Editors Picks
22 September 2025
MORE PARAMEDICS FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
FRONTLINE emergency care across NSW has received a significant boost, with an additional 817 paramedics starting on road with NSW Ambulance since the start of the Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) Program. This forms part of the NSW Government’s commitment to strengthen essential health services by strengthening the workforce. These additional paramedics provide life-saving emergency and mobile health care across the state and are based out of ambulance stations across regional and metro NSW, including in Western Sydney, South Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains.
22 September 2025
$52.6M FOR ROAD SAFETY UPGRADES
THE NSW Government is investing $52.6M in critical road safety upgrades for communities surrounding the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
Labor is stepping in to fix the existing road network. Traffic is already building and with the airport due to open in 2026, locals need safer, more efficient roads now.
Six priority projects will roll out from late 2025, with major construction starting in 2026 and completion expected by early 2027. These include:
• Signalising the Luddenham Road/Elizabeth Drive intersection with dedicated turn lanes and a traffic island to ease congestion and improve safety.
• A new right-turn lane at Mamre and Kerrs Road to improve heavy vehicle access between the airport and Erskine Park.
• Reconfiguring the Elizabeth Drive/Mamre Road roundabout to improve flow and capacity for freight.
• Extending the shared path along Badgerys Creek Road to support pedestrians and public transport users.
• Precinct-wide signage, linemarking and minor road improvements to lift safety.
• New CCTV cameras to support traffic incident response in the Airport Precinct.
20 September 2025
UNIVERSITY'S FREE HSC STUDY SESSIONS
WESTERN Sydney University’s free HSC Study Sessions return for their 15th year, running 29 September–3 October 2025. Open to all NSW Year 12 students, the program delivers 24 online sessions across 15 major subjects, led by experienced HSC teachers. Students can also access Q&A and “UNI101” sessions covering university pathways, scholarships, and careers. Sessions boost confidence, exam preparation, and provide on-demand recordings. “We’re investing in the future of Western Sydney by supporting our Year 12 students at such a pivotal time. Serving our community and ensuring that every student has access to opportunity through education is at the heart of our mission,” the university said. . Registration details: www.westernsydney.edu.au/hscstudysessions
20 September 2025
TGA SEIZES ILLICIT VAPES, NICOTINE POUCHES AT PENRITH
THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has seized more than 5,000 vapes, 7,000 nicotine pouches and other products across two locations in Penrith. The seized goods have an estimated street value of more than $360,000. Other items seized include over 2,000 units of alleged illicit sildenafil, a prescription only medication used for erectile dysfunction.
The TGA alleges that these products were unlawfully possessed or supplied in contravention of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act). Therapeutic vapes are only available for sale from participating pharmacies, where clinically appropriate for smoking cessation and the management of nicotine dependence.
It is illegal for Australian retailers such as tobacconists and convenience stores to supply any kind of vaping goods or nicotine pouches. It is also unlawful for retailers to sell nicotine pouches, even to customers with a prescription.
Nicotine pouches are prescription medicines and subject to strict regulation under the Act and state and territory medicines and poisons laws. Nicotine pouches can contain very high nicotine concentrations that have not been assessed in clinical studies, posing potential significant safety risks.
"We are committed to disrupting the supply of illicit vaping and other therapeutic goods,” said Professor Anthony Lawler, Head of the TGA and Australia’s Chief Medical Officer. “What we are doing is not just about enforcing the law, it is about protecting the health and wellbeing of Australians now and into the future."
In addition to seizure and loss of product, significant penalties can apply to the unlawful importation, manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertising of vaping goods, nicotine pouches and prescription medicines. Since the start of 2024, the Australian Border Force and TGA have seized approximately 7.8 million vaping products, valued at more than $230 million, with additional enforcement actions planned across the nation.
The TGA encourages anyone with information about the unlawful sale of vaping goods to report it. To learn more about the regulation of vaping goods, visit the TGA’s Vaping hub.
08 September 2025
OVERDUE SURGERIES HAVE BEEN CUT
NSW has cut overdue surgeries by more than 6,000 since March and nearly 12,000 since March 2023, thanks to $186M in funding and a further $23M announced in the 2025-26 Budget. By June, overdue surgeries dropped to around 2,500, down from 8,500 in March. NSW now leads Australia with 85.3% of patients admitted within recommended timeframes. Same-day surgeries and governance reforms are improving access, sustainability, and patient experiences across the public health system.
08 September 2025
TEACHERS ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE
UNSW Sydney research reveals 90% of Australian teachers suffer severe stress, and nearly 70% say their workload is unmanageable. Surveying 5,000 teachers, the study found depression, anxiety and stress rates three times the national norm, driven by excessive administrative tasks. Poor mental health strongly links to intentions to leave, worsening teacher shortages. Researchers urge urgent reforms to cut non-essential workload, improve wellbeing monitoring, and invest in mental health support to retain educators and protect student outcomes.
08 September 2025
FEEDBACK ON YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
AIHW data reveals 13,300 unaccompanied children aged 12–17 sought homelessness services in 2023–24, with 77% remaining homeless after support. Most are fleeing violence, abandonment or neglect, and 63% are girls. Disturbingly, 520 children known to services died over the past decade, with suicide the leading cause. Advocates say services lack resources and child-specific housing, urging urgent national action to protect vulnerable children from homelessness, trauma and preventable deaths.
