Debt spiral on $50,000 arts degrees to get worse as indexation hits

Student debt will increase by over $1 billion today, as students and graduates already struggling with skyrocketing uni fees and the cost of living crisis are hit with 2.8% indexation.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Tertiary Education:

“While the Albanese Labor government sits on its hands refusing to immediately get rid of job-ready graduates fee hikes, arts students will get smashed with another hit as the cost of their $50,000 degree grows yet again with indexation.

“Young people are already being locked out of the housing market, denied loans and rethinking dreams of further study, and things are only getting worse because Labor has not scrapped job-ready graduates.

“The Prime Minister cannot claim to be addressing intergenerational inequity while keeping in place the grossly unjust job-ready graduates fee hikes, which are disproportionately impacting young people and already disadvantaged students.

“The time to get rid of JRG is now, not in 18 months or another two years. There is nothing stopping the Albanese government from doing so except themselves.”

Horror police violence exposed by Four Corners escalates urgent calls to bolster watchdog powers

Labor Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley must bolster the powers and capacity of the independent police watchdog after a brutal Four Corners investigation exposed gratuitous police violence, excessive use of force and maladministration in New South Wales.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission have been calling for reform to require the police to use body-worn video during the exercise of all police powers, as well as changes to their own powers to compel the police to provide them with the information and evidence they require to investigate police conduct. Now there are calls to bolster the LECC so that they can investigate more of the increasing complaints of police misconduct.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice and solicitor Sue Higginson said:

“The degree of heinous violence we saw on Four Corners should be the trigger for urgent reform. I am escalating my calls to bolster the powers and capacity of the Police watchdog. The Police Commissioner must implement the watchdog’s recommendation and mandate the activation of body-worn video during the use of police powers,

“The revelations on Four Corners are unsurprising to me and I know they barely scratch the surface of a toxic and brutal culture that exists in the police force,

“Chemical weapons being used on a naked unwell woman, including her genitals, and being violently kicked and punched in the middle of a public road in broad daylight, intoxicated people being bashed, broken and hospitalised and then being charged with assault and resist arrest; women at home alone playing music in the evening, broken into and brutally assaulted; and victims of domestic violence being left for dead in the gutter,

“This is a culture of excessive force, unbridled power and cover up, enabling police to be violent with impunity. It is not lost on anyone right now that we still haven’t seen the Independent Culture Review of the NSW Police Force, led by Kristen Hilton, that I have been told is sitting on someone’s desk,

“People are rightly losing trust in the police. The NSW Police are the most complained about police agency with complaints growing each year. The default system is for the Police to investigate themselves and it’s not working. The LECC needs more investigators to investigate complaints, rather than simply referring them to the police to investigate themselves,

“Even in the few cases the LECC does investigate, Police are able to avoid scrutiny and accountability because the LECC does not have the powers they need. The LECC called for changes to their powers and it’s shocking that Premier Chris Minns and the Police Minister have not responded,

If the Premier does not commit immediately, I will bring a private members bill to the Parliament to introduce the three changes needed to ensure the LECC can investigate police misconduct and maladministration and oversee Police investigations of critical incidents,

“These changes are needed to stop the current practice of police not complying with the LECC and put an end to the “difficult” and “defensive” culture as described by the Chief Commissioner

“Just yesterday the Premier invoked the LECC when asked to defend police conduct, but their requests for urgent reform are sitting on his desk gathering dust,” Ms Higginson said.

Minimum wage still won’t pay the rent

The Fair Work Commission’s decision today to increase the modern award wage rate by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, still won’t pay the rent.

Since Labor came into power, real wages have decreased by 1%, and remain at the same real value as they were 15 years ago. Meanwhile, the RBA forecasts the rate of inflation for the year to June 2026 will reach 4.8%.

The Greens say this decision will further erode real wages for some of our lowest paid workers, leaving working Australians behind while billionaires increase in number and wealth.

Greens spokesperson for finance, employment and workplace relations Senator Barbara Pocock:

“The Fair Work Commission’s decision today amounts to a real wage cut for millions of Australians. Even with this 4.75% increase in the minimum wage, low-paid workers still face an uphill battle as wages have failed to keep up with inflation. 

“With inflation expected to rise to 4.8%, the Fair Work Commission has decided to erode the wages of some of the lowest paid workers.

“Under Labor, we’re seeing interest rates rise, real wages fall and a tax system that hits workers harder than billionaires.

“Nearly 3 million low-paid workers in Australia are playing catch up, facing rising grocery prices in a cost of living crisis, and rents increasing at well above inflation. 

“Since Labor came into power, real wages have decreased by 1% while rents have increased by more than 22%. How on earth can renters keep a roof over their head?

“When national rents have risen 2.5 times faster than wages over the past five years, working households fall further behind through no fault of their own.

“Working Australians have had enough. They’re fed up with seeing the big banks and the billionaires profit from an out of control housing crisis, while wages aren’t keeping up and workers are going backwards.”

Labor, Liberal and One Nation all refuse to support tax on gas exports in parliament

The Greens spokesperson for resources, Steph Hodgins-May, and Member for Ryan, Elizabeth Watson-Brown, condemn the major parties teaming up to shut down a tax on gas exports and One Nation for not even wanting to record a vote.

The issue was put to a vote in the House of Representatives, for the first time, today by Watson-Brown. It called on the government to implement a 25 per cent gas export tax.

Despite the evidence collected by the senate inquiry held into the topic in April and the overwhelming public support for such a move, Labor and the Liberals were united in voting down the measure.

Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“This was Labor’s chance to listen to the Australian people and back a tax on gas exports that would make multinational corporations pay what they owe.

“Instead, the major parties have once again joined forces to protect the interests of the gas lobby ahead of ordinary Australians struggling with the cost of living.

“It was particularly galling to see One Nation’s newly elected MP campaign as an alternative to politics-as-usual, only to fail to use his first substantive vote to stand up for his constituents when it mattered most.

“At a time when Labor, the Liberals and One Nation continue to protect corporate interests, the Greens remain the only party willing to take on the gas giants and fight for ordinary Australians who are sick of billion-dollar corporations avoiding their fair share of tax.

“The Greens will continue to push for gas corporations to pay what they owe and an end to the  loophole-ridden tax system that allows multinational corporations to make enormous profits while Australians pay more for energy and essentials.”

Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP: 

“What kind of democracy are we living in where the voices of the gas industry are louder than the voices of the Australian people?

“More than three in five Australians support a 25% tax on gas exports. They know we’re being ripped off and they want gas corporations to pay their fair share.

“Today Labor MPs have voted to protect the gas corporations from paying their fair share of tax. One Nation and the LNP didn’t even bother to show up.

“The major parties have voted against a tax that is incredibly popular, and would raise $17 billion a year that could fund real cost-of-living relief.

“Massive gas corporations have donated millions to the major parties, while we also see senior Ministers and even the PM parroting gas lobby talking points. It’s clearly paid off in the vote today.”

‘Arrogant and utterly disrespectful’, Greens call Labor’s response to Parliamentary Inquiry into public housing demolition project

The Greens have labelled Labor’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the public housing demolition ‘arrogant and utterly disrespectful’ after just four of twenty one recommendations were accepted. 

It comes after the Labor tabled their response to the Parliamentary inquiry into the demolition of the public housing towers. 

Labor’s response details they do not support eight of the key recommendations including publishing documentation which provides rationale for the project. The response also reveals the Labor government won’t guarantee public land will remain in public hands and they won’t confirm that there will be a single public home built after future demolitions. 

The report, which was tabled in December, revealed that the Labor Government was pushing ahead with a multi-billion-dollar mass demolition and privatisation of public housing, while withholding evidence, sidelining experts, and placing public housing residents under immense stress and uncertainty.

It recommended that demolitions should be halted until condition reports, feasibility studies into alternatives to demolition, and a cost-benefit analysis for each site could be provided. 

Greens spokesperson for Housing, Gabrielle de Vietri: 

“This is arrogant and utterly disrespectful from Labor. They are charging ahead with a project that has no support from experts or the community, no justification and no public benefit.” 

“Labor couldn’t care less about telling the truth to everyday Victorians or to the thousands of public housing residents whose lives they are tearing apart, their response to the inquiry proves this.”

“This is a dark day for the future of public housing and for the people of Victoria. We have a government who is refusing transparency, refusing people their human rights, refusing expert advice and refusing to tell us the truth –  who is really benefiting from this project?”  

“The only winners here are private developers who want access to valuable public land and Labor who want their dirty donations.”

Greens Member for Northern Metropolitan and Member of the Legal and Social Issues Committee: 

“Labor has completely turned their back on residents and everyone who was brave enough to give evidence to this inquiry.”

Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Decision

The Coalition supports the independent process to determine the minimum wage increase of 4.75 per cent, as outlined by the Fair Work Commission.

The Fair Work Commission itself has noted that while last year’s decision “involved a real wage increase, the accelerated rate of inflation since then has substantially opened up that gap yet again”. That is a direct consequence of Labor’s failure to get inflation under control.

Real wages have gone backwards by 3 per cent since the Albanese Government came to power, and Labor’s own Budget forecasts show they will continue to fall.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Senator Jane Hume said everyone wants to see higher real wages, but lasting improvements in living standards depend on lower inflation and a stronger economy.

“There is little comfort in a wage increase if Labor’s inflation simply eats it away. The best way to improve living standards for all Australians is to get inflation down, lift productivity and support businesses to grow and employ more Australians.

“In light of today’s decision and last week’s Labour Force data showing almost 700,000 Australians are unemployed, it is even more crucial that Labor axe their toxic taxes on small businesses and tackle inflation.

“When businesses are struggling with rising costs and Labor’s new taxes, there is a real risk that fewer jobs will be created and fewer opportunities will be available for Australians looking for work. Higher wages mean nothing if you don’t have a job,” Senator Hume said.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson said “Jim Chalmers stoked the inflation that means households are going backwards and need catchup pay rises”.

“Chalmers active inflation agenda is sending real wages backward, and the Fair Work Commission has confirmed it”, Mr Wilson said.

“The Liberals and Nationals want Australians to keep more of what they earn and end Labor’s inflation tax. That’s why we have announced our Tax Back Guarantee”.

“The Tax Back Guarantee is an automatic tax cut that gets bigger every year to help with the cost of living, and protect salaries and wages from Labor’s inflation stealth tax”.

Only the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to deliver a fairer, freer and better Australia.

Targeted investment round now open to secure NSW’s fuel future

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for major investment projects designed to strengthen fuel security and resilience.

The Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) is calling for proposals from industry to deliver commercial-scale projects that improve the state’s fuel supply, reduce reliance on imports, and help protect households, businesses and essential services from future global disruptions.

The targeted IDA round is focused on projects valued at $100 million or more that can directly improve fuel security, including:

  • fuel storage and distribution infrastructure
  • domestic, import-independent liquid fuel production
  • heavy electric vehicle charging hubs and fleets to reduce reliance on diesel over time.

While these three priority areas are a focus of the round, the IDA welcomes EOIs for any projects that improve fuel security in NSW that meet relevant criteria.

The EOI will run alongside a Market Sounding process for three weeks, giving proponents the opportunity to put forward both investment-ready projects and earlier-stage proposals that may not yet meet IDA criteria.

The Market Sounding process will capture insights from industry on emerging projects, helping the NSW Government better understand barriers to investment and opportunities to strengthen the fuel supply chain.

The IDA will use its existing model to coordinate delivery support across government, helping endorsed projects navigate planning and regulatory processes and accelerate delivery.

This forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to improve fuel security and transparency across the industry, including:

  • Passing the Fair Trading (FuelCheck) Amendment Bill 2026 to extend the NSW Fair Trading’s powers, making it illegal for a service station or fuel retailer to fail to report a price for fuel or fail to notify if a type of fuel becomes unavailable.
  • Investing $2.2 million to upgrade FuelCheck.
  • Conducting a record number of fuel compliance inspections and re-inspections, with more than $300,000 worth of fines issued for non-compliance.

Expressions of Interest will remain open till 11:59am Monday 22 June 2026 and projects can be submitted at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/investment-nsw/investment-delivery-authority.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“We’re inviting industry to bring forward the next generation of fuel security projects.

“This isn’t only an energy issue, it’s a cost-of-living issue for families and businesses across NSW.

“This is about partnering with investors to strengthen supply, support jobs and reduce our exposure to global fuel disruptions.

“By opening both an EOI and Market Sounding process, we are making sure we capture projects that are ready to proceed, as well as those that can shape future investment.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“NSW has the infrastructure, industrial capacity and strategic locations needed to support large-scale fuel and fuel alternative projects.

“This targeted IDA round is designed to help proponents navigate approval pathways and get critical projects moving faster to support NSW’s long term fuel security.

“We want to see high-quality proposals that make the most of existing infrastructure to build resilient fuel systems we need into the future.”

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Opening the EOI process sends a clear signal that NSW is open for business and committed to delivering major fuel security investments.

“The Market Sounding process will give us valuable insight into emerging opportunities, and the barriers holding worthwhile projects back.

“This is about building a stronger pipeline of investment, supporting regional industry and positioning NSW as a leader in next-generation fuel production.”

Opposition, Greens holding up stronger protections for LGBTQIA+ people

Stronger laws to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from hate crimes are being held hostage by the Opposition and Greens who have rejected multiple attempts to pass these laws including a bid to fast track the reforms.

The Minns Labor Government in March introduced reforms to expand ‘post and boast’ offences to assault and robbery following a string of horrific attacks against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

These laws are in limbo after the Opposition and Greens teamed up with Mark Latham on Tuesday to vote against a Government motion to have the bill urgently debated in the Legislative Council.

In attempting to score a political point against the Government, the Opposition, Greens and Mark Latham have delayed greater protections for LGBTQIA+ against hate crimes.

Today, Greens Member of the Upper House, Abigail Boyd went so far as to say most of the Bills the Government was trying to pass, including these reforms, are “not very important”. Greens MP Sue Higginson also demanded that the motion to pass this reform to protect LGBTQIA+ people be withdrawn, further delaying these important reforms.

As well as expanding ‘post and boast’ laws, our reforms create new offences directed at offenders who lure victims on false pretences only to offend against them, including via dating apps.

Under the reforms, publicly threatening or inciting violence on the grounds of a protected attribute such as sexual orientation or gender identity will rise from three to five years’ imprisonment.

A higher penalty of up to seven years will apply if violence results from threats or incitement.

We are also seeking to amend the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 to make it easier for prosecutors to prove an offence was motivated by prejudice or hatred.

This will strengthen the ability of police and prosecutors to pursue hate crime charges and ensure that prejudice-motivated offending is properly recognised and punished by the courts.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“These laws provide much-needed protections for LGBTQIA+ people who have been attacked and robbed simply because of who they are. We are determined to hold perpetrators of this appalling violence to account.

“But instead of working with the Government to pass greater protections for LGBTQIA+ people, the Opposition and Greens have decided to play politics. This must end.”

Future of Maitland Community Health location secured

Community health services in Maitland will have a new home, with a location for the facility confirmed in the heart of Maitland’s town centre.

The Maitland Community Health facility will help deliver improved access to community health services for the Maitland region in a central location following a $22 million investment from the NSW Government.

The NSW Government has purchased a site at 525 High Street, Maitland marking a significant milestone in delivering an enhanced community health service for the region.

The existing two storey building will be refurbished to support best-practice models of care and provide a safe, welcoming environment for staff, consumers and the community.

When complete, community health services including adult, older person, child and adolescent community mental health services, sexual assault services, and palliative care services will be relocated from the former Maitland Hospital site, into the new facility.

The new Maitland Community Health facility will offer health services for all ages in a modern, collaborative and culturally safe environment.

On-site car parking will be available to staff and the community, with the building also conveniently located close to local shops and transport routes.

Planning and design are under way, with a builder for the Maitland Community Health facility expected to be appointed later this year. The timeframe of the refurbishment will be confirmed once a builder is appointed.

While refurbishment is underway, the community health and community mental health services will continue to operate from the former Maitland Hospital.

For more information, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/maitland-community-health-project

East Maitland Community Health Centre will not be relocated as part of this project.

Across the state, the Minns Labor Government is delivering 32 new or upgraded hospitals, helping to ensure people can access the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“This milestone means we are one step closer to delivering centralised and more accessible health care to the Maitland community.

“The new location will be refurbished into a contemporary facility that will support world-class care and provide a safe, welcoming environment for all.

“The Minns Government is making the investments in health care that regional NSW needs, ensuring communities can access care closer to home.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“We know health care only works when people can actually get to it, and that’s why bringing services together in one place matters so much for the Hunter community.

“When services are closer to home, it takes the pressure off people having to travel long distances or juggle appointments across multiple locations – it makes getting care far more realistic for busy lives.

“This is about making sure communities in the Hunter aren’t an afterthought in the health system and that reflects the Minns Labor Government’s focus on building services around people’s lives, not the other way around.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“This project is exactly the kind of investment we need more of in mental health care — local, community-based services that meet people where they are and provide support before people reach crisis point.

“We know too many people can fall into the gap between hospital care and independent living. That’s why investing in strong community mental health services matters — because people deserve access to care and support close to home, in environments that are safe, welcoming and connected to their community.

“This is another example of the NSW Labor Government putting community-based care at the centre of our mental health system.”

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison MP:

“I’m delighted to see community health services in Maitland will soon be delivered from an easily accessible and modern health facility.

“Importantly, community health services will continue at the former Maitland Hospital until the new building is completed, ensuring people can access the services and care they need.

“This is another example of how the Minns Labor Government is making healthcare accessible for everyone, right across the state.”

Supercharging investment in local low-carbon manufacturing and jobs

The Minns Labor Government is investing a further $225 million to create more local jobs in domestic manufacturing and help NSW businesses build the products and materials needed for the low-carbon industries of the future.

The funding will support projects that are part of the growing low-carbon manufacturing industry in NSW. It will help businesses expand local production, attract private investment and make more of the equipment, materials and technologies needed for a low-carbon economy.

Support will be allocated with a view to creating more skilled jobs, new opportunities for local workers and stronger regional economies. Applications open today.

As global demand grows for clean energy and low-carbon products, the Minns Labor Government is backing NSW businesses to seize this global opportunity by manufacturing more of these products here at home, including:

  • renewable energy components such as wind towers, solar panels, batteries and transmission cables
  • low-carbon products such as blended cement, cross-laminated timber and biofuels
  • emerging clean technologies such as new-generation renewables and storage, AI-driven agricultural systems and lithium battery recycling.

This funding builds on the success of the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative grants which are already backing more than 40 projects creating around 1,000 new jobs.

These include a new solar panel manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley, a Renewables Manufacturing Hub in Western Sydney, the expansion of manufacturing to include Super High Voltage transformers at the heart of Renewable Energy Zones, expanded production of low-carbon flat-pack housing in Orange, and pioneering battery component technology in the Illawarra.

This investment can also make it cheaper to manufacture in NSW by reducing energy costs for businesses. In Sydney’s Horsley Park, NSW Government funding is supporting a new bioenergy facility that will turn organic waste into renewable gas. That biomethane will be used by a co-located brick plant, cutting the plant’s natural gas use by 50 per cent.

This round of funding will focus on commercial and construction-ready projects that can deliver immediate impact.

Successful projects will attract significant private investment to NSW, with grant recipients required to match or exceed NSW Government funding dollar-for-dollar.

In the first round, every dollar of NSW Government funding has yielded one and a half dollars of co-investment in NSW.

The investment will create jobs, further the transformation of our energy system, and support the state’s legislated targets to cut emissions by 70 per cent by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050.

For more information, visit: www.energy.nsw.gov.au/NetZeroManufacturing

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe said:

“Our investment in low-carbon manufacturing has already supported the creation of around 1,000 jobs, and this boost will power the next wave of industry and opportunity across NSW.

“This additional funding will help ensure NSW does not just import technology, but builds more of it locally to benefit communities and workers.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“By backing local manufacturing, we are helping build the industries that will power the next generation of jobs and growth in NSW.

“We want more of the products, materials and technologies needed for a low-carbon economy to be made right here, using skilled local workers.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, Courtney Houssos said:

“This investment will support manufacturers to grow, create local jobs and strengthen regional economies.

“The Net Zero Manufacturing grants are a key part of how our Minns Labor Government is backing local manufacturing and backing NSW workers.”

Business NSW Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Hunter said:

“This investment by the NSW Government will back manufacturers to expand, invest and compete for the next generation of industrial opportunities.

“The funding will help businesses scale up, invest with confidence and make more of the products the economy will need in the decades ahead.

“We still have courageous and world-beating businesses making things in NSW – from clothing to modular housing and medical technology.”

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union NSW/ACT State Secretary, Brad Pidgeon said:

“NSW manufacturing workers have the skills and experience to build the products needed for the future, from renewable energy components to low-carbon building materials.

“This investment is an important step towards creating secure, skilled jobs in the regions that have powered NSW industry for generations.”