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Every public-school student in NSW can now access opportunities to pursue their talents and potential at their local school, with the ground-breaking Inspire program rolling out as part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to put high potential and gifted education (HPGE) offerings in every public school.

All public schools in NSW are now embedding HPGE in their teaching practices and co-curricular activities, with a range of new programs tailored to each school, such as enrichment streams, extension opportunities and STEM programs.

The fulfilment of the major policy commitment will be announced today by NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car at the SMH Schools Summit.

The Inspire program brings together all schools’ high potential and gifted offerings under one banner, shared on school websites, giving parents and carers easy access to information about the opportunities available at their local school.

Paired with an updated school-finder website, where schools are now proactively sharing their availability of places with local communities, parents can more easily plan their child’s schooling if they wish to explore the option of a non-local school.

The rollout of the Inspire program is backed by targeted teacher professional development in gifted education which took place state-wide in 2025, to help ensure all students are challenged to achieve their full potential across academics, the arts, leadership and sport.

As part of its commitment, the Minns Labor Government is investing $100 million to develop state-of-the-art learning facilities for students in 33 high schools selected as HPGE Partner Schools, eight of which completed upgrades for the start of the 2026 school year.

Under the Minns Labor Government’s Inspire program, new extension classes are being offered across comprehensive public high schools.

HPGE Extension Classes are now running in eight public high schools, with more schools to join the initiative next year. The schools were selected to address unmet demand for extension class offerings.

The high schools running new classes in 2026 are:

• Chifley College: Dunheved Campus
• Kooringal High School
• Hunters Hill High School
• Lisarow High School
• Elderslie High School
• Georges River College: Peakhurst Campus
• Port Hacking High School
• Riverstone High School

This commitment to support students to reach their full potential is backed by a rebuilt teaching workforce, with vacancies dropping to a 12-year low following Labor’s historic wage rise and additional policies to reduce workload.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“We are determined to ensure our public schools are places of excellence, where all students can access opportunities to develop their talents and reach their full potential.

“The Inspire program ensures high potential and gifted students in NSW public schools are identified and their teachers are equipped to provide world-class opportunities for these students to be challenged and pursue their talents.

“The Minns Labor Government is backing the roll-out of Inspire with our $100 million investment in infrastructure upgrades for 33 HPGE Partner Schools, with new extension classes also now in place in more public high schools.

“Importantly, teachers are receiving targeted training to deliver these opportunities in every school, something that can happen thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s wage reform which has seen vacancies shrink to a 12-year-low.

“Selective schools and opportunity classes are no longer the only public pathways for gifted students to pursue excellence. Parents, carers and the community will see high potential and gifted education in action in their local public schools.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to slash red tape and speed up assessment times with the second proclamation that enacts reforms introduced through the NSW Planning Systems Reform Act 2025 enabling fast-tracked pathways that could halve assessment times.

The rollout of landmark planning reforms is now well underway, creating a faster, fairer and modern planning system.

The latest changes will come into effect on 21 March 2026 and include:

• The ability to create targeted assessment pathways, that could reduce assessment timeframes by up to 50 per cent for low-risk development that have already been subject to strategic planning and community consultation. For example, this could be used to further fast track the approval of Mid-rise pattern book homes.
• Streamlined 14-day approvals for minor modifications to existing development applications (DAs) that don’t have environmental impacts, to increase certainty for applicants and help avoid construction delays.
• Where a development application is notrequired – making the environmental assessment of works carried out by state agencies, councils and other public authorities proportionate to the works being done.
• Fairer review and appeal processes, which give applicants greater flexibility.

The Minns Labor Government is also making the planning system easier to navigate by halving the number of active planning circulars which are in place to help guide people through the planning system. This change will cut the confusion and help applicants speed up planning proposal preparation to further accelerate planning.

This builds on the first proclamation of reforms under the new Act introduced in December 2025 which:

• Allowed the Development Coordination Authority to begin initial operations.
• Cemented the Housing Delivery Authority as a permanent pathway.
• Updated the objects of the act to include climate change, housing delivery and proportionality in assessments.
• Established new powers to deal with ‘Zombie’ development applications.

Since then, the Government has also exhibited regulatory changes to fully establish the Development Coordination Authority and currently have on public exhibition a new proposed Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy.

This implementation of the Government’s landmark planning reforms will continue over the coming months, with consultation on the first potential targeted assessment pathways and a new consistent statewide community consultation plan. 

The Planning System Reform Act 2025 passed in November 2025 with almost universal support if the NSW Parliament, enabling the most substantive changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in a generation.

Further information on the planning reforms is available at the Planning website

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The Minns Labor Government is removing unnecessary roadblocks that have hindered the delivery of new homes, jobs and infrastructure.

“For too long the planning system in NSW has been focused on process rather than outcomes. This led to a situation where around 90 per cent of the development applications being assessed were for lower value projects of $1 million or less.

“We’ve been sweating the small stuff which has led to delays and a system that had lost focus on its role to help deliver more homes, jobs and better environmental outcomes. We’re refocusing planning effort where it matters most by making it faster for low-risk development to get moving so we can get more new keys in more new doors faster.

“By introducing targeted assessment and streamlining modifications we are cutting approval timelines without cutting corners and ultimately improving feasibility for projects right across NSW. Ultimately these changes will help us build a better NSW.”

NSW Health Inspectors have now issued 105 short-term closure orders since new laws strengthening tobacco and vaping control efforts came into effect in November 2025.

This milestone comes ahead of a further increase to the federal tobacco excise expected tomorrow, driving concerns this will push more people to illicit market tobacco as the cost disparity between illegal and legal tobacco continues to grow.

Under the November 2025 laws, NSW Health supported by NSW Police make short-term closure orders of up to 90 days for premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco without a licence.

In the past 10 days, 30 more stores across Hunter New England, Murrumbidgee, Nepean Blue Mountains, Northern Sydney, Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, South Western Sydney, Western Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven, and Western NSW Local Health Districts have been shut down immediately for 90 days.

NSW Health inspectors seized approximately 700,000 illicit cigarettes and 3,900 illicit vapes while implementing the Closure Order at these 30 premises.

Further investigations will follow and additional enforcement action, including prosecution, may take place.

In mid-February, NSW Health took action to close a tobacco retailer in Rutherford for the second time after it was found to be in breach of a 90-day closure order for selling illicit tobacco and vapes.

A NSW Local Court can issue a long-term closure order of up to one year if it is satisfied that illicit tobacco or illegal vaping goods have been or are likely to be sold, or if tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products are sold or are likely to be sold without a licence.

The long-term closure orders are part of the NSW Government’s tough new laws to disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and vaping goods across the state.

Additional reforms under the new legislation include:

• ​a new offence for the possession of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
• new penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
• new lease termination powers for landlords where a closure order is in place
• new nation-leading offences for falsely claiming to be licensed, resisting seizure, and attempting to retake seized products.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance and enforcement of tobacco and vaping goods laws, the NSW Government recently announced the addition of 30 additional full-time equivalent tobacco Inspectors. The new Inspectors brings the dedicated state-wide team, which includes licensing, operational policy and project officers to a total of 78 staff.

Members of the public can lodge complaints about retailers they believe are doing the wrong thing via the complaints portal on the NSW Health website.​

More information on closure orders and penalties can be found on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/tobacco-retailing-laws.aspx

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“The recent closures should serve as a reminder for those people in the community who are doing the wrong thing that we are serious and they will be prosecuted.

“Now with the boost to the numbers of Inspectors on the ground, our work to disrupt the supply of these products is only going to ramp up to continuing protect public health across NSW.

“Our Inspectors actively monitor retailers, and if we find that you are continuing to sell these illicit products after being served a closure order, we will shut you down again and you will face further penalties.

“Despite the increase in the federal tobacco excise this week potentially bolstering the illicit market, we’re getting on with the job of cleaning up our communities and suburbs, doing our part to crack down on illicit tobacco.”

This year’s Vivid Sydney food program is anticipated to be its biggest yet, showcasing an expanded lineup that celebrates the very best of NSW produce, growers and culinary talent.

With a strong focus on produce-led events, the program will shine a spotlight on the state’s exceptional ingredients and the people who bring them to life.

A standout event is The Long Table Dinner: NSW Icons of Land & Sea, a Vivid Sydney first, which will take over the historic Strand Arcade for one night only, showcasing NSW’s exceptional regional food and wine producers.

On 30 May 2026, guests will be invited to dine after hours inside the Strand Arcade, which will be transformed into an intimate, atmospheric long table setting.

Set beneath the heritage balconies and ornate detailing of one of Sydney’s most treasured buildings, the dinner will offer a rare opportunity to experience the Strand Arcade behind closed doors.

It will celebrate the richness, diversity and innovation of the state’s food and wine producers, championing provenance and craftsmanship at every turn.

Curated and hosted by acclaimed chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Nino Zoccali from The Restaurant Pendolino, the evening will pay homage to iconic NSW ingredients through a bespoke multi-course menu. 

Each dish will highlight world-leading producers from across the state, including select winners and nominees of the Royal Agricultural Society’s President’s Medal.

Guided by broadcaster Simon Marnie, the immersive dinner will blend culture, storytelling and fine dining in a way only a Vivid Food event can deliver.

From 22 May to 13 June 2026, Vivid Sydney will transform the city across 23 unforgettable nights. The program will be unveiled on 11 March, giving audiences even more to explore across light, music, food and minds.

Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“Culinary tourism is central to the NSW visitor experience, and Vivid Sydney once again celebrates the best our state has to offer.  

“This year’s Vivid Food program is anticipated to be the largest yet. Celebrating NSW’s most iconic food and wine producers, with a long‑table dining experience in a Vivid Sydney first in the historic Strand Arcade will be truly unforgettable.

“NSW Icons of Land and Sea will showcase the strength of this sector and the important role it plays in powering our state’s visitor economy.”

Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said:

“This year’s Vivid Food program explores the connection between food and memory, how every dish holds a story and every flavour carries the spirit of where it came from.

“With the unbeatable ingredients of the winning produce from the Royal Agricultural Society, legendary chef Nino Zoccali, stories of NSW’s culinary culture, and one of the most gorgeous arcades in the world, this event promises to be an unforgettable highlight of Vivid Sydney 2026. Please join us!”

Chef Nino Zoccali from The Restaurant Pendolino said:

“The Restaurant Pendolino is thrilled to be part of Vivid Sydney, showcasing the exceptional food and wine of NSW within one of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks, the Strand Arcade. In collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society’s Fine Food Show, the event will spotlight the very best world class produce and wines the state has to offer.”

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said:

“Vivid Sydney is a powerful celebration of the creativity, culture and community that make Sydney so special.

“By opening our city’s iconic buildings for unique winter experiences – including this year’s NSW Icons: Land of Land & Sea at the historic Strand Arcade – the festival brings a renewed vibrancy to the Harbour City, invites everyone to connect with these treasured places in inspiring new ways, and reinforces Sydney’s position as a global destination for arts, innovation and immersive storytelling.”

President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, John Bennett said:

“The Royal Agriculture Society of NSW is honoured to collaborate with The Restaurant Pendolino for this year’s Vivid Sydney festival, offering guests an unforgettable food and wine experience that celebrates Sydney Royal’s award-winning producers and one of the city’s most accomplished chefs.”

The Minns Labor Government is abandoning thousands of children at risk because the state’s child protection system is collapsing under the weight of chronic understaffing.
 
Recent media reports show that that tens of thousands of children assessed as ‘at risk‑of‑significant‑harm’ (ROSH) have not received timely intervention, or intervention at all.
 
Shadow Minister for Families and Communities, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, said that this data shows that the Minns Labor Government is failing vulnerable children because it is struggling to retain experienced caseworkers and meet statutory response times and responsibilities.
 
“The Minister responsible for protecting vulnerable children is presiding over a system where capacity, not risk, determines whether a child is seen,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“Our child protection caseworkers are doing their best under impossible circumstances and chronic understaffing, they should never have to choose which children get help and which do not.”
 
“With a vacancy rate of 14% in some areas and chronic understaffing, the Minns Labor Government is effectively abandoning thousands of children at risk with no home visit, no assessment and no follow‑up.”
 
Independent audits have shown thousands of ROSH reports remain unallocated, meaning no action is taken to assess or support vulnerable children.
 
The Government has been given repeated warnings from frontline workers and no action has been taken.
 
“Caseworkers are being set up to fail, and the Minister is doing nothing,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“They are being asked to make life‑and‑death decisions in a system the NSW Ombudsman has called ‘inefficient, ineffective, and unsustainable’.”
 
The NSW Liberals and Nationals are calling for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the under‑resourcing of the child protection system.
 
“There must be a parliamentary inquiry into the under‑resourcing of the child protection system, including the backlog of unallocated ROSH reports and the government’s compliance with statutory obligations,” Mrs Mclaren-Jones said.

The Minns Labor Government is supporting councils and councillors across NSW to work more closely with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities to help close the gap with the launch of a new toolkit developed in partnership with Local Government NSW and the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO).

The NSW Closing the Gap Toolkit for Local Government includes practical examples and case studies from across NSW, templates for planning and policy making and a self-assessment tool to guide councils on their progress.

The toolkit is a key initiative that came out of the NSW Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement, which was signed by the NSW Government, NSW CAPO and Local Government NSW in February 2024.

Local councils are often the closest level of government to Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote areas. This means councils are well positioned to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations to support local Aboriginal-led Closing the Gap initiatives and deliver benefits to the community.

The new toolkit includes guidance for how councils can align their strategic operational planning with each of the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, with case studies from across NSW including Tamworth Regional, Orange City and Inner West Councils.

As a case in point, in 2025, Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) and Tamworth Regional Council signed Australia’s first formal Closing the Gap partnership between an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and a local council.

The development of such partnerships aligns with ‘Priority Reform 1, ‘formal partnership and shared decision making’, from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Councils can also use a new self-assessment tool to determine their areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in how they work with Aboriginal communities and organisations in their region.

The toolkit is now available to download: https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Closing-the-Gap-Toolkit/close-the-gap.aspx

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The NSW Government is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal people to Close the Gap.

“When Aboriginal voices are at the centre of decision-making, solutions are more effective, locally relevant, and the evidence shows it leads to better outcomes.

“All levels of government – local, state and federal – must work together, in genuine partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to make real change.

“This toolkit is about ensuring every council — regardless of size — can play their part in Closing the Gap in partnership with Aboriginal communities.”
Local Government NSW President, Mayor Darcy Byrne said:

“Across NSW, councils continue to do some extraordinary work with their local Aboriginal communities. I am proud of the local government sector in NSW for leading by example in our concerted effort at Closing the Gap.

“This toolkit gives councils practical ways to continue to strengthen how we plan, partner and deliver with Aboriginal communities. By working in genuine partnership, we can build trust, support shared decision making and achieve better outcomes for everyone.

“This toolkit strengthens the way councils work alongside Aboriginal communities, supporting more meaningful and effective collaboration. Councils understand that when decisions are shaped locally, the results are better for everyone. “

NSW CAPO Co-Chair Cr Charles Lynch said:

“Closing the Gap is a shared responsibility across all levels of government. Under the National Agreement, decisions that affect Aboriginal people need to be made through formal partnership and shared decision-making.

“Local government plays a critical role in communities across NSW, particularly in regional and remote areas.

“We welcome this commitment from LGNSW and the development of this toolkit as a practical step to support councils to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations, and deliver on their commitments under the National Agreement.

“We look forward to working alongside LGNSW to strengthen local partnerships and ensure that Closing the Gap is implemented in a way that delivers tangible outcomes on the ground.”