New South Wales Premier Chris Minns is celebrating two years in office. It has been a difficult and at times thankless role as he has brought forward game changing reforms and faced deep criticism. As the leader of the state, Minns has focused on addressing housing supply and affordability, which he identifies as the "biggest single pressure facing the people of NSW." He then announced a series of sweeping planning reforms. These amendments are intended to cut through red tape and support increased density development along key transit corridors.
Minns' administration has taken steps to alleviate financial burdens on residents by capping personal tolls at $60 a week. Second, he commissioned a deep analysis of the state’s use of tolls. This campaign led the state to adopt recommendations to trial two-way tolling on the city’s key corridors, including the Harbour Bridge, Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Distributor.
Housing Reforms and Tolling Policy
Since being elected leader, NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has made improving housing supply and affordability a key focus of his government’s agenda. Cognizant of the severe pressure that high housing costs factor on many of their residents, Minns has put forth major planning reforms. These reforms aim to cut planning red tape and encourage more compact, higher density development, especially along transport corridors. By cutting through the bureaucratic fog, Minns has a real opportunity to deliver more affordable housing stock for the people of NSW.
The transportation space is where Minns has taken the biggest gamble. He caps individual tolls at $60 per week, providing stressed-out commuters some long overdue financial relief. The commissioned review on tolling is just another example of how his administration is committed to looking beyond the status quo. The recommendation for two-way tolling on key routes signals a potential shift in how transportation infrastructure is funded and maintained.
Legislative Challenges and Criticism
Undeterred, the newly-installed Chris Minns has been blasted over the continued failure to pass key legislation and ongoing management of contentious disputes. He has recently been criticized for using dubious legal justifications to ram thru hate-speech legislation. Of the charges brought against him, Minns vigorously contests his case. He highlights concerns expressed by Sydney’s Jewish community, declaring that they should be provided with protection as a matter of great urgency.
Minns’ government has faced criticism over its management of a pay dispute with nurses. This new controversy has been the jumping-off point for a tide of misogyny aimed at a female-dominated workforce. The conflict resulted in the cancellation of some 700 operations. That’s been enough to provoke even louder outcry from those who think that the federal government is out of touch with what the electorate wants.
Reflecting on Achievements and Future Goals
Chris Minns is now approaching his second year in office. Critics have pointed out the few and far between, if any, accomplishments his government should even be acknowledged for over this period. To be fair to Minns, he has avoided getting into the weeds on things accomplished, declaring that “we’ve got a long way to go.” This indicates his focus remains on future goals rather than dwelling on past accomplishments.
To me one of Minns’ most important undertakings so far has been the study to convert Rosehill Racecourse into a mini-city. Premier Chris Minns has described their creation as a “once in a generation” opportunity. He hopes that this annexation and development will spur business growth and innovation in the region.
Despite facing criticism and challenges, Chris Minns continues to prioritize reforms that address pressing issues like housing affordability and transportation infrastructure. His administration's approach reflects a commitment to implementing changes that benefit the people of NSW, even amidst ongoing scrutiny.
