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ANOTHER SITTING WEEK, ANOTHER TRANSPHOBE STUNT

Liberal Senator Alex Antic is up to his usual antics this week — introducing a virulently transphobic and homophobic bill to Parliament.

The Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ Spokesperson, Stephen Bates MP, condemns Antic’s hate-fuelled stunt.

There are huge gaps in the provision of gender affirming healthcare in Australia. 

That’s why last election the Australian Greens called for a national LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing action plan, new national professional standards, an extra $285m over four years in additional funding, and $15 million in dedicated funding to cover out-of-pocket costs for trans and gender diverse people trying to access gender affirming healthcare.

Australia’s healthcare system is already not meeting the needs of trans people — and all the Liberal Party is trying to do is make it even worse. 

STEPHEN BATES MP, AUSTRALIAN GREENS LGBTQIA+ SPOKESPERSON said:

This is loser behaviour. It feels like every sitting week there is another stunt by transphobes desperate for media attention. 

The Senator has the implicit backing of the Liberal Party in introducing his bill and goes to show that you can never trust the Liberals with LGBTIQA+ rights.

This is an Opposition that is just whipping up culture war after culture war, trying to see what sticks — because they have nothing of substance to offer.

Access to healthcare for trans people needs to be led by the trans community and medical experts — not hate-fuelled politicians. When it comes to trans healthcare, we need more funding, more access, and fewer restrictions. 

There are very real consequences to the ongoing anti-trans hate campaigns. We all have a responsibility to protect trans kids. 

We should not give this man and his crusade against trans kids any more oxygen.

Transphobia has no place in our Parliament. Trans rights are non-negotiable.

GREENS SECURE CRITICAL REVIEW INTO DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN THE MIGRATION SYSTEM

The Greens have secured a comprehensive review of the Significant Cost Threshold, an outcome with significant potential to reduce discrimination in Australia’s migration system and improve life for many families seeking to make a life in Australia.

The Significant Cost Threshold is the mechanism that allows the Government to deport disabled people on temporary visas or refuse visas to disabled people and their families.

The public review will include a specific reference to the effect of the Significant Cost Threshold on non-citizen children born in Australia to people on temporary visas.

The Greens have been campaigning to end discrimination in the migration system, with families facing deportation because of children born or acquiring disabilities.

The Greens secured the review in exchange for committing to support the government’s Pacific Engagement Visa enabling legislation in the Senate.

We thank Minister Giles for his constructive engagement on this issue.

Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said:

“We are committed to ensuring that Australia’s migration system is fair and inclusive, and today is a significant step towards achieving that goal.”

“We will continue to stand up for the rights of everyone, no matter where they come from, or their disability.”

“Our migration laws need to be brought in line with community expectations and meet Australia’s obligations under international law.”

Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

“Our migration system must be made far more accepting of disabled people.”

The migration system is ableist. It deliberately provides for discrimination based on disability, which is grossly unfair and inhumane.

“This blatant discrimination belongs in the dustbin of history.”

GREENS IMPLORE LABOR TO HEED GROUNDBREAKING SOUTHERN OCEAN REPORT AND FUND ANTARCTIC SCIENCE OVER FOSSIL FUELS

The Greens implore Labor to heed a groundbreaking Southern Ocean report and fund Antarctic science over fossil fuels.

More than 200 scientists from 19 countries today released a new assessment of trends in Southern Ocean ecosystems, in what is being hailed as “an IPCC report for the Southern Ocean”.

The Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean report was released to coincide with this year’s international meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“This groundbreaking report clearly states that the long-term maintenance of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean can only be achieved through urgent global action to address climate change and ocean acidity. 

“Australia has a 40% claim to Antarctica territory, so it’s in the Australian Government’s best interest to take this report’s advice seriously. Yet as one of the world’s biggest world’s largest consumers and producers of coal that is still approving new coal and gas projects in 2023, Australia still has a devastatingly long way to go before being considered a global leader in tackling climate change. 

“The Southern Ocean and Antarctic are integral to understanding global weather patterns. Around half of the carbon dioxide taken up by the whole ocean is absorbed by the Southern Ocean, meaning more than ever our planet depends on us protecting these regions.

“Instead of funding fossil fuels, the Albanese Government should be funding Antarctic science, starting with increasing funding and cleaning up the Australian Antarctic Division.”

Sanctions in response to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs

Australia has reimposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 19 Iranian individuals and 57 entities for their role in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

These sanctions were previously imposed under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231 and will now be listed under Australia’s autonomous sanctions framework. This is consistent with the approach taken by international partners.

In addition, a further three individuals and 11 entities were listed, due to their association with persons or entities sanctioned under UNSC Resolution 2231.

The Albanese Government is working deliberately and strategically to apply pressure on the Iranian regime for failing to uphold its international obligations, including its nuclear-related commitments.

Iran’s proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles raises tensions in an already volatile region.

Iran must cease its escalatory actions in its nuclear program and recommit to full compliance with its nuclear-related commitments.

This includes reversing all steps away from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency to completely verify Iran’s peaceful use of nuclear technology.

These sanctions demonstrate Australia’s commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and determination to work with our international partners.

Deepening connections in our region through the Pacific Engagement Visa

The Australian Senate has today passed legislation to enable the delivery of the Albanese government’s election commitment of a new Pacific Engagement Visa.

The Pacific Engagement Visa will enable up to 3,000 nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year.

It will create new opportunities for the people of the Pacific and Timor-Leste to live, work and be educated in Australia – strengthening diaspora communities, and encouraging greater cultural, business and educational exchange.

The delivery of this commitment responds directly to long-standing requests from these countries for greater access to Australia for their people.

Legislation passed by the Senate today will enable a pre-application ballot to be used to randomly select applicants for the Pacific Engagement Visa program. If successful in the ballot, applicants would then be required to satisfy criteria including having a job offer in Australia.

The ballot has been welcomed by Pacific partners. It provides a fair and transparent process and ensures equal access for participants of any skill level and occupation, to avoid brain drain from the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Further legislative amendments before the Senate extend support to participants to help with the cost of education, training and raising a family in Australia.

The Government looks forward to the Pacific Engagement Visa program commencing in 2024, once all remaining legislative and administrative arrangements have been approved, including by the Governor-General in Federal Executive Council.

The Government thanks the parliamentarians who have engaged in this discussion constructively and thoughtfully, particularly those on the cross-bench. It is disappointing the Liberals and Nationals are still failing to listen to Pacific priorities.

For further information visit Pacific Engagement Visa

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“We have heard the calls from Pacific leaders for deeper connections and easier movement around the region.

“The Pacific Engagement Visa will strengthen people-to-people links, and encourage greater cultural, business and educational exchange.

“In delivering this new visa, we want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to building a stronger and more united Pacific family.”

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP said:

“The Pacific Engagement Visa will deliver on the Government’s commitment to deepen our people to people links across the Pacific family.

“The legislation passed today will contribute to the stability, security, and prosperity of our region and demonstrates that stronger Pacific partnerships focussed on shared needs and priorities are in Australia’s national interests.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy said:

“The Pacific Engagement Visa is a substantive expression of Australia’s special relationship with the Pacific and Timor-Leste and has been welcomed by partners across the region.

“The passage of this legislation demonstrates Australia is listening to Pacific priorities and delivers on its commitments.

“A ballot ensures we do not deprive the Pacific of skills and talent by providing broad access to the program for Pacific and Timor-Leste citizens.”

Minerals development needed for next chapter of Mt Isa

Shadow Minister for Resources and for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, has called upon the Queensland and Federal Labor Governments to commit to the future economic strength of North West Queensland and the workforce of Mt Isa, and outline how it will support further development in the North West Minerals Province after Glencore’s decision to close Mt Isa Mines.

“Mt Isa plays a vital role as a hub for North West Queensland commerce, healthcare and schooling and I am deeply concerned about the effect this announcement will have on Mt Isa Mines’ workers and the town’s business owners,” said Senator McDonald.

“Mt Isa Mines’ 60-year operation is a testament to the importance of the North West Minerals province, and operations in and around Mt Isa have contributed billions of dollars back to the local community.

“While no single mine can last forever, this region has been identified as having an abundance of critical minerals and rare earths yet to be developed.

“North West Queensland’s rich potential should not be squandered or ignored, and the Labor Government needs to do more to encourage a pipeline of mining ventures to develop or expand with confidence in order to secure the future of our regional communities.

“It is crucial that State and Federal Governments remove unnecessary red tape slowing down the approval of the next generation of mines in order to continue to provide opportunity and a prosperous future for the North West of Queensland.

“The Government needs to work to ensure Mt Isa remains a thriving regional town for the sake of local workers, businesses, agriculture, mining and indigenous communities who rely on this important centre in Northern Australia for supplies, schooling, healthcare, air travel and employment.”

New program taps local talent to ease teacher shortages in high-demand parts of NSW

Local residents in Western and South Western Sydney, Dubbo, Queanbeyan, and the Murray region will be encouraged to take up secondary careers in teaching under a new program targeting areas with high demand for teachers.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the Grow Your Own: Local Teacher Pipeline (LTP) program would help to address the state’s teacher shortage by providing participants financial and other support to complete a secondary teaching qualification.

In return participants would teach at a local public high school for at least 3 years.

The new pipeline program expands on the existing Grow Your Own initiative, which supports non-teaching NSW public school staff to gain their professional qualifications as teachers.

Eligible schools will help identify local people with teaching potential for the LTP program, including potential career changers, school administration and support staff, high school leavers, and existing initial teacher education students.

The team will work with interested schools to identify which areas are most in need locally, with participants’ studies starting from term 1, 2024.

Up to 75 applicants will be offered a place in 1 of 3 paths to qualification:

  • undergraduate pathway, with a $30,000 training allowance over 4 years
  • postgraduate pathway, with a $30,000 training allowance over 2 years
  • industry experience pathway, with a $30,000 training allowance over 2 years and a retention incentive of up to $30,000 paid over the first 3 years of teaching in a NSW public school in an agreed location.

Participants will work 1 day a week to benefit from in-school experience in a local NSW public high school while completing their studies.

Applications are now open until Tuesday 31 October for participants to begin study in term 1, 2024.

To apply, visit Grow Your Own Local Teacher Pipelinelaunch.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:

“This program is tailor-made to help schools where the demand for teachers is particularly high, by tapping into existing local talent within these communities.

“Alongside our once-in-a-generation wage rise for teachers and moves to ease teacher workload, this is another step the Minns Labor government is taking to restore teaching as a career of choice and lift student academic outcomes.”

Sydney scores A-League’s debut Unite Round

Football fans will be treated to a jam-packed 4-day schedule in January 2024 with the A-League’s first ever Unite Round.

Unite Round is a coming together of all 13 A-Leagues men’s and women’s clubs, as well as grassroots competitors from under-8 to under-18 age groups.

The Unite Round is being introduced for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, as the Australian Professional League’s partnership with Destination NSW enters its second year.

As part of the updated partnership, the hosting rights for the finals series from season 2023-24 will revert to previous arrangements whereby the final is hosted by the highest placed qualifier from the Semi Finals.

During Unite Round, grassroots tournaments for junior boys and girls will take place at venues across Sydney from Thursday 11 January, while double-header A-Leagues matches will be hosted at Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium and Leichhardt Oval between Friday 12 and Sunday 14 January.

There will be a festival of football surrounding the A-Leagues fixtures with activations, a fan festival and other events taking place across four days.

The Unite Round will provide more opportunity for all players and fans to be part of an inclusive football celebration in Sydney, and strong economic and community benefits for the people of NSW.

Tickets for A-Leagues Unite Round will be on sale from Monday 6 November.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Unite Round is great news for the football community, and for NSW.

“This will bring fans and players from around the country together in Sydney.

“I encourage fans to get involved in this festival of football.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“This is a chance for fans and players from right around Australia to come together, be united and be part of something special right here in Sydney.

“The Unite Round is a win-win for fans, the game and NSW as it will provide more opportunity for all players and fans to be part of an inclusive football celebration in Sydney.

“Unite Round will also deliver strong economic and community benefits for the people of NSW – it is estimated Unite Round will attract more than 42,000 people to Sydney for the event and generate more than $10.2 million in visitor expenditure for the state’s economy.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Sydney has more football fans and players than any other state and our culture of celebrating major sporting milestones is second-to-none.

“We can’t wait to welcome Australia’s football family to Sydney for the debut A-Leagues Unite Round next January and to see this tradition grow.

“This will be the first sporting code to celebrate a full men’s and women’s round in a single city in Australia.”

Australian Professional Leagues Chair the Hon Stephen Conroy said:

“We saw record crowds in the men’s and women’s finals series last season, and we again saw the appetite for professional football in NSW during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Having all of our teams in one place, over one weekend, is a fantastic way to serve up the best of the A-Leagues for our fans. 

“We are one of the only leagues in the world where almost every club has both men’s and women’s teams, so we are uniquely positioned to create an event like this.

“We thank Premier Minns, the NSW Government and Destination NSW for this fundamentally important partnership and for their continuing support for the development of football in Australia.”

Australian Professional Leagues CEO Danny Townsend said:

“The Unite Round is a brand-new experience which brings together all A-Leagues clubs, fans and grassroots players together for the very first time in Sydney in an unprecedented celebration of football. With the women’s domestic attendance record already broken twice on the first day of this season, we are looking forward to welcoming A-Leagues fans, old and new, to experience our leagues.”

“We have worked closely with our clubs and fans to ensure that there are suitable constructive mechanisms for the voices of fans to be heard. Many of the resulting conversations have included the hosting of the Grand Finals, and the strong sentiments around that, and we thank Destination NSW and Premier Minns for their partnership in creating a truly inclusive experience for our game.”

NSW Government to host vaping roundtable

The NSW Government is today announcing it will hold its vaping roundtable on 16 November as the next step in its commitment to curbing the growing issue of vaping in NSW schools.

This week, invitations were extended to key stakeholders to take part in the NSW Government’s first Vaping Roundtable.

The roundtable will hear from principals, students, health experts, and other key stakeholders about the community-wide issue of vaping.

The Vaping Roundtable will:

  • hear evidence on how vaping is affecting young people and schools
  • discuss effective school-based vaping interventions.

Those invited to the roundtable include:

  • NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr. Kerry Chant.
  • Manager of the Cancer Council NSW’s Tobacco Control Unit, Alecia Brooks.
  • University of Sydney School of Public Health Associate Professor, Becky Freeman.
  • Leaders from the:
    • NSW Department of Education.
    • NSW Teachers Federation.
    • NSW P & C Federation.
    • NSW Advocate for Children and Young People.

A number of NSW public, independent and Catholic primary and secondary school principals have also been invited to the roundtable to discuss their experiences of dealing with vaping and vape-related incidents in their schools.

Information and findings gathered at the roundtable will be used to inform future NSW Government policies and interventions into combatting the issue of vaping in schools.

This work comes in addition to $6.8 million invested by the Minns Labor Government in cracking down on the sale of illegal vapes, to support young people addicted to vaping.

This work will also complement measures implemented by the Australian Government, including its commitment to restrict the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We’re committed to addressing the prevalence of vaping in NSW schools.”

“The evidence suggests that vaping is now becoming a gateway for an increase in smoking rates in young people.

“This is a way to hear directly from schools, health experts and other key stakeholders on how we can begin to address this serious health issue in our schools.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Many principals, teachers, parents and schools are struggling with the growing issue of vaping, and how best to deal with it.

“Vaping is a community-wide issue, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing it with an evidenced-based approached.

“It is important we take on board what we are hearing form health experts, and we listen to what our teachers and principals are telling us.”

Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to doing all we can to protect our students from the dangers posed by vaping.

“We know the number of young people vaping is growing, and it’s important we move ahead with an evidenced-based measures to tackle this concerning issue.

“It’s important we take the time to consult with experts as we formulate the best step forward as we look to curb the issue of vaping within our schools.”

New $13 million program has feral pigs in its crosshairs

The NSW Government is raising the stakes in the war on pest animals, with the state’s first feral pig coordinator ready to roll out a boosted $13 million control program to support farmers.

Highlights of the NSW Government’s program include: 

  • NSW’s first dedicated feral pig coordinator appointed to lead the program
  • Establishing 3 priority landscape control zones to knock down numbers and reduce impacts in feral pig hotspots across Riverina, northwest, and western NSW
  • Boosting regional control programs, including 46 of the highly effective aerial shooting campaigns, and further support existing landholder driven programs
  • Equipping farmers with 99 capacity building events to inform them on the latest tools and advice needed to actively manage pest animals
  • Fully subsidising the cost of treating grain to bait feral pigs for farmers participating in the Feral Fighters program.

The state’s first feral pig coordinator, Bec Gray, brings to the role 12 years of experience working directly with landholders to manage feral pigs and other pest animals.

Over the next 8 months, she will drive the program to cull at least 87,000 feral pigs across NSW with high focus on the 3 priority hotspots.

These hotspots are known as ‘landscape control zones’ are based on known feral pig populations, impacts on agricultural and environmental assets, plus known landholder control efforts.

This model has proven to be a leading approach to pest animal management, with biosecurity officers and landholders working side by side, across private and public land.

NSW Local Land Services will adapt programs based on feral pig behaviours and movements.

With predicted dry conditions and warm weather over summer, control programs will focus around water resources as feral pigs will concentrate in these areas as other water sources deplete. 

Contact your nearest Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299launch or visit lls.nsw.gov.aulaunch for more information on how to get involved in the Feral Pig Control Program 2023-24. 

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“We have listened to farmers’ concerns since we were elected to government, and we have now delivered a practical plan that will tackle the feral pig population in NSW, getting results in the paddocks and for communities.

“Feral pigs are destructive animals that have huge impacts to farming operations, our economy and our biodiversity.

“I welcome Bec Gray to the pig coordinator role and look forward to her leading the way in managing the feral pigs program.

“This new $13 million program is modelled on extremely successful pig control programs and is targeting areas across the state with high density feral pig populations to get the greatest impact on pig numbers.

“A strong focus of the program is supporting landholders through practical training to help control feral pigs on their properties and subsided feral pig bait.

“Tackling a rising feral pig population requires government and farmers to work side by side, and this program will do exactly that.” 

Local Land Services Feral Pig Coordinator Bec Gray said:

“I am excited to get started and work with a fantastic team as part of this new role.

“We are here to provide support to farmers and to help coordinate large-scale feral pig control programs. Land managers need to play their role and participate in these programs. 

“I have seen firsthand the damage feral pigs cause to agricultural production and the environment, and I am pleased to see a dedicated feral pig program to assist landowners to manage this issue. 

“One of the focuses of this program is capacity-building, to ensure landholders can continue to manage feral pigs on their property into the future to protect their farming operations.

“The more landholders taking part in control programs, the more successful they will be at reducing feral pig numbers and protecting farming operations.

“I encourage farmers and land managers to get in contact with their nearest Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer and work closely with their neighbours in coordinated programs as this gets the best results.”