New public schools for thousands of students in Sydney’s growing North-West

The Minns Labor Government is delivering for families in Sydney’s rapidly growing North-West as construction begins on the new Tallawong Public School.

The new Tallawong Public School will feature 24 modern classrooms with additional multipurpose rooms, three support learning classrooms, a multipurpose hall and covered outdoor learning area (COLA), a modern library, canteen, a new sports court and designated play areas, space for parking, and landscaped grounds.

With construction underway, Tallawong Public School’s permanent facilities will open in 2026, catering for up to 600 students. The school is currently operating in purpose-built temporary facilities at Riverstone Public School, after opening in Term 1, 2024.

Sydney’s growing North-West is also set to gain two new public schools, with a new primary school fast-tracked and delivered ahead of schedule by the Minns Labor Government.

Accelerated construction progress means the permanent Melonba Public School will open six months ahead of schedule, on Day 1, Term 1, 2025. The new public school had previously been due to open in temporary facilities, with the transition to permanent facilities to take place in Term 3.

Melonba Public School will cater for up to 1,000 students with 44 classrooms, three specialist support classrooms, a new library, canteen, administration facilities, and a multipurpose hall. There will also be covered outdoor learning areas (COLA) and outdoor play areas, including sports courts and outdoor learning areas.

Also opening on Day 1, Term 1, 2025 is the new Melonba High School, where students will be moving to permanent facilities, after the school opened in temporary buildings in Term 1, 2024.

Melonba High School will cater for up to 2,000 students, with 97 classrooms, including specialist classrooms for science, wood and metal workshops, performing arts, textile, hospitality and kitchen spaces, multi-media and visual arts classrooms and three specialist support classrooms.

It will also feature a new library, canteen, administration facilities, multipurpose hall, outdoor activity areas and on-site parking for staff.

Delivery of these three new public schools will provide new school places for up to 3,600 students in Sydney’s growing North-West, which is the number one area for student enrolment growth in the state, according to recent Enrolment Growth Audit. The overall population in the area also tripled between 2016 and 2021.

Providing new schools for Sydney’s growing North-West is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild public education, with the 2024-25 Budget delivering record education funding including $3.6 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Delivering these schools is part of our long-term plan to repair the state’s public education system and provide world class learning facilities for our growing families.

“The Minns Labor Government is building the much-needed new primary school for the Tallawong community, where the population has grown significantly in recent years.

“It is also fantastic news that Melonba Public School and Melonba High School will open in permanent facilities from Day 1, Term 1, next year.

“For too long, families in Sydney’s North-West had their educational needs ignored by the Liberals and Nationals. We are now working harder than ever to rebuild world-class public education in Western Sydney.”

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:

“The communities here in Sydney’s north-west are growing at a rapid rate. As the area continues to expand, it is essential that school infrastructure is delivered at the same rate.

“The new permanent Tallawong Public School and new permanent primary and high schools in Melonba will help meet the demand for the area and I am beyond proud to be part of a government that is delivering for these growing families.

“I know I speak for our North-West families when I say we cannot wait to see the new Tallawong primary school take shape and to see students learning from the two new permanent facilities at Melonba in only a few weeks’ time.”

Tallawong Public School Principal Julie Grennard said:

“I am thrilled to see this milestone achieved and to know that our Tallawong Public School students and staff will soon benefit from these wonderful new permanent facilities.

“To be a part of building this school from the ground up has been a great privilege and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Tallawong school community to bring this new school to life.

“The coming months will be an exciting time as we see progress made on our new permanent school and I can’t wait to see it take shape.”

Melonba Public School Principal Larissa Maraga said:

“Our Melonba Public School community is so impressed that we’ll be opening on Day 1 2025 from our permanent site.

“To have these new state-of-the-art facilities ready earlier than expected for our students to start the year in is simply incredible and I’m so grateful to everyone involved for their dedication and commitment which helped make this a reality.

“I can’t wait to welcome our students and families to the permanent site on Day 1 next year and I am really looking forward to providing opportunities for every student to learn, grow and belong at Melonba Public School.”

Melonba High School Principal Leon Weatherstone said:

“I am delighted that our growing community will soon be settling in to our new, permanent school buildings.

“This is an exciting time for our school, and our teachers, students and families have been amazed watching our new school take shape.

“The new, permanent Melonba High School offers the best in contemporary learning, and is setting this community up for the best in academic success.”

Labor’s transparency failure – treasurer must table reports today

After nearly two years in power, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos have no excuses left. The Auditor-General’s report has exposed alarming breaches of governance, and the government must table all overdue reports by close of business today.
 
The failures include:
 

  • The Treasurer has failed to table the audited 2023-24 Total State Sector Accounts (TSSA) in Parliament, as required under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018.
  • Responsible Ministers have failed to table annual reports for 16 agencies, leaving Parliament and the public in the dark about agency performance.
  • Errors in accounting for assets led to financial statement adjustments totalling $1.4 billion.

 
During the most recent Budget Estimates hearing, Treasurer Mookhey was asked directly: “In what month will the 2023–24 annual reports for each department/agency in your portfolio be published?” Instead of providing a straightforward answer, the Treasurer deflected: “The annual report of a reporting GSF agency is to be prepared, submitted and tabled in accordance with requirements under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 and Treasurer’s Direction 23-11.”
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this evasive response shows the Treasurer knew his legal obligations but has now chosen to ignore them. NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government, which consistently fails to meet even the most basic standards of transparency.
 
“These reports must be tabled by close of business today—no more delays, no more excuses,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Finance Eleni Petinos said the Treasurer’s deflection during Budget Estimates hearings and the Minns Labor Government’s repeated failures to meet their obligations demonstrate a government that is not serious about transparency.
 
“These overdue reports are not just a bureaucratic failure—they represent an inexcusable avoidance scrutiny. The people of NSW deserve better,” Ms Petinos said.
 
While reported misstatements in financial reports have decreased, their gross value remains alarmingly high at $3.9 billion for 2023-24.
 
The Minns Labor Government has had almost two years to get its house in order, yet it continues to fail at every turn. Its inability to deliver key reports and ensure financial transparency shows contempt for the people of NSW. The Treasurer and the Minister must stop hiding and start governing. 
 
The time for excuses is over. The people of NSW deserve transparency, accountability, and results—not a government that hides behind bureaucracy and deflection. Enough is enough.

Deepening Australia-Papua New Guinea ties through rugby league

The Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Governments are partnering with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) to deepen our connections through rugby league.

Australia will support a PNG team to enter the National Rugby League (NRL) competition no later than 2028.

As PNG prepares to mark its 50th anniversary of independence in 2025, this partnership celebrates our countries’ shared history and future, reflects our strategic trust and opens new people-to-people and economic opportunities.

The establishment of a PNG team in the NRL is an important symbol of our contemporary partnership.

It will deliver significant economic benefits to both countries through investment in new infrastructure and by boosting PNG and Australia’s sports and tourism sectors.

The Australian Government will also partner with the ARLC on a Pacific Rugby League Partnership for girls and boys, and women and men to play rugby league from the grassroots to the elite level across PNG, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

This Partnership will use rugby league to help increase school retention, promote positive health and nutrition, build gender equality and foster youth leadership.

It will invest in girls’ and women’s rugby league across the region, cultivating pathways and new opportunities, and work toward including a PNG Women’s team in one of Australia’s premier state competitions.

This will build on Australia’s existing investments in sports development across the Pacific – which include programs for netball, rugby union, Aussie rules and cricket – and complement Australia’s broader development partnerships in the region.

Australia and PNG are vital to each other’s future. Australia is proud to be PNG’s primary security and development partner.

This new partnership will be underpinned by shared strategic trust and strong people-to-people links and reflects our commitment to delivering peace, prosperity and opportunity for our people and our region.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese:

“A Papua New Guinea NRL team is a game-changer for Australia’s relationship with PNG and a unifying force – no two countries have a greater passion for rugby league.

“Australia’s relationship with the Pacific is profoundly important and our sporting ties are unique.

“Partnering on rugby league is a genuine and powerful way of building lasting ties between our peoples, and ensuring long-term development, social and economic outcomes for PNG and the Pacific.

“Our partnership will create new opportunities for girls’ and women’s rugby league across PNG and the Pacific, recognising the power of sports programs in championing inclusion and improving gender equality.”

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape:

“This one team will be for one people, one country, one nation, a national unifier.

“We deeply appreciate our relationship with Australia. While government-to-government ties are important, at the heart and soul of this relationship must be people-to-people connections. Sport has the unique power to unite our two peoples, who share an ancient history and even the same DNA, as seen in the bond between Papua New Guineans and Torres Strait Islanders.

“An NRL team for PNG is more than just sports – it is a national unification strategy. With our diverse cultures and people, rugby league can bring us together as one nation. At the same time, it strengthens the shared history and people-to-people links between PNG and Australia. 

“For us, this partnership is not only about rugby league but also about anchoring the deep connection between our two countries. Sport is a powerful tool to solidify and celebrate this relationship, creating a bridge that connects our communities on a personal and cultural level.

“As we look to our 50th anniversary of independence, we envision a future where a PNG NRL team represents not just sporting excellence but the enduring partnership and shared destiny between PNG and Australia. This is more than a game – it is a symbol of unity and mutual respect.” 

Appeal for information over armed robberies – Newcastle City PD

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate two armed robbery incidents in the Hunter region this week.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation following reports of two armed robberies at businesses in Adamstown and New Lambton areas,

About 5.40am on Tuesday (10 December 2024), a man – believed to be with a firearm – entered a business on Glebe Road, Adamstown, where he demanded cash. Police were told the man left empty-handed.
About 1.20am on Thursday (12 December 2024), a man – believed to be armed with a knife – entered a business on Turton Road, New Lambton, before he demanded cash. The man left the scene with a small amount of cash before police arrived.
Initial inquiries indicate the incidents are linked.

As a part of investigation, police are appealing for public assistance to speak to a man who they believe can assist with their inquiries.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance and when last seen he was wearing a hooded black jumper with his face covered, and black pants.

Appeal to locate missing teenage girls – Muswellbrook

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate two teenage girls missing from Muswellbrook.

Harper Pickett, aged 13, and Sharlotte Oldham, aged 14, were last seen in Muswellbrook about 6.45am today (Friday 13 December 2024).

When they were unable to be located or contacted, the girls were reported missing to officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, who commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Harper and Sharlotte’s welfare due to their young age.

Harper is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a thin build, blonde hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a blue top, pink shorts with a black stripe and black sandals.

Sharlotte is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 140cm tall, with a thin build, blonde hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, red and black checkered shorts and was carrying a black bag at the time.

The girls are believed to have boarded a train from Muswellbrook to Newcastle. They may be on the Central Coast and attempting to make their way to Queensland.

Anyone with information into their whereabouts is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Teacher charged over allegedly possessing child abuse material – Port Stephens-Hunter PD

A teacher has been charged over allegedly possessing child abuse material.

On Tuesday 3 December 2024, police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation into reports a 23-year-old male teacher was in possession of child abuse material.

On Wednesday 4 December 2024, police executed a search warrant at a school in Port Stephens and seized several devices for forensic examination.

On Friday 13 December 2024, the 23-year-old man was arrested at Maitland Police Station.

He was charged with possess child abuse material and was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 15 January 2025.

Appeal to locate man missing from Cardiff South

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

Adam Hynds,37, was last seen in Eveleen Street, Cardiff South about 4.15pm on Tuesday (10 December 2024).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare due to a medical condition.

Adam is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 180cm, thin build, shaved brown hair and blue eyes. 

He was last seen wearing a white polo shirt, faded black pants and black sneakers.

Adam is known to frequent the Sydney Train Network.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Lake Macquarie Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Parents left disappointed by Labor’s childcare half-measures: Greens

The Greens say Labor’s announcement on early childhood education and care falls short of providing genuine reform required to fix the childcare system in Australia.

Early Childhood Education and Care spokesperson Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“Parents woke up today hoping that they could send their kids to childcare without breaking the bank. Instead, they have been left disappointed. 

“Labor’s announcement will do very little for families. Three days of subsided childcare is still only three days – parents will still be stuck with high fees and long childcare waiting lists and kids will continue to miss out on an education, particularly those most disadvantaged. 

“We know that the activity test unfairly locks families out of getting an early education, and if Labor wanted to they could fully abolish the activity test today.”

“Our childcare system is in crisis and the sector is crying out for transformative change. We were hoping for genuine reform, but instead, Labor continues to tinker around the edges and kick the can of universal early childhood education and care to the next election cycle.

“If we want a universal system, where every kid gets the best start at life – we need to make childcare free and genuinely accessible. Every day that Labor delays action, is a day that our children are denied access to early education and parents are kept out of paid work. 

“While parents continue to struggle in a cost of living crisis, Labor and the Coalition simply don’t have the courage to take real action. With the Greens in the balance of power, we’ll fight to keep Dutton out of government and push Labor to make childcare universal and free.”

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Many parents will be disappointed by these half-measures, which won’t make any difference for full-time working families. 

“This won’t make childcare more affordable for parents working part-time and won’t address the cost issues for women wanting to return to work full-time. 

“It’s clear the major parties won’t do what’s needed to fix early childhood education, and we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. With a minority parliament looming, the Greens in Parliament will keep Peter Dutton out and push Labor to make childcare universal and free.”

Greens launch legislation to enshrine housing as a human right

Today the ACT Greens have launched draft legislation to enshrine housing as a human right, alongside a discussion paper seeking community feedback.

“Like education or healthcare, affordable housing is an essential service and key to living a life with dignity. From childhood through to adulthood, housing provides the basis for stability in all aspects of our lives,” said Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury. 

“For too long, politicians across the nation have treated the government’s role in the housing market as providing for private profit, rather than safeguarding our community from the skyrocketing cost of finding and keeping a home. 

“Now more than ever, in the middle of the most urgent housing crisis in living memory, we need to think about housing differently.  

“We need to set the groundwork for a complete rethink of the government’s role in the housing market, providing a starting point for deeper, more ambitious discussions about how the government can provide truly affordable homes.

“This legislation put forward by the Greens’ reflects a practical way we can focus the priorities of the government, ensuring that the government properly considers housing affordability in decision making. 

“This means that when legislation is introduced in the Assembly, the government will need to consider the human right to housing, which includes the impact on security of tenure for Canberrans, affordability, services like water and electricity, accessibility, location and cultural adequacy

“It is my hope this legislation will start a conversation both within and outside the government about the level of change that is needed to prioritise building homes for people over the private profit of property investors and companies.

“This could include greater focus on market interventions or broader provision of publicly owned housing to boost the rental market with affordable places to live, we’re open to all sorts of ideas from the community.

“That’s why we’ve launched a discussion paper alongside this new legislation to ensure there is a real grassroots movement behind this call for change.

“Canberrans who want to have their say can submit their feedback by getting in touch with my office. These submissions will inform the future of Greens action on enshrining housing a human right.”

For more information about the draft legislation and discussion paper, visit the ACT Greens website. Consultation for the draft legislation will close on Friday the 28th of February 2025 and is welcome from everyone in the community.

Greens launch legislation to enshrine housing as a human right

Today the ACT Greens have launched draft legislation to enshrine housing as a human right, alongside a discussion paper seeking community feedback.

“Like education or healthcare, affordable housing is an essential service and key to living a life with dignity. From childhood through to adulthood, housing provides the basis for stability in all aspects of our lives,” said Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury. 

“For too long, politicians across the nation have treated the government’s role in the housing market as providing for private profit, rather than safeguarding our community from the skyrocketing cost of finding and keeping a home. 

“Now more than ever, in the middle of the most urgent housing crisis in living memory, we need to think about housing differently.  

“We need to set the groundwork for a complete rethink of the government’s role in the housing market, providing a starting point for deeper, more ambitious discussions about how the government can provide truly affordable homes.

“This legislation put forward by the Greens’ reflects a practical way we can focus the priorities of the government, ensuring that the government properly considers housing affordability in decision making. 

“This means that when legislation is introduced in the Assembly, the government will need to consider the human right to housing, which includes the impact on security of tenure for Canberrans, affordability, services like water and electricity, accessibility, location and cultural adequacy

“It is my hope this legislation will start a conversation both within and outside the government about the level of change that is needed to prioritise building homes for people over the private profit of property investors and companies.

“This could include greater focus on market interventions or broader provision of publicly owned housing to boost the rental market with affordable places to live, we’re open to all sorts of ideas from the community.

“That’s why we’ve launched a discussion paper alongside this new legislation to ensure there is a real grassroots movement behind this call for change.

“Canberrans who want to have their say can submit their feedback by getting in touch with my office. These submissions will inform the future of Greens action on enshrining housing a human right.”

For more information about the draft legislation and discussion paper, visit the ACT Greens website. Consultation for the draft legislation will close on Friday the 28th of February 2025 and is welcome from everyone in the community.