Category: NSW News

New independent health data shows waiting times for surgery continues to skyrocket under the Minns Labor Government. 

At the end of the March quarter – 

• 8,587 patients were waiting longer than clinically recommended – up 151.3% compared with the end of March 2024. 
• 100,678 patients were on the waiting list – up 7.34% and close to the record peak during the COVID-19 pandemic (101,024) when elective surgeries were paused.  

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns and Ryan Park are great at spin, but their quotes don’t clear EDs, cut surgery waitlists or get ambulances to emergencies.

Chris Minns had driven surgery wait times back to their pandemic peak. 

Chris Minns has cut the health budget two years in a row after inflation, he’s picked fights with doctors, nurses and midwives and he’s let surgery wait times skyrocket,” Mr Speakman said. 

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said this data confirms what clinicians already know – the system is overstretched, under-resourced, and patients are paying the price. 

“The spike in urgent elective surgery wait-times in the last year by more than 5000, is deeply concerning and should be a wakeup call for the Minister.

“This isn’t just a blowout in wait times – it’s a breakdown in patient care. Behind every one of those patients waiting longer than clinically recommend is someone in pain, waiting for a diagnosis or trying to restore some quality of life,” Ms Sloane said. 

 Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said NSW now has the longest median wait in Australia for elective surgery across all urgency categories combined. 

“The latest data shows 2,092 patients in rural hospitals waited longer than clinically recommend for surgery in the March quarter – a whopping 1,479 increase compared to June last year. 

Patients are waiting too long for important surgery in regional NSW and it was time Chris Minns offered up solutions instead of his usual spin,” Mr Singh said. 

Background

• In the 2022-23 Budget, the Coalition invested $408 million over two years to tackle planned surgeries delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the former Government’s total investment to reduce wait time to almost $1 billion.
• That $408 million investment saw the COVID-19 surgery backlog fall from September 2022 to December 2023 when NSW Health officials confirmed the funding ended.
• Prior to COVID-19, the number of patients waiting for overdue surgeries never rose above 1,144. 
• 8,587 patients on the waiting list had waited longer than clinically recommended – up 151.3% compared with the end of March 2024.  
• There were 100,678 patients on the waiting list – up 7.3% and close to the record peak during the COVID-19 pandemic (101,024).  
• The median waiting time for patients who received semi-urgent surgery was 65 days – up 9 days. 
• The median waiting time for patients who received non urgent surgery was 322 days – up 32 days from the same quarter a year earlier. 
• 2,092 patients waited longer than clinically recommended for surgery in rural hospitals – (613 patients in June 2024)

Sydney’s new 24-hour airport is one step closer to welcoming its first passengers, with major construction works across Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) now complete and the state-of-the-art terminal formally unveiled today.

Today’s announcement marks a major milestone for the project, signalling a shift in the airport’s progress from construction to operations in the lead up to its opening in 2026.

Completion of the terminal joins the recent completion of the Airside package of works, including the 3.7-kilometre runway, and the Landside package of works, including the carparks, roads, bridges and utilities.

With major construction now finished, WSI will move on with testing the systems and preparing for airport operations to get ready for passengers and freight.

More than 2,000 workers expended around 9 million hours creating the terminal, which will house both domestic and international gates under one roof to enable fast connections.

The entire WSI project has created 11,650 annual full-time equivalent jobs, over half of which have come from the local area.

More than $500 million has also been invested in more than 360 Western Sydney based businesses since the start of WSI’s construction in 2017, including local tradies and construction companies, caterers, and security guards.

The Australian Government is investing $19 billion into infrastructure projects in Western Sydney, including $2.3 billion committed in the 2025-26 Budget.

These investments ensure that the airport, and the businesses in Western Sydney, will have the infrastructure they need on day one of the airport opening, and that the road and rail connections required for the future continue to grow with the airport.

While major construction of the WSI terminal is complete, the fit-out of the terminal’s retail precinct and airline lounges will take place closer to the airport’s opening as commercial tenders and final contracts continue to progress over the months ahead.

WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“When we talk about Building Australia’s Future, I think about Western Sydney International Airport.

“I think about the vision, persistence, and cooperation that has led us here to this milestone.

“I think about the jobs and opportunity that this project has delivered, and will deliver for Sydney and for Australia.

“This airport will drive economic growth, and turbocharge productivity.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King

“Today marks a significant step in the history of Western Sydney International with the unveiling of the terminal and completion of major works.

“This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026.

“Western Sydney International will shape this region and greater Sydney for decades to come – providing jobs, boosting the productivity of our supply chains, and connecting a greater portion of our population with the rest of the world.”

Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley

“The next milestone in the construction of the Western Sydney Airport brings the promise of better opportunities for residents in the area.

“Jobs, roads, housing and railways are already in progress because of the promise the new airport brings. I am so happy to share this with everyone.”

The thoughts of the entire Government are with our colleague and our friend Prue Car as she begins treatment following her breast cancer diagnosis.

I know Prue well. She is a fighter, and I know she will face this challenge with the same determination and grace that she brings to everything she does.

I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues.

I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks.

I have asked Courtney Houssos to act as the Minister for Education and Early Learning and the Minister for Western Sydney until Prue returns.

Prue remains as the Deputy Premier of NSW, as we look forward to welcoming her back when she’s ready.

Over the weekend I informed the Premier that, for health reasons, I will be taking personal leave for an undetermined period of time.

A recent screening has detected breast cancer, and I will now begin immediate treatment.  

Thankfully, because the cancer was caught early, my doctors are optimistic about my recovery — and so am I. I’ve faced this challenge before, and I’m determined to beat it again. Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis. 

I look forward to returning to the role I’ve cherished since our government took office in March 2023 — a role I absolutely love. 

While I undergo treatment and recovery, my colleague Courtney Houssos has kindly agreed to act as Minister for Education and Early Learning and the Minister for Western Sydney in my place. The vital work of rebuilding our state’s education system will continue without pause. 

To the wonderful constituents I represent in Londonderry, my office doors are always open to assist you with anything you need.

Breast cancer screenings are vital for early detection and treatment, and I strongly encourage all women to stay up to date with their checks. I am extremely grateful for early detection and to the incredible people who work in the NSW Health system. They are nothing short of extraordinary.  

I want to thank the Premier and all my Parliamentary colleagues for their unwavering support and look forward to being back as soon as possible. 

Keeping your children safe need not cause lasting injury to the household budget, with a $30 children’s helmet among those rated as safest on the market.

The NSW Government’s second annual Helmet Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings (STAR) has awarded five stars to a $30 white unicorn helmet available from Kmart.

It joins the $22 Bluey helmet awarded five stars in 2024 as a value option with the highest safety.

Children’s helmets on the market cost up to $290.

The children’s helmet rated as safest overall this year is the Fox Rampage Youth MIPS which retails at $290.

Modelled on ANCAP safety ratings for motor vehicles, Helmet STAR provides an easy-to-understand safety rating for new helmets based on comprehensive testing, giving a guide to parents and adult riders.

Each helmet is impact tested at the NSW Crashlab in Western Sydney where Transport for NSW technicians conduct examinations including vertical drops, a strap strength test, and drop tests with moving platforms. The helmet’s ability to protect the user’s head in each scenario is tested and a star rating assigned.

Helmets tested include models specifically for skaters and foot scooter riders.

One star means the helmet “meets the crash protection required by recognised helmet standards” in Australia, while five stars means the helmet is “exceptional in crash protection and well above the recognised helmet standards.”

The release of safety ratings for 54 bicycle helmets this year brings the total number of reviews and ratings available to 115 and the NSW Government urges all riders and parents to seek out the list.

This year the testing regime has been extended to rate both open-face and full-face mountain bike helmets with the $275 POC Tectal Race MIPS helmet taking out five stars in the open-face category and the $350 Met Parachute full-face helmet also achieving five stars.

Others awarded five stars include the $300 POC Ventral Air MIPS general purpose.

	Model	Score	Star Rating	Price
1	Fox Rampage Youth MIPS	90.91	✰✰✰✰✰	$290
2	Globber Kids LED	85.53	✰✰✰✰✰	$79
3	Kmart Unicorn	82.50	✰✰✰✰✰	$30
4	Giant Hoot ARX	29.00	✰	$65
5	BOLD Sikh Helmet	29.00	✰	$92

Link to latest ratings for all helmets

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“The children’s helmets we tested this year ranged in price from $30 to $290. That can leave parents wondering how much they have to pay to ensure their kids are safe on their bikes, scooters and skateboards.

“The good news is price does not always equal safety and value options that deliver five-star safety do exist.

“The great news is the Helmet STAR ratings system, now in its second year, is building up a valuable resource for parents and all adult riders to check whether their helmet choice ticks all the boxes on safety.

“Similar to car safety ratings it is a simple check for lasting peace of mind.

“By wearing a five-star rated helmet you are two to two and a half times less likely to sustain a serious head injury than if you were wearing a one-star helmet. This puts the power of choice in the hands of consumers.”

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Wearing a helmet when riding a bike is one of the most important things you can do, with research showing they can reduce head injuries by about 70% and fatal injuries by 65%. Choosing the right one is crucial.

“This year, the Helmet STAR program has expanded to include a broader range of helmet types. In addition to helmets for general or road use and for wheeled toys like scooters and skateboards, the program now also tests both open-face and full-face mountain bike helmets.”

“The Helmet STAR awards a star rating from one to five, with one-star helmets meeting the Australian crash protection standards, while five star rated helmets provide exceptional protection in a crash.

“With ratings for over 100 helmets across a variety of ranges and price points I encourage everyone to visit the website and make an informed decision when buying a helmet.”

More than 1.2 million people have already immersed themselves in the first week of Vivid Sydney 2025, up approximately 10 per cent on last year.

The first two Saturdays of the festival delivered bumper crowds, with close to 200,000 people per night packing the city to experience the 100 per cent free Vivid Light Walk.

A record-breaking 51,169 diners were recorded in restaurants on Saturday 24 May – the highest number ever in the event’s history, up 45 per cent from 2024.

Vivid Sydney’s world-class food offering continues to be a major drawcard, with more than 850,000 people purchasing food and drink so far, including over 335,000 across the opening weekend alone, delivering a significant boost to local businesses and the state’s visitor and night-time economies.

Darling Harbour, Darling Square and The Goods Line continues to prove popular with over 330,000 people exploring the precinct so far.

Vivid Sydney 2025 fast facts from Thursday 5 June:

• 25,000 plus prams on the Vivid Sydney footprint
• 18,000 plus brisket loaded fries and 1,100 plus creme brulée donuts sold at the Vivid Fire Kitchen
• on average, more than 81 per cent of visitors have purchased food and beverage during their visit
• most attendees are exploring multiple zones in one night, with an average of four to five Vivid Sydney zones seen in a single night out
• on average, attendees are spending more than two hours exploring the festival footprint.

Food lovers are in for a treat over the June long weekend, with internationally renowned food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson curating three sold-out Vivid Sydney Dinners in the newly opened Muru Gili tunnel at Martin Place. Adding to the culinary excitement, Our Shared Dream food events with OzHarvest on 11 and 12 June are also sold out, underscoring the strong demand for unique and memorable visitor experiences in NSW.

On Tuesday 10 June designer, director and BAFTA-nominated producer Liam Young will bring his visionary speculative film Planet City to life in an immersive experience at City Recital Hall. Then on closing night, Saturday 14 June, US comedy couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally will take the stage at ICC Sydney for a one-night-only appearance as part of the festival’s Global Storyteller series.

The Open Streets Program is activating streets and laneways to support local businesses and bring communities together.

Highlights include Spice Lounge on Mary Ann Street as part of the Vivid Fire Kitchen, open every night of the festival, where visitors can savour world-class food over special fire pits and fire drums. On Saturday 7 June, visitors can experience Sound Walk in Angel Place with the iconic city laneway awash with light, sound and roving entertainment for one night only, free for all ages to enjoy. Then, on Saturday 14 June, Hollywood Dreaming will illuminate Foy Lane in Surry Hills with stunning light art, live music and DJ sets.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“The verdict is in, and people are voting with their feet. Vivid Sydney’s outstanding attendance numbers so far reaffirm NSW’s status as one of the world’s premier creative and cultural destinations.

“It’s fantastic to see more than one million people already immersing themselves in Sydney’s vibrant, open-air art gallery and even better to see our restaurants full, proving that people aren’t just coming for the lights but embracing everything our city has to offer.

“With more than a week still to go, there’s every reason to dive deeper into Australia’s largest event. Whether you’ve visited before or are planning to come for the first time, now’s the perfect opportunity to explore a different Vivid Sydney zone, experience live music performances, savour world-class food, or be entertained by some icons of comedy.”

Transport and Tourism Forum CEO Margy Osmond said:

“It’s fantastic to see the roaring success of yet another incredibly curated Vivid Sydney. This festival not only makes Sydney shine, but it’s also a tremendous boost for the visitor economy and plays a huge role in showing off the icons and hidden gems alike.

“The positive numbers and bumper crowds speak for themselves, but if you haven’t already, be sure to experience the fun for yourself with over a week to go.”

Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin said:

“Vivid Sydney and major events like it, are crucial for hotels.

“Over the last few years Vivid Sydney has turned what are usually a few quiet winter weekends into a boom period, with occupancy rates in Sydney regularly close to 90 per cent, which is a remarkable achievement.”

Service and Creative Skills Australia CEO Natalie Turmine said:

“Vivid Sydney injects millions into the visitor and night-time economy, creating thousands of jobs across Arts, Retail, Tourism, Hospitality and Event Production.

“With more visitors comes a higher demand for skilled staff in hotels, restaurants, transport and attractions, providing a powerful boost to the state’s workforce. From students gaining their first industry experience to seasoned professionals leading complex productions, Vivid Sydney fuels opportunities at every career stage and drives long-term employment growth.”

The freight sector will employ an additional 235,000 workers and add $131.5 billion to the NSW economy by 2061, as the Minns Labor Government sets a course for growth and enhanced productivity.

The Government today releases Delivering Freight Policy Reform in NSW, an expert report led by Dr Kerry Schott AO and a three-member panel.

The report, requested by government in January 2024, sets out a clear roadmap of short, medium and long-term actions to ready the state to better integrate freight into our transport networks into the future.

The NSW Government has accepted the report’s recommendations and also requested that further work be done by Dr Schott into barriers and opportunities for moving more freight at night to take advantage of off-peak capacity in the transport system, including our roads, motorways, rail network, terminals and distribution facilities.

The value of freight to the NSW economy is now $74 billion, employing 330,000 people, according to Transport for NSW data. The roadmap provides actions to boost productivity at a time when the sector’s contribution from Gross Value Add (GVA) is expected to grow by an average of $1.6 billion a year to 2061 when it will provide 565,000 jobs.

Delivering Freight Policy Reform in NSW has identified dozens of short to long term actions from amending the port policy for container terminals to recruitment programs to address workforce shortages.

Key actions from the plan include:

• Developing a freight master plan – to ensure an integrated and long-term approach through enhanced strategic planning for freight.
• A package of initiatives designed to increase rail modal shift by improving the competitiveness and efficiency of rail freight.
• Adopting a new port policy regarding container terminals in which the Government should not determine the timing or location of any future container terminals but recognise Port Botany remains the key container port for NSW.
• Delivering the Industrial Lands Action Plan, in partnership with Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – focused on strategic land planning for freight purposes and addressing the shortage of industrial land availability.
• Government support for a program, in partnership with industry, to promote recruitment to address skills and workforce shortages which are consistently identified as a major risk facing the sector, particularly, in the first instance, heavy vehicle and train drivers as well as seafarers.

Dr Schott’s report notes the NSW Government is currently conducting a review into the future use of the Glebe Island Port and the entire Bays precinct ahead of the metro station linking the area to Parramatta, the CBD and the inner west. The Report notes the important role of Glebe Island and freight more generally but highlights that the co-location of homes and freight activity is typically not sustainable.

Any impacts on freight are being closely considered as part of that review.

The reform plan incorporates actions already committed through the NSW Heavy Vehicle Access Policy; the NSW Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy; and the recommendations of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy Review. 

The full report can be found on the Freight Policy Reform Program web page.

Port regulations

Based on industry feedback, the Panel has also clarified their recommendations relating to the Willett Review into the Ports and Maritime Administration Act (Act) and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).

The Panel’s paper identifies that 14 of the 21 recommendations are adopted with the remaining six recommended changes to the PBLIS Mandatory Standards identified for further consideration during the implementation process to mitigate against any unintended consequences.

Recommendation 18, to engage NSW Ports – the private port operator – as a service provider to administer elements of PBLIS, was not supported by Government for consideration at this time. 

More information can be found on the Freight Policy Reform Program web page and the Ports and Maritime Act and Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy web page.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“The movement of freight is fundamental to how we all live our lives, the cost we pay for imported goods and the competitiveness of NSW manufacturers and producers.

“The NSW Government is determined to enable the freight sector to reach its potential, which could mean adding a further $131.5 billion year to the state’s economy and employing more than half a million people by 2061.

“Freight arrives at our biggest ports but moves through all our neighbourhoods on the road and rail network. Preparing those networks for the drivers of change to freight – especially population growth and technological change – is a big task and this report sets a roadmap to guide us.

“In relation to the changes to PBLIS, I have asked Transport for NSW to appoint an independent facilitator to help ensure industry is well consulted on implementation and will update the sector when we have appointed someone to the role.

“I am seeking further review of opportunities for increasing freight movement during off-peak periods, particularly through the night. Any additional recommendations will be incorporated into this action plan. I thank the reviewers for this reform plan.” 

The Minns Labor Government is investing an additional $17 million over two years into the renewal of the State’s fire-fighting fleet to strengthen our frontline emergency response.

This two year investment will deliver more than 15 new fire trucks to replace ageing vehicles, with initial funding part of a $98.7 million capital program over the next year which also funds new and upgraded fire stations.

Through the 2025-26 NSW Budget we are delivering better essential services that people rely on and investing to grow the economy—setting NSW up for long-term prosperity.

This additional budget for Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) forms part of our wider investment to keep people safe and better serve communities during crisis by supporting our frontline emergency services.

Upgraded FRNSW fleet

Over the next two years, FRNSW will roll out new fire trucks, aerial ladder trucks and specialist vehicles to improve our emergency response to serious incidents.

The additional investment comes as the Minister unveiled the first of a new generation of fire trucks rolling out at Burwood, Newtown, Alexandria and Darlinghurst Fire Stations.

The new fire trucks have been designed and assembled in Australia, with the first stationed at Burwood. Valued at more than $900,000, the Burwood truck is equipped with updated features designed to improve access to firefighting tools during emergency responses. 

Alexandria, Australia’s busiest hazardous materials station, also recently received a new fire truck to support hazmat and chemical incident response.

Investing in fire stations

Along with increased funding for fire fighting vehicles, the NSW Government continues to upgrade and build new fire stations across the state. This includes new station builds at Cessnock, Dungog and Charlestown, and station refurbishments at Cooma and Cootamundra.

Design works are continuing for new stations at Wentworthville, Goonellabah, Broken Hill, Lithgow and Byron Bay, as well as upgrades at Moss Vale Fire Station.

The new and enhanced stations will provide dedicated facilities for both men and women firefighters, as well as ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ zones to help prevent the transfer of contaminants from fire scenes.

Protecting communities against natural disasters

The emergency services budget supports a range of initiatives across the portfolio including flood response, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) aerial response and communications infrastructure and platforms to help better respond to emergencies and natural disasters. This investment reinforces the Minns Labor Government’s focus on rebuilding essential services and continues a sustained uplift for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES).

RFS aviation funding has been boosted by $34.4 million over four years to ensure we can secure fixed wing aircraft and helicopters for emergencies in the face of increasing competition for resources as fire seasons extend around the world.

Emergency warnings sent to mobile and landline phones will also be supported through a $6.4 million allocation. The Emergency Alert System is used by emergency services to send location-based warnings during natural disasters such as floods and bush fires, and to help locate missing persons.

The NSW Budget to be released on 24 June will contain further details about emergency services investment as part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We are investing in our emergency services to deliver the equipment and infrastructure they need to keep people and property safe.”

“The value of this investment has been demonstrated time and time again, most recently during the mid-north coast floods, where we saw the SES lead the emergency response assisted by Fire and Rescue flood response teams and RFS aviation assets.”

“Whether we are responding to bush fires or house fires, floods or road crash rescues, this investment is vital to support our emergency service workers and volunteers on the frontline.”

“This year’s multi-million dollar commitment to modern firefighting fleet, stations, equipment and communications will help protect communities across Sydney and regional areas for years to come.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM said:

“Communities across the state will be better protected and our firefighters will be better equipped to do their jobs with the range of new vehicles.”

“We will continue to target our investment wisely and modernise our fleet to better serve NSW communities.”

The Minns Labor Government is rolling out a new ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign that highlights seven spectacular multi-day walks across the state to address the growing interest in nature-based visitor experiences.

The new campaign highlights an impressive 275km of walking tracks in regional NSW that have opened to the public within the last two years. The walks showcase some of the state’s most breathtaking and diverse landscapes, from pristine coastline to ancient rainforest and alpine peaks.

Kicking off, on the 8 June 2025, the ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign will target both experienced hikers and aspirational entry-level multi-day walkers offering self-guided and guided options, as well as camping and accommodation choices for overnight stays.

The campaign encourages visitors to explore multi-day walks including Snowies Alpine Walk (Snowy Mountains), Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk (Tweed/Byron Hinterland), Light to Light (Sapphire Coast), Murramarang South Coast Walk, Tomaree Coastal Walk (Port Stephens), Grand Cliff Top Walk (Blue Mountains) and Green Gully Track (Northern Tablelands).

In 2024, 9.9 million international and domestic visitors to NSW visited a national park or state park and spent more than $11.7 billion across the state during their trip.

Recent NPWS data shows that 23.7 million visits included a walk of up to or more than half a day. With the completion and promotion of these new Great Walks those numbers are set to climb.

For more information visit the NSW Great Walks web page.  

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said:

“National parks play a vital role in the NSW visitor economy especially in supporting regional businesses and jobs while also providing people with access to our state’s natural wonders.

“By promoting these fantastic NSW Great Walks, we are encouraging people to find their path and explore our regions in new and adventurous ways.”

Minister for Tourism and Jobs Steve Kamper said:

“NSW is home to the most diverse national parks on the planet and our ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign will ensure they become bucket-list visitor experiences.

“Traversing our state’s spectacular unspoilt beaches, ancient rainforests and majestic mountain peaks, these walks have opened within the last 2 years and are truly spectacular.

“NSW national parks not only provide authentic connections with the state’s culture and stunning landscapes, they also support thousands of jobs and contribute millions of dollars in visitor expenditure to regional NSW.”