Latest news with #MinnsLabor
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Australia to have its first AI minister in shocking plan to save nurses and teachers from boring paperwork
Australia to Appoint First AI Minister Under NSW Plan to Help Teachers and Nurses Focus on What Matters Imagine a classroom or hospital where educators and healthcare workers spend more time caring and less time on paperwork. That's the vision behind NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman's bold proposal for Australia's first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence, a move designed to liberate frontline public workers from routine chores and boost productivity. Speakman said this new minister would spearhead a statewide AI strategy. 'It can relieve our teachers, our nurses, a whole lot of public‑sector workers of mundane tasks, improve productivity, and drive every tax dollar further,' he told NewsWire . The plan includes not only a dedicated ministry and AI national action plan but also low‑interest 'AI for Biz' loans to help small and medium businesses adopt 'responsible AI'. Speakman aims to follow countries like Canada, France, the UAE, and Taiwan, which already have AI ministers or similar offices. He argues that by pushing innovation, NSW won't lag. 'Every technological change has increased living standards,' he said. 'I want Australia and NSW to be leaders of that, not followers.' Not everyone is ready to sign off. Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, warned that AI 'has thus far failed because it lacks empathy' in public‑facing trials. He urges caution, especially with sensitive data. 'Keeping that secure must be our number‑one priority,' he says. Speakman counters that the AI Minister would also oversee re‑skilling workers to ensure technology augments, not replaces, jobs. He draws an analogy with Luddites, arguing that past fears of technology were ultimately proven wrong and that AI will create more and more productive jobs. Delivering a budget reply speech in late June, Speakman branded the timing urgent amid rising living costs and criticisms of the Minns Labor government's spending. He framed AI as a means to stretch every tax dollar meanwhile, is focusing on other pressing issues, housing shortfalls, health care expansion, and small‑business support. Whether AI earns a formal ministry remains to be seen.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
NSW Coalition proposes cuts to ‘crippling' fees on housing construction in budget reply
The New South Wales opposition will call for cuts to levies that add to the cost of building homes in the state and likely propose changing government fees to try to improve the viability of major residential projects. A $12,000 Housing and Productivity Contribution was introduced in May 2023 soon after the Minns Labor government was elected, replacing the previous Special Infrastructure Contribution, which applied to specific development zones. The $12,000 fee per unit or housing lot is very unpopular with developers, as it is payable at the start of a project when a construction certificate is issued, making it a significant early expense. The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, said he would outline a plan to lower housing costs when he gives his budget reply on Thursday. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'It's a yet another impost that forms part of the record state government taxes and charges that are crippling housing development in New South Wales,' he said. Speakman said easing taxes and charges will be a theme in his budget reply. The 2025-26 NSW budget, delivered on Tuesday by the Minns government, included new measures to assist developers, including a new scheme whereby the government would use its balance sheet to guarantee to buy at the presale stage up to 5000 homes. 'I think they would be better to just focus on the level of taxes and charges, and also the timing,' Speakman said. 'The Housing and Productivity Contribution is imposed when [developers] get a construction certificate. It would help developers' cashflows … if there were to be such a tax that it's done at the occupation certificate stage.' The industry had identified financing mid-rise projects as a challenge, he said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Labor argues that a guarantee by the state government to purchase about 30% of the units in a development should help convince banks to lend. If the units do not sell, the government would acquire them for affordable housing on completion under the scheme. The forecasts revealed that the Minns government is on track to construct about 240,000 dwellings over the five years to 2028-29 – well short of the 377,000 NSW was tasked to build as part of the National Housing Accord, announced by Anthony Albanese in 2023. Tuesday's budget noted that the lead times between approvals and completions in NSW is now two years for houses and three years for apartments. Asked about the low figure, the premier, Chris Minns, said further changes to the planning laws and zoning changes planned by the government would boost the number of homes and it was too early to say that NSW would miss its target. 'I am hoping for bipartisan support, Minns said. 'But I suspect the nimby wing of the Liberal party will intervene,' he said, singling out the shadow attorney general and MP for Wahroonga, Alistair Heskens. Wahroonga, on Sydney's upper north shore, is slated for several low to mid-rise development areas under the government's Transport Oriented Development zones. Heskens has warned the TODs 'will dramatically increase local congestion'. Speakman said they had held meetings with the government over the reforms and that these had been constructive.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Penny-pinching NSW budget lacks vision and offers few solutions to state's most pressing problems
The Minns Labor government's third budget is one of consolidation, careful management, penny-pinching and modest spending. This budget will please the ratings agencies, and those who value New South Wales's AAA rating. But it is not for those who hoped to see a bold vision for NSW or big steps forward to deal with some of the state's and the nation's most pressing problems: a cost-of-living crunch, housing crisis, climate emergency and other environmental challenges. No new major infrastructure projects were announced and fresh measures to help stimulate private investment in housing and increase the number of tradies in the state are modest. To be fair, the government announced a major package in last year's budget to address social housing: $5.1bn over four years. The program will build 8,400 social housing dwellings (6,200 new and 2,200 replacement). Now the treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, says he's turning his mind to stimulating private-sector investment in housing. The development industry has long complained about the levies NSW imposes on new housing, which it says makes construction in NSW the most expensive in the nation. In this budget, the government has agreed to forgo the $12,000 per lot levy if developers provide in-kind infrastructure, such as lots for schools and roads. This is potentially risky, given some developers' record in actually delivering on what they promised. Just ask the residents of Wilton, on Sydney's south-west fringe, who moved in without a proper sewerage system. The pre-sale guarantee announced in this budget means the government will use its balance sheet to effectively guarantee to buy 5,000 dwellings off plan to help mid-tier developers gain finance for projects. The guarantee is basically without cost unless property prices drop precipitously. It is capped at $1bn, which makes it modest. Mookhey says it will unlock 15,000 new homes and help developers wanting to build six to nine-storey developments in transport-oriented development zones within 400 metres of stations. Yet the population of Sydney will keep growing. Without a coherent infrastructure plan to keep pace, the sort of problems that beset the Carr Labor government in its latter years – congested roads, trains that broke down and overcrowded public transport – will return to haunt the Minns government or whoever is in power. The trend in infrastructure investment is down. It reached a peak of more than $30bn in 2023-24 and 2025-26 but will fall to $28bn in 2028-29. Mookhey has recognised that Sydney's water infrastructure is ageing and has promised more investment. Watch this space, after Ipart reports in October on Sydney Water's price rises. When it comes to the enormous challenge of energy transition and meeting the state's emissions reduction target of 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, the state is falling woefully behind. The budget contains no new programs to stimulate solar or batteries – though there is some additional spending on transmission lines for the renewable energy zones. Mookhey also points to investment in the Newcastle port facility, which he says will be used to handle massive wind turbines. In the meantime, the budget reveals the enormous costs of recent floods, which have increased disaster relief by 1,000% in the six years since the 2019-20 bushfires. On cost of living there is nothing either. Toll relief will run out for Sydney motorists by 1 January. Mookhey is in the midst of a difficult negotiation with the private toll operator Transurban, which owns 80% of Sydney's motorways and unsurprisingly does not want to take a haircut on its lucrative toll revenues. The likely outcome will be higher tolls on the Harbour Bridge and Sydney's eastern suburbs, with some cuts in the city's west. But it's not going to be easy, with the built-in indexing in current agreements. Mookhey argues that by boosting public-sector wages he is helping repair households' purchasing power and that that is his contribution toward relief, with the federal government responsible for the lion's share of cost-of-living support. But while the budget shows inflation in NSW moderating, households in Sydney are still grappling with living in the most expensive city in the country. And on the environment the budget is particularly disappointing: no additional funding to achieve the great koala national park. Luckily it's not an election year. Mookhey was coy when asked whether he was keeping his powder dry. Instead he hopes modest spending on innovation, plans for a new film studio and a fast track for business wanting to invest in NSW – the Investment Delivery Authority – will keep business sweet. The citizens of NSW will just have to wait.
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Minns NSW Government to introduce suite of DV reforms to close loopholes
The NSW government is set to introduce groundbreaking reforms aimed at bolstering support for victims of sexual violence across the state and closing a loophole that left a shocking crime unpunished in some cases. The Minns Labor Government is set to introduce a suite of reforms to parliament next week, bringing NSW into line with relevant Commonwealth offences and increasing protections from sexual exploitation. A new provision to the Crimes Act 1900 will ensure sexual offenders who either sexually assault someone or indecently interfere with their body after death are unable to escape prosecution when the time of death is unknown, making which specific crime occurred unclear. The new provision means when it is clear 'beyond a reasonable doubt 'that one of these two crimes occurred, but it is uncertain due to the timing of death which one, the accused will be sentenced with whichever offence has the lesser maximum penalty. Previously they would have been unpunished. The government says the reform is in 'direct response' to issues that arose in the inquest of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose 'Cindy' Smith in 2024, and the tireless advocacy of their families for reform. The penalty for indecently assaulting a deceased person will also be increased and criminalising female genital mutilation will also be strengthened. Other amendments to the act will redefine the age threshold for child abuse material offences, raising it from 16 to 18 years, aligning with Commonwealth standards. These reforms are designed to close existing legislative gaps and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children. The Crimes Act will also be amended to 'make it easier to prosecute people who commit sexual acts in the presence of children', the Minns government said in a statement. Changes to the act will also be made to ensure female genital mutilation is considered a crime regardless of the reason or motivation or age of the victim, while ensuring medically necessary practices are protected. The legislation, to be introduced in Parliament the day after the Minns Labor Government hands down the 2025-2026 NSW budget, comes after changes around domestic violence offences. These changes included making it harder for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, and introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders. It also strengthened laws to protect against repeated breaches of ADVOs, and made changes to bail courts across NSW to ensure bail decisions are made by magistrates and judges – not registrars. Attorney-General Michael Daley said the Minns Labor Government stands with victim-survivors. 'We are ensuring that women and children are better protected from sexual abuse and exploitation,' he said. 'Our Government is closing loopholes and strengthening the law to make it easier to prosecute those who commit acts of sexual violence. 'I thank the families of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose 'Cindy' Smith for their bravery and advocacy in the face of tragedy to strengthen New South Wales laws to better protect victims.' Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said the government is 'working to build a safer New South Wales for women and children'. 'Sexual and abuse and exploitation is unacceptable, at the same time as we are investing in support services for victim survivors, we are ensuring that perpetrators are held to account,' she said. 'We will continue to work with experts, advocates and victim survivors to address the impact of domestic and sexual violence across our state.'
The Guardian
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
News live: NSW to make legal move on privatised hospital; Israel boasts ‘close collaboration' with Australia
Update: Date: 2025-06-19T20:27:55.000Z Title: NSW government moves to end partnership deal over Northern Beaches hospital Content: The Minns Labor government is arming itself with new powers to terminate the public-private partnership (PPP) with bankrupt Northern Beaches hospital operator Healthscope in the event that it cannot reach an agreement. The government announced today it would introduce amendments to a private member's bill brought forward by the member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, next week so it could – if required – terminate the Northern Beaches PPP contract. This follows the appointment of receivers to the parent entities of Healthscope, which the NSW government considers a default under the contract. Healthscope has argued that the termination would be ' voluntary' and would attract compensation as set out on the contract. The government said this would run to hundreds of millions of dollars. 'This is not a decision we take lightly,' the NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, said. But we are now in a position where the Liberals' privatisation mess means Healthscope's receivers are negotiating the future of the Northern Beaches hospital. While an agreed exit from this failed PPP contract remains my preference, I must ensure the government has the right to step in and protect the Northern Beaches community from this dragging on. Update: Date: 2025-06-19T20:27:02.000Z Title: Welcome Content: Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will be in the hot seat. Israel's deputy foreign minister told the ABC's 7.30 last night that her country had 'a very close collaboration' with Australian security agencies. However, when pressed on the question she did not elaborate on whether that included sharing intelligence about Iran's nuclear program. More coming up. The Minns Labor government is arming itself with new powers to terminate the public-private partnership (PPP) with bankrupt Northern Beaches hospital operator Healthscope in the event that it cannot reach an agreement. More coming up on that too.
