NSW man charged over threats to female MP; childcare crackdown and e-bike safety rules announced

A man in New South Wales has been charged over alleged threats of violence against a female member of parliament made through social media. Authorities allege he threatened to locate the victim in public and cause her harm. He is expected to appear in court today.

In a separate move, state and territory regulators shut down nearly 600 childcare services in the latest quarter, a twentyfold increase compared with the same period last year. The cancellation of approvals means 589 centres lost their right to operate and access to government childcare subsidies, though not all were currently active. Regulators also issued 1,538 compliance notices, double the number from the previous year. The crackdown follows allegations of child sexual abuse and safety breaches in the sector. Education Minister Jason Clare said enforcement action is at record highs, with the proportion of services meeting national quality standards rising from 88% in 2022 to 92%. He also noted that legislation has been introduced to cut funding for centres that fail to meet standards.

The federal government has asked the consumer watchdog to develop national safety standards for e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards. The move comes amid a sharp rise in incidents: NSW recorded 226 e-bike injuries in 2024, while the first seven months of 2025 already saw 233 injuries and four deaths. Under the proposed rules, high-powered or high-speed devices linked to serious injuries and fatalities would not be allowed for sale. Transport Minister Catherine King said the standard would give Australians confidence that products sold are legal and fit for purpose.