The Minns Labor Government is supporting prawn fishers and farmers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers affected by the detection of white spot in wild prawns with an additional financial assistance package of $4.5 million.
The package will assist impacted fishers to exit the industry and includes funding for voluntary share and business buyouts and business training to support those fishers in the region who decide to exit.
Over the last two years, the Minns Government has invested $21.4 million to respond to the outbreak, enhance biosecurity controls and support affected prawn fishers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers, with act-of-grace payments, business share buyouts, fee waivers, Crown Land rent waivers and mental health support services.
White spot is now considered established in wild prawn populations within the existing areas of detection in northern NSW and that has led to a new biosecurity control order enlarging the impacted area being declared and dated till 2030.
Prawn fishers in the control zone have restrictions on how they can move uncooked or unprocessed prawns outside the zone, and this will have considerable impact on their businesses.
Biosecurity control orders have been operating in the Northern Rivers of NSW since 2022. The objective of potentially being able to stand the control orders down has dissipated due to repeated positive testing for white spot within the coastal sea off those rivers.
The NSW Government has been undertaking testing, assisting industry, and advocating to the Commonwealth Government to determine if the national biosecurity approach could be modified when considering the need for a biosecurity control order for northern NSW region.
However, the impacts on national trade and standing within international trade led to a retaining of the existing requirement to maintain the restrictions within the control order.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“The Minns Government has provided significant financial support of more than $21 million to the prawn farming and fishing industry in northern NSW during the last few challenging years and this $4.5 million financial transition package demonstrates our continuing commitment.
“With white spot now confirmed as established in wild prawn populations in the affected areas, the NSW Government has developed this funding package to help fishing businesses transition out with financial buybacks, business retraining and other support measures.
“The NSW Government acknowledges this has been a challenging time for workers and businesses in the industry and I encourage them to utilise the available mental health and financial counselling.
“Consumers are assured that white spot does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.”
The Minns Labor Government is today launching an unprecedented intensive support program for women leaving prison that will bolster rehabilitation and reduce reoffending by providing support with accommodation and employment in the Hunter.
Generously funded with a donation from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation, the new residential facility will provide wrap-around support for women leaving custody, helping them rebuild their lives to prevent crime.
The program will provide six months of pre-release support to eligible women with a focus on identifying and addressing their post-release needs and provide practical supports.
This includes securing stable housing, navigating full-time employment, as well as obtaining identity documents and accessing vital services such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Support in these areas can strongly promote reintegration into the community and prevent entrenchment in the criminal justice system.
Education and skills training play an important role in reducing recidivism, with BOCSAR data from 2021 revealing that 12 months after inmate trainees were released from custody, there was a 45 per cent reduction in property offending among all groups of trainees.
Following release, the program offers support for up to two years with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It acknowledges their disproportionate representation in custody and unique barriers to reintegration.
The service will be delivered through a partnership between Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) and not-for-profit Embrace People & Place (Embrace).
Work has already begun to prepare eligible women for the program, with the first cohort to be housed at the facility in 2026.
This site was a former Periodic Detention Centre aimed at re-skilling minimum-security inmates before being refurbished by Corrective Services NSW into an accommodation facility. The program is largely funded by a donation from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation that has committed to providing $5.7 million over three years for its operation.
This collaborative initiative delivers on the Government’s commitment to exploring new pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration for women in custody, taking into account their unique experiences and needs.
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“This innovative collaboration demonstrates the Government’s commitment to keeping our communities safe by enhancing rehabilitative outcomes and reducing reoffending.
“We need to offer initiatives that acknowledge and respond to the unique experiences of women who enter custody.
“We know that women’s pathways to criminal behaviour are often a result of abuse, disadvantage and trauma – and this project will support community safety in an effective and meaningful way.
“I welcome the Ian & Shirley Foundation’s contribution, and I wholeheartedly thank them for their ongoing support in this important project.”
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP said:
“Women in prison are already disproportionately impacted by intergenerational trauma, poverty and domestic, family and sexual violence. When women leave prison it’s very difficult for them to find a positive path without the right support.
“This is an important pilot program which will give women in the Hunter, a second chance to build a better future. Our government is proudly partnering and investing to break the cycle of recidivism, improve outcomes and create stronger, safer communities.”
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM said:
“Improving outcomes for women in custody is one of my key priorities as Commissioner, and this program represents a significant opportunity for collaboration between CSNSW and Embrace to support vulnerable woman and aid their rehabilitation.”
Embrace People & Place Founder and Chair Tracy Norman said:
“At Embrace People & Place, our values centre on dignity, connection and possibility for every person in our region. We have built the Women in Community program because it reflects exactly what we stand for — creating pathways for people to rebuild, reconnect and belong.
“Supporting women as they return to community life isn’t just the right thing to do, it strengthens the whole region and embodies the kind of compassionate, empowered Hunter we believe in.”
Embrace People & Place Chief Executive Officer Coralie Nichols said:
“The Women in Community program is about giving women leaving prison the support they need to return to community life with dignity and confidence.
“By providing safe accommodation, employment pathways and wraparound support, we’re helping women make positive choices and build the lives they want for themselves.”
The Minns Labor Government is today announcing permanent toll relief in the form of the $60 weekly toll cap so hundreds of thousands of motorists, especially in the car-reliant areas of Western Sydney and the Central Coast, can keep more money in their pockets every week.
A decade of privatisation by the former Liberal-National Government handed control of Sydney’s roads to private interests and sent toll bills skyrocketing.
Sydney became the most-tolled city on earth and the Liberals left motorists with a $195 billion toll bill out to 2060. That is why we committed to toll reform that puts the motorist first and no more privatisation.
$60 weekly toll cap
Since it was introduced in January 2024, $211.4 million has been returned to drivers, including in the western, north-western and south-western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Auburn, Bankstown, Merrylands, Marsden Park, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill and Kellyville and Lakemba.
More than 680,000 claims have been made under the $60 cap. In Blacktown alone, over $3.5 million has been paid out to 9,400 drivers, closely followed by Baulkham Hills where $3.2 million has been paid out.
The cap is delivering real, targeted relief for commuters with the highest toll burden and the least access to viable public transport options.
Two-way tolling
To ensure the toll cap is sustainable and fairer for the long term, the NSW Government will proceed with the introduction of two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and
Tunnel when the Western Harbour Tunnel, which will be tolled in both directions, opens in late 2028 – continuing the direction set under the former Liberal government.
We know tolls put a huge financial burden on people who can least afford them. The Minns Labor Government will put net revenue from two-way tolling into funding the weekly toll cap to ensure no one pays more than $60 a week on tolls regardless of where they live.
This corrects long-standing inequity: Western Sydney motorists pay rising tolls in both directions on all their motorways year after year, while tolls on the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel are one-way and did not increase once between 2009 and 2023.
Toll Administration Fees and Direct Deal Update
Today, the Minns Labor Government can update on significant progress on toll reform out of ongoing Direct Deal negotiations with private toll road concessionaires.
Negotiations have cleared the way for administration fees on toll notices to be scrapped from mid-2026 as part of an overhaul of the enforcement process of unpaid tolls.
Getting a cluster of toll notices in the post with multiple admin fees has been one of the big frustrations of drivers over decades.
In the 2024-25 financial year, 46 million toll notices with administration fees totalling $618 million were issued in relation to unpaid tolls on the Sydney toll road network.
The private toll road concessionaires have also agreed to return to the NSW Government any additional toll revenue generated by toll relief rather than benefiting from increased traffic volumes as a result of the toll cap.
Negotiations are also ongoing on some motorway pricing changes.
Concessionaires have indicated a willingness to agree to the Government’s positions and commitments on both these initiatives. Negotiations will complete in early to mid-2026, and while they progress well, a deal will not be struck unless the NSW drivers and taxpayers are the winners.
With the establishment of NSW Motorways, the NSW Government is already reorienting the toll system to being customer-first. From Monday, registered motorists will receive the first digital reminders when a toll goes unpaid, giving them the chance to pay even before a toll notice is sent out in the post.
A Fairer Tolling System for NSW
The toll cap means no driver will pay more than $60 a week (up to the fair-use limit of $400 per tag/licence plate). To ensure no misuse of the toll cap, a $5000 annual limit is also being introduced.
Drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips are encouraged to visit the Service NSW website, link your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account and claim if eligible.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Eradicating toll admin fees will save motorists significant money. This is part of reorienting the entire system to put motorists first.
“Two-way tolling on the harbour crossings was made necessary when the Liberals decided the Western Harbour Tunnel would be tolled in both directions. The difference is we are committing the extra revenue to ongoing toll relief, which is most needed in Western Sydney.
“This all comes back to fairness. If you live in Western Sydney, you have been paying tolls in both directions and seeing them rise with frustrating regularity. If you only use the Harbour Bridge or Tunnel you have paid in one direction and the toll has almost never gone up.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“Making the $60 toll cap permanent, provides certainty and fairness for those who rely on toll roads for travel. Extending the cap also comes with the New Year, when a new round of toll relief is ready to be claimed to help people when they need it the most.
“This new round of funding is waiting to be returned to you by visiting the Service NSW website and claiming your rebate.
The $60 toll cap continues to benefit regular toll road users across the state and in particular, western Sydney by ensuring there is relief for those who are hit hardest by tolls.”
“If you are regularly travelling on toll roads, I encourage you to visit the Service NSW website to see if you’re eligible and make a claim.”
Acting Chief Executive of NSW Motorways, Camilla Drover said:
“NSW Motorways is working to simplify a complex tolling system and we are pleased to lock in the certainty of ongoing toll relief for motorists.”
“We are working closely with concessionaires to drive a better deal for motorists across Sydney and have secured toll road concessionaires agreement on reforms to rebuild and restore the public’s confidence in the system.”
The top 20 suburbs by the claims paid amount, as at 8 December 2025
Suburb
Claims Paid
Claims Paid Amount
Average Paid Amount
Blacktown
9,438
$3,537,818
$375
Baulkham Hills
9,315
$3,298,520
$354
Auburn
4,980
$3,168,322
$636
Merrylands
6,226
$2,974,565
$478
Marsden Park
6,501
$2,750,040
$423
Castle Hill
7,754
$2,680,449
$346
Quakers Hill
6,423
$2,258,281
$352
Lakemba
3,313
$2,144,030
$647
Kellyville
6,398
$2,019,277
$316
Bankstown
4,063
$1,921,795
$473
Greystanes
5,512
$1,810,331
$328
West Pennant Hills
4,326
$1,738,658
$402
Punchbowl
3,412
$1,672,701
$490
Carlingford
3,912
$1,491,325
$381
Glenwood
4,264
$1,459,732
$342
Schofields
4,012
$1,453,976
$362
Maroubra
5,129
$1,415,520
$276
Wiley Park
2,444
$1,371,553
$561
Cherrybrook
3,438
$1,366,263
$397
Seven Hills
3,777
$1,362,829
$361
The top 20 LGAs by the claims paid amount, as at 8 December 2025
The Minns Labor Government has exceeded its target of selling 42 flood buyback houses before Christmas after 60 people attended the last auction in Lismore overnight, with sale prices ranging from $7000 to $25,500.
One hundred and thirty buyback properties have now been offered for sale in the Northern Rivers since December last year, capturing nationwide attention. In October a Christmas target of offering 42 houses up for sale was set and then exceeded by three houses at the 11th auction for the year.
PRD Lismore auctioned off 10 homes at the Lismore Workers Sports Club at Goonellabah on Tuesday night, attracting 30 registered bidders, including four phone bidders. All 10 properties sold for a total value of $140,300. The highlights included:
20 Rhodes Street, South Lismore: $25,500
30 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,100
95 Crown Street, South Lismore: $12,000
85 Elliott Street, South Lismore: $7000
61 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $8500
51 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,000
49 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $11,000
34 Elliott Road, South Lismore: $6200
25 Crown Street, South Lismore: $22,500
12 Crown Street, South Lismore: $15,500.
Eleven buyback auctions have been held with the first Casino sale last weekend where two houses were sold for $500 and $8605 respectively.
It’s been a year of firsts with the auction program with high interest in the bargains sales, including one house for $1, and the most expensive house going for $200,000. It wasn’t just the prices, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia, generating nationwide attention.
All homes earmarked for relocation have been purchased by the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the buyback stream of the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments.
All house owners will now have until the end of 2026 to relocate their property to flood-free land. Every property is unique, with homeowners expecting relocation costs upwards of $100,000 depending on the property.
The auction program will pause over Christmas and resume in early 2026.
All NSW proceeds from the home sales (after costs) are reinvested into the Resilient Homes Program to support more flood-affected residents.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said: “I asked the NSW Reconstruction Authority to supercharge these flood buyback auctions as they have proved extremely popular.
“Seeing young families and first-home buyers walk away with keys to a safer future is incredibly uplifting.
“These homes are part of our shared history, and the fact they can now be repurposed and relocated to flood-free land gives our community real hope.
“This program has always been about people, not price and giving these houses a second life and delivering safer housing opportunities for our community.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority A/Head, Adaptation, Mitigation & Reconstruction Kristie Clarke said: “We’ve had some great stories, including families who have become first-time homeowners thanks to this initiative.
“One hundred and thirty homes have been offered for sale and eventual relocation. This is an amazing outcome, and we will be back with more homes in the New Year.”
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to support communities affected by recent bushfires, announcing today that recovery hubs will be established and hardship payments made available for individuals and families whose homes were destroyed or damaged or who are facing severe hardship due to the recent fires.
Recovery Hubs will be open in Woy Woy and Buledelah this Friday 12 December with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Vinnies, Salvation Army, Legal Aid, Red Cross and GIVIT, on hand to provide personal support to impacted communities.
The Minns Labor Government is partnering with local charities to deliver personal hardship payments of $900 to households where their home has been destroyed or severely damaged and up to $180 for households experiencing hardship as a result of the bushfires.
Recovery support is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Natural disaster declarations have been announced for seven Local Government Areas – Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, Dubbo and Lake Macquarie, with emergency services and local councils working alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority to confirm the extent of damage and ensure residents can access help as quickly as possible.
Residents, businesses, primary producers and councils in the declared LGAs are now able to access a range of support including:
Emergency accommodation and essential support for people whose homes have been damaged
Clean up assistance for eligible property owners
Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace essential household items and undertake structural repairs needed to make homes safe and habitable
Freight subsidies to move livestock and fodder and small business and primary producer low interest loans
Assistance for councils and emergency services for counter disaster operations and essential public asset repairs
Information, including how to apply for payments and support for impacted communities, can be found by visiting a Recovery Hub or at nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deploy personnel and resources into impacted communities as the full extent of damage and support needs becomes clearer.
Community members wishing to support impacted residents can donate through GIVIT, which is coordinating goods, services and financial donations on behalf of the NSW Government to ensure help reaches communities in need. Visit givit.org.au for more information.
Central Coast Recovery Hub
Location: Peninsula Community Centre, 98 McMasters Rd, Woy Woy
Open: 1pm to 5pm – Friday 12 December
Support services: NSW Reconstruction Authority, Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Vinnies, Legal Aid NSW
Bulahdelah Recovery Assistance Point
Location: Bulahdelah School of Arts, 76 Crawford Street, Bulahdelah
“These communities have faced fast moving and destructive fires, and our focus right now is making sure people have somewhere safe to stay and can access the essential support they need.
“Teams are on the ground working with combat agencies and councils to confirm damage to homes, businesses and public assets and support is already being delivered across all seven LGAs.”
The Minns Labor Government has enabled one of the world’s largest land transformation projects to get underway finalising the rezoning of BlueScope’s Port Kembla site to pave the way for a new high-tech precinct.
The Port Kembla Land Transformation Precinct, which matches the size of Sydney’s CBD, has been rezoned to deliver a future-focused hub that will support up to 20,000 jobs on top of the more than 10,000 jobs supported by the steelworks, and will help to drive Wollongong’s economic growth for decades to come.
This ambitious transformation began with the state’s first Cabinet-endorsed Working Group and has been finalised in just 7 months since being called in as a state-assessed rezoning in April.
The 200-hectare precinct will attract new industries across advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, sustainability-focused technology, education, creative sectors, data and logistics which will help position the Illawarra as a leader in next-generation industry.
The rezoning received an overwhelming positive response when put on public exhibition with 90% of the 209 submissions providing positive comments about the benefits of the project, including increased economic growth, new jobs, and improved public transport links.
The ongoing operations of the steelworks and the port will continue uninterrupted, with existing infrastructure and transport connections at the site to be leveraged to support new development.
The precinct will be developed in stages over the next 20 to 30 years. Development applications will be lodged for individual sites as these are progressed.
The Minns Labor Government fast-tracked the rezoning through a State Assessed Rezoning Proposal process, recognising its strategic importance for the region and the state.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“This is both one of the world’s largest land transformation and the biggest change to Illawarra’s industrial landscape since steelmaking commenced nearly 100 years ago.
“The finalisation of the rezoning enables the precinct to become a hub of innovation bringing up to 20 000 new jobs, new industries and opportunities to Wollongong, shaping our economy for the coming decades.
“This project will deliver major opportunities for not only Wollongong but the entire state and it’s clear the community recognise the importance as their strong community support has helped it move through the planning system in just 7 months.”
BlueScope Head of Property Development Michael Yiend said:
“The rezoning of Port Kembla’s non-operational land is a game-changer for the Illawarra, unlocking new possibilities for investment and development.
“We would like to thank Minister Scully and the NSW Government for supporting this accelerated pathway to rezoning. The community’s positive feedback has played a vital role in shaping the outcome, and we express our appreciation to the community for their support.
“We were overwhelmed to have received over 200 supportive submissions for the project while on public exhibition, with only 4 opposing. It is rare to have this level of alignment and support across industry, government, business and the community.”
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitments to protect human rights in government supply chains by issuing a Ministerial Direction that will require NSW Government agencies to take stronger action to address modern slavery risks.
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos has directed all NSW Government agencies to include modern slavery tender clauses in procurement categories identified as ‘high risk’. It will come into effect next month with a six month transition period, giving agencies time to adjust their procurement processes.
This means that any supplier bidding for high-risk government contracts will need to clearly demonstrate the steps they are taking to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
It demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to improving procurement practices to address modern slavery.
Model clauses have been designed by the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner as a resource for agencies implementing the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner’s Guidance on Reasonable Steps. Agencies will have flexibility in how they comply – such as using supplier assessment questionnaires – while ensuring the Direction’s effectiveness.
This reform reflects collaboration between the NSW Procurement Board and the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner. The Minns Labor Government has already delivered significant reforms to protect human rights in procurement, including:
Strengthening the Supplier Code of Conduct to clarify expectations on modern slavery and human rights.
Rolling out education modules on managing modern slavery risks to more than 4,000 government personnel.
Supporting 20 of 22 recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into procurement, including mandating modern slavery clauses and incorporating modern slavery standards into compliance checks.
Implementing the Guidance on Reasonable Steps and develop practical tools such as the Inherent Risk Identification Tool.
Committing to the establishment of a debarment regime to ban suppliers engaging in serious misconduct from doing business with the NSW Government.
The Ministerial Direction is part of a broader procurement reform agenda that includes increasing the threshold at which government agencies can award contracts to small businesses without going to tender to $250,000 and mandating local market testing for government contracts above $7.5 million.
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:
“The NSW Government is committed to addressing modern slavery risks in our supply chains. This Direction is an important outcome of the Government’s ongoing work with the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner.
“The NSW Government spends around $40 billion on goods and services each year. This buying power gives us a unique opportunity to influence supply chains, demand ethical practices, and dismantle systems of exploitation.
“Job creation should go hand-in-hand with ethical sourcing. We want to see new jobs that are sustainable, and supply chains managing the risk of exploitation.”
NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner Dr James Cockayne said:
“This Direction is an important step towards establishing NSW as a model contracting party on anti-slavery issues. It will help NSW Government entities take reasonable steps to manage modern slavery risks in their supply-chains.
“Mandating the Model Tender Clauses for high-risk procurements means that agencies must, from 1 July next year, assess suppliers against the Guidance on Reasonable Steps I issued two years ago.
“I look forward to continuing to work with NSW Government to further progress implementation of this Guidance, including in contracting, in months ahead.”
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have secured important improvements to Labor’s Workers Compensation proposals.
The outcome balances three imperatives: affordability for employers, protection for injured workers, and long-term sustainability of the scheme.
Significantly the agreement will see: · iCare premiums frozen at the current rate for 18 months · Improved protections for the most injured workers with an additional 12 months of medical benefits and income support and · Increased funding for return-to-work programs, including retraining, mentoring and specialist case workers Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said from the outset the NSW Liberals and Nationals mounted a case against Labor’s original plan to cut entitlements for injured workers, particularly those with permanent psychological injuries.
“Our consistent position has been that reform should focus on the front end of the scheme, targeting rorts, inefficiencies, and poor return-to-work outcomes that drive premium increases and productivity losses. That remains our position today,” Ms Sloane said.
However, prolonged uncertainty was no longer sustainable.
“Small businesses and charities should not be heading into Christmas facing unknown premium shocks, and injured workers must have certainty of support and recovery pathways. NSW must also have a sustainable Workers Compensation system,” Ms Sloane said.
“As new Leader, my priority was to reset negotiations with the Treasurer to stabilise premiums for business while strengthening protections for workers with psychological injuries,” she said.
“Neither side achieved everything it sought. But this agreement represents a clear and material improvement on the Government’s original position.”
Ms Sloane said the resolved framework delivers stronger protections for the most seriously injured workers, including enhanced return-to-work support and increased access to medical benefits.
The arrangements will remain in place while the State’s Chief Psychiatrist develops a new, clinically robust test for permanent psychological injury.
However, Ms Sloane made clear the Opposition does not endorse Labor’s broader handling of the workers compensation system.
“This agreement resolves immediate instability, but it does not fix the underlying structural weaknesses in the scheme,” she said.
“The Opposition does not support the Government’s overall approach, and we remain committed to pursuing meaningful, long-term structural reform to ensure NSW has a Workers Compensation system that is fair, compassionate, and financially sound.”
“We will continue to hold the Government to account until that reform is delivered.”
NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said this deal is a win for business, and a win for injured workers.
“Small business is the lifeblood of regional NSW, and right now they’re doing it tough. Premiums have increased significantly under the Minns Labor Government, putting pressure on bottom lines,” Mr Singh said.
“The Liberal and Nationals amendments put a firm limit in the legislation, making sure the government can’t approve any rise in premiums. It’s a safeguard for employers and a reminder that affordability must stay front and centre.
“More work is needed to shield businesses from bogus claims, but our amendments give employers some certainty as we head into the Christmas period.”
Under the NSW Liberals and Nationals proposal, the NSW Government has agreed to the following: 1. The Whole Person Impairment (WPI) thresholds at 25% (in July 2026) rather than the original 31% proposed by the Government. 2. The reasonable management action defence may be triggered where it is the significant cause of injury. 3. A legislated restriction on iCare premiums, under which no average premium increases may be approved. Existing premium settings will apply with no additional increase. 4. A legislated cap on iCare premiums, which will sunset in 18 months, by which time the Chief Psychiatrist’s report is expected to be completed. 5. The Treasurer will be given a regulation-making power to adjust the WPI threshold to present settings below the legislated cap where it is in the public interest. 6. The establishment of a new “Return to Work Intensive” year, under which a worker with 7. WPI above 20% but below the maximum WPI threshold will receive: 1. An additional 52 weeks of medical benefits 2. An additional 52 weeks of income replacement at 60% of PIAWE 3. Appropriate training, mentoring, and other supports to facilitate a return to work 8. Increased funding for return-to-work programs, including retraining, mentoring, and specialist case workers. 9. The development of a successor program to Business Connect with a comparable budget, informed by expert consultation.
The “mutual obligations” system, familiar to anyone who has been on JobSeeker, forces hundreds of thousands of people to participate in harmful and time-wasting activities which do nothing to help people find work, but cost taxpayers billions in contracts to private providers to administer every year.
Today’s Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report into the Targeted Compliance Framework (which operationalises “mutual obligations”) found that privatised employment service providers regularly make inappropriate decisions resulting in a high rate of decisions being overturned, that oversight of job service agencies is poor and lacking in transparency, that communications about income support penalties from DEWR are misleading.
The Ombudsman also affirmed the pointlessness of this punishing and costly system, citing evidence that there are not enough jobs for majority of JobSeekers:
“Stigmatisation of unsuccessful job seekers as people who are reluctant to accept employment may contribute to the limited oversight of providers and possible narrow administration of the program, despite the evidence telling us that the majority of the 652,300 current job seekers are in fact unlikely to find ongoing employment no matter how hard they try, given that current unemployment in Australia is close to the natural level of unemployment with respect to the inflation rate.” (p5)
Under mutual obligations, over a hundred thousand income support suspensions are issued by private providers each month, with dismal accountability and at arms length from the government. 321,995 payment suspensions have been inflicted on 205,870 JobSeekers under this system between May and July of this year alone (14:56)
In Senate Estimates in October, the Minister for Youth Jess Walsh, representing the Minister for Employment, refused to say she had confidence that the system was operating lawfully (14:52). Yet thousands of decisions to take essential payments away from JobSeekers continue under this system every day.
Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Social Services:
“Today’s report confirms what any JobSeeker already knows: the ‘mutual obligations’ system is pointless, cruel, and rather than helping people, treats people on income support as disposable.”
“For too long, dodgy companies like Sarina Russo and APM have cashed in millions of dollars on the outsourcing of massive parts of our welfare system.”
“Private job agencies take food off the table of thousands of JobSeekers with almost no accountability, transparency or oversight, and meanwhile Labor doesn’t seem to care if the system is even lawful.”
“Nothing in this report will fix the rotten soul of this system, which grants dodgy private job agencies extraordinary power over people’s lives with no oversight or accountability. The mutual obligations system needs to be abolished.”
“We can’t keep punishing people for not finding jobs which don’t actually exist.”
The Minns Government’s new Drought Coordinator has hit the ground running and will play a key role in strengthening support for communities in southern NSW most affected by drought.
In addition, the NSW Government is also launching a major direct electronic mail, print, radio and social media campaign designed to ensurefarmers and communities in southern NSW are aware of the drought support available from both the State and Federal Governments.
Ray Willis has stepped into the role of Drought Coordinator and brings extensive experience and local knowledge as the General Manager of Riverina Local Land Services.
By hearing firsthand about local drought impacts and the challenges communities face, he will provide on-ground feedback to government, helping to ensure support meets local needs.
Since being appointed in late November, he has met with several key stakeholders, including Snowy Valleys Council, the Drought Innovation Hub and representatives from the Rural Financial Counselling Service and a range of financial institutions.
Over the coming weeks and months, community members can expect the Drought Coordinator to be travelling across southern NSW, attending local events, convening roundtables, and working closely with service providers to strengthen support networks.
He will also bring together government agencies to improve collaboration and enhance how information on drought support is communicated with communities.
In addition to the appointment of the Drought Coordinator the Minns Government will, over the coming weeks, undertake a major communications campaign focused on ensuring farmers, businesses and locals have a full understanding of both Federal and State drought support available.
The communications will include:
Radio and print advertising: A two-week campaign commencing in January to raise awareness of drought support.
Social media campaign: Running from 15 December through January and February, highlighting government assistance available to communities.
Direct mail outreach: A special edition electronic mailout sent to 7,864 recipients in the Riverina and Murray regions, providing detailed information on drought support and outlining the role of the Drought Coordinator.
Local Land Services offices: Drought support flyers available in offices to ensure information is accessible at the community level.
Support available for farmers through the NSW Government includes:
Low-interest loans through the $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund
Farm management tools like MyStockPlanner designed to assist farmers manage variable pasture nutrition, a key challenge in a green drought.
On-ground support and advice is available through Local Land Services including the Drought Adoption Officer Program.
Better recognition of drought conditions through the Seasonal Conditions Monitoring Program.
Mental health services such as the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
$41.5 million has been allocated 2025-26 Budget to support research and development, with a key priority to improve climate resilience.
Co-funded resilience programs including the Farm Business Resilience Program and Regional Drought Resilience Program.
Access to a range of other online resources through the NSW DroughtHub.
The Drought Coordinator has been appointed for six months initially. However, the role may extend and expand its reach as needed into other parts of NSW as drought conditions evolve.
Those interested in reaching out and engaging with the Drought Coordinator can contact drought@lls.nsw.gov.au.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting rural and regional communities in times of drought and has a wide range of support available for farmers.
“The appointment of a Drought Coordinator is one way we’re making sure that impacted communities have a direct line to government about the challenges they’re facing and how support can better meet their needs.
“Our major communication campaign will also ensure everyone who needs to know is fully across the drought assistance that is on offer.
“Ray will provide regular updates on local conditions, highlight emerging issues and challenges, and share advice based off community experience and local expertise to help shape government decision-making.”
Drought Coordinator Ray Willis said:
“Having a dedicated drought coordinator on the ground to serve impacted regions across NSW is another touchpoint for landholders to access the help they need to get through these challenging times.”
“I look forward to meeting and listening to as many farmers, stakeholders and service providers as possible to hear their perspective of the challenges they face and better inform government of the types of assistance and information required to get them through these dry times.”
