Crossbench revolt and angry Labor MPs put premier under pressure

NSW Premier Chris Minns is facing a crossbench revolt and aggrieved Labor MPs when parliament resumes next week after the Australian Federal Police revealed a caravan filled with explosives, which was initially attributed to terrorism and linked to antisemitism, was a “con job” carried out by crime lords.

Minns on Thursday revealed he was informed of the organised crime suspicions in the “the earliest stages” of the investigation but insisted the revelation was immaterial given the series of antisemitic attacks in Sydney.

NSW Premier Chris Minns skipped a multicultural event on Wednesday night as pressure over the “con job” caravan continues to grow.Credit: Steven Siewert

Hate speech laws rammed through the parliament in the early hours of February 21 were now being considered under new light given the revelations, said Labor MPs and the crossbench who have demanded additional information from the premier.

The fabricated plot meant the bills were passed under a “false pretence”, said Libertarian MP John Ruddick, who will seek to repeal the legislation next week.

Liberal frontbenchers not authorised to speak publicly were open-minded about supporting a parliamentary inquiry, but any decision would be determined when the Coalition’s shadow cabinet met early next week.

In a statement on Thursday morning, Minns categorically ruled out repealing the laws, saying they were important to “maintaining social cohesion” and were not limited to antisemitism but “apply to anyone, preying on any person, at any time”.

“While the caravan was part of a criminal conspiracy – and not the plot of a terrorist organisation – it was still appalling racial hatred. It targeted the Jewish community. It targeted a racial group to instil terror in our state,” he said.

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties was on Thursday canvassing upper house support for an inquiry into whether Minns misled parliament by using the fear of a “mass casualty” event as justification for the “repressive laws”. The Greens signalled they would support the inquiry.

As Minns sought to stare down parliamentary anger, Labor MPs speaking on the condition of anonymity said there was widespread disquiet internally, with Tuesday’s caucus meeting shaping up to be fiery.

One MP said particular ire was reserved for Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who issued a stunning slapdown of Labor colleague Stephen Lawrence after he asked for a briefing about what the government knew about the Dural caravan and when.

Minns also pulled out of NSW’s most significant multicultural awards dinner at the last minute on Wednesday as pressure continues to grow over his handling of the matter.

Minns attended the state memorial of HIV advocate David Polson in Sydney on Thursday but later flew to Coolangatta to meet flood victims rather than attend the Premier’s Harmony Dinner, the 1600-person event where he was scheduled to be the keynote speaker and present awards.

The premier’s absence at the annual multicultural dinner at the International Convention Centre raised eyebrows among attendees. Greens MP Jenny Leong said the decision to skip the event was “another slap in the face for diverse communities”.

Minns is poised to announce his first major reshuffle since being elected in 2023. Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison will be given the enormous task of negotiating a multibillion-dollar deal on reforming Sydney’s patchwork of toll roads.

The NSW government is preparing to announce the first significant reshuffle since coming to power, prompted by the resignation of former transport minister Jo Haylen last month over a taxpayer-funded driver scandal. John Graham will remain in the post as her replacement but give up the complex portfolio of roads to Aitchison.

Also elevated will be Janelle Saffin, the Lismore MP who has become the face of disaster recovery after the 2022 floods which devastated her electorate and, most recently, faced major flood damage as a result of Cyclone Alfred. Her portfolio is undecided as yet, though senior figures within the government expect her role to be related to disaster resilience.

While Minns considered a more significant overhaul of his cabinet, he has settled for only minor changes. The most significant is Aitchison’s promotion.

Currently serving as minister for regional roads, where she has impressed senior members of the government, Aitchison will be given the complex task of landing an agreement with Transurban and other major toll road operators to fulfil Labor’s key election promises to reform the network.

Graham had been leading those negotiations after the government last year released a report by the former chair of the competition watchdog, Alan Fels, recommending a major shake-up of tolling. However, the government is yet to land a deal with the network operators.

The government declined to comment on the looming reshuffle.

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