# Australia daily digest — 26 Oct 2026

State governments supplied five Australian releases, led by the NSW Government's pledge of $6.8 billion to electrify and duplicate parts of the South Coast rail line if re-elected. NSW also confirmed the National Gun Buyback begins on 2 November, while Queensland outlined a tougher bail test for serious repeat offenders. Victoria now lets trained GPs diagnose and treat ADHD, and Tasmania released its Education TOGETHER reform strategy to 2030.

Source-local date: Monday 26 October 2026 (Australia/Sydney). 5 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/au/2026-10-26/

## Releases

### [New long-term strategy for education reform released](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02324-new-long-term-strategy-for-education-reform-released-26102026.html)

Issued by: Jo Palmer, Minister for Education · Original source: https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/latest-news/2026/october/new-long-term-strategy-for-education-reform-released

The Tasmanian Government has released Education TOGETHER: Transforming learning through collaboration, a long-term strategy guiding education reform through to 2030 in response to the Independent Education Review. Its four priorities are a skilled and sustainable workforce, strong literacy and numeracy foundations, more collaborative school structures, and a shared vision for educational success. Minister for Education Jo Palmer said the plan mainly guides government schools, working with the Catholic and independent sectors.

### [Making ADHD Care Easier And Cheaper For More Victorians](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02323-making-adhd-care-easier-and-cheaper-for-more-victorians-26102026.html)

Issued by: Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Health · Original source: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-adhd-care-easier-and-cheaper-more-victorians

From 26 October, trained GPs in Victoria can diagnose and treat ADHD in adults and children aged six and over, removing the need to see a specialist. The Victorian Government says 150 GPs have completed training delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, with clinics in places including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura and Shepparton. Up to 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults may be living with ADHD, and specialist waits can reach six to 12 months.

### [Tougher bail test to keep serious repeat offenders off the streets](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02322-tougher-bail-test-to-keep-serious-repeat-offenders-off-the-streets-26102026.html)

Issued by: David Crisafulli, Premier; Deb Frecklington, Attorney-General; Dan Purdie, Minister for Police and Emergency Services; Laura Gerber, Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support · Original source: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/106300

The Queensland Government's Breach Bail, Go to Jail and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, to be debated in Parliament this week, introduces a "high degree of confidence" test requiring police and courts to refuse bail to serious repeat offenders unless satisfied they will not reoffend. Serious offences committed on bail would carry a mandatory minimum 12-month sentence. The Bill also removes the requirement for police to consider cautions and other diversion before charging youth offenders.

### [National Gun Buyback to begin in NSW on November 2, bookings to surrender open today](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02321-national-gun-buyback-to-begin-in-nsw-on-november-2-bookings-to-26102026.html)

Issued by: Yasmin Catley, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism · Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/national-gun-buyback-to-begin-nsw-on-november-2-bookings-to-surrender-open-today

The National Gun Buyback Scheme in NSW begins on 2 November, with eligible firearms licence holders able to book surrender appointments through the Gun Safe portal from 26 October. The 12-month scheme offers compensation for surplus and reclassified firearms; about 18 per cent of licence holders are eligible and up to 274,000 firearms could be returned. It follows gun law reforms passed after the Bondi Beach terror attack, and $42.8 million has been invested in the NSW Firearms Registry.

### [South Coast rail line to be electrified and duplicated in the largest investment in rail infrastructure in generations](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02320-south-coast-rail-line-to-be-electrified-and-duplicated-in-the-largest-26102026.html)

Issued by: Chris Minns, Premier; John Graham, Minister for Transport; Ryan Park, Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast; Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport · Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/south-coast-rail-line-to-be-electrified-and-duplicated-largest-investment-rail-infrastructure-generations

The NSW Government says that if re-elected it will commit $6.8 billion to the South Coast Rail Plan, including electrifying the Kiama to Bomaderry line and duplicating key track sections on the T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines. An immediate $621 million is going to power, signalling, drainage and embankment upgrades already underway. Detailed planning starts in 2027, with construction expected to finish by the mid to late 2030s. The line carries 7.6 million passengers a year.

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