Category: Australian News

Australia will provide a further $10 million to enable the distribution of urgent medical and nutrition supplies to Gaza to help address the catastrophic humanitarian conditions due to the ongoing conflict.

This funding brings Australia’s total humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by conflict in Gaza and Lebanon to over $110 million since 7 October 2023.

Infrastructure and health systems in Gaza have been devastated by Israel’s military operations. Food, medicines and essential supplies have been exhausted.

As part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing humanitarian support, Australia is partnering with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to provide urgent medical care to Palestinians suffering serious illness or injury in Gaza.

The Australian Government will contribute $5 million to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization for critical medical supplies to support field hospitals in Gaza.

Australia’s support builds on the charity’s existing work, including with the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, which has also donated essential medical supplies to Gaza.

Australia will also provide $5 million to UNICEF for nutritional support for children affected by the conflict. Gaza is experiencing a critical food security crisis, with children under the age of five the most impacted.

This contribution will help UNICEF provide 2.9 million rations of nutritional support, enough to meet the needs of 8,000 children for four months.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“Australia has consistently been part of the international call on Israel to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice.

“Aid is being prevented from reaching those who need it. Children are injured and starving. Israel’s ongoing restriction on aid into Gaza is costing lives.

“Our new partnership with Jordan will enable us to provide urgent medical support with those who need it most.

“We will continue to work with our international partners to press for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel.”

International Development Minister Anne Aly:

“The devastation and suffering in Gaza are unconscionable. Australia’s support will help deliver lifesaving assistance and care to civilians injured in Gaza.

“Civilians cannot pay the price in this conflict. Every child deserves safety. Every child deserves access to food and medical care.

“The Albanese Government is working with the international community and trusted humanitarian organisations, like UNICEF, as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure critical aid enters Gaza and reaches those who need it.”

Ballina Shire Council has been awarded $34,200 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to help deliver innovative local waste and recycling solutions, supporting the state’s transition to a circular economy.

The Creating a Circular Clothing Community project will Help divert textile waste from landfill by working with local and regional partners to shift community behaviours and promote reuse and repair.

This is one of 13 successful projects, led by councils and regional waste groups, to share in $2.9 million as part of the EPA’s Local Government Waste Solutions (LGWS) Fund program.

The funding will help deliver circular waste solutions across a diverse range of projects like eliminating waste in construction works and council operations, trialling services to divert waste from landfill and researching new technology to help recover or reuse materials.

Round four of the LGWS fund is planned to open in September 2025.

Individual councils, a group of councils, or regional waste groups in the waste levy paying area are eligible to apply. Individual councils can apply for up to $200,000 in funding, and groups of two or more councils can apply for up to $400,000 in funding.

For more information on Round 3 grantees and to learn how to apply for Round 4 visit: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/councils/local-government-waste-solutions-fund

Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina:

“It’s fantastic to see Ballina Shire Council awarded funding for their Creating a Circular Clothing Community which will help minimise waste, keep valuable resources out of landfill and drive NSW towards a circular economy.”

“We know clothing waste is a major pollutant. I will be excited to follow along as this program gets underway.”

“I look forward to seeing the exciting opportunities this opens for Ballina communities. Moving to a circular economy not only protects our environment into the future but also strengthens communities and local economies.”

NSW EPA Executive Director of Programs and Innovation, Alexandra Geddes:

“NSW is on the cusp of a waste crisis with Greater Sydney’s landfill space predicted to run out by 2030. We need to work with councils and communities to plan for, design and pilot new ways of managing, recovering and reusing waste.

“This funding aims to tackle local waste and resource recovery challenges by delivering innovative community-specific solutions.

“Councils and waste groups are at the forefront of managing waste for their communities and they are pivotal to our transition to a circular economy.”

Israel’s latest attacks on Iran, with the open backing of the United States, are another dangerous escalation in the region and risk tipping the world into a larger war. 

Australia must clearly and unambiguously state that we will not participate in the conflict and we will prohibit the use of any military facilities, including Pine Gap and other joint US facilities, in these attacks.  

Unilateral attacks on third countries are unlawful under international law and, whether undertaken by perceived Australian friends or enemies, must be opposed to prevent even more dangerous international precedents being set. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Foreign Affairs and Defence Spokesperson, said:

“The Australian Greens condemn these latest Israeli attacks on Iran as yet another breach of international law by Israel and call on the Government to do the same. 

“No nation should be above international law. The Australian government must call on Israel to step back from military brinkmanship and engage with international legal processes and diplomatic solutions.

“Australia must not be drawn into another endless conflict. Our role needs to be as peacemakers who uphold international law, not as combatants who trash it.

“Bush said Iraq was ‘preemptive.’ Putin calls Ukraine ‘preemptive’ and now this. It’s the oldest trick in the warmonger’s playbook. 

“Israel’s actions threaten to ignite a wider regional conflict that would have devastating consequences for tens of millions of people around the world. 

“We see again and again that every ‘strategic target’ is someone’s neighborhood and that is happening right now in the suburbs of Tehran. The international community can either help stop this carnage or again own the body count. 

“Netanyahu and Trump seem to be sharing the same chaotic rule book to escalate conflict so they can avoid accountability for domestic and foreign policy failures. 

“Don’t let bombs and new breaches of international law distract from starving kids in Gaza. War crimes don’t disappear because a new war starts.

“Australia needs to stop being America’s deputy sheriff and prevent the US using any military facilities or bases in Australia in this unilateral attack on Iran.”

The ACT Greens say today’s pre-budget announcement from the minority Labor Government is enough for the community sector to survive, but not enough to create a truly strong safety net for people in Canberra.

“More people than ever are turning to local community organisations to cover the basics like food, housing, healthcare and household needs, so if today’s funding announcement is the end of it, that’s a real problem,” said ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury.

“The Greens have been working with the community sector ahead of this year’s budget to really pressure Labor not to balance the books at the expense of people who most need the government’s support.

“Today’s announcement shows pressure works, and we’ve got to keep pushing.

“If Labor uses this budget to shut down the Rent Relief Fund or cut other essential supports, even more people are going be forced to seek help from the community sector.

“Today’s announcement only helps community organisations with multi-year government funding arrangements. Other services have an anxious wait, year after year, to find out if they’ll be able to keep operating.

“That has real life consequences for Canberrans who may lose their jobs, their support networks, or the roof over their heads,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“Today’s announcement of $10 million sounds nice, but spread across two years and 150 organisations – an average of $33,000 per year won’t go far.

“When you hold this $5 million per year up against the $100 million we could raise every year from taxing big corporations in a way they’d barely notice, you see how much more the government could do.

“I’m urging the Treasurer to take up the Greens’ proposal and raise extra revenue from the banks, the supermarkets, the airlines and the big retailers, which are contributing to cost of living pressures while racking up billions of dollars in profits.

“These corporations that love the ACT for being a prosperous, growing market should contribute more to our community. A drop from their ocean would be a significant pool of revenue for the ACT Government to properly fund the services Canberrans really need.

“The ACT Greens’ vision is for Canberra to be a genuinely progressive city where we look out for one another. That’s why we’ve got community services as a priority in our balance of power agreement that allowed Labor to form minority government, and why we’re watching the unveiling of this budget very closely.”

In response to the extension of the deadline for Woodside to respond to its approval conditions, Greens spokesperson for the environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Australian public and Traditional Owners have the right to see Minister Watt’s approval conditions for the North West Shelf gas plant given the significant impacts this project will have on the environment, cultural heritage and the safety of our climate.

“With Woodside given seemingly unlimited time to negotiate with the Government behind closed doors, how can we be assured the approval conditions are not being watered down by the fossil fuel giant?

“These gas corporations will do everything they can to avoid strict conditions and scrutiny. The public has a right to know what the Minister originally said was needed and why the Government would be offering any compromise to Woodside.

“Give these fossil fuel companies an inch and they will take a mile. No easy ticket or carve outs should be offered.

“It is devastating that so soon after the public elected one of the most progressive parliaments in Australia’s history, the new Environment Minister’s first act in the job has been approving one of the biggest, dirtiest gas projects in Australia out to 2070 – and is letting them dictate the conditions behind closed doors.

“This monstrous gas expansion will be an environmental disaster – unleashing gas pollution on a huge scale, destroying cultural heritage and threatening pristine ecosystems like Scott Reef, home to threatened endangered species like the green sea turtle and the pygmy blue whale.

“The least the Minister can do is provide the public and Traditional Owners transparency over his decision making.”

A further 20 projects have been declared as State Significant Development following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

Of these proposals, 18 are in metropolitan Sydney and 2 are in regional NSW.

If lodged and approved, this could create more than 8,100 homes, including affordable housing across New South Wales.

To date, 136 proposals amounting to more than 53,300 potential homes have been declared state significant.

Since the formation of the HDA, 47 projects have had Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements issued and one Development Application has been lodged.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The Ministerial Order can be found here.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Fiji, the United States of America and Canada from 13-19 June 2025.

On 13 June 2025 in Nadi, Prime Minister Albanese will meet with the Hon Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji.

Leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation under our elevated Vuvale Partnership, including on climate change and regional security.

In Seattle, the Prime Minister will meet a range of business leaders to discuss how the US and Australia can work together to take advantage of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.  

Prime Minister Albanese will also visit Kananaskis, Canada to attend the G7 Summit.

The G7 brings together seven of the world’s largest advanced economies – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – and the European Union to discuss and agree on collective solutions to global challenges. 

Canada has also invited a select group of partner countries, including Australia.

Prime Minister Albanese will participate in G7 partner discussions focusing on global energy opportunities and challenges, including the role of critical minerals, secure and reliable supply chains, enabling and advanced technologies, and underlying infrastructure and investments.

At the Summit, the Prime Minister will work to advance our economic security and resilience to deliver benefits for Australian workers, businesses and communities. 

He will have bilateral meetings with a range of world leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Albanese is overseas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Visiting Fiji so soon after the election is a deliberate decision to reinforce my Government’s Pacific priorities and to exchange views with my dear friend Prime Minister Rabuka, a respected Pacific statesman.

“I am honoured to be invited by Prime Minister Carney to attend the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta as a key partner.

“I look forward to working productively with world leaders to discuss how we tackle some of the most challenging issues facing Australia, our region, and the world”

The inaugural ballot for the Falepili Mobility Pathway will open to registrations from Tuvaluan citizens on 16 June, enabling up to 280 Tuvaluans each year to live, work and study in Australia.

As a low-lying island nation, Tuvalu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change.

The opening of the mobility pathway is an important milestone in the delivery of the groundbreaking Falepili Union Treaty, which was signed in 2023 in response to Tuvalu’s request of Australia to help safeguard the future of Tuvalu.

The agreement supports the people of Tuvalu to live and thrive in their home through land reclamation and continued investments in infrastructure, education and health.

At the same time, it will provide a pathway for mobility with dignity as climate impacts worsen.

This is also the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world that recognises that Tuvalu’s statehood and sovereignty will continue, notwithstanding the impacts of climate change-related sea level rise.

In 2025-26, Australia has committed $47 million in development assistance for important climate adaptation, telecommunications, infrastructure, health and education projects in Tuvalu.

This includes support for Tuvalu’s flagship national development initiatives, the Tuvalu Coastal Adaption Project (TCAP) and the Vaka Cable.

Our development partnership is advancing a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Tuvalu, which safeguards the future of Tuvalu’s people, identity and culture.

More information about the Falepili migration pathway including how to apply, is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“The opening of the Falepili Mobility Pathway delivers on our shared vision for mobility with dignity, by providing Tuvaluans the opportunity to live, study and work in Australia as climate impacts worsen.

“The Pathway reflects the deep trust between our two countries, and we look forward to the contributions Tuvaluans will make to Australian society.”

Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Tony Burke MP:

“I am honoured to open the inaugural treaty stream visa ballot, delivering on Australia’s commitment to provide a special mobility pathway under the Falepili Union.

“This will provide Tuvaluan citizens the choice to live, work or study in Australia, bringing our nations closer together.”

Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, The Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The Falepili Union is the most significant agreement between Australia and a Pacific country since the agreements for PNG’s independence in 1975.

“The opening of the Mobility Pathway ballot is a landmark moment for Australia and Tuvalu.

“Alongside the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and the Pacific Engagement Visa, the Falepili migration pathway will strengthen relationships with our Pacific neighbours.

“It demonstrates how we are working in partnership with the Pacific to ensure our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous.”

Background

The Finocchiaro CLP government has today announced they will initiate a 12 month trial allowing civilians to possess and use pepper spray for personal protection. The NT will be the second jurisdiction to do so, following WA.

Pepper spray is a dangerous substance for both the user and the person it is used against. It can cause permanent disability, vision impairment, breathing difficulties and burns. It is especially dangerous when used on children. It should not be made available in our community. 

The NT Greens oppose this trial and demand that the CLP listen to the experts and people with lived experience, and take a humane, evidence-based approach to tackling crime. The CLP must not enable the proliferation of chemical weapons in our community. 

Nic Carson, Acting Convenor of the NT Greens

“This policy is highly insensitive and offensive in the wake of two Blak deaths in custody in as many weeks. This initiative won’t make our communities any safer.” 

“If the CLP was genuinely committed to community safety, they’d be properly funding preventative and supportive measures, like therapeutic and rehabilitative programs, public housing, and crisis accommodation.”

“Legalising civilian use of a restricted chemical weapon risks encouraging vigilantism, which is already so often racially motivated against Aboriginal communities.”

“Pepper spray is banned for military use under the Geneva Convention. It is bad enough that the police have an exemption to use it. We cannot allow chemical weapons to become commonplace in our community.” 

“We have already seen the immense social and health impacts of pepper spray when used by police against civilians. We cannot make this chemical weapon more widespread in our community.”

Kat McNamara MLA, Member for Nightcliff

“This is vigilantism masquerading as personal safety and choice.” 

“The CLP is fuelling crime panic with this dangerous trial.”

“This is the CLP sending the message that they have given up actually improving community safety or preventing crime.”

“It’s foolish to think that we can control whose hands these weapons fall into. It’s only a matter of time before we start seeing pepper spray being misused.” 

“We want less weapons in our community, not more. This is an incredibly dangerous and ill-thought-out plan.

New ABS data that reveals rent has increased more in Western Australia than any other state or territory is the latest symbol of the Cook Labor Government’s total desertion of renters.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest insights into the rental market, which measures data from around 480,000 private rentals around the country, places the current median weekly rent in WA at a whopping $613.

The figure represents a 75 percent increase in average weekly rent in less than five years.

Prior to 2021, WA’s median weekly rent was $350 – a figure that had remained steady since at least June 2018, the earliest date included in the ABS dataset.

The updated data cements WA’s position as the second most expensive place to rent in Australia only after NSW, further highlighting the urgent need for meaningful residential tenancy reform.

Tim Clifford MLC, Greens WA spokesperson for housing and homelessness:

“For the almost one-third of Western Australians who rent, this latest ABS data is more than just a collection of statistics – it represents a daily reality marked by relentless stress, fear and uncertainty.

“The Cook Labor Government can pat itself on the back as much as it wants for its so-called progress on rental reform, but the data doesn’t lie.

“Labor is tinkering around the edges of the housing crisis and packaging it up as meaningful policy, which is pushing more and more Western Australians into acute housing stress and homelessness.

“The fact that rents began their seemingly endless upward trajectory at the same time WA Labor gained a supermajority at the 2021 election clearly shows where the government’s priorities lie. 

“They had every opportunity to enact meaningful rental reforms, like the ones recently introduced in the ACT. They chose not to – a decision that is crushing everyone from single parents to uni students. 

“WA Labor is trading our basic human right to a safe and secure place to live for the profits of their property developer mates. In a state as wealthy as WA, it is simply unacceptable.

“As the Greens (WA)’s spokesperson for housing and homelessness, I look forward to working alongside the community to deliver real reform to the Residential Tenancies Act, and I won’t stop calling out the government until that happens.”