Premier Minns rejects Supreme Court finding and doubles down on protest

Labor Premier Chris Minns has taken the extraordinary step of rebuking the Supreme Court’s finding that social cohesion is not a legitimate reason to restrict the right to protest, and accused a peaceful community opposed to genocide of being violent offenders.

Premier Minns has also restated his commitment to more likely unconstitutional laws to prohibit certain phrases that he disagrees with.

Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“The Premier has launched an extraordinary attack on our independent judiciary today, showing complete contempt for the Constitution, and our right to political expression – all in an attempt to violently subdue our democratic rights. He is walking a dangerous line and I don’t think it will end well for him,”

“Hundreds of witnesses have provided evidence about the unprovoked assault by Police against the community on the night of 9 February. The Premier is gaslighting our state by suggesting the community is to blame for the violence they experienced,”

“Even Members of his own Labor Party witnessed unprovoked violence committed by the Police that night. The Premier should be reminded that people speaking in public is no justification for violent assault and control,”

“The actions by the Premier and the Police caused serious harm and the Police relied on powers that were unlawful. For the Premier and the Police Commissioner to double down in the face of this failure and say ‘oh well we had the Major Event Declaration as back up’, likely won’t cut it in the Courts,”

“I have no doubt the Major Events Declaration will now also be challenged in the current context. The Premier and Police Commissioner need to stand down and do the right thing. They need to accept that they got it wrong and stop these bad prosecutions against the community. The Premier should not squander this opportunity to de-escalate and do the right thing,”

“That night, a peaceful crowd of several thousand people declared a desire to march through the city to Parliament House, as is their right. In response to the Premier’s orders, the Police kettled the crowd into a tight area and then proceeded to deploy chemical weapons and force against families, elderly people, and a community that has rallied peacefully for more than two years,”

“Chris Minns is not above the law. He needs to stop undermining our democracy. First protest, now the courts, I am worried about just how far he will go to punish people that disagree with his vision for society,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens say Labor must not cut vulnerable people from NDIS supports

Amid reports that Labor may exclude people with a psychosocial disability from the NDIS, and cut help from others to eat, bathe and shower;  the Greens say they will not support cuts to the NDIS.

Labor is reportedly considering changes to Supported In-home Living (SIL) and excluding participants with a psychosocial disability.

In making these cuts, Labor would be leaving many disabled people unable to eat, bathe, and go to work, and booting people who have no other affordable services available to them off the NDIS entirely.

These cuts to the NDIS are in a context where governments have failed disabled people for years, through lack of investment in publicly available supports, things like high-quality accessible public housing with shared supports, and mental health in Medicare, and the low rate of the Disability Support Pension.

The Greens say they will not back NDIS cuts that look set to leave vulnerable people without any other options.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Disability spokesperson said:

“The Greens will not support more cuts to the NDIS or Labor’s attempts to balance the budget off the back of disabled people.

“Labor are spending their days before the budget trying to pick which group is least deserving of having the support they need to live a decent life.

“These Labor cuts would leave disabled people unable to bathe or eat, and push people with psychosocial disability out of the only supports they get.

“The community are telling me they’re scared. Yet again, the government are talking about massive cuts to the NDIS without clarity and with nowhere to turn to, it’s leaving everyone on edge.

“Labor’s trying to choose a group in the disabled community they think is the weakest target – but disabled people are used to fighting for their basic rights, and the Greens will back them the entire way.

“The government must not cut critical disability supports to balance their budget, while allowing big corporations to avoid paying their fair share of tax and letting fossil fuel subsidies soar.”

Debt clock launched as federal debt teeters near $1 trillion, handing every Australian ten credit cards

“Twenty years on from ‘Debt free day’ marking the Coalition paying off Labor’s debt, the Coalition has had to launch a digital debt clock as Federal debt teeters near $1 trillion, with Labor’s only plan to double-down and borrow further”, said Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson.

“Labor claims higher taxes are good for young Australians, but the truth is the opposite. Every dollar of debt Labor accumulates today is a tax on a young Australian tomorrow. That is not intergenerational equity it is intergenerational theft. Only by getting spending under control and paying down debt can we restore fairness for the next generation”, said Shadow Minister for Finance Senator Claire Chandler.

Mr Wilson and Senator Chandler’s comments follow the release of the debt clock. The debt clock, publicly accessible at https://debtclock.au, tracks the total Australian Government Securities on issue. Following the maturity of $40 billion in debt today, the total stands at $957 billion. The clock also tracks the cumulative interest bill under Labor already over $80 billion in just four years in government.

“The Federal debt is now equivalent to ten credit cards per Australian, and with every dollar of debt it is just more petrol on the inflation fire”, Mr Wilson said.

“The greatest intergenerational policy is to let the next generation of Australians decide their own destiny with opportunity, not be born into debt servicing servitude and a zero sum race to the redistribution bottom”.

“Jim Chalmers’ active inflation agenda depends on continuing to borrow, and young Australians are hit three times over: painful inflation, debt servicing, and then repayment through higher taxes”.

“In the economy Labor built for them, small and family businesses and the self-employed are punished today, and young Australians pay in perpetuity”.

“At $25 billion a year in debt servicing, and rising, Labor’s interest bill could fund 200,000 additional nurses, or 400,000 aged care home packages, or one thousand kilometres of major regional highway upgrades, or a tax cut worth $1,600 a year for every taxpayer. Instead it is going to debt servicing because Labor cannot stop spending”, Mr Wilson said.

Alongside falling real wages, higher tax bills, and surging interest rates, this is the genuine cost of Labor’s out-of-control spending, which is now at its highest level in 40 years outside the pandemic.

Under the budget settings the Coalition left Labor in 2022, the budget would have been in surplus in every one of the last four years. We would have been paying down the debt rather than growing it. Instead, Labor has no plan to return the budget to surplus at any point in the next decade. National debt is on track to hit $1.2 trillion in three years and $1.5 trillion within a decade.

“The Howard-Costello government inherited 18.1 per cent of GDP in net debt from Labor in 1996. Through a decade of disciplined management they brought it to zero. That strong foundation prepared Australia for the Global Financial Crisis. The Coalition that followed the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years did the same, bringing discipline back to the budget and preparing us for the COVID-19 pandemic”, Senator Chandler said.

After just four years of the Albanese Labor government, net debt is already at 20.1 per cent of GDP more than Labor left the Coalition in 1996. Even before the Iran crisis it was set to reach 22.6 per cent of GDP within three years. Labor’s recklessness has left us exposed at exactly the moment when we need fiscal strength.

“Only a Coalition government can restore the fiscal discipline needed to bring debt under control and stop the never-ending burden being placed on Australians. Our mission is to restore living standards, cut the cost of living, and protect the Australian way of life and none of that is possible while Labor keeps spending money Australians do not have”, Mr Wilson said.

Building transformation takes the cake as new café opens its doors at Lambton

City of Newcastle has dished up a tasty transformation project to enhance the community’s experience of visiting one of the city’s most popular parks.

First Light café will open its doors to the public tomorrow after City of Newcastle completed a redevelopment of the former baby health centre in Lambton Park.

First Light cafe Lambton Park ribbon cuttingCity of Newcastle Executive Manager Finance & Property Scott Moore, café operators Corey Park-Pearson, Angelo Luczak and Luke Marshall with City of Newcastle Acting Executive Director Corporate Services Kathleen Hyland and Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley officially cut the ribbon to open First Light café in Lambton Park.

Constructed in the 1940s, the building has been modernised with the support of a $1 million grant through the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

City of Newcastle’s Acting Executive Director of Corporate Services Kathleen Hyland said it was fantastic to launch a new chapter for this significant building.

“As one of City of Newcastle’s premier parks and home of community facilities including the swimming pool, library, sporting fields and manicured gardens, Lambton Park is a cherished community hub for recreation, heritage, community events and activities,” Ms Hyland said.

“This building has played an important role in the Lambton community, offering support for generations of young families visiting the baby health centre, before providing opportunities for social connection when it operated as tea rooms.

“Now, we have invested in the revitalisation of this community asset to transform it into an inclusive café space that welcomes and caters for community members of all ages.

“The addition of the large rear deck with ramp access will ensure people with mobility issues can enjoy the leafy outlook, while its location next to the playground, which itself is about to undergo a complete upgrade by City of Newcastle, will make this the perfect destination for families.

“We thank the NSW Government for its investment into this project, which has helped City of Newcastle deliver the first major adaptive reuse of this historic building since its construction more than 80 years ago.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund project will enhance the experience of parkgoers.

“Lambton Park is a place where people come to spend time together with family, friends and teammates, and this upgraded café makes that experience even better,” Mr Kamper said.

“By investing in facilities that support how communities already use their parks, we are ensuring Crown land remains welcoming, inclusive and central to everyday life.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the NSW Government is focused on delivering practical upgrades that communities can see and use every day.

“This café is exactly why people choose the Hunter – it offers the lifestyle so many are looking for, with strong communities, local character and space to enjoy life,” Ms Catley said.

“But lifestyle only works when it’s liveable, and that’s what we’re delivering – investing in the spaces, services and local hubs that make day-to-day life easier and keep communities connected.

“We’re making smart use of what’s already here, preserving the character and history of the area, while locating this café alongside existing facilities, making it a part of the daily rhythm of the community.

“We’re backing local councils with the funding they need to deliver projects that reflect what their communities actually want and need, and today’s opening is another example of that.” 

The upgrade included the installation of a new commercial kitchen, accessible bathroom facilities and the reconfiguration of the building into a more attractive and accessible open plan design. 

While remaining sympathetic to the aesthetic of the original building, it also features an outdoor seating area and takeaway window at the front and bi-fold doors opening onto the new rear deck extension.

First Light café is operated by three accomplished names in Newcastle’s hospitality scene, Angelo Luczak, Luke Marshall, and Corey Park-Pearson, who said they have been blown away by the community’s anticipation for the project.

“We’ve certainly received a warm welcome from the Lambton community and local business who have been reaching out to us on our social media platforms to wish us well and eagerly anticipate our opening,” Mr Luczak said.

“It’s also been wonderful to hear from locals who chatted with us through the construction fencing and told us about their history with the building when it was the baby health centre.

“Our vision is for First Light to be a welcoming space for the community to gather, and we look forward to adding to the vibrancy of Lambton.”

First Light café will open its doors to the public from 7am on Wednesday 22 April.

Better roads for southern Sydney: work begins on next stage of King Georges Road upgrade

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are celebrating a major milestone for the King Georges Road upgrade, with work starting today on Stage 2A of the project.

Stage 2A will upgrade King Georges Road and Connells Point Road intersection to improve road safety and reduce travel times and congestion. 

This next stage builds upon the improvements already delivered under Stage 1, which widened King Georges Road from Stoney Creek Road to Forest Road from four to six lanes.

Easing congestion along this key corridor, the upgrades will increase efficiency and improve safety for the 60,000 cars, trucks and buses that use this road daily. 

The Australian and NSW Governments have each committed $95 million towards the $190 million project. 

This major milestone comes following the completion of detailed design, with the construction contract awarded to BMD Constructions.

Works under Stage 2A include widening King Georges Road from two to three lanes in each direction between Connells Point Road and William Street, and extending right turn bays on King Georges Road and Connells Point Road, among other improvements.

For more information, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/improvements-to-king-georges-road.

NSW Premier and Member for Kogarah Chris Minns:

“I’ve heard from our community just how frustrating congestion along King Georges Road can be, which is why we’re working with the Albanese Government to get this upgrade underway.

“King Georges Road is one of the busiest corridors in southern Sydney, and this upgrade is long overdue.

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering the infrastructure growing communities need, easing congestion and making daily travel safer and more predictable for local families and businesses.

“This is a practical project that will make a real difference for the tens of thousands of people who use this road each day.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“This upgrade is about keeping people, business and freight moving across southern Sydney, with the Albanese Government investing in infrastructure that delivers real benefits for local communities.

“By increasing capacity on King Georges Road, we’re cutting congestion, improving travel times and supporting a safer, more reliable network for the thousands of drivers who rely on this corridor every day.”

NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“We’re delivering better roads for southern Sydney, and this next stage of the King Georges Road upgrade is a big step forward.

“Improving the Connells Point Road intersection will help traffic flow more smoothly, particularly during peak periods when this corridor is under the most pressure.

“With around 60,000 vehicles using this road each day, these upgrades will make journeys safer, quicker and more reliable for everyone who depends on this key corridor.”

Federal Member for Banks Zhi Soon:

“Locals know how challenging this intersection can be. Congestion during peak times and on weekends are causing regular traffic jams when people just want to get to the shops at South Hurstville, pick their kids up from school, or just go about their day.

“The works to widen King Georges Road, extend right turn lanes southbound, and upgrade footpaths and pedestrian refuges will make this intersection safer and easier to navigate for both drivers and pedestrians.

“I am proud to be part of a Federal Labor Government that is delivering $95 million in funding for this project, alongside our State Labor Government counterparts, working together to deliver the infrastructure upgrades our community needs”

Built for what’s next: Bradfield City open for business

Australia’s first new city in 100 years is officially open for business as the Minns Labor Government launches the Bradfield City ‘Built for what’s next’ campaign.

The campaign will showcase Bradfield as a city on the doorstep of an international airport which boasts access to world‑class research and manufacturing infrastructure, as well as a skilled local workforce. Showing investors and businesses why it is an ideal location for innovative business models in Australia and across the globe.

To launch a wave of new commercial investment opportunities new expressions of interest have opened today for businesses interested in locating in the 3.8-hectare Enterprise Precinct adjacent to the city’s first building the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF).

The Minns Labor Government is particularly interested in attracting investment from sectors such as aerospace, cleantech, modern construction, defence, education and research, freight and logistics, advanced manufacturing, agtech, semiconductors and critical technologies.

This campaign brings Bradfield another step closer to becoming a thriving, globally connected city, with 10,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs.

The Minns Labor Government has also made a regulation change so all development within Bradfield’s master plan footprint will be assessed through a dedicated streamlined state‑led planning pathway. This will make sure we can establish the foundations Bradfield needs to be a thriving community.

Following the first land release in December last year further progress is being made, with the developer Plenary set to open Expressions of Interests in the coming weeks to find a university partner and commercial tenants.

Today’s launch follows significant progress over the past two years, including:

  • Finalising a development agreement with Plenary to transform the first Superlot.
  • Partnering with Superloop to deliver the cities digital infrastructure.
  • Opening of the First Building the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility.
  • Completing the first stage of civil and enabling works making more than a third of the city development ready.
  • Approving for the Second Building and iconic two-hectare Central Park, which are both due to start construction this year.
  • Committing to make Bradfield the site of Australia’s first commercial semiconductor advanced packaging facility.
  • Accelerating private investment in the broader Aerotropolis with $21.6 billion worth of projects in the pipeline at various stages.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to building a stronger future for Western Sydney, including making Bradfield a national hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing and sovereign capability.

Further opportunities will come to market later this year including, tenancies in the Second Building.

Learn more about the opportunities now open and build your business in Bradfield City: www.bradfield.city.

Prue Car, Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Western Sydney said:

“New South Wales is open for business, and the Minns Labor Government is backing industry, reducing red tape, and creating new jobs for Western Sydney.

“Bradfield City is right at the heart of this work. As the Aerotropolis grows, we have a chance to create new pathways for jobs, education, and infrastructure in our growing communities.

“The Minns Labor Government wants businesses and investors to take the next step, bring your ambition, your ideas, and help us shape the future for Western Sydney.”

Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, said:

“Bradfield City is officially open for business and situated on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International Airport it offers unique benefits for innovative and advanced industries looking for a homebase.

“This is an exciting milestone for Bradfield and an exciting opportunity for new industry to get a foothold in a new globally connected city which is well on its way to becoming a hub for future focused industries.

“The Minns Labor Government is making sure Australia’s first new city in 100 years has the right foundations to thrive as a commercial and industrial centre as well as a well connect and serviced community for thousands.”  

New $56 million package to drive ongoing flood recovery for the Mid North Coast

The Albanese and Minns Governments have committed more than $56 million in new funding to support Mid North Coast communities as they continue to rebuild following the severe weather of May 2025 and ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. 

The nearly $56.3 million package, delivered through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), targets the long-term work of cleaning up waterways, repairing environmental damage, and providing direct financial relief to local businesses.

The new funding will go towards:

  • Clean up and waste removal ($26.2 million) – managed by the NSW EPA, this fund will target removing hazardous debris from riverbanks and land that requires specialised equipment.
  • Environmental restoration ($8.8 million) – dedicated to repairing riverbanks (riparian zones) and coastal areas, including critical work on the Manning Point spur wall.
  • Small Business and Non-Profit Grants ($5.61 million) – an increased grant of up to an additional $25,000 will be available in the coming weeks through Service NSW. These are specifically for businesses and not for profit organisations that suffered direct damage as a result of the severe weather event in May last year. It will contribute towards extraordinary clean-up, repair and restoration of damaged business premises and assets including damaged equipment, flooring and walls.
  • Community recovery and resilience ($7.2 million) – support community recovery and resilience activities including Engagement and Resilience Coordinators to support councils’ work with communities.
  • Disaster Legal Services ($1.9 million) – will provide disaster legal services to help mitigate the economic and social impacts of flooding.
  • Mental Health support ($4.2 million) mental health disaster recovery support through targeted programs.

The new funding programs will be launched in the coming weeks with more information available at nsw.gov.au/floodrecoveryupdates 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain MP said:
“People across the Mid North Coast were hit hard by these back-to-back severe weather events, which caused widespread disruption and damage to homes, businesses, and the environment.

“As I said at the start of this event in May last year, recovery is a long haul; it is not days and weeks, it is months and years.

“The Albanese and Minns Governments continue to work very closely together for the people of the Mid North Coast, and this support package is just another example of that.

“It delivers a range of practical, long-term assistance measures, and we will continue to stand by these communities through this recovery.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Communities across the Mid North Coast know all too well the devastating impact of floods and severe weather events like what we saw in May last year. 

“We know recovery doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and requires governments of all levels to work together to ensure communities are getting the right support they need to move forward. 

“This additional funding package will provide that practical on the ground support so the communities of the Mid North Coast can continue to rebuild their lives.”    

NSW Minister for Recovery and Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin said:
“I’ve been on the ground in these communities, and I know that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. We have listened to the community dealing with the aftermath of the 2025 floods, and we are staying the distance.

“While this $56.28 million won’t fix every single issue overnight, it is a significant investment in the heavy-duty clean-up and the mental health support that people actually need right now.

“Small business owners have been clear about what they need to move forward, and as both Minister for Recovery and Small Business, I am focused on delivering that practical support. This funding is specifically designed to help replace damaged equipment and repairing shopfronts to ensure local traders can complete their rebuilds and focus on the future.”

Historic catalyst for NSW healthcare as $96 million RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility opens to support new therapeutic innovations

The Minns Labor Government’s push to rebuild local bus manufacturing in NSW is taking a significant step forward, with construction commencing on a new bus facility which will create over 100 new jobs on the South Coast.

Today the first sod will be turned on the new 6000sqm Foton Mobility Distribution bus manufacturing facility in Nowra. This will allow Foton to scale up to 127 workers, from 19 at their current temporary facility.

The next round of recruitment for 27 positions is expected to be advertised in June, including leading hands, assembly workers, electricians, production line engineer, quality control engineers, payroll and office admin. 

Those workers are due to start when the first phase of the new facility is completed in the third quarter of this year.

The benefits will flow beyond the employees with Foton already using six local suppliers: John K Engineering, Lee Sandstrom for auto electrical, Mark Burton for quality assurance, Nowra Signs, Total Tools, and Multiparas Unanderra for components.

Foton Mobility Distribution is an Australian-owned electric bus and truck manufacturing business currently delivering an order for 128 buses as part of the Transport for NSW Zero Emissions Bus program.

Twenty-five Foton buses are already in service at the Bradbury depot Western Sydney and more will soon go into service from the Brookvale depot on the Northern Beaches.

Construction of the new Foton facility will roll out in three phases, with the first phase commencing today and delivering a new manufacturing shed in the third quarter of this year, and a second and third phase expected to deliver a pre-delivery shed and office space in 2027. 

Under the 12 years of the former Coalition government local bus and train manufacturing was abandoned with procurement predominantly from overseas suppliers. During this period thousands of local manufacturing jobs were sent overseas, which led to cracked vehicles, ferries with asbestos, and trains which didn’t fit the tracks.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“This facility will provide much needed economic opportunities for locals in Nowra.

“After watching so many transport manufacturing jobs go offshore under the former government, it’s great to see Nowra benefiting from the increase in local manufacturing.

“The Liberals have been criticising this facility at every opportunity. That is an attack on local jobs, and reminds voters that Liberals love sending manufacturing jobs overseas.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“This is a win for the region and a win for workers in Nowra who will benefit from this new facility and the jobs it will help deliver.

“This Government is taking action to restore domestic manufacturing in the South Coast and right across NSW, while ensuring we develop the skills, capacity, and resilience we need for the future.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“This new facility is a strong example of private investment responding to global shifts toward electrification and choosing to back NSW with new capability and skilled jobs.

“The Minns Labor Government wants to see businesses invest, expand and innovate here in NSW, and projects like this show confidence in the future of local manufacturing and the workforce to support it.”

Member for the South Coast Liza Butler said:

“Today marks a great day for local manufacturing jobs on the South Coast. It’s great news for our community to see a new facility getting set to employ over 100 more local workers.

“This facility will soon be recruiting for a wide range of roles from the factory floor through to engineering, administration, and management. That means real opportunities for local people to build long-term careers close to home.”

Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:

“I am proud to be part of the Minns Labor Government that is rebuilding local manufacturing, because it means more jobs in our communities.

“This new bus manufacturing facility will mean more jobs, more skills and more work for local contractors.”

Economic circumstances demand tax action, not capitulation to the 1%

The Greens say that Labor must not capitulate to the interests of greedy gas corporations and ultra-rich property investors by tinkering on what should be significant and generational reforms on gas tax and the capital gains tax discount. 

With the war economic crisis looming, this budget is critically timed.  Gas corporations are poised to make huge windfall gains off exports, while investors may be driven towards property as a ‘safe’ investment – further locking out renters and first homebuyers.

Momentum is growing for significant tax reform in the May budget, with dozens of groups coming out today calling for a tax on gas exports of at least 25%  to be included in the May budget. This Greens-led Senate inquiry into gas taxation has its first hearing tomorrow. 

With Labor leaks signalling attempts from within the party to water down or prevent reform, the Greens say that this budget is critical for action to help with people, not corporate profits. 

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters said:

“The war is pushing up the cost of living for everyone – but corporations and billionaires are making massive profits off it.

“People are demanding big changes in this budget – and Labor can’t fumble this historic opportunity to tax greedy gas corporations fairly and help first homebuyers get a roof over their heads.

“Labor keeps trying to weaken changes that would tax big gas corporations and wealthy property investors, capitulating to them at the expense of the rest of us.

“If Labor doesn’t act in this budget, gas corporations will make massive export profits off people’s cost of living pain and ultra-wealthy property investors will keep more Australians out of a home. 

“A tax on gas exports could raise at least $17 billion – helping deliver cost of living support for everyone. 

“Labor shouldn’t be cutting support for disabled people to balance the budget – they should tax the gas corporations making windfall profits instead.”

Greens Treasury spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said:

“Labor cannot keep handing out billions in tax breaks to wealthy property investors, then turn around and claim there is no money to help renters or relieve cost-of-living pressures.

“Winding back the CGT discount would help renters, first home buyers and the budget. The evidence given to the Greens-led Senate inquiry has made the case for change overwhelming.

“We want to make the tax system fairer for young people and for working people, and make people who have accumulated large amounts of wealth pay their fair share.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity for genuinely progressive tax reform and to fix the housing crisis.

“The Greens are demanding that Labor meet this moment with high ambition. Tinkering around the edges is not going to cut it.”

Greens Resources spokesperson Steph Hodgins-May said:

“People are fed up with governments putting gas company profits ahead of them.

“The Greens have committed to backing a gas export tax of at least 25%. But if Labor tries to wave through a bill written by Woodside Energy, they shouldn’t expect our support.

“The gas cartel has been writing the rules for too long. When nurses and teachers are paying more tax on their incomes than gas giants pay on exports, the system is broken.

“These companies are raking in record war-time profits while families are doing it tough.

“Labor has a choice to stand with the gas lobby, or stand with everyday Australians.”

Kiwis cross the ditch for beaches bus driver drought

New Zealand bus drivers are assisting one of the biggest headaches for Sydney commuters: the prolonged driver shortage on the Northern Beaches.

Three in ten bus service cancellations in Sydney occur on Northern Beaches routes because the area struggles to attract and retain enough drivers.

Sydney’s bus driver deficit blew out past 500 after the Liberals privatised bus services and the Minns Labor Government has brought the deficit down to 179 last month through recruitment campaigns, free training and cash sign-on bonuses of up to $3000.

Due to its comparitively high housing costs which price many workers out of the area, the bus driver shortage at Northern Beaches depots has remained persistent over years and its services most susceptible to last-minute cancellation.

To address this, Transport for NSW has gone further afield than ever before in its recruitment search and has so far assisted 17 qualified bus drivers from New Zealand to get behind the wheel for private operator Keolis Downer in Region 8 which encompasses the lower north shore, Manly and Palm Beach.

Another 10-20 bus drivers are currently being recruited.

Kiwi drivers willing to answer NSW’s call have their air fare paid and six weeks accommodation in the area provided rent-free.

No visa is required for New Zealand drivers under mutual recognition arrangements between our two countries.

They do not qualify for the $2000-$3000 cash sign-on bonuses offered to new and experienced Australian drivers.

Overall, bus driver job vacancies across Sydney have fallen from around 500 in April 2023 to 162 this month, and cancellations are down to 1.54 per cent of all scheduled services.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“Australians have a tradition of adopting New Zealanders as our own – think Russell Crowe, Neil Finn and Sam Neill. But if you’re waiting for a bus on Pittwater Road, the Kiwi driving the next service may just become your favourite import yet.

“We have worked overtime to reduce the bus driver shortage we inherited, but the deficit on the Northern Beaches has remained intractable. This is a special situation that has required a special fix.

“The Minns Labor Government wants to send a big kia ora to the 17 drivers from New Zealand who have so far helped us out with their experience and professionalism.”

Coordinator General Howard Collins said:

“This is a practical, targeted initiative that will help address driver shortages in one of the most challenging parts of the network to recruit for.

“Our door is always open to men and women who are interested in becoming bus drivers in NSW, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to consider this rewarding and essential career.

“By bringing in qualified drivers who can transition quickly into service, we’re strengthening reliability for passengers while continuing to build a sustainable local workforce.”