Politics
NSW
Schools boss signed off on $67,000 ‘fungus bench’ that was flagged as biosecurity hazard
The former school building boss has denied showing favouritism, despite his “communications fairy godmother” writing the brief for a tender her company won.
- by Michael McGowan
Latest
Editorial
Nick Greiner
The usually sure-footed Greiner stumbles but stays on track
The Liberal Party has turned to another elder statesman to clean up the mess in NSW, but his first words seem a little half-hearted.
- The Herald's View
Updated
NSW budget
What we already know about this year’s NSW budget
From the “need to build, build, build” to pledges for transport, hospitals and schools, this is what we know about what will be in the NSW budget next week.
- by Penry Buckley
Exclusive
Public transport
The Sydney suburbs earmarked for 50 new bendy buses
The NSW Labor government is splashing out on new buses for established suburbs and new growth areas.
- by Alexandra Smith
The hurdle one in four NSW school students needs to overcome
It takes six years for students from non-English-speaking backgrounds to keep up in class, with experts warning they are being misdiagnosed with learning disorders.
- by Emily Kowal
Exclusive
State Parliament
Workers’ compensation legislation suffers blow after key MP turns
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey accused a Greens MP of “deliberately misleading” the public during a heated second public hearing considering the government’s workers’ compensation reforms.
- by Max Maddison
‘Communications fairy godmother’ had contract extended three times without tender, ICAC hears
The inquiry also heard Anthony Manning twice accepted tickets to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix from a School Infrastructure client without declaring them.
- by Michael McGowan
Updated
Liberal Party
Octogenarian Victorians ousted from NSW Libs, but not before trying to block appointment of a woman
The Liberals have also appointed Pru Goward, a former NSW minister and sex discrimination commissioner, and conservative powerbroker Nick Minchin to review its historic federal election defeat.
- by Alexandra Smith and Natassia Chrysanthos
Exclusive
Liberal Party
Liberals firm on dumping Victorian elders after ‘assertive women’ comments
The Liberal Party’s federal executive will meet on Tuesday to consider the fate of the NSW division. Sources said the two Victorians in charge would be replaced.
- by Max Maddison and Paul Sakkal
The two north shore councils resisting ‘cookie cutter’ housing
It was touted as a solution to Sydney’s housing shortage but two councils are fighting the “pattern book”, earning a rebuke from the state’s planning minister.
- by David Barwell
Exclusive
Trains
Transport for NSW warns of heightened risk of ‘failures’ on rail network
A confidential memo blames unions for slowing progress in reducing the maintenance backlog across the system.
- by Max Maddison