October 2025 – Page 11

Pipeline repurposed to strengthen gas supply

The Minns Labor Government is supporting a more stable gas supply for NSW by backing the repurposing of an existing pipeline to transport gas from South Australia to the east coast of NSW.

The NSW Government has given APA Group the green light to convert its Moomba to Sydney Ethane Pipeline, adding stability to the gas network by making better use of existing infrastructure.

The approved licence variation allows for the conversion and unlocks the opportunity to deliver an extra 20-25 terajoules of gas per day, which is equal to the annual gas use of about 1,300 NSW homes.

This switch helps ensure a more reliable gas supply to meet existing needs, as the state increases renewable energy generation to replace ageing coal-fired power stations.

The 1,200km high-pressure pipeline has sat idle since 2023 when the previous single customer of the pipeline ceased operations.

APA Group proposed to repurpose the pipeline as part of its East Coast Gas Grid expansion program, a five-year initiative aimed at enhancing the transmission and storage capacity of natural gas across the east coast.

The decision to approve the licence variation followed a rigorous review of the safety, environmental and technical considerations involved in the project.

Gas from the repurposed pipeline is expected to be flowing by the end of the year, to help reduce the supply gap emerging across the east coast.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“This decision demonstrates the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to maintaining a reliable supply of gas while we transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.

“The plan to repurpose the pipeline is a short-term measure that will boost gas supply to the east coast and complements the other work we are doing to manage supply risks and price issues.”

Northern Rivers residents share their resilient ideas & stories on film

Northern Rivers residents will take their adaptation stories to the big screen this week as part of the Adaptation Stories short films initiative.

Produced and curated by Living Lab Northern Rivers, in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Adaptation Stories captures eight Northern Rivers locals as they navigate real change in response to the shifting climate.

Each film captures personal journeys of resilience and creativity, showcasing how individuals are thinking about what adaptation can mean for themselves and their communities.

From farmer-led strategies in Richmond Valley, to arts-based perspectives in Lismore, youth engagement in regenerative futures in Tweed, and lessons we can learn from Country in Byron, each film explores diverse approaches to adaptation across the region.

Adaption Stories is part of the Community Conversations engagement initiative supporting the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) currently being developed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, with the films aiming to spark conversations among community.

Free screenings will be held at Woodburn, Byron Bay, Grafton, Lismore, Uki and Ballina from Thursday 23 October until December. At each screening, a Q&A session will be held with local community leaders. The first screening is at Woodburn on Thursday 23 October 2025.

For more details on screenings and locations visit https://events.humanitix.com/host/living-lab-northern-rivers.

Learn more about the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan including how the community can get involved at www.nsw.gov.au/reducingrisk/NRdap.

Minister for Recovery and North Coast Janelle Saffin said:

“We need to shift the dial to properly focus on adaptation and resilience to ensure communities are better prepared for and can recover better from disasters.

“We are creating the first ever Disaster Adaptation Plan for the Northern Rivers and sharing stories and experiences is vital its success.

“I encourage everyone – young and old, to please attend a screening and listen and share your thoughts and ideas, because it’s too important not to.”

Living Lab Northern Rivers: Engagement Director Dan Etheridge said:

“We don’t adapt alone, we adapt together. These short films have been made to get people talking with each other. I want to know what other people in my community are thinking about climate change adaptation and this is especially true when our government is developing a new plan to drive adaptation and reduce our exposure to disasters.”

Filmmaker and director Poppy Walker said:

“These stories reveal the thoughtful and diverse ways people are engaging in climate adaptation. When audiences hear their neighbours — Traditional Custodians, farmers, artists and business owners — sharing their perspectives on what adaptation could look like, it helps shape thinking and conversations around what we can do in our communities.”

Northern Beaches Hospital

The NSW Opposition acknowledges today’s announcement by the NSW Government that Northern Beaches Hospital will return to full public ownership by mid-2026.

We recognise the extraordinary courage and persistence of Elouise and Danny Massa, whose advocacy following the tragic death of their son, Joe, has led to this significant change.

The Opposition has consistently supported measures to improve safety and transparency at Northern Beaches Hospital, including:

The Parliamentary Inquiry into the hospital’s performance,
The Coronial Inquest and Independent Review of the Emergency Department, and
The creation of Joe’s Law, to prevent any future public-private partnerships in acute care hospitals.

We have also supported the return of the public component of the hospital, including the emergency department, to full public control.

The Opposition also notes the concerns raised by doctors, the AMA, and the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee about the future of private services under this arrangement.

The Northern Beaches community has one of the highest levels of private health insurance coverage in the state, and residents deserve reassurance that access to private care will not be diminished.

The Opposition remains ready to work cooperatively with the Government to ensure a smooth and safe transition that maintains choice, protects jobs, and delivers high-quality health care for the Northern Beaches community.

Apprenticeship collapse only worsens housing crisis under the Minns Labor Government

Apprenticeship and traineeship numbers have plunged across New South Wales, worsening the state’s housing crisis and leaving young people and small businesses without the skills needed to build the future.

New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows just over 42,000 apprentices and trainees commenced in the 12 months to March 2025.

This is the lowest level in more than five years.

The data also reveals more than 8,000 fewer apprentices are currently in training compared with the same period in 2024.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government is failing to back the workers New South Wales needs.

“The Minns Labor Government promised to skill up the next generation, but instead they’re letting apprenticeship numbers fall off a cliff. Every lost apprentice means another young person missing out on a career and another builder, plumber or electrician not on the tools to build the homes families need,” Mr Speakman said.

Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Justin Clancy said the data is a warning sign for the future of housing and jobs in New South Wales.

“You can’t fix a housing shortage when there are fewer tradespeople to build homes. In just one year Labor has gone backwards on apprenticeships,” Mr Clancy said.

“The Government talks about adding 23,000 construction apprentices, but on these figures that’s simply not credible. Labor’s approach is failing young people who want a trade and employers who need skilled workers. The Minns Government needs to stop the spin and start delivering real results for skills, training and housing in New South Wales.”

Trump Shares Australia’s Feelings Towards Rudd

Overnight US President Donald Trump has told Kevin Rudd that “He doesn’t like him, and probably never will.” It is certainly a view of Rudd that most Australians agree with.

One Nation has long called for Kevin Rudd’s recall from America. In fact, we’ve been calling for his recall from day one. Kevin Rudd doesn’t have the temperament or the talent to manage Australia–U.S. relations. His loose tongue has offended the very people who now hold the levers of power in Washington.

The disastrous U.S. trip by Anthony Albanese has exposed the problem: President Trump doesn’t like Kevin Rudd, and who could blame him?

Rudd is a loose-tongued fool, a self-important dunce with zero diplomatic skill and no ability to negotiate with the world’s leading superpower. His record as Prime Minister was a string of failures, and now he risks doing the same damage to one of our most important international relationships.

When in 2008 Prime Minister Rudd travelled to China and, in the host nation’s own language, delivered a lecture at Beijing University attacking China’s human rights record, he blew up our relationship with Beijing. That single undiplomatic, poorly timed speech triggered a two-decade decline in Australia–China relations. It showed exactly what Rudd has always been, a man who thinks he’s far cleverer than he really is.

The fact that Rudd remains in his post as U.S. Ambassador is proof of Anthony Albanese’s absolute inability to get anything right. While Trump was making it clear he didn’t trust or respect Rudd, Albanese was standing there grinning like a nervous schoolboy. Trump’s face was steely; he was dead serious.

Australia cannot maintain a strong relationship with the United States while this twerp, Kevin Rudd, continues in office.

If One Nation were in charge, Rudd would be sacked immediately. We’d appoint a capable, respected Ambassador to rebuild trust and lead the U.S.–Australia partnership with dignity. We’d also review the bloated staffing and perks Albanese handed Rudd as a former Prime Minister, a disgraceful use of public money for a man who delivers nothing but chaos and embarrassment.

It’s time to recall Kevin Rudd and restore some credibility to Australia’s diplomacy.

Historic critical minerals framework signed by President Trump and Prime Minister Albanese

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the United States Donald J. Trump today signed a landmark bilateral framework on critical minerals and rare earths at the White House in Washington DC. This will see an accelerated pipeline of priority projects delivered by and for the two nations.

The United States–Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths will deliver a US/Australia secured supply chain for critical minerals and rare earths, required for defence and other advanced technologies. This represents a significant new chapter in the over 70 years of our formal Alliance.

Also announced today, to complement the Framework, the US and Australia will take measures to each provide at least USD$1 billion in investments towards an USD$8.5 billion pipeline of priority critical minerals projects in Australia and the United States over the next six months.

Two of those priority projects have financial commitments being announced today by the Australian Government.

The first project is the Alcoa-Sojitz Gallium Recovery Project in Wagerup, Western Australia.

Australia is announcing today up to USD$200 million in concessional equity finance for the project, which includes a right of offtake for the Australian Government. The United States Government is also making an equity investment with a right of offtake.

This project will provide up to 10 per cent of total global gallium supply. Gallium is an essential input for defence and semiconductor manufacturing. This is a trilateral project with Japan, the United States and Australia, which will strengthen our collective economic security. Japan has already provided 50 percent of the project costs to date.

The second project is the Arafura Nolans project in the Northern Territory.

Australia is announcing today a USD$100 million equity investment in the project. Once operational, this project will produce 5 per cent of global rare earths – essential for energy security and defence.

The historic framework signed today will assist both countries in achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains, including mining, separation, and processing, through use of economic policy tools and coordinated investment.

A US-Australia Critical Minerals Supply Security Response Group will be established under the leadership of the US Secretary of Energy and the Australian Minister for Resources to identify priority minerals and supply vulnerabilities and to develop a coordinated plan to accelerate delivery of processed minerals under this Framework.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“There are no closer friends and allies than the United States of America and Australia.

“President Trump and I agreed today we will work very hard together in both our nations’ interests.

“We’ve agreed today Australia and America are going to make more things together with our historic framework on critical minerals.

“Australia is home to much of the periodic table of critical minerals and rare earth metals that are vital for defence and other advanced technologies.

“Cooperation on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains is testament to the trusted partnership between Australia and the United States as strategic defence allies.

“I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to strengthen our partnership and support American and Australian workers, businesses and investors.”

31st Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum

The Albanese Government will welcome Ministers from Papua New Guinea to Canberra today for the 31st Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum.

The Ministerial Forum co-hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong and Papua New Guinea Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Justin Tkatchenko BEM OL MP, follows the historic signing of the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty – the Pukpuk Treaty – by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Marape.

The Treaty elevates our relationship to an Alliance, and reflects both countries’ commitment to each other and to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

Building on decades of close collaboration, the Forum will further our engagement across the breadth of our shared priorities, including:

Progression of the PNG-Australia Alliance through the establishment of a recruitment pathway that will enable PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force, and investments in infrastructure and common capabilities to support the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s training initiatives.
A new education and skills package worth over $150 million to support PNG’s productivity, economic growth and human development. Delivered in partnership with the PNG Government and local organisations, the package includes four new investments focused on foundational education (early grades); secondary education; improving retention, particularly for girls; and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
A $25 million humanitarian and disaster relief package which includes the construction of new humanitarian warehouses to strengthen PNG’s ability to respond to disasters across the country; a new twinning partnership between Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the PNG National Disaster Centre to enhance capacity building; and scoping for the construction of an emergency command and control centre in Port Moresby to monitor risks and better coordinate disaster response.

In the year of PNG’s 50th anniversary of independence, we celebrate the deep friendship between our two nations, steeped in shared history and characterised by mutual respect and ongoing collaboration.

The Ministerial Forum provides an opportunity for ministers across key policy areas to advance shared goals across our comprehensive strategic and economic partnership.

The delegation will also engage with Australian and Papua New Guinean private sector representatives through the Annual Australia-Papua New Guinea Business Dialogue, co-hosted by Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, and PNG Minister for International Trade and Investment, The Hon Richard Maru OBE MP.

Acting Prime Minister and Defence, Minister Richard Marles:

“Our new Alliance is a natural evolution of our close and longstanding defence ties – one which supports sovereignty and safeguards the peace and security of our region.

“We are working closely together as we move from defence partners to allies, building on decades of growing collaboration under our Defence Cooperation Program. I look forward to furthering those discussions with my good friends and colleagues during this Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum.”

Foreign Minister, Penny Wong:

“This is a historic moment in the story of our two nations, Australia and Papua New Guinea; we are the oldest of friends, closest of neighbours, and soon-to-be, newest of allies.

“Today, we take our first steps on the stewardship of our alliance and nurture our full breadth of interests to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous Blue Pacific.

“Australia and Papua New Guinea have never been closer, evidenced through the number of ministers we will have around the table today.”

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“We have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Papua New Guinea. We’re committed to strengthening our close economic, development and security partnership, and working with PNG to improve outcomes in education and training.

“This Ministerial Forum builds on the momentum from the historic signing of the PNG-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, our NRL deal, and our Bilateral Security Agreement that have elevated our relationship.”

Australia to gift Papua New Guinea Defence Force uniforms

In partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Albanese Government will gift 4,500 sets of Australian-made combat uniforms to the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF).

The uniforms will be the same quality and fit as those worn by members of the Australian Defence Force but customized with the unique pattern of the PNGDF. For the first time, uniforms will also be specifically designed for and provided to PNGDF women.

Initial orders for the delivery of 2,500 uniforms are valued at about $1.4 million.

The uniforms are being designed and manufactured in Australia following a robust procurement process.

This includes the supply of boots by New South Wales-based manufacturer Redback Boots, the supply of socks by Humphrey Law & Co and the supply of shirts, trousers and hats by Australian Defence Apparel, both based in Victoria.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“PNG is our closest neighbour and one of our dearest friends, and this gift underscores the strength of our enduring partnership.

“These uniforms will support the Papua New Guinean Defence Force as they build their sovereign defence capabilities.

“As our defence forces continue to train together and improve interoperability, we will proudly see Australian and Papua New Guinean defence personnel standing shoulder-to-shoulder, wearing quality Australian-made combat uniforms.”

Ambassador to Jordan

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Paula Ganly as Australia’s next Ambassador to Jordan.

Jordan is a key partner for Australia in the Middle East and an important anchor for regional stability.

Jordan and Australia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year. Our relationship is underpinned by security and defence cooperation and growing commercial ties, which we look forward to developing further.

Ms Ganly is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently First Assistant Secretary of the Consular and Crisis Management Division.

She has previously served overseas as Australia’s Ambassador to Iraq and through other postings in the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Bangladesh and Venezuela.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Bernard Lynch for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Jordan since 2021.

Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Jessica Hunter as Australia’s next Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology.

Cyber and critical technology affect all aspects of international relations. They underpin our national security, the protection and realisation of human rights and freedoms, global economic prosperity, sustainable development and international stability. For Australia, cyber and critical technology – including the rapidly evolving domain of artificial intelligence – are foreign policy priorities.

The Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology leads Australia’s international engagement on cyber affairs and critical technology issues, while delivering cyber capacity and resilience building, and incident responses across our region.

Ms Hunter will steer Australia’s international engagement under Australia’s 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy, focused on enhancing our role as a trusted and influential global cyber leader in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The Strategy outlines Australia’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of our region and shaping international efforts to meet the evolving challenges of cyberspace.

Ms Hunter has had a distinguished career in cyber affairs, including in the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

She has served overseas as Head of Cyber Threat Operations Technical Teams, National Cyber Security Centre, in the United Kingdom’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ); and was seconded to the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) as Deputy Australian Liaison Officer.

I thank former Ambassador Mr Brendan Dowling for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests on cyber affairs and critical technology since 2023.