Author: admin

In recent years, we seem perfectly happy to celebrate every difference – every culture, every group, every identity, every grievance. But suggest that Australia might also be celebrated or that we need a common national identity, and suddenly it becomes controversial. It shouldn’t be.

A nation is not a collection of competing tribes permanently negotiating which symbols get to dominate the public square. A nation is a shared home. And a shared home needs symbols that belong to everyone.

That is what a national flag is for. 

September 3 is Australian National Flag Day. I’ll bet almost no one knows that. And perhaps that tells us something.

We increasingly talk as though Australia is simply a collection of separate communities, with nothing binding us together except geography. Too many have become antagonistic to our own national story. We teach children to question almost everything about the country they live in, yet rarely teach them to value it.

That is not developing nationhood. And it is certainly not a recipe for social cohesion.

When the Commonwealth sought a design for the new Australian flag in 1901, it wasn’t handed down from some distant authority. More than 32,000 Australians entered a design competition with 14-year-old Melbourne schoolboy Ivor Evans, one of five joint winners. It’s a reminder that national identity is something built together. 

The Australian flag is not a partisan symbol. It does not belong to one race, one religion or one political movement. The flag does not belong more to a fifth-generation Australian than to a child whose parents became citizens yesterday. Nor does it exclude Aboriginal Australians or Torres Strait Islanders. Our national flag represents all Australians because it belongs to Australia. And therefore, it belongs to every Australian.

The point of citizenship is that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Every generation must preserve our institutions, freedoms and social cohesion for the next, but that becomes extraordinarily difficult – perhaps impossible – if we raise children to feel little attachment to the country they will one day be asked to preserve.

Nor can we continually divide people according to ancestry and expect common citizenship somehow to emerge.

National identity and social cohesion are built slowly, generation after generation, and cannot be manufactured by government after it has disappeared.

We should fly one Australian national flag, not because every Australian has the same ancestry, religion, or history. We should fly one flag because citizenship requires something more powerful than our differences: it requires a common allegiance to the country we share.

One nation. One flag.

Because we are all Australian.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Palau from 31 August to 3 September 2026 for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

This will be the Prime Minister’s first official visit to Palau and his fifth PIF Leaders’ Meeting.

The PIF is the Pacific’s premier political institution, and Australia is a founding member. Pacific Leaders will discuss the most critical issues impacting the region under the theme “Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity”.

Prime Minister Albanese will be joined by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, and the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Pat Conroy MP.

Prime Minister Albanese

“Australia is a proud member of the Pacific family, and investing in the security and prosperity of our Pacific neighbours makes our region safer and our economy stronger.
              
Our engagement in the Pacific Islands Forum and our contributions to the infrastructure, regional security and climate action of the region matter more than ever before.

The big challenges facing the Pacific require solutions designed and delivered for the Pacific, by the Pacific. And Australia has a key role to play – as a partner and leader.”

“I thank President Surangel Whipps Jr for hosting the 55th Pacific Islands Forum. The Forum is critically important for securing the future peace and prosperity of the region.”

The Australian Government is investing in the next generation of Pacific sporting talent on their journey to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Australia will provide $15.6 million over 4 years to support athletes and officials from 13 Pacific countries to access high-performance training and qualification opportunities to compete at major international sporting events.

In partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia and regional organisations, the funding will maximise Pacific athletes and officials’ participation and opportunities for success.

Pacific athletes and officials will be supported for the Tahiti 2027 Pacific Games, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Rarotonga 2029 Pacific Mini Games and other international sporting events.

This continues Australia’s work with Australian and regional sporting organisations to increase Pacific participation in major games.

This partnership reflects Australia’s commitment to ensure Pacific athletes have every opportunity to compete, succeed and leave a sustained legacy that contributes to continued Pacific sporting excellence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The Pacific is home to incredible sporting talent. This new partnership will contribute to producing the next generation of successful athletes.

“As we move forward in planning for Brisbane 2032 Australia looks forward to welcoming the best of the best sporting talent from the Pacific and supporting them to go for gold.”

Minister Pat Conroy

“Sport has a unique power to bring people together, and support healthy lives, gender equity and youth leadership.

“This is an investment in the development of athletes across the Pacific. I look forward to seeing many successful Pacific athletes at the upcoming Paralympics, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, a cornerstone of Australia’s defence and security, and a foundation of our enduring cooperation with the United States and New Zealand.

The signing of the ANZUS Treaty in 1951 formalised the Australia-US Alliance, which was forged on the battlefields of two world wars.

For more than seven decades, the Alliance has underpinned peace, stability and prosperity in our region and continues to contribute to the region’s strategic balance. 

Today the United States remains our closest ally and principal strategic partner.

As we look to the future, we work closely with the United States to deliver for the Australian and American people, deepening the bonds of friendship and goodwill that have connected our nations for generations.

The Alliance between Australia and New Zealand remains closer than ever, tightly bound by our shared history. Our security partnership was founded in the days of the first ANZACs, with this spirit continuing to enliven our modern Alliance.

Today, our Alliance continues to evolve, including efforts to operate as an increasingly integrated, combat capable ANZAC force. Our Alliance has a critical role in safeguarding national security and supporting stability in the Indo-Pacific as we work to shape a region where sovereignty is respected.

As we mark this milestone amidst an increasingly complex strategic environment, we reaffirm the enduring value of ANZUS.

Today, the Albanese Labor Government is pleased to announce the $US3 billion Defence Industry Growth Facility, which will ensure that the Australian defence industry can continue to grow and compete on a global scale.

Through the new Defence Industry Growth Facility, the Government will provide loans, bonds, guarantees and equity to support new export opportunities, to expand or upgrade facilities, and to develop new capabilities aligned with Defence priorities.

The new Facility modernises and expands the scope of the previous Defence Export Facility and will now support projects that prioritise sovereign defence capabilities and self-reliance.

The Government is committed to ensuring the Defence Industry Growth Facility is more flexible and responsive to industry needs, particularly small and medium enterprises that require timely access to finance. It is designed to crowd in private sector finance and complement other Commonwealth financing mechanisms.

The Defence Industry Growth Facility will be administered on the National Interest Account by Export Finance Australia.

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell:

“The Defence Industry Growth Facility responds to the needs of our defence sector. We are supporting our world-class defence businesses to thrive in international markets while delivering sovereign defence capabilities at home.

“The idea is that we are spurring on the private sector too, crowding in investment to support our defence sector.

“By backing the Australian defence industry, we are meeting the demands of Australian national security and supporting Australian jobs and businesses.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“Sovereign defence capability is essential for our nation’s security. The Defence Industry Growth Facility will build self-reliance and help attract private finance to the defence sector.

“This is about supporting Australian innovation, unlocking export-driven growth, and accelerating our capacity for producing home-grown capability for a Future Made in Australia.”

The Australian Government is rapidly mobilising consular and humanitarian support in response to the catastrophic floods along the Nepal-China border, including through a $5 million assistance package for affected communities.

We understand at least 39 Australians are among those reported missing. Australian officials are working urgently to confirm their welfare and provide assistance to those affected.

The extraordinary scale of this disaster and the remoteness of the affected region mean immense challenges lie ahead for the response and recovery.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying additional personnel to support Australians affected by the disaster.

In addition to the staff at the Australian Embassy in Nepal, a Crisis Response Team (CRT) member and a Regional Consular Officer have been deployed and are on the ground in Kathmandu. Further regional and CRT surge support are being prepared for deployment.

The Government will send an initial team of three humanitarian response specialists within the next 48 hours to help Australian staff already on the ground.

Drawn from the Australia Assists program, the Rapid Response Team has expertise in humanitarian assessment, logistics, communications and planning.

As part of the response, the Australian Government will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to support urgent disaster response and recovery efforts.

The funding will be delivered through established partners to provide support such as food, emergency shelter, clean water and sanitation.

These floods have devastated communities along both sides of the border, sweeping away villages, damaging critical infrastructure, and leaving thousands displaced.

With roads and bridges destroyed, many communities remain isolated and difficult to reach, underscoring the need for rapid humanitarian assistance.

Australia’s assistance includes:

• $2 million to the World Food Programme, which has already dispatched food rations and provided logistics support for Nepal’s emergency response.
• $2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to provide support such as emergency shelter, hygiene kits, blankets, medical support and psychosocial support.
• $1 million to the Emergency Action Alliance to support locally-led recovery and rehabilitation efforts in affected areas.

Australians wishing to donate should visit the Emergency Action Alliance webpage.

1. Australian and Indonesian Foreign and Defence Ministers met for the Tenth Australia-Indonesia Foreign and Defence Ministers’ 2+2 Meeting on 26 August 2026 in Melbourne.
2. Australia and Indonesia share a longstanding and constructive relationship as neighbours, partners and friends. Ministers agreed the Australia-Indonesia relationship is at a high point, and acknowledged the importance of our partnership in a deteriorating geostrategic environment. Ministers underscored our common security was a collective responsibility, and that both countries benefited from the other’s stability, resilience and sense of security.
3. Ministers noted this was the first 2+2 following the landmark Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security (the “Jakarta Treaty”), which recognised our common commitment to the peace and stability of the region and our enduring trust. They reaffirmed the Jakarta Treaty built on the 2006 Lombok Treaty and its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of both countries, and was complementary to the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), signed in 2024. Ministers looked forward to the completion of both Australia’s and Indonesia’s domestic processes to progress the Jakarta Treaty’s entry into force.
4. Ministers welcomed Australia’s budget announcement of AUD 33.2 million to support the implementation and institutionalisation of the Jakarta Treaty, including to strengthen Australia-Indonesia mutual understanding and capability, namely in Indonesian language proficiency, institutional ties, and enhanced cooperation on cyber, maritime and economic security and resilience. Ministers welcomed the launch of the Australia-Indonesia Institute Grants Program 2026-27, which will fund up to AUD 2.5 million in new projects to strengthen Australia’s Indonesia capability.
5. Ministers welcomed progress on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Plan of Action for 2025-2029 (CSP POA), and noted the strong momentum in bilateral cooperation over the past year. They commended the breadth and depth of cooperation across the relationship, spanning economic, development, people-to-people, defence, security, maritime and regional domains.
6. Ministers looked forward to the inaugural Australia-Indonesia Leadership Dialogue, bringing together senior leaders from across the bilateral relationship, in the coming year.

Building economic resilience and shared prosperity

7. Recalling the significant economic challenges generated by geopolitical developments, including the conflict in the Middle East, growing uncertainty in the global trading system, and disruptions to international supply chains, Ministers noted the importance of mitigating risk and supporting economic growth, stability and prosperity.
8. Ministers welcomed the recent visits of Vice Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno to Australia (July 2026) and of Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP to Indonesia (July 2026), for discussions on responding to global uncertainty and economic resilience.
9. Australian Ministers thanked Indonesia for working with industry to support the 250,000 tonne agricultural-grade urea supply deal between Incitec Pivot and PT Pupuk Indonesia. Ministers also noted that Australian supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) had increased at least three-fold between 2025 and 2026 to help meet Indonesian demand. They agreed this was a tangible demonstration of our mutual support in the spirit of the “good neighbours” policy, especially in times of economic challenge and disruption, and in enhancing regional food and energy security.
10. Ministers highlighted the importance of cooperation to strengthen economic resilience, food security and energy security. They welcomed the visit of senior Indonesian officials (June 2026) to discuss economic security and resilience issues, and the inaugural Economic Security Track 1.5 Dialogue (April 2026).
11. Ministers announced several economic resilience initiatives including: ongoing policy exchange on shared challenges; cooperation on analytic approaches to enhance the resilience of critical supply chains; and a new Australia Awards short course on economic security and resilience. Ministers also reemphasised the importance of working together to support regional economic resilience, including through investment in critical supply chains.
12. Ministers welcomed the launch of the second phase of the Australia-Indonesia Climate and Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership (KINETIK, 2026-2035), a flagship AUD 600 million partnership established to support sustainable infrastructure and climate investment across Indonesia over a ten-year period.
13. Ministers welcomed ongoing efforts to increase two-way trade and investment with Indonesia and the region, including as part of Australia’s implementation of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
14. Ministers welcomed the signing of the MoU between Australia and the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund Danantara (February 2026). Through technical partnerships, executive education, and business matching, the MoU will facilitate cooperation and information sharing, to identify opportunities for increased two-way investment, enhancing our shared economic security and resilience.
15. Ministers acknowledged the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and its record in driving trade and investment between our economies. They welcomed the progress on the General Review of IA-CEPA and the launch of the second phase of the Katalis economic cooperation program, which will continue to support the implementation of the agreement. Ministers welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation on Halal Product Assurance in July 2026. Australian Ministers reiterated their support for Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to accede to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
16. Ministers welcomed strong collaboration in science and research, building on the visit by Australia’s Chief Scientist to Indonesia in July 2026, and acknowledged the opportunities to cooperate on space and to deepen cooperation on nuclear science for peaceful purposes.
17. Ministers welcomed plans for a defence industry trade delegation visit to Indonesia, to drive greater cooperation in defence industry on areas of mutual interest. 

Working together for our common security

18. Ministers noted sharpening strategic competition continued to impact our region across multiple, interlinked domains. They agreed our geostrategic environment called for ever closer consultation on a wider array of security and defence challenges and responses, underpinned by the Jakarta Treaty. Ministers agreed to explore ways to further institutionalise direct, high-level consultation under the Jakarta Treaty and tasked officials to develop options.
19. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to internationally agreed rules and norms, which are critical to ensuring a region where strategic competition is managed responsibly, sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected, where countries can freely and independently make decisions in their own interests, and disputes are managed peacefully in accordance with international law. Ministers underscored the need to manage strategic competition responsibly and the importance of ongoing dialogue.
20. Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to progress towards a world without nuclear weapons and a region free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including through the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
21. Ministers reaffirmed Australia and Indonesia’s shared commitment to strengthening regional resilience and reducing the risks of miscalculation and misunderstanding that could escalate into crisis or conflict. They welcomed ongoing cooperation on conflict prevention under the Partnership for Peace and Stability, including the successful inaugural Senior Officials’ Talks and 1.5 Track Dialogue in August 2026.
22. Ministers welcomed new maritime cooperation under the maritime pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Plan of Action, including the provision of aerial drones and training to the Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla) to increase Indonesia’s maritime domain awareness.
23. Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Ministers agreed to continue working together, including through ASEAN-led mechanisms and support for implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security, to advance inclusive approaches to peace and security.
24. Ministers noted efforts under our MoU on Enhanced Cyber Security and Critical Technology Cooperation to strengthen cyber resilience of our countries and our region. Ministers welcomed increased cooperation on cybercrime, critical infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI). Ministers noted Australia and Indonesia were increasing practical defensive cyber cooperation throughout our military exercises.
25. Ministers noted that 2027 will mark a quarter of a century co-chairing the Bali Process and reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to regional cooperation to counter people smuggling, human trafficking, and related transnational crime. They further noted the importance of close and ongoing operational cooperation, including on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
26. Ministers underscored the enduring value of bilateral cooperation in preventing and responding to terrorism, including through information sharing, capacity building and operational collaboration.
27. Ministers welcomed the continued growth of bilateral defence cooperation and strengthening of the institutional relationship between our defence forces. Australian Ministers welcomed Indonesia’s participation at Exercise Pitch Black (July 2026). Ministers looked forward to upcoming exercises including Exercise Super Garuda Shield (August 2026), the second iteration of Exercise KERIS WOOMERA (October 2026), and Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo in 2027, which will increase interoperability in support of our common security interests.
28. Ministers looked forward to the swift completion of Indonesia’s processes to enable the entry into force of the Defence Cooperation Agreement and noted ongoing implementation efforts to give practical effect to the agreement.

Regional resilience through partnership

29. Ministers reaffirmed efforts to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, and reinforce an open, transparent, resilient, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law, with ASEAN at the centre. Ministers underscored the vital role of ASEAN in promoting peace, preventing conflict, and ensuring stability and prosperity in the region. Ministers welcomed the 2025 ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management in the ASEAN-led Regional Architecture and committed to its effective implementation. They reaffirmed their commitment to the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Australian Ministers welcomed Indonesia’s ongoing support as Australia’s ASEAN Country Coordinator.
30. Ministers expressed concerns about actions that raise tensions and risk miscalculation in the South China Sea and other vital waterways. Ministers emphasised the obligation of all states to adhere to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and agreed maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.
31. Ministers underscored the critical importance of international trade and of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security and freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with international law. They emphasised the universal and unified character of UNCLOS and reaffirmed its role as the comprehensive legal framework governing all activities in the oceans and seas. They further stressed that any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea must be consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS.
32. Ministers expressed concern about destabilising actions that raise the risk of miscalculation in the region and re-affirmed expectations that all regional partners maintain safe and professional conduct, follow established best practice procedures, and act transparently when it comes to strategic intent and military capabilities.
33. Ministers agreed the geostrategic environment increasingly required likeminded countries to exert their agency in support of regional peace, stability and prosperity. Ministers discussed and encouraged the establishment of a Partnership for Regional Resilience that will contribute further to resilience in the Indo-Pacific region. The partnership would complement our deep engagement in the region through bilateral and ASEAN-led regional architecture.
34. Ministers welcomed the renewal of the MoU Concerning Trilateral Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries, including agreement to cooperate in areas including disaster risk management and humanitarian response, climate resilience and the energy transition.
35. Ministers reaffirmed the important role of cross-regional collaboration in championing multilateral solutions to global challenges. Australia, as Chair of MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye and Australia), shares with its partners a commitment to strengthening multilateralism and upholding international law. Ministers reaffirmed that MIKTA countries remain committed to the multilateral system and contributing constructively to international efforts on global issues.
36. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing Australia-Indonesia-India trilateral cooperation to exchange views and collaborate on common challenges.
37. Ministers noted the recent Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Ministers further noted the Quad’s unwavering support for ASEAN centrality, and its ongoing commitment to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
38. Ministers expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian situation in Myanmar and reaffirmed the importance of implementing ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus. The Ministers called for concrete action to end violence, allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and engage constructively in inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders.

Facing global challenges

39. Ministers noted that we were seeing global conflict and competition on multiple fronts. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding rules, norms and the integrity of the multilateral system, and continued cooperation within multilateral institutions. Institutions had to remain efficient, effective, inclusive and transparent. Ministers acknowledged the need to continue discussions on ambitious UN reform.
40. Ministers reiterated their support for an open, rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and to this end, noted Indonesia’s hosting of an ASEAN roundtable on WTO reform (August 2026).
41. Ministers reiterated their longstanding support for de-escalation and an end to the Middle East conflicts, including in Palestine and Lebanon. Ministers called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint, demonstrate good faith and return to meaningful dialogue, and ensure the protection of civilians and their infrastructure. Ministers agreed restoring navigational freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz and other straits in the region remained critical to the stability of international supply chains and global energy markets, particularly in our region.
42. Ministers reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution as the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Ministers called on Israel to take urgent action to end settler violence and hold perpetrators to account. They reaffirmed their position that Israel’s expansion of illegal settlements continues to present a major obstacle to peace and threaten the viability of a two-state solution. They reiterated that any annexation or expansion of settlements would violate international law and undermine long term peace and stability. Ministers expressed concern at continued violence, and limitations on humanitarian assistance, in Palestine. 
43. Ministers called on all parties to uphold their obligations under UNSC resolution 2803 and to implement the Gaza Peace Plan in good faith and without delay. Ministers expressed their ongoing support for work to assist the Palestinian Authority in meeting its reform commitments. Ministers noted the successful trilateral Education Dialogue in April 2026 and welcomed the forthcoming Law Enforcement Dialogue in September. They committed to joint cooperation in these areas by sharing Australia and Indonesia’s experience with the Palestinian Authority and building momentum toward wider recognition of a Palestinian State.
44. Ministers recommitted to the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, now endorsed by 122 countries. They expressed deep concern at the incidents, fatalities, and restrictions affecting humanitarian personnel. Ministers condemned attacks against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that cost lives and injured peacekeepers from Indonesia, Ghana, Nepal, Poland, France and Serbia.
45. Ministers discussed the war against Ukraine and reaffirmed their respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. They underscored their commitment to uphold international law, including the UN Charter. Ministers underscored the importance of inclusive and peaceful resolution of the conflict, and for all prisoners of war to be treated and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. Ministers called for support from the international community to de-escalate and end the war.
46. As founding members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ministers expressed their strong support for the IAEA’s mandate in nuclear verification. Ministers welcomed the continued engagement between Australia and Indonesia on AUKUS and committed to sustained dialogue and transparency as cooperation under AUKUS advances. Ministers acknowledged the IAEA as the competent body to ensure the full, impartial, independent and objective implementation of safeguards obligations of its Member States, including in relation to naval nuclear propulsion, in accordance with the IAEA Statute and respective safeguards agreements. In this context, Ministers reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the global non-proliferation regime.
47. Ministers looked forward to the next Annual Leaders’ Meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Prabowo.
48. Indonesian Ministers expressed their sincere gratitude to Australian Ministers for their warm welcome and hospitality during the Tenth 2+2 Meeting.

Responding to the announcement yesterday of an additional $125 million by the Commonwealth Government to support the response to H5 bird flu, Senator Faruqi has written to Minister Watt calling for funding to support veterinarians on the front line.

Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Animal Welfare:

“We are all deeply concerned about the potential for bird flu to severely impact multiple native species, including sea lions, penguins and other native birds, possibly to the point of extinction.

“I welcome the additional funding announced by the Commonwealth Government, but it seems once again frontline veterinarians are being left out.

“I continue to hear stories of vets being left high and dry on the frontlines with no support. They shouldn’t have to bear the significant financial burden of this national emergency alone.

“Vets have for too long been left to care for wildlife brought to their clinics with little or no financial support. I support the Australian Veterinary Association’s calls for a $7.5 million pilot program to support vets caring for animals right now. This is especially important as they confront this growing threat of bird flu.

“With the risk of events like bird flu set to get worse, vets must be supported now and into the future. The Government must extend Commonwealth Practical Payments to vet students who have been so far excluded, but who will be the ones called on to respond to the next outbreak to save our wildlife.”