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Senator Mehreen Faruqi,  Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education Spokesperson has responded to news that two University of Melbourne students have been recommended for expulsion and two for suspension for taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration at the university last October.

This development is an example of increasing protest restrictions at campuses throughout Australia, and coincides with Israel’s escalating aid blockade of Gaza and a UN warning that Gaza’s entire population is at risk of famine.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi: 

“The tide is finally shifting inch by inch, with France, the UK and Canada all threatening sanctions on Israel due to the escalating genocide in Gaza. But Australia is going the opposite way, with universities shamefully doubling down against Palestine activists and insisting on being on the wrong side of history.

“Universities like the University of Melbourne should cease the disciplinary witch hunts on brave student activists and issue a public apology for the McCarthyist crackdown on staff and students speaking out for a free Palestine.

“From draconian anti-protest policies and police interventions to surveillance, suspensions and disciplinary actions, university management have used every trick in the book to stifle activism and they should unreservedly apologise for this.

“Since the genocide in Gaza began, students and staff at universities have led the way in rallying against Israel’s atrocities, and they continue to pay the price. 

“Universities should stop sanctioning students and start divesting from the major arms manufacturers which contribute to and profit from Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians.

“The Greens will always stand with the courageous students holding their universities to account for their moral cowardice when it comes to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”

The Fair Work Commission’s 3.5% increase is good news for workers, but there is still more work to be done to restore the purchasing power of the minimum wage for the almost 3 million workers on low pay. This is especially justified in view of new evidence that raising the minimum wage has had no impact on inflation over the last 35 years, new data finds, despite arguments from business groups to the contrary.

The real wages of award workers have gone backwards over the last four years, falling short of adequately compensating low paid workers for increases in living costs.  

The Greens will continue to support union proposals for wage increases for minimum and award wage workers and to help address systemic gender pay inequality.

Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Given the evidence that minimum wage rises have had no impact on inflation over the last thirty-five years, it is disingenuous for business to use this argument against workers, and gives the Fair Work Commission a stronger incentive to raise the rate.” 

“The FWC’s increase of 3.5% will help low paid workers, but there is still further to go to make up for the reality of long term losses in real wage rates. These workers are still struggling through a cost of living crisis and continue to have to make ends meet on a low wage. 

“Today’s decision by the FWC is good news for women as it goes some way to addressing the wage gap in feminised care sectors, which have historically been undervalued and under-compensated.

“Low paid workers are already facing an uphill battle as wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living. We need to continue to raise the minimum wage to a liveable level and give people a chance to get ahead. The widening gap between the increasing incomes of those at the top of the labour market which have been increasing rapidly and those at the bottom creates a strong case to look after those on low pay. These are the people who keep our economy and care system in particular functioning: we all depend on them. They deserve decent pay that keeps up with their costs.

“The FWC should prioritise the needs of Australia’s lowest paid workers, not the wealthy top end of town. We need to call out the real perpetrators of inflation – big corporations pursuing big profits – instead of holding back low paid workers. Profits are driving inflation not wages and this decision puts further pressure on workers who are trying to make ends meet on a low wage.”

This op-ed was published in Stock and Land and The Weekly Times in April 2025. 

From the orchards of my family’s farm in western Victoria, I learned the values of hard work and community. Running a farm while raising a family has never been easy – today, it’s harder.

Now, as a working mum myself, I’ve traded red soil for the red benches of the Australian Senate, but I still know the juggle that so many rural families face – trying to earn a living, care for our kids, and keep our communities strong.

But for too many families, the biggest challenge isn’t just the rising cost of childcare – it’s that there’s no childcare available at all. A 2024 study by Victoria University found that nearly one in four Australians live in a childcare desert – areas where more than three children are vying for every available place. In rural and remote areas, the numbers can be even worse.

This is a national crisis. Leaving early learning to the market has failed. Parents, especially women, are locked out of work. On farms, that means lost productivity, fewer hands at harvest, and more pressure on already-stretched households.

This isn’t just a family issue – it’s economic. The Australia Institute estimates that fixing early childhood education could boost the economy by $168 billion.

The government has made some steps, scrapping the punitive activity test and announcing more funding for new centres. But the “three-day guarantee” means little to families if their local services have closed or have years-long waitlists.

Early education is essential infrastructure. Like roads and schools, it’s what keeps our communities strong. We need urgent investment to expand services in rural and remote areas. We need public funding for not-for-profit providers – those that consistently deliver high-quality care. And we need support for educators.

This isn’t just about fixing a broken system; it’s about investing in the future. If we want young families to stay on the land, grow our food, and build vibrant communities, we need to give them the support they need from day one.

Researchers tell us that 90% of a child’s brain development occurs before five. Last week, a report by the Mitchell Institute found that even the first three years of learning are crucial at ‘levelling the playing field,’ especially for disadvantaged kids.

We cannot keep leaving this critical window of development to a postcode lottery.

This election, in what’s likely to be a minority Parliament, the Greens will push for free, universal childcare – just like primary and secondary school.

Our kids, our farms, and our future depend on it.

The Greens have named Senator Barbara Pocock as the party’s new housing spokesperson, in recognition of her significant achievements in the last term of parliament in winning rights for workers and fighting back against government privatisation by stealth.

Housing is a key issue for the Greens, who are committed to continuing their growth as the party for renters and first homebuyers. Labor’s hands off approach continues to make the housing crisis worse, with money secured by the Greens in the last term the only significant funding currently working to help build social and affordable housing.

The promotion recognises Senator Pocock’s significant wins in challenging areas that, like housing, require structural reforms, not just tinkering around the edges. This places her in good stead to continue the transformative housing agenda that the Greens fought in the last term with Max Chandler-Mather. 

Senator Pocock will also take on the portfolios of workplace relations and continue with finance and the public sector.

Senator Barbara Pocock:

“I am delighted to be taking on the portfolio of housing and homelessness alongside workplace relations, finance and the public sector. 

“I am thrilled to pick up the baton from the hands of Max Chandler Mather whose tireless work put the 31% of people who rent in our country as well as those who face runaway rents and insecure housing, at the centre of our country’s politics.

“Housing remains a key campaign for the Greens into the 48th parliament. In Australia, the crisis for renters and those trying to purchase their first home continues to get worse and there are 37,800 people experiencing chronic homelessness across Australia, living precarious lives without safe housing. Lack of housing is a runaway engine driving inequality in our country and it’s a major force for intergenerational inequality across the nation.

“In the last term of Parliament, I successfully fought for the right to disconnect, for stronger industrial protections for workers, and to stop the growing drain of consultants on the public service. Stopping the housing crisis requires big changes, not just more of Labor’s tinkering around the edges. 

“I intend to do everything I can, alongside my Greens’ colleagues, to fight for renters, first home buyers and those experiencing homelessness, to address the ongoing crisis that is the result of poor policies from the major parties over the past quarter century. 

“There is plenty of work to do, but we are ready and willing to take on the challenge and we know what needs to be done. We need to cap rents to enable first home buyers to get into the market while addressing the unfair tax advantages that give wealthy property investors extraordinary advantages in the housing market. We must improve the supply and development of affordable and social housing to help end homelessness and provide people with support and a safe place to live. 

“Housing and homelessness will remain a key campaign and focus for the Greens as the crisis gets exponentially worse for every day that the government fails to act appropriately. We are determined to end Australia’s shameful housing and homelessness crisis. I look forward to taking on this portfolio as I continue to build on Max’s work to fix the housing crisis.”

The Minns Labor Government and Sydney Roosters are today launching the second annual Emergency Services Match to be held on Sunday June 22nd where the Roosters will take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium.

The Emergency Services Match celebrates and recognises the contribution of emergency services personnel, first responders, medical professionals and volunteers from NSW’s eight emergency services agencies.

Recognising the work of emergency service agencies, workers and volunteers is particularly important following the floods on the Mid-North Coast and in the Hunter this over the last few weeks.

The thousands of brave personnel who responded to these floods risked their own lives to save others, performing over 800 rescues and responding to over 8,500 calls for assistance.

Thousands of personnel also remain on the ground now assisting in the clean-up of homes and communities. They have completed over 12,000 damage assessments and cleaned up over 18,000 cubic metres of waste.

The match will again bring together the NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW and VRA Rescue NSW – all of whom responded to flooding this month.

Following NSW Police as last year’s inaugural spotlight agency, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) will lead a pre-game show, showcasing their extraordinary capabilities and honouring their volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

The show will feature RFS vehicles and equipment, a volunteer parade and a special live performance paying tribute to their services.

Driver Avenue will again be a hive of activity pre-game with all participating emergency services offering interactive displays, equipment and family friendly activations.

Ahead of the NRL match, NSW Police and Australian Firefighters will go head-to-head again in a curtain-raiser.

Emergency services staff, first responders, medical professionals and volunteers are invited to attend, as the Roosters and rugby league community unite to celebrate our frontline heroes.

Premier for New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“This match is an important opportunity to recognise the bravery and dedication of our emergency services volunteers and personnel.

“Day after day they put the community first just like we’ve recently witnessed on the Mid-North Coast and in the Hunter with the floods and clean-up response.

“This is an important occasion to celebrate our emergency services agencies and to show them how much they’re appreciated.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Community is at the core of everything we do, and NSW emergency service agencies work tirelessly to keep people safe under difficult circumstances.

“After last month’s devastating floods on the Mid North Coast this is a great way to recognise the contribution of the NSW SES and NSW RFS in supporting local communities during the worst of their times.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Sports has a unique power to unite communities, and the Emergency Services match is a wonderful way to showcase and honour our community heroes.

This is an outstanding initiative by the Roosters that continues to shine a light on the volunteers who continually put the community first, just as we’ve seen with the rescue and clean-up efforts in Northern NSW following the recent floods.”

Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather said:

“This match is an opportunity for the rugby league community to come together to celebrate and thank our emergency services volunteers for the role they play in rebuilding communities and keeping people safe.

“Fans are encouraged to arrive early, soak up the whole event experience and to learn more about our emergency services agencies and the bravery of their people.”

Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said:

“Our goal last year was to celebrate all eight emergency service agencies and create a marquee event recognising our frontline heroes. Thanks to the buy-in and commitment from the emergency service organisations and the NSW Government, we exceeded all initial expectations last year.

“It’s a privilege to continue working alongside all the emergency service agencies to organise this special annual event.

“We’re thrilled to spotlight NSW RFS, who are doing an incredible job preparing a spectacular pre-game show. It’s fitting that we also recognise NSW SES, which celebrates 70 years of service this year.”