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PREMIER PANICS WHEN PUT ON THE SPOT OVER NO PLAN FOR ANY NEW PUBLIC HOUSING

In an astonishing display of avoidance, the Premier panicked when asked a simple question from the Greens during Question Time yesterday. 

The Victorian Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Gabrielle de Vietri asked if the state had plans to build a single genuinely public home at the sites where the towers are going to be demolished. 

Ms de Vietri made it explicitly clear that her question referred to public housing, not social housing. 

Despite the clear distinction, the Premier’s initial response referred to social housing anyway, and when pulled up on a point of relevance to address public housing specifically, the Premier refused to get up again and finish her answer. 

Ms de Vietri says that the performance the Premier gave just to avoid her question is extremely telling that her government clearly doesn’t have any plans to build more public housing at the tower sites, despite the plan wiping out a total of 7000 public homes. 

It comes the same week after the Housing Minister Harriet Shing also explicitly avoided answering the question about public housing in an article in The Age that exposed that ministers within Labor’s own ranks think the plan to demolish the towers has ‘no justification’.

Victoria has the least amount of public housing and spends the least on public housing out of any state in the country. 

Despite a ballooning public housing waitlist, the Victorian Labor Government is planning to demolish 7000 public homes across the 44 public housing towers. 

To date, the Victorian Labor Government hasn’t committed to a single public home being rebuilt at the tower sites. 

Victorian Greens Renters’ Rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“We’ve seen Labor continuously dance around this question, and yesterday the Premier just flat out refused to answer it. What that tells me is that they have absolutely no plan to build a single public home at the tower sites. 

“We’re in the middle of a housing crisis where the public housing waitlist is ballooning out of control. We should be building more public housing, not less, but this Labor government is selling off public land and knocking down the public housing we already have, it makes no sense. 

“There’s absolutely no evidence to back up the demolition of the towers and Labor knows it. It’s no surprise that the Premier can’t answer simple questions when the wheels are clearly falling off this disastrous plan.”

KEEPING KIDS OUT OF OUR BROKEN YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM

WA’s youth justice system is broken, likely to increase reoffending and causing devastating harm, with the deaths of two children in detention in the last 18 months.

The Greens (WA) are calling for the system to be completely overhauled with a massive increase of government funding for justice reinvestment, alongside preventative and therapeutic programs for young people to keep them out of prison.

The Greens plan includes:

  1. Closing Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison by 30 June 2025.
  2. Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
  3. The creation of a new lead agency for Youth Justice that is separate from Corrective Services, as per recommendations by the Coroner, Inspector of Custodial Services and in line with every other State and Territory.
  4. $120 million to develop a Youth Justice Strategy and invest in preventative and therapeutic programs to keep young people out of prison and supported in their community.
  5. A commitment to fast-track delivery of the Marlamanu on-country diversionary program in the Kimberley and an additional $100 million to work with First Nations to progress similar facilities in the East Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Mid West and South West regions.

WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt:

“Western Australia’s justice system is broken; it is harming kids, not helping them to thrive. 

“Over the course of 2024, WA locked up almost 750 children with evidence suggesting almost all of those kids have some kind of neurological disability. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result!

“After the tragic deaths of two young people that could, and should, have been avoided the time has come to acknowledge the system is not working for kids and commit to systemic reform with a focus on rehabilitative and therapeutic measures that divert at-risk young people away from the criminal justice system before it is too late.

“Unit 18 is a maximum security facility designed to hold 124 adult prisoners yet right now it holds just a handful of young people while the rest of our adult prisons, including Casuarina, are at breaking point.

“At an average cost of more than $1.1 million per year for every young person in Unit 18, there is simply no benefit to keeping this facility open. Imagine if we invested this money instead into diversion and prevention as a matter of priority, helping to break the cycle of reoffending before kids are locked up.

“Right now the administration of justice reinvestment is piecemeal, with various programs run by the Justice, Communities and WA Police. That’s why we’re calling for a dedicated agency to take the lead on youth justice and develop a holistic, statewide strategy for reform.

“At the end of the day, the Greens want to see increased investment in prevention and early intervention, place-based community services and diversionary programs for young people, both as a gross figure and a proportion of overall spending, that is based on what the evidence says is needed.

“Incarceration should be a last resort; especially for kids. Both major parties are so blinkered by wanting to appear ‘tough on crime’ that they refuse to listen to the experts, to the community and to the overwhelming and growing body of evidence nationally and internationally that this approach does not work.”

WA Greens First Nations spokesperson and Legislative Council candidate, Clint Uink:

“Jailing is failing and here in Western Australia, more than two-thirds of the kids who interact with the criminal justice system are First Nations, WA Labor are desperately failing to support and nurture kids who are falling through the cracks.

“There is no justification for locking up kids as young as 10 years old, which is why the Greens are reiterating our call for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised to at least 14 years of age.

“But more than that, we are calling for urgent reform of the justice system that puts the health and wellbeing of our kids first, and recognises that incarceration of children is not making our community safer.

“The Marlamanu on-country diversionary program in the West Kimberley was first proposed in 2017 and this Labor government promised it would be completed in 2023, yet here we are two years on and construction has not even begun.

“The current system causes incredible harm by isolating kids from their community and support networks – we want to see the Marlamanu program fast-tracked and further programs across the state rolled out as a priority.

“Young people need culturally-appropriate support to break the cycle of reoffending. Torturing children in solitary confinement in a maximum-security adult prison is a recipe for disaster. Jailing is failing us all; there is a better way, we’re calling for the courage to choose it.”

Bring back bulk-billing in Brisbane

New statistics from Cleanbill show that not a single GP clinic in Brisbane is taking in new bulk-billing patients. 

Federal Member for Brisbane, Stephen Bates, has today launched a campaign to get Labor to act on the health crisis — calling for the bulk-billing incentive to be tripled for everyone with a Medicare Card and to establish more bulk-billing Urgent Care Clinics in Brisbane.

The 2025 Cleanbill report released this month shows that Brisbane is one of just fifteen federal electorates in Australia which have no available bulk-billing clinics for new patients.

Brisbane constituents pay the highest average out-of-pocket fee for seeing a GP in Queensland at $50.62 per consultation. 

The complete absence of any new bulk-billing availability is a massive burden on our healthcare system, with Brisbane residents now facing a crisis of access and affordability for primary healthcare. 

This morning, Stephen wrote to federal Health Minister Mark Butler — alongside his Greens colleagues Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Max Chandler-Mather — calling on him to adopt the Greens’ plan to tripe the bulk-billing incentive, and to establish new bulk-billing Urgent Care Clinics here in Brisbane at this year’s budget.

Stephen Bates MP, Federal MP for Brisbane

In a rich country like ours, no one should be putting off a medical appointment because it’s too expensive to see the GP. But that’s exactly what’s happening here in Brisbane.

People are putting off seeing a GP until they have a laundry list of conditions to talk about — or they’re putting it off entirely. That’s putting more pressure on emergency rooms at a time our hospitals are already struggling.

I’ve had 1,300 locals reach out to my office needing help to access healthcare since I was elected three years ago.

They’ve told me they are skipping appointments and delaying receiving crucial test results because they simply can’t afford the out of pocket cost.

GPs being harder to access means more people turning up at emergency rooms for care they could have gotten earlier elsewhere. GPs being more expensive means people are spending less on preventative healthcare like going to the dentist or keeping up with physical therapies. This is squeezing our whole health system and driving us towards a dark place where only the richest few can afford the care they need.

I got involved in politics after a working holiday in the USA, where my friends and I had to raise money to make sure a coworker could afford the insulin she needed.

I made a promise to myself that I’d do everything I could to stop Australia from going down that same dark path. 

But the Cleanbill statistics released this month show a total collapse of access to affordable health services in Brisbane.

The thousands of Brisbane locals who can’t afford to see their local GP anymore need to have access to healthcare outside of the emergency department. It’s just common sense.

Strategic push to secure major events delivers multimillion-dollar windfall for Newcastle

City of Newcastle is looking to up the ante on its investment into major events, which have already injected more than $2.5 million into the local economy during the first two months of 2025. 

Councillors will vote next week to boost City of Newcastle’s annual major events budget from $450,000 to up to $2 million.  

Major events, such as Paul McCartney's sold out show at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2023, are delivering significant benefits to the Newcastle economy.Major events, such as Paul McCartney’s sold out show at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2023, are delivering significant benefits to the Newcastle economy.

It follows a successful start to 2025, which has seen five events delivered with support from City of Newcastle including the popular debut of the Howlin’ Country music festival last weekend. 

Almost 13,000 people, including more than 8000 visitors from outside of Newcastle, flocked to Foreshore Park for the first country music event, delivering a $1.6 million economic boost to the city. 

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director of Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said major events support significant visitation, investment and liveability outcomes. 

“City of Newcastle is committed to attracting, retaining and delivering events that provide immediate and ongoing benefits for the community and economy,” Ms Jones said. 

“This includes millions of dollars in direct expenditure alongside a range of associated benefits, from increased destination awareness and repeat tourism, to flow-on supply chain expenditure, skills development, capacity building, knowledge sharing and support for local jobs.” 

The strong start to 2025 follows on from a successful 2024, which saw 26 City of Newcastle-supported events deliver an $18 million economic boost, attracting approximately 86,000 local attendees, 53,000 day visitors, and 73,000 accommodation (bed) nights. 

Since 2022, more than half a million people have also injected around $65 million into the Newcastle economy thanks to a partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW, which secured top tier live music and sporting events including Elton John, Paul McCartney and the 2024 Women’s State of Origin match at McDonald Jones Stadium. 

This will be boosted further by the upcoming Wallabies, Wallaroos and Matildas matches, as well as the Women’s State of Origin and NRLW Magic Round, which are all expected to attract tens of thousands of people to the city. 

Ms Jones said City of Newcastle has delivered on its ambition become a premier tourism and events destination, which is a key pillar of City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan. 

“However, with increasing competition between Australian cities, regions and states to host major events, we are seeking an endorsement by the Council up to $2 million of investment annually through City of Newcastle’s Strategic Event Partnership Program,” Ms Jones said. 

“This level of investment would enable us to pitch for major events that will drive economic impact, increased visitation and showcase Newcastle as a world-class destination.” 

Events supported by City of Newcastle to date this year include: 

  • Beach 5s = $235,000 economic benefit  
  • Girls Day Out – Women in Sport = $24,000 economic benefit 
  • Island Triathlon Festival = $252,000 economic benefit 
  • Shaw and Partners Iron Series = $412,000 economic benefit 
  • Howlin’ Country = $1.6 million economic benefit 

Improved database to stop rogue taxi drivers ripping passengers off

From today, taxi drivers in NSW who have broken the rules will not be able to escape offences by switching taxi companies, thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s major improvements to the Driver Vehicle Dashboard.

These improvements to the Driver Vehicle Dashboard will allow all point-to-point service providers, including rideshare and taxi companies, to see any driver who has been caught committing fare-related offences while providing driving services, including overcharging, not using the meter or refusing a fare.

This means all taxi and rideshare companies can check if drivers have previously been fined or prosecuted for ripping off a passenger, regardless of which company they were working for.  

Companies who operate taxi, rideshare or any other point to point transport vehicle can access to the centralised dashboard, which is already checked by industry more than 70 million times a year.

These improvements support the NSW Government’s strong stance on stamping out illegal driver behaviour.

In December 2024, the Minns Labor Government introduced new ‘two strikes and you’re out’ laws which sees rouge taxi drivers disqualified from the point-to-point industry if caught ripping off passengers on two separate occasions.

The Point-to-Point Commissioner has also put drivers with existing breaches on notice that they are now at risk of being disqualified from the industry.

The Government also increased the fine for drivers caught overcharging, not using the meter or refusing fares to $1000 from $300 in July 2023, with 1000 fines issued since November 2022.

The Commissions inspectors continue to conduct both plain clothes and highly visible operations across NSW, with more inspectors on the road carrying out more compliance operations than ever before.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“We know the vast majority of NSW’s 15,000 drivers are doing the right thing, but these improvements send a strong message to the minority of rogue drivers that you will be caught, fined and possibly removed from the industry altogether.

“These upgrades to the driver vehicle dashboard support our strong stance on ‘two strikes and you’re out’ laws by making it even easier for the industry to stop the minority of drivers who are caught doing the wrong thing from working as a taxi or rideshare driver in NSW.

“If you feel you’ve been ripped off while catching a taxi, don’t hesitate to call the Taxi Fare Hotline on 1800 500 410, which should be clearly displayed on all NSW Taxis.

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said:

“Drivers know that my team of Inspectors is frequently out conducting plain clothes operations along with highly visible compliance activities. If drivers are caught and fined, they now will also be visible to all operators through the Driver Vehicle Dashboard and face being disqualified if found guilty in court on two separate occasions.

“The point to point transport industry has widely applauded the new Dashboard enhancements as an important part of the crackdown on rogue drivers.”

NSW Government funds expanded support services in response to spike in antisemitic incidents

In response to a recent surge in antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and synagogues, the NSW Government is committing $200,000 to Jewish House to expand their vital community support services.

This funding will contribute to essential crisis intervention, mental health support, and community assistance in response to the rise of antisemitism in NSW.

For more than 40 years, Jewish House has been a leader in crisis care, providing help to vulnerable members of the Jewish community when they need it most.

Since the recent outbreak of antisemitic attacks across our state, Jewish House has seen a significant increase in requests for support and assistance from across the state.

This funding further reinforces the NSW Government’s commitment to combating antisemitism and racism by ensuring those affected receive the care and assistance they need while holding those responsible for these heinous acts accountable.

This follows reforms that the NSW Government introduced to parliament this sitting fortnight that confront hate speech and antisemitism by establishing a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, while also protecting places of worship and further criminalising Nazi symbols.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The recent attacks on the Jewish community have no place in our society. These acts are deeply distressing and we’re working around the clock to make sure those responsible face the full force of the law while supporting the community with essential services like these.

“This funding will see Jewish House expand its support services, providing guidance, practical advice and emotional care to the community.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“No community should be made to feel fearful in NSW. When any part of our society is threatened, it is a challenge for us all, but the Government remains committed to safeguarding social cohesion against hate and division.”

“This announcement today will help a community organisation that is empowering the Jewish community to look after each other and create a more compassionate and understanding community. “

Jewish House Chief Executive Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM said:

“The recent rise in antisemitic incidents have caused fear and hurt throughout our community. As a result, we’re seeing a significant increase in requests for help.”

“At Jewish House we can provide resources, guidance and tools to stand tall in the face of adversity.

“The funding will allow us to expand our vital services and continue to provide the essential support that is very much needed right now.”

Low and Mid-Rise policy to unlock 112,000 homes in five years

The Minns Labor Government’s Low and Mid-Rise policy is set to deliver 112,000 homes across New South Wales over the next five years as the next stage of the policy comes into effect.

The new reforms change planning controls within 800 metres, or 10-minute walk, around 171 town centres and stations to allow dual-occupancies, terraces, townhouses and residential flat buildings across metropolitan Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Hunter regions.

Without these changes, New South Wales risks becoming a city without a future because it’s simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.

The Low and Mid-Rise housing policy will reintroduce housing choice and diversity back into our communities, filling the “missing middle” between high-rise apartments and greenfield development.

Terraces, townhouses and residential flat buildings have a long history in NSW urban planning, but over recent decades have effectively been banned across local government areas.

Currently, only two of 33 councils in Greater Sydney allow terraces and townhouses in low-density (R2) zones, and residential flat buildings are prohibited in 60 per cent of all medium-density (R3) zones.

The NSW Government’s changes will remove the restriction on developing terraces, townhouses and low-rise residential flat buildings on R1 and R2 zoned land, while also removing the restriction on delivering medium rise residential flat buildings on R3 and R4 zoned land in these areas.

These changes still allow councils to assess important development conditions including parking, light access and minimum frontages.

Allowing these housing types to be permissible again will boost housing supply around transport and town centres, improve affordability, maintain the character of an area and build better communities.

Sites were selected considering the following criteria:

  • Access to goods and services in the area
  • Public transport frequencies and travel times
  • Critical infrastructure capacity hazards and constraints
  • Local housing targets and rebalancing growth

These planning reforms will further enable the rollout of the NSW Pattern Book, so those families, young people and downsizers who select these architecturally designed low and mid-rise designs will be able to build them in areas now zoned for low and mid-rise housing.

The Low and Mid-Rise policy has been consulted on extensively, with the NSW Government publicly exhibiting the policy and carefully considering feedback from councils, town planners, architects, developers, Government agencies, and community groups.

Due to the extent of bushfire and flood hazards, the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Wollondilly Local Government Areas, have been excluded from stage 2 of the reforms.

Similar to the Transport Oriented Development sites, the planning controls will apply in heritage conservation areas with council assessment and approval, however not on heritage items.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW with a greater choice of homes, so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live in the communities they choose.

The policy will come into effect on 28 February 2025.

For more information visit the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy webpage. 

Premier of New South Wales said:

“These types of homes have played a really important part in delivering homes over the last century but recently councils have effectively banned them, this reform changes that.

“Housing is the single largest cost of living pressure people are facing and these changes will deliver more homes for young people, families and workers.

“The homes built under these reforms will be close to transport, open spaces and services that people need, creating better connected and more liveable neighbourhoods by making the most of existing critical infrastructure.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This policy fills a gap in new housing supply. Allowing low and mid-rise housing in more locations will help increase the number of homes in our state, improve affordability for renters and buyers and give people a choice on the type of home they want to live in.

“Housing choice and diversity is at the heart of the Minns Government’s planning reforms – a choice of where they want to live, what kind of home they want to live in and when they want to make that move.

“There has been increasing demand for well-located, medium-density housing. These reforms build on the reforms introduced on 1 July 2024, which allowed dual occupancies and semi-detached homes to be built on nearly all low-rise residentially zoned land in NSW.

“This will unlock the huge potential of the NSW Pattern Book, with the new patterns being allowed in the areas where these planning controls apply. Those that use the Pattern Book will be able to build in these areas and gain access to a fast-tracked planning approval.”

$2.5 million Lung Bus to protect thousands of workers against dust diseases

The Minns Labor Government has renewed its commitment to protect workers from dust diseases by unveiling its new $2.5 million state-of-the -art Lung Health Mobile Clinic which will provide lung health checks to thousands of people across New South Wales.

The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.

These lung health checks can be lifesaving by ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.

Commencing this month, the icare Lung Bus will travel the length and breadth of the state, including visits to Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Tuncurry, Spears Point, Tweed Heads, Gosford, Nowra, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Tamworth.

The new mobile clinic features several innovations including:

  • Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging.
  • Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance.
  • Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care.
  • A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations.
  • Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients.

The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state’s original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years.

That Bus travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.

This is the latest measure to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.

The Minns Labor Government led the campaign for the national ban on engineered stone which started last year.

The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws.

Since September, our Silica Compliance Team has conducted 140 inspections, with more than 125 improvement notices issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.

The Minns Labor government has pledged $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).

Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at icare’s Sydney CBD clinic, or with local providers regionally when the lung bus is not in that part of the state. To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.

More information on the full list of Lung Bus destinations can be found here:

https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/injured-or-ill-people/work-related-dust-disease/services-and-support/lung-screening-service/workers-mobile-clinic-lung-bus-bookings-for-workers

For more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit:

https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/employers/employer-obligations/lung-screening-service

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The new Mobile Clinic underscores the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health.

“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Lung Bus demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“I welcome the $2.5 million investment into the new icare Lung Bus which will provide thousands of health checks for people living in regional NSW.

“Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.”

Icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe said:

“A lung health check could save your life.

“Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we’re here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.”

NSW Government cracks down on antisemitism and other hatred as three new bills pass Parliament

The Minns Labor Government has passed three new bills to ensure the community is protected from racial hatred, offensive Nazi symbols, and desecration and harassment at places of worship.

The Government’s package of legislation was developed in response to a series of unacceptable antisemitic attacks that caused community division and fear.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 2025, Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025, and Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025 all passed the Parliament overnight.

The legislation will create new offences and provide for tougher penalties for existing charges.

It will soon be a crime to:

  • Intentionally block, impede or hinder a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse.
  • Harass, intimidate or threaten a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship.

Such conduct is punishable by a fine of $22,000 or two years’ imprisonment, or both.

It will also be a crime to intentionally and publicly incite hatred towards another person, or group of people, on the grounds of race – with an exception for directly referencing religious texts during religious teachings or discussions.

The incitement of racial hatred will attract a maximum penalty for an individual of two years’ imprisonment, fines of up to $11,000, or both, while corporations can face fines of $55,000.

Our legislation also:

  • Clarifies that graffiti is a “public act” for the purposes of the offences of threatening or inciting violence and displaying Nazi symbols;
  • Provides for tougher sentencing for displaying by public act a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, the Sydney Jewish Museum or a Jewish school; and
  • Aggravates sentences when a person’s conduct is partially or wholly driven by hate.

The laws send a clear message that we take racial hatred and antisemitism seriously, and we are prepared to act quickly and decisively to protect the community.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The Government has acted quickly in response to disgusting acts we have seen in our state.

“Our package of legislation is a strong response to recent antisemitism, but it will also protect people of all races.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“This package of legislation will protect members of our community in a variety of ways.

“When we drafted these laws, we were mindful of preserving protest rights and freedom of political expression while also ensuring adequate community protection.

“In today’s environment, this legislation sends a strong message that hatred will not be tolerated.”

Rest and remember risks during National Driver Fatigue Week

The Minns Labor Government is urging all road users to rest and stay off the road while tired after NSW recorded a 47 per cent rise in people losing their lives in fatigue related crashes last year.

Sadly, 78 people died in fatigue-related crashes on NSW roads in 2024 compared to 53 people in 2023.

Alongside speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue is one of the top killers on NSW roads and the vast majority of crashes involving fatigue are happening on regional roads, with 69 of the 78 deaths occurring in regional communities in 2024.

While heavy vehicles make up only 2 per cent of NSW motor vehicle registrations, heavy vehicle drivers accounted for around 26 per cent of fatigue related deaths on NSW roads last year.

To help raise awareness of the dangers of driving fatigued, the Minns Labor Government is promoting fatigue safety and the benefits of taking a power nap during National Driver Fatigue Week which runs from February 21-27.

The awareness and education effort builds on the government’s other suite of road safety initiatives which are aiming to reduce fatigue related crashes and improve road safety overall. These include:

  • Rolling out around $1 billion in lifesaving infrastructure upgrades on regional and metropolitan roads through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the joint federal/ state funded Road Safety Program.
  • Investing $46 million on 2700 kilometres worth of rumble strips to help fight fatigue.
  • Maintaining 673 signposted rest areas and building a new rest area on the Newell Highway north of Narrabri.
  • Upgrading rest areas through the $11.9 million statewide Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Minor Works program.
  • Promoting 56 volunteer run Driver Reviver rest area sites where motorists travelling during holiday periods can stop for a free tea or coffee.
  • Running high visibility communication campaigns such as the ‘Don’t Trust Your Tired Self’ campaign
  • Launching a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles in 2025.
  • Upgrading mobile phone detection cameras to detect seatbelt offenders.
  • Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with an additional 2,700 new sites where a camera can be deployed. (Total enforcement hours remain the same).

For more information and tips on how to combat fatigue, visit the Power Nap website: https://powernap.org.au.  

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:  

“Driving on country roads often involves driving for long distances, at higher speeds and sharing the road with heavy vehicles so the fatigue risk is much greater.

“We need all road users to be aware of the dangers of fatigue and remember if you feel tired while driving or experience any of the early warning signs such as yawning, restlessness or sore eyes, pull over in a safe place, stretch your legs and have a power nap at one of the many rest areas we have available in NSW.

“Make sure you have a good night’s sleep before getting behind the wheel and avoid driving at times when your body would naturally sleep, like late at night or early morning.”