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Greens introduce Bill to require Parliament to vote before sending Australians to war

The Greens today will introduce a Bill that will require both Houses of Parliament to vote before the Australian Defence Force can be sent overseas to engage in warlike actions.

War power reform bills have been proposed by the Greens for over 20 years, and have been routinely rejected by the Liberal and Labor parties. With Australia being sent into another illegal US war, without any democratic debate or input, the Greens today are reintroducing the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill, introduced by Senator Jordon Steele-John in 2020.

There is widespread community support for this reform, including a 2023 poll that found 90% of Australians support war powers reform, to enforce a Parliamentary vote before the deployment of troops.

The announcement from the Albanese Labor Government to send 85 military personnel, including an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, to the Gulf and medium-range air-to-air missiles, into the conflict shows Australia has been fully dragged into another US forever war. This decision was made in a closed room by a handful of Labor cabinet members and zero parliamentary or public engagement or consent.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens leader said: “Labor’s Defence Minister finally revealed the truth last night about Donald Trump’s pressure for Australian deployment. Trump has been pressuring Australia to join his illegal war in the Middle East – it’s Trump calling the shots, and the Labor party is following.

“Albanese’s unquestioning support for Trump and Netenyahu’s illegal war shows why Australians deserve a say before their families are sent to war.

“Australians don’t want war. They weren’t asked if they back this illegal war. Parliament doesn’t get a say. Even the Labor backbench is reportedly unhappy. The only person that Albanese seems to listen to is Trump.

“We cannot allow a handful of the executives behind closed doors to take us to war, endangering civilians and putting Australian lives at risk whenever the US asks.
“Sending service members overseas without parliamentary approval risks unnecessary bloodshed. It undermines the accountability our veterans, their families and the people deserve.

“War will never deliver peace. Instead, civilians suffer, troops die, and the world becomes less stable. Parliament must be a counterweight to our government’s drive to appease Trump, Netanyahu, and others like them.

“The War Parties have fought against this because they know the public doesn’t want war – but the Green will keep pushing for this.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said: “Australia has joined another illegal US war, and the public got no say. That democratic failing is what this bill seeks to urgently address.

“We cannot have a handful of MPs from one of the war parties in the Commonwealth Parliament to send Australian troops into a string of US forever wars with no oversight and no public interest.

“Australians are outraged that after Iraq, after Afghanistan, the Australian military has been sent back to the Middle East as part of a US-Israeli illegal war. The Albanese Government has seen the decades of bloodshed and pain the US has caused across the Middle East, and signed us up for more.

“Australia’s defence and foreign policy elite are addicted to secrecy and hate the public having any say. AUKUS was decided in secret and AUKUS has driven us into this war. Democracy must not stop at the Foreign Minister’s office.

“War will not help the Iranian people, it will cause untold pain across the region, make the world a more dangerous place and all done without the consent of the Australian people. It’s time that changed, and time democracy got a chance to save us from the next illegal US war.”

Robodebt architects get away scot-free; dodgy welfare compliance and debt recovery continues

The Greens say the results of the NACC investigation into the illegal Robodebt scheme will be cold comfort to the thousands of Australians whose lives were destroyed by one of the biggest scandals in Australian history.

While corruption findings against individuals are welcome, no government minister has been held accountable, and the political and bureaucratic architects of the scheme have walked away scot-free.

Meanwhile, Labor’s existing welfare compliance system may be operating illegally, with a Commonwealth Ombudsman Report finding that Services Australia and DSS had been non-compliant with social security law for the past six years, while the government was also forced to introduce legislation last year to retrospectively legalise the collection of over $4 billion of welfare debts.

Labor have also still failed to implement key recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission, despite having previously agreed in principle to all of the recommendations, including:

  • Reinstating the 6 year limit of recovery of debts
  • Establishing a duty of care for the Department of Social Services that prioritises the needs of social security recipients while administering the law
  • Restricting the kinds of decisions which can be made or automated without human oversight
  • Better protections for people experiencing hardship from receiving compliance notices.

Greens spokesperson for social services Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“I don’t think the thousands of people harmed by the illegal and immoral Robodebt scheme will be celebrating these NACC findings today.

“There may be some small satisfaction found in the fact that two staff were found to have acted corruptly, but the architects of Robodebt are still sitting pretty.

“No government minister has been held accountable, which means no government has been held accountable. If the political class knows they can get away with something as appalling as this, they will keep trying it on.

“That’s why nothing changes. That’s why we still have a welfare compliance system that the Department and the government can’t even tell us is operating legally. And that’s why we still have dodgy payment suspensions and cancellations, and a dubious debt-recovery programming chasing decades-old debts.”

Greens spokesperson for finance and public sector Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Robodebt was the worst failure of public administration in Australian history, raising an estimated $1.73 billion of illegitimate debts from over 430,000 vulnerable Australians,

“This outcome by the NACC amounts to nothing more than a slap on the wrist for those found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct and intentionally misleading the Cabinet and Commonwealth Ombudsman. Australians will be rightly outraged by this lack of accountability. 

“The Robodebt scheme flourished because of a political and media culture that stigmatises income support recipients, and failures in public sector leadership and culture in key departments.

“Labor must implement all 57 recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission in full to ensure that Robodebt can never happen again.”

Senators Faruqi, Thorpe & Payman write to President demanding action on racism in the Senate

Senators Mehreen Faruqi, Senator Lidia Thorpe and Senator Fatima Payman have written to President Sue Lines calling for urgent action to address racism in the Senate and ensure Parliament is a safe workplace for women of colour.

In a joint letter, the Senators outline a pattern of racism, both overt and insidious, within the Senate chamber. They warn that standing orders and procedural rules are increasingly being used to silence those who call out racism, with other Senators often drawing a false equivalence between those calling out racism and racist behaviour itself.

The letter documents a series of incidents, including personal insults directed at the Senators, racist comments going unchecked in debates, and instances where Senators attempting to call out racism were reprimanded or silenced.

Such behaviour would not be tolerated in any other workplace. Failing to address racism within Parliament undermines its integrity and discourages women of colour from participating in public life.

Senators Faruqi, Thorpe and Payman are calling on the President of the Senate to take immediate steps to address racism in the Chamber and in Parliament, including reviewing the way standing orders are applied and introducing mandatory anti-racism and cultural safety training for all parliamentarians.

Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Anti-Racism, Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“Racism does not exist only at neo-Nazi rallies and One Nation press conferences. It is alive and well in the Senate, and women of colour who stand up to the government are subjected to it even in these halls of power.

“When we call out racism in Parliament, the system turns on those who call it out instead of those who perpetrate it. The Senate Chamber is becoming an increasingly hostile environment, where women of colour like us are marginalised, belittled and silenced. No other workplace would tolerate such toxic and exclusionary behaviour.

“The message we are hearing from the Chamber and those presiding over it is that we should be seen and not heard, that we cannot represent our communities authentically, and that we are a problem and a threat to the establishment.

“We are told to sit down and be quiet. We are told we are out of order and out of line. We are told we are breaking rules that others openly flout.

“I understand that there is a need for robust debate in parliament, and I participate in that robust debate, but I will never accept that racism has to be part of my job. We must draw the line at racism.

“We look forward to the President’s response to our letter, and call on her to take action to end the racism that has been allowed to fester. We want this to be a moment of reckoning for the Senate. This is our moment to build an anti-racist country and it can start with Parliament.”

Statement on the Nationals Leadership

I congratulate Matt Canavan on his election as Leader of The Nationals and Darren Chester as Deputy Leader.

I have worked closely with Matt and Darren for many years and know the conviction they bring to the Australians they represent. They understand regional and rural Australia. They understand the pressures facing families, farmers and small businesses. And they will provide strong leadership for The Nationals at an important moment for our country.

The partnership between The Nationals and Liberals has always been built on shared values and a deep belief in the Australian way of life. Together we are focused on ensuring our country remains a place of opportunity and aspiration, where hard work is rewarded, communities are safe, and future generations can look ahead with confidence.

Under the Coalition, Australians will know exactly what we stand for.

We stand for rewarding aspiration and hard work.

We stand for backing families, farmers and small businesses.

We stand for a stronger economy that restores living standards.

And we stand for protecting Australia’s way of life.

Together with Matt and Darren, we will keep fighting every day for the country we believe in, because Australia is worth fighting for.

Ordinary Council Meeting 10 March (items adjourned from 24 February 2026)

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 10 March (items adjourned from 24 February 2026). NB: it is not a full record of resolutions. 

Ordinary business 

Committee for the Hunter membership

Council voted unanimously for City of Newcastle to join the Committee for the Hunter, which will help foster strategic partnerships, influence region-shaping policy and priorities, and demonstrate leadership in the long-term social and economic development of the Hunter.

Newcastle Maritime Museum Society Collection (recommitted motion from 24 February 2026)

Council voted unanimously for City of Newcastle CEO to engage urgently with Venues NSW to seek a short-term extension of the existing storage lease at the Newcastle Showground for the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society collection beyond its current expiry on 20 March 2026. This follows in principle support from the NSW Government regarding temporary storage of the collection at the Newcastle Logistics Precinct, while a long-term plan to get the collection back on public display is developed by the Society and its stakeholders.

Urban Design Review Panel Annual Report 2025

Council received the Urban Design Review Annual Report 2025. 

Notices of Motion 

Community petition – Scholey Street, Mayfield

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to accept a petition from residents of Scholey Street, Mayfield and request the Chief Executive Officer provide an assessment on the conditions in Scholey Street and respond to the petition organiser. Council will provide traffic data speed and volume information to the NSW Police to assist with enforcement in the area. 

Opal gates Hamilton Railway Station

Council supported a notice of motion to write to the NSW Minister for Transport and government officials to request the installation of Opal fare gates at Hamilton Railway Station. 

Council support for the return of the Newcastle 500 Supercars event

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to reaffirm City of Newcastle’s previous resolutions of October and November 2023 that Council supports retaining Supercars in the Hunter region through a regional model. The motion confirmed that Council does not support reinstating the Newcastle 500 street circuit in Newcastle. 

Supporting accessible, healthy and safe open spaces for dogs in Newcastle

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to consider fencing the existing off-leash area at Tarro Reserve as part of the review of the action plan in Dogs in Open Space Plan 2019. Council voted to consider various actions in the upcoming capital works budgets once the review of the Dogs in Open Space Plan 2019 has been completed. 

Supporting greater accessibility of public toilets after hours in Newcastle through the Master Locksmith Access Key scheme

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to ensure all new accessible public toilets in the Newcastle LGA are able to be fitted with the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system as part of infrastructure projects. Council will include a program to increase MLAK toilets across the city in the review of City of Newcastle’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-26 and investigate options to provide the MLAK key free of charge to eligible Newcastle residents in ‘User Rates and Charges’ in future Budgets.

Maintaining current speed zones on Minmi Road

Council supported an amended notice of motion to oppose any attempts by Transport for NSW to make any section of Minmi Road 40 km/hr, with the exception of school zones. 

Exploring the establishment of a special entertainment precinct for midtown Newcastle

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion for the CEO to investigate the feasibility, benefits, and implications of establishing a Special Entertainment Precinct, commencing with the Midtown Newcastle precinct. This investigation, where appropriate, will include preliminary targeted stakeholder engagement, with a report to be brought back to Council in 2026 outlining findings, potential boundaries, implementation considerations, resourcing implications, and recommended next steps.

Supporting a trial of increased operating hours at Beresfield Library

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that City of Newcastle investigate in the 2026-2027 financial year undertaking a six-month trial to increase opening hours and programming at Beresfield Library, in conjunction with findings of the recently completed Library Evaluation Survey and upcoming Library Service Review.

City of Newcastle drives high-quality urban design through independent review panel

City of Newcastle’s independent urban design experts assessed almost $1 billion in developments during 2025, with a strong emphasis on high quality public domain design.

Across the year, the Urban Design Review Panel undertook 71 individual design sessions in collaboration with City of Newcastle, providing expert advice on projects across the city.  

Fourteen and fifteen storey mixed-use developments with a total of 280 apartments at 5 commercial tenancies at Bull Street Newcastle West.These outcomes are detailed in the 2025 Urban Design Review Panel Annual Report, which was unanimously endorsed at last week’s council meeting.  

City of Newcastle Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said good design is fundamental to creating a welcoming, walkable and liveable city. 

“Our community expects development that enhances local character and the panel is critical in guiding this vision,” Ms Bisson said.  

“The Urban Design Review Panel plays a vital role in guiding development that enhances our public spaces, respects local character and delivers lasting value for our community.

“Their expertise helps ensure that even in a complex planning environment, we continue to see high-quality, thoughtful design outcomes across the city.” 

Residential building with 20 apartments at 237 Wharf Road Newcastle.The Urban Design Review Panel is an independent body comprised of specialists who provide expert advice to City of Newcastle and development applicants to support high-quality design outcomes.

Alongside major civic projects, the Panel reviewed a diverse mix of significant development proposals throughout the year. These ranged from a $2.9 million childcare facility in Tarro to one of the year’s largest projects, a $186.6 million, mixed-use development in Newcastle West featuring 14 and 15-storey towers accommodating 280 apartments and five commercial tenancies. 

Centre-Based Child Care facility on Anderson Drive Tarro.Urban Design Review Panel chairperson Dr Philip Pollard said high-quality design extends beyond the building line. 

“Good design shapes the streets, landscapes and public spaces people use every day,” Dr Pollard said. 

“This year, the panel continued to provide consistent independent advice across an increasingly diverse range of proposals. Our ongoing focus on public domain quality, landscape integration and contextual fit remains central to achieving places the community can be proud of.

“One standout project that has been shaped by input from successive design panels over many years, is the newly completed Newcastle Art Gallery. This space now provides a contemporary, purpose-built home for the city’s remarkable art collection and a cultural asset the community can be proud of.

“The panel places strong emphasis on ensuring new developments respond thoughtfully to their context and contribute to a cohesive urban environment for genuine public benefit. Our role helps applicants achieve outcomes that support the people who use these places and enhance their surroundings.” 

The UDRP also acts as a Design Integrity Panel for nominated projects, ensuring design excellence is maintained through to delivery. In 2025, the UDRP provided advice for 17 different applications including major mixed-use, co-living and residential proposals across the CBD, Newcastle West, Mayfield and New Lambton. 

$800,000 Social Cohesion grants to strengthen local communities and combat hate

The Minns Labor Government has launched the latest round of the NSW Social Cohesion Grants to help councils strengthen community resilience and tackle racism and discrimination at a local level.

Over the last 5 years, the highly successful NSW Social Cohesion Grants program has delivered almost $2 million to 21 local governments, aimed at providing practical tools to address local social cohesion challenges and foster inclusive, connected communities.

When social cohesion is undermined, communities suffer and division grows. We must combat the rise in hateful rhetoric and division, especially following the horrific events in Bondi in December, and look towards building more cohesive and resilient local communities across NSW.

Councils will work closely with communities to understand their experiences and identify practical solutions, ensuring local perspectives are at the heart of each strategy. These strategies will provide clear, local plans to strengthen councils’ ability to address complex issues, prevent discriminatory behaviour, and build community resilience, connection and trust.

The fifth round of the program will deliver $800,000 to empower councils to develop tailored local Anti-Racism strategies (and other related strategies) to facilitate new opportunities for local communities to be heard.

Applications are now open, with local Councils invited to apply for a share of $800,000 to deliver projects in 2026 and into 2027.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in our local communities, and building  on expertise from those who live and work in these communities.

“We must be doing everything in our power to stamp out hatred, and unite, first and foremost, as fellow Australians.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Communities are strongest when people feel connected to each other and to the place they live.”

“Local government sits closest to the community. These grants will help councils work with residents to understand their experiences, address racism and discrimination, and develop practical local strategies that strengthen inclusion and trust.”

“I encourage councils across New South Wales to apply before applications close on 17 April.”

55 new social homes on the way for Goulburn amid regional building blitz

The Minns Labor Government is accelerating its historic social housing roll-out across regional and rural NSW, with Goulburn the latest community to benefit from the state’s largest-ever investment in social housing.

Under the record-breaking Building Homes for NSW Program, the Minns Government is investing $6.6 billion to deliver 8,400 new, modern social homes across New South Wales.

More than 1350 new homes have already been delivered across regional NSW since April 2023, with hundreds more on the way including multiple projects in Goulburn.

Work has begun to deliver 29 new social homes on Francis Street and Sanita Street, with a mix of 18 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom units, including two fully adaptable homes designed to meet the needs of people with a disability.

Once complete, the project will provide safe and secure accommodation for around 50 residents.

Construction is also progressing on an additional 12 new social homes across multiple sites in Goulburn, with the properties on track for completion by May 2026, creating more quality homes for around 20 people.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering more safe, modern social housing across regional NSW, ensuring communities have the homes they need now and into the future.

Number of homes delivered across regional NSW from April 1, 2023 to January 31, 2026:

  • North Coast : 275
  • New England & North West: 96
  • Western: 497
  • Hunter: 87
  • Central Coast: 82
  • South Coast: 335 

Total: 1,372

Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:

“Investing in social housing strengthens regional communities, supports local jobs and ensures people can stay connected to the places they call home.

“People in regional NSW deserve the same access to secure, high-quality housing as anybody else, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering in Goulburn.

“We’re building thousands of new homes across regional NSW, and Goulburn is a key part of this once-in-a-generation investment.”

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“We’re investing more money into social housing than ever before, but it’s important that investment is spread right across our state, including in our regions.

“We know regional communities are struggling just as much with rising house prices and we are committed to building more homes in all corners of New South Wales.

“Every new home completed is a significant step towards a fairer, more inclusive state where everyone has the dignity having access to safe, secure, and affordable housing.

“Right across regional NSW we are delivering the social homes people desperately need, and here that means 55 new homes for the people of Goulburn.”

$5 million Nowra Workplace Hub a boost to South Coast

The Minns Labor Government has unveiled the revitalised Nowra Workplace Hub following a $5 million investment, reinforcing its commitment to driving economic development and creating jobs across the South Coast and regional NSW.

The modernised hub spans 1,800 m² across two floors and will accommodate 250 employees from six government departments, boosting the NSW Government’s capacity to recruit employees who work near the communities they serve.

Works completed over the last 7 months include stripping out and rebuilding the office space, installing a concierge desk and security turnstiles, and adding amenities like bike racks and shower rooms.

The government’s central property agency, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW), prioritised local jobs during the project with lead contractor Intermain Pty Ltd partnering with 30 local subcontractors to deliver the refurbishment.

Built in the early 2000s, the original building has been transformed to support government employees living and working on the South Coast, attract diverse talent, and strengthen ties between agencies and the community.

The redevelopment provides modern workplace accommodation for tenants including the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the Department of Customer Service (DCS), the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

The upgrade targeted a 4.0 Star Green Star – Interiors rating and meets the latest NSW Government workplace design standards to ensure accessible, future-ready workspaces.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This revitalised Nowra Workplace Hub is a fantastic investment in the South Coast and the talented people who live and work here.

“This hub will help regional workers better serve communities across the South Coast and NSW, while supporting the local economy and creating new opportunities for people to build careers close to home.

“The South Coast now has a modern, contemporary government workspace which is vital  to attracting and retaining the best staff.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said: 

“The completion of Nowra’s Workplace Hub is a win for the talented employees of the South Coast and the communities they work for.

“Modern office spaces foster economic growth by keeping and creating jobs in regional NSW.

“Nowra’s refreshed work hub provides upgraded facilities for hundreds of government employees who call the region home, and a welcome space for many more who travel to the South Coast for work.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“I am pleased to see the completion of these offices which will from today empower hundreds of the South Coast’s government employees to do their best work.

“The space can be expanded further to welcome more public or private sector tenants, ensuring it remains a modern and valuable workspace long into the future.”

Design team appointed for $20.2 million Forbes Hospital operating theatre upgrade

Work to deliver a new contemporary operating theatre and enhanced virtual care technology at Forbes Hospital has taken a key step forward with the project’s lead design team appointed to progress planning.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $20.2 million to deliver a new operating theatre and support clinical spaces at Forbes Hospital, bringing modern surgical facilities to one of the fastest growing populations in Western NSW Local Health District.

When complete, the new operating theatre will enable more health services to be provided closer to home.

The new operating theatre will replace the existing theatre and support contemporary models of surgical care by expanding the range of treatments available at the hospital.

The design team includes architect Fulton Trotter and Partners Architects, and project manager Acorn Project Advisory and cost manager MBM, who were appointed following a competitive tender process.

In the coming months, the design team will work with staff, community and the District to inform the early planning and design.

The new operating theatre will complement services currently provided at Forbes Hospital including:

  • 24-hour Emergency Department
  • acute and subacute medical, surgical, rehabilitation and palliative care services
  • ambulatory care clinic
  • birthing rooms and maternity beds
  • renal dialysis chairs
  • medical imaging
  • community and primary health services.

The full range of inpatient and outpatient health services provided at Forbes will continue to be available while the new operating theatre works are completed.  

Staff, stakeholders, and the local community will be kept informed as the project progresses.

For more information visit the project website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/forbes-hospital-operating-theatre

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“This is an exciting step forward that reaffirms the Minns Government’s commitment to rebuilding essential services by investing in the infrastructure regional communities need.

“The new, contemporary operating theatre will give patients improved access to surgical services in modern facilities and closer to home, while also helping to reduce waitlists.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato:

“Funding of a new operating theatre for Forbes’ Hospital was at the top of my budget request list last year.

“I sincerely thank Minister for Health Ryan Park MP for supporting my request to fund this vitally important health infrastructure project, last year announcing $20.2 million will go to building a modern operating theatre.

“I’m pleased to see the next steps being undertaken with the appointment of a design team to develop the theatre plans, ensuring the new health infrastructure meets the needs of the growing Forbes community.”

Labor Spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence MLC:

“This $20 million investment in public health is what’s needed for a growing population, because it will enhance surgical care and deliver lasting benefits for Forbes and surrounding communities for years to come.”