Schools, buses headline early budget promises
NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET PLEDGES
TRANSPORT:
* $452 million to increase bus services, including $56 million to purchase 50 new 'bendy' buses
* $150 million of above funds to be used for more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas
* Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport precinct totalling $80 million
EDUCATION:
* $9 billion over four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused in growing suburban communities
* Three new public primary schools in west and southwest Sydney with attached public preschools along with one new high school
HEALTH:
* $700 million towards construction of the new Bankstown Hospital and necessary relocation of Bankstown TAFE
* A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, the $492 million investment includes an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens like Ebola and measles
* $23 million to cover an extra 3500 surgeries in the next year
LAW AND ORDER:
* $125.8 million for cybersecurity upgrades to NSW Police, $50 million of which will go to upgrade outdated hardware
* Victims' Support Service funding boosted by $227 million over five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling
* Upgrade of Downing Centre to create 15 new physical and virtual courtrooms and $48.3 million to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for additional solicitors
HOUSING
* $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services
* Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date
* New guidelines to speed up construction of roads, schools and parks around developments
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SPACES:
* $110 million to maintain public spaces including the repair of Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails
* Construction of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct for $115.5 million which will house wind turbines and electrical transformers used in renewable energy projects
* Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks
CULTURE:
* The establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney
* $280 million to support the screen and digital games sector including rebates for NSW-based visual effects and digital games productions
NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET PLEDGES
TRANSPORT:
* $452 million to increase bus services, including $56 million to purchase 50 new 'bendy' buses
* $150 million of above funds to be used for more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas
* Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport precinct totalling $80 million
EDUCATION:
* $9 billion over four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused in growing suburban communities
* Three new public primary schools in west and southwest Sydney with attached public preschools along with one new high school
HEALTH:
* $700 million towards construction of the new Bankstown Hospital and necessary relocation of Bankstown TAFE
* A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, the $492 million investment includes an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens like Ebola and measles
* $23 million to cover an extra 3500 surgeries in the next year
LAW AND ORDER:
* $125.8 million for cybersecurity upgrades to NSW Police, $50 million of which will go to upgrade outdated hardware
* Victims' Support Service funding boosted by $227 million over five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling
* Upgrade of Downing Centre to create 15 new physical and virtual courtrooms and $48.3 million to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for additional solicitors
HOUSING
* $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services
* Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date
* New guidelines to speed up construction of roads, schools and parks around developments
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SPACES:
* $110 million to maintain public spaces including the repair of Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails
* Construction of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct for $115.5 million which will house wind turbines and electrical transformers used in renewable energy projects
* Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks
CULTURE:
* The establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney
* $280 million to support the screen and digital games sector including rebates for NSW-based visual effects and digital games productions
NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET PLEDGES
TRANSPORT:
* $452 million to increase bus services, including $56 million to purchase 50 new 'bendy' buses
* $150 million of above funds to be used for more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas
* Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport precinct totalling $80 million
EDUCATION:
* $9 billion over four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused in growing suburban communities
* Three new public primary schools in west and southwest Sydney with attached public preschools along with one new high school
HEALTH:
* $700 million towards construction of the new Bankstown Hospital and necessary relocation of Bankstown TAFE
* A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, the $492 million investment includes an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens like Ebola and measles
* $23 million to cover an extra 3500 surgeries in the next year
LAW AND ORDER:
* $125.8 million for cybersecurity upgrades to NSW Police, $50 million of which will go to upgrade outdated hardware
* Victims' Support Service funding boosted by $227 million over five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling
* Upgrade of Downing Centre to create 15 new physical and virtual courtrooms and $48.3 million to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for additional solicitors
HOUSING
* $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services
* Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date
* New guidelines to speed up construction of roads, schools and parks around developments
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SPACES:
* $110 million to maintain public spaces including the repair of Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails
* Construction of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct for $115.5 million which will house wind turbines and electrical transformers used in renewable energy projects
* Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks
CULTURE:
* The establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney
* $280 million to support the screen and digital games sector including rebates for NSW-based visual effects and digital games productions
NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET PLEDGES
TRANSPORT:
* $452 million to increase bus services, including $56 million to purchase 50 new 'bendy' buses
* $150 million of above funds to be used for more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas
* Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport precinct totalling $80 million
EDUCATION:
* $9 billion over four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused in growing suburban communities
* Three new public primary schools in west and southwest Sydney with attached public preschools along with one new high school
HEALTH:
* $700 million towards construction of the new Bankstown Hospital and necessary relocation of Bankstown TAFE
* A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, the $492 million investment includes an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens like Ebola and measles
* $23 million to cover an extra 3500 surgeries in the next year
LAW AND ORDER:
* $125.8 million for cybersecurity upgrades to NSW Police, $50 million of which will go to upgrade outdated hardware
* Victims' Support Service funding boosted by $227 million over five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling
* Upgrade of Downing Centre to create 15 new physical and virtual courtrooms and $48.3 million to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for additional solicitors
HOUSING
* $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services
* Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date
* New guidelines to speed up construction of roads, schools and parks around developments
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SPACES:
* $110 million to maintain public spaces including the repair of Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails
* Construction of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct for $115.5 million which will house wind turbines and electrical transformers used in renewable energy projects
* Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks
CULTURE:
* The establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney
* $280 million to support the screen and digital games sector including rebates for NSW-based visual effects and digital games productions
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The Wagga Wagga MP resigned from the Berejiklian government after giving evidence, before succumbing to pressure and quitting parliament altogether. ICAC opened a further probe into Maguire, exposing his secret romantic relationship with Ms Berejiklian in 2020. She also stood down from her role and was later found by ICAC to have breached public trust in failing to disclose the relationship, spanning at least five years while she was transport minister, treasurer and then premier. Findings that Daryl Maguire misled a corruption probe about a $48 million property development sale can be revealed after the ex-Liberal MP lost a bid to suppress them. The former member for Wagga Wagga, whose clandestine relationship with ex-NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian led to her political downfall, appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre Courthouse for the verdict on Friday. Magistrate Clare Farnan ruled that Maguire misled the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption while giving evidence during a hearing in July 2018. Immediately after handing down her decision, Maguire applied to suppress the finding. His barrister argued publicity about his guilt would prejudice a jury in an upcoming trial over an alleged visa fraud conspiracy expected to commence in September. The bid was opposed by the ABC and Nine but backed by federal prosecutors. Ms Farnan rejected Maguire's application. "The interests of the community in open justice is in my view not outweighed by Mr Maguire's interests," the magistrate said. The magistrate's reasons for determining Maguire's guilt are not yet clear after media and the former MP himself were caught in an administrative mix-up. Another court official on Friday adjourned the case to October only for the magistrate on another level to hand down her decision, without media present. At ICAC, Maguire was asked about what he expected to get out of the sale of an estimated $48 million property development in Campsie in Sydney's southwest. During the criminal hearing earlier in 2025, prosecutors claimed Maguire changed his evidence during questioning over claims he was not expected to be reimbursed. He will face a sentence hearing on August 15. ICAC grilled Maguire and others in 2018 under Operation Dasha, which probed allegations of corruption at the local council. The Wagga Wagga MP resigned from the Berejiklian government after giving evidence, before succumbing to pressure and quitting parliament altogether. ICAC opened a further probe into Maguire, exposing his secret romantic relationship with Ms Berejiklian in 2020. She also stood down from her role and was later found by ICAC to have breached public trust in failing to disclose the relationship, spanning at least five years while she was transport minister, treasurer and then premier. 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The Advertiser
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Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. 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Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict. Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. 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West Australian
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Geraldton-based FIFO airline Shine Aviation caught up ATSB fuel exhaustion investigation
Workers at Mid West copper and gold mines are being flown on a plane that is currently the subject of a probe by the national transport safety investigator. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is looking into why one of Shine Aviation's propeller-powered aircraft — registration code VH-PGO — almost had a disastrous landing at Meekatharra Airport on June 5. 'During the approach, the pilot received multiple fuel flow warnings on the number two engine followed by associated engine surging and aircraft yaw,' The ATSB stated. Yaw is the left-to-right movement of a plane's nose. 'The pilot conducted initial actions and secured the engine. The post-flight inspection revealed the engine had lost power due to fuel starvation,' according to the ATSB. 'Engineers replaced an O-ring on the right inboard fuel cap as a precaution.' Flight data shows the 10-seater plane was back in the air about five hours after the incident, but it is unclear if any passengers were on board. The plane has since made multiple trips from Shine's Geraldton base to the Golden Grove and Mt Magnet landing strips. The Golden Grove copper mine is run by 29Metals and Ramelius Resources operates the Mt Magnet gold mine. Ramelius declined to comment, while 29Metals and Shine did not respond to requests for comment. Shine, which is owned by Geraldton local John Gooch, will likely have to wait until the final quarter of this year to find out the results of the ATSB's investigation. Shine's close call is the first mechanical mishap in 2025 involving a small airline running charter flights to mines in WA's outback. This follows a spate of safety incidents last year on planes operated by Perth-based Skippers Aviation. On August 12, an aircraft was flying from IGO's Forrestania nickel operation in the western Goldfields when its brakes failed after touching down at Perth Airport. The runaway plane collided with a hangar resulting in 'minor damage'. Just three days later, a Skippers flight from Perth to Northern Star Resources' Bronzewing gold mine had to turn back not long after take-off and make an emergency landing as smoke engulfed the aircraft's interior. The ATSB found the 'serious' incident was caused by a mechanical failure compounded by a series of flight crew mistakes. Then on October 2, another Skippers plane travelling from Perth to Bronzewing was forced to descend rapidly after suddenly losing cabin pressure. Flight data showed the Dash 8 twin engine turboprop aircraft had to reduce its altitude at a rate of more than 5200 feet per minute, way beyond the typical maximum rate of 2500ft per minute when flying the same plane on the same route. Adding to the string of safety breaches, a Skippers crew member was convicted for vaping during a flight on the Perth to Forrestania route during the year. Skippers trimmed its fleet down from 27 in 2022 to 20 by the latter half of 2024, but a spokesman denied its cost-cutting crusade was jeopardising safety. The airline is owned by the Quinlivan family and led by Stan Quinlivan. Mr Quinlivan's investment portfolio includes the Ocean Beach Hotel and a troop of race horses.
