16 News

Five stores in Sydney’s Inner West have been closed under the Minns Labor Government’s tough new laws and closure powers targeting the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. 

NSW Health inspectors found and seized approximately 780,000 illicit cigarettes and 2,200 illicit vapes while implementing the Closure Order at these five premises and a further two premises in Northern NSW.

The stores have been shut down immediately for 90 days. Further investigations will follow and additional enforcement action, including prosecution, may take place. 

NSW Health Inspectors, together with NSW Police, have now closed down a total of 66 stores since the laws came into effect in November 2025, strengthening tobacco and vaping control efforts across the state. 

NSW now has some of the toughest reforms in the country for the sale and commercial possession of illicit tobacco, including:

• a new offence for the possession of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million, 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
• new penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million, 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
• the introduction of short-term (up to 90 days) and long-term (up to 12 months) closure orders for premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a valid licence
• new offences and penalties for anyone who breaches these closure orders, including for entering closed premises or selling products from closed premises
• new lease termination powers for landlords where a closure order is in place
• new nation-leading offences for falsely claiming to be licensed, resisting seizure, and attempting to retake seized products.

From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, NSW Health Inspectors conducted around 1,700 retailer inspections and seized more than 16.2 million cigarettes, over 2650kg of other illicit tobacco products and around 215,000 illegal vaping goods with a combined estimated street value of around $24.8 million.

During this period, NSW Health also finalised 22 successful prosecutions, inclusive of a District Court Appeal, with the courts imposing a total of $784,700 in fines related to vaping goods and tobacco offences.

Interim data shows that between 1 January 2026 to 31 January 2026, NSW Health Inspectors have conducted a further 131 inspections, seizing around 560,000 cigarettes and 98kg of other illicit tobacco products and over 6000 illegal vaping goods with a combined estimated street value of around $830,000.

In this period, NSW Health has also finalised 4 prosecutions with the courts imposing a total of $41,300 in fines related to e-cigarette and tobacco offences. There are currently 23 prosecutions before the Courts. 

The NSW Government is also aware the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products continues to evolve, with some attempting to obscure and avoid the enforcement activities of

NSW Health Inspectors, by using QR codes and social media communications to facilitate the ongoing sale of illicit tobacco to customers, after a closure order has been issued.  

NSW Police and NSW Health are working together to identify these methods and pivot their enforcement strategies to shut down this activity. 

In NSW, retailers and wholesalers are required to hold a valid licence to sell tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products as part of the new NSW Tobacco Licensing Scheme.

Businesses can apply for a licence online using their MyServiceNSW account via the Service NSW website.

Businesses can get support to submit their licence application by calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.

More information on closure orders and penalties can be found on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/tobacco-retailing-laws.aspx

More information on the new Tobacco Licensing Scheme including how retailers and wholesalers can apply for a licence can be found on the NSW Health website: NSW tobacco licensing scheme.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“We are continuing to ramp up efforts across the state to stop the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes.”

“The recent closures should serve as a reminder for those people in the community who are doing the wrong thing that we are serious and they will be prosecuted.”

“We are actively strengthening our efforts to bolster enforcement activity and will continue to pivot our approach to target even those who feel they can evade the law.”

Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant:

“Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in our community.”

“These closures show that our teams are ready to act swiftly and are committed to having a stronger oversight of the illicit tobacco and illegal trade to help protect public health.” 

The Albanese and Minns Governments are improving access to free mental health care in NSW, with a network of Medicare Mental Health Centres across the state that saw at least 107,500 visits last year.

More than 37,000 people and families across NSW have accessed free Medicare Mental Health Centres since their establishment, without the need for an appointment or referral.

This backs in Labor’s commitment to universal, free healthcare where everyone can get the mental health care they need. These centres take pressure off families by saving time and money, while putting mental health support close by.

In 2025, the Lismore centre saw the most occasions of care overall, with 18,318 occasions of care in 2025, as the community continues to rebuild after multiple flooding disasters.

The busiest centres last year also included Western Sydney locations in Liverpool and Penrith which saw 14,533 and 11,799 occasions of care respectively.

Today also marks the official opening of the new Blacktown Medicare Mental Health Centre, with a $2.4 million investment for its establishment and operation.

Located at 114 Main Street, Blacktown, the new Blacktown Medicare Mental Health Centre offers free mental health support and care for people in distress.

Staffed by multidisciplinary care teams, including mental health clinicians and peer workers, care is tailored to the needs of each person who visits the centres.

The Commonwealth and State Governments have partnered together to build a network of 33 Medicare Mental Health Centres in New South Wales, with 18 currently open and supporting people and communities across the State.

In Western Sydney, additional Medicare Mental Health Centres are open in Canterbury, Liverpool, Penrith, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Campbelltown. Centres will also be established in Lidcombe and Green Valley.

People seeking information or support can be connected with Medicare Mental Health by calling 1800 595 212 or visiting www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au.

NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“We know more young people need mental health support, and cutting costs and removing barriers is key to making sure they can get the help they need.

“Providing access to free mental health support, is a simple way to improves the lives of young people, families and our most vulnerable.

Assistant Minister McBride:

“The Albanese Government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and quality care in the centre of communities.

“This new Medicare Mental Health Centre offers people living in Blacktown a safe and welcoming place to access mental health support and care close to home.

“Anyone may be impacted by mental challenges, and this new centre offers everyone access to free support, without the need for an appointment or referral.”

Minister Bowen, Member for McMahon:

“This is about making it easier to get help when you need it, close to home, without the barriers that stop too many people reaching out.

“The Blacktown Medicare Mental Health Centre means free, walk-in support is now available right here on Main Street, delivered by a team including clinicians and peer workers.

“Mental health care should not depend on your postcode or your bank balance. This is Labor putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and delivering for Western Sydney in partnership with the NSW Government.”

Minister Jackson:

“These Medicare Mental Health Centres are a gamechanger. Anyone is welcome to walk in, no appointment, referral, or credit card needed.

“Getting help for your mental health should be easy and free – that’s what our Medicare Mental Health Centres are all about.

“Thousands of people are already accessing centres all across New South Wales, particularly in Western Sydney and regional hubs like Lismore and Wagga Wagga.

“Medicare is something Australians rightly take pride in, and these centres strengthen that legacy – public, universal care that puts people first.”

Stephen Bali, Member for Blacktown:

“I’m thrilled to be here to open the Blacktown Medicare Mental Health Centre, where anyone in my community can walk in and get the help they need, no appointments or referrals needed.

“By removing the barriers that stop people from accessing support – particularly the cost – we are improving outcomes for those who need it most.”

Two multi-billion-dollar renewable energy projects with the potential to power over 1 million homes in peak demand have been declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) by the Minns Labor Government.

Worth more than $7 billion, the projects, if approved, would help secure the state’s clean energy future.

The projects declared are:

• The $3.5 billion Western Sydney Pumped Hydro Project at Lake Burragorang, is a ZEN Energy which will have the potential to power 500,000 homes.
• The $3.6 billion Yarrabin (Phoenix) Pumped Hydro Project near Mudgee in Central West NSW, is a ACEN Australia project which will have the capacity to power 600,000 homes.

Both projects, are in the early planning stages and are located on WaterNSW land.

A comprehensive assessment will still be undertaken on each of the projects, including public exhibition and an opportunity for submissions from the community.

The Minns Labor Government has approved more renewables projects in three years than the last twelve years combined. With approved 44 renewable energy projects have been approved since 2023 that, when built, will generate enough electricity to power 5.2 million homes.

There are currently more than 50 renewable energy, storage and transmission projects under assessment. If approved, these 13.5 GW of generation projects could produce enough electricity to power about 6 million homes.

A further 196 projects, including solar, wind, battery storage and pumped hydro projects are at various stages in the planning pipeline.

Minister for Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“These projects will help stabilise the grid, support energy reliability during peak demand periods and underpin the transition away from coal‑fired power.

“Long‑duration storage like pumped hydro is essential to building a modern energy system that works for households, businesses and industry across NSW.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“These two pumped hydro projects could play a vital role in supporting our energy security together able to generate enough energy to power every home in Greater Perth during peak demand.

“These projects are part of a strong pipeline of renewable energy proposals that shows industry confidence in our planning system and our commitment to delivering the infrastructure NSW needs for a clean energy future.”

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“Water is vital to our everyday lives and these projects could further harness it to power more than a million homes.

“Importantly WaterNSW has already conducted a number of initial assessments to make sure these projects won’t impact water security or quality and we will continue to do analysis regularly, to help inform the planning and assessment processes.”

The Minns Labor Government has finalised planning controls in four more Transport Oriented Development precincts in agreement with the relevant local councils which together unlock more than 31,000 new homes near metro and train stations.

The NSW Government worked closely with Penrith City, Canterbury-Bankstown and Burwood councils to finalise their masterplans around St Marys, Croydon, Belmore and Lakemba stations.

The new tailored plans will have unlocked thousands of additional homes across the precincts by allowing taller, mixed-use buildings in existing centres, with new infrastructure, community facilities and open spaces.

We have now finalised planning controls in 35 of 37 TOD precincts and a strong pipeline of development is underway with almost 18,000 homes the planning system including more than 1700 that have already been approved. 

St Marys

Penrith City Council’s plan will unlock 11,500 homes the new scheme adding an extra 10, 000 homes near the upcoming St Marys metro station, by allowing buildings of up to 18 storeys.

The council plan will also be a major employment booster expected to help create an estimated 8,000 new jobs, rejuvenating Queen Street as a mixed-use entertainment and dining precinct.

Planned improvements include a new ‘Central Park’, future library and community hub, cycle and pedestrian links, and public open spaces.

Belmore and Lakemba

Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s alternative scheme will unlock more than 18,000 homes allowing buildings up to 18 storeys near the soon to open Belmore and Lakemba metro stations.

The plan will see Belmore and Lakemba’s main streets revitalised, with new shop-top housing, shops and services and provide new and improved public open spaces and pedestrian links.

Croydon

Burwood Council has prepared an alternative scheme that protects heritage areas while spreading new homes across Croydon and Burwood North.

The master plan will help deliver about 1,840 homes at Croydon concentrating most of the growth near the station in buildings up to 10 storeys high.

Additional homes originally set to be delivered in Croydon have been redistributed to Burwood North which is expected to deliver a total of 15, 000 homes.

The formalisation of TOD controls means developers can now lodge applications and bypass lengthy rezoning processes.

The Minns Labor Government introduced the TOD program in May 2024 to deliver more affordable, well-designed, and well-located homes within 400m of 37 stations across NSW.

For more information about the Transport Oriented Development program, visit NSW Planning.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The finalisation of planning controls in each of these Transport Oriented Development areas is a major milestone which will ultimately put more keys in more doors.

“Penrith City Council, Burwood Council and City of Canterbury Bankstown have all stepped up to the plate delivering quality local planning which will enable more homes close to transport, jobs and services.

“It’s particularly great to see councils like Penrith using this as an opportunity to also revitalise local business to create vibrant local neighbourhoods where people want to live.

“Every finalisation builds further momentum behind the Transport Oriented Development program which has already got a strong pipeline of almost 18, 000 homes in the planning system of which around 10 per cent are already approved.”

Public Hospitals in the Illawarra Shoalhaven have welcomed 63 new medical graduate interns, providing a welcome boost to the local health workforce.

Having completed their orientation, the junior doctors are already providing care to local patients and much needed support to the region’s hardworking health staff.

Interns are medical graduates who have completed their medical degree and are required to complete a supervised year of practice in order to gain general registration.

The interns will work with and learn from NSW Health’s experienced and highly skilled medical staff in one of the world’s best health systems.

The new doctors starting their internship will be entering a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, providing formal and on-the-job training.

They receive two-year contracts to rotate between metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals to ensure the diversity of their experience.

The interns also rotate across different specialties during the intern year, including surgery, medicine and emergency medicine.

The Minns Labor Government is building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, by:

• Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the largest wage increase to healthcare workers in a decade;
• Implementing ratios in our emergency departments;
• Saving 1,112 nurses which the Liberal Government planned to sack;
• Supporting our future health workforce by providing them with study subsidies; and

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“These new medical graduate interns already play an important role in helping to provide high-quality care in our public hospitals. We are proud to have them on our team.

“Choosing to work here in NSW means these new junior doctors will have the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s very best, as part of Australia’s largest health system.”

“From doctors, to nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals – we are rebuilding an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully

“This is another great boost to our local health workforce which will make sure people can access quality healthcare when they need it.

“These junior doctors will bolster the already great staff of nurses, paramedics, doctors midwives and allied health professionals which serve our community everyday.” 

Member for South Coast Liza Butler:

“Welcoming 63 new medical graduate interns to our Illawarra Shoalhaven public hospitals is a real boost for patients, staff and the future of local healthcare. These junior doctors are already making a difference on the ground, while gaining invaluable experience alongside our highly skilled health professionals. It’s a clear example of our commitment to building a strong, supported health workforce that delivers high-quality care close to home.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:

“Welcoming 63 new medical interns to the Illawarra Shoalhaven is a fantastic boost for our local health services and our community,”

“These junior doctors are the future of our health system, and through the Minns Labor Government’s investment in wages, training and workforce support, we’re ensuring they have the skills, experience and backing they need to deliver high-quality care for patients across our region.”

Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney

‘It is wonderful to have more junior doctors boosting the capacity of our local health system. The Minns Labor Government is delivering for regional communities by investing in health workforce as we prepare for the redeveloped Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital and the new Shellharbour Hospital.’

The NSW Labor Government’s energy affordability crisis is spiralling out of control, with the Government’s own annual reports revealing a shocking 12% year-on-year surge in families needing emergency crisis payments just to pay their power bills.

Shadow Minister for Energy James Griffin said the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s 2024-2025 annual report[1] exposed a catastrophic worsening of the energy affordability crisis on Labor’s watch, with an extra 9,000 families pushed into crisis in just one year.
“In their first full year in government, 75,000 NSW families needed crisis help with their power bills. Just one year later, that number has exploded to 84,000 – a 12% increase,” Mr Griffin said.

Mr Griffin said the 12% year-on-year increase represented real NSW families being pushed further into hardship under Labor.

“Every one of those 84,000 crisis payments represents a family in desperate circumstances who are choosing between heating and key items like food. The NSW Government can no longer hide from the fact that their energy transition is failing,” he said.

“That’s 9,000 more NSW families in desperate crisis this year compared to last. Under Labor, the energy affordability situation isn’t improving – it’s getting dramatically worse.”
 
Mr Griffin said despite Labor throwing billions of dollars at the problem through various rebates and relief packages, the underlying energy affordability crisis had worsened dramatically.

The annual reports reveal the devastating scale of Labor’s energy policy failure across two consecutive years in government:

• 2023-24 (Labor’s first full year): 75,000 households in crisis, $30.6 million in emergency support
• 2024-25 (Labor’s second year): 84,000+ households in crisis, $33 million in emergency support

“Since Labor came to power, there have been 159,000 instances where NSW families couldn’t afford to keep their lights on without emergency government intervention,” Mr Griffin said.

“Labor promised affordable, reliable renewable energy. Instead they’re delivering soaring bills, looming blackouts and a renewable energy roadmap that’s hopelessly failing,” Mr Griffin said.

“NSW families deserve an energy policy that delivers affordability and reliability, not one that drives thousands more into crisis every year. This Government has proven beyond doubt it cannot deliver either.”

The Bondi Junction tragedy was a senseless attack that shocked our state and the eastern suburbs community. 

We continue to remember the six innocent victims who were murdered that day, Pikria Darchia, Ashlee Good, Dawn Singleton, Jade Young, Cheng Yixuan and Faraz Ahmed Tahir. 

On behalf of the NSW Opposition, we extend our ongoing condolences to the families of the victims and all those who still live with the trauma and injuries of that day. 

Today will not be an easy day for many. The State Coroner’s finding’s and 23 recommendations will not heal the hurt the victims and families of that day live with, but they do provide a pathway forward. 

The State Coroner made a number of recommendations in relation to mental health services, which I call on the Government to adopt. 

The Bondi Junction tragedy reminded us of the incredible bravery of our first responders and everyday Australians. 

We honour the bravery of Inspector Amy Scott. As a police officer she has spent her career protecting others, often in the toughest of circumstances. The eastern suburbs community and our entire state stand with Amy as she battles cancer. 

The Opposition support’s the State Coroner’s recommendation to the Council for the Australian Bravery Decorations that Inspector Amy Scott, Ashlee Good, Noel McLaughlin, Damien Guerot (Bollard Man) and Silas Despreaux be recognised for their actions on that day.