Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is helping specialist food and drink businesses from across NSW take centre stage at Fine Food Australia to be held in Sydney next month – showcasing their products the largest industry event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Following an expression of interest process, the NSW Government has provided subsidies of $4,500 each to 18 unique food and beverage manufacturers from Greater Sydney and Regional NSW, including producers of sauces, spirits, chocolates and spices, who will exhibit within the ‘Flavours of NSW’ zone at the tradeshow. 

Around 25,000 trade visitors from over 50 countries will converge on the International Convention Centre (ICC) from 8 to 11 September, providing a prime opportunity for NSW businesses to connect with interstate and international buyers, secure distribution partnerships and explore export markets. 

In 2023-24 NSW produced 45.6 billion revenue in the manufactured food and beverage industry, making it the largest manufacturing sector in NSW, comprising of 4,600 businesses. 

Business support and trade experts from the NSW Government will be on hand to help the exhibitors showcase their products and facilitate connections with prospective buyers.  

The NSW Government’s support for Fine Food Australia aligns with the local manufacturing mission of the NSW Industry Policy, while agrifood is a focus sector in the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy, providing significant export growth opportunities particularly in Southeast Asia.

For more information on Fine Food Australia visit the Investment NSW website. 

The NSW businesses receiving subsidies to exhibit at Fine Food Australia 2025 are: 

• Alka Power Water: Producer of alkaline water sourced and bottled in NSW’s Southern Highlands
• Aurum Mead: A Byron Bay producer of wines made from varietal honey and native ingredients
• Chef Luca Ciano: Producer of sauces, pasta and salad dressings, based in Bondi
• Chief Nutrition: Sydney-based producer of beef jerky, collagen bars and snacks
• Choices Gluten-Free: Sydney-based producer of gluten-free baked goods, including breads and cakes
• Dharawal Distilling Co: First Nations producer of native vodka and gins, based in the Illawarra
• Duro Pasta: Based on the South Coast, Duro Pasta is made from 100% Australian durum wheat and produced using sustainable farming practices
• Gather By: Northern Rivers based producer of Australian Manuka Honey and Manuka gummies
• Healthyroo: Producer of protein powder blends, protein bars and shakes from Sydney’s Northern Beaches
• Karu Distillery: Produces a diverse range of gins, rums and vodkas from its distillery in the Blue Mountains
• Kreenuts: Family-owned business in Sydney, producing chocolate and cookie covered peanuts
• Mindful Foods: Producer of organic and activated granolas, nuts and snacks, based in the Northern Rivers 
• Nimbus: Sydney-based producer of powdered oat and soy milk
• Nunka. Hampers & Gifts: First Nations business in Penrith, producing native sauces, jams, compote and blends
• Pacdon Park: Based in the Murray region and uses local ingredients to produce British foods including black pudding, scotch eggs and haggis 
• Rub-A-Dub: Sydney-based producer of seasonings, rubs and sauces
• Spicevine: Sydney-based producer of gluten free vegan marinades, stir-fry pastes and sauces
• The Honey Library & Meadery: Producer of alcoholic mead, creamed honey, chilli honey and raw liquid honey, based on the Central Coast.  

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said: 

“Fine Food Australia is an incredible platform for our up-and-coming food and beverage manufacturers to showcase their unique products, connect with buyers, and pursue growth opportunities both domestically and internationally. 

“The NSW Government has been involved in this annual tradeshow for over 20 years, helping to grow our world class food and beverage industry.

“From spirits to sauces, from jams to jerky, we’re delighted to support our exhibiting businesses and their exceptional products that are made right here in NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said: 

“Regional NSW is the engine room of the state’s agrifood industry, home to thousands of food and beverage businesses, and many more jobs. 

“Our producers lead the way in terms of innovation and ingenuity, with many utilising native ingredients and sustainable ingredients to bring their products to life.  

“Protecting our food’s excellent reputation is critical to domestic consumption and international trade and that is a key driver for the Minns Government’s recent historic investment in biosecurity plus primary industries research and development.

“Fine Food Australia is one of the biggest trade events in the industry and is unrivalled when it comes to connecting with key players in the industry and I wish our producers all the best in promoting their goods.”

Chef Luca Ciano Director Luca Ciano said:

“Cooking has always been about family, tradition, and quality for me. Growing up in Italy, I learned the art of creating fresh pastas and sauces from my family, who instilled in me the values of using the freshest ingredients and time-honoured techniques.

“With the support of the NSW Government, I am excited to showcase our products at Fine Food Australia and connect with international distributors, retailers, and investors who value quality as much as I do.

“It presents a fantastic opportunity to introduce our products to new markets, grow our brand, and help us to share our passion for fresh, quality ingredients with the world.”

Mindful Foods Director Jordan Epstein said:

“Mindful Foods is thrilled to be exhibiting at Fine Food Australia to feature our wide range of Organic & Activated Granolas, Nuts, Snacks & herbal teas with an audience of B2B buyers across the health food, independent grocery and food service channels. 

“Mindful Foods is actively exploring export opportunities into new markets, so Fine Food Australia will be a great platform to meet international buyers and share the special story behind each of our delicious products!”

The Minns Labor Government is getting on with much-needed improvements to the Oxley Highway, with community consultation under way on vital traffic upgrades at ‘The Port Macquarie Donut’ interchange with the Pacific Highway. 

The consultation forms part of the Government’s $20 million investment for the first stage of a major upgrade at the interchange to address traffic queuing, safety and congestion at this well-known pinch point.

The Minns Government recognises that Port Macquarie Hastings region is fast growing and needs infrastructure investment to help build this community. Around 30,000 vehicles using this section of the highway every day.

The $20 million investment covers the design and delivery of improvements to the Interchange.

Stage one of the preferred proposal outlined in the Review of Environmental Factors includes:

• adding two westbound lanes between the roundabout and Billabong Drive
• installing traffic lights on all roundabout legs
• new line marking to streamline traffic flow.

Construction on stage one is expected to start in early 2027, with works expected to take around two years.

This project forms part of the Oxley Highway Future Growth Project and was accelerated due to the interchange operating above its designed traffic capacity, resulting in congestion during peak hours.

This project will improve safety and increase capacity to keep traffic flowing smoothly at the interchange.

The NSW Government previously completed short-term improvements at the intersection in late 2024 to relieve immediate pressure while long-term solutions were developed. Improvements included extending the approach lane to the roundabout from the northbound exit ramp.

Transport for NSW is inviting the community to have their say on the upgrade that will make the intersection safer and faster for all road users.

Community feedback is open now. To view the proposal and provide input, visit the Transport for NSW website.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We’re getting on with the job of building safer and more efficient roads across regional NSW.

“This upgrade will cut queues, save time and improve safety at one of the most important intersections on the Mid North Coast.

“The local community has told us this intersection is a pain point and we’re acting with a smart, staged upgrade that will deliver results. So far, we’ve increased capacity on the Northbound ramps.

“We are inviting motorists to have their say on the proposed design, and all feedback will be considered before we take the next steps.”

Labor spokesperson for Port Macquarie Cameron Murphy said:

“Whether you’re heading to work, doing the school run, or driving through on holidays, everyone in Port Macquarie knows how frustrating this intersection can be. That’s why we’re focused on real, practical upgrades that will make it safer and more efficient.

“This is about listening to the community and acting. The consultation process is now open, and I strongly encourage everyone to get involved and have their say.

“Stage one will fix some of the worst choke points and set the foundation for even bigger improvements down the track. We’re serious about getting this right – and that starts with hearing directly from road users.”

The NSW Opposition has welcomed the Minns Labor Government’s decision to act on sexually explicit deepfakes, after the Opposition introduced its own legislation to criminalise deepfake abuse and scheduled the second reading of its Private Member’s Bill in the Parliament today.
 
The Crimes Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2025, put forward by the Opposition, aims to criminalise the production, sharing and threat to share AI-generated sexual content designed to humiliate or exploit a real person.
 
After the Opposition’s move announced last month, the Government has been spurred into action and now announced it will introduce legislation of its own, with similar objectives. The Opposition will work constructively to ensure strong protections are delivered quickly.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said deepfake abuse is a growing threat that demands swift action.
 
“This is not a grey area. If someone is creating or spreading sexually explicit deepfakes to degrade another person, they should face serious consequences,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“We flagged this last month and prepared a bill to deal with it. I’m pleased the Government is now taking steps in the same direction. This is about protecting people from being digitally violated.”
 
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the Opposition’s bill laid strong groundwork for tough, modern protections.
“No one should have their image or voice used against them like this. If it’s not your body, not your voice, it’s not someone else’s right to control,” Mr Henskens said.
“The Coalition’s bill set out a path forward and we’re encouraged that the Government is now backing this much-needed reform.”
 
“It’s a shame that this minority government doesn’t work with the opposition to try and address these important social issues.  This is a fake Premier copying our deepfake legislation.”
 
Shadow Minister for Women Felicity Wilson said deepfake abuse is already damaging lives and the time for change is now.
 
“This isn’t a future problem. It’s happening now in classrooms, workplaces and on social media,” Ms Wilson said.
 
“Women and girls are being targeted by fake images that look terrifyingly real. We’ve put solutions on the table and we’ll work to ensure the final law is strong, clear and fast.”
 
The Opposition’s bill proposed a legal definition of deepfakes, new criminal offences, penalties for private and public sharing, and court powers to order takedowns and destruction of synthetic material.
 
The Opposition will continue to work in good faith to get these reforms right and ensure the law reflects the serious harm being caused.

The Minns Labor Government has today confirmed what NSW tradies, students and families already know – this is a government that doesn’t deliver, it reviews.
 
With trade classrooms turning away students, regional campuses offering next to nothing, and over 100 TAFE jobs on the chopping block, Labor’s only response is yet another review, a media stunt dressed up as action .
 
Semester two enrolments for critical trades like carpentry, plumbing and electrical have been frozen across major TAFE campuses, with young people desperate to start apprenticeships being told to wait until 2026.
 
Meanwhile, the Certificate III in Electrotechnology, a qualification for sparkies, is now closed at Meadowbank, Miller, Northern Beaches, Ultimo and Kogarah. This comes as the nation faces a critical shortage of electricians, with Jobs and Skills Australia forecasting a need for another 85,000 sparkies by 2050.
 
Labor has no answers, no urgency, and no plan. They’ve axed over 1,500 public sector jobs in just two weeks, including in TAFE, and when caught out, they simply announce a review, hold a roundtable, or roll out an easel with a thought bubble.
 
Since coming to government, the Minns Labor Government has launched more than 60 reviews, many with no end in sight. We all remember the much-promised toll review that has been done and still no answers.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this government’s response to a skills crisis is a survey.
 
“Their answer to students being locked out of TAFE is another review. Chris Minns can’t build a workforce when all he builds are excuses,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Justin Clancy, Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, said we’ve got trade courses at capacity and families asking for opportunities.
 
“Labor’s only answer is to review the system they’ve been running for more than two years. That’s not leadership, it’s an embarrassment.”
 
NSW can’t build homes without tradies. We can’t meet our energy targets without electricians. And we won’t fix the skills crisis with a government that thinks another review is the same as progress.

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver fair access to Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in NSW by offering $2,500 operational support grants and a new round of interest-free loans to eligible operators.  

The $2,500 grant for eligible Wheelchair Accessible Taxi vehicle owners is part of a $15 million emergency package announced late last year and it is intended to address the shortage of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in NSW. 

It will help with the higher costs associated with operating a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi on the road compared to a standard taxi, and is now open to applications.  

A new round of the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Scheme will also open for application this week and will assist taxi operators in NSW with placing new and additional accessible taxis into operation.  

The interest-free loans fund the cost of purchasing, modifying and/or retrofitting a vehicle for use as a compliant Wheelchair Accessible Taxi.  

The emergency funding package includes $2 million for an operational support grant program and the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Scheme has made available $5 million including an increase to the maximum loan value to $125,000.  

Wheelchair Accessible Taxis are an essential part of the NSW transport system and help people with disability to get to health appointments, engage in employment and education and participate in social activities.  

NSW is experiencing an ongoing shortage in the supply of these taxis leading to service disruptions and longer wait times for customers who travel in their wheelchair or mobility device. This is because the previous government ignored warnings that its deregulation of the taxi industry would exacerbate the difficulties facing the Wheelchair Accessibility Taxi industry.  

The previous government took away the main incentive to become a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi driver because accessible taxis were no longer exempt from paying the licence plate fees. 

Early in 2025 the NSW Government began addressing the shortage of wheelchair accessible taxis by delivering an emergency funding package of $15 million over one year to support better services for people with disability. 

The funding package is designed to stabilise the current decline in service availability while longer-term reform actions, including options for funding a sustainable and viable accessible point to point transport sector, are developed. 

Further details on both the operational support grants and the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Scheme are available on the Transport for NSW website.

Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said: 

“We heard from operators that rising costs have made providing accessible services less viable – these actions respond directly to those concerns. 

“Without additional support, the industry has warned it would struggle to retain existing vehicles, let alone attract new entrants. We are stepping in to change that. 

“This funding package lays the groundwork for long-term reform to build a sustainable, accessible point-to-point transport sector for NSW.” 

Minister for Transport John Graham said: 

“It’s become more and more difficult for wheelchair accessible taxis to operate across NSW. The number of these taxis has been dropping over the last few years, and that’s a situation that simply cannot continue. 

“So many people with a disability rely on wheelchair accessible taxis to get where they need to go – for many there is no alternative. That’s why this funding package is so important. 

“These actions will give operators a better incentive to stay in the industry, keep more wheelchair accessible taxis on the road and improve services for the people who need them most.” 

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said: 

“We’re working hard to clean up the mess left by the former government – their decisions literally left people with disability stranded.  

“We are acting to ensure there are more wheelchair accessible taxis on our roads so those who rely on them can go about their daily lives.

“These measures mean more than just transport – they are about independence, dignity, and ensuring people with disability can fully participate in their communities.”  

Nick Abrahim, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Taxi Council, said:  

“The NSW Taxi Council welcomes this new round of grants and interest free loans being announced by the Ministers’ involved as a positive step towards supporting Operators of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a better New South Wales by pulling every lever available to increase housing affordability and availability across New South Wales, today announcing $899,000 to Ballina Shire Council to remediate contaminated land to help unlock future housing.

The land’s former industrial use for cattle tick dipping left the soil contaminated by chemicals such as arsenic. Remediation of the sites will involve the safe removal of contaminated soil to a licensed waste facility and its replacement with imported clean soil.

Remediation Action Plans have been developed to clean up 3.9 hectares for future use.

Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will fund the remediation of a former cattle dip site and yards at 31 and 33 Canal Road, with Council contributing $100,000.

Remediation of this land is critical as it will enable a planned adjoining residential development to proceed.

This follows the announcement last week that the Minns Labor Government will deliver a historic pipeline, of over 355 public and community homes across the Northern Rivers over the next two years, including 48 planned in Ballina.

In the past year the Minns Labor Government has delivered 1,711 new social and affordable homes, the largest increase in government-built public, community homes in over a decade.

Minister for Land and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This is a great outcome for the North Coast and the local environment. Restoring this idle land not only protects our natural surroundings but helps unlock land for new homes.

“Housing affordability and availability are one of the biggest pressures facing families, particularly in the Northern Rivers, where repeated natural disasters have made the situation even harder.

“Reactivating land like this allows us to ease some of that pressure by creating opportunities for more homes and stronger, more resilient communities.”

Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:

“There is a shortage of housing on the North Coast so it is vital that we take measures like this to activate unused land that can support more new homes for our growing community in Ballina.

“This land is also ideally located near the popular Fripp Oval, and will encourage community connectedness, recreational activity and support for our local sporting clubs like the Ballina Bears Cricket Club and Ballina Bombers AFL Club.”

The NSW Government has made an offer in response to the NSW Nurses and Midwives request for a historic increase to night shift penalties, as well as improvements to the working conditions of nurses and midwives.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association will take the proposal to their 80th Annual Conference this week, followed by a vote on the offer from their members.

The offer would see night shift penalties increased to 20 per cent, on par with what some of the highest paid nurses in Australia receive. Nurses and midwives have been campaigning for decades, across multiple governments, to increase this loading in NSW.

Nurses and midwives will also see improvements to their working conditions and work-life balance, including:

• Two consecutive days off
• No night shifts before annual leave unless requested
• No changes on published roster without consultation 

Nurses and midwives would receive a 3.5 per cent interim pay increase (including the recent 0.5% increase to super) back paid to July 1 2025, while the Industrial Relations Commission considers the remainder of their special case for gender equity and other improvements to salaries.

The NSW Minns Government acknowledges concerns about gendered undervaluation of work and was proud to have legislated in May to improve the gender equity objectives under the Industrial Relations Act, which the Industrial Relations Commission will be required to consider.

Nurses and midwives deserve a way for their wages to be set independently, after 12 years of the Liberal-National’s unfair wages cap.

While the IRC determines this, the Minns Government still wants to recognise nurses and midwives with movement in pay and conditions now.

This improvement to night shift loadings and interim pay rise follows an 8 per cent increase to pay (including a 1% increase to super) for nurses over the first two years of the Minns Labor Government.

The interim offer forms part of the NSW Government’s comprehensive plan to deliver the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:

“The offer on night shift penalties and improvements to working conditions is an important step towards the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.

“We now look forward to the independent umpire delivering a wages agreement for nurses and midwives, after 12 years of the Coalition’s unfair wages cap.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the NSW Government is rebuilding essentials service by investing in the workers that deliver them.

“As a show of good faith, we are offering another interim pay increase of 3 per cent and boosting the night shift penalty rate for our hard-working nurses and midwives across NSW.

“We look forward to having the remaining wage claims being resolved through the Industrial Relations Commission process.”

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis:

“This offer is long overdue recognition for nurses and midwives who have been campaigning for a long time. We are proud to support those who care for our communities day and night.

“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state’s essential services and reforming the industrial relations system.

“That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, setting up an Industrial court and amending the Industrial Relations Act to include a new Object to achieve gender equality in the workplace

“Our offer to a historic increase in night shift penalties and improved working conditions for nurses and midwives reflects our commitment to valuing frontline workers.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on another election commitment by commencing consultation on an independent peak body to represent the interests of the State’s more than one million recreational fishers.

This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build a better NSW and to boost economic activity in regional NSW.

More than $1 million has been earmarked to fund the new body and to assist it drive on ground outcomes for the State’s recreational fishers.

The recreational fishing industry is major contributor to our coastal and inland communities and generates about $3.4 billion of economic activity in NSW each year. The industry also creates the equivalent of about 14,000 fulltime jobs.

The NSW Government made an election commitment to establish a peak body for the State’s recreational fishers and has worked with the fishing representatives to develop their vision for a peak body that is:

• a viable and respected professional body: to deliver representation that effectively champions the future of recreational fishing
• representative of all NSW recreational fishers: including affiliated and unaffiliated fishers from diverse backgrounds
• independent of Government: to enable apolitical representation to advance the priorities and needs of recreational fishers
• collaborative and solutions-oriented: to work constructively with Government and other bodies to deliver solutions for recreational fishers.

The people of NSW are now encouraged to have their say on this important process. Public consultation is open from 6 August 2025 to 1 October 2025.

To learn more and provide your feedback, visit the NSW Government’s Have Your Say website.

Our culturally and linguistically diverse fishing community are encouraged to use the translate feature on the Have Your Say website, which offers access in multiple languages and provides a contact for support with submissions.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Recreational fishing is a vital part of life for many people in NSW.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting a thriving, inclusive and sustainable recreational fishing sector that encourages participation across all communities.

“This peak body will work closely with the NSW Government to effectively represent the interests of for all NSW recreational fishers.

“The recreational fishing industry is vital to the NSW economy and one the NSW Government is committed to supporting in a cohesive, productive and positive way.”

Peak Body Working Group member, Karl Mathers said:

“The model for this peak body has been designed to ensure an inclusive and collaborative organisation to help advance the priorities and needs of NSW’s recreational fishers.

“Your feedback is important to ensure the final model reflects the needs and perspectives of recreational fishers from all corners of the state.”

The Minns Labor Government has cut 1,515 public sector jobs in just two weeks, gutting essential services across WaterNSW, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Transport for NSW and TAFE NSW.
 
These are not back-office roles. These are the flood mitigation teams, dam safety experts, pest response officers, public transport staff and TAFE support workers who keep the state safe, moving and educated.
 
The Premier and his Treasurer didn’t front the public. Instead, staff were told by email and department secretaries were sent to answer the media while ministers went missing.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns and Daniel Mookhey make the cuts, then hope no one notices.
 
“They sack workers in silence, then roll out a distraction with an easel board and a media release about something already announced or still just a thought bubble,” Mr Speakman said.
 
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the gutless decision shows a complete lack of understanding of what the regions need.
 
“Not only will this leave our country communities more vulnerable when it comes to natural disasters like the recent devastating flooding, but it will also risk our primary industries and the food and fibre people rely on every single day,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“It’s a brutal one-two punch where it’s ripping hundreds of jobs out of the bush and removing years of knowledge and experience at the same time, which will have a very real impact on our front-line defences when it comes to things like biosecurity.”
 
The Minns Government has flagged $279 million dollars in so-called internal labour savings but has refused to release any detail about where the next round of cuts will come from.
 
While essential jobs are being stripped away, Labor continues to hold media events and issue press releases for rehashed ideas and recycled promises.
 
This is not a government focused on delivering. It is a government focused on distraction.
 
The Premier and Treasurer must now come clean. What other services are being cut? How many more jobs are going? And why are they hiding it from the public?