16 News

Thirty additional full-time equivalent tobacco inspectors will be recruited to boost the NSW Health’s newly established Centre for Regulation & Enforcement with additional funding from the Commonwealth Government.

The new Inspectors brings the dedicated state-wide team to a total of 78 staff.

Over half of the additional 30 have commenced or are about to commence, and the other half are in the process of being recruited.

The NSW and Commonwealth governments have previously discussed the impact of the high level of the federal tobacco excise which is driving many consumers towards cheaper illegal tobacco products.

Under the NSW Government’s tough new laws which have introduced closure order powers, NSW Health Inspectors, working together with NSW Police, are continuing to close down stores selling illicit tobacco and vaping goods.

The closure of five tobacconists in Sydney’s Inner West last week by NSW Health Inspectors and NSW Police brings the total to 66 stores closed since the laws came into effect in November 2025.

Between 1 January 2026 to 31 January 2026, NSW Health Inspectors have conducted 131 inspections, seizing around 560,000 cigarettes and 98kg of other illicit tobacco products and over 6000 illegal vaping goods with a combined estimated street value of around $830,000.

In January, NSW Health has also finalised 4 successful prosecutions with the courts imposing a total of $41,300 in fines related to e-cigarette and tobacco offences. There are currently 20 prosecutions before the Courts. 

The NSW Government is continuing to strengthen compliance and enforcement of tobacco and vaping goods laws across NSW, with the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Landlord Offences) Bill 2025 currently before Parliament and expected to be debated in the coming weeks.

The legislation will build on recent reforms which target the illicit tobacco and illegal vaping market, including:

• a new offence for the possession of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
• new penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
• the introduction of short-term (up to 90 days) and long-term (up to 12 months) closure orders for premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a licence
• new offences and penalties for anyone who breaches these closure orders, including for entering closed premises or selling products from closed premises
• new lease termination powers for landlords where a closure order is in place
• new nation-leading offences for falsely claiming to be licensed, resisting seizure, and attempting to retake seized products.

The NSW Government is also aware the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products continues to evolve, with some retailers attempting to obscure and avoid the enforcement activities of NSW Health Inspectors, by using QR codes and social media communications to facilitate the ongoing sale of illicit tobacco to customers, after a closure order has been issued.  

NSW Police and NSW Health are working together to identify these methods and pivot their enforcement strategies to shut down this activity. 

Minister for Health Ryan Park: 

“I am very grateful for the additional support from the Commonwealth Government to assist in our tobacco enforcement efforts.

“It is an acknowledgement that the federal tobacco excise is out of step with the community and it is driving consumers towards cheaper illegal tobacco products.

“The assistance from the Commonwealth will help us get ahead of the prevalence of illegal tobacco over the next two years.

“But so long as the federal excise is where it is, we can continue to see illegal tobacco permeate throughout our high streets – and so I will continue to work constructively with our Commonwealth colleagues in establishing a more sustainable, long term and permanent funding stream for tobacco enforcement personnel.

“Our approach to illegal tobacco is more boots on the ground; tougher penalties; and more powers to close down bad actors.”

The Minns Labor Government today announced two of the state’s key animal welfare organisations, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) NSW and Animal Welfare League (AWL) NSW, will receive $12.8 million towards their enforcement and compliance activities to better protect cats, dogs, livestock and other animals across the state.

Over the past two financial years, the NSW Government has provided $25.3 million to these organisations to help them carry out animal welfare enforcement activities.

An additional $300,000 has been provided this financial year as part of the Minns Government’s continuing improvements to animal welfare standards across NSW.

The funds will support animal welfare inspectors who play a crucial role in enforcing the state’s animal welfare laws allowing them to investigate animal cruelty complaints, protect vulnerable animals from harm or distress and provide care and shelter for seized animals.

The NSW Government has introduced several measures to improve animal welfare including banning puppy farms, enhanced financial and performance reporting for the RSPCA NSW and AWL NSW, and reformed legislation to prevent people convicted of animal cruelty offences from keeping and breeding animals.  

The Government also recently announced proposed new offences for leaving dogs in hot vehicles, tougher animal fighting laws and banning the use of painful dog prong collars.

The changes made by the Minns Government to animal welfare laws represent the most comprehensive reform to the state’s animal welfare laws in years, recognising the need for modern legislation to align with community expectations.

The RSPCA and AWL funding applications were assessed in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Grants Administration Guide and recommended by an expert panel.

These grants support these organisations which carry out Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 enforcement and compliance activities for the current 2025-2026 financial year.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“We recognise the importance of the compliance work the Animal Welfare League NSW and RSPCA NSW deliver and value the long-standing relationships we have with them to achieve better outcomes for animals.

“The welfare of animals is a key priority for the NSW Government, and this substantial funding directly supports the vital work of our animal welfare partners on the ground.

“We continue to work with stakeholders, advocates and the community to improve animal welfare and to build a better and stronger framework of animal protection. “

Animal Welfare League NSW chief executive officer Stephen Albin said:

“We welcome the funding announcement for our Inspectorate Services that are playing a critical role in protecting animals and enforcing the laws to prevent cruelty.

“The funding will support our expansion of services in both the Sydney metropolitan area and regional centres.

“Our inspectors have received an increase in the number of cruelty complaints, and this funding will also assist us meet that demand.

“Every animal deserves to find a loving home; this funding and other government initiatives are assisting our team on the ground deliver on this mission.”

The Minns Labor Government is backing safer choices on NSW roads, introducing a Bill to Parliament today to make the demerit point reward program permanent – part of a record $2.8 billion road safety investment.

Once passed, the reform will make the Demerit Point Reward Program a permanent feature of the state’s demerit point system, allowing eligible unrestricted licence holders to have one demerit point removed after remaining offence-free for a continuous 12-month period.

The reform builds on a successful trial delivered as an election commitment and reflects the Government’s clear view that lasting road safety comes from changing behaviour – not just punishing people after something has gone wrong.

Since the trial began in 2023, more than two million NSW demerits points have been removed, proving motorists can drive safely over time, with thousands more eligible drivers from the final year of the trial to have points returned later this year.

Legislating to make the program permanent is another example of the Minns Government backing commonsense on NSW roads and recognising the millions of motorists who choose safer, more responsible driving every day.

The reform is not a replacement for enforcement.

Penalties, fines, licence suspensions and police action remain firmly in place for dangerous and repeat offenders. This reform works alongside those measures by giving drivers a clear incentive to slow down, follow the rules and stick to safer habits.

Only unrestricted licence holders are eligible. Learner and provisional drivers remain excluded under the Graduated Licensing Scheme, reflecting their higher risk profile and lower demerit thresholds.

Drivers must also maintain an active licence and remain free of relevant offences for the full 12-month reduction period for a demerit point to be removed.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“For too long, road safety has relied almost entirely on penalties and enforcement, and while those tools remain absolutely essential, on their own they don’t always change behaviour for the long term.

“We believe the best approach is a clear carrot and stick – strong penalties for dangerous behaviour, combined with a real incentive for drivers who do the right thing and stay offence-free.

“This reform reflects a fair, practical approach to road safety that works with drivers while still holding people accountable.

“Let’s not forget, road safety isn’t about choosing between enforcement or education – we need both.

“We’re investing a record $2.8 billion over four years in road safety – safer roads, better infrastructure, stronger enforcement and education – and we will rule nothing out when it comes to saving lives.

“Most drivers want to do the right thing. This program gives people who’ve made mistakes in the past a real reason to change their behaviour and keep doing better.

“If you break the rules, the penalties apply – fines, points and suspensions are still there.

“But if you slow down, follow the rules and drive safely over time, that effort is recognised, and we think that balance gives us the best chance of changing behaviour and saving lives.”

Deniliquin High School students returned for Day 1, Term 1 2026 to a fully-equipped temporary campus, as the NSW Government works to swiftly address damage after a fire destroyed classrooms and the school library in late 2025.

Construction took place over the school holidays to ensure all students started the school year in the temporary facilities. The temporary campus includes 24 demountable classrooms, with fully equipped Technology and Applied Science workshops, science labs, a library and staff rooms. The buildings not affected by fire have been inspected and cleared for use.

Located on the school’s grounds, the temporary campus has been designed to maintain playground space and preserve existing basketball courts for student use. Minor onsite works including deck installations, ramps, covered walkways, and connection of services will continue throughout Term 1 2026.

The Department of Education will continue to keep the school and broader Deniliquin community up to date as planning for the permanent rebuild progresses.

Separately, construction is also underway on a brand-new public preschool at nearby Deniliquin South Public School. The public preschool will accommodate up to 80 children per week and will open early 2027. The preschool will offer playrooms, an outside play space, an administration area, amenities, staff kitchen, and storage spaces.

As the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history, the Minns Labor Government’s rollout of 100 new public preschools will provide access to high quality early learning for up to 9,000 children across NSW by 2027.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The temporary facilities at Deniliquin High School will ensure continuity of quality education as the dedicated rebuild gets underway.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting regional communities, and we will deliver a fit-for-purpose high school rebuild for local students.

“For far too long, families in Regional NSW had limited access to quality early childhood education. The new Deniliquin South Public Preschool will provide local families greater access to quality early learning close to home.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton said:

“The fire at Deniliquin High School was a shock to our community, and parents and students were concerned that the incident would prove incredibly disruptive.

“But the fast action by the Minns Government to build temporary facilities means this disruption has been largely avoided.

“This is a great outcome, and the Minns Government should be commended for stepping up so quickly to support the people of Deniliquin, following the High School fire.”

Deniliquin High School Principal Glen Warren said:

“The past few months have been challenging for our whole school community, but the dedication and support we have received from the department, and the wider community is heartening.

“We are excited to welcome students back to a safe and well-equipped temporary campus.”

NSW public hospitals and health services will welcome more than 3,200 new graduate nurses and midwives this year, providing a boost to frontline healthcare across the state.

The new nurses and midwives will gain experience in a variety of clinical settings, including emergency departments, acute services, maternity, mental health, and a range of other specialities.

The graduates will work across NSW in multidisciplinary teams alongside experienced staff who will support them to gain the skills and knowledge required to care for NSW’s diverse communities.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced a broad suite of reforms to further strengthen and rebuild the state’s health workforce following 12 years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, including:

• Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the largest wage increase to healthcare workers in a decade;
• Implementing safe staffing levels in our emergency departments;
• Saving 1,112 nurses which the Liberal Government planned to sack; and
• Supporting our future health workforce by providing them with study subsidies

For more information on careers in nursing and midwifery in NSW, visit the NSW Health website.

Minister for Health Ryan Park

“I want to thank each and every one of these graduate nurses and midwives for choosing to work here in Australia’s largest health system, where they will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the very best.

“These new nurses and midwives will provide a welcome boost to the NSW Health workforce, delivering essential support to patients, their families and carers.

“The Minns Government is recruiting more nurses, doctors, paramedics, and allied health professionals, rebuilding the health workforce to deliver better patient outcomes.”

Jacqui Cross, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

“It is wonderful to be able to welcome so many new nurses and midwives starting their careers caring for the people of NSW.

“Careers in nursing and midwifery are very rewarding, supporting people and their families at some of their most critical moments in life.

“Graduates will work across multidisciplinary teams alongside our experienced staff, who will support them to gain skills and knowledge in one of the world’s best health systems.”

The Minns Labor Government is providing more than $112,000 in funding to support 70 veterans-related programs as part of the Veteran Community Grants Program (VCGP).

Funding will be provided to individuals, community groups, schools and ex-service organisations across the state, from Broken Hill in the far west, Bilambil Heights in the far north and the bordertown of Albury in the south.

Formerly known as the Anzac Community Grants Program, the 2025 round of the VCGP was the first delivered under a refreshed program design with more emphasis on funding projects that enhance veteran wellbeing, support recognition of the veteran community and events that acknowledge significant military anniversaries. 

Successful applicants have been awarded up to $3,000 for projects that benefit both veterans and the wider community, including 24 educational institutions, 22 RSL sub-Branches and 9 other veteran organisations.

Grant recipients include the 2/30th Battalion A.I.F. Association who received $3,000 to assist with the commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Gemas.

The North Sydney RSL sub-Branch also received $2,400 in funding to support a series of safeTALK suicide awareness training courses to raise awareness about suicide and equip people will skills on how to take action when they encounter someone at risk.

The full list of VCGP recipients and more information about the program can be viewed here: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/vcgp2025 

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to honouring and supporting veterans and their families.

“The newly refurbished Veteran Community Grants Program provides funding for a wide range of exceptional projects and initiatives that allow communities across the state to acknowledge Australia’s military service history along with educating future generations and enhancing the wellbeing of the veteran community.

“Applications were received for projects across 98 NSW suburbs, within 61 Local Government Areas and 66 State electorates and this funding awarded will make a real difference for many of these communities.”

Kerry Gilbert, President, 2/30^th Battalion A.I.F. Association said:

“Thank you to the NSW Government for this funding which will contribute to the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Gemas commemoration in 2027.

“This funding will help us bring together the descendants, families and friends of the men who served in the 2/30th Battalion and honour their service and sacrifice on this significant military anniversary.”

Bronte Pollard, Volunteer Advocate, North Sydney RSL sub-Branch said:

“On behalf of the North Sydney RSL sub-Branch, thank you to the NSW Government for this funding which will allow us to hold several safeTALK suicide awareness training sessions for veterans and their families.

“With these courses, we hope to not only educate and provide basic tools to help a person experiencing thoughts of suicide but to also breakdown the stigma attached to having such thoughts.”