Author: admin

Labor rejects stronger laws to bring order and calm back to Sydney’s streets

After Monday night’s disgraceful scenes, and a week of open in-fighting, the Minns Labor Government has today voted to reject the NSW Liberals and Nationals plan to strengthen social cohesion and prevent professional protestors from wasting taxpayers’ money and repeatedly clogging up Sydney’s streets.
 
The Summary Offences and Other Legislation Amendment (Public Assemblies) Bill 2025 would have recalibrated the regulatory framework for public assemblies by:

  • Requiring decision-makers to consider public amenity, social cohesion, economic impact, community disruption and the public cost of proposed protests.
  • Providing clearer powers to police and courts to properly weigh these factors.
  • Addressing repeat protests and the deliberate shielding of identity.
  • Allowing for the recovery of policing costs where there is intentional and unreasonable disruption.
  • Preserving the right to lawful protest while deterring conduct that imposes significant and unjustified costs on the wider community.
  • Operating consistently with the implied freedom of political communication.
  • Shadow Attorney General Damien Tudehope has said Labor’s opposition to sensible reforms would have ensured a greater balance between taxpayer money and the right to protest.

 
Unfortunately for the people of NSW, Chris Minns is unwilling to confront escalating disruption and rising community tensions because of the gaping divisions in his own party.
 
“Our Bill was a targeted, proportionate and carefully drafted reform to ensure the right to protest is balanced with the rights of the broader community,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“Instead of backing stronger safeguards for public order and social cohesion, Chris Minns and Labor chose to vote against practical measures designed to protect everyday people.”
 
“Week after week, we have seen professional protestors repeatedly shut down Sydney’s streets which that harm CBD businesses, divide communities and stretch police resources.”
 
“Today was an opportunity for the Premier to put his money where his mouth is.”
 
“Instead of backing common-sense changes, the Premier caved in to the radical left flank in his own caucus and opposed our sensible reforms.”
 
“All week we have seen Labor divided, with Labor MPs openly defying the Premier, criticising his laws and even attacks on the hardworking men and women of the NSW Police Force.”
 
Labor’s refusal to take action on repeated protestors means that families, businesses and frontline police officers are left to bear the consequences of unchecked disruption.

Minns Labor Government grant unions access to businesses’ digital systems

Businesses in NSW will be waking up to unions knocking on their door after the Minns Labor Government’s bill to grant unprecedented digital access powers to union officials passed the NSW Parliament tonight.
 
While the NSW Liberals and Nationals successfully secured amendments requiring a 48-hour notice period before a union official can gain access to a business’ digital systems, and ensuring the laws will not commence until relevant guidelines are published, the Minns Labor Government rejected a broader package of changes requested by leading industry groups.
 
Despite these amendments, the NSW Liberals and Nationals voted against the final Bill due to the significant risks it presents to businesses of all sizes.
 
NSW Leader of the Opposition, Kellie Sloane, said that the bill is bad legislation that makes it harder for businesses to do business in NSW.
 
“For weeks, we have heard small businesses, chambers of commerce and industry leaders tell us that they do not support these unprecedented new powers for unions,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“At a time when businesses are already grappling with rising energy bills, insurance premiums, wage pressures and interest rates, Labor has chosen to add another layer of red tape and legal risk.”
 
Shadow Minister for Small Business, Gurmesh Singh, said that thousands of small businesses have had their concerns ignored by the Minns Labor Government.
 
“This is a tough day for small businesses across our state who now must wonder when and if a union official will roll into their business and demand access to their sensitive commercial data,” Mr Singh said.
 
“Despite widespread opposition from business, Chris Minns and Labor pushed this Bill through Parliament.”
 
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading, Work Health and Safety and Building Tim James said the bill puts union influence ahead of sound policy outcomes.
 
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals will always support the right of workers to be safe and treated fairly,” Mr James said.
 
“However, this Bill was not about safety, it was about expanding union influence and control over businesses in NSW.”
 
“These laws place NSW out of step with the rest of Australia and have been brought outside of the nationally consistent approach to work health and safety law reform.”
 
“Throughout this process, the NSW Liberals and Nationals sought to represent the interests of businesses and community groups whose concerns were not adequately addressed, and unfortunately most of these proposals were dismissed by Labor.”

Premier forced into apology after “shocker” response to question on Victoria Barracks

The Premier has today been forced into a grovelling apology to Australia’s Veterans after his “shocker” response to a question on whether he supports Victoria Barracks from Nationals MP and veteran of three tours of duty, Michael Kemp MP.
 
In Question Time today in the NSW Parliament, the Premier was asked by Mr Kemp whether he supported the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to sell-off Victoria Barracks, or whether he supported his Labor colleagues Greg Warren and Marjorie O’Neill in opposing the sell-off.
 
In response the Premier said:
 
Chris Minns: It is a matter for the Federal Government. To the extent that I have thought about it, I will leave it up to them. I am not proposing a major campaign.
…
Chris Minns: I do not own it. It is a bit like when my neighbour wanted to sell his boat. I was happy because it would clear up the street, but it did not really have much to do with me.
…
Chris Minns: I am not trying to trivialise it. If it is a matter of deep passion and concern to the veterans community, I respect that. I suspect that the pride and honour they feel—and that Australians feel in them—is protected in their image, character and the values they possess, not necessarily in a physical landmark.
 
Robyn Preston: You don’t get it.
…
Chris Minns: That may well be true. I am not a veteran. I cannot be held accountable or responsible for the decisions of the Commonwealth Government, and I am not prepared to launch a campaign against them. It is their call.
 
After significant backlash from the Veteran and wider community, the Premier admitted his error and called in to 2GB’s Drive Program with Clinton Maynard to issue an apology to the Veterans community:

            Clinton Maynard: Do you regret those comments?
 
Chris Minns: Yeah, I’ve had a shocker there. I really regret it. Anything to do with the veterans community, it has to be done in a in a respectful way. And I didn’t do that. I think the point I was trying to make is that the veterans and the respect that they’re held in the community is more than a physical presence, but I just I did it in such an inarticulate way. It’s not my feeling, and I would hate for anyone in our veterans community to be offended by it, or think that’s what I really think about their dedication service to our country.
 
Clinton Maynard: I’ve had a mountain of text messages about this, Chris, and they’re actually really angry with you.
 
Chris Minns: Well, I’ve had a shocker, and they’ve got every right to be, and I’m hoping that they give me a second go and recognise that it’s a genuine apology.
 
Clinton Maynard: Well, I think they’ll appreciate that is, and I have to ask this, because I’ve had a couple of other messages claiming, suggesting this is out of character for you. And I think it is, you know, we know each other reasonably well. I think it’s out well. I think it’s out of character. Is this because you’ve been so focused on what occurred at the start of the week with the protests that that you haven’t been able to have the bandwidth to think about other issues?
 
Chris Minns: Look, I think I probably dropped the ball. I…you know, it’s a funny thing in Question Time you get set on what you think the questions will be, and usually that’s what’s occupying your time. Fair play to the Opposition. It came out of left field. I wasn’t ready for it, and I didn’t put the care into a kind of answer. Now… you know…that’s a that’s an excuse, not a reason, but yeah, if I had another go at it, there’s no way, there’s no way, I would leave veterans with any with any doubt as to my reverence for their commitment to this country, and I can promise you, they’re not empty words at all. We owe them so much, and I’ve had a lot to do with returning veterans on the Iraq and Afghanistan war. People have given everything, everything to the country. And you know, if I’ve added to some of the burden that they’re feeling, then I feel pretty, pretty bad about that.
 
Shadow Minister for Veterans, Tim James, said that the gobsmacking answer in Question Time and stunning backdown was best described by the Premier himself.
 
“The Premier put it best – he has had a shocker,” Mr James said.
 
“Except it wasn’t just on this issue – he has had a shocker of a week, with his own team at war with itself over Monday night’s protest where four members of his own Labor team attended a protest that the Premier didn’t want them to attend, which has now devolved into the Police Minister and Labor MLC Anthony D’Adam openly criticizing each other in the NSW Parliament.”
 
“The Premier’s apology to Veterans is welcomed.”

Three illegal tobacconists issued closure notices following Combined Agency Operation

Illicit tobacco and vaping products have been seized and three illegal tobacconists have been issued closure notices following a Combined Agency Operation in the State’s north.

Between Tuesday 21 October 2025 and Thursday 23 October 2025, a targeted operation was conducted by officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Police District, the NSW Health Centre for Regulation and Enforcement.

The operation in October focused on the compliance of licensed retail tobacconists, addressing reported complaints to both Government agencies relating to the growing concern and prevalence of illicit tobacco and vaping devices being readily available to the community. The operation resulted in the inspection of 22 retail premises, three of those premises were unlicensed.

As a result of the Combined Agency Operation, 22 tobacco retail premises were inspected, which identified three unlicensed premises in Toronto, Swansea, and Warners Bay.

During those inspections police located and seized a total of

  • 6,396 vaping devices,
  • 593,910 illicit cigarettes and
  • 53 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco

Totalling an estimated retail value of $914,179.

Following further inquiries, yesterday (Thursday 12 February 2026), Lake Macquarie Licensing Police assisted NSW Health Centre for Regulation and Enforcement with issuing thee closure notices under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 for a three-month period.

Special Envoy on methanol deaths in Laos

Today I have appointed Mr Pablo Kang as Special Envoy to continue our efforts for progress in the investigations into the methanol poisoning deaths of Australian citizens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones.

Since their November 2024 deaths, the Albanese Government has been clear to the Lao authorities of the need for transparency and accountability.

We have consistently conveyed our expectations that charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy that killed Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals.

I have asked Mr Kang to depart for Laos as soon as possible this week and explore all avenues to progress the case.

Mr Kang heads the Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has previously served as Ambassador to Cambodia, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and High Commissioner to Vanuatu.

We understand the heartbreaking grief of the families of Holly and Bianca, which has been exacerbated by the delays and lack of transparency over the legal processes in Laos.

The Albanese Government will continue to press the Lao authorities on Holly and Bianca’s cases and will continue to support their families in their pursuit of justice.

Aged care hardship claims have more than doubled under Labor’s Support at Home

Hardship applications from Aged Care participants have more than doubled since the introduction of Labor’s new Aged Care Act, figures disclosed during Senate Estimates reveal.

The Aged Care Act, and the new Support at Home program came into effect on 1 November. In the two months since the commencement of Support at Home and the new Aged Care Act, Services Australia received 2,598 aged care hardship claims. [November: 1326 claims, December: 1272 claims – presented to Estimates at 5:45pm here]. 

In the two months immediately prior to the new Act, there were 1,429 claims, a more than doubling since the new act was introduced. [September: 571 claims, October: 858 claims – presented to Estimates at 6:40pm here].

Officials from Services Australia told the Greens’ Penny Allman-Payne that increased hardship claims were an ‘anticipated’ outcome of the new Support at Home program, which has seen the cost of essential aged care services dramatically increase, including help with showering, meals, and around the home.

Around one in three hardship applications were rejected by the government. In the quarter ending in December, just 67.7% of hardship claims were successfully approved, with 24% of hardship claims rejected and the remainder withdrawn (5:47).

The form to apply for aged care hardship is sixteen pages long and requires the participant to give three months of evidence of expenses. Experts have warned that the process of navigating this bureaucracy, for someone who definitionally is of low means and already needs help with their daily care, is a near-impossible task. 

Next Monday, the government’s aged care plans will face more scrutiny at a Senate hearing in Brisbane, chaired by Greens Spokesperson for Older People Senator Penny Allman-Payne.

Greens Spokesperson for Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Exactly as designed, Labor’s new Aged Care Act is pushing older Australians into financial ruin to boost the bottom line of private aged care providers.”

“We’re hearing from pensioners under Support at Home who can no longer afford the help they need with showers, meals and medications, continence pads, or keeping a safe and clean home.”

“Forcing people in their 80s and 90s to go through an onerous 16 page form to apply for help so they can have showers and meals each day is just ridiculous and cruel. It’s a system that’s been designed to deny people care.”

“It would be much more straightforward to simply make sure that everyone can access the help and care they need – but instead Labor are jacking up the price of care and shaking down pensioners for all they’ve got.”

“In a wealthy country like Australia, we can afford to look after our most vulnerable, and make sure everyone can access the help and care that they need.”

Bank profits spike amid housing crisis

In the midst of a housing crisis, the big banks’ obscene profits have been taken directly out of the pockets of mortgagees and renters.

The CBA has reported a mammoth $5.4b profit in its half-year results and the ANZ’s profit rose to $1.94b in its first quarter, as mortgages rise, with the average mortgage up $70,000 over the last 12 months.

The Greens say Labor cares more about the profits of the banks than it does about first-home buyers.

Greens spokesperson for Finance, Housing and Homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“In the midst of a housing crisis it’s clear who the winners are – the big banks and wealthy property hoarders.

“The big banks are profiting off rising house prices and increased mortgages, while homeowners struggle in the face of rising interest rates.

“Labor’s policies – such as the 5% deposit scheme and the $181b tax breaks for property hoarders, is adding fuel to the fire, driving up house prices while the banks take all the profit.

“It’s clear who the government is working for and it’s not renters or first-home buyers – it’s the banks and wealthy property investors.

“Without tackling the root causes of the housing crisis – which are the tax breaks for wealthy property hoarders and the lack of social and affordable housing – house prices will continue to spike, and banks will continue to rake in the profits.”

Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice Senator Nick McKim:

“This is the story of the last few years in a nutshell – misery for mortgage holders and renters and obscene profits for the banking corporations.

“The banks have been let loose by a hands off government and an RBA that only has one lever to pull.

“Labor needs to get serious about tackling inflation as well as the corporate price gouging that is causing it.”

Minns Government chaos in aftermath of police response to protest as Premier, Minister Sharpe contradict each other

Premier Chris Minns and his Ministers have lost control of their own Government with contradictory statements from the Premier and his Leader of the Government in the Upper House within minutes of one another during question time today about the call for an independent investigation into the police response to the Sydney protest.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“The Greens in both the Lower and Upper Houses are seeking simple answers, does the Government support an independent investigation into the Police violence last Monday night – all we got was contradictions,”

“The Premier has doubled down stating that he doesn’t support the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) investigating Police misconduct from this week, while his Leader in the Upper House declared that it would be inappropriate to take a position in relation to what the LECC does,”

“It is clear there are many members of the Government who do not want the police actions at Town Hall on Monday to go unchecked, but the Premier Chris Minns is doubling down in defiance. There must be support for an independent investigation, people have lost trust in police and it needs to be restored,”

“The turmoil between Minns and his Government is getting worse. Just last night, the Government opposed and lost a motion calling for greater integrity powers for the ICAC, and yet this morning the Premier is standing up to announce a reintroduced version of investigation laws that failed to pass last week,”

“The Premier is playing a dangerous game, you can’t run a Government through command and control. If he wants to head off rebellion in his Party and within his own Cabinet, then this is the time to take stock and realise that he is not the King in a castle,”

“He is a Labor Premier in a democracy, he should start acting like it and leave peaceful protest and civil liberties alone,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens urge Labor to show courage and leadership towards First Nations justice

In the wake of the second consecutive Closing the Gap report which shows only four of 19 targets on track, the Australian Greens urge the Labor government to show ambition and courage to get real outcomes on First Nations justice.

The report comes as First Nations people around the country are still reeling from the attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo Perth, an incident which was shamefully underreported in media and which was not immediately designated a terrorist attack, despite the crowd of more than 2500 people being predominantly First Nations people.

The Greens urge the Labor Government to respond with stronger leadership to this escalation in racist violence by prioritising Closing the Gap through Truth and Treaty, ending the epidemic of over-incarceration and deaths in custody, and urgent action on child removal and cultural heritage laws.

The Greens have previously called for a Makarrata truth commission leading to a Treaty, with genuine First Nations leadership, guaranteed staffing and a clear timeline for delivery.

The Greens reiterate the urgent demand that all 339 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody be implemented.

The Commonwealth must use every lever to end the disproportionate incarceration and preventable deaths of First Nations people, including raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility. 

Leader of the Australian Greens and First Nations Justice spokesperson, Larissa Waters:

“The report today is sobering reading. More First Nations people are incarcerated and dying by suicide than last year. More First Nations kids are out of their homes and not on track to meet developmental milestones.

“I am deeply distressed that the outcomes today show almost no progress from last year’s report. First Nations people deserve much bolder action from the Government on Truth, Treaty and deaths in custody. Yet the government has stripped funding for a truth-telling commission and refuses to step in to end draconian States and Territory laws that put First Nations kids behind bars at alarming rates.

“We need to be real about the impacts of systemic racism, intergenerational trauma and chronic under-investment in Aboriginal-led responses. Labor must move beyond incremental measures if they are to close the gap by 2031 as promised.

“The Yoorook Justice Commission’s truth-telling work established a treaty pathway in Victoria; the Commonwealth should adopt and scale that approach nationally.

“Labor’s failure to implement the recommendations from the Deaths in Custody Royal Commission has led to the highest Aboriginal deaths in custody in over 40 years. 

“Additional funding is welcome, but without accountable delivery plans and genuine community partnership the gap will not close.

“The recent alleged murders of two First Nations women in Lake Cargelligo were not isolated incidents. First Nations women are more likely to be killed by a current or former partner, more likely to be hospitalised by violence, less likely to access support to leave violent relationships, and too often ignored when they report violence. We welcome the Our Ways, Strong Ways, Our Voices plan this week, but it should not have taken so long for government to listen to First Nations women calling for a standalone, community-led plan to end violence.

“The Greens are also alarmed by the continuing delays in meaningful cultural heritage reform while major projects continue to be approved against community wishes. It has been years since the destruction at Juukan Gorge and First Nations people still have to sue to defend their cultural heritage and water rights. The law must be reformed now so consent, self-determination and First Nations decision-making are central to approvals.

“And outside the report outcomes, the attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo was a chilling reminder that racism and far-right hatred targeting First Nations people is escalating. The time for leadership is now.

“Communities have the solutions, Labor needs to show the political will to implement structural reform led by First Nations people toward truth, treaty and justice.”

Twofold Aboriginal Corporation takes Jigamy Farm off-grid

The Minns Labor Government has provided the Aboriginal not-for-profit Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, located 10 kilometres north of Eden, with more than $248,000 to install a new solar energy system at Jigamy Farm, helping take the site off-grid and reduce operating costs.

Jigamy Farm is an important cultural hub on the Sapphire Coast, incorporating a campground, training centre, art studio, cultural learning, and Aboriginal employment opportunities.

The funding was used to install a 62-kilowatt-hour solar energy system with battery storage, significantly reducing energy costs at the site and improving long-term sustainability.

NSW Government support has also enabled Twofold Aboriginal Corporation to work with a business mentor, strengthening the organisation’s capacity and ensuring it is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities following completion of the project.

The Aboriginal Economic Development Package is funded under the Minns Government’s Regional Development Trust to support Aboriginal businesses deliver new commercial opportunities and training to improve economic and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people.

For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“This project is a great example of how targeted support can help Aboriginal organisations take practical steps toward long-term sustainability.

“By going off-grid, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation is reducing their energy costs and reinvesting those savings back into community programs.

“The NSW Government is proud to support projects like Jigamy Farm, which is a hub for culture, training and opportunity, with this investment helping to strengthen that role in supporting local jobs and skills development.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“This investment is a great example of empowering Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in sustainability and economic growth.

“We know that Aboriginal organisations and people implementing initiatives in partnership with the NSW Government result in better Closing the Gap outcomes.

“Taking Jigamy Farm off-grid is not just an environmental milestone—it’s an investment in cultural and economic resilience.”

Local Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland MP said:

“This investment is a win for the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, the local community and everyone who visits Jigamy Farm. By reducing energy costs and moving off-grid, the organisation can reinvest savings into growing tourism, training and employment opportunities on the Sapphire Coast.

“Jigamy Farm is a valued cultural and economic hub, and this project shows how targeted NSW Government support can deliver lasting benefits for Aboriginal organisations while strengthening local jobs, skills and sustainability.”

Co-CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation Elvis Amair said:

“The AEDP funding was crucial to the completion of our project and its economic sustainability, the funding has set us on the path towards making our site totally green and lowering our operating costs.

“The next stage of the journey which this funding has allowed us to focus on will be providing glamping accommodation that will see us continue to grow our operations and broaden our services offered to the community.”