16 News

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Triple 0 service outage:

“It is tragic to hear that another Australian has died after being unable to connect to Triple 0 and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who has died.

“Australians clearly can’t trust the big telcos to safely deliver the Triple 0 service.

“There is no excuse for Triple 0 calls to fail and ultimately it is up to the government to ensure that all Australians are able to connect to emergency services when they need them.

“Triple 0 being privatized and outsourced to big corporations that are driven by their profits is making Australians unsafe.

“The fact that this latest incident has occurred so soon after the Optus Triple 0 outage shows that the Triple 0 system is clearly not fit-for-purpose. There are serious systemic issues that need close scrutiny and action from government.

“ACMA cannot be left to carry out the investigations into these issues alone. They have already demonstrated that they are not up to regulating the big telcos and that they have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to issues with Triple 0. 

“The Senate inquiry into Triple 0 service outage will hold another hearing in December and will be closely looking at this latest issue.

Today, the UN Security Council voted to support a ‘Gaza peace plan’, while establishing both the Board of Peace (BoP) and International Stabilisation Force (ISF).

Actions that help end the genocide are welcome, as are statements about rebuilding Gaza. However, for an enduring peace, there must be justice, self-determination, and an end to apartheid. 

This UN resolution must not hide the fact that the bloodshed in Gaza has not stopped, with Israeli forces killing and injuring hundreds of Palestinians since the ‘ceasefire’ began.

Senator David Shoebridge, the Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said: 

“There must be an end to the genocide in Gaza and Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land, and countries must continue to work together to achieve this. 

“There are still serious unanswered questions around this agreement and its implementation. 

“Much of what will happen over the coming months will hinge on whether Palestinians lead the reconstruction and governance of Gaza. 

“Palestinians have a right to self-determination and to live equally. We have seen the obscene violence in Gaza and Israel’s apartheid system deny these fundamental human rights for decades. 

“If the Board of Peace installs politicians who started the Iraq War, for example, or if Trump appoints himself, this would be a clear indication that the best interests of the Palestinian people are not being respected. 

“The unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza through organisations, including the United Nations, Red Cross and the Red Crescent, is essential, and it is welcome that this was underscored in the resolution. 

“There must be an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces, not just from Gaza, but all occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank. This resolution does not seek to do this.

“Many are rightfully concerned that, having watched the Western world fund and arm a genocide for the past two years, the US and its allies cannot be trusted to lead reconstruction. 

“Countries like Australia have allowed Israel to commit this violence on an unimaginable scale for the past two years by providing diplomatic cover and engaging in the two-way arms trade. There is a moral obligation now not only to stop the genocide but to ensure there is peace with justice and that people who directed and enabled  war crimes are held to account.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice, said:
“The UN’s approval of this so-called plan for Gaza is not a blueprint for peace. A blueprint for peace should have accountability, justice and self-determination of Palestinians at the heart of it.”

“While the world’s eyes are on the UN, Israel has not ceased its bombardment. The  international community must stop pretending that Israel and the US are good faith actors in bringing peace after perpetrating a genocide. This looks more like a surrender to injustice.”

“A real peace plan would take the perpetrators of genocide to the Hague. It would guarantee unimpeded aid, open Gaza to journalists, provide full reparations, and centre the voices of Palestinian people. Anything less is a continuation of oppression under another name.”

“Yes, the world is desperate to see a genuine ceasefire and get food to starving families. But justice, accountability and self-determination should never be the price Palestinians are forced to pay for the bombs to stop falling.”

“We reaffirm our call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the unimpeded flow of aid. But lasting peace and justice are only possible by dismantling the systems of domination that brought us here, and with Palestinian self-determination at their core.”

The Greens implore the Albanese government to commit funding to the CSIRO to avoid hundreds of job cuts across Australia’s leading scientific research organisation.

Greens spokesperson for Science, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“At a time when it has never been more important for governments to invest in science and research, it is shameful that our nation’s premier science and research organisation is cutting hundreds of jobs to make ends meet. 

“It’s critical that Minister Tim Ayres does not pass the buck on this. With MYEFO just around the corner and Senate Estimates only a few weeks away, the Minister must explain how the CSIRO has ended up cutting hundreds of jobs in order to find cost savings. 

“This Government can find billions for controversial nuclear submarines and subsidising big mining companies so why hasn’t it already committed to fixing funding gaps at our nation’s premier science, industry, and research organisation?

“The Tasmanian community, economy and its reputation is particularly vulnerable to CSIRO job cuts given the number of scientists employed in the state – especially ocean and climate researchers. 

“Australian scientists are already warning of a crisis in Antarctic research due to the impact of an impending funding cliff. It’s time for the Albanese government to remove the uncertainty, protect jobs and increase funding to science.

“The Greens have written to Minister Ayres to seek an urgent briefing on this critical matter.”

The Minns Labor Government is ensuring people can continue attending their places of worship without being blocked, harassed or intimidated.

A Bill will be introduced into NSW Parliament today confirming police have the power to move on protesters who affect someone’s ability to enter or leave their place of worship.

No one deserves to be blocked, harassed or intimidated while trying to attend their church, synagogue, temple or mosque.

The change follows a recent Supreme Court decision affecting the move on powers.

Importantly, this decision did not affect the offence of intentionally blocking, impeding, harassing, intimidating, or threatening a person accessing a place of worship.

The Government is acting quickly to ensure police can still use move on powers to protect individuals trying to access their place of worship.

The amendments in the Bill balance community protection with the freedom of political expression.

They are complemented by the suite of legislation the Government has introduced to protect the community from racial hatred, intimidation and harassment.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“It is not acceptable that someone is harassed or intimidated simply for attending their church, synagogue, temple or mosque.

“We are ensuring the NSW Police Force retains appropriate move on powers.
“This change strikes the right balance between protecting the community and the right to protest.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to plan and deliver the critical infrastructure regional NSW needs and deserves, today announcing that planning is underway to rebuild the State Heritage-listed Crankies Plain Bridge, increasing its load limit while protecting its heritage charm.

Dating back to the early 1890s, Crankies Plain Bridge is one of only four remaining McDonald timber truss road bridges in NSW and continues to play an important role in the local transport network.

While the bridge remains safe for traffic, the rebuild is necessary to improve its safety and resilience, preserving its heritage significance for future generations.

Funded by the High Priority Bridge and Slopes and Bridge Maintenance programs, the upgraded structure will increase the bridge’s load limit, strengthening freight connections to the Monaro Highway and nearby towns and supporting local industry and jobs.

The first stage of planning has focused on identifying a suitable detour route to maintain access for motorists while construction is underway.

The rebuilding of the Crankies Plain Bridge is an important part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better-connected regional communities across Regional NSW.

The preferred detour route would use Black Lake Road, an existing approved heavy vehicle corridor with no significant environmental or heritage impacts.

While the preferred option would see a detour time of up to 30 minutes during the project, Black Lake Road would be upgraded and improved for the long-term benefit of the local community.

Two other options were considered, an upgrade to Crankies Plain Road and a temporary bridge on either side of the existing bridge, but investigations found these would create greater environmental, property and construction challenges, longer delivery timeframes and higher costs.

Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community informed as planning progresses and will host three drop-in sessions for locals to ask questions and provide feedback.

Community drop-in sessions:

• Bombala and District Markets from 8am to 2pm, Saturday 22 November
• Bombala Community Centre from 4pm to 7pm, Tuesday 25 November
• Maybe Street, Bombala (near IGA) from 10am to 2pm, Wednesday 26 November

To provide feedback online, visit Have your say, Rebuilding of Crankies Plain Bridge. 

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“This is an important project to ensure regional NSW gets the critical infrastructure it needs and deserves.

“There is no perfect time to rebuild Crankies Plain Bridge, but this work is essential to keep our roads safe and our communities connected.

“I encourage everyone in the community to have their say on how they use the bridge and local roads, and how the preferred detour route might affect them.

“We understand some people would prefer to see a completely new bridge, but as a State Heritage-listed structure, we must respect its historic value and meet heritage requirements through a rebuild.”

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:

“Crankies Plain Bridge has been part of Bombala’s history for more than a century, and this project will make sure it continues to serve the community safely for generations to come.

“This rebuild strikes the right balance between preserving our local heritage and delivering modern safety and freight improvements.”

“I want to thank the community for their patience and engagement throughout this process — their feedback is vital in helping shape the final design and delivery of this important project.”

The Minns Labor Government will introduce new laws into NSW Parliament today to give NSW Police and the courts stronger tools to interrupt youth offending earlier and keep communities safe, including long-overdue reforms to the way doli incapax operates.

These reforms address a major gap where some children are engaging in offending that puts themselves and others at risk, yet face no consequences, intervention or support to stop the cycle of reoffending.

The Government will improve the ability for prosecutors to rebut doli incapax – the legal presumption that children aged 10 to 13 lack capacity to be criminally responsible.

The Government will also strengthen and modernise the Young Offenders Act 1997 to provide NSW Police and courts with additional tools to respond to youth offending.

The Government understands the community’s concerns about youth crime – especially in rural and regional NSW – and continues to take strong action to improve community safety.

While there is still work to do, we are seeing encouraging signs. The June 2025 BOCSAR quarterly update on NSW Recorded Crime Statistics revealed that, in the two years to June 2025, young people proceeded against to court declined significantly by 12.3 per cent in regional NSW.

Putting doli incapax into legislation for the first time in NSW

The Government will change the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 to put the current doli incapax test into law and give courts clearer rules for deciding whether a child understood their actions were seriously wrong.

To rebut doli incapax and secure a conviction for children aged 10 to 13, prosecutors need to prove the child knew their actions were seriously wrong.

Proven rates for this age group collapsed under the former Coalition state government. Following a High Court decision in 2016, convictions fell from 76 per cent in 2015-16 to just 16 per cent in 2022-23.

Some other states with doli incapax codified in legislation did not show a similar decline.

Earlier this year, the NSW Government commissioned an independent review into doli incapax amid concerns about its operation.

This was undertaken by State Parole Authority Chair and former Supreme Court Justice, the Honourable Geoffrey Bellew SC, and former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jeffrey Loy APM.

The independent review included a recommendation to codify doli incapax.

The Government will amend the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 to legislate the current common law threshold for rebutting doli incapax, with new mandatory considerations for courts. This will give prosecutors and courts clearer guidance about how to rebut doli incapax.

The changes will ensure courts must consider what the child is alleged to have done, and the surrounding circumstances, when deciding if the child knew their conduct was seriously wrong.

For example, this would allow prosecutors to point to steps taken to plan or conceal the crime.

The reforms will also make it clear it is open for the court to find doli incapax has been rebutted on the facts and circumstances of the alleged offending alone – without or despite other evidence.

The legislation will be complemented by additional training for agencies regarding the legislative reform.

Giving NSW Police and courts more tools to intervene earlier – before offending gets more serious

The Young Offenders Act 1997 will also be amended to expand access to important intervention and diversionary measures for children.

Early intervention is critical because it gives young people a chance to change course before their behaviour becomes more serious or entrenched.

Currently, young people need to admit the offence to be eligible for these diversion options.

These diversion options can include formal cautions or youth justice conferences, which can link to behaviour change programs, mental health counselling or drug and alcohol rehabilitation to address underlying drivers of offending.

Under these changes, children will be able to access diversionary options if they make a statement that they do not deny, or admit, the elements of the offence and the time and place of the offending.

The review into doli incapax found that diversion is likely to be the best response for less serious offending by 10-13-year-olds, and that constraints on access to diversion should be addressed.

For young people who commit less serious offences, diverting them away from court has been found to reduce future offending.

Eligibility for diversion does not guarantee diversion – NSW Police and courts will retain discretion to charge and convict if the offending is inappropriate for diversion. This gives authorities another tool in their fight against offending.

The Government will also begin consideration of a voluntary diversionary pathway for children who interact with police and the justice system, as well as a mandatory treatment pathway for high-risk children.

Working hard to build safer communities

The Government’s reforms build on significant investments to address youth crime including:

• $23 million to continue and expand targeted response in Moree, Tamworth and Kempsey and support young people on bail.
• Introducing and extending a strict bail test for young people accused of repeat car theft and break and enter offences.
• Criminalising performance crime through a new ‘post and boast’ offence.
• $26.2 million to increase community safety in the regions announced last year.
• More than $100 million in additional youth justice funding.
• Ongoing NSW Police efforts under Operation Soteria and Operation Regional Mongoose.

the Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:

“These reforms are about stepping in earlier, giving police and the courts clearer tools, and making sure young people who are putting themselves and others at risk don’t simply fall through the cracks.

“For too long, the system has left a gap where some children were offending without any real consequence, support or intervention. That isn’t good for those young people and it certainly isn’t good for the community.

“These changes are practical, responsible and designed to stop a pattern of behaviour before it becomes entrenched.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley:

“Police are doing everything they can to keep communities safe. They are in the community every day, not only arresting offenders but working with kids to steer them onto the right path.

“We all want our community to be safe and better outcomes for young people, but police can’t do this alone – which is why we’re announcing this reform.

“We’re expanding the Young Offenders Act to give more kids access to diversionary options to help steer them away from a life of crime.

“This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s substantial investments to address youth crime. We are working hard to support communities and break this cycle of offending.”

Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib:

“Part of our work to reduce youth crime across the state includes investing in appropriate community-led interventions to ensure young people at risk of criminal involvement get the right supports at the right time to keep their lives on track.

“There’s not a one size fits all approach when it comes to diverting young people away from the youth justice system. We will work with communities, the police, courts, community service providers and Youth Justice NSW to help young offenders change their behaviour and keep communities safe.”

Attorney General Michael Daley:

“These important, considered reforms will ensure doli incapax operates in the best interests of children and the broader community. It will also allow for the presumption to be applied more consistently by police and the courts.

“Importantly, it will make clear the circumstances of the alleged offending must be considered by the courts when determining if the presumption has been rebutted.

“The reforms to the Young Offenders Act will also ensure police have more tools for young people to be engaged in diversionary options where appropriate.

“We do not want a situation where children are left without any intervention when charges are dismissed or withdrawn, only to come back before the courts because they were not supported to change their behaviour.

“That’s why we are investing in intervention and diversion measures to break the cycle of youth offending and keep communities safe.”