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Minns Labor Government rolls out free nasal spray influenza vaccine for kids under 5

The Minns Labor Government is rolling out free nasal spray flu vaccines for 2-4 year olds to increase influenza vaccine uptake in young children following the worst flu season on record.

Under the NSW Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccination Program, the free nasal spray flu vaccine will be available for children aged two, three and four years across NSW through GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services and community pharmacies.

The vaccine is sprayed into the nose with one spray into each nostril. It is gentle, painless, and needle-free.

About a quarter of children (24.4%) under 5 were vaccinated in NSW in 2025, which is below the 40% target set in the NSW Immunisation Strategy 2024–2028.

Last year’s extended flu season saw more than 24,500 cases of influenza (flu) in children under 5 in NSW.

In 2025, there were more than 4,600 presentations in children under 5 for influenza-like-illness to emergency departments in NSW and more than 960 admissions in children under 5 to hospitals. Compared to 2024, this is a more than 40 per cent increase in both presentations and admissions.

Across all age groups in 2025, NSW recorded its highest number of influenza cases on record, with 186,768 notifications. This is a 15.8 per cent jump (25,548 more) than in 2024 and a 79 per cent jump (82,439 more) compared with 2023.

The Minns Labor Government is urging the wider community to also book in now for their annual flu vaccination, both to keep themselves and their families healthy, and to help ease pressures on busy emergency departments over the winter period.

The flu vaccine is recommended yearly for everyone six months and over and offers the best protection against serious illness. The community is encouraged to get vaccinated early before cases begin rising again.

The 2026 flu vaccine injection is available for free under the National Immunisation Program for:

children aged six months to under five years
pregnant women
Aboriginal people aged six months and over
anyone aged 65 and over
people with serious health conditions.

The community can book their flu vaccine at their GP, community pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service.

The community are reminded there are a few simple steps they can take to protect themselves and others from respiratory illness, including:

staying up to date with their vaccinations
staying home if they’re sick and wearing a mask if they need to go out
avoiding crowded spaces and getting together in well-ventilated spaces
consider doing a rapid antigen test before visiting people at higher risk of severe illness
making a plan with their doctor if they’re at higher risk of severe illness
practicing good general hygiene, like regular handwashing.

If an illness is not serious or life-threatening, such as a mild case of influenza, the community is encouraged to call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for advice 24-hours a day. A nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.

For more information on respiratory illness, including to book your flu vaccination, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/respiratory/Pages/default.aspx

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I know how unsettling it can be for some parents taking a child to receive a vaccine, so being able to offer a needle-free alternative is a real win for those parents.

“We hope this option will help increase vaccine uptake in this age group, who we know are at higher risk of becoming more seriously unwell from influenza.

“The influenza vaccine is the best chance of protection against serious illness and I urge everyone in NSW to protect themselves and their families this winter.

“If you do get sick this winter, and it’s not an emergency, I encourage everyone to use our out-of-hospital care options, like healthdirect and our urgent care centres, so we can keep our emergency departments for the people who need them most.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:

“After the increase in children presenting to emergency departments last year, the nasal spray influenza vaccination is an important step in keeping our children out of hospital.

“Parents in our community want simple, stress‑free ways to keep their children healthy, and this needle‑free nasal spray vaccine delivers exactly that.

“If more of us are vaccinated this winter, we not only protect ourselves but also help ease pressure on our busy hospitals, so I strongly encourage taking up this free vaccine option.”

Executive Director Health Protection NSW, Dr Kerryn Coleman:

“The nasal spray influenza vaccine is a really simple option for children who are aged two, three and four. It is quick, pain-free and can be provided at your GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or community pharmacy.

“The injectable influenza vaccine is also now available and we are asking everyone to go out and get vaccinated. The earlier you get vaccinated, the sooner you will be protected.

“The most important way we can help reduce the spread, and try to prevent the prolonged influenza season like we saw last year, is to get you and your family vaccinated.”

Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) NSW/ACT Chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman:

“Having needle-free vaccines for children aged two–four, at no cost to parents, is a game-changing policy.

“Two thirds of kids, and about a quarter of adults, have a strong fear of needles. As GPs, we know that’s a big barrier to achieving the immunity our young patients need.

“For these children and their parents, that barrier is now gone. More young children will be vaccinated, and that means fewer families in hospital and less pressure on our health system.

“Everyone over six months old is recommended to get a flu vaccine each year, but it’s especially important for anyone who is under five, over 65, pregnant, or at risk of severe illness. There were a record number of flu cases in 2025, so we want all of our patients to roll up their sleeves this flu season.”

Man dies following crash – Upper Hunter

A man has died after a crash in the state’s north overnight.

About 9:15pm today (Sunday 5 April 2026), emergency services were called to Cullingral Road, Merriwa (approximately 70km north west of Muswellbrook), following reports of a crash.

On arrival, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District located a single vehicle which had left the road, before crashing into an embankment.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attempted to treat a man – however; he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

Officers have commenced investigations into the circumstances of the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

MIKTA Statement on the Attack Against Indonesian UNIFIL Peacekeepers

We the Foreign Ministers of Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Türkiye, and Australia – comprising MIKTA – condemn in the strongest terms the killing of Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The MIKTA Foreign Ministers express their deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, as well as to Indonesia. They wish a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

Attacks on UN peacekeepers and aid workers are unacceptable and violate international law, particularly international humanitarian law. They must never be the target of an attack. The members of MIKTA stand in solidarity with Indonesia and fully support its call for an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation of the attacks.

In addition, as signatories to the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, the Foreign Ministers of MIKTA reiterate the importance of ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian personnel.

Peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel save lives. This work should never cost them their own.

Strengthening World-class Healthcare for Children

On Good Friday, the Albanese Government is investing to strengthen world-class healthcare for children as part of Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

This year marks 95 years of the Good Friday Appeal and 95 years of the Victorian community coming together in support of young patients and their families.

Our Government will provide $2 million to support the Royal Children’s Hospital to improve access to specialised health care for children throughout Victoria, and to expand its health information service for children and young people nationally.

The builds on the $6 million the Government has already provided to the Good Friday Appeal, funding life-changing treatment, world-class research, leadership and training. It helps attract the brightest minds to care for kids from Victoria and across Australia.

Last year, the Good Friday Appeal, together with the Royal Children’s Hospital, distributed $3 million to 41 regional health services to fund equipment, training and education.

This allowed families to receive care closer to home and was described as a “game changer” by regional health services.

Every year, thousands of people volunteer their time, experience and creativity to organise fundraising events and activities to support the hospital, culminating in the telethon on Good Friday.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution or learn more about the patients, volunteers and staff at the hospital can visit www.goodfridayappeal.com.au.

Prime Minister Albanese:

“For 95 years, the Good Friday Appeal has been about people pitching in and helping out people who need it the most. That’s the Australian way.

“Nothing matters more than the health and wellbeing of our children, and this funding will help make sure more kids get the care they need, closer to home.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital does incredible work and this investment will help them reach more children across Victoria.

“I thank every volunteer and supporter who makes the Good Friday Appeal possible because your generosity is changing lives.”

Deputy Prime Minister Marles:

“The Albanese Government’s support for the Good Friday Appeal is about providing greater access to health care in regional Victoria, meaning greater access closer to home and reducing the burden on families and their loved ones.

“Having grown up with the Good Friday Appeal, I know Victorians will be digging deep today in support of a truly terrific cause.

Minister Butler:

“The Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital is a fabulous cause with a rich history.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital uses these funds for projects that lift paediatric care to a new level and help to spread its excellence in care for more children and families, in more places, closer to home.”

Meeting on the Strait of Hormuz

Last night, I joined more than 40 countries on a ministerial call on the Strait of Hormuz as part of Australia’s support for international efforts to ensure critical waterways are not held hostage by the Iranian regime.

I thank UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for convening the meeting with representatives from every continent, as well as key international organisations including the International Maritime Organization and the European Union.

Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait, coupled with its attacks on commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, is causing unprecedented energy supply shocks and impacting oil and fuel prices.

Iran is deliberately inflicting economic pain on communities worldwide, including the Indo-Pacific, with the costs borne disproportionately by the most vulnerable.

Australia joined partners in condemning the Iranian regime’s weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ministers urged Iran to act in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, particularly around critical maritime routes.

The focus of last night’s meeting was diplomatic and civilian initiatives countries could pursue to make the Strait of Hormuz accessible and safe. Ministers agreed on the importance of continued coordination and collective action.

Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying troops on the ground in Iran.

The Australian Government continues to support de-escalation and the resolution of this conflict.

The longer this war goes on, the more significant the impact on the global economy will be.

Greens call on Assembly to join Yerrabi Yurwang rally in support of vital healthcare funding

Today, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, Jo Clay has called on all members of the ACT Legislative Assembly to stand with workers and community members fighting to save the Yerrabi Yurwang Northside Health Service, which is pausing operations this morning after the ACT Government refused to provide funding for the service.

Jo Clay, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens:

“Canberra is often painted as one of the wealthiest cities in the country, but that’s only half the story. This city is a tale of two stories, and right now the gap between them is growing, leaving entire communities in the dust.

“For First Nations people on the northside, that inequality is stark.

“It is unacceptable that access to culturally appropriate health services depends on what side of town you live. Just 17% of First Nations people on the northside are accessing health services, compared to 20-29% in the south.

“The team at Yerrabi Yurwang have been doing incredible work under impossible pressure. Last year, the Greens stood with them and the community, backing their call for proper investment. The need has only grown since then.

“Instead of stepping up, the government has walked away. Today, that decision means a vital, community-led health service is shutting its doors, right in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, when people need support more than ever.

“This closure will force people to travel long distances, by car or unreliable public transport, just to access culturally-appropriate healthcare. For many, that means going without.

“This is a political choice from the Labor Government and it’s the wrong one. The Greens are calling on the government to immediately restore funding to Yerrabi Yurwang and work with the community to secure a long-term future for this essential service.

“If the Labor Party is serious about Closing the Gap, backing self-determination, and delivering real health outcomes for First Nations people, then it needs to stop talking and start funding, by stepping up for the Yerrabi Yurwang Northside Health Service.”

The ACT Greens will be attending the rally to save Yerrabi Yurwang Health Service and are calling on members of the public as well as members of the ACT Legislative Assembly to join in showing their support for aboriginal-controlled health services.

Greens welcome Australian Chief Scientist reports on strengthening mis and disinformation resilience

The Greens welcome today’s release of a series of reports from the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist and the National Science and Technology Council that examine how resilience to mis and disinformation can be strengthened in Australia.

The reports come a week after a Greens-initiated Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy found coordinated false and misleading information campaigns are infringing multiple human rights, dividing Australian communities, and hindering global progress on climate change by eroding public trust in climate science and influencing political outcomes.

Greens spokesperson for Science, and Select Committee chair, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“The release of these reports helps progress a timely and critical national conversation, taking place alongside international conversations, on how governments can strengthen and protect our information ecosystems.

“The reports published by the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist reinforce substantial evidence provided to the Select Committee regarding the urgent need for the development of a national, society-wide plan to address this wicked problem.

“Majority Select Committee recommendations – supported by Labor – for the Australian Government to adopt the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity and to endorse the UN Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change provide clear frameworks for how a national plan to strengthen our information ecosystem could be progressed.

“Australians have low literacy and understanding of mis and disinformation – what it is, why it happens, and how to recognise it. Especially the tactics and tools employed by various disinformation actors and vested interests.

“Report findings handed down by Australia’s Chief Scientist are consistent with many found by the Select Committee.

“Both reports found that certain social and traditional media outlets intentionally present biased or misleading information to appeal to specific audiences and that this may be done to drive user engagement and platform profits, while also amplifying inaccuracies.

“This doesn’t just refer to the propagation of false or misleading information relating to climate change and energy, but also the deliberate manipulation of public discourse by multiple actors.

“Knowledge and information is power. When our information ecosystems are polluted by profit-driven tech platforms, fossil fuel corporations and other vested interests, this becomes an urgent and significant obstacle to the public’s ability to make educated and informed decisions.

“The Greens implore the Albanese government to act on the Select Committee’s recommendations. This includes implementing legislative or regulatory reform to identify psychosocial harms caused by mis and disinformation, and placing the onus of addressing these harms onto digital platforms while monitoring the effectiveness of their mitigations through regulatory and civic oversight.

Labor has squibbed it on gambling reform

Responding to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement on gambling ad reform at the Nation Press Club today, Greens spokesperson for communications Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Prime Minister has caved to the gambling lobby.

“Gambling ads will continue to flood online and blanket digital apps, ads linked to sport will stay on TV, and there’s no National Regulator to hold the gambling lobby accountable.

“It’s weak and gutless and leaves young Australians to be groomed by the gambling predators.

“This proposal is riddled with loopholes that will benefit the gambling companies and allow them to continue their insidious targeting.

“Genuine gambling reform has to take aim at the industry’s most harmful practices – including their predatory online advertising and inducements.

“What has been outlined today by the Prime Minister does not match the scale of reform desperately needed to take on the vultures in the gambling industry.

“Online platforms are now the frontline of gambling promotion, with younger Australians increasingly exposed. The only way to tackle this insidious industry head on is with a complete ban on gambling ads.

“The Greens will work through the details when we see the legislation and push for the protection Australian families deserve – but this announcement today doesn’t touch the sides.”

Prisons no longer able to surveil conversations between incarcerated people and lawyers

NSW will no longer have the power to surveil conversations between incarcerated people and legal practitioners, after a disallowance motion moved by Greens justice spokesperson Sue Higginson passed the Legislative Council with the support of the Opposition and the entire crossbench.

Members of Parliament, police, and legal practitioners are exempt from surveillance under regulation, meaning any phone calls or letters between those persons and inmates cannot be monitored or recorded. A regulation made earlier this year restricted the surveillance exemption to legal practitioners who gave legal advice to specific inmates.

The 2024 Inquiry into prison guard Wayne Astill’s sexual offending against female prisoners raised concerns that prison guards had “systematically” used information “gleaned from monitoring inmate calls, visits and letters as a means of intimidation”.

Greens MP, spokesperson for Justice and solicitor Sue Higginson said:

“Conversations between lawyers and incarcerated people should not be monitored by the state.

“Incarcerated people have a right to access lawyers free of state interference, lawyer and client confidentiality and legal professional privilege are important basic tenants of access to justice,

“Women in prison who were victims of Wayne Astill’s heinous sexual offending were terrified of raising their experiences because they knew prison guards were spying on their conversations with lawyers unlawfully. This practice has continued under the Minns Labor Government and Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong, and to date he has done nothing to protect the privacy of vulnerable people in custody, he has only made regulations that increase the risks of this happening again,

“The Minns Labor Government made a clumsy and authoritarian attempt to intercept conversations between lawyers and incarcerated people by regulation, but this attempt has failed after the parliament disallowed the regulation,”

“The ramifications of breaching legal professional privilege by spying on conversations with lawyers are severe. The Supreme Court has been clear that Courts can permanently stay any proceeding where a breach of legal professional privilege has been identified, meaning this regulation could have risked entire criminal cases being thrown out,

“I have no doubt that Corrective Services routinely spy on conversations that inmates have with me, even though Members of Parliament are also exempt from surveillance. Prison guards often retaliate against incarcerated people who are seeking my assistance with urgent health issues and matters of injustice,

“I have written to the Minister for Corrections raising these concerns and I have been ignored. It wasn’t until Minister Chanthivong was questioned by journalists that he gave any assurance that my allegations of unlawful conduct were being investigated. It shouldn’t be journalists’ job to persuade the Minister to do his job,”

“The Minister for Corrections is wilfully overseeing a system of rampant non-compliance with the law in which privileged conversations can be spied upon. His continued inaction has created a significant mess and he must act to clean it up, or the parliament and the press will keep doing it for him,” Ms Higginson said.

Take a journey to a Land of Lost Things this school holidays

A beloved children’s book will take centre stage during the April school holidays as City of Newcastle provides a range of activities to keep kids active and entertained.

The Civic Theatre is showcasing a new theatrical adaption of You & Me and the Land of Lost Things from writer Andy Griffiths and illustrator Bill Hope on 14 April, featuring a wild quest through a world of snapping turtles, flying socks, treasure-hungry pirates and a very anxious bull.

Nicholas Starte, Mym Kwa, Mathew Lee and Catherine Dominguez in the You & Me and the Land of Lost Things theatrical production. Photo credit: Phil ErbacherTo complement the production, Newcastle and Wallsend Libraries are offering illustration workshops on 7 and 8 April, while on 15 April a special event inspired by the book will offer participants the chance to learn basic navigation and map reading skills to take part in a treasure hunt.

At Newcastle Museum children can create their own version of the adventure gear that features in the popular children’s tale on 9 April, with participants also in the running to win a signed copy of the book.

Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee Chair Councillor Jenny Barrie said City of Newcastle is offering plenty of fun for families.

“City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities will be hubs of entertainment and education these school holidays for Novocastrians enjoying a staycation,” Cr Barrie said.

“The Civic Theatre has a range of options for children of all ages, including spectacular magic in Circus of Illusion, Hunter Drama’s Once Upon A One More Time at the Playhouse, a new live touring dance show called The Next Step: Legacy World Tour and a K-Pop Icons performance.

“City and Wallsend libraries have a packed scheduled, from LEGO challenges and hands-on workshops with a sea theme, to creative sessions that challenge Minecraft fans to build their own Model Newcastle inspired by the Newcastle Museum exhibition.”

There’s plenty more on offer at the Museum, including the ever-popular science shows, which will help children discover the structure of the Earth using custard and chocolate or allow them to test their knowledge of dinosaurs.

A two-day program called Marionette Melodrama will see recycled materials used to create a puppet with its own distinctive personality.

There’s also a writing workshop for teenagers and an upcycling session where participants can bring old clothes back to life.

Primary school children will have more than one reason to visit Newcastle Art Gallery with two different workshops running in the first and second week of the holidays.

Art Gallery educators will deliver ‘Frame It’ sessions where children can design and create their own frame box to explore how artists use the foreground, midground, and background to create stories in their works of art.

Inspired by collection artist Nell’s sculpture currently on display at the Gallery, the ‘Ghosty’ holiday workshops will give children the chance to create their own puppet, as well as a special case for Ghosty to live in and travel home safely.

For more information on all the school holiday activities visit The Civic Theatre, City of Newcastle Libraries, Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Art Gallery websites.