Max Maddison
Max Maddison is a state political reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.
Breaking
Political leadership
Liberal frontbencher and former minister Paul Fletcher resigning
Fletcher’s resignation opens a vacancy in a crucial marginal seat, which Fletcher only just managed to hold after a challenge from a teal independent candidate in 2022.
- by Paul Sakkal and Max Maddison
Latest
Exclusive
Development
‘Excessive’ or ‘strategic merit’? Eastern suburbs’ tallest building given green light
A proposal to construct the tallest building in the eastern suburbs has overcome a significant planning hurdle three years after first being rejected.
- by Max Maddison
Exclusive
State Parliament
Over 75,000 approved homes yet to commence construction
Doubts over the effectiveness of the government’s planning reforms are growing with data that shows a huge lag between approved DAs and new builds.
- by Max Maddison
Protest outside places of worship could be banned in NSW after Great Synagogue incident
After a spate of antisemitic attacks, Premier Chris Minns has commissioned his attorney-general to strengthen protections for religious institutions.
- by Max Maddison
Mardi Gras votes by tiny margin to keep NSW Police in Sydney parade
NSW Police will take part in the 2025 Mardi Gras after the parade’s members voted down a motion to exclude them by 34 votes.
- by Max Maddison
Updated
Development
Minns should have declared ‘conflict’ over Rosehill deal: inquiry
The upper house inquiry into the plan to develop Rosehill Racecourse said it made the decision “given the significant conflicting evidence regarding the proposal”.
- by Michael McGowan and Max Maddison
‘Slap in the face’: Move to ban police from Mardi Gras attacked as hypocritical
As Mardi Gras members prepare to vote on barring NSW Police from participating in the 2025 parade, the premier has condemned the move.
- by Max Maddison
Exclusive
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras moves to ban NSW Police from parade
The long-vexed relationship with the force reached a new low last year. Now Mardi Gras members will vote on whether to exclude officers from the 2025 parade.
- by Max Maddison
Updated
Poker machines
‘Embarrassing, not credible’: Why pubs and clubs won’t back gambling scheme
The Australian Hotels Association sat on the advisory panel for gambling reform – but it has strongly rejected its final recommendations for account-based gaming.
- by Harriet Alexander and Max Maddison
In 1999, Annie raised her voice at the landmark drug summit. This is what she has to say today
As the drug summit prepares for its first day in Sydney, many advocates feel a sense of foreboding amid growing concern Labor has lost its nerve for major reform.
- by Michael McGowan and Max Maddison
Exclusive
Wage growth
The multibillion-dollar question: How much more Labor is spending on wages
As high-stakes pay negotiations continue with nurses and rail workers, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has defended extra spending on public servants.
- by Matt Wade and Max Maddison