Author: admin

Specialised K9 pods unveiled as 133 firefighters join Fire and Rescue NSW ranks

High-tech K9 pods and a detection puppy are joining the firefighting frontline to help investigate the origin and cause of fires, alongside 133 new firefighters graduating from the Fire and Rescue NSW academy today.

Today, 62 permanent firefighters and 71 paid on-call firefighters join the emergency services family. Importantly, 73 per cent of the new permanent firefighters have previously served as on-call firefighters, bringing more than 383 years of combined experience and service into full-time roles.  

The graduating firefighters hail from diverse backgrounds including teaching, surfboard manufacturing, disability support, plumbing, electrical trades, surf lifesaving, media, other emergency services and Defence.

Also joining the firefighting frontline is Garvey, a five-month-old brown and white Springer Spaniel puppy, training to join FRNSW’s world-leading Ignitable Liquid Detection Canine (ILDC) program.

To support Garvey and his canine colleagues, the Minns Labor Government has invested $320,000 in two new custom-built FRNSW K9 pod vehicles, strengthening the ILDC program that has been the benchmark in Australasia for three decades. 

Designed in collaboration with the FRNSW canine team, the pod-style vehicles feature advanced communications and comfort systems for both handlers and dogs, including:

  • A purpose-built kennel with air-conditioning and remote temperature monitoring via mobile app
  • Multi-compartment design to carry one or two dogs safely and comfortably
  • Access ramps to reduce manual handling and avoid stress injuries to dogs
  • Full washout capability for hygiene and ease of maintenance
  • Modern cab features to improve safety and comfort for handlers 

The vehicles also include a powerful dual battery to support operational communications and vehicle safety systems, enhanced stowage space, and technology connected via mobile and satellite networks.

Paired with dedicated handlers, the dogs can detect minute traces of ignitable liquids at fire scenes and are an essential tool in determining the cause of fires and assisting criminal investigations.

Garvey’s training is focused on getting him used to real-life fire scenes, helping him become comfortable with debris, smells, and textures that are part of his future work. With his acute sense of smell and energetic demeanour, Garvey is expected to join the frontline within 12 months.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:

“We know how much courage and discipline firefighting requires – it takes a special person to step into that uniform. The firefighters graduating today embody those qualities, and they should be proud of the positive impact they have made and will continue to make in their communities for many years to come.

“I’d encourage people to become on-call firefighters, it’s a great pathway to joining the ranks full-time. As today’s graduating class shows our strategy for recruiting more firefighters, as part of our plan to rebuild emergency services, is working.

“The addition of these new canine vehicles gives handlers the very best tools to do their job safely and effectively, while also ensuring our detection dogs are well cared for.”

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell:

“Our newest recruits will now join metropolitan and regional crews across the state, putting their intensive training into action.

“From today, they are part of an organisation where community trust and safety are at the heart of everything we do. I congratulate them as they embark on their firefighting careers.”

“We’re also proud to welcome Garvey, who represents the next generation of this unique and highly valued program.

“Our Ignitable Liquid Detection Canine team play a vital role in determining the cause of suspicious fires and supporting police investigations.” 

$19 million to help more Aussie businesses join US submarine supply chain

The Albanese Government is delivering more opportunities for Australian businesses to secure high-value manufacturing contracts in the United States submarine industrial base, thanks to a $19 million investment in the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Pilot.

The Albanese Government awarded HII Australia an initial $9.6 million contract to deliver the pilot phase of the AUSSQ program in March 2025, and today we are announcing a further investment of $9.3 million to deliver additional work packages. 

The initial phase of the program, delivered by H&B Defence—a HII and Babcock joint venture—focused on prospective Australian businesses in castings and forgings, and precision machining. This second tranche of investment will focus on industry uplift activities involving air and gas flasks, and fabricated parts.

AUSSQ is helping local companies become approved suppliers to HII, the largest military shipbuilder in the US and one of two companies that builds US nuclear-powered submarines.

Twenty-two Australian businesses are already taking part, with eight now fully qualified:

  • MacTaggart Scott Australia; Levett Engineering; Century Engineering; H E Parts International; Veem; Hofmann Engineering; Dobbie; and MTA.

Further, three of the twenty-two participating Australian businesses have now been invited to quote for work in the US supply chain.

  • Hofmann Engineering; Veem; and Axiom.

AUSSQ complements the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program (DIVQ), and is part of a broader effort to grow Australia’s defence industrial base. These programs are providing hands-on support to help Australian businesses to meet US standards, navigate export approvals, and connect with global supply chains.

This industrial uplift is helping to expand Australia’s submarine industrial base and prepare for the work required to build and sustain Australia’s future fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

This investment will assist Australian companies to build skills, create jobs, and strengthen our national security through industrial base collaboration with our closest ally and deliver a future made in Australia.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“AUKUS is delivering real benefits for Australian industry and jobs. This program is helping build a strong, sovereign submarine enterprise that will keep Australia safe for decades to come.”

“This $19 million investment is helping Australian businesses break into global supply chains and contribute to allied industrial capacity. It’s about creating jobs, growing skills, and giving our manufacturers a chance to compete on the world stage.”

Nomination of next ambassador to Japan

The Albanese Government announces its intention to nominate Mr Andrew Shearer as Ambassador to Japan in early 2026, following completion of his term as Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence this December.

Prior to his current role, Mr Shearer served as Cabinet Secretary, and National Security Adviser to two prime ministers.

He has held a number of other public service roles including in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, when he was posted to Washington.

Mr Shearer has also held senior roles at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Lowy Institute.

Court rules “places of worship” police powers unconstitutional in humiliating defeat for Labor Premier Chris Minns

The Supreme Court has struck down Labor Premier Chris Minns’ Places of Worship police powers, ruling that they violated our constitutional right to freedom of political communication.

The Court sided with Joshua Lees and the Palestine Action Group against the State of NSW to strike down the powers that allowed police to issue move on orders to people engaged in lawful protest ‘near’ a place of worship. The powers were passed earlier in 2025, after NSW Police inflated instances of alleged antisemitism and the Premier misled the public by describing the Dural Caravan hoax as an act of terror.

Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson Sue Higginson said:

“Today the Supreme Court has come down decisively on the side of protest, democracy and freedom of political expression in NSW. Labor Premier Chris Minns was warned that these police powers were rushed, wrong and likely unconstitutional. This decision today is the consequence of his failure to listen”

“Labor Premier Chris Minns rammed these powers through the Parliament to give police more draconian powers, using false pretences and inflated statistics, and now they have been struck down. The Court has made clear that the Premier of NSW was wrong to punish people exercising their right to protest,”

“This is a clear message to the Minns Labor Government that they are not above the law. People are watching genocide in Palestine, they are witnessing climate collapse, and the act of protest is legitimate, lawful, and protected under our constitution. The NSW Police must protect protest, not be used to silence it,”

“The sinister creep of these powers have already had a terrible impact. When police unlawfully busted up a protest against a weapons manufacturer in Belmore and punched Hannah Thomas in the face, they made reference to these laws in their fact sheet by mentioning that the protest was ‘near’ a place of worship,”

“When hundreds of thousands of people defied the Premier to march peacefully across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, these laws were referenced in the Courts by the Police because there happened to be churches in the CBD of Sydney,”

“It is very clear these laws and powers have emboldened Chris Minns in his attempts to suppress peaceful protests. It is a relief to see these laws struck down today,”

“Anti-protest laws have now been struck down by the Supreme Court a number of times across a number of governments, both Labor and Liberal. Governments do not have the power to stop the people from protesting, and Labor Premier Chris Minns needs to learn that lesson,”

“The solution for the Government now is clear – the entire suite of anti-protest laws in NSW should be repealed as illegitimate attempts to diminish our democracy,”

“I hope this is a wake-up call for the Premier – instead of trying to block and demonize peaceful protestors at every turn, his government should be working to facilitate peaceful protests and other functions of democracy in New South Wales,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens oppose harmful changes to Anti-Discrimination Act

Background

The NT Greens oppose the harmful changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act passed by the Finocchiarro CLP government. The reforms make three key changes:

  1. Changes section 20A. The current law says it is unlawful to ‘offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate’ a person based on an attribute. This makes conduct unlawful based on the potential to cause harm. The proposed law would only make conduct unlawful if it ‘incites hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule.’ 
  2. Introducing Section 35B, which allows religious education institutions the ability to lawfully refuse to hire, or impose behavioural rules on staff on the basis of religious beliefs. This exemption can be used if the institution publishes in writing a policy outlining their religious beliefs and how it impacts their employment processes and workplace conduct rules. 
  3. Amending the complaints process so that the Commissioner is no longer required to evaluate complaints before they are brought to the tribunal. 

These amendments go against the recommendations of the NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and fail to implement the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission. 

The Greens opposed these amendments, alongside the Labor Party and the crossbench. We will always stand against discrimination in all its forms. 

Kat McNamara MLA, Member for Nightcliff

“Over the past year we have repeatedly heard that the CLP will put the rights of victims over the rights of offenders. But in this instance they’re putting the right for some in our community to engage in discrimination above the rights of others in our community to be safe from discrimination.”

“Vilification laws are essential because they are preventative – they help to prevent more serious discrimination and violence that are enabled by casual discrimination.”

“In a time when sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia are on the rise, we need to stamp out any form of discrimination in its early stages to prevent it becoming more serious.”

“The CLP wants the freedom to crack homophobic jokes and use slurs without anyone being allowed to take offense. But under this same bill, they’re saying that religious institutions can refuse to employ a gay person – not because they’re unqualified, not because they can’t do the job – but simply because their existence might offend someone’s religious sensibilities.”

“The watering down of our anti-discrimination laws is another stunt, just like the transphobic commentary from the Chief Minister earlier this week, to distract the public from the real issues facing the Northern Territory – like housing, climate, cost of living, community safety, and closing the gap.”

Labor’s FOI bill is friendless. It’s time to learn what went wrong and build something better

Today’s hearing into Labor’s FOI Bill is demonstrating that the Bill is both friendless and irredeemable.

All non-Government stakeholders have rejected it including civil society and transparency advocates as well as anyone who has ever tried to do an FOI for government information. The Bill does not fix what is broken in the FOI system. Instead it entrenches the problems by expanding Cabinet confidentiality, introducing processing caps, and removing anonymous requests.

The real problems with FOI are simple and well-documented, and none are fixed with this Bill:

  • Cabinet confidentiality enabled Robodebt to flourish unchecked. The final report from Commissioner Catherine Holmes recommended repealing Section 34. The Bill expands it instead.
  • FOI processing is both underfunded and slow. The OAIC overseeing this is chronically under-resourced and has 967 reviews outstanding for over 16 months. Home Affairs is the worst offender and finalises only 35% of requests on time. This reflects a culture of non-disclosure, not too many requests.
  • Government ministers interfere in FOI determinations, delaying and blocking legitimate access.

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: “If Labor is serious about reform, they need to listen to what every credible voice has told them: this bill doesn’t work and it can’t be fixed.

“Robodebt happened because governments could hide their actions and the Greens will use our numbers in the Senate to stop that happening again.

“We need to fix the laws that make FOI slow, expensive and restrictive, which means resourcing FOI properly and challenging the increasing culture of secrecy driven by Prime Minister Albanese.

“Democracy dies unless citizens can find out what their government is doing and we have governments that trust their community with the truth.

“This bill is dead in the water and every stakeholder has said so. Rather than defend it, Labor should reflect on what’s gone wrong and work with the Parliament to chart a positive path from here.

Greens: Australia must contribute aid to rebuilding Gaza and must demand accountability for the carnage

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Spokesperson for International Aid and Global Justice, has called on the Australian Government to make a substantial contribution to rebuilding Gaza, saying Australia has a moral obligation to do so, especially given its failure to take any action to stop the genocide and destruction.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“Australia has a moral obligation to contribute generously to rebuilding Gaza as part of a self-determined Palestinian state. Aid cannot just be the token amounts announced so far, it must be substantial. Aid to Gaza must be many times more than the $1.5 billion to Ukraine, given the scale of death and destruction of Israel’s genocide.

“There must be a big push to open all crossings, forcing Israel to let all the aid in and rebuild roads for faster distribution of desperately-needed food, water and other supplies.

“Australia must atone for its role in supplying F-35 parts and steel to the Israeli war machine that killed so many men, women and children. Our complicity demands accountability and reparations.

“UNRWA is the key United Nations agency providing relief and supporting the human development of Palestinian refugees. Australia must channel a significant portion of its funding through UNRWA, which it shamefully helped delegitimise based on flimsy Israeli propaganda.

“Israel has destroyed or damaged almost all infrastructure – schools, universities, hospitals and the vast majority of homes.

“Rebuilding Gaza must go hand in hand with justice and accountability. It must be coupled with holding Israel to account for the carnage it has caused and for the genocide it committed on the Palestinian people.

“The Palestinian people are not yet free. Israel still controls their borders, their movement, their aid, their resources and their future. Rebuilding must be part of a broader push for lasting freedom, justice and self-determination by Palestinians – not crony capitalists like is currently proposed.”

Townsville Training Incident

The Coalition extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Australian Army soldier who tragically passed away following a training incident near the Townsville Field Training Area.

Our thoughts are also with the two other ADF personnel who were seriously injured, their families, and their fellow service members during this difficult time. 

Incidents like this are a stark reminder of the risks our Defence personnel face, even in training, in their commitment to serve and protect our nation with pride.

We also acknowledge and thank the first responders and medical teams who are providing care and support.

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), is a tight-knit infantry unit. In times of tragedy, their strength as a community is clear. 

We extend our condolences to them as they rally around one another in the face of this heartbreaking loss.

Property purchase enhances financial futureproofing

City of Newcastle has looked close to home for its latest strategic investment, purchasing a significant industrial property in Sandgate to augment its long-term financial plans.

The 8.64-hectare land holding is the first Newcastle property acquired under City of Newcastle’s Future Fund, which was established to ensure it can meet the need for infrastructure and services across the city into the future. 

Executive Director of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said the Future Fund enables City of Newcastle to diversify its revenue base to cater for both the growing population and aging assets. 

“Ensuring the long-term sustainability of almost $3 billion worth of infrastructure we manage on behalf of the community is one of our key responsibilities,” Mr Clarke said.

“As our infrastructure ages, the cost of maintaining and renewing these essential assets increases, which is why we proactively set aside funds each year to meet these future needs.

“Our Future Fund is a strategic initiative that enables us to invest our cash reserves into a diversified portfolio of property and commercial assets. 

“This latest acquisition strengthens that portfolio and positions us to generate stable returns, protecting our financial position and ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of our growing community without putting extra pressure on rates.”

The Rural Drive property includes two warehouses that have existing leases in place with a number of businesses, which will generate ongoing rental income for City of Newcastle.

Mr Clarke said City of Newcastle will also consider potential longer term uses for the site.

“This strategic purchase also presents an opportunity to explore its use in the years ahead,” Mr Clarke said.

“We will undertake a master planning process on the site to determine the most suitable mix of operational and income producing uses. 

“One future consideration could include building a new, more modern facility for our Works Depot, which currently sits within the footprint of the Broadmeadow Precinct Investigation Area. 

“This master planning process will take some time and there is a lot to consider before any decision can be made at a later date.”

The Sandgate purchase was vetted by the Future Fund Governance Committee in line with its adopted investment strategy before being approved by the elected Council. 

The Committee’s membership includes representatives of City of Newcastle and the elected Council, as well as two independent members with appropriate professional capabilities and an independent Chairperson. 

It is the third property purchased under the Future Fund, with previous acquisitions including a Bunnings warehouse in Taree and a Wollongong medical centre.

Stories Matter: NSW leads the country with writing and literature strategy

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on a key commitment to support and grow the Creative Industries in NSW, with $3.2 million to deliver a writing and literature strategy.

Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW is our state’s first ever dedicated literature and writing strategy. Stories define our identity, reading and writing underpins educational success, promotes social cohesion, builds empathy and cultivates critical thinking.

The sector in NSW also generates around $1.3 billion annually in publishing and retail activity, supports up to 22,000 jobs, and delivers global recognition through rights sales, screen adaptations and tourism. Yet writers on average only earn $18,200 a year from their creative practice.

This strategy outlines a targeted framework to expand access to reading and writing, grow audiences, and build a sustainable, inclusive and globally connected literature and writing sector.

Developed in consultation with writers, publishers, educators, festivals, libraries and cultural organisations, Stories Matter is built upon five strategic pillars:

  1. Reinforce our foundations: develop state and federal partnerships and co-investment to increase the effectiveness of existing programs and organisations.
  2. Invest in authors: to make writing a sustainable career and enrich the sector as a whole.
  3. Promote reading: use the library network, schools and festivals to connect readers with authors, and address declining reading rates, especially amongst younger people.
  4. Strengthen the ecosystem: through strategic partnerships with schools, universities, libraries, cultural institutions and local government to expand opportunities for writers and increase the reach and impact of writing and literature across the state.
  5. Address structural challenges: Introduce freedom to collect legislation;advocateacross jurisdictions to support the sector.

The strategy commits to the following new key initiatives to grow the sector:

  • $100,000 to strengthen Western Sydneyliterature organisations, starting with Westwords, to deliver a Western Sydney school focused program and emerging writers academy.​
  • $500,000 Literary Fellowships Fund for authors, playwrights and illustrators.​
  • $225,000 for 3 x co-funded Writing Australia collaborations:​
    • LitUp Pilot for regional schools and communities to host events with authors and illustrators.​
    • International Market Development programs to promote opportunities for international sales.
    • Program to support writers to tour internationally or translate and publish their books for new markets
  • $200,000 for First Nations writers and publishing professionals’ development fund. ​
  • Collaborate with public libraries to launch a membership campaign and invest $630,000 for research and a pilot program to improve women, girls and gender diverse people’s access to libraries and their surrounding precincts.

Minister for Arts, John Graham said:

“Here in NSW, we have an incredible legacy of writers and the biggest publishing industry in the country, but there are still challenges.  

“Writers’ incomes remain low, publishers and reading rates are under pressure from digital media and artificial intelligence poses a profound threat to the publishing industry.

“This requires direct action, because there is too much to lose, and so much to gain, from a strong literary sector in NSW.

“We want our stories to be told, we want to be part of the global literary conversation, and we rely on the social cohesion that comes from the nuance and empathy that books build.”

Stories Matter strategy co-chairs, Brooke Webb and Olivia Lanchester said:

“Our stories aren’t created in a vacuum. Although writers are the primary producers at the heart of the literature sector, they are nurtured and supported by a complex ecosystem of publishers, booksellers, libraries, schools, tertiary institutions, literary festivals, literary organisations and community networks such as book clubs and reading groups.

“It is imperative we invest in the foundations of literary life: in writers and writing, in organisations that support creative development, and in the places and programs that connect people with books and ideas.

“This three–year strategy proposes a clear path forward. It outlines targeted actions to create meaningful career pathways for writers, support publishers and booksellers and grow diverse reading communities across the state.”

James Bradley, Author and working group member said:

“The NSW government’s new literature strategy will make a material difference to the lives of the state’s writers by investing in creators, strengthening the literary ecosystem, and fostering a range of new partnerships with universities, cultural institutions and other organisations.

“But it also helps ensure the benefits of reading and writing are available to everybody by investing in programs to improve literacy and promote reading in schools, supporting First Nations writers and publishing professionals, and allowing readers of all ages to connect with writers through events in libraries and elsewhere.”

Charlotte Wood, Author said:

“Literature is routinely ignored or omitted from general discussion of ‘the arts’, even from within arts organisations themselves. Literature has long been the most poorly funded art form in this country, despite all the studies showing how crucial reading is for our brains and social cohesion, and despite the fact that the book industry contributes more than $2 billion to the Australian economy – on the back of writers’ efforts. It is the most democratically available art form there is – anyone with a library card can access works of literature in the original form, wherever they are and no matter how much money they have. 

“I’m hopeful the strategy will recognise that Australian literature is not merely decorative, a nice thing somehow separate from the rest of life. Because its literature is absolutely central to the intellectual life and psychology of any nation. Australian books and writers are a dynamic contributor to the cultural, economic and political thinking that shapes our society. And unless governments begin to take reading and literary contribution seriously, that flourishing intellectual life is doomed to evaporate.”