Category: Australian News

10,000 motorists a day have a new southbound route to the city via the Cahill Expressway from tomorrow, when a new 46-metre vehicle underpass opens under Mount Street at North Sydney, the Warringah Freeway Upgrade milestone delivered by the Minns Labor Government.

The underpass will provide a dedicated citybound connection for motorists travelling from the Warringah Freeway to the City East, Airport and Eastern Suburbs, reducing congestion and making journeys safer and more reliable for the community.

The Warringah Freeway is an enabling project for the Western Harbour Tunnel, the first new harbour crossing in 30 years being delivered by the Minns Labor Government. Together they will create a game-changing link between Sydney’s north, west and airport precincts.

The underpass will remove the need for thousands of buses and general traffic to weave and merge, when the dedicated southbound bus lane opens next year, giving bus users a direct and uninterrupted journey down the freeway to the city.

To get to the Cahill Expressway, drivers will need to keep left on the Warringah Freeway and take the newly opened section of the Kirribilli exit (Alfred Street North) to access the Mount Street underpass. Signage will guide drivers.

Motorists who miss the turn off should continue to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and detour through the CBD, via the Grosvenor Street exit, Bridge Street and Macquarie Street to the Eastern Distributor.

The digging of the underpass was unique for this project. Advanced mining technology in the shape of a remote-controlled, unmanned, hard rock continuous miner, was used to carve through sandstone and rock, excavating more than 3,000 cubic metres. The method was used as it minimises noise, reduces disturbance compared to other means and was faster than traditional rock hammering.

The underpass was built ‘upside down’ next to live traffic lanes using a technique where the roof of the new structure was built first. This meant pedestrians were still able to use Mount Street while the tunnel was excavated, rather than having to detour.

The Warringah Freeway is one of the busiest roads in Australia, with around 250,000 vehicles and 150,000 bus passengers using it each day.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The infrastructure being completed on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade is coming thick and fast.

“The Mount Street underpass is the latest, vital piece of the Warringah Freeway puzzle which will help to make the Freeway more reliable and efficient, and an easier and safer road to drive on. More than 10,000 cars a day will use the underpass and take advantage of the benefits it will deliver.

Patients at Wollongong Hospital can now access a new and upgraded Medical Ambulatory Care (MAC) Unit at the hospital, as part of a $21.9 million investment from the Minns Labor Government to enhance health services and infrastructure at Wollongong Hospital.

The new MAC Unit, which opened to patients in June, provides care to members of the community following an emergency department stay or hospital admission.

This may include blood and immunoglobulin transfusions as well as complex infusions to assist and manage symptoms of acute medical conditions including various gastrological, renal and neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Kidney Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The MAC Unit has been relocated to Level 8 in Block C, enabling the Transit Lounge to be expanded into the former location on the Ground Floor (Hospital Street).

The Transit Lounge provides a safe area where medically stable patients can wait comfortably before being discharged to their place of residence, transferred to another facility, or are waiting for an inpatient bed to become available. Transit lounges help to free up acute care beds while ensuring patients receive all the necessary care and support they require.

The expanded Transit Lounge will enable our staff to better support increased demand in services by improving the flow of patients and providing more timely access to beds.

In addition to these works, a new MRI and CT scanner and supporting infrastructure will also be delivered at the Wollongong Hospital and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering for the people of the Illawarra and surrounding areas with new and improved health services and facilities, supporting essential care to help patients avoid unnecessary waiting times.

“This new MAC Unit will provide a wide range of services for patient treatments such as infusions, blood transfusions, consultations, and diagnostic tests.

“This is one of several upgrades at Wollongong Hospital to help our region’s busiest hospital continue to provide care for the community, now and into the future.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“The completion of the new MAC Unit has enhanced patient care and enabled the expansion of the busy Transit Lounge so we can get people back to their homes and families sooner.

“The Minns Labor Government continues to invest in Wollongong Hospital. These upgrades are in addition to a new CT scanner and MRI, roll out of safe staffing levels for the ED and a commitment of $220 million in the June Budget.

“As the Illawarra’s population continues to grow the government will continue to invest in health infrastructure and the Illawarra’s health workforce.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will travel to Japan to attend the 12th Australia-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting on 5 September 2025. 

The meeting, with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E Iwaya Takeshi, and Minister of Defense, H.E. Nakatani Gen, will focus on shared geostrategic priorities as well as increasing collaboration across critical areas including economic ties, cyber security, regional security, and multilateral affairs. 

Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Foreign Minister Wong will also conduct bilateral talks with their counterparts to advance defence and security engagement and shared foreign policy objectives, respectively.

Australia and Japan share a rich history, shaped by decades of peaceful engagement and cooperation.  

Our relationship is underpinned by a shared vision for our region and enhancing our Special Strategic Partnership as we work together to respond to increasingly complex global challenges. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles: 

“Japan is an indispensable partner for Australia. Our defence and security ties are underpinned by a growing strategic alignment and deep trust.

“This year has been a milestone year of defence cooperation, which included the largest ever Japanese participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, and I look to furthering our discussions while in Tokyo.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong: 

“Australia and Japan are strategic partners and close friends, with a relationship built on trust, aligned values, and mutual interests. Together, we support a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. 

“Our relationship with Japan is going from strength to strength, underpinned by increasing alignment and a shared commitment to upholding a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.” 

The Australian Government will provide $1 million to support the people of Afghanistan following the deadly earthquake which struck Nangarhar Province.

The earthquake has exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with almost half the population already in desperate need.

Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragic earthquake, their families and loved ones, and the Afghanistan community in Australia.

Australia’s assistance will be directed through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Australia works with established partners such as UN OCHA to ensure our support helps those in need, and not the Taliban regime.

Australia welcomes the release of US$5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support this response. Australia is a longstanding donor to the CERF, contributing $11 million each year.

The Government remains firmly committed to supporting the Afghan people. Australia has provided over $260 million to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan since 2021, with a particular focus on women and girls.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will travel to Japan to attend the 12th Australia-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting on 5 September 2025.

The meeting, with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E Iwaya Takeshi, and Minister of Defense, H.E. Nakatani Gen, will focus on shared geostrategic priorities as well as in-creasing collaboration across critical areas including economic ties, cyber security, regional security, and multilateral affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Foreign Minister Wong will also conduct bilateral talks with their counterparts to advance defence and security engagement and shared foreign policy objectives, respectively.

Australia and Japan share a rich history, shaped by decades of peaceful engagement and cooperation.

Our relationship is underpinned by a shared vision for our region and enhancing our Special Strategic Partnership as we work together to respond to increasingly complex global challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles:

“Japan is an indispensable partner for Australia. Our defence and security ties are underpinned by a growing strategic alignment and deep trust.

“This year has been a milestone year of defence cooperation, which included the largest ever Japanese participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, and I look to furthering our discussions while in Tokyo.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong:

“Australia and Japan are strategic partners and close friends, with a relationship built on trust, aligned values, and mutual interests. Together, we support a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

“Our relationship with Japan is going from strength to strength, underpinned by increasing alignment and a shared commitment to upholding a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.” 

NSW Ambulance staff from across Northern NSW have been recognised for their unwavering service and dedication at an awards ceremony in Ballina.

Among those recognised were members of the aeromedical team who winched an elderly mother and son to safety after their house was pulled from its foundations and down a slope during severe flooding in northern NSW in March 2022. The delicate rescue operation at Main Arm, near Mullumbimby, took several hours and was successful thanks to the professionalism and teamwork shown by the pilots and crew.

Critical Care Paramedic William Brand received the National Medal and acknowledgement for his pivotal leadership role during Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March. He was also one of more than 25 paramedics and control centre staff also recognised for their service as part of the NSW Ambulance response to the Northern NSW floods in early 2022.

In addition, a number of community members were recognised for their bravery during emergencies, including seven-year-old Elijah Phillips who called Triple Zero (000) after his mother experienced a seizure in February. He used a picture he’d drawn of his house and kept in his ‘emergency box’ to confirm his house number and street name.

Staff and volunteers were also acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Commissioner’s Conspicuous Service Medals, Certificates of Appreciation and Commissioner’s Honour Awards. They included Northern Rivers paramedic Terence Savage, one of the service’s earliest critical care paramedics, who received a swag of medals in honour of his 44-year career.

The Northern NSW Awards and Recognition Ceremony is the third of four events being held in 2025 to recognise NSW Ambulance staff and volunteers from across the state. Ceremonies have been held in Dubbo and Newcastle, and a ceremony will be held in Sydney in December.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:        

“I want to acknowledge the incredible work of the team at NSW Ambulance – from paramedics, to call takers and control centre staff, through to volunteers. Every single contribution plays a vital role in ensuring our communities get help when they need it most.

“Those being honoured today have shown incredible bravery and dedication, and I want to thank them for their outstanding service to the community.

“Communities in Northern NSW have experienced extreme weather events in recent years and I admire their resilience, and I am thankful for those staff who have been there to assist and care for people during challenging times.”

Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin:

“I have seen first hand how our first responders do the most extraordinary things to save lives when disasters strike. 

“It is great to see our first responders. brave community members and volunteers recognised for their service and commitment to keeping us safe.

“I know I express the wishes of the entire community when I say that we thank each and every one of them from the bottom of our hearts.”

Labor Spokesperson for Ballina Emily Suvaal:

“I want to congratulate all NSW Ambulance award recipients recognised for demonstrating kindness, passion and bravery during service in often challenging and difficult circumstances.

“NSW Ambulance staff and volunteers play a vital role in our health system – I’d like to express my gratitude to all those staff that support the region and thank them for their ongoing contributions to the community.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan: 

“It is an absolute privilege to stand here today and recognise the extraordinary contributions of our award recipients who provide critical care in life-threatening and often precarious conditions.

“That includes the dedicated aeromedical crew receiving the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for Service for the remarkable rescue of two people trapped in their home after a mudslide, as well as well-deserved recognition for staff who attended the Eugowra floods in November 2022.

“We also pay thanks to our long-serving paramedics for their diligent service with Long Service Good Conduct medals and the NSW Service Medallion. As well we recognise members of the public who have selflessly stepped in to assist others in their times of need.”

The Australian Government is imposing further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against 14 individuals responsible for silencing political expression in Russia, as well as enabling the illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

The human rights situation in Russia continues to deteriorate with violent crackdowns aimed at suppressing human rights and anti-war advocacy.

We condemn Russia’s intimidation and reprisals against civil society and human rights defenders, and reiterate our call for Russia to comply with its international human rights obligations.

This announcement builds on our comprehensive framework of sanctions against Russia, including three packages since 2022 targeting individuals involved in the poisoning, mistreatment and death of Alexei Navalny.

Today, I will meet with Yulia Navalnaya, Chair of the International Anti-Corruption Foundation Advisory Board and widow of Alexei Navalny.

Ms Navalnaya is a fearless voice for democracy in Russia, continuing her fight at immense personal cost.

Russia failed to undertake an independent and transparent investigation into Mr Navalny’s death, and Australia holds President Putin and the Russian Government responsible.

We honour Ms Navalnaya’s courage and reflect on Mr Navalny’s sacrifice and enduring legacy in the fight for freedom and justice.

Labor has today announced sweeping changes to Freedom of Information laws that will make it significantly harder for Australians to access government documents, introducing upfront fees and new barriers in what represents the biggest restrictions to FOI in recent memory. 

Despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s promise to “bring transparency back into government” after criticising the “secrecy” of the Morrison era, the government will present legislation on Wednesday that directly contradicts this commitment by charging fees for most FOI requests and banning anonymous applications.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Justice said: 

“FOI is broken and rather than fixing it, Labor is seeking to make it more expensive and even more impenetrable. 

“Information requests routinely take months or years to process, and documents are then heavily redacted with entire pages blacked out for questionable reasons.

“Instead of addressing the fundamental secrecy problems inside the government, Labor has instead decided the issue is with the people trying to access information. That says so much about the Albanese government’s arrogance and contempt for the public’s right to know.

“The changes propose a fundamental shift away from the principle that government information belongs to the public and should be freely accessible. It’s a dark day for democracy that this is even on the table. 

“I’ve lodged many requests for Government information that should have been public in the first place and had to fight for months, if not years, to get anything provided in response. 

“Labor is hiding more information than ever from Parliament and the public, and is now seeking to shut down the one system that allowed them to be challenged in an independent tribunal. 

“Multiple government-commissioned reports have identified that the FOI system needs proper funding and stronger rules to force agencies to release information. 

“Making information only accessible to those who can pay sells us all out. 

“If you want to target AI bots and foreign actors then first, show us the evidence and second, target them specifically, not the many regular users of this system including whistleblowers, journalists and politicians,” Senator Shoebridge 

NB The Government still has not officially responded to the December 2023 report into the The operation of Commonwealth Freedom of Information (FOI) law

New footage has revealed the real risk, harm and impunity that occurs from neo-Nazi and Nationalist rallies with two brothers, Shamikh and Majed Dadra, who were assaulted on a Sydney train by participants of the so-called ‘March for Australia’ rally that occurred in Sydney last Sunday.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“I am really concerned about Premier Chris Minns’ lack of leadership on the terrifying rupture of neo-Nazis and racism in our community. Before the rally on Sunday, Premier Chris Minns encouraged people to trust the police to manage the protest, but like everyone, he knew the protest was being organised by Nazis and fuelled by white supremacy,”

“Labor Premier Chris Minns has led the way in demonising the community when they speak out against the Israeli military, but he took a hands off approach when literal Nazis organised a hate event in the heart of Sydney,”

“This footage is horrific, it’s frightening, and it’s happened because political leaders and the media have vilified people of colour, fed extreme right-wing ideologies and tolerated Nazi organised events. We cannot accept our elected representatives, in a democracy, taking a softly softly approach in the face of proto-facists, while simultaneously attacking our fundamental right to protest,”

“The attendees of these rallies, when they engage in racism, violence and intimidation, are breaking the laws of NSW. We do not need to shut down protests, or attack the right to protest – we need the Police and politicians to clearly enforce laws that exist to prevent racism, bigotry and violence,”

“These brilliant and creative brothers, subjected to racist attacks, are a sign that Premier Chris Minns and all political leaders are failing to prevent the rise of neo-Nazism in NSW. Political violence, racial violence, the generation of hate based on identity – these things must be called out early and often,”

“There is now another Nationwide rally being planned by the same people as the ones who caused these assaults to happen. I welcome Premier Chris Minns, Mark Speakman, and all democratic leaders to stand up now and say ‘No’ – these rallies are not appropriate and where crimes of vilification or violence happen, the Police will act to stop these dangerous events from occurring,” Ms Higginson said.

Labor’s aged care target is doomed without a major increase in investment, a former advisor to the Aged Care Royal Commission has warned, leaving potentially hundreds of thousands of older people without the basic care they need.

Wait times for a “medium priority” recipient of a home care package is 9-12 months from assessment, including at the highest “Level 4” category of care. The Government has set a target to get wait times down to 3 months by 1 July 2027.

But expert evidence given at a Greens-led Senate inquiry into aged care has said that there is “no possibility” of reaching that target based on current government policy. (Submission from Prof Kathy Eager, pg4 question 5)

On the same day that Labor plans to hit their home care target in 2027, Labor is due to shut down the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which currently supports over 800,000 older people with their everyday needs.

Responses received yesterday from the Department of Health and Ageing to Greens’ questions at the inquiry suggested the government has not modelled the impact of the closure of the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which currently supports over 800,000 people. Rather than answer yes or no to a factual question on whether modelling existed, the Department refused to answer. [see Response to Questions on notice, Q7] Ending the Commonwealth Home Support Program would place enormous pressure on Support at Home and is a key reason why wait time targets will be out of reach.

The Greens have called on the government to not only bring forward the rollout of home care packages – as the Senate is urging – but to also dramatically increase funding for home care packages and extend the CHSP. This is the only way Labor has any chance of getting the waitlist under control and meeting their target.

The warning comes as Labor is widely expected to lose its first substantive vote in the Senate today, when the Greens, Coalition and crossbenchers join forces to compel Labor to bring forward the stalled rollout of home care packages through amendments to Labor’s aged care bill. (A procedural motion passed yesterday means the bill and amendments must be considered by the Senate today, before it will then move to the House.)

Background

If they want to continue to receive support, people currently receiving CHSP will be forced to apply for the Support at Home program. Support at Home already has over 200,000 people on its waitlist and just 83,000 packages coming in the first 12 months from November.

The closure of the CHSP, combined with an underinvestment in care and poor design of the new Support at Home program, make the 3 month wait time target untenable, according to inquiry evidence presented by Associate Prof Kathy Eager, who advised on the Aged Care Royal Commission.

In response to the Department’s failure to answer straightforward questions to the inquiry, Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne has written in her capacity as inquiry Chair to require that all questions be properly answered. 

The Greens will also move in the Senate today to order the Government to release any communications between the Minister’s office and the Department, to determine whether the Minister’s office may have interfered in how the Department answered the question from the hearing.

Labor has a record of hiding the detail on their aged care debacle, and previously sought to mask the true extent of the home care waitlist, revealed at the inquiry to be over 200,000 once more than 120,000 people  awaiting an assessment were accounted for. 

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Older People and Chair of the inquiry:

“Today the Senate will vote on whether our parents and grandparents should get the care they need, or be left to wait up to a year without basic help.

“This isn’t aged care. It’s aged carelessness.

“We’re calling on Labor to stop toying with people’s lives and join the Greens and other non-government Senators, to support our amendments and start helping families who are desperately waiting.

“If Labor would rather cut home care funding than help the hundreds of thousands of older people stuck waiting, their aged care reforms will fail and families left in anguish will never forgive them for it.” 

“The Commonwealth Home Support Program is cherished in the community, and allows people to stay at home for longer, and stay connected with their communities. The fact that funding is due to be ripped away for 800,000 older people on the very same day that the Government claims it will reach its Support at Home wait time target is as ridiculous as it is cruel. 

“In a wealthy country like Australia, we can afford to look after our older people.”