Here's what you need to know this morning.
Free RSA courses to ease hospitality shortages
The NSW government will fund 5,000 responsible service of alcohol (RSA) courses in a bid to boost workers in the hospitality industry, which has been devastated by COVID-19.
The free courses will be available through NSW TAFE and private providers which run government-subsidised programs from February 7.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the government was committed to supporting the industry which added 2 per cent of total gross value to the NSW economy.
"By providing these free RSA courses, we are not just supporting the hospitality sector during the current downturn, but are supporting the future of people who pick up an extra qualification courtesy of NSW government funding," he said.
Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the funding would help thousands of people gain the skills required to enter an in-demand industry.
"Staff shortages are adversely impacting the hospitality sector, which is why we are supporting more people to obtain skills and work to drive our economic recovery," Mr Anderson said.
The hospitality sector has been hard hit by the latest coronavirus outbreak, with thousands of staff members forced into isolation in recent weeks.
Residents evacuated from burning building
About 100 people were evacuated from an apartment block in Bankstown, Western Sydney, last night after a fire broke out in a garbage storage area.
Fire crews arrived to find many residents had made their own way out of the building.
The fire was quickly extinguished and firefighters searched the building to ensure all residents had escaped.
Several residents suffered the effects of smoke inhalation. Fans were used to ventilate the building.
SAS veteran's defamation trial to resume
The defamation trial of war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith will resume in Sydney today after a long pause caused by the pandemic.
The high-stakes case in the Federal Court was initially paused in late June, during a lockdown in Sydney and travel restrictions that impacted interstate witness movements.
The former soldier is suing The Age, The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald over stories published in 2018 that reported allegations of war crimes, bullying and domestic violence.
He denies those accusations.
It is now the newspapers' turn to call witnesses, and the ABC understands the first six will be current or past members of the Australian Defence Force.
The papers are relying on a defence of truth.
Government accused of funding 'fat cat' redundancies
Annual reports show the NSW government spent nearly $93 million on redundancy payouts during the last financial year.
Shadow Treasurer Daniel Mookhey accused the government of wasting money, saying spending on public service redundancies had exceeded $250 million over the past three years.
"The Premier's public servant purge has cost taxpayers a fortune," he said.
"Instead of forking our hundreds of millions of dollars getting bureaucrats to leave the public service, we should have spent that money fortifying our health system."
The NSW government has been contacted for comment.
Two charged over street brawl
Police have charged two men following a brawl in Auburn in western Sydney on Monday night.
Emergency services were called to Park Road and Queen Street about 11pm following reports of a brawl.
Two men were treated at the scene for cuts to the head and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Four other men were spoken to by police at the scene and released pending further inquiries.
Last night, a 39-year-old man was charged with affray and a 53-year-old man was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
They were refused bail and will appear at Burwood Local Court today.
Crackdown on hazardous plant sales
Crime Stoppers NSW is renewing calls for people to report the trade or sale of plants that are deemed environmental hazards.
The renewed calls come after pest cactus Aaron's beard prickly pear was found growing over 20 square metres in Wamberal Beach on the Central Coast.
The Central Coast Council suspects the cacti were illegally planted and it is estimated their removal will cost taxpayers $2,000.
Biosecurity Officer Paul Marynessan said a cutting of the cactus' paddle could sell for up to $50.
"If they see people selling them, they can report them to Crime Stoppers or they can report them to the local council," Mr Marynessan said.
"The sooner we can get rid of these things, the cheaper it's going to be for the ratepayers and the safer for the environment."
Crime Stoppers says selling or swapping such a cactus can lead to a $1,000 fine or a penalty of up to $220,000.
