The Victorian Greens have said Melbourne Water’s new flood-risk maps will mean very little without a plan by Labor to protect at-risk communities from worsening climate disasters.
Earlier today Melbourne Water released the first of its new flood-risk maps for Yarra and Darebin, revealing over 60,000 properties across the two council areas to be flood-prone.
The Greens say with climate disasters increasing in frequency and continuing to devastate communities across the state, Labor must ensure Victorians aren’t continuing to bear the costs of decades of government inaction on climate change.
Instead, Labor should invest in protecting communities from these climate disasters, to prevent the impacts of disasters like the Maribyrnong floods in 2022 which saw homes destroyed and residents displaced.
Earlier this year, a Greens-established inquiry into climate resilience recommended a resilient homes scheme, similar to those in New South Wales and Queensland.
A scheme like this would help cover the costs of retro-fitting, lifting, renovations, and in some instances relocations and buybacks or compensation for homes at greater risk of floods.
The Greens say Labor should take up this recommendation and make the polluting fossil fuel giants pay for it.
Labor and Melbourne Water should also be fast-tracking investment in flood mitigation measures, such as upgrading stormwater systems and urban greening, to reduce the risk to communities from flooding.
Victorian Greens MP for Richmond, Gabrielle de Vietri:
“We’re already in a housing crisis, and the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters is only going to make this worse as more and more homes become uninsurable and uninhabitable.
“Why should Victorians continue to bear the costs of decades of government inaction on climate change?
“Flood-risk maps are an important step, but what good will they do without a plan by Labor to protect the people on those maps most at risk?
“A resilient homes scheme would help cover the costs needed to retro-fit, lift, and upgrade homes under threat from flooding, rather than saddle homeowners with the price tag.
“Labor also needs to recognise its own role in worsening climate disasters, and stop approving new coal and gas.”
The Palestine Action Group will be defending the right to protest in the Supreme Court of NSW after the NSW Police announced they will challenge a planned rally in Sydney on 12 October, claiming that it poses a “potential terror threat”. The planned rally will mark two years of genocide in Palestine and comes after up to 300 thousand people safely marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August this year.
Labor Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley have both signalled their opposition to the protest.
Greens MP, Spokesperson for justice and Solicitor Sue Higginson said:
“It is outrageous, extreme and racist of the NSW Police to claim the planned peaceful rally is a “potential terror threat” and it’s oppressive to resort to arduous court proceedings, once again, to try to stop it. The Palestine Action Group is simply trying to facilitate the much needed event to mark two years of the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza,”
“The Police have lost the plot, claiming that the planned event is a “terror threat” is outlandish, not based on evidence and is completely counter-intelligent. If this is a sign of how things are to be under the newly appointed Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, we should all be concerned,”
“The Minns Labor Government does not seem to have learnt anything from the last two years of peaceful pro-Palestine marches and the historic March for Humanity across the Harbour Bridge. The pro-Palestine movement here in NSW is a peaceful movement of hundreds of thousands of people who choose constructively to exercise their right of political expression and their hope as they protest against Israel’s genocide of Palestinian people in Gaza,”
“It is essential that the Minns Labor Government acknowledges the genocide that is motivating these protests. It’s also time for the Premier to declare which side of history he is on. Two years ago he decided to light the sails of the Opera House in support of Israel, now two years later it is understood that more than 680,000 Palestinian people have been killed, women and children maimed and starved, forcibly displaced and Gaza has been razed. The people of New South Wales have the right to march to the Opera House to honour the Palestinian people who have lost their lives and those who are suffering the unbearable atrocities that continue to be inflicted.”
The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) has quietly commissioned research into the identification of suicidal risk, and to enhance suicide prevention and postvention, in the workers compensation system.
The need for a targeted focus on suicide in the NSW workers compensation system comes in the wake of the NSW Labor government’s planned legislation that would raise barriers for entry into workers compensation for psychological injuries, as well as dramatically curtail access to ongoing critical assistance by way of medical treatments and weekly wage replacement for psychologically injured workers. Under the government’s proposed reforms, over 99% of all psychologically injured workers would have their access to assistance cut in half, to terminate after two and a half years.
The last time entitlements were curtailed through legislation such as this, we saw in the first year of effect 375 injured workers being identified as vulnerable to self harm, 13 instances of confirmed self-harm, and six deaths of workers on workers compensation being referred to the coroner. By 2020, when the majority of workers impacted by the changes were starting to feel its effect, there were 115 incidents of self-harm.
In the 2024 calendar year, 1,025 injured workers had their weekly payments terminated, and 2,013 injured workers had their medical entitlements terminated, due to the arbitrarily imposed legislative timeline. From 2020 to May 2024, SIRA has recorded 59 instances of suicides by injured workers receiving workers compensation support. icare recorded a further 33 attempted suicides during this period, and 170 incidents of self-harm for NSW government workers on workers compensation. SIRA has confirmed that incidence of suicide remains under-reported.
In response to questioning over the government’s planned legislation to cut entitlements further for psychologically injuried workers in particular, icare confirmed they had done no modelling or calculations as to the number of suicides or self-harm incidents that might result from the proposed legislation. 2 months after that evidence was given to parliament, SIRA commissioned new research into suicide in the workers compensation scheme, due to report back mid-next year – just before the predictable wave of self-harm incidents wouldlikely occur if the government’s proposed cuts to support for psychologically injured workers are allowed to pass.
Despite calls from SIRA themselves to reform the workers compensation scheme to become ‘person-centred’, the research Statement of Work expressly prohibits researchers speaking to anyone ‘who has lived experience of an attempted or actual suicide’.
Greens NSW MP, Abigail Boyd, Chair of the Public Accountability and Works Committee, and Greens NSW spokesperson for Work Health and Safety:
“The NSW Labor Government’s proposed cuts to workers compensation entitlements for workers with serious psychological injuries will have genuinely devastating effects on thousands of injured workers across this state.
“We saw the heartbreaking and life-shattering impacts last time cuts such as these were introduced. These cuts are even more targeted towards people who are already more vulnerable by the nature of their injury, and so the impact can be expected to be even more acute and devastating.
“I cannot emphasise enough how dangerous this government’s proposed cuts will be, ripping away support from those who need it the most.
“The government and business lobby are desperate to cut off workers who have been injured as a result of their work just to save a few dollars in the short-term, rather than actually doing the hard work of reforming a system in which poor claims management, administrative inefficiencies and faulty premium calculation methodologies are driving bad outcomes for injured workers and employers alike.
“This government is proposing the blunt and lazy option of eliminating nearly an entire class of injured workers from support when they need it the most. The government’s plan to cut costs will leave injured workers and their families paying the price.”
Novocastrians have thrown their support behind the revitalisation of the Queens Wharf precinct.
Almost 1,800 comments and suggestions are being considered by City of Newcastle following an invitation for the community to share their memories and ideas for the popular harbourside location.
City of Newcastle’s Executive Director of Corporate Services David Clarke said the feedback had been overwhelmingly positive, with 97% endorsing City of Newcastle’s overall vision for the project.
“We reached out to the community to test our vision for this precinct and seek their input into what types of vibrant mixed-use outcomes people would most like to see as part of the redevelopment,” Mr Clarke said.
“The transformation of Queens Wharf is a complex undertaking, and we’ll consider this valuable feedback from the community alongside a variety of technical, financial, social and economic factors to guide its progression.”
Councillor Declan Clausen, Chair of City of Newcastle’s Asset Advisory Committee, said it was important to involve the community in reimaging this key waterfront precinct.
“It was fantastic to have so many people engaged in the process, sharing their memories of the Queens Wharf area, their big ideas for the future and their priorities for how it should be used,” Cr Clausen said.
“This is a unique opportunity to celebrate our local identity and establish a legacy for future generations, and we’re excited to bring our community along on this journey with us.”
Key themes have been identified from the feedback, with around a quarter of the comments highlighting a desire for Queens Wharf to be a community and family-friendly destination with activities and events for all ages.
Submissions showed support for a diverse and mixed-use precinct with food and dining, retail, arts and culture, night-time activation, open spaces, amenities, and recreation opportunities.
Supporting local businesses, creating jobs and opportunities and a renewed sense of pride in showcasing Newcastle to tourists and visitors were also suggested in the comments.
A range of short-term ideas to bring the precinct to life were proposed during the consultation and will be considered for implementation while the long-term transformation is underway.
Mr Clarke said City of Newcastle will work with stakeholders, community, businesses, government and agencies to bring a shared vision for Queens Wharf to life.
A development application for the demolition of the fire-damaged western building has recently been submitted, while an expression of interest process for prospective development partners will be launched on 9 October.
“We are committed to ensuring this iconic location at the heart of our waterfront remains open and accessible to all members of the public,” Mr Clarke said.
“Our vision is to create a vibrant and dynamic space that supports a variety of uses and activities.
“Next week we will invite expressions of interest from the market to help us identify and select an appropriate partner who will transform Queens Wharf in accordance with our vision, building on the feedback from this engagement process.
“Our aim is to attract quality proposals through a competitive process that will revitalise this landmark site for future generations.”
Queens Wharf sits at the heart of the Newcastle harbour foreshore, connecting Stockton, Honeysuckle, Foreshore Park and Newcastle East.
The waterfront precinct has been a popular destination since it was constructed as a Bicentennial project and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988.
It includes two separate buildings, two car parks, a public promenade and the Transport for NSW owned ferry wharf. The western building has been vacant since a fire in May 2020 rendered it unusable.
The results of the recent community engagement are available to view on the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle’s website.
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission has made a determination today for Staff Specialist Psychiatrists across New South Wales to receive a 10 per cent attraction and retention allowance for a period of 12 months.
This allowance comes on top of the 10 per cent abnormal duties allowance already paid by NSW Health to all Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.
The NSW Government has always committed to upholding the decision of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and will now deliver this wage rise for Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.
The Minns Labor Government was elected with a clear mandate to scrap the Coalition’s unfair wages cap and restore the Industrial Relations Commission as an independent umpire for public sector workers.
The Commission noted in its decision that this was a special case distinct from other pay cases. This is important as the Government had been clear from day one that it could not look at any industrial dispute in isolation from other pay offers, which is why it could not meet the immediate pay rise demands of Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.
The NSW Government and the Doctor’s union, ASMOF, both referred this matter to the IRC to ensure a fair, evidence-based, and independent determination of wages for Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.
Staff Specialist Psychiatrists play a vital role in delivering frontline mental health care and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to a fair, modern and sustainable wages policy for all workers, consistent with our Fair Pay and Bargaining Policy.
NSW Health will now work with the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation and Staff Specialist Psychiatrists to implement this interim decision immediately.
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:
“I respect the decision of the Industrial relations Commission. This decision goes a long way to address the recruitment and retention issues for our Public Health psychiatrists.
“We have reformed the IRC to ensure it is empowered to resolve these matters independent of a government-imposed wages cap. This decision today demonstrates the system works.”
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
“After 12 years of wage suppression, we can now deliver a meaningful wage increase to our Staff Specialist Psychiatrists in recognition of the crucial work they do.
“Our psychiatrists are a valued part of the health system and we now look forward to working with them to strengthen mental health care across our state.”
NSW Ambulance has today inducted 12 new paramedics from interstate and overseas, providing a further boost to frontline health services across NSW.
The qualified and experienced paramedics have just completed a comprehensive three-week induction program at the NSW Ambulance Education Centre and begin their nine-week on-road training from tomorrow.
The new recruits come from a wide range of locations and with variety of experience, including Emily Joel who previously worked rurally as a paramedic in the Northern Territory. Emily decided to join NSW Ambulance to further expand her skills and experience.
The latest class of paramedic inductees will be posted across metropolitan and regional locations in NSW for nine weeks, prior to becoming registered paramedics with NSW Ambulance.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“This new class of interstate and overseas paramedics will provide a welcome boost to frontline healthcare across NSW.
“These paramedics bring with them diverse clinical experience and a range of skills, further complementing and enhancing the capabilities of our NSW Ambulance workforce.
“The addition of our overseas paramedics showcases the global appeal of NSW.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
“I am proud to welcome experienced clinicians from around the world and interstate, who will bring fresh perspectives and valuable skills that will contribute to positive patient outcomes.
“Their decision to join NSW Ambulance shows confidence in the service’s reputation for excellence worldwide.
“Our world class emergency healthcare in NSW is further enhanced by this newest class of experienced paramedics”
paramedic Emily Joel:
“After obtaining my paramedicine degree, I had a strong interest in working with Aboriginal people in rural locations and I learnt a lot about their culture and traditions.
“I am excited to be joining NSW Ambulance for the exciting opportunities to enhance my skills and develop my career.”
The Minns Labor Government will introduce legislation to improve accountability in inmate misconduct proceedings and better protect Corrective Services NSW staff and the NSW community.
The Government is set to introduce a Bill to amend the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act to change the burden of proof for correctional centre offences to “satisfied on the balance of probabilities”, rather than “beyond reasonable doubt.”
These changes will bring NSW in line with most other states and territories across Australia, where the “balance of probabilities” is the standard of proof applied for misconduct hearings.
Criminal conduct behind bars will continue to be dealt with by the NSW Police Force according to the criminal standard of proof.
The Government acknowledges concerns about the impact of current legislative requirements on officer safety.
Enshrining the “balance of probabilities” as the burden of proof will make the discipline process less complex and ensure inmates are held to account.
The new legislation will continue to protect community safety, with Community Corrections reports to the State Parole Authority reflecting these disciplinary decisions in custody.
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“There is no higher priority than community safety for the Minns Labor Government.
“The Government has the shared goal with the union of making sure correctional centres are the safest environment possible for staff.
“We are introducing this legislation as a way to best meet this shared goal.
“These changes come after many months of consultation and engagement on a revised inmate misconduct system between Corrective Services NSW and the PSA.
“New South Wales has been out of step on this issue for too long, and we welcome these efforts to bring our state up to the standards of other jurisdictions.
“We are confident these changes will better protect Corrective Services staff members on the job and streamline action relating to allegations of inmates’ misconduct.”
General Secretary of the Public Services Association Stewart Little said:
“We welcome this commitment to introduce legislation and will work with the Government to see this legislation succeed.
“We want to ensure prisons are safe for everyone and this change is incredibly important to ensure our members can maintain a safe working environment for staff, inmates and visitors.”
As the community gets ready to celebrate the long weekend by catching up with loved ones and watching the rugby league grand final, the Minns Labor Government is reminding everyone to look after each other.
Everyone can play a role in building a safer New South Wales, and that starts with looking out for your mates, and respecting other members of the community.
For those planning to drink this weekend, remember to do it responsibly, and absolutely never get behind the wheel of a car.
New South Wales Police Officers will be targeting drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding and seatbelt and helmet offences, with double demerits in place from 12:01am Friday 3 October 2025 and concluding at 11:59pm on Monday 6 October 2025.
Sadly, while many celebrate this weekend there will be others who do not feel safe in their own homes, with a concerning trend over recent years of increased rates of domestic, family and sexual violence at times of large events across the state.
If you witness unacceptable behaviour, call it out.
If you are concerned about the safety of someone you know, or your own, please contact:
The NSW Domestic Violence Line on: 1800 656 463
Or, 1800 RESPECT on: 1800 737 732
If it is an emergency, please contact Triple Zero: 000
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:
“The first long weekend of the warmer months is one of the most exciting times of the year. We know people will be celebrating with family, friends and enjoying the sport that brings us together but we’re urging everyone to be responsible especially when alcohol is involved.
“Drinking can be part of a great night but only if you’re in control. Decide how your night ends before it begins by setting a limit, locking in how you’re getting home and telling your mates to keep you accountable.
“Police will be out in force, working hard to keep our roads and communities safe. Stay alert, follow the rules and help us make it a weekend to remember for all the right reasons.”
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said:
“This weekend is one of the undisputed highlights on our states sporting calendar – even if St George aren’t playing.
“It’s a time for people right across New South Wales to come together, to relax, and to enjoy the footy.
“But it’s also a time to look after each other, whether that’s making sure your mates get home safe, or checking in on someone who might be doing it tough.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said:
“As a Government, we genuinely understand our responsibility to take meaningful, ongoing action to build a safer New South Wales, but we know we cannot do it without the community’s help.
“This long weekend, check on your friends, do not ignore signs of concerning behaviour and help us in our work towards creating a safer New South Wales.
“The stakes are far too high for anyone to not play their part.
“For those experiencing domestic and family violence, you have a right to safety and help is available.”
In an emergency, where there is an immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000)
NSW Domestic Violence Help Line: 1800 65 64 63
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 18 00
Further information on if you suspect and want to help someone in a domestic violence situation is available here.
Information on how to spot the signs of coercive control is available here.
The Minns Labor Government has renewed its commitment to protect workers from dust diseases with its new $2.5 million state-of-the-art Lung Health Mobile Clinic which is providing lung health checks to thousands of people across New South Wales.
The new lung bus has arrived in Newcastle to provide free lung screening checks. These lung health checks can be lifesaving by ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.
The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.
The icare Lung Bus is travelling the length and breadth of the state, including visits to Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Tuncurry, Spears Point, Tweed Heads, Gosford, Nowra, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill and Tamworth.
The new mobile clinic features several innovations including:
Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging.
Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance.
Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care.
A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations.
Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients.
The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state’s original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years.
That Bus travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.
This is one of many measures to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.
The Minns Labor Government has established a new Expert Taskforce to help address silica related health risks in tunnelling projects, following revelations of rising silicosis cases in tunnelling leading up to 2023 and led the campaign for the national ban on engineered stone which started last year.
The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws.
The Lung Health Mobile Clinic will be in Newcastle at The Station on the corner of Scott and Watt St until Friday 10 October.
The new Lung Bus will next travel to the following destinations:
Tamworth: 27-28 October, Newcastle: 1-5 December, Gosford: 17-19 December
Whilst lung bus bookings are at capacity, for more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit:
Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at icare’s Sydney CBD clinic, or with local providers regionally when the lung bus is not in that part of the state. To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
“The new Mobile Clinic underscores the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health.
“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Lung Bus demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“I welcome the $2.5 million investment into the new icare Lung Bus which will provide thousands of health checks for people living in regional NSW.
“Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.”
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“We want to make sure that people in the Hunter have access to the healthcare they need, when and where they need it.
“For too many, life gets in the way of regular check-ups so by bringing this service directly to the community, we’re removing one more barrier to staying healthy.
“Whether you’re working in construction, mining, manufacturing or just living in the area – we’re urging everyone to take a few minutes to get checked.”
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said:
“I welcome the arrival of the icare Lung Bus to Newcastle. This is a terrific initiative that plays a vital role in keeping workers safe and healthy.
“These health checks can be lifesaving by enabling the early detection and treatment of dust-related diseases.
“By bringing these essential services directly to the communities that need them most, the icare Lung Bus is helping to protect the health and futures of our workers.”
Icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe said:
“A lung health check could save your life.
“Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we’re here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.”
The Minns Labor Government aims to release a further 42 homes for sale across the Northern Rivers by Christmas, following an overwhelming community response to the first four home relocation auctions.
To date, 83 flood-affected properties, bought by the Government through the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, have been offered for sale to be relocated to flood-free land by the new owner.
The ambitious Christmas target is part of the commitment to reuse and relocate as many flood-affected homes as possible.
Most buyers to date have been locals, with purchase prices ranging from $347 to $200,000.
This next release includes 12 buyback homes from South and North Lismore and central Lismore going to auction at the Lismore Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah from 5:30pm on October 7, 2025. An additional 22 buyback homes are planned to go to auction in November 2025.
There is no reserve price on these houses, meaning bidding can start and end at $1, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia. Successful bidders have 12 months to relocate the houses to flood-free land.
As Australia’s largest climate adaptation initiative, the jointly funded Resilient Homes Program is creating safer communities by removing flood-prone homes from the floodplain. Currently, 464 homeowners in the Northern Rivers have received tailored home assessments to improve their homes’ flood resilience. Our target is to complete 1500 of these assessments by mid-2026.
Around 1600 homeowners in the flood-prone areas of the Northern Rivers may be eligible for government support to raise, repair, retrofit or have their home voluntarily bought back under the Program.
“We have set an ambitious target for relocation and reuse to ensure we are leading the way in ensuring we are creating the vibrant neighbourhoods and opportunities our community need.
“It’s giving many people, particularly those with young families, a chance at something affordable in the housing market in one of the best places to live.
“With these tin and timber homes we are delivering the hopes and dreams of a generation to home their own while ensuring the unique character of this region lives on.”
“The Resilient Homes Program is one of the most ambitious initiatives undertaken after a disaster in Australia.
“Through the buyback process, we’re removing homes from the floodplain and creating new opportunities by making some of these available for relocation.”
