‘Our biggest failure’: Premier Chris Minns on Sydney’s train system meltdowns

Chris Minns admits his government’s “biggest failure” of the year, as the premier slipped slightly down the Power 100 ranking for 2025.

Pictured at State Parliament in Sydney is NSW Premier Chris Minns. Picture: Richard Dobson

Halfway through his first term, Premier Chris Minns knows the risk of treading water.

“Progress can be really difficult but the absence of it, even if it’s minimal, is devastating for the government,” he tells The Daily Telegraph in an interview for the Power 100.

Since last year, Mr Minns says he has learned to “put in the mouthguard and put on the head gear and keep on going” pursuing reform; he cannot afford to stand still.

The Minns government has suffered serious setbacks in its main goal this year, after plans to turn Rosehill Racecourse into a 25,000-home mini-city were scuttled.

Changes to planning rules are yet to bear fruit.

Mr Minns, who was ranked No. 1 in last year’s Power 100, maintains his position near the very top of the list but he is running out of time to have a lasting impact on Sydney.

POWER 100: READ THE FULL LIST HERE

That is, in part, because he is refusing to commit to any major new infrastructure projects beyond the Metro lines promised under the last government.

NSW Premier Chris Minns. Picture: Richard Dobson

NSW Premier Chris Minns. Picture: Richard Dobson

Asked to nominate his biggest achievement this year, Mr Minns says an overhaul of the antiquated Planning Act will be the most significant thing he achieves in 2025.

Management of the heavy rail network has been his biggest failure.

Sydney’s trains were beset by catastrophic meltdowns this year, grinding the city to a halt.

“You just can’t have a public transport system that’s as fallible as the one we have,” he says.

“Without a doubt, that’s our biggest challenge and that’s been our biggest failure for the year.”

Mr Minns’ power is also highlighted by an ineffective opposition. That is not something he

can take for granted.

Internally, there have been some indications the Premier’s iron grip on power among Labor MPs has started to wane, with the soft left faction increasingly speaking out on various social justice issues.

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