Here's what you need to know this morning.
Public sector workers strike
A statewide strike of public sector workers and a march will go ahead today, despite a commitment by the NSW government to lift wages.
On Monday, Premier Dominic Perrottet said that workers could expect a pay rise of 3 per cent this year, with another 0.5 per cent increase likely next year.
But the Public Service Association (PSA) NSW, which is leading the march, is calling for the government to increase wages by a minimum of 5.2 per cent.
The public service includes a broad range of employees across many industries including health, education, transport and customer service.
PSA general secretary Stewart Little said that, unless the government was prepared to revise its offer, he expected 30,000 public servants to take to the streets today.
"This offer is pure politics: Moving half a per cent and playing silly games with one-off bonuses for certain workers," Mr Little said.
"It's a shameless attempt at dividing workers against each other."
Officer charged with sexual assault
A Sydney police officer will face court today after being charged with sexual assault, malicious damage, and unauthorised access to police computer systems.
The 31-year-old constable was arrested yesterday following an investigation into allegations of rape, stalking, and assault by two women.
The officer has been stood down from duties while his employment status is under review.
He is due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court later today.
Former premier's koala texts revealed
Former premier Gladys Berejiklian pleaded with an MP to back a controversial koala bill so as not to "undermine the government", leaked texts have revealed.
Liberal upper house MP Catherine Cusack posted the text messages to her twitter account last night she said to “prove” she had no knowledge of a deal brokered between then Environment Minister Matt Kean and former Nationals leader John Barilaro over koala planning policy.
The texts reveal Ms Berejiklian repeatedly tried to dissuade Ms Cusack from crossing the floor of parliament to vote against the Koala State Environmental Planning Policy.
"I need your help re Koala SEPP. Pls stop sending things to the Opposition," Ms Berejiklian texted.
"Please do this as a personal favour to me.
"I ask you to reconsider for the sake of Government unity.
"Please know you will be jeopardising the Koala sepp Catherine."
The texts were sent on November 19, 2020, when a vote was put forward in parliament to refer the koala bill to a committee that triggers a parliamentary inquiry.
Ms Cusack crossed the floor and voted with Labor, the Greens, the Animal Justice Party and Independent MP Justin Field in favour of the inquiry.
Ms Cusack's vote was the decider, and the Berejiklian government made the snap decision to dump the bill altogether, rather than have it examined by an inquiry.
Premier Berejiklian subsequently sacked Ms Cusack as parliamentary secretary.
Koala protection rules were a major flashpoint for the Liberal-National government.
In September 2020, Mr Barilaro threatened to move his entire party to the crossbench over the issue.
Ms Cusack has previously announced her intention to quit the Liberal Party and resign from her upper house seat.
Police investigate after bodies of two women found in unit
Police found the bodies of two women inside a unit in Sydney's south-west yesterday.
About 9:30am, emergency services were called to a home on Canterbury Road, near Dibbs Street, Canterbury, following a concern for welfare report.
Upon arrival, police entered the unit and found the bodies of two women inside.
They are yet to be formally identified but are believed to be aged in their 20s.
A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist forensic police.
Residents evacuated after car park fire
A block of units in Western Sydney was evacuated this morning after a fire broke out at an underground car park.
Smoke was billowing from the car park, while residents from the block of units at Railway Tce, Merrylands, waited on the street.
Fire and Rescue said at least one car was on fire.
Sydney Film Festival opens tonight
The Sydney Film Festival kicks off tonight with an opening night gala showing of First Nations film We Are Still Here, at the State Theatre.
The film, an anthology of storylines woven together from 1,000 years ago in pre-colonised Australia to a dystopian future, teamed 10 directors and 11 screenwriters in six languages, a first for Australian cinema.
The festival runs for 12 days and takes place at its flagship venue the State Theatre, as well as cinemas in the CBD, Newtown, Cremorne, Randwick, Western Sydney and more.
Tickets can be purchased from the Sydney Film Festival website.
State of Origin kicks off tonight
Sydney will host the first game of the 2022 State of Origin Series tonight, with the reigning champions, the NSW Blues, set to defend their title.
It is a special day for Sydney footy fans who have waited two years for an Origin game at Olympic Park after COVID put events on hold.
The Blues will play the Queensland Maroons, with an 8:10pm kick-off.
Gates open from 5pm, with pre-match entertainment including a social game between NSW Police and Queensland Police.
