Category: Australian News

Six reserves and parks along the inner Sydney Harbour have been added to the NSW State Heritage Register, recognising their unique cultural, environmental, and industrial histories while safeguarding Sydney Harbour’s natural beauty for generations to come. 

Nestled across one of the most stunning harbours in the world, the ‘green necklace’ is a series of iconic cultural landscapes around the headlands and water planes that connect the northern and southern shores.  

The Green Necklace is formed by:  

• Badangi Reserve, encompassing Berrys Island Reserve and Wollstonecraft Foreshore Reserve
• Ballast Point Park, an acclaimed park in Birchgrove built on a former Caltex Oil site
• Balls Head Reserve in Waverton, a rare surviving natural headland that was dedicated as a public reserve following an environmental campaign in the 1920s and 30s
• Berrys Bay (Carradah Park) in Waverton, the former site of a BP refinery
• Yurulbin Park and Foreshore in Birchgrove, an early example of the successful transformation of industrial land to public use, recapturing the qualities of an Indigenous landscape. It was the site of the launch of the Australian government’s Local Government Reconciliation Program in 1994.

These landscapes represent the ever-evolving nature of land and water use on Sydney Harbour, showcasing the change from undisturbed bush to industrial use to green space preservation.  

Each park and reserve has its own story that has been shaped by thousands of years of Aboriginal connection and more recent layers of industrial, artistic and community history. They reflect how people have interacted with, altered, and valued the land over time.   

Listing these landscapes means their heritage value will be safeguarded into the future, in a context where Sydney’s built environment is fast growing. The listing is a shift away from traditional listings such as physical buildings and instead recognises the importance of a cultural landscapes and the environment in NSW’s rich history.  

The ‘green necklace’ was coined in a 2018 cultural landscape study by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW. The listing follows extensive consultation with local councils, heritage experts, and community groups.  

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe said: 

“These parklands really are the jewels in the Sydney Harbour crown and their inclusion on the State Heritage Register ensures their stories, fabric and significance are preserved for future generations.  

“They are not only green spaces but living archives of Sydney’s cultural and industrial evolution, and a reminder of the rich and enduring Aboriginal history we are surrounded by. 

“I want to acknowledge the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects for starting this listing process many years ago, and congratulate them on the wonderful outcome of their work and advocacy.” 

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said:  

“The addition of Ballast Point and Yurulbin Park to the State Heritage Register marks the final transformation of these former industrial sites to some of the world’s most beautiful harbourside parks.  

“The advocacy of many people including Tom Uren and Paul Keating is what has led to this magnificent outcome.” 

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW President, David Moir said: 

“AILA commends the Minister for her foresight in protecting these critically important landscapes.  These iconic landscape elements, integral to the internationally significant Sydney Harbour setting, are foundational to the city’s identity as a global destination. 

“Through visionary landscape planning and design, once-derelict industrial sites have been transformed into inclusive public spaces where communities can connect with nature in an increasingly urbanised environment.

“Their inclusion on the State Heritage Register and the commitment to their ongoing conservation reflect enduring community values and a deep respect for our shared landscape legacy.”  

The Minns Labor Government has slashed the number of permanent teacher vacancies by 61 per cent, ensuring thousands more NSW public school students are receiving a quality and consistent public education.

New data released today on the first day of Public Education Week shows NSW public schools began Term 3 with 962 permanent teacher vacancies, down from 2,460 at the same time in 2022 under the former Liberal National Government.

While there’s more to do, the 61 per cent drop in vacancies has brought the number of permanent teacher vacancies to the lowest level in four years.

This progress follows the Minns Labor Government’s decision to scrap the unfair wages cap that held teacher salaries back and devalued the profession for more than a decade.

In contrast to the record 3,311 vacancies under the former Liberal National Government in late 2022 — which led to widespread class cancellations and merged lessons — public schools began Term 3 this year with just 962 vacancies, down from 2,460 at the same point in 2022.

There’s also been a sharp drop in the number of schools affected. Just 566 schools — a quarter of NSW’s 2,200 public schools — reported a vacancy in Term 3, down from 1,383 schools in 2022.

Areas with the fewest vacancies include the electorates of Kiama and Lane Cove, which both reported just one vacancy each at the beginning of Term 3, and the electorates of Castle Hill, Drummoyne, Heathcote, Cronulla and Vaucluse, which all reported two vacancies each.

Under the Minns Labor Government, the Department of Education has also ramped up efforts to provide dedicated support to schools facing recruitments challenges.

The Priority Recruitment Support initiative has been expanded from 79 to more than 150 schools with three quarters being in regional and rural areas – bringing fairness to communities that have been left behind for too long.

From this year, every NSW public school principal has been supported by a dedicated Recruitment Officer who will be a first point of contact and work closely with them to manage all recruitment in the school.

Over the past 12 months, 6,398 permanent teachers have been appointed, while resignation and retirement rates have declined — pointing to better retention and a stabilising workforce.

While there is more work to do, the reduction in vacancies is a demonstration of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuild public education, value the teaching profession and lift student outcomes.

While this work is ongoing, it is already delivering results and has included:

• Delivering the largest pay rise in a generation to all of NSW’s public school teachers.
• Making over 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contracts permanent.
• Banning mobile phones in all public schools, minimising classroom distractions.
• Addressing workload by allowing additional time to roll out a new curriculum, improving mandatory training and professional learning requirements, providing access to AI assistance, providing additional administrative support in schools.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is a step in the right direction. I’ve always said you can’t replace a teacher in front of the classroom.”

“We know there’s still work to do, but fewer vacancies means more consistency for students and less strain on schools.

“We scrapped the unfair wages cap, we’re making more roles permanent, and we’ll keep doing the work to rebuild public education properly.”

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“The Minns Labor Government has demonstrated that when you stop suppressing teachers’ wages and genuinely value the expertise of the teaching profession, then you’ll keep more of our high-quality teachers in the classroom.

“Teachers are the most critical factor when it comes to improving student outcomes and that’s why, under the leadership of the Deputy Premier, we have been so determined to address the teacher shortage crisis we inherited.”

“There is still more work to do, but the 60% reduction in teacher vacancies is a clear demonstration of the Minns Labor’s Government commitment to rebuilding public education.”

“Families across NSW should know that while thousands more students now have permanent teacher in their classrooms, this could all be undone if the Liberals and Nationals succeed in their promise to bring back the wages cap.”

The Albanese Government has established a new First Nations Economic Partnership – with the Coalition of Peaks and the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.

The Partnership will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people around Australia to leverage land and Native Title, boost skills and education, create jobs and back business.

The Partnership is an example of the Government’s commitment to the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to work in partnership, invest in the First Nations community-controlled sector, and transform mainstream systems to achieve better outcomes for First Nations people.

We are investing an additional $75 million to support Prescribed Bodies Corporate.

This will help Native Title holders to build capacity and work with the private sector to build wealth.

It is about securing better deals, driving faster approvals and delivering more jobs and an economic legacy for communities.

The first priorities for the Economic Partnership will include improving the funding model for Prescribed Bodies Corporate, through this new investment.

Along with ensuring Special Investment Vehicles like the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency are delivering for First Nations communities across Australia.

And looking at how the work of Indigenous Business Australia and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation can better deliver for all Indigenous communities, whether they hold Native Title or not. 

The Albanese Government will also invest $31 million to establish 12 Mobile TAFE services.

These will be delivered in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector, states and territories.

Delivering training on Country – so locals have the skills to get jobs in construction, maintenance, health care, hospitality, resources and renewable energy.

We are also continuing to deliver tangible outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including:

• Opening expressions of interest as part of $70 million in First Nations Clean Energy funding – to help get local projects up and running.
• A new round of 800 jobs in the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program – on top of the 650 jobs already delivered.
• A further 6 remote water upgrades – on top of the 33 already underway, bringing the total number of people who will benefit from clean and secure water supplies to 34,000.

the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese

“Making sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians can get a secure job, make the most of business opportunities and benefit from their land is a big part of Closing the Gap.

“The First Nations Economic Partnership will help put communities in the driver’s seat of economic opportunity, ownership and equity.

“Mobile TAFE will offer hands-on training on Country and will bring skills and jobs to communities.

“Locals will be able to learn trade skills, get a qualification and build a career without having to leave home.”

the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers

“This Partnership is about recognising and realising the enormous economic potential of First Nations communities, not just as participants in our economy but as partners in our shared prosperity.

“We’re investing to equip Traditional Owners to leverage their land and sea assets, to get better deals and to bring jobs and wealth to First Nations communities.

“Our economic agenda is about growth that’s stronger and more inclusive. Backing First Nations businesses, jobs and skills is a central part of that – because we know our economy works better when everyone has the chance to succeed.”

the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy

“Economic empowerment is about self-determination and creating opportunities that reflect the aspirations of First Nations communities.

“Prescribed Bodies Corporate are critical partners for Traditional Owners, the first point of contact in commercial negotiations and strong vehicles for First Nations economic empowerment.

“The Albanese Government knows investing in remote First Nations communities is vital to unlocking their long-term prosperity.”

The Government will recommend to the Administrator of the Commonwealth that Ms Krissy Barrett APM be appointed the ninth Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner.

This will be a historic appointment for the AFP, with Ms Barrett becoming the first woman to hold the position of Commissioner.

Bringing close to 25 years of law enforcement experience to the position, Ms Barrett is recognised for her leadership capability. She also has expertise in community policing and operations, counter terrorism first response, serious financial crime, and transnational serious and organised crime. In her most recent position as a Deputy Commissioner with the AFP, Ms Barrett has managed the National Security portfolio.

For her distinguished service to the Solomon Islands and Bali Bombings investigation, Ms Barrett was recognised for her leadership and contribution with a Police Overseas Service Medal in 2004 and an Operations Medal in 2005.

Ms Barrett’s appointment will commence on 4 October 2025 for a five-year period.

The Government thanks Mr Reece Kershaw APM for his decades of service and commitment to protecting Australians and Australia’s interest, including six years as AFP Commissioner. We wish him and his family all the best for the future. He has made an extraordinary contribution to public life and we are grateful for his service.

The Minns Labor Government is protecting more native wildlife and threatened ecosystems by adding more than 34,000 hectares across three large land holdings in north west NSW to our network of national parks.

The government has invested $11.7 million to acquire the retired stations, totalling 34,773 hectares:

• Bellenbar – 13,674 hectares
• Iona – 13,456 hectares
• Innisfail – 7,643 hectares

Combined, the new reserves provide known or potential habitat for more than 80 threatened species.

The new reserve at*Bellenbar* is north west of Bourke on the Warrego River and includes 2,334ha of Coolibah – Black Box Woodland which is listed as an endangered ecological community.

Nine threatened species including the endangered Kultarr and South-eastern Hooded Robin have been recorded on the property and an additional 27 threatened species have been spotted in the locality.

The new reserve at*Iona* is north west of Cobar and has known-and-potential habitat for 50 threatened species. That includes 44 animals including Corben’s Long-eared Bat, Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-Bat, Inland Forest Bat and Little Pied Bat, as well as habitat for seven flora species including the lancewood Acacia petraea.

Iona also includes significant rock art and cultural heritage of the Ngiyampaa people on the Cobar Peneplains. A study of the rock art of the Cobar Pediplain was completed by F.D. McCarthy in 1976 where he states, they are the “finest series of rock paintings in southeastern Australia.”

North west of Brewarrina, the*Innisfail* property is part of the Mundiwa Aboriginal camp inhabited up until the early 1900s by Jimmie Barker and others who documented Muruwari culture.

The property is rich in biodiversity with 22 fauna and two threatened species observed, including the endangered listed Hooded Robin and vulnerable listed Grey-crowned Babbler.

The property at Innisfail also features 4,000ha of Coolibah – Black Box Woodland and riverine habitat along a 20km stretch of the Culgoa River as well as numerous other channels and waterholes on floodplains.

Following the acquisitions, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will undergo extensive planning to determine how best to protect the environmental and cultural heritage values of these new reserves. Work including feral animal control and fire management will be carried out.

These three acquisitions nearly double new additions for the 2024-25 financial year to a total of more than 73,000ha. The NSW national parks network now totals almost 7,774,000 ha.

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to expanding our national park network to strengthen conservation, respect and celebrate Aboriginal heritage and support regional communities.

“These reserves protect over 80 threatened species, safeguarding nature for future generations.

“This land is not only environmentally significant, but also culturally rich. Protecting sites like Winbar Caves and consulting with Aboriginal communities about management of the new acquisitions ensures Aboriginal cultural heritage is recognised, respected and protected.”

Senior police will plunge into icy ocean water in Newcastle today to raise money for a good cause.

The Polar Plunge event sees participants enter the water at 19 locations across Australia between Saturday 19 July 2025 to Saturday 30 August 2025, with eight of these taking place at various locations across NSW.

Law Enforcement Torch Run is a charity made of up of NSW Police Force and other law enforcement agencies and it coordinates events, including the Polar Plunge, to raise money for athletes of Special Olympics Australia.

One of the plunges will be held at Merewether Ocean Baths this morning (Sunday 3 August 2025). The event starts with a torch run at 9.30am, followed by an opening ceremony and plunge at 10am.

Participants from the NSW Police Force, emergency services, community and justice agencies, Special Olympics Clubs, individuals, and corporate partners will take the plunge.

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Waddell APM will be jumping into the cold water at Merewether for the important cause.

“For over 20 years we’ve supported the Law Enforcement Torch Run NSW to raise awareness of the great work done by Special Olympics Australia,” Assistant Commissioner Waddell said.

“We are proud to be taking the plunge and to show our support for Special Olympics Australia who bring sport, joy and inclusion to people with intellectual disability and autism.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, the Hon Yasmin Catley MP, will also be taking the plunge.

“There’s no better example of the Australian spirit than a day like today, with the community coming together for the Polar Plunge,” Minister Catley said.

“The NSW Government is proud to support our police, whose selflessness is at the heart of everything they do – qualities that shine through in their support for Special Olympics Australia.

“A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible and brought it to Newcastle – and best of luck to all the participants taking the plunge!”

Police will speak to the media ahead of the plunge.

Backlash against Labor Premier Chris Minns’ suppression of protest is growing, as Tweed nurses and midwives, pro-Palestine activists and supporters of the Great Koala National Park today protested Minns’ visit to Tweed.  

Minns is under increasing pressure to grant nurses and midwives a 15% pay rise, given their wages have been suppressed by Liberal National Governments since 2011. Just a stone’s throw from his meeting today, graduate nurses in Queensland are paid 18% more than in New South Wales.  

Recent polling revealed Chris Minns’ personal approval rating has plunged 5 points, even as the Labor and Greens primary votes were up.  

Greens MP and North Coast Spokesperson Sue Higginson said:

“The Premier is facing increasing backlash from his own caucus and from the community on his draconian anti-protest laws,” 

“Tweed locals forced the Labor Cabinet to pause their meeting, because clearly communities right across New South Wales are horrified by what they’re seeing in Gaza and they want their Government to take action, not to suppress action,”  

“Our wonderful Northern Rivers community cares deeply about the environment, about social justice, and about protecting each other. Chris Minns is a Labor Premier who is logging the heart out of the Great Koala National Park, shutting down peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza, and failing to deliver for key workers. Chris Minns and the Labor Government rode into power promising to deliver the Great Koala National Park and do better for key workers and people feel betrayed”,  

“The Premier had a lot of nerve showing up 30 seconds away from the border while he refuses to give nurses and midwives even a fraction of the pay they get in Queensland,” 

“For nearly 2 years now, the Labor Party has been gaslighting nurses and midwives by saying a pay rise is impossible. Now, Chris Minns is turning up 30 seconds drive from a State where graduate nurses are paid 18% more”.  

“It’s increasingly clear that Labor Premier Chris Minns is on the nose across New South Wales for his crackdowns on peaceful protest, for his failure to announce the Great Koala National Park, and for his failure to deliver for our frontline workers.”  

A disturbing pattern of incidents involving inappropriate behaviour and racism justify a more transparent process for investigation and reporting of police misconduct, says Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury. 

Following a line of questioning in Budget Estimates, ACT Police and the Minister for Police could not provide or disclose details of the consequences for the officers involved in these incidents, citing secrecy and privacy provisions.

Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury:

“The reality is that there’s a deeply concerning pattern of systemic behaviour from elements of ACT Police towards First Nations people in this territory. From officers goading children in custody to take their own lives, to young men being charged with an offence when they shouldn’t have been during a night out—we’re seeing a serious problem with police integrity.

“It’s horrifying that some officers feel it’s acceptable to taunt children in their custody—people going through hard moments in their lives—about suicide or the family situations that led them to that moment. 

“This kind of policing is seemingly so entrenched that First Nations mothers in our community are teaching their kids to keep a low profile in public just to avoid being targeted by police for simply occupying space. 

“These parents are fearful that even when their children are doing nothing wrong, just hanging out with a group of their cousins, they’ll be singled out and targeted by some police–it’s appalling and needs urgent attention.

“Right now, when police engage in problematic behaviour, the investigation happens behind closed doors, investigated by their own. Now in fairness, this might be okay if things were improving—but incident after incident certainly suggests  they are not.

“A system that lets police investigate themselves while this behaviour continues is a system that protects and entrenches racism, not people. It’s unacceptable. And after months and years of similar incidents, it’s clear we need far more transparency around the outcomes of police misconduct investigations.

“The Greens are calling on the government to address this broken system—one that enables racism and offers those who perpetuate it anonymity. This isn’t about every officer. But unless we hold those who abuse their power accountable, then the public will rightly continue to struggle to have confidence in the system as a whole.”

The Greens are calling on the government to improve how investigations into police misconduct are conducted which must include increasing transparency into the outcomes of investigations to enhance community trust in the police.  

A report into the conduct of the Australian Federal Police recently found that the agency is dismissing complaints that should be investigated, including allegations of corruption and assault within its own ranks. 

Comments provided by Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service:

Ms Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah  Aboriginal Health and Community Service, has emphasised the importance of investigating the nature of the relationship between ACT Policing and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community during Estimates hearings.

She is particularly concerned about a raft of findings in the recent report of the Commonwealth Ombudsman into the use of force by ACT Policing.

As the Ombudsman noted in his report the misuse of force by police has the potential to disproportionately impact vulnerable members of the community, such as First Nations people. Julie Tongs said while shameful, it is also relevant to any inquiry into the relationship between ACT Policing and the Aboriginal community of Canberra that the ACT has both the highest rate of incarceration of Aboriginal peoples in Australia and the highest rate of Aboriginal recidivism.

Quotes attributable to Chairperson of Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation, Ms Tahlia-Rose Vanissum:

“Indigenous women are the fastest growing prison population in the world. In the ACT our women are imprisoned at a 76.5 times greater rate than non-Indigenous woman. The highest level of overrepresentation in Australia.

“Strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are critical safeguards in our communities, keeping us safe, healthy and connected to culture, especially our children.

“Failure to address their needs has impacts on our entire community including increased rates of victimisation, criminalisation, child removal and homelessness.

“The current ACT justice system subjects our women to unique forms of intersectional discrimination, they are over-policed, under-protected, and ‘misidentified’ (targeted) by colonial enforcement agencies built on the principles of erasure and control.

“Police cannot be trusted to investigate themselves and they cannot be trusted by our communities to lead reform they actively resist.”

The Liberal and Labor parties today voted to stop an inquiry into legislation that will allow the Government to build public housing for US troops in Australia as part of AUKUS. 

The Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025 is being rammed through the Senate to allow the Defence Housing Authority to build homes for foreign militaries in Australia. The target for these powers is housing for US troops under AUKUS. 

To make matters worse, this legislation will be passed without a financial impact statement, leaving unclear how much public money Australia will allocate to building homes for the US military in Australia.  

The Greens moved to refer the Bill to a Senate inquiry to allow public scrutiny and to obtain details about the cost and timeframes proposed, but this was opposed by the two war parties.

Reports indicate that there will be an initial 700 US troops stationed in Western Australia as part of AUKUS, with thousands more across Australia. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence, said: “You cannot make this up. The Albanese Government spent the last Parliament attacking the Greens for wanting more public housing, saying this call was unrealistic. Now, in Labor’s first big move in the housing space, it is building public housing not for people doing it rough, but for Trump.” 

“There is no financial impact statement in this Bill, as if there is no cost to building hundreds of homes. It is another secret deal to put Australian public funds into the pockets of the US military, another bottomless pit of money for AUKUS.

“What this government is doing by putting forward this Bill in the first sitting period is sending a clear message that their priority is to keep Donald Trump happy, even if that means building the Mar-a-Lago of Perth paid for by the Australian public.”

Senator Barbara Pocock, Greens spokesperson for Housing said: “The Government’s priorities are clear – US troops are deemed more worthy of public housing than people in Australia desperately needing a roof over their heads.

“In our current housing crisis, the Government is choosing to play politics. Labor says it wants to solve the housing crisis but all they’re doing is pandering to US interests.

“Labor is proving they can deliver on public housing. So if the Government can provide public housing for US troops, why can’t they do it for vulnerable Australians desperately needing a roof over their head? 

“Housing is a human right. The Greens call on Labor to take the housing crisis seriously by delivering public housing for Australians.” 

The Greens say the newly passed Strengthening Regulation of Early Education Bill – which gives the Government new powers to cut off Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments to services that repeatedly fail quality standards – doesn’t deliver what’s needed to truly address safety and quality in early learning.

The Greens supported the Bill but warned that without deeper reform of the early learning system, children will continue to face unacceptable risks, including abuse, neglect, and systemic malpractice.

Senator Hodgins-May questioned the Government on the Bill today, highlighting that most measures rely on the discretion of the Education Department Secretary—revealing what the Greens say is a lack of clear decision-making frameworks and inadequate sector consultation.

The Greens remain ready to work with the Government on real structural early learning reform when Parliament returns in three weeks.

Australian Greens spokesperson for early education and care: 

“This Bill introduces measures the Greens support, but it does nothing to lift quality across the board and only kicks in after providers fail on safety or quality.

“The new measures rely entirely on the Secretary’s discretion, with no clear framework for how decisions will be made, including when it comes to what information is shared with families.

“The deeper issue lies in the subsidy funding model – a model that treats early education as an industry to profit from, not a human right.

“The CCS funnels billions into a system dominated by private operators where only 13 per cent exceed quality standards, compared to 28 per cent of not-for-profits.

“Only an independent national watchdog as proposed by the Greens and backed by the sector will genuinely lift quality and safety and move us towards a genuinely accessible and high quality early education system.

“It should never take tragedies to trigger reform. The Prime Minister says he wants universal, affordable childcare to be his legacy. Well, is he ready to work with us to deliver it?”