Attempts to extradite organised criminal king-pins back to Australia have state and federal authorities in a dispute over paperwork.
NSW's government is under pressure to take back control of Sydney's streets, following a spate of high-profile shootings and attacks that have left several people dead and communities feeling terrorised.
After suggestions of delays in cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies were aired in the media, Premier Chris Minns on Thursday tried to ease concern that his relationship with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had deteriorated.
"I'm not trying to pick fights with anyone, particularly the federal government, but my job is to fight for NSW," Mr Minns told reporters.
As crime bosses flee overseas, state and federal leaders are working with international authorities to bring them to justice, prompting a back-and-forth over who is responsible for delaying the process.
NSW Police have sought several Red Notices, which act as an international alert for a wanted person and require the involvement of Commonwealth agencies to issue.
Mr Minns said the notices and international extradition were a big part of the government's strategy to bring peace to Sydney's streets.
Stopping short of directly accusing the Commonwealth of delaying the notices, Mr Minns said NSW Police had made it an urgent priority.
"I understand, having spoken with police, the latest information has been made available to the Commonwealth," Mr Minns said.
"It may be the give-and-take of paperwork."
Speaking prior to the premier's latest comments, a spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said Australia's federal law enforcement agencies were the best in the world.
"Any suggestion the Commonwealth is not fulfilling, or has not fulfilled, its obligations in a timely manner is wrong," they said.
"False commentary on the status of law enforcement matters does not assist the efforts of our agencies."
Mr Minns has proven himself willing to put pressure on his federal counterparts over issues he sees as lacking appropriate action, including over the tobacco excise, hospital bed block and the Bondi terror attack.
He said while the public spat may not be "politically convenient", it could be necessary.
"Maybe it's the kind of scrutiny we all need to make sure these things happen quickly, there's a rocket up everybody, and we bring these criminal bastards back to Australia," he said.
Concerningly, the gang violence playing out on Sydney's streets has extended beyond impacting those directly involved in organised crime.
Recent incidents include suspected cases of mistaken identity in which innocent people have been gunned down, including 23-year-old Marco Tapia and 40-year-old business owner Joshua Macdonald, who were both shot dead in September.
