A joint letter by leading clinicians across NSW which raises urgent concerns about the Minns Labor Government’s three strikes drug driving policy, reinforces calls by the Liberals and Nationals to abandon the reckless change to road safety.
Heads of trauma in major NSW hospitals and other specialists have co-signed the letter which says the policy is not supported by the medical evidence and should be withdrawn.
The letter states the limit of 50 ng/ml permitted by Labor under their proposal:
“…is not endorsed by any Australian or international peak clinical body. It is an administrative convenience that has been given the appearance of scientific authority it does not possess.”
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said Labor’s policy puts lives at risk.
“When experts are warning that this policy could cost lives, pressing ahead regardless would be an extraordinary act of recklessness,” Ms Sloane said.
“The Government should stop pretending this is evidence-based reform, withdraw the three-strikes policy and work with clinicians, road safety experts and patient groups on a system that protects both road users and medicinal cannabis patients.”
Shadow Minister for Roads Mark Coure said the Minns Labor Government must immediately adopt the recommendations in the letter.
“What more does Labor need to convince them this is a dangerous policy that puts at risk the safety of every road user,” Mr Coure said.
“Those prescribed medicinal cannabis also deserve a legal system that protects them and not one that can’t tell if they took their medication two hours ago or 12.”
‘Ditch the witch’ – Pauline’s seen it all before
“Suck it up, sweetheart.”
Pauline didn’t hold back after chronically unpopular Victorian premier Jacinta Allan played the victimhood card over billboards seen in Melbourne depicting her as a witch. Allan called it sexist. So did Albanese and – in a blast from the past – so did former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard.
Allan must be relieved that she can finally claim to be a victim of something. Every other lefty activist does. It’s like a badge of honour for them. Since when did people start idolising victims over heroes?
These days Pauline is being asked by the media to comment on everything, no matter how irrelevant. In this case, however, it was nothing new to the One Nation leader who’s been forced to deal with much worse.
Social media denizens quickly found cartoons and ads in 1990s newspapers calling Pauline the ‘witch from Ipswich’ and the Senator herself told Sky News that no less than former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer had called Pauline a witch who should be burned at the stake.
No woman from the left side of politics ever came to Pauline’s defence. The ‘mean girls’ of the left are very selective about who they accept as a victim of sexism and who they don’t.
$100 million to deliver more arthritis research
The Albanese Government is delivering a record amount of funding for Arthritis by establishing a new Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Research Mission.
We will invest $100 million over 10 years to deliver the Mission that will boost research into arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
The Mission will be established through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and will bring together key researchers, health professionals, industry partners and patients to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the debilitating condition.
More than 7 million Australians are living with Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. They are complex, lifelong diseases which can strike at any age.
The new research mission is part of the Albanese Government’s record investments to transform health and medical research in Australia.
It will be funded through the 26-27 Budget commitment to spend $508.5 million over four years to increase MRFF investments from $650 million to $1 billion a year by 2030-31.
the Prime Minister
“For millions of Australians, living with Arthritis isn’t just an ache or pain, it affects their ability to work, to stay active and to enjoy everyday life.
“My Government’s $100 million investment will be a gamechanger for Australians living with Arthritis.
“It will back Australian researchers to develop better treatments, improve diagnosis and help find the breakthroughs patients have been waiting for.
“My Government is investing in medical research because it is an investment that changes lives and strengthens our nation’s health.”
Minister Butler
“Our Government’s investments in health and medical research are about improving the lives of Australians.
“We have world class researchers in Australia whose ideas could transform health outcomes for future generations.
“This mission is another way our Government is boosting research to deliver innovative, equitable health outcomes.”
Arthritis Australia CEO Louise Hardy
“This is a truly historic day for our community. The announcement of a gives hope to millions of Australians of all ages living with the pain of arthritis.
“We are deeply grateful to the Albanese Government for listening to our community and making this commitment.
“This Mission will drive the research breakthroughs we so urgently need — from earlier diagnosis, improved treatments, to the hope of cures.”
Appeal to locate man missing from New Lambton Heights
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the states Hunter Region.
Peter Bates, aged 42, was last seen leaving a medical facility in New Lambton Heights – after presenting with a stomach wound – and boarding a bus about 3pm yesterday (Thursday 11 June 2026).
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries to locate him.
There are extremely serious concerns for Peter’s welfare as he requires urgent medical assistance for the wound.
The cause of the wound is not known.
Peter is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, medium build with short brown hair.
He was last seen wearing a grey beanie, black hooded jumper, light grey track pants, red shoes and carrying a white plastic bag.
Peter is known to frequent the surrounding areas of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
New $7.76 million Hunter disability centre officially opens at Beresfield
A new disability centre in Beresfield has officially opened marking a major investment by the Minns Labor Government in improving the lives of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities across the Hunter region.
Backed by a $3.38 million investment from the NSW Government’s Regional Development Trust, in addition to $4.38 million from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, the project delivers a total investment of $7.76 million into modern accessible care services.
Under the project a former industrial warehouse has been transformed into a customised centre featuring multi-disciplinary therapy rooms, flexible spaces for group programs and an early diagnosis clinic.
The centre aims to meet growing demand for services in the region by providing access to evidence-based therapies, leading technologies and tailored programs for babies, children and adults with disability and support for their families.
The centre also includes a dedicated training space which will support more than 300 workers from the disability sector in the Hunter region.
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance has been supporting people with disability in NSW for 80 years and has been present in the Hunter for more than four decades with accommodation and services being delivered across the region.
More than $220 million from the NSW Government’s Regional Development Trust Fund is currently being delivered through programs and projects that provide strategic and sustainable investment where it is needed to support regional and rural industries, businesses and communities to grow.
For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
“This is a major investment in the Hunter and, most importantly, in the lives of people with disability and the families who love and support them.
“For more than four decades, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance has stood alongside Hunter families, and this centre means they can reach more people, with better facilities.”
Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:
“I’m grateful to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance for expanding its services here in the Hunter. The NSW Government is proud to partner with this impressive organisation on this important, life-changing project.
“The Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a highly respected organisation that’s been innovating and improving lives for 80 years. This state-of-the-art facility means they can keep doing what they do best, providing quality therapies to Hunter babies, children and adults with disability.”
Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“This new disability centre in the Hunter is exactly the kind of investment our government is committed to—projects that improve essential services and strengthen regional communities.
“It will provide world-class care and support closer to home, ensuring people living with disability and their families in the Hunter have access to the services they need without having to travel further afield.
“By investing in this project, we’re not only improving infrastructure, we’re building stronger, more inclusive communities.”
Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said:
“I was pleased to be able to help secure this funding, with more local families and people with cerebral palsy now set to benefit from world-class support thanks to our investment and partnership with an exceptional organisation as Cerebral Palsy Alliance.”
Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:
“This new centre is a wonderful addition to Beresfield and will make a real difference for people with disability and their families across Maitland and the wider Hunter.
“Families will be able to access high-quality therapies, early diagnosis services and tailored support closer to home, in a modern facility designed around their needs.
“The Cerebral Palsy Alliance has supported our community for decades, and this new centre will help them continue that important work for generations to come.”
Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“The Minns Labor Government is not only delivering high-quality disability services but also investing in the future of the local workforce too. This new facility delivers high-quality training space for Hunter disability workers – an additional benefit for our growing and increasingly specialised disability services workforce.”
Cerebral Palsy Alliance CEO, Rob White said:
“CPA has proudly supported the Hunter community for over 42 years, and this new centre in Beresfield marks an important step in expanding services across high-need areas of NSW.
“This development strengthens support for families, improves access to services, and reflects our ongoing investment in innovative therapy and community support for the future.”
Joint Statement between France and Australia: upgrading the Australia–France Roadmap: A Framework for Strategic Cooperation
On the occasion of her visit to France on 9 June 2026, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, and Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, held a bilateral discussion on key areas of cooperation, including responses to international crises and challenges.
In the context of international tensions and geopolitical shifts, the Ministers reaffirmed the dynamism of the France–Australian partnership, which is based on shared values and a mutual commitment to an international system underpinned by agreed rules and norms. As neighbours in the Pacific, France and Australia are working together for a peaceful, stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific region, which remains open and inclusive, where the sovereignty of all states is fully respected.
The Ministers confirmed their common intention to elevate the bilateral relationship through the adoption of an upgraded Australia-France Roadmap, which will provide a framework for further strategic engagement.
Under the upgraded Roadmap, the results achieved under the 2023 Australia-France Roadmap across the three pillars of Defence and Security, Resilience and Climate Action, and Education and Culture, will be built upon and guide further work. The flagship 2023 Roadmap project, the Franco–Australian Indo-Pacific Centre for Energy Transition, will continue as well as our dialogue on critical minerals. We have agreed to expand cooperation in fields such as national security and policing. We will also seek to increase our collaboration to counter cyber crime and drug trafficking, while reinforcing global rules and norms. Sport will continue to be a key feature of the upgraded Roadmap ahead of the 2030 French Alps Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Maugean skate still at risk of extinction from political bastardry
The Maugean skate remains at risk of extinction and recovery isn’t yet assured, according to an IMAS report released today. The skate’s precarious future continues to be underpinned by political bastardry, the Greens say.
Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans and Senator for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:
“The Albanese government has used its power to undermine the survival of the Maugean skate for its mates in the salmon industry and for its own political interest – it cannot be trusted to protect the skate.
“The federal government’s own scientific advice clearly states the key threat to the Maugean skate’s survival is poor water quality in Macquarie Harbour, and that the primary cause of this is Atlantic salmon farming. It recommended stopping or destocking salmon as an immediate measure.
“The plight of this prehistoric species could be immediately improved by reducing salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, but nobody in the Albanese government has the political will to make this a reality.
“Rather than take the action needed to protect Tasmania’s waterways and threatened species, the federal government has ignored scientific advice and let the salmon industry off the hook.
“These foreign-owned salmon farming companies pollute Tasmania’s waterways, make hundreds of millions of dollars in profit, and pay no licence fees or royalties for the privilege of using our public waterways. To make matters worse, the industry has recently been awarded taxpayer funds to try and repair the damage it’s caused to the environment.
“It’s state capture fuelled by political bastardry.”
Australia’s AI regulation to face some much needed scrutiny
Submissions are now open for the Senate inquiry that will look into artificial intelligence data centres in Australia.
The inquiry, to be chaired by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, comes amid growing community concerns amidst rapid expansion of energy-hungry AI infrastructure and is an opportunity for communities to have their voices heard on how data centres will impact them.
The inquiry will examine the environmental, economic and social impacts of AI data centres, including their energy and water consumption, effects on local communities and Australia’s regulatory system.
Sarah Hanson-Young, Chair of the Artificial intelligence and data centres inquiry and Greens spokesperson for communications, environment and water:
“AI is the new extractive industry and Australia’s regulations are lagging behind.
“Like the gas industry, these massive data miners want to extract Australia’s resources for free, paying very little for the data, water and energy all used to make their huge corporate profits.
“Australia is sleepwalking into an AI catastrophe. If we don’t put the handbrakes on this rapid data centre development our communities, energy, and water resources will be at risk.
“Right now we’re seeing a push across Australia to build huge data mining centres with little community consultation and very little given back to the community – all just to line the pockets of the big tech companies.
“Not only are they extracting our intelligence, our knowledge, and our culture, these big AI data centres are going to be extracting huge amounts of water and energy too.
“The Albanese Government has been courting global AI companies, but where is the transparency? Australians deserve to know what deals are being struck in their name, and who truly benefits from the expansion of this industry.
“There’s a reason why these big tech companies are honing in on Australia right now – they think Australia is easy pickings. Our regulations are weak and don’t protect our communities or our resources.
“Big tech moves fast, never asks questions and bamboozles governments and Australian communities are paying the price.
“Submissions to this inquiry are open now, and the committee wants to hear from everyone whose land, water or local wildlife is on the line.
“We cannot allow Australia to be an unregulated playground for energy-hungry data centres without proper scrutiny, and that’s what this inquiry will provide.”
For more information about the inquiry, see the home page here.
Renters can’t ask for basic repairs without fear of rent increases, we need rent caps now
The Victorian Greens say new research showing barely half of Victoria’s rental properties meet minimum standards proves that renters need stronger protections, including rent caps, so they can ask for repairs without fearing financial retaliation.
New research from La Trobe University found only 54 per cent of audited rental properties met Victoria’s minimum rental standards, with mould, dampness and bathroom conditions among the most common areas of non-compliance.
Almost seven in ten people who rent privately worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase, according to research by the ACOSS/UNSW Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations (NARO).
The Greens say the findings reflect what renters have been telling them for years: too many people are living with mould, leaks, broken fixtures and unsafe conditions, but are reluctant to push for repairs because they fear their rent will simply be increased at the next opportunity.
Victorian Greens housing spokesperson Gabrielle de Vietri said renters should not have to stay silent about unsafe or unhealthy living conditions just to keep a roof over their heads.
Victorian Greens Housing Spokesperson Gabrielle de Vietri:
“These findings confirm what renters have been telling us for years – renters are often too scared to ask for repairs because the landlord can simply jack up the rent.”
“No one should have to choose between living with mould, leaks and broken fixtures or risking a rent increase they can’t afford.”
“In the past five years rents have gone up 2.5 times faster than wages. Renters are spending too much of what they earn just paying their rent.
“You can have all the minimum standards you like but property investors have tenants on a tight lead because they have all the power. The risk of an unlimited rent is just too much for most renters – they’d rather stay silent than go back out and compete for another home.
“Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government can talk about renters’ rights all it likes, but it means nothing when renters are too scared to exercise them. The Greens have been saying this for years, we need to cap rents.”
Greens say Victoria’s affordable housing system is broken
The Victorian Greens say Labor’s so-called “affordable housing” system is broken and that if the Allan Labor Government is serious about making housing affordable it should cap rents and build more public housing.
It comes as the Allan Labor Government announced changes to its Affordable Housing Rental Scheme, including lowering rent thresholds and extending lease lengths only in government operated homes.
However, this only affects one affordable housing program and the Greens say it does nothing to force developers to adopt genuinely affordable definition of “affordable” or address the broader problem that much of Victoria’s so-called “affordable housing” is still not genuinely affordable.
Across Victoria, developers and housing providers are delivering affordable housing through a range of different schemes, using different definitions of affordability and different methods of setting rent. In many cases, rents are not linked to what people actually earn, but instead to varying definitions of “market rent”.
The Greens say that without a clear statewide definition for both government and private developments , affordable housing has become a catch-all label that can be applied to housing that remains unaffordable for many Victorian renters.
In 2024, the parliamentary inquiry into rental and housing affordability recommended the Victorian Government legislate a clear and consistent definition of affordable housing to be adopted across all government departments, policies and agreements with the private sector.
Nearly two years later, Labor has failed to implement the recommendation.
The Greens say the lack of a clear definition has created loopholes that allow private developers and housing providers to access government grants, taxpayer subsidies and public land while continuing to charge rents that many Victorians cannot afford.
The party says that if Labor genuinely wants to make housing affordable, it must stop outsourcing affordability to the private market, cap rents and invest in a major expansion of public housing, where rents are linked to income and people have genuine housing security.
Victorian Greens Housing spokesperson Gabrielle de Vietri:
“Victoria’s affordable housing system is broken. Labor can’t tell Victorians exactly what affordable housing even means because there is no consistent definition.”
“So-called affordable housing has become a catch-all label that sounds good in a press release, but when developers put these homes on the market they don’t pass the pub test of what most people would actually consider affordable.”
“The only genuinely affordable homes are public homes, where all rents are linked to income rather than whatever version of market rent a developer decides to use.”
“If Labor was serious about making housing affordable, they would cap rents, build public housing and stop relying on profit-driven developers to deliver affordability.”