Recent media releases from Ministers and government officials
Browse media releases from the Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts
26 May 2021
Today we commemorate the Stolen Generations on National Sorry Day.
24 May 2021
Reconciliation Week marks a significant period of the year where we come together as a nation to learn about our shared histories and the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for all Australians.
NSW Government support to help preserve and celebrate heritage
21 May 2021
Aboriginal organisations, local councils, community groups and owners of heritage items from across the state will share in a $5.5 million investment into NSW heritage.
A New Era For Colonial Maryland Farm in Historic Camden Region
19 May 2021
The historic Maryland property that started construction in 1820 in Sydney’s Camden region will be listed on the State Heritage Register, the NSW Government has announced.
Mary Poppins to bring a spoonful of sugar to Sydney next May
19 May 2021
The NSW Government has secured the Australian premiere of the magical Tony and Olivier award-winning production of Mary Poppins for Sydney, adding to the Harbour City’s stellar line up of world-class cultural events.
Appointments to the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW
16 May 2021
Two new commissioners will join Commissioner John Murphy, who has been reappointed to the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, the Special Minister of State has announced.
Newcastle's Unique Urban Landscape Placed on the State Heritage Register
15 May 2021
The picturesque Newcastle Recreation Reserve has been listed on the State Heritage Register by the NSW government, highlighting the land’s importance in the state’s cultural history.
Consultation now open on the review of NSW Heritage Legislation
13 May 2021
Consultation is now open on the review of the NSW Heritage legislation with the NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues formally endorsing an inquiry into the NSW Heritage Act 1977.
Sydney staged for more live performances
13 May 2021
From comedy events and live band nights to roving carnival performers, Sydney is the place for entertainment after the NSW Government announced funding for an additional 10 recipients in Round 2 of the Play the City initiative.
Powerhouse Discovery Centre to become bigger and better
30 April 2021
Part of the Powerhouse Museum’s incredible collection can now be displayed in Sydney’s Hills district following the approval of a $36 million expansion of the Museums Discovery Centre.
New Stan Original Series wolf like me secured for NSW
29 April 2021
Stan Original Series Wolf Like Me, from Emmy-award winning production company Made Up Stories, will soon call NSW home thanks to the support of the NSW Government’s Made in NSW Fund.
Regional NSW to Host Travelling Film Festival
21 April 2021
Lismore, Murwillumbah, Orange, Young, and Warrawong are the newest destinations for Sydney Film Festival’s Travelling Film Festival, a major cultural offering that is bringing Australian and international features, short films, and documentaries from across the globe directly to our regions.
Appointment of New Executive Director, Aboriginal Languages Trust
21 April 2021
The Aboriginal Languages Trust has appointed respected Aboriginal leader, Clare McHugh as its new Executive Director, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin announced today.
Mad Max prequel Furiosa to be filmed in NSW
19 April 2021
The long-awaited prequel to George Miller’s Academy Award Winning Mad Max: Fury Road is set to be filmed in NSW, and expected to become the biggest film ever to be made in Australia.
$300K for NSW artists and arts and cultural organisations
16 April 2021
The NSW Government has announced a new Service Needs Strategic Fund for arts, screen and cultural organisations, to meet the demand for professional development and capacity-building across the sector.
Paul Miller PSM Appointed NSW Ombudsman
16 April 2021
Paul Miller PSM has been appointed NSW Ombudsman, after acting in the role since August 2020, the Special Minister of State Don Harwin has announced.
Partnership continues Closing the Gap reforms
15 April 2021
The NSW Government will consult with Aboriginal communities across NSW on the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms during April and May 2021.
Sydney's arts and culture stays up late
11 April 2021
Sydneysiders and visitors will have more opportunity than ever to get their culture fix at iconic institutions across the CBD, after the NSW Government’s Culture Up Late initiative was extended until the end of June 2021.
NSW to Modernise Heritage Protections – new discussion paper sets stage for Heritage Act Review
7 April 2021
The NSW Government is taking the first steps to review and modernise NSW Heritage legislation with the referral of a discussion paper to a Parliamentary committee for inquiry and consultation.
Creative Ageing Framework a work of art
6 April 2021
Painting for people living with dementia is one program highlighted in the NSW Government’s new framework to help boost health and wellbeing for older people.
Six regional NSW hubs to bring local collections to life
31 March 2021
Six regional areas across the state will have their collections digitally brought to life with close to $1.26 million in funding, made available under the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund.
Local communities to benefit from an additional $1.39 million arts funding
30 March 2021
Communities across NSW are set to benefit with more arts and cultural programs, as 17 Councils receive over $1.39 million in funding through the NSW Government’s 2021/2022 Local Government Authorities (LGA) funding round.
Aboriginal Languages Trust to Guide Language Growth in NSW
26 March 2021
NSW-based Aboriginal language stakeholders are being invited to provide their insight that will inform the Aboriginal Languages Trust’s five-year Strategic Plan.
Live Performances to Reignite Sydney
26 March 2021
Sydney’s city centre is set for a new playlist with 39 projects to benefit from more than $1 million in funding through the Play the City (Sydney) NSW Round Two Grants.
New investment to preserve Stolen Generations sites of significance
25 March 2021
The NSW Government has announced a new investment of $3 million to signal its ongoing commitment to exploring Keeping Places at former Aboriginal children’s homes, progressing efforts to ensure that the legacy and stories of the Stolen Generations are never forgotten.
Touring grants to increase access for audiences across regional NSW
18 March 2021
The NSW Government is inviting artists and presenting organisations to apply to its Regional Arts Touring round, which will provide audiences living in regional NSW with increased access to a diverse range of artistic and cultural experiences from across the state.
Sydney Opera House to come alive with Phantom of the Opera
18 March 2021
Sydney Opera House will be cloaked in the magic and mystery of Broadway’s longest running musical, The Phantom of the Opera, when it opens in September.
Lights on for Hamilton in Sydney
17 March 2021
Sydney will tonight become the only place in the world where audiences can see one of the most successful musicals of our time, Hamilton.
Search begins for 25th NSW emerging visual artist
26 February 2021
The NSW Government is calling for visual artists at the start of their careers to apply for the Create NSW and Artspace 2021 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging).
$1.3 million support launched for COVID-19 impacted Aboriginal communities
22 February 2021
Applications have opened for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to apply for funding to strengthen their support of Aboriginal communities impacted by COVID-19.
NSW Government turns the beat up with $1 million for live performance
18 February 2021
Sydney’s live performance and arts scene will receive a major boost with $1 million in funding announced today with grants of up to $50,000 available to present a one-off performance or series of live events to audiences visiting the Sydney CBD.
NSW Government set to support communities for NAIDOC Week 2021
18 February 2021
The NSW Government is gearing up to support community-led and COVID-safe NAIDOC Week events across the state in 2021, with applications now open for funding for the 4 – 11 July celebrations.
Parramatta Powerhouse plans given green light
13 February 2021
Plans for the new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta have been approved by the NSW Government, ensuring the city’s future as the jobs and cultural powerhouse of Western Sydney.
National Art School site joins the State Heritage Register
12 February 2021
The former Darlinghurst Gaol, now the site of the National Art School, has been listed on the State Heritage Register. The listing protects an important part of NSW’s historical and cultural history.
NSW Government named employer of choice among Australia's graduates
12 February 2021
The NSW Government has been named as Australia’s most popular graduate employer for 2021 in the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Graduate Employers list, announced last night at an awards ceremony in Sydney.
The search is on for 2021 theatre and visual arts fellows
9 February 2021
The NSW Government has announced the return of two prestigious Fellowship programs for 2020/21, New Dimensions – NSW Visual Arts (Established) Fellowship in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), and the Incubator Fellowship in partnership with Griffin Theatre.
Aboriginal businesses receive boost from new agreement
4 February 2021
A new agreement between the NSW Government and Supply Nation will connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses with government departments, create jobs and drive growth in the Aboriginal business sector.
Plan to transform Macquarie Street into a cultural precinct
4 February 2021
Sydney’s Macquarie Street is set for a shake-up with a report out today recommending the historical stretch through the city’s east be transformed into a dynamic cultural hub that recognises and celebrates the precinct’s significance to the state.
Sydney secures blockbuster exhibition featuring Hilma af Klint
4 February 2021
Visitors and Sydneysiders will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with more than 100 artworks created by one of the world’s leading visionary artists.
Round two arts and cultural funding program applications now open
2 February 2021
The NSW Government is calling for applications from individual artists, arts and cultural workers, practitioners and organisations across NSW for Round 2 of Create NSW’s 2020/2021 Arts and Cultural Funding Program.
$800k Aboriginal languages funding opens for applications
1 February 2021
The Aboriginal Languages Trust has opened the call for applications to support projects that reawaken, grow, nurture, promote and raise awareness of Aboriginal languages in communities across NSW.
1990 Cabinet Papers reveal Greiner Government's wide-ranging reforms
1 February 2021
The NSW Cabinet Papers of 1990 have today been published online by NSW State Archives giving the public an insight into the detailed workings of the Greiner Government in its third year in power.
Four new Fellowship programs to support NSW arts and cultural sector
22 January 2021
The NSW Government has announced four inaugural Fellowship programs, valued at up to $30,000 each, to drive the personal, creative and career advancement of NSW artists, practitioners and arts and cultural workers.
Show goes on for art deco Sydney masterpiece
17 December 2020
Sydney’s striking Metro Theatre built in the golden age of Hollywood has been listed on the State Heritage Register protecting the much-loved architectural and cultural icon, the NSW Government has announced.
Get your culture fix up late in Sydney this summer
16 December 2020
Sydneysiders will be able to get their culture up late over summer, as major arts and cultural institutions keep their doors open longer and welcome visitors to blockbuster exhibitions and events.
Powerhouse Parramatta builders shortlisted
15 December 2020
Powerhouse Parramatta is one step closer after the NSW Government has shortlisted three contractors to deliver a world-class museum in the geographical heart of Sydney.
Revitalised harbourside cultural hub welcomes back performing arts companies
14 December 2020
The NSW Government today announced the successful completion of Wharf 4/5 of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct and officially welcomed back some of the nation’s foremost performing arts companies.
National Art School to get $18 million upgrade
11 December 2020
The National Art School will soon benefit from over $18 million in upgrades, critical maintenance and stonework remediation to reinvigorate the unique heritage site for future generations and cement its reputation as a world-renowned vibrant arts and education precinct.
Sydney International Art Series returns featuring celebrated artists
11 December 2020
From the vibrant paintings of Henri Matisse to the immersive installations of Doug Aitken, the Sydney International Art Series (SIAS) will make a grand return in 2021.
Spectacular outdoor opera to return to Sydney
10 December 2020
Sydney will come alive with the spectacle and emotion of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour for another three years through a renewed partnership between the NSW Government and Opera Australia.
NSW arts and culture gets $5 million boost
9 December 2020
The NSW Government is investing more than $5 million in the state’s arts and cultural sector through Round 1 of Create NSW’s 2020/21 Arts and Cultural Funding Program.
Screenability filmmakers destined for the big screen in 2021
3 December 2020
Emerging filmmakers with disability Samuel Martin, Danni Wright, Jacob Melamed, Digby Webster, Lauren Orrell and their teams have been selected to turn their filmmaking dreams into reality as recipients of the 2021 Screen NSW Screenability Filmmakers Fund.
New appointments for cultural institutions
3 December 2020
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin today announced four new appointments and twelve reappointments across the NSW State Cultural Institutions, which will take effect from 1 January 2021 for three-year terms.
Free general admission to upgraded Australian Museum
26 November 2020
Visitors to the Australian Museum will soon be able to explore the $57.5 million renovation that has delivered an increase in floor space for exhibitions, the introduction of education facilities, a new museum shop open and a second café.
2021-2023 NSW Heritage Grants now open
25 November 2020
Grants totalling more than $5 million over a two-year period are now available for heritage projects across NSW.
NSW Government live performance grants to revitalise CBD
20 November 2020
Music and performance will return to the CBD this summer thanks to $500,000 in NSW Government grant funding for live events over summer 2020/21.
$281 Million Boost For NSW Arts & Culture
17 November 2020
The arts, screen and culture sectors are set for a boost with the 2020-21 NSW Budget committing $291 million into new initiatives designed to attract investment, support jobs and reactivate the state’s cultural venues.
Netflix's Pieces Of Her secured for Sydney through NSW Government's Made In NSW fund
16 November 2020
Netflix’s Pieces of Her will call NSW home, with the new series delivering 400 local jobs and contributing an estimated $58 million to the state’s economy.
Dennis Golding Names 2020 NSW Visual Arts Emerging Fellow
13 November 2020
Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding has been named Create NSW and Artspace Visual Arts Emerging Fellow for 2020.
NAIDOC Week events supported to shine through November
9 November 2020
The NSW Government has supported a total of 95 community-led and COVID-safe NAIDOC Week events to take place during November, as the nation celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements under the 2020 theme of Always Was, Always Will Be.
Over $30m To Restart NSW Arts And Cultural Organisations
8 November 2020
In major step towards recovery, the arts and culture sector will soon receive $30.1 million through the second stage of the NSW Government’s Rescue and Restart package.
It's showtime for NSW screen industry with record $175m investment for Made in NSW
7 November 2020
The NSW economy will be boosted and jobs created with $175 million for screen production through the Made in NSW fund under a landmark announcement made by the NSW Government today.
New appointments to MAAS Trust
6 November 2020
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin announced The Hon. Peter Collins AM QC, Langley Walker AO, and Mark Hassell as new appointments to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Trust.
Animation and VFX $100K pilot program to boost NSW digital screen talent
28 October 2020
The NSW Government today announced a new Animation and VFX Trainee Placement Pilot Program from Screen NSW with leading Australian visual effects and creative digital studios Animal Logic and Cutting Edge.
$7.4 million investment to progress NSW Closing The Gap commitment
28 October 2020
The NSW Government has announced funding of $7.4 million as a first step to begin State-based actions to support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
NSW Government partners with Audible to deliver new $240k podcast program
15 October 2020
Frequency, a new $240,000 podcast program from Create NSW and Screen NSW in partnership with Audible, the world’s largest producer and provider of original spoken-word entertainment and audiobooks, will support the development of up to eight new Australian stories from NSW storytellers across various genres.
Parramatta's heritage buildings to be saved
8 October 2020
The NSW Government will relocate the historic Willow Grove house and retain the original heritage portion of St George’s Terrace in Parramatta to improve community access and pave the way for the flagship Powerhouse Parramatta museum.
Greater capacity at theatres, cinemas and corporate events
25 September 2020
Entertainment facilities including theatres, cinemas and concert halls across NSW will be able to increase their capacity to 50 per cent and corporate events at function centres will be able to welcome up to 300 attendees from next week.
New appointments for Artform Advisory Boards
17 September 2020
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin has today announced 31 new leading arts and cultural experts from across the State have been appointed to join the 2020/2021 Artform Advisory Boards.
Local Government Authorities (LGA) Arts And Cultural Program recipients announced
15 September 2020
The Local Government Authorities (LGA) Arts and Cultural Program will provide more than $6.6 million in total funding to councils across NSW to support the delivery of activities over the next three years.
NSW Government leads protection of WWII heritage sites 75 years on
2 September 2020
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in the Pacific with the signing of the surrender documents aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan.
NSW Government funding targets community-led Aboriginal suicide
2 September 2020
People in Aboriginal communities across NSW will have access to expanded suicide prevention support thanks to an investment of $7.7 million from the NSW Government.
State's koalas further protected with heritage listing of Sydney estate
1 September 2020
In a further step to protect the state’s koala population, the NSW Government has listed Mount Gilead Estate with its sweeping landscape and historic homestead in Sydney’s south-west, as an item of state heritage significance to be protected in perpetuity.
See the Beauty of NSW through an artist's lens: NSW Government supports Streeton
31 August 2020
Visitors to the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney will have the opportunity to see the beauty of NSW through the lens of iconic Australian Impressionist, Arthur Streeton, whose work captivated the nation from the 1880s to the 1940s.
Applications now open for NSW arts and cultural funding
27 August 2020
The NSW Government is today calling for applications from NSW individual artists, arts and cultural workers, practitioners and organisations for Round 1 of Create NSW’s 2020/2021 Arts and Cultural Funding Program.
NSW Government over the moon to support major exhibition of renowned
17 August 2020
A major survey of renowned Australian-Chinese contemporary artist Lindy Lee will open in Sydney on Friday 2 October with the support of the NSW Government.
$1.7 million lifeline for NSW screen sector
6 August 2020
Eighteen NSW production companies hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic will be given a lifeline as the NSW Government today announced the recipients of more than $1.7 million in funding through Screen NSW’s new Slate Development Fund.
10th anniversary of the state's international heritage
31 July 2020
The NSW Government today celebrated the 10th anniversary of Australia’s key convict sites being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
$10m in multi-year arts funding to foster the sector
30 July 2020
The NSW Government has announced the recipients of a $10 million multi-year arts funding boost to support 58 small to medium independent arts organisations for up to four years.
30 July 2020
As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs I am pleased that the Premier has signed onto the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap on behalf of the NSW Government.
New Business Connect advisors to help the creative sector
15 July 2020
The hard-hit creative sector will benefit as five new Business Connect advisors get to work, providing free-of-charge advice to small businesses affected by COVID-19.
10 July 2020
One of Australia’s major arts and cultural institutions, Carriageworks, will emerge from voluntary administration with the announcement of a multimillion-dollar lifeline.
10 April 2020
Today I have offered my resignation to the Premier as a Minister in her government.
NSW artists sought for Sydney Metro art
8 April 2020
Artists across the State are being called upon to submit expressions of interest to design new public artworks that will greet passengers when the 10 stations on the T3 Bankstown Line from Marrickville to Bankstown are upgraded to metro standards as part of Sydney Metro City & Southwest.
New Public Service Commissioner for NSW
8 April 2020
Special Minister of State, Don Harwin has announced leading lawyer and champion of initiatives to improve access to justice, Kathrina Lo, as the new NSW Public Service Commissioner.
Log on to the library from the comfort of your home
6 April 2020
Avid readers across NSW have access to thousands of ebooks, audiobooks and online content to stay entertained while staying at home, the NSW State Library reminded the public today.
New IRC Chief Commissioner Appointed
21 February 2020
Nichola Constant has been appointed as the first female Chief Commissioner of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).
Tradition meets tech as barracks reopen
20 February 2020
Visitors to the historic Hyde Park Barracks will be able to experience NSW’s convict past in vivid new detail as it reopens to the public this week.
1989 cabinet papers herald Greiner reforms
11 February 2020
The NSW Cabinet Papers of 1989 have today been published online by NSW State Archives, giving the public a glimpse into the inner-workings of the Hon. Nick Greiner’s Government in its second year in power.
Redistribution of electoral districts set for 2020
31 January 2019
The electoral districts of NSW will be reviewed in 2020 to ensure an even distribution of voters, in line with the Constitution Act 1902, Special Minister of State Don Harwin confirmed today.
New Powerhouse Museum design unveiled
17 December 2019
The design for the relocated Powerhouse Museum has been selected with Moreau Kusunoki [Lead Design Architect] and Genton [Local Design Architect] chosen to establish the first major museum to be based in Western Sydney.
Bold new era of arts funding deliver $7m for arts and culture in NSW
13 December 2019
Round 1 of the new 2019/20 Arts and Cultural Funding Program has delivered nearly $7.2 million in funding across Annual Organisation, Project and Creative Koori Projects categories.
Construction starts on Sydney Modern
13 November 2019
Construction works on the Sydney Modern Project have commenced, which will be an expansion that almost doubles the Art Gallery of NSW’s space, enabling more of our State’s art collection to go on show, as well as hosting more exhibitions from around Australia and the world.
Sydney wins rights to host WorldPride 2023
21 October 2019
Sydney has won the rights to host WorldPride 2023, the marquee international LGBTQI pride event.
Powerhouse to digitise vast collection
21 October 2019
The Powerhouse Museum today launched one of the largest digitisation projects in Australia with the Museum to digitally capture around 338,000 items from its extraordinary collection.
Safeguarding Indigenous people in custody
15 October 2019
The NSW Government is providing stronger protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody by implementing reforms following the inquest into the tragic death of Rebecca Maher.
Closing the Gap consultations begin in NSW
15 October 2019
Communities across NSW are invited to have their say on the development of a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.
Birth certificates changing lives
8 October 2019
Nearly 1000 people from vulnerable and Indigenous communities have benefited from free birth certificates in 2018-19, helping them to access potentially life changing services.
Calga Cultural Landscape Heritage Listed
1 October 2019
One of NSW’s most sacred Aboriginal sites will be protected forever with the NSW Government announcing its State heritage listing today.
$500,000 to make it easier to do business
16 September 2019
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin, and Minister for Finance and Small Business, Damien Tudehope, announced the funding, which will benefit small and medium sized businesses across the state.
Museums collaborate as record arts infrastructure build powers on
25 June 2019
Two of NSW’s most revered institutions will combine forces to keep the State’s cultural output thriving during a busy construction period.
Arts, screen & culture across NSW to flourish with $871 million investment
18 June 2019
Arts, screen and culture are alive and well with the NSW Government delivering an $871 million total investment in the sector, including a 22 per cent increase in recurrent funding for the 2019-20 NSW Budget.
Reflection encouraged on National Sorry Day
26 May 2019
The people of NSW are being encouraged to reflect on past treatments of the Nation’s First Peoples on National Sorry Day.
Six teams vie for new powerhouse design
9 May 2019
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin has today announced the six global architect teams shortlisted to develop designs for an iconic new Powerhouse Precinct at Parramatta.
Powerhouse home secured in Parramatta
10 April 2019
Western Sydney is a step closer to having its own world class museum with the purchase of the riverbank site for the Powerhouse Precinct.
Operator sought for iconic Theatre Royal
5 April 2019
The NSW Government has launched an Expression of Interest process to garner interest from Australian and international theatre operators in reopening Sydney’s Theatre Royal.