Remembering police lives lost in the line of duty

Today we honour and remember all the people of the NSW Police Force who have died in the line of duty.

September 29th holds special significance across Australia and the Pacific as National Police Remembrance Day.

It is a day to reflect and pay tribute to the bravery of those who dedicate their lives to protect, serve and keep their communities safe.

No new names have been added to the NSW Wall of Remembrance this year, but we pause to remember Constable Matthew Joseph Arnold and Constable Rachel Clare McCrow of the Queensland Police Force and Constable Anthony Woods of the Western Australia Police Force who died while performing their duties in the previous 12 months.

We pay our respects to 14 serving members of the NSW Police Force who have passed away in the previous 12 months and remember the 275 names already inscribed on the Wall.

The annual National Police Remembrance Day service was today held at the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance in the Domain.

Premier, Chris Minns and Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley attended alongside Acting NSW Police Commissioner, Dave Hudson, Lieutenant-Governor of NSW, His Excellency the Honourable Andrew Bell and other distinguished guests.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Police Remembrance Day is a reminder to the entire community of the dangers police officers face every day.

“We owe police a great debt of gratitude and we pay tribute to all the officers we have lost.

“Today is not only about honouring the officers who have died but also showing our support to all serving officers.  We thank you for your commitment to serve our community.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“We can never forget those who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

“The NSW Police Force do an outstanding job day in, day out. They have a tough job but do it with such dedication, compassion and commitment and for that we thank them.”

“Our thoughts go out to the grieving families of our fallen officers. The scale of their loss is difficult to conceive but the NSW Police family is there to support them.”

Acting NSW Police Commissioner Dave Hudson said:

“Each year on 29 September, we pause to remember these officers for their courage and selfless dedication to protecting the community.

“We also pay our respects to the families, friends and colleagues left behind, who will forever mourn the loss of their loved one.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

New research hub to fight heart disease opens in Sydney’s southwest

The NSW Government has partnered with 2 giants of medical research, The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute to form a strategic partnership and cardiovascular research hub in south western Sydney.

Minister for Medical Research David Harris, who attended the launch, said the aim of the new hub is to make a life-saving impact where it’s needed most, driving changes, and boosting heart disease research.

“This new collaborative hub, the first of its kind in Australia, will be a vital tool in boosting NSW’s reputation as a global centre of innovative heart disease research,” Mr Harris said.

“The hub will enable research to progress faster and deliver new treatments and medications that will improve the lives of people living in southwest Sydney, who have higher risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as well as people living right across Australia.”

This innovative hub made possible with strong support from South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and UNSW Sydney, will significantly boost heart disease research and accelerate future scientific breakthroughs in a region with the highest heart-related hospital admissions in the state.

The partnership will see a new Chair in Cardiovascular Research established by the Ingham Institute, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, SWSLHD and UNSW Sydney. The goal is to appoint a world-class academic clinician-researcher, to be based at Liverpool Hospital, who will drive new research to improve the substantial burden of cardiovascular disease in south western Sydney.

The chair will provide academic and clinical leadership, foster excellence in collaborative cardiovascular research, innovative teaching, and clinical care. The partnership will also see the development of a team of researchers that will be based at the Ingham Institute, a world-class centre for clinical trials. The research team will have direct access to the expertise and cutting-edge technology of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said the establishment of the hub reinforces Liverpool as a fast-growing centre for innovation and research in health.

“The work being done at Ingham Applied Medical Research is game-changing and this partnership with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute will save lives in south-west Sydney.

“The NSW government has committed $150 million over 10 years to support cardiovascular research. As part of this investment, $8.7 million has been allocated to 9 research projects involving expert multidisciplinary teams from several research institutions. Three of these grants include research teams from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and the Ingham Institute.

“Investment in medical research is critical for driving scientific discoveries and supporting the development of innovative therapies to improve health outcomes for all Australians and I am proud to be a part of a government that sees that.

“By attracting quality researchers from interstate and overseas, we are boosting the NSW economy, attracting larger proportions of national research funding to the state, and making NSW the premier state for heart health research in Australia.”

Australia-ASEAN Council Board appointments

Today, I announce the appointments of Professor Sango Mahanty, Ms Audra Morrice and Ms Hayley Winchcombe to the Australia-ASEAN Council.

The new appointments bring together Australians from a diverse range of backgrounds, each with different perspectives and experiences in Southeast Asia.

Professor Mahanty is a human geographer studying the politics of social and environmental change, and has vast environmental and development expertise in Southeast Asia. Her recent Australian Research Council Future Fellowship explored these themes along the Cambodia -Vietnam border, a region of rapid social and environmental change.

Ms Morrice is a chef, author and a television presenter, and has long been an advocate for forging cultural connections. She is an Ambassador with the Singapore Tourism Board and an Ambassador for Sustainable Gastronomic Tourism for the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

Ms Winchcombe will bring a wealth of experience as Chair of the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership; her appointment will ensure the next generation continue to forge long-lasting ties with the region. Ms Winchcombe is an Associate at Mandala, and was previously an economics, policy and business strategy consultant with Accenture Strategy.

I am pleased that University of Tasmania Professor Nicholas Farrelly will continue to serve on the board for another term. I thank the outgoing board member Ms Tamerlaine Beasley for her substantial contribution to the Council over the past six years.

The Australia-ASEAN Council generates opportunities to strengthen Australia’s connections with ASEAN member countries, comprising over 675 million people.

For more information visit the Australia-ASEAN Council.

CLIMATE TRIGGER NEEDED AMID CLIMATE COUNCIL REPORT & NEW COAL PROJECT APPROVAL

The Greens have today backed an expert report from the Climate Council calling for climate change to be a key objective in new environment laws, as Labor signs off approval for the new South Wambo coal project in NSW. The Greens have slammed the Government for approving more fossil fuel projects as we head into a hot dry summer.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“Another day, another new coal project approved by the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

“The Greens welcome the Climate Council’s expert report today calling for climate change to be a key objective within our environment laws. That’s why we are calling on the Government to work with us on our Climate Trigger Bill currently before the parliament.

“Every time the Minister approves a new coal or gas project it makes the climate crisis worse. That means more frequent and extreme bushfires and extreme weather events.

“Coal and gas approvals wreck our River Murray and our Great Barrier Reef

“Australia’s environment laws are broken. We need laws that stop pollution from new coal and gas projects. The Labor government should work with the Greens to fix them with a Climate Trigger that would new stop coal and gas in its tracks.

“Minister Plibersek has one job as the Environment Minister, but rather than protecting the environment, she keeps giving green light to big coal and gas mines and making pollution worse.”

Labor funded lawfare blocks natural gas approvals

Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald, said today’s Federal Court decision to overturn the regulator’s approval for a significant offshore natural gas project in Western Australia, was another example of Labor’s funding for green activists undermining Australia’s future prosperity.

Senator McDonald said that this Government’s failure to fix their broken offshore approvals process for natural gas, combined with their deliberate decision to fund green lawfare, has made their anti-gas agenda clear for all to see.

“The Government has sat on its hands and done nothing to resolve a known issue which has ground approvals for offshore development to a halt,” she said.

“The Prime Minister needs to apologise to the people of Western Australia for impeding investment and jobs in the west.

“Commonwealth funding for legal action to pick apart the Government’s own broken approvals regulations is a farce that will impact gas production and supply for both domestic manufacturing and energy firming as well as our international partners’ energy security.

“The Government claims it continues to support the gas industry, yet the millions it has spent on the Environmental Defenders Office will lead to more environmental legal activism, destabilising the industry and increasing Australia’s sovereign risk.

“The Government needs to come clean about how much taxpayer money has gone towards torpedoing the future production of Australian natural gas.”

Albanese government’s new attack on small business

The Albanese Government risks burdening Australian small businesses with more complexity and costs in their response to a review of the Privacy Act.

Shadow Attorney-General Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said: “It would be appalling but not surprising if Labor’s new privacy regime targets small businesses by imposing more complexity and costs at a time when they are already struggling.”

“The Government’s own paper acknowledges that privacy laws “disproportionately and unreasonably” burden small businesses – but it has decided to impose those burdens anyway,’’ Senator Cash said.

“We all want better protection for our information, but we’re talking about imposing a complex and difficult regulatory regime on hairdressers, nail salons and mechanics, and potentially making them pay civil penalties if they make a mistake,’’ Senator Cash said.

“The Government has agreed-in-principle that organisations must appoint a senior employee to be responsible for privacy within the entity. How is that going to work for a small business, like a nail salon or a mechanic?” she said.

“We are talking about changing the rules for how we deal with personal information. If we don’t get it right there are potential far-reaching consequences for businesses and families across the country,’’ Senator Cash said.

“We want to know the Government’s proposals will adequately protect Australians’ personal information without creating additional red tape for people who are just trying to get ahead,’’ Senator Cash said.

“This Government has an ambivalent, bordering on hostile attitude to small businesses. They keep hitting small business with complexity, confusion and costs on multiple fronts – just look at the proposed industrial relations laws” she said.

Statement on Army restructure

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) must be ready to defend Australia. They are the ones who are trained to fight and win our wars. The ADF has a vital mission, and failure is not an option.


To prevail in a crisis, the ADF need our support—from the Government, from the Parliament and from the Australian people. The ADF must have clarity from its elected leaders.

Clarity about the threats we face. Clarity about the national strategy. Clarity about the mission. Clarity about capabilities. Clarity about funding. Clarity about resolve. Yet, so far, we’ve seen little clarity from the Albanese government. Instead, we’ve seen dithering and indecision.

The Defence Strategic Review (DSR) painted a deteriorating strategic environment for Australia, yet the Albanese government response was underwhelming. There was no new money. Instead, there was cost-shifting. There was cannibalisation of capability. There were yet more reviews. The DSR hinted at a smaller, shrunken Australian army under Labor.

Today’s announcement about the relocation of Army units to Darwin, Townsville and Adelaide confirms that Labor intend to shrink and disperse the Australian Army. This will make us weaker.

We need to be investing in Army, our people, and combat power. Instead we are shrinking our land forces to one armoured brigade. That means we only have one hand to play in a high intensity conflict.

This decision disintegrates the Adelaide based 9th Brigade, through the redeployment of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) to Darwin and the removal and consolidation of personnel and armoured equipment to Townsville.

The shrinking of armour is a consequence of the cuts imposed by the Albanese Government to the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) program from 450 to 129. These cuts to Australian armour degrade our land power and weaken our ability to win the close fight. Only fools would rule out the use of armour in future ground wars, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. We ignore military history at our peril.

The Opposition recognises the strategic importance of Northern Australia. We acknowledge our deteriorating strategic circumstances—as we did in the former Coalition government—through the Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan of 2020. Which is why we disagree with this weak approach by Labor.

The Australian Army will be impacted by this decision. Our soldiers and their families will face serious disruptions to family life, schooling, local connections, networks and spousal employment. This will damage morale.

The ADF is struggling to recruit and retain people. It is clear that Labor has no plan for our personnel and their families. We have no details on how the move will be supported by additional housing and infrastructure, and the impact on the communities affected.

Questions that need to be answered include:

  • How will the Labor government recruit and retain people for Northern Australia?
  • What incentives will be offered for service in the north?
  • What is the plan to address the chronic housing shortage?
  • What additional funding will be needed for base upgrades?
  • What will the innovation and experimentation unit do?
  • How will we retain our armoured warfare expertise without tanks?

Without clear answers to these questions, we can expect to see higher separation rates from the ADF. In 2022, ADF numerical strength was 2.7% below guidance. In 2023, that shortfall is expected to double to 5.6% below guidance. We are meant to see the force grow to 62,000 people but under the Albanese Government real numbers will be 3,500 short.

Our people must come first. They are our greatest asset in national defence. Investing in Army, retaining and bolstering presence in our capital cities, and giving certainty to our serving families should be Labor’s focus.

Re-energised White Bay Power Station to open its doors and host 2024 Biennale of Sydney

Nearly 40 years after the lights were switched off at White Bay Power Station, the iconic building will once again energise Sydney – this time as an arts, cultural and community hub.

Starting with next year’s Biennale of Sydney, the White Bay Power Station will open its doors to the public with a program of short-term events and activations.

From March next year, the public will have the opportunity to explore this historic industrial masterpiece at the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.

The Biennale of Sydney is one of the largest international contemporary art festivals, showcasing artists from NSW, Australia and across the globe. The first Biennale of Sydney was held in 1973, making the event one of the longest running of its kind.

White Bay Power Station will be the first location to open during the three-month Biennale of Sydney, taking place from 9 March until 10 June 2024.

The Biennale of Sydney will announce program highlights on 31 October 2023.

The reactivation of the former power station is the first big move in the urban renewal of Bays West.

Encompassing Rozelle Bay, White Bay and Glebe Island, the Bays West precinct is set to become an area of innovation and sustainability for living, working and recreation.

After decades of sitting derelict, the NSW Government, through Placemaking NSW, has undertaken extensive remediation and conservation works to make the state heritage listed building ready for the 21st century and beyond.

All works have been completed in line with the site’s Conservation Management Plan and the building is now at a stage where it can be repurposed as a space for the community to enjoy.

The community will be invited to have its say on the long-term use of the power station in coming months.

Find out more about White Bay Power Stationlaunch

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“White Bay Power Station is a unique site. It has as much potential to amaze and inspire global arts audiences as any settings for leading Biennales of the world from Venice to Sao Paolo – with free admission for all.

“The power that this site will now generate is that of creativity.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“White Bay Power Station was powering Sydney’s trams and dominating the harbour skyline long before the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House captured our attention.

“While planning is underway for its future use, we are taking this opportunity to let the community immerse themselves in the site, through a program of events and activations.”

Chief Executive of Placemaking NSW Anita Mitchell said:

“Placemaking NSW is delighted to have secured Biennale of Sydney as the first free public activation at the site.

“The opening of White Bay Power Station is the first step in the transformation of the Bays West precinct in line with the Bays West Place Strategy.”

Chief Executive Officer of Biennale of Sydney Barbara Moore said:

“We are presenting some of the best contemporary art from around the world and across Australia at the first major event at White Bay Power Station from 9 March to 10 June 2024. Admission is free.

“For 50 years, the Biennale of Sydney has brought people together to think and talk about the world we live in, infusing art into the very fabric of Sydney and rejuvenated public spaces across the city.”

Changes to Minns Government Ministry strengthens focus on skills, jobs and regions

NSW Premier Chris Minns today announced changes to the NSW Ministry that will boost the government’s focus on skills, domestic manufacturing and the importance of TAFE to regional NSW.

Former Minister in the previous Labor Government and Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, will today be sworn in as the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education.

Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos MLC, will be sworn in to the new, additional portfolio of Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement.

The changes to the ministry underscore the NSW Government’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and build the pipeline of skilled workers to drive productivity and jobs in NSW.

As part of the 2023–2024 Budget, the government has committed $9.8 billion to build new and upgraded schools and other educational facilities. The budget also included an additional $112.0 million to meet the TAFE funding shortfall and 1000 extra apprentices across the NSW Government by 2026 at a cost of $93.5 million.

The new portfolio of Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement will drive the return to domestic manufacturing and building things here again, using government procurement power to boost local jobs.

The 2023–2024 Budget will kickstart this effort with $43 million for 7 new Australian-made Parramatta River Class ferries and $71.1 million to return Freshwater Class ferries to the Circular Quay-Manly route.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“The appointment of highly experienced former Minister Steve Whan to cabinet will ensure another strong voice for regional NSW at the centre of government.

“Steve has represented all communities, but particularly rural and regional NSW, with distinction throughout his career as a former Minister for Rural Affairs, Primary Industries, Emergency Services and Small Business.

“He will bring his considerable skills and experience to helping rebuild TAFE and the VET sector after decades of under-funding.

“As Minister for Finance, Courtney Houssos has been critical to getting waste and debt under control and shaping a budget that will deliver for the people of NSW.

“I have asked Courtney to step into the highly important area of boosting domestic manufacturing and to end the exodus of jobs and ideas offshore.”

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

“From February 2011 to February 2023, NSW lost 71,000 manufacturing jobs.

“We need to build things here again and we need to build things that work. Around the globe, countries are focused on rebuilding their local capacity. This includes with direct spending through government procurement, but also getting the policy settings right to encourage broader investment.

“I am excited to be working with my new ministerial colleague, Steve Whan, on end-to-end policy and delivery solutions to boost skills, jobs and local manufacturing.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“I am honoured to be appointed to this important portfolio that is not just a key part of the delivery of education in NSW but is critical to the skills and jobs pipeline in our state.

“I know that across NSW, local TAFEs are an integral part of the fabric of regional communities.

“I want to be their champion and see those campuses and institutions get the respect, resourcing and prominence they deserve.”

M12 hits construction milestone as Western Sydney roads become budget spend focus

The toll-free M12 Motorway has passed a major construction milestone, with over a third of construction completed and groundwork underway on 14 of 17 bridges across the project.

The M12, which was recommended as a high priority project by Infrastructure Australia, forms part of a wider Western Sydney roads upgrade as the NSW Government gets on with the job of delivering the critical roads the community needs.

Co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, the motorway will link the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek to the wider Sydney motorway network, Elizabeth Drive and the Northern Road and open up a key future jobs zone for Sydney.

The next stage of work will focus on completing the majority of earthworks and pouring 52,000 tonnes of concrete.

Around 2000 locals from Liverpool and Penrith and 526 young people (under 25), are employed on the delivery of this project, many of who will have opportunities to keep working in the area as upgrades like Elizabeth Drive get underway.

The budget has prioritised new spending on vital arterial roads across Western Sydney, with a wider focus than the mega infrastructure projects and toll roads of the former government.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to infrastructure investment, with $29.1 billion to be spent over the coming 4 years.

Overall, the NSW Government will invest $2.4 billion in Western Sydney as a part of the Connecting Sydney Roads program to accommodate population and employment growth.

Almost $430 million is earmarked to be spent in 2023–24 alone.

Projects funded across Western Sydney will help ease traffic flow and improve journey times including to and from work, or the school run by fixing our local roads.

Metropolitan Roads projects by area:

Western Sydney Airport precinct

  • $200 million for Elizabeth Drive safety initiatives and corridor enabling works
  • $50 million for the Fifteenth Avenue Transit Corridor linking Bradfield and the Western Sydney International Airport to Liverpool
  • $106 million over 4 years towards the M7–M12 Integration Project: Delivering the M7–M12 Interchange, the Elizabeth Drive Connection to the M12 and the Westlink M7 Widening (State and Federal funded).

South-West Sydney

  • $45.4 million in 2023–24 for the ongoing delivery of Spring Farm Parkway Stage 1 and to continue planning for Spring Farm Parkway Stage 2 corridor
  • $3.4 million in 2023–24 for Appin Road Improvements (Federal funded)
  • $1 million in 2023–24 to continue planning for the Picton Bypass corridor
  • $1.5 million for school crossings across Camden.

Western Sydney (Penrith and surrounds)

  • $54 million in 2023–24 towards Mulgoa Road, Stages 1, 2 and 5
  • $7.6 million in 2023–24 for Mamre Road, M4 Motorway to Erskine Park Road.

North-West Sydney

  • $100 million for Pitt Town bypass
  • $15 million for The Driftway roundabout, Londonderry, upgraded with improved flood resilience as a key access road to New Richmond Bridge which will be a $500 million upgrade when complete
  • $100 million over 4 years for Bells Line of Road Safety Upgrades.

NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The 2023–24 NSW Budget has delivered on our commitments to Western Sydney.

“We are working on building and upgrading the roads now before the next phase of growth in this area and ahead of the first flights touching down at Western Sydney Airport.

“The M12 is an important part of the infrastructure strategy to ensure Western Sydney International has effective transport links from day one, so progress on bridge building is a very positive project milestone. 

“This project is creating more jobs in Western Sydney for workers in Western Sydney west and will help drive economic opportunities across this region.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“The NSW Government has committed to delivering for Western Sydney with the infrastructure investment in the 2023–24 NSW Budget.

“By committing to upgrades at Elizabeth Drive, Spring Farm Parkway and Fifteenth Avenue, the NSW Government is going to deliver a real benefit to the community in Leppington that will improve travel time and allow people to get to work, school and through the day in a much more efficient manner.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“Western Sydney is our city’s population basket with over 2.5 million people living here.

“It’s critical that we have the investment in our roads to improve access, liveability for our community in Penrith. 

“The works on the Northern Road and Elizabeth Drive and will improve access for motorists and public transport users alike in our community.”