Category: NSW News

A major milestone has been reached in the first project announced as part of the $100 million Northern Rivers Resilient Lands Program. 

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) has finalised the purchase of 72 hectares of flood-free land from Southern Cross University which allows the development of more than 400 new housing lots to be kick started, helping to address the housing shortage in the Northern Rivers and supporting flood-affected communities.

The site, in East Lismore, is being developed for new land and homes in partnership with Landcom, the NSW Government’s land and property developer.

A diverse range of land sizes will be made available to cater for housing options that will make up the development, including residential lots for new builds and land suitable for relocating existing homes from flood-affected areas.

Landcom will invest $60 million to develop the site and RA is contributing up to $15 million for the land and funding for enabling infrastructure, including new roads, power, water and sewerage connections.

RA’s contribution also ensures that participants in the Commonwealth and State-funded Resilient Homes Program will have priority access to purchase new land and housing before it is offered to the broader market. This will be offered at prices that reflect the local market.

Consultation between Landcom, Lismore City Council and RA is underway to progress a masterplan for the site and to make sure new housing and community infrastructure is delivered as quickly as possible.

In addition, Landcom is close to starting construction on Build to Rent housing on the site with 50 apartments will be unlocked, with at least 20 per cent set aside for affordable housing.

This development is a key part of the Government’s $100 million Resilient Lands Program, with other housing and land developments started or planned for Goonellebah, North Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah along with planning support for a range of priority projects across all Local Government Areas in the Northern Rivers.

The $880 million Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program and the $100 million Resilient Lands Program are the largest projects of their kind in Australia, announced in response to the 2022 flood disasters in the Northern Rivers.

The NSW Government’s Resilient Lands Program is facilitating development and working with Councils, landowners and government agencies to unlock land for up to 4300 homes on flood safe land in the region.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The finalisation of this purchase and development of the land is a key part of a range of projects under the Resilient Lands Program that will provide safe, suitable places for people to move off the floodplain and into their forever homes.

“Importantly participants of the Resilient Homes Program will be given first access to secure new land and housing under the project.

“Northern Rivers residents are facing major housing challenges and this large-scale land purchase will make way for the development of many new homes, the relocation of existing homes and a significant proportion of Build to Rent properties.

“This project is another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering more homes and better choices for home buyers and renters across the state.”

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“The Southern Cross University site opens up a significant area for homes in areas outside the probable maximum flood level in Lismore.

“This development allows us to build a safe and resilient community close to home and in easy reach of the town centre.

“A sincere thank you to Southern Cross University, an integral part of the Lismore community, for working with us to unlock this significant tract of land.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“The RA has been working closely with Southern Cross University and Landcom to acquire and progress development of the site. The RA and Landcom will focus on fast-tracking the project and get groundwork underway.

“This development is a key component of the Resilient Lands Strategy. The purchase of this land is a demonstration of the work to secure a brighter future for Lismore and the Northern Rivers in response to one of the nation’s worst ever flood disasters.

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority is committed to helping people move from flood-prone land to areas free from flood risk.”

Landcom CEO Alexander Wendler said:

“The impact of the floods continues to be felt in Lismore and is exacerbated by the current housing crisis. We recognise this hardship and are stepping up provide more housing opportunities to accommodate the needs of the local community.

“Landcom is making homes happen. This project will unlock housing to suit a range of needs with diverse, sustainable and affordable options.’

Parramatta is now connected into the Metro tunnels which will link millions of passengers to the Sydney CBD in a smooth, 20-minute underground trip in the future.

After 17-months of grinding through solid rock from Sydney Olympic Park two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have arrived at the Parramatta station box.

This marks 90 per cent completion of all tunnelling on the Sydney Metro West project and comes after a double breakthrough at Pyrmont at the eastern end of the line.

Sydney Metro West will transform the Parramatta city centre into a vibrant precinct, with the station anchoring a mixed-use development over the equivalent of two city blocks.

The new Metro station is close to Light Rail services and will link directly to the new Civic Link, a 450-metre-long pedestrian spine connecting the metro precinct to the future Powerhouse Parramatta.

The TBMs have chewed through 200 metres of Sydney sandstone every week since early 2024, excavating 1.25 million tonnes of rock – enough to fill the Olympic pool at Sydney Olympic Park 204 times over.

Appropriately, it was TBM Betty, named after Australian “Golden Girl” Olympic champion sprinter Betty Cuthbert, that reached the finish line into Parramatta first and is already on its way towards Westmead.

TBM Dorothy, named after human rights activist Dorothy Buckland-Fuller, broke through into the station box just before 10am on Thursday last week and will receive some maintenance before pushing on to Westmead to complete the western end of the line by the end of the year.

They have installed more than 48,000 precast concrete segments – each weighing up to 4 tonnes – to line the tunnels. That is the equivalent weight of:

• Three and a half Sydney Harbour Bridges
• 317 Airbus A380s
• 34,500 African elephants

Six of the nine station boxes for the Sydney Metro West project have been excavated and lined: The Bays, Five Dock, Burwood North, North Strathfield Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead. Work continues at Parramatta, Pyrmont and the Hunter Street station in the city which will link pedestrians to Martin Place Station on the M1 metro line.

Sydney Metro West has a target open date of 2032.

Housing is the largest cost most people are facing and the NSW Government is getting more homes built near public transport, improving affordability, reducing building and infrastructure costs and building a better NSW.

For more information about the project, visit sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“This station breakthrough is a huge step towards the delivery of Sydney Metro West.

“When it’s up and running Metro West will be a gamechanger for commuters making it significantly easier to travel between Sydney’s west and Sydney’s CBD.

“Metro West will double rail capacity, it’ll link new communities, support the growth of housing and jobs in Western Sydney.”

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“The route from Sydney to Parramatta has always been one of the most important transport connections and a 20-minute underground metro trip will bring these two centres so much closer together.

“Metro is a city-shaping transport project, and we look forward to the jobs and economic boost for Sydney’s west that this line will provide.

“These TBMs have delivered a rock-solid performance, working around the clock for 17 months to reach Parramatta and now it is time for them to finish the job to Westmead.”

Creatives in Western Sydney will have greater opportunities to build careers and share their unique stories with the world, through the first Western Sydney arts strategy in over 25 years.

Backed by a $5 million funding boost the Government is launching the Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2025 – 2028, which aims tounlock the full potential of one of Australia’s fastest growing, dynamic and diverse creative communities.

To achieve that objective the plan lays out a strategy with six priorities:

• Unlock investment equity: repairing historic underfunding through transparent, proportional funding aligned with the region’s scale, population and cultural vitality.
• First Nations First:  placing First Nations arts, culture, creative practice and leadership as central to Western Sydney’s cultural future.
• Grow creative careers: supporting the creative workforce through direct funding and strengthening collaboration with education providers, government and creative industries.
• Strengthen creative ecosystems: supporting artists, groups and organisations to develop and present new work, connect with peers and communities.
• Showcase Western Sydney: growing local, national and international audiences by investing in programming, platforms and partnerships.
• Unlock spaces for culture: working with local and state government, cultural institutions, and infrastructure agencies to unlock and develop new creative spaces.

The plan is backed by an initial first year investment of $5 million, which includes:

• $2.15 million for a Strategic Partnerships Fund — supporting co-funded initiatives with arts and cultural organisations, councils, universities, philanthropists and business.
• $2 million to scope and deliver a major Western Sydney arts festival.
• $500,000 in new First Nations arts grants (up to $100,000 per project).
• $350,000 to strengthen the Western Sydney Arts Alliance and deliver a micro-grants program to Western Sydney creatives.

This new investment builds on ongoing investments including the delivery of Powerhouse Parramatta, $380 million of cultural infrastructure investments in Western Sydney arts centres, and Create NSW Arts and Cultural Funding Program investment of $3.9 million per annum in Western Sydney arts organisations.

These commitments build on the NSW Government’s 10-year Creative Communities policy and delivers on its promise to make arts and culture accessible, visible and celebrated across the state — not just in the Sydney CBD.

The plan was developed with the Western Sydney Arts Alliance and a working group of local Western Sydney arts experts, chaired by Julia Finn the Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“Most of Sydney’s major arts institutions are a stone’s throw from the eastern harbour. Western Sydney creatives deserve better, and this a practical plan to start addressing that imbalance.

“No government has delivered a dedicated arts strategy for Western Sydney since Bob Carr in 1999. Once again, this incredibly important area will have a road map.

“A poet in Bankstown or a painter from Penrith should have the same chance of success as someone from the eastern half of the city.

“With the arrival of the new airport, Powerhouse Parramatta and big investments in local arts centres – Western Sydney has a very exciting chapter ahead of it. Its artistic and cultural life will be a big part of that story, but we have to back the local creatives and the communities that nurture them.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts and Member for Granville Julia Finn said:

“Western Sydney is home to more than 2.6 million people – and some of the most exciting creative talent in the country – yet for too long, artists in the region have faced barriers to funding, visibility and opportunity.

“The release of this arts and cultural plan for Western Sydney is the first step to addressing these issues.

“With its Indigenous and the rich migrant history, there is no place in the world like Western Sydney. These creative communities are full of amazing talent and their voices deserve to be heard.

“The accompanying $5 million fund will address the historic inequity in funding allocation to Western Sydney arts, culture and creative industries, providing opportunities for the many benefits to flow into the community and facilitating sustainable sector growth.”

The Western Sydney Arts Alliance said:

“The Western Sydney Plan Working Group welcomes the release of the Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries and the opportunity to have contributed to its development. This landmark strategy acknowledges the systemic inequities long faced by artists and organisations in our region and affirms the vital role of the small-to-medium sector in shaping Western Sydney’s cultural identity.

“Placing First Nations artists, next generation creatives, D/deaf and disabled artists and culturally diverse communities at its centre, the Plan invests in actions that elevate local voices and stories. It recognises the arts as a powerful force for connection, cultural cohesion and economic contribution – locally, nationally and globally.

“We also welcome the recognition of the Western Sydney Arts Alliance as a lead partner in the Plan’s delivery and, as a sector, look forward to working with government, industry and community to realise its vision.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to support local organisations by providing savings on workers compensation premiums at a special event in Nowra.

The forum will provide local business, NGOs and industry with practical advice, resources and insights all geared towards helping better manage their premiums.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the NSW economy, contributing over $535 billion every year.

The Shoalhaven region has almost 8,200 local businesses that employ around 50,000 people. The forum has been organised to listen and provide support to local business owners to access information about premium discounts and incentives for their workers.

The forum includes information on how premiums are calculated, what business owners can do to support their staff’s wellbeing and providing advice on return-to-work strategies.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to reforming icare which involves a sustainable scheme, ensuring injured workers are at the centre of care and helping support business who pay the premiums.

The Government recently introduced changes to workers compensation. The package passed the Legislative Assembly in early June, before being delayed by the Liberal Party, the Greens and Mr Latham.

Every day reform is delayed the workers compensation system deteriorates further.

• Just 50 per cent of workers with a psychological injury can return to work within a year, compared to 95 per cent of workers with a physical injury.
• The private sector scheme is going backwards by $6 million per day. It is soon expected to hold only 80 cents in assets for every dollar it will have to pay in claims.
• Absent reform, 340,000 NSW businesses will have to pay a 36 per cent increase in premiums over the next three years even if they have no claims against them. 

The Minns Labor government is committed to the expansion of this type of engagement in line with its reforms.

Employers in NSW can register for future events online or immediately access a range of free, easy-to-use tools from icare’s Small Business Hub.

For more information about upcoming icare outreach events, visit the website.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“After recently visiting Shoalhaven with the hardworking Member for the South Coast Liza Butler, I’m pleased to return to Nowra for this important forum. Icare experts will be in attendance to provide important advice, tips, tools and useful information which may help reduce Workers Compensation premiums.

“There will be several experts at the forum including SafeWork NSW officials, icare underwriters and icare specialist support staff.

“Helping local employers support their workers to stay safe, return to work quickly and get home safely at the end of every day not only safeguards workers’ health, but saves them money.

“The NSW Government has introduced legislation to reform the Workers Compensation System and our Workplace Health and Safety system to improve the prevention and treatment of psychological injuries which occur at work. 

“The government is also funding acomplementary Workplace Mental Health package with $344 million in new funding to support mental health in the workplace, including new SafeWork NSW Inspector positions and wraparound psychological support services for people navigating the claims process.”

Member for the South Coast Liza Butler said:

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our region, and it is important that we support them to find ways to not only keep workers safe, but what they can do to reduce their Workers Compensation premiums.

“I wish to sincerely thank the local business community for their collaboration and assistance to put this event together. Their commitment to finding smarter, more efficient ways to operate is what keeps the Shoalhaven economy moving.

“I also thank Minister Cotsis for taking the time to meet directly with South Coast businesses—it means a lot to see real support on the ground to help address both the challenges and the opportunities our region faces.”

President Shoalhaven Business Chamber John Lamont said:

“Events like this in Nowra are crucial for equipping local business owners with practical tools, expert advice, and cost-saving strategies that make a real difference.

“With over 8,000 businesses in the Shoalhaven region, we’re committed to ensuring they have every opportunity to grow and thrive.

“I’d like to thank Minister Cotsis for her strong advocacy and continued support for South Coast businesses.”

icare Medium Employer Engagement Team & Mobile Engagement Team Manager Adam O’Leary said:

“At icare, we want to help local business owners understand the impact their unique claims history and other risk factors have on the premium they pay, and that there are savings and incentives that are often available to them.

“The calculations behind icare’s premiums are risk-based, and businesses with strong safety performance are usually rewarded with discounted premiums. Our talk is packed full of top tips for local businesses looking to build safety and to help their injured workers get back to work faster.”

A new pedestrian and cyclist bridge honouring the memory of local student Luke Bowen has officially opened in Coffs Harbour today, marking a major milestone in the delivery of the city’s long-awaited bypass.

Spanning eight lanes of traffic, the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge is the first major piece of infrastructure to be completed as part of the Coffs Harbour Bypass.

This state-of-the-art pedestrian bridge replaces the older and shorter bridge of the same name, and now provides a safer, more accessible connection across the highway, including direct access to a new bus interchange being built near Kororo Public School.

The bridge stands as both a vital piece of infrastructure and a deeply meaningful tribute – a place of remembrance for Luke, and a commitment to a safer future for all members of the community.

The Coffs Harbour Bypass is a $2.2 billion project jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments.

Once complete, the bypass will remove thousands of vehicles from the city centre, improve traffic flow and significantly reduce travel times.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said:

“The 14kilometre Coffs Bypass will transform Coffs Harbour for the better, bypassing the town centre and allowing interstate traffic to flow freely. The stunning new pedestrian bridge will ensure people can move safely and easily over the new highway.

“The bridge also honours the memory of Luke Bowen, a young life lost too soon. The Coffs Harbour community has shown such strength and unity in carrying Luke’s name forward and this bridge stands as a testament to that spirit.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“For the people of Coffs Harbour, the bypass represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape their city, to reclaim their streets, reduce congestion, and create a more peaceful, accessible place to live.

“The Luke Bowen Bridge is the first step in that journey, and it sets the tone for everything that will follow.

“It is especially moving to see the community come together to honour Luke’s memory in such a lasting way. It’s a reminder that behind every piece of infrastructure are people, families and stories that matter.

“The bridge was installed with only a few hours of highway closure, and the older structure removed just as efficiently. This shows the outstanding coordination and care that’s gone into this project.”

Jeff Bowen and Vicki Banks, parents of the late Luke Bowen said:

“Our family is honoured that the new pedestrian bridge will serve as a lasting legacy to Luke.

“It is a deeply moving tribute that reflects the care and strength of the community he loved so much.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Transport for NSW and Kororo Public School.”

The huge trade potential of the Northern Rivers region will be the focus of the latest NSW Government ASEAN Market Update for NSW Businesses series being held in the Tweed today.

The updates provide local businesses with information about trends and export opportunities across Southeast Asian markets.

Southeast Asia is the fastest growing region in the world, expected to become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2040, and NSW is uniquely positioned to grow with the region.

Southeast Asia is NSW’s second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods growing by more than nine per cent in the past year. Continued rapid growth is expected in sectors where NSW businesses excel, such as food and beverages, health, and the digital economy.

Today’s session will bring together around 50 participants, including local businesses and industry groups at Husk Farm Distillery in North Tumbulgum.

Husk Farm Distillery has made hand-crafted rum in the region since 2012 and is an experienced exporter to Southeast Asia, having benefitted from NSW Government support, particularly in the Indonesian market.

Speakers at the forum include Southeast export experts, and NSW exporters, who have already utilised Investment NSW’s support services to build connections and drive export sales across the region.

The ASEAN Market Updates series is supported by other initiatives led by Investment NSW to help small and medium businesses pursue international growth objectives in Southeast Asia and other important export markets around the globe.

In 2024/25, these included supporting cleantech companies to export to Malaysia and Singapore, and wine to be exported to Vietnam.

The ASEAN Market Updates series began with sessions in Western Sydney last October, and Wollongong earlier this year, with more locations to come.

For more information on how the NSW Government supports businesses to export, visit Investment NSW: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/export/

NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Exporting is crucial for the growth and resilience of NSW businesses.

“Higher exports lead to higher wages and more employment, driving long-term prosperity across our state.

“Southeast Asia is entering a golden age.

“It is the fastest growing region in the world, with strong potential for NSW exporters in sectors like agrifood, life sciences, healthcare, and technology.

“My ASEAN Market Updates series is all about helping businesses to crack new markets and accelerate their exports with Southeast Asia, where our two-way trade is worth $33.6 billion and is continuing to grow.

“Today’s session in the Tweed follows previous market update sessions in Western Sydney and Wollongong with more locations to come.”

Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:

“Businesses in Northern NSW are doing some incredible things and it is wonderful to be able to support them to expand their reach across the world.

“I have a long-standing interest and engagement with our ASEAN neighbours, as does our Northern NSW region, but there remains enormous potential for our small businesses to take those relationships to the next level.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Small Business and Duty MLC for Tweed the Hon Emily Suvaal MLC said:

“The Tweed is home to so many innovative businesses with vast export potential, and Southeast Asia presents a golden opportunity for growth.

“The NSW Government is here to support local businesses every step of the way to ensure they can compete and thrive on the world stage.”

NSW is boosting the security and reliability of its energy grid, with Energy Minister Penny Sharpe directing a tender for projects that deliver 500MW of firm capacity.

This is crucial to ensure NSW residents and businesses have reliable power when they need it most, especially during high-demand periods like heatwaves or cold snaps.

The tender will seek bids for firming infrastructure like batteries, gas generation and virtual power plants, that can rapidly supply electricity to the grid or reduce the use of electricity at short notice.

The projects supported by this tender will be capable of powering around 200,000 homes during times of peak demand.

NSW is forecast to face shortfalls of firm capacity for the summer of 2027-28. A range of measures are already underway to meet NSW’s energy security target but this new tender will provide greater certainty as NSW transforms its energy system.

The tender will be conducted by ASL (formerly AEMO Services) later this year, and priority will be given to projects that can supply the Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong areas (where the shortfalls are forecast) during times of peak period.

Successful projects will join those supported in the state’s first firming tender in 2023, with the likes of AGL’s Liddell battery, Akaysha Energy’s Orana battery, Iberdrola’s Smithfield battery and NSW’s first large scale virtual power plant under the NSW Roadmap being delivered by Enel X.

Minister Sharpe announced the tender while addressing the 2025 Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe:

“The Minns Labor Government has always been clear that we will make decisions to keep the lights on and the energy transformation underway.

“This tender will provide greater certainty against future reliability risks.

“We are proactively managing the risks associated with delivering multiple large-scale infrastructure projects at once, as we rebuild our energy system.”

ASL Chief Executive Officer, Nevenka Codevelle:

“The announcement of this tender for firming infrastructure demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap in bringing forward additional energy capacity in response to an identified need.

“Firming infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting the reliability of the NSW electricity system, with this tender calling on projects to come forward that can support the Sydney-Newcastle-Wollongong region by the summer of 2027/28.”

The Minns Labor Government has presided over the worst spike in unemployment New South Wales has seen since the pandemic with over 205,000 people now out of work and some communities in crisis.
 
New figures confirm more than 45,000 jobs have vanished in just two months. The state’s jobless rate has surged to 4.4%, smashing through Labor’s own budget forecasts and taking NSW back to levels not seen since the economic fallout of the COVID lockdowns.
 
This isn’t just a number on a chart, this is families skipping meals, young people shelving dreams, and workers with decades of experience suddenly without a wage.
 
Labor’s promise to support Western Sydney has proven hollow. Communities like Parramatta (5.7%), Blacktown (5.4%) and in the South West (5.4%) now face the highest unemployment rates in the state with more than double those in the Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches.
 
Despite this, the Minns Labor Government has no credible plan. Private sector confidence is so low that job creation is stalling altogether.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said a government that gets its numbers this wrong can’t be trusted to manage the future.
 
“This isn’t a spreadsheet issue, it’s real people, real families, and real businesses hurting. Chris Minns needs to stop blaming everyone else and start showing some leadership,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Mark Coure said when you lose your job, you lose more than a pay, you lose your routine, your confidence, and your peace of mind.
 
“Labor said they’d deliver for working people, but 200,000 families are now wondering how they’re going to pay the rent or put food on the table. Chris Minns has no plan, no answers, and no idea how to turn this around,” Mr Coure said.
 
In its own budget delivered just last month, the Minns Labor Government predicted unemployment would sit at 4% by June 2025, the actual figure has already blown past that to 4.4%, with every sign things will get worse.

The Minns Labor Government has been caught red-handed secretly looking to extend the private operations for the Inner West (Region 6) of the Greater Sydney bus network without informing the public or even going to tender.
 
Reports today flies in direct contrast to Labor’s anti-privatisation stance before the election, revealing once again that they have no new ideas or plans to improve public transport for commuters.
 
This development is particularly embarrassing for Transport Minister John Graham, who labelled Region 6 a “total failure” and a “failed experiment” in Opposition1, yet in Government he hasn’t bothered to consult the public or even tell them!
 
The secret plans raise further doubt on what the point of this Labor Government’s overall transport agenda, following confirmation in recent months that there will be:
 
No new Metro Lines or major projects will be invested in
Nearly one thousand staff cut inside Transport for NSW
No actual plan to improve the consistently shocking on-time running for the Sydney Train network.
 
Mark Speakman, Leader of the Opposition said Mark Speakman secret deals and secret plans just show this Government has no real agenda to deliver better services for the people of NSW, only spin.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said this is proof Labor have misled the public.
 
“Labor’s position was no more privatisation. They have told the public one thing before the election and have done the complete opposition when in Government.
 
“There will be spin, there will be excuses, but word is your bond and this a broken promise.”
 
NSW deserves more than easel boards and corflutes with ideas, empty speeches, and cut-and-paste press conferences. We need leadership. We need delivery. We need vision.
 
1 – https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-80995 

The NSW Opposition has today welcomed the Minns Labor Government’s decision to follow the Opposition’s lead in finally acting on illicit tobacco and vapes, dangerous products peddled by organised crime in plain sight of NSW communities.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said while this overdue announcement is a step in the right direction, it’s clear Labor only acted after months of political pressure, media scrutiny and growing community frustration.
 
“We’ve been calling for this for months. Communities knew it. Small businesses knew it. Parents knew it. And now finally the Premier knows it,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the Minns Labor Government had presided over a surge in illegal tobacco and vapes, while gangs exploited weak penalties and slow enforcement.
 
“The government ignored what everyone could see, blacked-out shops appearing overnight, with no receipts, no regulation and no accountability,” Mr Henskens said.
 
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said illicit tobacco wasn’t just a law and order issue, it was a growing public health crisis affecting young people, families and local communities.
 
“We can’t allow another generation to be targeted by criminal operators selling cheap, addictive poison under the counter,” Ms Sloane said.
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said communities outside Sydney had been particularly vulnerable due to lack of enforcement.
 
“From the coast to the west, regional main streets had become easy targets,” Mr Singh said.
 
The NSW Coalition’s original announcement, made publicly on 29 June included:

• Jail time of up to 7 years for serious illegal tobacco crimes
• $1.5 million fines
• Closure powers for NSW Health and the courts
• New offences for landlords who knowingly lease to offenders
• Lease termination rights for landlords
• A clear message NSW would no longer be a soft target