the essentials like safer roads, stronger bridges and upgraded intersections that locals use every single day – cutting congestion, boosting safety and making life easier for everyone.

“We’re already delivering major projects like the Singleton Bypass, the Muswellbrook Bypass, the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace – and this is just another step forward in getting it done for our communities.”

Federal MP for Paterson Meryl Swanson said:

“The Westbound Overpass project will improve safety, reduce congestion, and make travel easier for families and businesses.

“It will be a game-changer for daily commuters, finishing what was left incomplete and give Maitland the infrastructure it deserves.

“This is about the safe travel of local residents, businesses, and tourists and maintaining vital links in our community.”

Northern Beaches Hospital

The Minns Labor Government will introduce amendments to the Member for Wakehurst’s Private Member’s Bill next week, which would enable the NSW Government, if required, to terminate the Northern Beaches PPP contract as if a hospital operator default had occurred.

This follows the appointment of receivers to the parent entities of Healthscope, which the NSW Government considers a default under the contract. 

It is the preference of the NSW Government that agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be reached with Healthscope and its receivers.

However, the Government must be able to act decisively to avoid a prolonged dispute for members of the Northern Beaches community, staff working at the hospital and for NSW taxpayers.

If a mutual agreement is not reached, the proposed amendments would give the Health Minister the power to issue a termination notice to Healthscope. In addition, the Treasurer would have the power to ensure that compensation negotiations occur in a reasonable time frame and to appoint an independent person to determine compensation if agreement cannot be reached.

The alternative to this approach is for the NSW Government to exercise its voluntary termination rights.  Under the PPP contract signed by the Liberal Party, this would see compensation to Healthscope’s receivers and lenders run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. 

The government’s legislative approach will ensure there are no windfall gains to Healthscope or its receivers.

Discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing, and we are hopeful of a productive outcome.

NSW Health will continue to work closely with Healthscope to ensure that patient safety and continuity of services at the Northern Beaches Hospital will not be compromised as negotiations continue.

The Minns Labor Government passed legislation earlier this month banning any repeat of the failed Northern Beaches PPP model in acute care, ensuring that the Liberals’ privatisation of acute public hospitals never happens again.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is not a decision we take lightly.

“But we are now in a position where the Liberal’s privatisation mess means Healthscope’s receivers are negotiating the future of the Northern Beaches Hospital.

“While an agreed exit from this failed PPP contract remains my preference – I must ensure the government has the right to step in and protect the Northern Beaches community from this dragging on.

“I thank the local Independent Members Michael Regan and Jacqui Scruby for their passion and advocacy.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“We’ve made it clear from the very beginning that we don’t support this sort of arrangement.

“This is a complex contract but the community deserves certainty.

“The other mob may have created this mess, but we are going to be the ones to clean it up.”

Minns Labor Government establishes first ever NSW Settlement Advisory Council

On World Refugee Day, the Minns Labor Government has announced the creation of the NSW Settlement Advisory Council to improve the settlement experience for people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds living across the state.

The Council – NSW’s first – will be chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, the NSW Coordinator General for Settlement.

It will put refugees and people at the heart of policy and process, working to ensure a smoother settlement experience and a better connection to services in their new NSW home.

The Council will provide expert advice and policy support to Multicultural NSW, while championing the NSW Settlement Strategy.

A formal consultative mechanism to Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper and Multicultural NSW, the Council will focus on:

  • complex settlement policy challenges and targeting improvements
  • contributing to the success and evaluation of the NSW Settlement Strategy
  • ensuring a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to delivering settlement services
  • identifying opportunities for better alignment between the NSW and federal governments on settlement.

The CEO of Multicultural NSW will soon appoint the members of the Council with an announcement to follow.

Multicultural NSW provides independent advice to the NSW Government on settlement-related issues. The NSW Settlement Strategy brings together new and existing government programs to improve the lives of people coming to NSW through humanitarian programs.

The strategy is informed by the lived experience of refugee communities in NSW.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper:

“This announcement builds on the fantastic work we’ve done through the NSW Settlement Strategy.

“A first of its kind, the NSW Settlement Advisory Council is illustrative of the Minns Labor government’s commitment to improving the lives of different people and communities across our state.

“The Council will hold this state to account in supporting people seeking safety and a new start in our great state and ensure refugees start their new beginnings on the right foot.

“I look forward to the valuable work of the Council under the strong leadership of Professor Shergold.”

CEO of Multicultural NSW Joseph La Posta:

“People from refugee backgrounds have made an enormous contribution to our vibrant multicultural state.

“This is a significant step forward in improving our response in NSW so these communities can thrive.   

“The formation of this Council ensures the government’s approach to settlement is continually improving—guided by real insights and lived experiences.”

Professor Peter Shergold AC:

“A key focus of the Council will be to create stronger collaboration with the Australian Government, and other states and territories we’re working with to drive better outcomes.

“By bringing all these pieces together, we can create better opportunities for refugees to find their feet and become full and active participants in our community.

“This is great for everyone – refugees can realise their potential, and the people of NSW benefit from their skills and expertise.”

‘Poogee’ no more as Labor cleans up Coogee Beach

The Minns Labor Government and Randwick City Council are getting on with the job of fixing Coogee Beach’s long-standing water quality issues, delivering $7 million to clean up one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches.

Locals and visiting beachgoers alike are set to benefit as the Government continues work to ensure that local communities don’t just have the essential services and housing they need, but thriving environments and free recreational spaces to enjoy.

Locals have known for years that stormwater pollution has been letting Coogee down, with Beachwatch consistently rating the beach as ‘Poor’. The 2025-2026 state budget includes $3 million to deliver this project in partnership with Randwick City Council and Sydney Water.

The Minns Labor Government are pushing ahead with the upgrade with works set to begin this year, with the construction of a new pump station and pressure mains.

Once complete, stormwater will be diverted away from Coogee and discharged further offshore. That means no more stormwater flowing across the beach after every downpour, significantly improving water quality and reducing public health risks.

This is about making Coogee swimmable all year round and delivering the water quality that locals, families and visitors expect from a world-class beach.

This is a vital investment in critical public infrastructure that will improve the environment, protect public health and make one of Sydney’s greatest beaches even better.

Rose Jackson, Minister for Water:

“People love Coogee but they’re rightly sick of the impacts of pollution when it rains. This is an overdue fix to a problem that’s been ignored for too long.

“We’re putting an end to this shitty situation once and for all so everyone can enjoy one the best beaches in the world.

“We’re delivering the public infrastructure locals deserve, clean water, safe swimming and a beach the community can be proud of.”

Marjorie O’Neill, Member for Coogee:

“This is a win for our community, who have long called for action to clean up Coogee Beach. I’m proud to have worked alongside residents, council and Sydney Water to secure this investment and deliver real improvements to one of the best beaches in the world.

“Improving water quality isn’t just about the environment—it’s about public health, it’s about tourism, and it’s about ensuring one of NSW’s most iconic beaches lives up to its name every day of the year.”

Mayor of Randwick, Dylan Parker:

“Coogee Beach is not only a popular coastal destination for visitors; it holds a special place in the hearts of local residents.

“This project will address a long-standing issue important to our local community, delivering a better experience for everyone at the beach and in the water, and is a significant step towards protecting our beautiful coastline”.

Paul Plowman, Acting Chief Executive Sydney Water:

“Sydney Water is pleased to be part of this important project to improve water quality and protect public health at Coogee Beach.

“By diverting stormwater away from the swimming area, we can make a meaningful difference to the beach environment and visitor experience.”

Building Commission NSW here to stay with $145 million funding

The NSW Government is investing $145.1 million in Building Commission NSW as part of the 2025-26 Budget, providing funding security for the dedicated building regulator so it can continue to restore confidence and quality in the sector.

Building Commission NSW employs more than 450 people including building and compliance inspectors, policy experts, investigators, intelligence analysts, lawyers, and industry engagement specialists.

The significant investment in the Minns Government’s third Budget will allow Building Commission NSW to continue to conduct inspections, investigate complex building issues, progress key building reforms and educate the industry.

Specifically, this new recurrent funding will allow the digitisation of penalty infringement notices, which will in turn sharpen the Commission’s data analytics resulting in more targeted inspections and ultimately more prosecutions.

The $145 million funding boost will also allow the Commission to standup joint taskforces with Fair Trading, ASIC, ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) and the NSW State Coroner, to ensure all necessary prosecutions across different jurisdictions can be carried out.

So far this financial year, Building Commission NSW has inspected 1015 building sites for defects and has issued 455 orders as a result, with water ingress and fire safety defects among key issues.

Building Commission NSW has also inspected 401 residential building sites for building compliance issues, including licencing, specialist trade supervision and signage requirements, this financial year.  

These compliance inspections resulted in Building Commission NSW issuing 202 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for issues identified including unlicensed work and contractors working without the right licence.

Building Commission NSW also conducted nearly 20,000 plumbing inspections, more than 2000 electrical inspections, and close to 1000 gas inspections in 2024/25, targeting specialist trade work.

In 2025, Building Commission NSW also devoted significant resources towards ensuring building quality is maintained in regional and rural parts of the state.

This regional push saw teams of building quality and compliance inspectors in the North Coast, Mid-North Coast, Riverina and Murray, as well as the Central West regions of NSW.

These regional inspection blitzes resulted in visits to 223 residential building sites, the issuing or expected issuing of 3 orders with a further 55 orders to be finalised for building defects, and the issuing of 72 PINs.

Building Commission NSW continues to engage with industry on proposed building reforms to consolidate a patchwork of existing laws into a simple and modernised legal framework for rebuilding trust in the sector, improving consumer protections, and reducing defects.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Building Commission NSW’s Construct NSW platform delivered courses to more than 23,800 students and launched five new courses, to ensure the industry is well trained.

Building Commission NSW expects to launch a further 16 courses this year, including Mandarin translated courses on Asbestos and Silica awareness, Electrical and Air Conditioning Standards, Automated Vehicle Parking Systems, and Vehicle Lifts – Safety and Integration.

Minister for Building, Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Building quality is one of the top priorities of the Minns Government.

“Ensuring homes, whether they be apartments or free-standing houses, are built to the highest standards is critical to helping address the housing crisis we inherited in NSW.

“To do this, the NSW Government established Building Commission NSW as a dedicated regulator with the aim of restoring confidence in the construction sector and ensuring building quality is improved across the state.

“This $145 million investment secures the Commission’s funding over the next four years, so it can continue on its mission to uplift and improve the quality of the residential building sector.”

NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard:

“In 2024/25 alone we have conducted thousands of inspections on sites across NSW, with a particular focus on building our presence and programs in the regional and rural parts of the state.

“This $145 million investment over the next four years will provide the Commission the funding security it needs to keep inspections going and ensure building quality is maintained across the state.

“It will also allow us to continue to progress key building legislative reforms, and deliver education to the industry, so the sector is supported and can continue to improve into the future.”

Equipping the workforce to build NSW homes: Record Investment in TAFE and Skills

The Minns Labor Government’s 2025-26 Budget will deliver a record $3.4 billion investment in TAFE and skills funding, as part of its plan to tackle the housing crisis by building the skilled workforce needed to construct more homes across the state.

The Government is investing $40.2 million over two years towards fee free apprenticeships and traineeships which will fund an additional 23,000 construction apprenticeships, providing people with access to free training for jobs including plumbing, carpentry and electrotechnology.

These investments are complemented by $13.8 millionConstruction Workforce Package, designed to upskill and support 4,800 workers into residential construction jobs over the next two years—boosting the number of tradies on job sites and accelerating the delivery of much-needed homes.

Together, these initiatives aim to fast-track a new pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet the housing challenge head-on.

The Construction Workforce Package will aim to train people already in the workforce, support career changers and skilled migrants, and engage young people considering careers in the building trades. It includes: 

  • $7 million for 800 existing workers and skilled migrants to gain formal trade qualifications through tailored assessment, training and trade testing.
  • $4.8 million to support 4,000 existing workers to upskill or transition into trades, providing training for labourers, semi-skilled workers, and those changing careers, helping them move into higher-skilled construction roles or retrain in new technologies and methods.
  • $2 million to fund school careers fairs, industry school partnerships, try-a-trade opportunities for up to 3,000 school students to pursue a career in the construction workforce through programs including Tiny Homes and Girls Can Too. 

In addition to the targeted Construction Workforce Package, the Minns Labor Government is delivering broader reforms to strengthen TAFE NSW and ensure it remains a modern, accessible, and high-quality training provider.

This year’s record $2.8 billion investment includes critical investments to upgrade facilities, secure teaching staff, and support strategic campus relocations—laying the groundwork for a more skilled and future-ready workforce.

Key measures include:

  • $121 millionto repair TAFE NSW campuses statewide, including modernising learning and teaching spaces and investing in digital equipment ensuring teachers and students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and technology.
  • $78 million to continue to convert eligible teachers from casual to permanent roles, strengthening job security and helping TAFE NSW attract and retain high quality educators to shape the future workforce.
  • $100 million to support the strategic relocation of teaching operations from TAFE NSW Bankstown to Western Sydney University Tower and TAFE NSW Padstow to facilitate construction of the new Bankstown Hospital while ensuring continuity in education delivery.

This is a record investment in TAFE NSW and skills funding, reversing over a decade of underfunding by the former Liberal-National Government and re-establishing vocational education as a key solution to the housing and workforce challenges facing NSW.

We know there’s much more to do, but we’re continuing to rebuild the sector by:

  • Establishing three Manufacturing Centres of Excellence at TAFE NSW campuses in the Hunter, Illawarra and Western Sydney, in partnership with the federal government.
  • Providing 85% of the TAFE NSW teaching workforce greater job security by converting approximately 3000 casual teaching staff into temporary and permanent positions, ensuring a stable and experienced workforce.
  • Upgrading 129 campuses across the state by providing new air-conditioning, lights, 15,300 new smoke detectors and Wi-Fi upgrades.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:  

“This Budget brings together housing and skills to meet the state’s future needs.

“You can’t build homes without workers and this Budget delivers both. It ensures our investment in housing is backed by an investment in people. 

“It’s a targeted investment that delivers immediate benefits while building long-term capacity in the NSW workforce.” 

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said: 

“TAFE NSW is crucial to delivering the skills we need now and, in the future, and this landmark investment will ensure TAFE continues to meet the needs of industry and the community.

“Whether you’re already working in construction, new to the industry, or just starting out at school – the Construction Workforce Package will open new pathways into construction for thousands of people across the state.  

“This government is funding the training and skills development needed to grow our construction workforce and help tackle the state’s housing challenges.” 

Critical incident declared after woman dies in a two-vehicle crash – North Lambton

A critical incident investigation is underway after a woman died in a two-vehicle crash in the Newcastle area.

Just after 2.40am today (Sunday 22 June 2025), officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were patrolling on Newcastle Road, North Lambton, when they sighted a Holden sedan allegedly driving dangerously.

A pursuit was not initiated due to safety concerns.

A short time later, the Holden sedan collided with a Hyundai sedan further along Newcastle Road.

The passenger of the Hyundai – a woman believed to be in aged her 50s – died at the scene. She is yet to be formally identified.

The driver – a 28-year-old woman – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

The driver of the Holden left the scene prior to police arrival.

The two rear passengers in the Holden – two girls aged 15 and 17 – were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard.

A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and oversighted by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).

Appeal to locate missing man – Morisset

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

Joseph Kew, aged 23, was last seen on Eucalyptus Drive, Morisset, about 11am today (Saturday 21 June 2025).

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Joseph’s welfare as he lives with medical conditions which require medication.

Joseph is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm – 160cm tall, of medium build, with medium length black hair, black beard and moustache.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, a black hooded jumper and black pants.

Joseph is known to frequent the Morisset and Bolwarra Heights areas.

Victorian Auditor General To Investigate $875 Million Native Forest Transition Payouts, Following Allegations Of Rorts

The Victorian Greens have welcomed news that the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) will investigate the Labor Government’s $875 million in native timber transition payouts, which the Greens say should have gone to support workers into sustainable jobs but are alleged to have been exploited to log Tasmanian native forests.

In their 2025-26 annual plan tabled yesterday, VAGO announced that an audit of Victoria’s Forestry Transition Program will provide transparency on whether funds used to transition the timber industry from native timber logging have been used appropriately.

The news comes after Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, referred allegations of misused funds to VAGO in March 2024.

Emphasising the importance of supporting former forestry workers into sustainable jobs – such as plantation timber, disaster prevention and reforestation – Ms Sandell raised allegations that funds from the program instead went to companies that moved to native forest logging in Tasmania, then shipped native timber back to Victorian mills for processing.

Since May 2023, there have been several reports of native timber being shipped to Victorian timber mills via the Spirit on Tasmania and Searoad Mersey.

Ms Sandell said the audit is important because Victorian taxpayer funds should not be used to destroy ancient native forests in Tasmania. Former Tasmanian state MP for Lyons John Tucker alleged in July 2023 that Victorian companies had begun undercutting Tasmanian contractors and forcing them out of business.

In May 2023 the Victorian Labor Government announced an additional $200 million to help transition timber workers out of native forest logging by the end of that year, bringing targeted support since a 2019, long-term package to more than $875 million (while additional programs put the final figure at $1.5 billion).

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:

“Make no mistake, the Greens agree with supporting forestry workers through this transition, but this Victorian taxpayer money was not supposed to be taken and used to continue to destroy native forests in another state.

“Victorian Labor gave $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to the logging industry to stop logging in Victoria – it is outrageous if that money has just been taken and used to destroy ancient forests in Tasmania and then ship the logs back to Victoria.”