The race towards the March 2027 New South Wales election has begun in earnest, with Premier Chris Minns using his keynote address to the NSW Labor Conference on 4 July 2026 to outline the Government's vision for a second term and draw the battle lines against the Liberal-National Coalition.
Addressing hundreds of Labor delegates in Sydney, Mr Minns acknowledged the political challenge ahead, declaring the coming election would be fiercely contested.
"Politics is changing so quickly, we need to climb Everest just to stay where we are," the Premier said.
"This campaign is going to throw everything at us, we're up against many parties, not a single Opposition. It's going to test us like never before."
For Hawkesbury voters, many of the issues highlighted by the Premier—including cost of living, housing affordability, infrastructure investment, healthcare, manufacturing and jobs—are expected to dominate the election campaign over the coming eight months.
Bring Train Manufacturing Back to NSW
The biggest policy announcement of the speech was Labor's commitment to build the next generation of Sydney passenger trains in New South Wales rather than overseas.
Mr Minns said the decision would revive train manufacturing in the Hunter, creating hundreds of skilled jobs.
"Today I can announce that New South Wales will not be purchasing them from China or South Korea. We're going to build those trains right here, in New South Wales."
The Premier said around 780 construction jobs and 550 ongoing manufacturing jobs would be created through the project.
"It's a win for those who still dream that our State and country is a place where we can build the future."
Labor Defends Its Record
Mr Minns devoted much of his address to defending Labor's performance since winning office in 2023.
He said the Government inherited record debt, essential service shortages and years of privatisation, but claimed significant progress had been made.
"In the last three and a half years we've paid down debt and cut the budget deficit by over $10 billion. All without a wages cap."
The Premier also highlighted achievements including thousands of additional nurses, doctors and paramedics, increased police recruitment, reduced teacher vacancies and improvements in elective surgery waiting times.
More Apprenticeships
Young people entering trades also featured prominently.
After reporting that all 1,300 places in Labor's council apprenticeship program had been filled, Mr Minns announced another expansion.
"That leaves me with no choice—we need to make it even bigger."
"Labor will expand the apprenticeship program with an extra 400 places next year."
The program has particular significance for regional councils and local government employers.
Housing and Domestic Violence
The Premier reaffirmed Labor's commitment to increasing public housing, describing the Government's $5.1 billion investment as the largest in New South Wales history.
He also pointed to tougher domestic violence laws and increased funding for frontline services announced in the recent State Budget.
Political Lines Drawn
Mr Minns also used the conference to attack the Liberal-National Coalition's record on privatisation and manufacturing while criticising what he described as divisive politics.
"Fear is a low-calorie diet. It can't sustain you, it can't build a common direction, it can't shape and grow our community, it offers no vision, it offers no purpose."
"This Party will never peddle in the politics of fear."
He concluded by telling delegates that Labor's vision centred on "jobs, economic growth, opportunities for young people, safety for the vulnerable, building infrastructure—in short, hope for the future."
Campaign Underway
The conference also heard strong support from the union movement, with Unions NSW backing Labor's industrial relations reforms, local manufacturing policies, expanded apprenticeships and stronger protections for workers, including regulation of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
For Hawkesbury residents, the election campaign is expected to focus heavily on cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, infrastructure, healthcare and economic growth.
Labor has now clearly set out its opening argument for re-election.
The Liberal and National parties have also begun rolling out their policy platform, recently announcing a new energy strategy focused on reducing electricity prices, expanding renewable energy generation closer to cities and reviewing major transmission projects.
With polling day scheduled for March 2027, voters can expect an increasingly active campaign as both sides seek to convince communities like the Hawkesbury they have the best plan for New South Wales' future.
