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Tomorrow, Chris Minns, and Daniel Mookhey will hand down their third state budget — while declaring the previous 10 years of progress in New South Wales a mistake.

Last week their government dismissed a decade of delivery, change and transformational infrastructure as “vanity” and they’re now asking households across NSW to believe that doing less, building slower and dreaming smaller is a vision for the future.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government is not focused on your mortgage, your children’s future or the services people rely on — they’re focused on rewriting history.

“The former Coalition Government delivered a decade of leadership, with record investment in health, housing, education, and the infrastructure that makes our lives work,” Mr Speakman said. 

“That decade changed NSW — this budget risks wasting it.”

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said what Labor calls “vanity” is what millions of families depend on every day.

“What this Labor Government calls ‘vanity’ is what delivered jobs, trains, schools, and hospitals for millions of families across NSW.

“They want to cancel the future and rewrite the past. But parents doing the school run, households trying to get ahead, and workers stuck in traffic don’t have the luxury of Labor’s no ideas for change,” Mr Tudehope said. 

After 2 years in power, the Minns Labor Government still can’t explain how they’ll make housing more affordable, how they’ll fix emergency departments, or how they’ll deliver the next wave of opportunity.

This budget is their chance, but it’s also their test.

NSW can’t afford a government that governs by press conference and always fails to deliver. 

Families deserve leadership — not reannouncements and lectures.

Spectators were treated to a thrilling display of world-class netball on Sunday, as a sell-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans packed Ken Rosewall Arena to witness the best athletes in New South Wales go head-to-head in the highly anticipated Suncorp Super Netball Derby between the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.  NSW Minister for Sport, the Honourable Stephen Kamper MP, delivered the match ball on court and addressed guests at a pre-game function, where he spoke about the importance of netball, it’s amazing female role models and the power of sport to connect and strengthen communities.  “Today is a celebration of the incredible growth and power of women’s sport in New South Wales,” Minister Kamper said. “The NSW Netball Derby is more than just a game — it’s a celebration of the state’s fiercest athletes and most passionate fans. It’s a showcase of skill, heart, and the unifying power of sport.” Looking ahead to the 2027 Netball World Cup, to be hosted in Sydney, the Minister highlighted the long-term impact of the event. “The 2027 Netball World Cup will be a defining moment for Australian sport. It’s not just about hosting the world’s best—it’s about creating real, lasting impact. The future of netball and women’s sport has never been brighter. We have seen unprecedented participation across the last few years. Including a record 2024 for Netball NSW, with the largest number of participant registrations in the organisation’s near 100-year history.” In a strong show of support, Netball NSW was also honoured to host Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, along with Members of Parliament Felicity Wilson, Donna Davis, Eleni Petinos, Tim James, David Harris, and Jodie Harrison.

Netball NSW Chief Executive Tracey Scott welcomed the Minister’s remarks and the presence of government representatives, noting the significance of the occasion.  “It’s inspiring to see our sport celebrated on such a grand stage, with the support of our state leaders and a crowd that reflects the strength of our netball community,” she said.   “We’re incredibly grateful to the Minister and all MPs in attendance for recognising the power of netball and the role it plays in shaping lives.”   While the Swifts and GIANTS delivered a fierce contest on court, the Swifts won 75 – 66, the 20th NSW Derby became something even more—a powerful moment of unity, purpose and pride in women’s sport.

Two much awaited Hunter Valley projects have received a major boost in this year’s State Budget, with the Thornton Bridge duplication project to receive an additional $35 million to get on with construction.

The additional $35 million in new funding for Thornton Bridge builds on existing funding of $15 million in previous State Budgets to kickstart planning work, making a total commitment of $50 million from the Minns Labor Government.

This is on top of $100 million to deliver a Westbound Overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland, recently committed by the Albanese Labor Government to enable major work to be undertaken.

These projects are prime examples of the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments getting on with providing fast growing communities facing traffic congestion with the new and widened roads they need.

When delivered, the Thornton Bridge project will ease congestion and expand access to Thornton Road which is an essential flood-free route for local residents during natural disasters.

Transport for NSW are currently carrying out early works, which includes surveying the road surface of Thornton Road and Railway Avenue between Huntingdale Drive and Glenroy Street that will help inform a design solution for the project.

Thornton Bridge is one of the many vital regional road projects that the former Coalition government failed to complete in 12 years. Instead, the former government removed the cap on development north of the bridge, allowing more homes to be built without committing more funding to regional infrastructure.

The NSW Government has quickly added the recent commitment by the Australian Government of $100 million to deliver a westbound overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland Station into its forward program of road projects.

Early investigation work has been completed by Transport for NSW, so work can begin quickly when design scoping is complete and construction contracts signed. The Hunter is the most populous area of regional NSW, with more than one million people living in the region.

These projects add to a long list of improvements to major road projects in the Hunter Region to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and bolster road safety. This includes:

• the Singleton bypass
• the Muswellbrook bypass
• upgrades to the New England Highway
• the Golden Highway upgrade projects
• Newcastle Inner City Bypass
• extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace
• widening of Hexham Straight to connect journeys from M1/Hunter Expressway through to the Port of Newcastle
• Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm Upgrade
• other intersection and road upgrades.

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering the roads infrastructure that the Hunter Valley community needs.

“This is a fast-growing community that needs new and improved road links to bust congestion and improve safety.

“The Liberals and Nationals prioritised building massive toll roads in Sydney at the expense of regional roads but the Minns Government is determined to get important regional infrastructure back on track.

“Peak hour congestion around Thornton Bridge is so bad it is like a massive car park. This will be a game changer for the community connecting people to home, work and essential services.

“When the eastern overpass of the Maitland Station roundabout opened in 2016, I said it was a job half-done. I am delighted that the Australian Government has stepped in to support the NSW Government to deliver this essential project.”

NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, said:

“The Hunter is quickly becoming one of the best places to live, work and play– and that means we need smart, future-ready infrastructure to keep up – something the Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering.

“We’re focused on the essentials like safer roads, stronger bridges and upgraded intersections that locals use every single day – cutting congestion, boosting safety and making life easier for everyone.

“We’re already delivering major projects like the Singleton Bypass, the Muswellbrook Bypass, the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace – and this is just another step forward in getting it done for our communities.”

Federal MP for Paterson Meryl Swanson said:

“The Westbound Overpass project will improve safety, reduce congestion, and make travel easier for families and businesses.

“It will be a game-changer for daily commuters, finishing what was left incomplete and give Maitland the infrastructure it deserves.

“This is about the safe travel of local residents, businesses, and tourists and maintaining vital links in our community.”

The Minns Labor Government will introduce amendments to the Member for Wakehurst’s Private Member’s Bill next week, which would enable the NSW Government, if required, to terminate the Northern Beaches PPP contract as if a hospital operator default had occurred.

This follows the appointment of receivers to the parent entities of Healthscope, which the NSW Government considers a default under the contract. 

It is the preference of the NSW Government that agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be reached with Healthscope and its receivers.

However, the Government must be able to act decisively to avoid a prolonged dispute for members of the Northern Beaches community, staff working at the hospital and for NSW taxpayers.

If a mutual agreement is not reached, the proposed amendments would give the Health Minister the power to issue a termination notice to Healthscope. In addition, the Treasurer would have the power to ensure that compensation negotiations occur in a reasonable time frame and to appoint an independent person to determine compensation if agreement cannot be reached.

The alternative to this approach is for the NSW Government to exercise its voluntary termination rights.  Under the PPP contract signed by the Liberal Party, this would see compensation to Healthscope’s receivers and lenders run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. 

The government’s legislative approach will ensure there are no windfall gains to Healthscope or its receivers.

Discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing, and we are hopeful of a productive outcome.

NSW Health will continue to work closely with Healthscope to ensure that patient safety and continuity of services at the Northern Beaches Hospital will not be compromised as negotiations continue.

The Minns Labor Government passed legislation earlier this month banning any repeat of the failed Northern Beaches PPP model in acute care, ensuring that the Liberals’ privatisation of acute public hospitals never happens again.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is not a decision we take lightly.

“But we are now in a position where the Liberal’s privatisation mess means Healthscope’s receivers are negotiating the future of the Northern Beaches Hospital.

“While an agreed exit from this failed PPP contract remains my preference – I must ensure the government has the right to step in and protect the Northern Beaches community from this dragging on.

“I thank the local Independent Members Michael Regan and Jacqui Scruby for their passion and advocacy.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“We’ve made it clear from the very beginning that we don’t support this sort of arrangement.

“This is a complex contract but the community deserves certainty.

“The other mob may have created this mess, but we are going to be the ones to clean it up.”

The Minns Labor Government and Randwick City Council are getting on with the job of fixing Coogee Beach’s long-standing water quality issues, delivering $7 million to clean up one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches.

Locals and visiting beachgoers alike are set to benefit as the Government continues work to ensure that local communities don’t just have the essential services and housing they need, but thriving environments and free recreational spaces to enjoy.

Locals have known for years that stormwater pollution has been letting Coogee down, with Beachwatch consistently rating the beach as ‘Poor’. The 2025-2026 state budget includes $3 million to deliver this project in partnership with Randwick City Council and Sydney Water.

The Minns Labor Government are pushing ahead with the upgrade with works set to begin this year, with the construction of a new pump station and pressure mains.

Once complete, stormwater will be diverted away from Coogee and discharged further offshore. That means no more stormwater flowing across the beach after every downpour, significantly improving water quality and reducing public health risks.

This is about making Coogee swimmable all year round and delivering the water quality that locals, families and visitors expect from a world-class beach.

This is a vital investment in critical public infrastructure that will improve the environment, protect public health and make one of Sydney’s greatest beaches even better.

Rose Jackson, Minister for Water:

“People love Coogee but they’re rightly sick of the impacts of pollution when it rains. This is an overdue fix to a problem that’s been ignored for too long.

“We’re putting an end to this shitty situation once and for all so everyone can enjoy one the best beaches in the world.

“We’re delivering the public infrastructure locals deserve, clean water, safe swimming and a beach the community can be proud of.”

Marjorie O’Neill, Member for Coogee:

“This is a win for our community, who have long called for action to clean up Coogee Beach. I’m proud to have worked alongside residents, council and Sydney Water to secure this investment and deliver real improvements to one of the best beaches in the world.

“Improving water quality isn’t just about the environment—it’s about public health, it’s about tourism, and it’s about ensuring one of NSW’s most iconic beaches lives up to its name every day of the year.”

Mayor of Randwick, Dylan Parker:

“Coogee Beach is not only a popular coastal destination for visitors; it holds a special place in the hearts of local residents.

“This project will address a long-standing issue important to our local community, delivering a better experience for everyone at the beach and in the water, and is a significant step towards protecting our beautiful coastline”.

Paul Plowman, Acting Chief Executive Sydney Water:

“Sydney Water is pleased to be part of this important project to improve water quality and protect public health at Coogee Beach.

“By diverting stormwater away from the swimming area, we can make a meaningful difference to the beach environment and visitor experience.”

The NSW Government is investing $145.1 million in Building Commission NSW as part of the 2025-26 Budget, providing funding security for the dedicated building regulator so it can continue to restore confidence and quality in the sector.

Building Commission NSW employs more than 450 people including building and compliance inspectors, policy experts, investigators, intelligence analysts, lawyers, and industry engagement specialists.

The significant investment in the Minns Government’s third Budget will allow Building Commission NSW to continue to conduct inspections, investigate complex building issues, progress key building reforms and educate the industry.

Specifically, this new recurrent funding will allow the digitisation of penalty infringement notices, which will in turn sharpen the Commission’s data analytics resulting in more targeted inspections and ultimately more prosecutions.

The $145 million funding boost will also allow the Commission to standup joint taskforces with Fair Trading, ASIC, ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) and the NSW State Coroner, to ensure all necessary prosecutions across different jurisdictions can be carried out.

So far this financial year, Building Commission NSW has inspected 1015 building sites for defects and has issued 455 orders as a result, with water ingress and fire safety defects among key issues.

Building Commission NSW has also inspected 401 residential building sites for building compliance issues, including licencing, specialist trade supervision and signage requirements, this financial year.  

These compliance inspections resulted in Building Commission NSW issuing 202 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for issues identified including unlicensed work and contractors working without the right licence.

Building Commission NSW also conducted nearly 20,000 plumbing inspections, more than 2000 electrical inspections, and close to 1000 gas inspections in 2024/25, targeting specialist trade work.

In 2025, Building Commission NSW also devoted significant resources towards ensuring building quality is maintained in regional and rural parts of the state.

This regional push saw teams of building quality and compliance inspectors in the North Coast, Mid-North Coast, Riverina and Murray, as well as the Central West regions of NSW.

These regional inspection blitzes resulted in visits to 223 residential building sites, the issuing or expected issuing of 3 orders with a further 55 orders to be finalised for building defects, and the issuing of 72 PINs.

Building Commission NSW continues to engage with industry on proposed building reforms to consolidate a patchwork of existing laws into a simple and modernised legal framework for rebuilding trust in the sector, improving consumer protections, and reducing defects.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Building Commission NSW’s Construct NSW platform delivered courses to more than 23,800 students and launched five new courses, to ensure the industry is well trained.

Building Commission NSW expects to launch a further 16 courses this year, including Mandarin translated courses on Asbestos and Silica awareness, Electrical and Air Conditioning Standards, Automated Vehicle Parking Systems, and Vehicle Lifts – Safety and Integration.

Minister for Building, Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Building quality is one of the top priorities of the Minns Government.

“Ensuring homes, whether they be apartments or free-standing houses, are built to the highest standards is critical to helping address the housing crisis we inherited in NSW.

“To do this, the NSW Government established Building Commission NSW as a dedicated regulator with the aim of restoring confidence in the construction sector and ensuring building quality is improved across the state.

“This $145 million investment secures the Commission’s funding over the next four years, so it can continue on its mission to uplift and improve the quality of the residential building sector.”

NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard:

“In 2024/25 alone we have conducted thousands of inspections on sites across NSW, with a particular focus on building our presence and programs in the regional and rural parts of the state.

“This $145 million investment over the next four years will provide the Commission the funding security it needs to keep inspections going and ensure building quality is maintained across the state.

“It will also allow us to continue to progress key building legislative reforms, and deliver education to the industry, so the sector is supported and can continue to improve into the future.”