The NSW Government has today introduced legislation into Parliament to strengthen Working with Children Checks (WWCC) to better protect children from harm.The legislation will ensure only the Office of the Children’s Guardian – the state’s independent child safety regulator – will be responsible for reviewing WWCC decisions, removing external appeal pathways through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Currently, people with serious criminal histories – including offences involving children – can have decisions made by the Office of the Children’s Guardian overturned. In some cases, this has allowed individuals who were disqualified to return to child-related work.This reform ensures decisions about who can work with children are made – and reviewed – by the body best placed to assess risk to children, the Office of the Children’s Guardian.The same change will be made for NDIS Worker Checks, strengthening the existing internal appeals process within the Office of the Children’s Guardian to provide a more consistent and specialist approach to safety for people with disability.To close gaps in the system across the country, the NSW Government will also advocate for a national register of Working with Children Checks at National Cabinet– so parents can be confident that individuals working with children have been properly cleared – no matter which state or territory they’ve previously worked in.NSW will work with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions to integrate WWCC systems and close information gaps that offenders may exploit by moving interstate.The legislation is part of the State Government’s broader commitment to child safety – including recent reforms to lift standards and accountability in early childhood education and care, such as:Higher fines for service breaches;A new, standalone regulator with stronger enforcement powers;Greater transparency for families on the safety record of providers;A CCTV trial to improve oversight of underperforming services.Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said, “Families need to know the system will catch the people it’s supposed to.“Stronger regulation isn’t just overdue — it’s essential. We’re putting safety and accountability back at the heart of early education and care.”Minister for Families and Communities, and Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said, “Convicted sex offenders should not have a pathway back into child-related work, full stop.“This legislation closes that loophole for good. It puts child safety decisions where they belong — with the independent expert regulator whose job it is to protect children.”

Australian retail turnover rose 1.2 per cent in June 2025, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This follows a rise of 0.5 per cent in May after a flat April 2025. As previously announced, today’s release is the final publication of Retail Trade, Australia.Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen AO said: ‘Today's final publication comes 74 years after Sir Roland Wilson, Chief Statistician at the time, released the results of the first Retail Trade survey in 1951. Sir Roland noted that total Australian retail sales in the September quarter 1950 amounted to £383.2 million – around $20.5 billion in today’s dollars.‘The ABS would like to thank the many businesses that have contributed over the 74 years of the Retail Business Survey.‘After today’s publication, monthly statistics on household spending will be available in the ABS’ Monthly Household Spending Indicator (MHSI), providing a more comprehensive view of consumption, across both goods and services.’Robert Ewing, ABS head of business statistics, said: ‘The strong June month rise in retail turnover was driven by discounts linked to sales and new product releases.‘After steady growth throughout the year, mid-year sales events increased spending on discretionary items like furniture, electrical goods and clothing items.’Non-food related spending drove most of the rise in retail turnover. There were increases in all industries, led by household goods retailing (+2.3 per cent) and other retailing (+1.9 per cent). ‘Consumers are targeting sales events with a focus on value for big ticket items like household furniture, bedding, electronic devices and TVs,’ Mr Ewing said.‘Turnover for electrical and gaming retailers was lifted further by the much-anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which delivered record sales.’There were also rises in department stores (+1.9 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (+1.5 per cent), boosted by end-of-financial year sales and sales of winter clothing. Food-related spending rose after a fall last month. While food retailing (+0.9 per cent) bounced back, spending in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services fell 0.4 per cent.Retail turnover rose in all states and territories, with the Eastern-mainland states seeing the largest rises. Retail volumes rise in June quarterToday’s release also includes quarterly retail sales volumes, which rose 0.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in June quarter 2025.This comes after three straight quarters of volumes growth in March quarter 2025 (+0.1 per cent), December quarter 2024 (+0.8 per cent) and September quarter 2024 (+0.3 per cent).‘Retail sales volumes rose modestly this quarter driven by a strong June month, with turnover boosted mostly by end-of-financial year sales,’ Mr Ewing said. Consumers increased their discretionary spending in household goods retailing (+1.8 per cent) and other retailing (+1.2 per cent) by seeking out and taking advantage of discounts.Retail volumes on a per capita basis fell 0.1 per cent, following a fall of 0.4 per cent last quarter. ‘The per capita fall shows that despite the rise in volumes, consumer spending remains restrained, outstripped by population growth,’ Mr Ewing said.Retail prices rose 0.6 per cent this quarter, easing slightly from 0.7 per cent in the March quarter 2025, based on data from the latest Consumer Price Index.More detailed industry and state analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia.To mark the end of the Retail Trade Publication, the ABS has put together an article commemorating over 75 years of retail trade statistics, which covers the origins and some interesting retail insights throughout the years.

The NSW Government has invested $700,000 to support homegrown arts and cultural productions to tour to 36 regional towns across NSW.Audiences of all ages in towns across NSW – from Bellingen to Albury, Cowra to Cobar, Balranald to Queanbeyan and beyond – are set to enjoy some of the state’s best performances, plays and exhibitions when new productions are toured in the year ahead.It is expected that more than 76,000 people will enjoy one of these tours, a number of which are taking full advantage of newly restored and refurbished cultural spaces, such as Leeton’s Roxy Theatre, Deniliquin’s Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre and award-winning Mudgee Arts Precinct.Through the Regional Arts Touring funding program, the NSW Government supports regional touring projects, ranging from First Nations-led theatre, children’s shows and puppetry workshops, dance performances, museum exhibitions, as well as musical and spoken word performances.Forty per cent of the successful projects funded were developed by regional artists.The changes to Create NSW’s Regional Arts Touring program have resulted in funding for a broader range of recipients that engage priority areas, including Western Sydney and regionally-based productions; visual art and museum exhibitions; and small tours from emerging individual artists.This tour funding will enable ten successful productions, and sixty talented NSW artists and arts workers creatives, to take their exceptional shows and exhibitions on the road. For some recipients, this funding fulfils the dream to tour their work for the first time, including Northern Rivers dancer Max McAuley and writer/performer Mandela Mathia, both presenting their debut work.More details on the Regional Arts Touring funding program can be found here.  Minister for the Arts John Graham said, “Touring is vital for artists and arts organisations to engage new audiences, and for the artists and arts workers to gain important professional development and employment opportunities. “For audiences, the impact of regional touring is immeasurable. The opportunity to see acclaimed productions and cultural programs, the chance to hear new stories – or stories that reflect your own lived experience can captivate imaginations, and inspire communities.“Access to arts and culture contributes to vibrant and connected communities. It’s important that regional and remote communities have opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences.”Create NSW Executive Director Kerri Glasscock said, “Create NSW is thrilled to support the delivery of so many extraordinary, homegrown arts and cultural productions and programs to communities across regional NSW. Touring is vital for ensuring groundbreaking arts and cultural experiences are accessible in regional and remote communities, and that artists from emerging to established can extend the reach of their work.“These are not just stories from the city heading to the bush - this round includes incredible work developed and made in regional communities that are now able to be shared across NSW.”Meagan Gerrard (Gamilaroi / Wailwan) and Alex McWhirter - Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation said, “Through powerful truth-telling, Secrets of Dawn honours Coota Girls Survivors and all Stolen Generations Survivors who, despite efforts to eradicate First Nations people and culture through assimilation, have resisted and persisted through truth-telling, healing and self-determination.”“Created, directed and co-curated by Meagan Gerrard (Gamilaroi Wailwan), Alex McWhirter and co-curated by Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), the Secrets of Dawn exhibition features historical photos and content from Dawn Magazine, published by the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board from 1952 to 1968, and candid interviews from Coota Girls Survivors. With this funding for the Secrets of Dawnexhibition tour, Meagan and Alex aim to share this healing and truth-telling experience to Coota Girls Survivors and other Stolen Generations Survivors, their families and descendants, broader First Nations communities across NSW, and non-First Nations supporters across Wiradjuri, Awabakal, Gumbaynggirr Country and other regional galleries”

The Federal Government is today introducing legislation to cut 20 per cent off all student debts. This will wipe more than $16 billion in debt for more than three million Australians. The government says its number one focus is continuing to deliver cost-of-living relief for the Australian people. Cutting student debt by 20 per cent will ease pressure on workers and students across the country. For someone with the average debt of $27,600 this will see around $5,520 wiped from their outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans. Backdated to 1 June, it will reduce the burden for Australians with a student debt – including all HELP, Vocational Education and Training (VET) Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, Student Startup Loans, and other student loans. In addition to reducing student debt by 20 per cent, the legislation raises the minimum amount before people have to start making repayments from $54,435 to $67,000 and reduces minimum repayments. For someone earning $70,000, it will reduce the minimum repayments they have to make by $1,300 a year. This builds on our reforms to fix the indexation formula, which has already cut more than $3 billion in student debt. This means, all up, the Federal Government will cut close to $20 billion in student debt for more than three million Australians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “This is another way my Government is continuing to deliver cost of living relief to Australians. “We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in Parliament – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. “Getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt. “No matter where you live or how much your parents earn, my Government will work to ensure the doors of opportunity are open for you.” Minister for Education Jason Clare said, “We promised we would cut your student debt by 20 per cent and we are delivering. “This is a big deal for 3 million Australians, in particular, a lot of young Australians. “Just out of uni, just getting started, this will take a weight off their back. “It will also cut their annual repayments. For someone earning $70,000 a year, it will cut the amount they have to repay every year by $1,300.” “That’s real help with the cost of living. It means more money in your pocket, not the government’s.” Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said, “From speaking with students at TAFEs across the country, I know that cost can often be a barrier to Australians pursuing an apprenticeship or qualification. “This bill will deliver cost-of-living relief to almost 280,000 students in the VET sector, cutting half a billion dollars of student debt from this group alone. “Our Government is focused on reducing the barriers to further study and training, so that every Australian can get the skills they need for secure, well-paid jobs.”

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.3 per cent in June, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Sean Crick, ABS head of labour statistics, said: ‘This month we saw the unemployment rate rise 0.2 percentage points, driven by a 34,000 increase in the number of unemployed people’.Employment rose by 2,000 people this month, following a fall of 1,000 in May, and is up 2.0 per cent compared to June 2024. Part-time employment grew by 40,000 people, offset by a 38,000-person fall in full-time employment.The employment-to-population ratio remained at 64.2 per cent, and the participation rate rose to 67.1 per cent.Hours worked fell 0.9 per cent in June, following a rise of 1.4 per cent in May.‘This month we saw a decrease in full-time hours worked, down 1.3 per cent, associated with a 0.4 per cent fall in full-time employees,’ Mr Crick said.Underemployment and underutilisationThe underemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 6.0 per cent in June 2025. This was 0.4 percentage points lower than June 2024, and 2.7 percentage points lower than March 2020.The underutilisation rate, which combines the unemployment and underemployment rates, rose by 0.3 percentage points to 10.3 per cent. This was 0.1 percentage points lower than June 2024, and 3.6 percentage points lower than March 2020.Underlying trend data‘The trend unemployment rate has risen to 4.2 per cent, after remaining at 4.1 per cent over the previous three months,’ Mr Crick said. Employment grew by around 23,000 people (+0.2 per cent) in June, and 2.1 per cent over the last 12 months.Monthly hours worked rose by 0.1 per cent, which has consistently been smaller than monthly employment growth since the start of 2025.‘In trend terms, the employment-to-population ratio remained at 64.2 per cent in June, while the participation rate stayed at 67.0 per cent. Both measures have remained largely unchanged since the start of 2025,’ Mr Crick said.The underemployment rate remained at 5.9 per cent and the underutilisation rate remained at 10.1 per cent.More information, including regional labour market data, will be available in the upcoming June 2025 issue of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, on Thursday, 24 July 2025.The ABS would like to thank Australians for their continued support in responding to our surveys. 

Australia’s rental crisis has reached unprecedented levels with new data showing rents have increased by an average of 57 per cent across capital cities over the past decade. The new report, titled Out of Reach, by national housing campaign Everybody’s Home, has revealed that once-affordable cities have been hit the hardest. It also shows that social housing has slipped to the lowest share on record, remaining stagnant at 4.1 per cent of all dwellings since the Labor government was elected in 2022. This is a further drop from 4.7 per cent a decade ago, putting even further strain on the rental market. Key findings:Capital city average weekly rents (combined houses and units) have surged 57% from $473 in 2015 to $742 in 2025Over the past decade, Adelaide had the biggest rental increase of 81%, followed by Hobart (76%), Brisbane (66%) and Perth (63%)The sharpest increase occurred in the past three years, with rents rising 34% since 2022Social housing has declined from 4.7% of all homes in 2013 to 4.1% in 2024To reach 10%, Australia needs to build more than 54,000 new social housing dwellings every year over the next 20 years. Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said: “This is a national crisis that is now pricing out everyday people right across the country. This report paints a clear picture of the damage that has been done, and without change it will only get worse. “As the federal government has walked away from providing housing, more and more people are being forced into an already strained private rental market which then pushes up rents right across the board.  “Once-affordable cities like Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart are now suffering from some of the most acute rental pressures in the country. They’ve either caught up or have overtaken the larger cities in terms of unaffordability. With more Australians renting than ever before and being priced out of the private housing market, the need for more low-cost rentals is essential.  “Right now, around 4% of all homes are social housing. To reach 6%, Australia must build more than 36,000 additional social housing dwellings every year for the next decade. If we want one in ten homes to be social housing, we need to build an extra 54,000 social homes every year for 20 years. Whichever way you look at it, the scale dwarfs current government commitments and lays bare both the enormous demand and decades of chronic underinvestment.  “We need government action that matches the scale of the housing crisis. Australian governments have stepped up and mobilised during other emergencies, from COVID-19 to natural disasters. Housing should be no different. “When the new government meets for the first time, housing needs to be at the front of the agenda. Our national leaders need to set binding social housing targets and make the ambitious investments required to make social housing an option for more Australians.”

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has congratulated Tenterfield Shire Council on nearing completion of a $960,000 project to enhance resilience in the villages of Legume, Liston, Drake and Torrington.Ms Saffin, who is also NSW Minister for Recovery, said the NSW and Australian governments had jointly funded the construction of four bores to enhance firefighting capabilities and to provide livestock with access to water in the rural villages.“A media event was held at Legume last week to mark completion of the Legume and Liston bores. I’m told the Drake bore is almost complete and that drilling is still occurring to locate a suitable depth at Torrington,” Ms Saffin said.“I strongly supported this project when asked to give my feedback to the Bushire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund assessment process and was pleased when Council secured this grant in 2021.“Locals who experienced drought conditions followed by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 will welcome a more secure water supply for our communities to prepare and respond to future natural disasters.“I congratulate Tenterfield Shire Council, led by Mayor Cr Bronwyn Petrie and General Manager Hein Basson, councillors and staff on delivering a project which will bring lasting benefits to Legume and Liston, and soon to Drake and Torrington.“I also thank NSW Minister for Regional New South Wales and Agriculture Tara Moriarty MLC for approving Council’s request for a variation to complete the project by 30 September.”

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will conduct a large-scale Census Test in August 2025 as part of its preparation for the 2026 Census. Approximately 60,000 households have been selected to take part across Rockhampton, Gladstone and Yeppoon (Qld), Melbourne (Vic), Perth, Albany and the Wheatbelt region (WA), and Coonamble and Gilgandra (NSW). Census General Manager, Jenny Telford, said the Test is an essential part of the ABS’ preparations to ensure the 2026 Census runs smoothly and delivers a positive, safe and secure experience.“We are testing our collection processes and IT systems to ensure our processes work well and that the form captures the right information, in the right way.”The ABS is also partnering with Services Australia to test a new option to access the Census through myGov.“You can complete your form as soon as you receive your instructions if you know who will be home on Census Test night, Tuesday 5 August 2025,” Ms Telford said.“Your participation matters. By taking part, you’re helping us improve the next Census for everyone and ensure it produces high-quality statistics.”For more information about the Census Test, visit www.census.abs.gov.au/about.

The NSW Government has launched new drone-in-a-box technology to get an eye in the sky faster in response to emergencies and traffic snarls on key road corridors – all controlled remotely with the push of a button from a central control room.In an Australian first, Transport for NSW will be able to fly drones alongside and across highways for remotely piloted scheduled flights, without spotters, enabling them to rapidly respond to incidents near Greater Sydney traffic hotspots.The first drone-in-a-box units will be installed along the M1 at Mooney Mooney and the Hume Highway at Narellan. The initiative falls under the Drones for Roads Program, announced by the NSW Government in 2024.From the Transport Management Centre (TMC) nerve centre, accredited pilots will deploy and supervise drones housed more than 50km away, slashing the time it takes to get eyes on an incident.In a first-of-its-kind approval by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, teams will be able to carry out beyond visual line-of-sight operations beside traffic travelling at highway speeds of more than 100km/hr.Every flight is fully supervised by an accredited TMC pilot, and the drones are equipped with extra fail-safe measures, approved flight areas, and onboard diagnostics.The TMC has reported a significant reduction in disruption recovery times when a drone has been deployed to help get people moving faster after a traffic disruption on NSW roads. In the last year, drones have responded to around 150 incidents, more than 120 of which involved full lane closures.Transport for NSW currently has a fleet of around 80 drones with five pilots based out of the TMC, and 100 accredited pilots across NSW.Drone live streams provide critical real-time situational awareness to Transport teams, helping push timely information to drivers through variable message signs and apps, such as Live Traffic.The state government is pulling out all stops when it comes to making our roads safer. In the recent Budget, we secured $2.8 billion over the next four years to deliver road safety initiatives.These include:Expanding road safety infrastructure statewideTrialling a demerit point return program to reward safe drivingPublishing more safety ratings through our bicycle helmet star rating systemDoubling mobile speed camera enforcement locations with 2,700 new sitesUsing mobile phone detection cameras to also catch seatbelt offencesClosing a loophole so foreign license holders must switch to a NSW license within six monthsTightening requirements for international drivers to convert to a NSW licenseRolling out a trial of average speed cameras for light vehiclesSigning the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth to improve data sharing and safety outcomesMinister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said, “The Minns Labor Government is delivering real investment in technology like Drone-in-a-box, which is a smarter, safer way to bust congestion on some of our busiest roads after crashes or other incidents. “This program, funded by the NSW Government Drones for Roads program, will cut response times, helping keep our roads and highways moving.“We’re rolling out these drone-in-a-box units across key routes in Sydney, and we’re exploring opportunities for more drone-in-a-box units in key regional corridors.“Drones are already helping us guide emergency responders through traffic to reach those who need help, set up detours, and get an overview of the situation streamed directly to those who need that information, the drone-in-a-box makes the response quicker.“Each drone-in-a-box will be able to cover a distance 8km from its home – so 16km of road. They can charge in just over half an hour, so it’s a very quick turnaround until they’re ready for their next mission.” Transport for NSW Executive Director of Operations Management, Craig Moran said, “This is the next step in a visionary program by our team to improve visibility and improve efficiency across our road network.“Feedback from the TMC is, when a drone is in the air, we can clear hazards and facilitate a return to normal operation much faster.“Remote flying means the TMC can keep a closer eye on known hotspots, and stream information to our Commanders and Emergency Patrollers before they arrive at the scene. It also frees up our field pilots to respond to other issues on the network.”

Additional support has been announced for Primary Producers in New South Wales affected by the East Coast Severe Weather event from 18 May 2025.This funding is provided under Category D of the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.  The package will be available through grants administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority that enable eligible primary producers to access up to $75,000 in assistance.Eligible primary producers can apply for grants of up to $75,000 to assist with: Clean-up and debris removal Repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment Restocking and replanting Replacing lost or damaged assets Restoring operations to pre-disaster levels These grants are designed to support rapid recovery and help producers return to business as quickly as possible.  Support is available to primary producers in declared disaster areas under AGRN 1212, covering regions impacted by the East Coast flooding in May. Affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) are listed on the NSW Disaster Assistance website. Primary producers may also be eligible for other DRFA measures, including:Emergency hardship payments for individuals and households Disaster Recovery Allowance and lump sum payments via Services Australia Disaster loans for farmers through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority The East Coast severe weather event caused widespread damage across NSW, including the loss of livestock, destruction of fencing and crops and significant infrastructure damage.This funding aims to provide immediate and practical support to help producers recover and rebuild. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “Our primary producers are the backbone of regional Australia, and we’re making sure they have the support they need to bounce back stronger from this disaster.“This additional funding means farmers can focus on rebuilding and getting back to work without the weight of financial uncertainty holding them back.“Recovery is never one size fits all, and this support will give farmers the flexibility to address the unique challenges they’re facing on the ground.“We know the damage has been severe and the recovery will take time but we’re standing shoulder to shoulder with affected communities every step of the way.”Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said, “These grants will help with clean up and recovery costs for New South Wales farmers and I know it is critical support.“Grants like this can make all the difference helping farmers get back on their feet, faster.“We know the terrible impact this disaster has had on farmers which is why this additional support is so important.”NSW Premier Chris Minns said, “This is important support to help farmers get back on their feet.“We knew more support would be needed, and we are pleased the Commonwealth Government has agreed to our request.“This will help farmers clean up, rebuild, and keep producing for our state.”NSW Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “We have seen the destructive impact of the floods and talked with dairy, oyster and other farmers who have being doing it tough. This decision, with the Commonwealth, again shows our commitment to helping farmers get their businesses back to producing great produce.”“I urge primary producers to contact the Rural Assistance Authority as soon as they can and get an application in for this additional assistance.”NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “I’ve seen how hard the floods have been on our farmers on the mid north coast and in the Hunter. I know that the wait while we put our application together has been a tough one, but we have been successful.“It’s great news that our application for category D funding has been successful. This means local producers who’ve lost feed livestock and vital infrastructure continue to get the help they need to recover and rebuild.”

The Federal Government have signed contracts with the State Government to deliver more social homes for New South Wales through the latest round of Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) funding.As part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes nationally, 1,535 new homes will be built around New South Wales across 14 projects, representing almost $1.2b of investment.This round has seen close, effective collaboration between the Australian and NSW Governments, with each deploying their strengths – in financing, land access and streamlined approvals – to get projects to contract sooner.These homes will support Australians doing it tough, including key workers, veterans and older women at risk of homelessness and women and children escaping situations of family or domestic violence.Despite delays caused by Coalition and Greens opposition in the Federal Parliament, the HAFF is now delivering long-term, reliable funding to help address Australia’s social housing shortfall.The Albanese Government is investing $43 billion to improve the supply of social, affordable, and market housing and help more Australians buy a home.Minister Clare O’Neil said, “Today's announcement is proof that when the Commonwealth works with the states on housing, we get results that change lives. "Every one of these new homes represents hope for a family in New South Wales doing it tough. Whether it's a mum and her kids escaping domestic violence, a veteran struggling to find affordable housing, or a frontline worker priced out of their own community – these homes will give people the foundation they need to rebuild their lives."This is what happens when governments stop making excuses and start building solutions. We're working with the NSW Government and community housing providers to create a pipeline of homes that will make a real difference for decades to come."NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said, “This is what Labor governments do – we work together to deliver real results. These homes will give thousands of people the stability and dignity they deserve.“For too long, housing in NSW was neglected. This partnership is a major step in rebuilding a system that puts people first.“These homes mean safety for women and children escaping violence, security for older women and veterans, and peace of mind for essential workers who keep our state running."In just one year, we’ve delivered the biggest increase in public, social and affordable housing for NSW in over a decade – this new funding means we can build even more."

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the monthly Consumer Price Index (cpi) rose 2.1 per cent in the 12 months to May 2025. Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics, said: ‘The 2.1 per cent annual CPI inflation in May was down from 2.4 per cent in April and the lowest since October 2024.’The largest contributor to the annual movement was Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+2.9 per cent). This was followed by Housing (+2.0 per cent) and Alcohol and tobacco (+5.9 per cent). When prices for some items change significantly, measures of underlying inflation (like the annual trimmed mean and CPI excluding volatile items and holiday travel) can give more insights into how inflation is trending.‘Annual trimmed mean inflation was 2.4 per cent in May 2025, down from 2.8 per cent in April. This is the lowest annual trimmed mean inflation rate since November 2021,’ Ms Marquardt said. The CPI excluding volatile items and holiday travel measure rose 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to May, compared to a 2.8 per cent rise in the 12 months to April. All groups monthly CPI indicator, Australia, annual movement (%)The 2.9 per cent annual inflation for Food and non-alcoholic beverages in May was down from 3.1 per cent in April. Prices for fruit and vegetables rose 2.8 per cent in the 12 months to May, down significantly from a 6.1 per cent rise in the 12 months to April. Fruit prices fell 2.7 per cent in the month of May, with lower prices for mandarins, oranges, avocados and apples.Non-alcoholic beverage prices increased 5.2 per cent in the 12 months to May.‘Non-alcoholic beverage prices remain high, with coffee, tea and cocoa prices up by 8.3 per cent over the past 12 months,' Ms Marquardt said.'Higher prices for coffee drove the rise, with adverse weather conditions impacting major overseas coffee bean-growing areas.'Grocery products, Australia, annual movement (%)Annual Housing inflation was 2.0 per cent in May, down from 2.2 per cent in April. Rents rose 4.5 per cent in the 12 months to May, following a 5.0 per cent rise in the 12 months to April.This is the lowest annual growth in rental prices since December 2022, consistent with smaller increases in advertised rents and stable vacancy rates across most capital cities. New dwelling prices rose 0.8 per cent in the 12 months to May, down from a 1.2 per cent rise in the 12 months to April.This is the smallest annual growth since April 2021 as project home builders offered discounts and promotional offers to entice business.New dwellings and Rents, Australia, annual movement (%)Electricity prices fell 5.9 per cent in the 12 months to May, compared to a 6.5 per cent fall in the 12 months to April. ‘Electricity rebates lower the cost of electricity for households, 'Ms Marquardt said.'In Victoria, the impact of these rebates was lower in May than April due to the timing of payments. Without the Commonwealth and state government rebates, electricity prices would have risen 2.0 per cent in the 12 months to May.’ Electricity, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%)Automotive fuel prices fell 10.0 per cent in the 12 months to May and are the lowest since September 2022.In monthly terms, fuel prices fell 2.9 per cent in May due to lower global oil prices at that time.‘Across capital cities the average price for unleaded petrol in May was $1.73 per litre,' Ms Marquardt said.'This is 20 cents lower than 12 months ago and significantly below the peak monthly average price of $2.07 per litre in September 2023.’Average price of unleaded petrol (91 octane), cents per litreHoliday travel and accommodation prices rose 0.6 per cent in the 12 months to May, following a 5.3 per cent rise in the 12 months to April. In monthly terms, Holiday travel and accommodation prices fell 7.0 per cent in May, following a 6.0 per cent rise in April. This was driven by Domestic holiday travel and accommodation with a fall in demand following Easter and the April school holiday period.Insurance prices rose 3.9 per cent in the 12 months to May, after a 7.6 per cent rise in the 12 months to April. ‘The annual rate of price increases continued to slow for insurance, particularly for house and motor vehicle insurance. The 3.9 per cent annual increase to May for insurance was well down from the peak of 16.5 per cent to April 2024,’ Ms Marquardt said.

NSW is set to secure our place as a global hub for innovation and investment with the creation of the NSW Government’s Investment Delivery Authority and nearly $80 million in innovation funding as part of the 2025-26 Budget.The Government’s third Budget puts investment, productivity and economic growth front and centre, delivering reforms that will make NSW an attractive place to invest and start a business, and securing the future of our state. Investment Delivery Authority to attract and accelerate major investmentThe NSW Government is investing $17.7 million in the 2025-26 Budget to establish and support the work of an Investment Delivery Authority.Modelled after the successful Housing Delivery Authority, the Investment Delivery Authority will accelerate approvals for major projects across all industries, including advanced technologies and energy. Businesses have said that making major investments in NSW is too complex and too time-consuming, which is slowing down productivity.The Investment Delivery Authority will address this by helping cut through red tape, coordinate across government, and encourage investment.It is expected to assist around 30 large projects per year, bringing forward up to $50 billion of investment each year.It will provide advice on how best to navigate the planning system while evaluating projects for fast-track assessment and coordinating the necessary infrastructure to deliver them.The Investment Delivery Authority will also be able to identify reforms to remove hurdles for private investment, and offer government assistance to support a proponent if their project is chosen.This makes it easier for businesses to invest, build and create jobs in NSW.The Investment Delivery Authority will accept expressions of interest from eligible domestic and international investment projects valued over $1 billion and will come into effect in the 2025-26 financial year.A multi-agency Investment Taskforce, in Investment NSW under the Premier’s Department, will support the Authority’s work.The Investment Delivery Authority will comprise Premier’s Department Secretary Simon Draper, Treasury Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Secretary Kiersten Fishburn, and Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive Tom Gellibrand.It will make recommendations to the Treasurer, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, and the Minister for Industry and Trade.Eligible projects must be able to commence development quickly and be aligned with NSW Government priorities, as set out in policies including the NSW Industry Policy and Trade & Investment Strategy. The Authority will not be restricted to a specific industry or sector. Major projects that can be considered may include hotels, data centres, renewable energy projects, and commercial developments. Innovation Blueprint: Growing the economy through investment to secure NSW’s futureThe NSW Government is working to cement NSW as a global hub for innovation and technology through the recently launched Innovation Blueprint. The 2025-26 Budget includes nearly $80 million of new funding to deliver the Innovation Blueprint, which will establish NSW as the best place to innovate, connect with investors, and scale a business.  With NSW accounting for 65 per cent of the nation’s venture capital investment in 2024, and being home to five out of eight Australian unicorn companies (privately held companies valued at over $1 billion), the state is already a recognised leader in driving economic growth through innovation.The funding package for the Innovation Blueprint will promote more global success stories like Afterpay, Atlassian and Canva in the years ahead through the following groundbreaking initiatives: $38.5 million to turbocharge Tech Central, Australia’s largest technology and innovation hub.$20 million for Emerging Technology Commercialisation to drive growth and productivity in key areas such as Housing and Energy.$6 million to extend the existing Minimum Viable Products Ventures program to support more startups at the early stages of development.$6 million to support manufacturing businesses to adopt innovative technologies.$4 million to promote housing construction through the Housing Innovation Network and the Innovation in Construction Fund. $4 million to support tech founder diversity by providing training programs for female founders and our future tech leaders living and working in Western Sydney and regional NSW.$700,000 to extend the operation of National Space Industry Hub.Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, said, “The fact is major projects from the private sector are getting bogged down in red tape, which is making it harder to do business in NSW when we should be doing everything we can to get things moving.  “Our state is open for business, and this change will encourage more people to bring their best ideas to life in NSW, all backed by our government.“We’ve made great progress with the Housing Delivery Authority. This reform is a big signal that NSW is not just open for business—it's serious about being a global leader in innovation, industry, and investment.”Treasurer of NSW, Daniel Mookhey, said, “We have listened to what we are being told, loud and clear: everything in NSW is awesome, except for how long it takes to get major projects done.“We are creating a way to address the blockages, speed up the process and ensure NSW is properly open for business.“The Investment Delivery Authority is the turbocharger to drive economic growth across the state.”CEO of Business NSW, Daniel Hunter, said, “This is a game-changing step forward for New South Wales.“With a clear plan to streamline approvals and coordinate government agencies, the new Investment Delivery Authority is exactly what NSW needs to turn ambition into action. “Coupled with the Innovation Blueprint and nearly $80 million in new funding, this initiative will help transform breakthrough ideas into global enterprises, fostering the next Atlassian or Canva right here in our backyard.”

The NSW Government will invest $20.7 million to support access to potentially life-changing therapies for rare blood cancers, blinding eye conditions and high-risk neuroblastoma as part of the 2025-26 Budget.This funding boost will provide patients in NSW with access to highly specialised therapies including:CAR T-cell therapies used for treating adults and children with rare blood cancers. These are prepared by extracting immune cells from the patient, modifying the cells in a laboratory, and then reinfusing them into the patient to target and destroy cancer cells;a gene therapy for rare blinding eye condition, delivering a healthy copy of the gene to improve or restore vision; anda complex biological product for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, which binds to the cancer cells and supports the patient’s immune system to destroy these cells.This additional funding included in the Budget is critical to provide access for patients who require treatment for these conditions and would otherwise have limited or no treatment options available. These specialised therapies are available at NSW’s world-class treating centres, including Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead Hospital and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. The $20.7 million investment is in addition to $25 million in recurrent funding announced in the 2023-24 Budget.This is in addition to the NSW Government’s investment of more than $800 million in essential health services to help ease pressure on the state’s busy public health system, as part of the 2025-26 State Budget.This investment is critical to support the state’s health services to expand following 12 years of neglect of our health system by the previous Liberal Government, who left it under-resourced and overwhelmed.Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said, “These are potentially life-changing treatments, and we are ensuring that anyone who needs them can access them.“We are investing in advanced and innovative technologies, so patients have access to the best treatment possible. “The 2025-26 Budget continues to invest in rebuilding our essential health services, to make sure people can access quality care when they need it.Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “We are ensuring patients living with rare and high-risk conditions can access highly specialised treatments to prolong and improve their lives. Without access to these therapies, many of these patients would have no viable treatment options. “These treatments are transformative innovations in healthcare, and I am proud to say NSW is supporting access to as many eligible patients as we can.“We know our health services have been experiencing sustained high demand over many years as a result of the previous Liberal government neglecting and under resourcing our public health system.“Investments like this are vital parts of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to deliver the essential services people rely on.”

Australia's population grew by 1.7 per cent in 2024, according to the latest figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Beidar Cho, ABS head of demography, said: 'Our population at 31 December 2024 was 27.4 million people, that's 445,900 more than the same time in 2023. ‘There were 594,900 people arriving from overseas and 254,200 departures. This means that 340,800 people were added to our population from overseas migration in 2024.'Natural increase (births minus deaths) added 105,200 people, up 1.9 per cent from 2023. There were 292,400 births (up 2.6 per cent) and 187,300 deaths (up 3.0 per cent) registered in 2024.'Western Australia had the fastest rise in population growth, up 2.4 per cent in 2024. This was followed by Victoria and Queensland, which both grew by 1.9 per cent,' Ms Cho said.Tasmania saw the slowest growth over the 12-month period, with a 0.3 per cent rise in population.Estimates of both overseas migration and internal migration have been revised from September 2021 in this release.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today released seven (7) facts about Australia's horticulture and livestock industries.Queensland leads the way in terms of fruit production, with bananas, avocados and macadamia nuts growing in the sunshine state. Table grapes were the most valuable fruit, followed by bananas and apples.Here are the 7 Facts: 1. North Queensland produced 94% of Australia’s bananasAustralia produced 369,000 tonnes of bananas in 2023-24. Areas around Queensland’s Innisfail and Tully were responsible for 259,000 tonnes of that crop, making up 70 per cent of all banana production in Australia.2. Table grapes are still the most valuable fruit cropGrape growers were hit with the largest drop in value, down $167 million in 2023-24. Despite this drop, grapes were still the most valuable fruit ($752 million), followed by bananas ($698 million) and apples ($680 million). 3. Going bananas for bananasBananas were Australia’s second most valuable fruit crop, valued at $698 million, a rise of $115 million from the year before. The shortage caused by tropical cyclone Jasper and the resulting flooding saw higher banana prices.4. Griffith region leader in wine grapesGriffith Surrounds in NSW “crushed” the wine producing competition in South Australia’s Barossa Valley and Western Australia’s Margaret River, by producing 235,000 tonnes (16 per cent) of wine grapes – the most of any Australian region. Renmark Surrounds and Waikerie in South Australia’s Riverland wine region were the second and third highest producing areas with 114,000 (8.0 per cent) and 108,000 (7.6 per cent) tonnes respectively. (See map here)5. Bundaberg smashes the avo and macca marketRegional data revealed the Bundaberg Surrounds (South) region ranked second for avocado production and topped macadamia farming in 2023-24. This region alone grew a whopping 20,000 tonnes of avocados (13 per cent) and 12,000 tonnes (21 per cent) of macadamias.6. Moo-ving up - Australian cattle herd is the largest since 2018Australia’s cattle herd was up 1.6 per cent, reaching a total of 30.4 million cows in 2023-24. The dairy herd also rebounded in 2023-24, up by 3.7 per cent to reach 2.2 million cows.7. Feeling like chicken tonight?Chicken is now the second most valuable meat in Australia, overtaking lamb for a spot behind beef. Chicken has kept a steady upwards trend with buyers due to its affordability.

NSW Ambulance has trialled the use of drones to enhance its aeromedical and special operations capabilities during search and rescue missions.The two-month Remotely Piloted Aeromedical Clinical Systems (RPACS) trial, utilised cutting-edge technology to enhance patient care, operational safety and efficiency.The trial has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of drones in aeromedical missions, with a focus on improving both the speed and safety of operations in remote and difficult-to-reach locations.Seven critical care paramedics and special operations team paramedics were specially trained to operate, maintain and deploy RPACS drones as part of search and rescue missions.These drones can provide real-time aerial surveillance to improve situational awareness and support decision-making on critical incidents, leading to better patient outcomes.The RPACS drones feature thermal imaging, high-intensity search lights, the ability to carry essential items, and a loudspeaker to communicate with patients. Most importantly, the device can live stream to a secure link so a medical response can be managed from a remote location.This sophisticated response can include the delivery of lifesaving medical supplies - including blood products, anti-venoms and external defibrillators - directly to patients up to 7km away in isolated environments, where immediate access by conventional means may not be possible.This initiative was made possible through the NSW Ambulance partnership with Toll Aviation and the support of the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund, which supports projects aimed at improving patient care while also reducing waste and emissions. The RPACS technology will not only advance operational capabilities but also contribute to more sustainable practices through reducing demand on aeromedical helicopters.A full evaluation of the trial is now underway, looking at environmental sustainability, operational outcomes, and future benefits of this technology to patient care and aeromedical operations.Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said, “This is a very exciting initiative which unlocks a range of potential to improve our ability to reach patients in difficult-to-reach locations.“These drones feature a range of capabilities to more effectively locate patients, communicate with them and deliver essential items.“It allows aeromedical and special operations paramedics to make better decisions, and therefore, improve patient outcomes.“I am so proud that NSW Ambulance is leading the way in the evolution of emergency healthcare.”NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said, "By integrating drones into our operations, this initiative allows us to innovate and reduce environmental impact while maintaining the high standards of emergency care our communities expect.“RPACS drones can cover vast and challenging terrain rapidly and efficiently, ensuring that paramedics on the ground have access to real-time data that can help save lives.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman in Seattle today to welcome AWS’s investment of AUD$20 billion into data centre infrastructure in Australia. Over the next five years, this landmark investment will provide the world’s most advanced infrastructure that can support complex artificial intelligence (AI) and all other technology applications, enabling organisations across Australia to train and deploy AI models and continue to rapidly innovate. It will drive the development and expansion of data centres in Melbourne and Sydney that include storage, networking, analytics, and other advanced, highly secure services, supporting cloud and AI demand. Australia is keen to seize the economic opportunities that AI and other digital technologies offer. This investment will boost Australia’s economic growth, resilience and productivity. It will expand Australia’s growing data centre infrastructure and support technology adoption by Australian businesses. AWS matches 100% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy across its global operations, including Australian data centres, as part of its plans to achieve net zero by 2040. The significant investment builds on the Australian Government's strategic partnership with AWS to deliver a sovereign Top Secret Cloud, which will generate up to 2,000 Australian jobs. AWS has already invested AUD$9.1 billion in Australia since it first established a presence in Sydney in 2012. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "This significant investment will offer Australian industries the ability to take advantage of the revolutionary opportunities provided by artificial intelligence. "It will build on Australia's growing data centre infrastructure and contribute to our economic growth and resilience, including by providing more skilled jobs and AI-ready infrastructure. "This investment highlights AWS’s role as a trusted US-based global technology provider, with a strong presence in and commitment to Australia, reflecting Australia’s continued strength as an attractive destination for business and investment.”

Despite employment reaching a record high in 2024, half of Australian workers (50%) are living paycheck to paycheck, according to ADP Research’s People at Work 2025 report. The study, which surveyed nearly 38,000 workers across 34 markets, uncovers stark regional disparities and generational divides in the global workforce’s financial resilience.The findings reveal a complex financial picture, both locally and internationally: taking on extra work doesn’t necessarily close the pay gap, as nearly six in 10 (57%) workers surveyed globally are still struggling to make ends meet, even working multiple jobs. In Australia, over half (52%) of workers with two jobs and nearly six in 10 (58%) of those with three or more jobs report holding multiple roles to cover necessary expenses.Key Findings:Global strain: Globally, more than half (54%) of single-job holders, 59% of workers with two jobs, and 61% of workers with three or more jobs are struggling to make ends meet.Working multiple jobs to make ends meet: A significant portion of Australians are turning to multiple jobs to cope with financial demands.Two jobs: 58% say they do it to afford extra costs, and 35% to build life savings and prepare for retirement.Three or more jobs: 58% do it to build savings and prepare for retirement, and 46% to cover extra costs.Regional Comparison: The country with the highest percentage of workers living paycheck to paycheck is Egypt (84%), followed by Saudi Arabia (79%) and the Philippines (78%). In contrast, South Korea reports the lowest proportion globally, at just 18%. Within the Asia-Pacific region, Australia ranks as the fourth lowest in terms of the share of employees living paycheck to paycheck, with 50% of workers facing this financial pressure. Only Japan (29%), Taiwan (30%), and China (31%) report lower proportions.Why workers take multiple jobsThe survey reveals that most workers holding multiple jobs are doing it to cover their necessary expenses, to save for future spending, and to build savings for retirement. The number of workers working more than one job is the highest in the Middle East Africa (34%), Latin America (24%), and Asia Pacific (24%).While people have different reasons for taking on extra work, holding two or more jobs can be a necessity in parts of the world where average wages are low relative to a country’s cost of living. Informal economies in Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia exacerbate challenges, with workers who piece together gig or part-time roles lacking stability or protection. Navigating the high cost of living“Pay is the foundation of financial wellbeing for most workers, yet our data shows that even record employment isn't translating into financial security. Nearly two-thirds of people who hold three jobs still struggle to make ends meet. This presents an opportunity for employers to take a more holistic approach to compensation to help workers navigate the higher living costs of today’s global economy,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said.“With the rising cost of living putting pressure on Australian households, many workers are finding it increasingly difficult to stretch their paychecks, even when holding down multiple jobs. For small and medium-sized businesses, offering across-the-board pay rises may not be realistic — but there are other meaningful ways to support employees,” Judy Barnett, Operations Director at ADP Australia said.“Flexible work arrangements, subsidised transport, wellness programs, or financial planning support can go a long way in easing day-to-day pressures. These practical benefits help build trust, reduce turnover, and create more resilient workplaces at a time when employee wellbeing has never been more critical,” added Barnett.