Politics
A major coal mine in the Hunter Valley has been given approval to continue operating until 2045, saving an estimated 1,500 jobs. The NSW Independent Planning Commission approved plans for Hunter Valley Operations to extract 429 million tonnes of coal across its North and South sites.
The NSW corruption watchdog has finished its public hearings into allegations that a fugitive property developer paid Liberal Party operatives to favour his developments. The ICAC inquiry, codenamed Operation Rosny, will now consider the evidence before delivering its findings.
The University of Wollongong has been labelled a prime example of governance failures in the university sector, with union, student, and community representatives calling for action on the findings of a state parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry found the existing governance structure was "not fit for purpose" and that universities had swung too far towards corporatisation.
A $134,000 surveillance bill has been revealed as the ICAC inquiry into allegations of corruption and political influence nears its end. Developer Toplace paid a private investigator to surveil former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore.
Labor councillor Cameron Maclean has been elected lord mayor of Parramatta, becoming the city's youngest-ever lord mayor. Cr Maclean's election came after Liberal councillor Tanya Raffoul quit her party over its stance on multiculturalism.
A Toplace employee warned fugitive property developer Jean Nassif that serious building defects could damage the company, as the corruption watchdog examines efforts to target the former building commissioner. The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating whether donations linked to Mr Nassif were exchanged for political favours.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has urged caution with artificial intelligence (AI) after a state dataset was found to be vulnerable to exploitation. The breach was discovered in a publicly-accessible crime mapping tool dataset provided by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
The contract of Clarence Valley Council's general manager, Laura Black, has been terminated one year before her contract was due to end. Ms Black will leave the role immediately, with 38 weeks pay, plus entitlements.
A $5 million demand at the centre of an alleged "extortion attempt" against fugitive property developer Jean Nassif has been labelled a "lie" amid a NSW corruption watchdog probe. The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) heard Mr Nassif claimed he was being extorted by former Toplace contractor Navid Ardestani.
A map of potential new metro stations in Western Sydney has been obtained by the state opposition, revealing possible locations in areas including Emerton, Bidwell, and Oran Park. The government is considering extensions to the metro and heavy rail networks, with business cases underway to assess feasibility.
A private investigator has told the NSW ICAC that Jean Nassif hired him to investigate broadcaster Ray Hadley and former Liberal minister David Elliott. The inquiry is examining allegations that prohibited political donations linked to Mr Nassif were exchanged for political favours.
One Nation is calling for environmental water in the Murray-Darling Basin to be made available for agricultural production this season. The proposal has been met with opposition from conservationists and the government, who argue it could harm the environment.
The New South Wales Liberals have pledged to freeze the state's buyback of guns and scrap ownership limits for farmers if elected next year. The move has been met with criticism from NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who described it as a backflip by the state Liberal party.
A mayoral vote in the Clarence Valley has ended in confusion and a hat-draw, with disagreement over whether the drawn candidate won or was eliminated. The council will seek legal advice before holding a fresh vote.
NSW's building watchdog quietly shelved a media release detailing disciplinary action against developer Aland, despite imposing the maximum fine available and sanctioning its founder. The decision came months after Building Commissioner James Sherrard attended a party hosted by the developer while the company was under investigation.
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has halted the City of Sydney's $150 million Town Hall Square project, forcing it to be examined by the Independent Planning Commission. The move has sparked criticism from the City of Sydney, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressing shock and disappointment.
New South Wales One Nation leader Mike Newman has vowed to push for stricter abortion controls if his party succeeds in the March election. Speaking at a rally outside the state parliament, Mr. Newman emphasized his party's commitment to the "right to life".
Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif has appeared via video link from Lebanon to give evidence to the NSW corruption watchdog, declaring he is "not hiding". The ICAC is examining whether Mr Nassif paid Liberal Party operatives to achieve political outcomes that would favour his developments.
The NSW government's ClubGrants scheme, which allows clubs to receive tax discounts for donating to community organisations, has been marred by controversy over clubs awarding grants to their own groups and facilities. The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority has expressed concerns over the scheme and wanted to offload oversight to another agency.
Former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore has revealed he was secretly recorded on a family holiday as part of an alleged campaign of blackmail and threats aimed at getting him to hand over the council's top job. The ICAC is examining allegations former Strathfield councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and current councillor Karen Pensabene were behind the campaign.
Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif is set to appear before the NSW corruption watchdog today, after previously cancelling an appearance on medical grounds. The ICAC is investigating whether political donations linked to Mr Nassif were used to build influence within the NSW Liberal Party.
Western Sydney residents are calling for greater action to address the recent surge in gangland violence, with politicians and community members expressing concern over the government's response. The issue has become a political headache for NSW Premier Chris Minns, who has announced a suite of law reforms aimed at stamping out criminal networks.
A Sydney businessman has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for reckless foreign interference. Alexander Csergo, 58, will be eligible for parole as early as next month due to the time he has already spent in custody.
The New South Wales government is facing calls to immediately halt the controversial practice of floodplain harvesting due to revelations that the industry watchdog cannot effectively prosecute breaches. The practice has sparked concerns that it significantly reduces downstream flows, degrades river health, and undermines the ecological, cultural, and economic foundations of communities across the basin.
A lobbyist has told a NSW corruption inquiry that he was 'frustrated' with a fugitive property developer over late payments, including one for a Porsche. The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating whether people linked to the NSW Liberal Party solicited funds from prohibited donors and other sources.
NSW Police are set to be granted broad new powers to tackle underworld violence, but the effectiveness of the move remains to be seen. The new powers come after two mistaken identity gangland murders within 48 hours last week.
Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has revealed he will not be called to testify at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism, despite being a key architect of the inquiry. The decision comes amid rising tensions over the cross-examination of Jewish community leaders by pro-Palestinian legal teams.
A prominent lobbyist has told a corruption inquiry that a conservative political faction became so "toxic" he urged his friends to abandon it. The investigation is probing claims of illicit donations funnelled to promote property developer interests.
A marathon public inquiry into alleged breaches of NSW electoral laws has exposed damning phone taps, offshore developers boasting of political capture, and backroom plots involving high-profile Liberal figures.
A Central Coast MP has raised concerns over the safety of women in public life after a man was charged with making serious online threats. It comes as a new report reveals 90 per cent of female political candidates face digital abuse.
A corruption watchdog has played bombshell recordings of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif offering financial backing to the brother of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. The recordings form the center of a wide-ranging inquiry into alleged political favors and illicit donation networks.