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Israeli strikes risk collapse of rules-based order Australia claims to defend

Israel’s latest attacks on Iran, with the open backing of the United States, are another dangerous escalation in the region and risk tipping the world into a larger war.

Australia must clearly and unambiguously state that we will not participate in the conflict and we will prohibit the use of any military facilities, including Pine Gap and other joint US facilities, in these attacks.

Unilateral attacks on third countries are unlawful under international law and, whether undertaken by perceived Australian friends or enemies, must be opposed to prevent even more dangerous international precedents being set.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Foreign Affairs and Defence Spokesperson, said:

“The Australian Greens condemn these latest Israeli attacks on Iran as yet another breach of international law by Israel and call on the Government to do the same.

“No nation should be above international law. The Australian government must call on Israel to step back from military brinkmanship and engage with international legal processes and diplomatic solutions.

“Australia must not be drawn into another endless conflict. Our role needs to be as peacemakers who uphold international law, not as combatants who trash it.

“Bush said Iraq was ‘preemptive.’ Putin calls Ukraine ‘preemptive’ and now this. It’s the oldest trick in the warmonger’s playbook.

“Israel’s actions threaten to ignite a wider regional conflict that would have devastating consequences for tens of millions of people around the world.

“We see again and again that every ‘strategic target’ is someone’s neighborhood and that is happening right now in the suburbs of Tehran. The international community can either help stop this carnage or again own the body count.

“Netanyahu and Trump seem to be sharing the same chaotic rule book to escalate conflict so they can avoid accountability for domestic and foreign policy failures.

“Don’t let bombs and new breaches of international law distract from starving kids in Gaza. War crimes don’t disappear because a new war starts.

“Australia needs to stop being America’s deputy sheriff and prevent the US using any military facilities or bases in Australia in this unilateral attack on Iran.”

Community sector downpayment must be the start, not the end

The ACT Greens say today’s pre-budget announcement from the minority Labor Government is enough for the community sector to survive, but not enough to create a truly strong safety net for people in Canberra.

“More people than ever are turning to local community organisations to cover the basics like food, housing, healthcare and household needs, so if today’s funding announcement is the end of it, that’s a real problem,” said ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury.

“The Greens have been working with the community sector ahead of this year’s budget to really pressure Labor not to balance the books at the expense of people who most need the government’s support.

“Today’s announcement shows pressure works, and we’ve got to keep pushing.

“If Labor uses this budget to shut down the Rent Relief Fund or cut other essential supports, even more people are going be forced to seek help from the community sector.

“Today’s announcement only helps community organisations with multi-year government funding arrangements. Other services have an anxious wait, year after year, to find out if they’ll be able to keep operating.

“That has real life consequences for Canberrans who may lose their jobs, their support networks, or the roof over their heads,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“Today’s announcement of $10 million sounds nice, but spread across two years and 150 organisations – an average of $33,000 per year won’t go far.

“When you hold this $5 million per year up against the $100 million we could raise every year from taxing big corporations in a way they’d barely notice, you see how much more the government could do.

“I’m urging the Treasurer to take up the Greens’ proposal and raise extra revenue from the banks, the supermarkets, the airlines and the big retailers, which are contributing to cost of living pressures while racking up billions of dollars in profits.

“These corporations that love the ACT for being a prosperous, growing market should contribute more to our community. A drop from their ocean would be a significant pool of revenue for the ACT Government to properly fund the services Canberrans really need.

“The ACT Greens’ vision is for Canberra to be a genuinely progressive city where we look out for one another. That’s why we’ve got community services as a priority in our balance of power agreement that allowed Labor to form minority government, and why we’re watching the unveiling of this budget very closely.”

Greens call for immediate release of North West Shelf approval conditions for public transparency and honesty

In response to the extension of the deadline for Woodside to respond to its approval conditions, Greens spokesperson for the environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Australian public and Traditional Owners have the right to see Minister Watt’s approval conditions for the North West Shelf gas plant given the significant impacts this project will have on the environment, cultural heritage and the safety of our climate.

“With Woodside given seemingly unlimited time to negotiate with the Government behind closed doors, how can we be assured the approval conditions are not being watered down by the fossil fuel giant?

“These gas corporations will do everything they can to avoid strict conditions and scrutiny. The public has a right to know what the Minister originally said was needed and why the Government would be offering any compromise to Woodside.

“Give these fossil fuel companies an inch and they will take a mile. No easy ticket or carve outs should be offered.

“It is devastating that so soon after the public elected one of the most progressive parliaments in Australia’s history, the new Environment Minister’s first act in the job has been approving one of the biggest, dirtiest gas projects in Australia out to 2070 – and is letting them dictate the conditions behind closed doors.

“This monstrous gas expansion will be an environmental disaster – unleashing gas pollution on a huge scale, destroying cultural heritage and threatening pristine ecosystems like Scott Reef, home to threatened endangered species like the green sea turtle and the pygmy blue whale.

“The least the Minister can do is provide the public and Traditional Owners transparency over his decision making.”

City of Newcastle prioritises asset renewal in record Budget

Councillors will vote on the adoption of the 2025/26 Budget and Delivery Program at Tuesday night’s Council meeting, which will see more than $154 million invested across 344 projects.

This includes 192 projects addressing road and traffic network improvements, 138 projects supporting cycleways and pedestrian networks and 86 projects that will focus on recreation and sport.

CEO Jeremy Bath said next year City of Newcastle’s average infrastructure spend per property will be about 10% greater than the average residential property will pay in rates.

“A $154 million capital works program means we are going to invest almost $2,100 per property improving infrastructure, which is $200 more than the average annual residential rate,” Mr Bath said.

“This means we’re investing more than 100% of the average annual rate paid into improving the city’s infrastructure.

“City of Newcastle’s capital works program is also $50 million higher than any other local council in the region, representing our commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of our growing community.

“We’re balancing the need for new infrastructure with maintaining our assets, with a record $58 million being invested into the renewal and maintenance of existing infrastructure, which represents more than half of our total infrastructure spend.”

Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said City of Newcastle undertook an extensive communications campaign to support the public exhibition of the draft 2025/26 Budget and Delivery Program.

“The key themes that emerged from community feedback were active transport infrastructure such as footpaths and cycleways, as well as parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities,” Mr Clarke said.

“Other areas of interest included local centre upgrades, support for night-time trade and special entertainment precincts, the need for more affordable housing, as well as flooding and drainage.

“Changes have been made to the draft Budget following public exhibition to incorporate the delivery of the commemorative plaque audit and replacement plan, the estimated costs of the proposed $2 inland swimming pool entry fee trial at Mayfield, Wallsend, Stockton and Beresfield, as well as 13 additional apprentices and trainees to be employed by City of Newcastle.

“Despite the challenges, we are forecasting a small surplus of $250,000, providing us with the financial capacity to maintain services and meet the commitments we’ve made to the community.”

Other highlights of the 2025/26 Budget include:

$42.2 million on road renewal and road upgrades, including the western corridor road widening at Minmi Road and Longworth Avenue
$20.6 million on recreation, aquatics, and sports improvements, including the Foreshore Park playspace
$11.9 million on coastal, city, and urban centres including the East End Hunter Street Mall and Georgetown local centre
$9.4 million on waste management and Summerhill Waste Management Centre
$7.1 million on street and park trees, bushland and watercourses, and Blackbutt Reserve
$6 million on bridge renewal and upgrades including Boscawen Street, Wallsend
$5.5 million on footpath and pedestrian projects
$5.4 million on cultural facilities including Art Gallery, Libraries, Museum, Fort Scratchley and our Civic venues
$5.3 million on city-wide stormwater upgrades, flood planning and management works including Cooks Hill
$5.1 million on coastal management including Stockton coastline protection work, estuary, and wetlands
$4.4 million on an affordable housing project at Rail Bridge Row
$4.1 million on cycleway projects and another $1.9 million on cycleways as part of larger projects
$3.5 million to upgrade the State Emergency Services building at Mayfield West
$1.5 million on climate action and sustainability initiatives
$0.9 million to progress the design for a reimagined western building at Queens Wharf

Following a recommendation from the recent independent review of City of Newcastle, a change has been made to the Budget to show both the forecast spend of each project in the capital works program as well as the phase of the project.

Forecast spend for projects that are forecast to go to tender within the next six months are not shown to ensure competitive tension within the tendering process remains.

Historic biosecurity budget boost

The Minns Labor Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to safeguard the future of our states agricultural industry. As part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to build better regional communities this year’s state budget will continue the government’s focus on strengthening the state’s biosecurity program with and primary industries research capabilities.

Prioritising our state’s biosecurity

$100 million in new additional funding will be invested to further strengthen the state’s biosecurity detection, protection and response, bringing the states biosecurity budget to a historic $1.05 billion.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to making investments which grow the state’s economy. Primary industries contribute $20 billion annually to our state, as well as playing an essential role in keeping us fed and clothed, however invasive pests, diseases and weeds pose a significant threat.

This funding will drive the development of a new, sustainable and integrated biosecurity model. It will enable strengthening of surveillance and improve the state’s emergency response capacity in the event of a biosecurity incursion.

The Minns Labor Government was elected with a commitment to prioritise the state’s biosecurity, this funding will build on the work undertaken over the past years, which has delivered:

the appointment of the state’s first ever Independent Biosecurity Commissioner
the control management of more than 212,000 feral pigs and 18,000 feral deer
over 200 workshops with over 5,000 attendees to equip farmers with the knowledge they need to undertake best practice pest control and management
more than 39,000 one-on-one consultations by Local Land Service biosecurity officers
the investment of $95 million, more than any other state, to monitor, respond to and eradicate the threat of red fire ants.

Strengthening our state’s research capabilities

$41.2 million will be invested to modernise the primary industry research and development program, including upgrades to digital infrastructure to promote research in emerging areas such as AI assisted farming.

This funding will also support a graduate program to give a pathway to young scientists ensuring NSW has a pipeline of skilled researchers, safeguarding the productivity and efficiency of our state’s agricultural industry into the future.

This builds on the over $60 million invested last year to deliver vital upgrades to seven research facilities, and five emergency response sites across regional NSW, that were neglected by the former Liberal National Government.

These upgrades and additional funding will support the staff undertaking research across the state in vital areas such as, animal nutrition, climate change, aquaculture breeding as well as biosecurity surveillance and responses.

In the face of global challenges, including climate change it is imperative that NSW farmers have the tools to adapt and thrive. This funding will ensure the vital work undertaken at research facilities becomes more strategic, focused and valuable to farmers and producers.

This new research funding is in response to the final report of the Independent Research and Development Review conducted by a panel of eminent scientist and agricultural economists chaired by the former NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane AC.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“We are working hard to build a better New South Wales, by making investments which will grow the economy and set the state up for long term prosperity.

“We know that New South Wales cannot reach its full potential if our state’s farmers and agricultural industry are not thriving and safeguarded into the future.

“I’ve been lucky to meet with many farmers across our state and listen to their concerns, whether it’s feral pigs, deer, weeds or fires ants, all of them have raised the unrelenting threat biosecurity incursions pose.

“That is why we are making this essential investment to ensure that farmers can continue to do what they do best, knowing that the Government has their back when it comes to managing weeds and pests across the state.”

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:

“These significant budget investments build on the work we have carried out over the last two years to turbo charge the fight against ferals, pests, diseases and weeds.

“Biosecurity is receiving unprecedented attention from our Government due to the increasing risk to our farmers and landscapes. We are standing with our farmers to show them the way on how to deal with these problems and to battle any feral problems head-on to make a real difference.

“We are committed to modernising our research and development effort for primary industries with an additional $41.2 million, so that there has been more than $100 million in new funding over the last year, and it is bringing a stronger, strategic and resilient focus to the future of primary industries.

“Establishing a graduate pathway for young scientists and researchers into our primary industries research program is essential to maintaining a continuous and dedicated specialist workforce driven by purpose and achievement.”

Children’s Hospital at Westmead reaches major staffing milestone

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) has become the latest NSW hospital to implement the Safe Staffing Levels initiative, as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its promise to deliver staffing reform.

CHW recently completed a successful recruitment campaign of more than 19 FTE nurses in the Emergency Department (ED), to facilitate the Safe Staffing Level requirements.

The staffing boost will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied ED resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the Government’s commitment of 2,480 FTE over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.

Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels has commenced in the level 5 and 6 emergency departments, which treat the most critically ill patients, and will then be progressively implemented across other key areas in a phased approach.

Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures that the NSW Government is embracing to build a more supported health workforce, including:

funding the equivalent of 1,112 FTE nurse and midwife positions on an ongoing basis
abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers
beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“Safe staffing is one of the most significant reforms in the way our hospitals have been staffed in decades.

“Reaching Safe Staffing Levels in the Emergency Department at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead is a significant accomplishment and reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to continuing to improve service delivery.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis:

“We acknowledge how challenging it can be for families when a child is seriously unwell and requires treatment in hospital.

“This major staffing reform will support our dedicated frontline health staff to provide more timely, personalised care to some of our youngest, most vulnerable patients.”

More than 8,100 homes declared state significant

A further 20 projects have been declared as State Significant Development following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

Of these proposals, 18 are in metropolitan Sydney and 2 are in regional NSW.

If lodged and approved, this could create more than 8,100 homes, including affordable housing across New South Wales.

To date, 136 proposals amounting to more than 53,300 potential homes have been declared state significant.

Since the formation of the HDA, 47 projects have had Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements issued and one Development Application has been lodged.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The Ministerial Order can be found here.

$8.7 million upgrade announced for Singleton Police Station

The NSW Government is continuing its work of keeping communities safe, today announcing a $8.7 million investment to upgrade the Singleton Police Station.

The refurbishment will transform the existing station into a modern policing facility, ensuring officers have modern infrastructure and resources to carry out their important work across the Upper Hunter community.

The project includes a major refurbishment of the heritage-listed building — built in 1866 — and construction of a new two-storey wing.

The new wing will house the Crime Prevention Unit, Detectives Unit and Proactive Crime Unit, as well as General Duties and Duty Rooms to support day-to-day frontline work. Highway Patrol Command and Police Prosecutors will also have space allocated there.

It will include new staff facilities such as briefing and conference rooms, locker rooms, bathrooms and meal areas.

In addition to the new wing, the station’s existing heritage buildings will be refurbished and repurposed as secure storage areas, maintaining the historic value of the site while meeting operational needs.

An additional new ground floor extension will improve staff facilities and provide additional internal space, while on-site vehicle accommodation will support police mobility and improve response capabilities.

The upgraded station will include a secure van dock to safely manage prisoner transfers and be equipped with the infrastructure required to support 24-hour operations.

The upgraded station will accommodate up to 48 staff.

The project is currently in the tender phase and construction is scheduled to commence later this year with completion expected in 2027.

To ensure no disruption to local policing services, the Branxton Police Station will act as the central hub during the construction period, maintaining the same 24/7 response capacity Singleton residents currently rely on.

While officers will be redeployed to Branxton during the construction period, a policing presence will be maintained in Singleton throughout construction Officers will be in vehicles, patrolling the streets, to ensure rapid response and continued community presence.

This investment continues the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to strengthening frontline services and rebuilding the NSW Police Force.

The former Liberal-National Government lacked a plan for police recruitment or retention and sent wages backwards for 12 years. As a result, thousands of experienced officers left the force.

We are turning that around by:

securing a historic pay rise for officers
paying recruits to train, resulting in applications to join the NSWPF soaring by 70 per cent
creating a pathway for recruits to serve in or near their hometown after attesting the Goulburn Police Academy
establishing the Professional Mobility Program for serving officers across Australia and New Zealand to join the NSWPF and keep their equivalent rank up to Senior Constable
introducing the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command to look after officers.

The 2025-26 Budget builds on the solid foundations already laid to create a better, safer NSW for everyone — a mission the Minns Labor Government is proud to continue.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“This upgrade to Singleton Police Station is about backing our police and strengthening community safety for the Upper Hunter.

“This is part of our plan to rebuild the NSW Police Force — including giving our hard-working officers the infrastructure they need.

“This project is a clear example of our investment in local services to build a better NSW.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:

“Local officers work incredibly hard to keep the community safe and today’s announcement ensures they’ll have the infrastructure and resources they need do continue this critical work.

“A modern police station means stronger and more responsive policing in and around Singleton.

“Our police deserve workplaces that are modern, secure and capable of meeting today’s challenges – this upgrade will make a real difference for both officers and the Singleton community.

“We are working hard to rebuild the NSW Police Force and today’s announcement is another step in that direction.”

Superintendent Steve Laksa, Commander of Hunter Valley Police District said:

“When finished, this major refurbishment will modernise the current building which is heritage listed. It will enhance service delivery to the local community while meeting operational needs.

“The new station will be a central operating point for general duties, detectives, highway patrol and prosecutors.

“Construction is set to commence in September this year, but the community can be assured the same 24/7 policing response will be maintained throughout the building works.”

Emily Suvaal, Duty MLC for the Hunter said:

“This is a huge win for Singleton – we’re delivering real investment in regional infrastructure that will support our local police and strengthen public safety across the district.

“This upgrade recognises that Singleton is growing and our services need to grow with it – we’re future-proofing policing in this region for decades to come.

“I’m proud to stand with the community and say that Singleton deserves the best – and that’s what we’re delivering.”

Sobering bocsar update

The latest NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) quarterly update reveals a welcomed downward trend in break and enters and motor vehicle thefts across the state but domestic violence assaults in regional parts of NSW have risen to even more alarming levels.

In the March 2025 quarterly report, recorded incidents of break and enter (both dwellings and non-dwellings), motor vehicle theft, and retail theft have all seen significant declines highlighting a strong police performance in reducing certain major offences across NSW.

However, domestic violence-related assaults increased by 3.6%, with rises recorded in 8 of 13 Regional NSW areas and 3 of 15 Greater Sydney locations. In some areas, such as the New England and North West region, the rate of violent crime is more than double the state average.

Over the past 2 years, family violence has increased by 7.3%, while the number of child victims of domestic violence has increase by 9.5%.

Intimidation, stalking and harassment are up 4.8%, while Apprehended Domestic Violence Order compliance checks continue to drop under Labor, by almost 17,000 from 113,509 in 2023 to 96,520 in 2025.

Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Natasha Maclaren-Jones said that under the Minns Labor Government family and sexual violence has reached record highs.

“These are not just statistics in a report, they represent women and children, which the Minns Labor Government is failing,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said the latest report gave a sobering reminder of the reality of domestic violence in NSW.

“The lack of decisive action from the Minns Labor Government is leaving victims in regional communities vulnerable and allowing domestic violence incidents to increase,” Mr Toole said.

“The statistics speak for themselves. Whatever Labor is doing is not working and the Ministers responsible need to take some accountability.

“We cannot continue to have innocent lives lost or permanently affected by acts of violence in their own homes, so we need new approaches, new thinking and a hell of a lot more resourcing.

“The cries from the bush are going unanswered by this city-centric government and this cannot go on.”

In 2024, the NSW Police Force attended 152,268 domestic and family violence incidents, equating to on average NSW Police officers responding to 560 domestic and family violence incidents each day.

Visit to Fiji, The United States of America and Canada

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Fiji, the United States of America and Canada from 13-19 June 2025.

On 13 June 2025 in Nadi, Prime Minister Albanese will meet with the Hon Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji.

Leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation under our elevated Vuvale Partnership, including on climate change and regional security.

In Seattle, the Prime Minister will meet a range of business leaders to discuss how the US and Australia can work together to take advantage of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Albanese will also visit Kananaskis, Canada to attend the G7 Summit.

The G7 brings together seven of the world’s largest advanced economies – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – and the European Union to discuss and agree on collective solutions to global challenges.

Canada has also invited a select group of partner countries, including Australia.

Prime Minister Albanese will participate in G7 partner discussions focusing on global energy opportunities and challenges, including the role of critical minerals, secure and reliable supply chains, enabling and advanced technologies, and underlying infrastructure and investments.

At the Summit, the Prime Minister will work to advance our economic security and resilience to deliver benefits for Australian workers, businesses and communities.

He will have bilateral meetings with a range of world leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Albanese is overseas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Visiting Fiji so soon after the election is a deliberate decision to reinforce my Government’s Pacific priorities and to exchange views with my dear friend Prime Minister Rabuka, a respected Pacific statesman.

“I am honoured to be invited by Prime Minister Carney to attend the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta as a key partner.

“I look forward to working productively with world leaders to discuss how we tackle some of the most challenging issues facing Australia, our region, and the world”