Category: Australian News

The Australian Government is deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that authorities in Laos are not pursuing the most serious charges in relation to the methanol poisoning deaths of Australian citizens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones.

This devastating news will only add to the immense pain and grief suffered by the families and friends of Holly and Bianca.

We have consistently made clear our expectations that charges should reflect the gravity of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Holly and Bianca in November 2024. This includes the Prime Minister and I expressing these expectations directly to our respective counterparts.

What happened to Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals should never have happened.

Since their deaths, Australia has advocated for a thorough and transparent investigation that takes into account all available evidence and for those responsible to be held to account. We have engaged repeatedly and at the highest levels of the Lao Government to support that objective.

The Prime Minister and I appointed Mr Pablo Kang as Special Envoy to continue Australia’s efforts and explore all avenues to achieve progress in the investigation. Mr Kang has engaged extensively with Lao authorities on behalf of the Australian Government and the families, with whom he has maintained regular contact.

The Prime Minister and I have asked Mr Kang to travel to Laos today to convey the Australian Government’s objections and reinforce our expectations for an investigation that delivers justice for Holly, Bianca, and the other victims of the methanol poisoning. The Acting Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also called in Laos’ Ambassador this morning in Canberra.

Next week I will again put Australia’s views directly to my Lao counterpart when I travel to Manila for the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings.

These discussions in the coming days in Canberra, Vientiane and Manila will help inform next steps.

The Albanese Government will continue to advocate for Holly and Bianca’s families with the Lao Government at every level, and will continue to provide consular assistance for as long as required.

As ever, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Holly and Bianca.

Reporting today confirms that Labor’s NDIS cuts will be disastrous for disabled kids and autistic people, with almost 145,000 autistic people to lose their supports.

The internal documents reported by the Guardian also show that two-thirds of the 241,000 people who will no longer be eligible for the NDIS in 5 years will be children.

These supports are often used for speech therapy, to build social skills, strengthen independence and help kids attend school. Alternatives do not currently exist for kids, and the government has failed to explain what programs are planned for teenagers with autism.

Ahead of the public hearings for the inquiry into the NDIS cuts recommencing on 30th July, the Greens say Labor should withdraw a bill already doing so much harm.

Acting Australian Greens Leader Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Autistic people and children with disabilities will be hurt the most by Labor’s cruel NDIS cuts, the biggest cut to a government program this century.

“The parents of 154,000 children will today be wondering what comes next for their child – when Labor takes away the support that lets them go to school, build social skills, and to play.

“These kids are being deprived of essential supports because Labor is too cowardly to tax gas exports, to stop sending billions to the USA for AUKUS submarines that we’ll never get, or to stop the $30 billion a year in tax handouts to wealthy property investors.

“We’re already hearing from disabled people and their loved ones who are being cut from the services they relied on. The threat of these cuts is already drying up funding and doing harm to thousands of people.

“Labor’s cuts to the NDIS are one of the cruelest acts perpetrated on a community by an Australian government. The Greens will continue to fight to see this cruel attack on disabled people scrapped.”

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

“This is an appalling and dangerously irresponsible Bill that sees Labor forcing 145,000 autistic people off the NDIS because they are too cowardly to tax the superprofits of corporations.

“The government has no explanation for what will happen to autistic people, and kids with other disabilities who lose their supports, because there is no plan. They are booting hundreds of thousands of people off the NDIS when there is no alternative.

“Labor decided to balance the budget by removing disabled people’s critical supports because they were too cowardly to tax gas exports, or scrap the tax perks for property investors instead of grandfathering them in the last budget.

“Thankfully, the momentum behind these cuts is crumbling, and public opposition is growing as people realise they will leave hundreds of thousands of disabled people and their families without carers, equipment and supports they rely on every day.

“The Greens will fight alongside the disability community to stop these cuts. Labor and Liberals should listen to the powerful testimony of disabled people and shelve this bill.”

The Victorian Greens stand in solidarity with teachers and education support staff taking industrial action, saying the Allan Government must deliver a fair pay and conditions deal that values the people educating our children.

Victorian teachers are the lowest paid in Australia despite facing some of the highest workloads, with the average school employee working around 12 hours of unpaid overtime every week.

By October, experienced Victorian teachers are set to earn more than $15,000 less than their counterparts in New South Wales.

The Greens say that unless the Allan Labor Government addresses pay and workload, Victoria will continue to struggle to attract and retain the teachers and education support staff schools desperately need.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“Teachers and support staff shouldn’t have to be fighting this hard just to be paid what they’re worth.

“Victoria is meant to be the Education State. We have it on our number plates, for crying out loud. We should be leading the country, not paying our teachers the least in the country, having them work the most overtime, and underfunding our schools.

“Labor can find billions of dollars to fund their political pet projects but then doesn’t have enough money to pay our teachers and support staff a fair wage. It is shameful.”

Greens respond to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s AI speech.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications, arts and environment and chair of the inquiry into AI data centres:

“AI is the new extractive industry, if we don’t have the right rules in place big tech companies will take our resources and leave Australians with little to show for it.

“We need a moratorium on the building of data centres until there are laws in place to properly regulate their impact in Australia including energy, water use, environment and communities.

“It is essential that we get the rules right. To do that we need a pause on the approval and construction of new hyperscale data centres while we do this important policy work.

“Just because big tech companies want to move at hyperspeed, doesn’t mean that we need to fast track and roll out the red carpet for them. We need to take the time to get this right, if we don’t there will be serious consequences for our energy grid, water, environment and climate.

“The Albanese Government needs to show the Australian people that they are more than just talk when it comes to putting the interests of Australians ahead of the interests of big AI companies.

“Today’s announcement that there will be rules for the building of data centres is welcome, but with more than 90 data centres already in the pipeline we cannot allow a free for all in the meantime.

“A key part of getting the rules right is protecting Australian artists, creators, journalists and copyright holders who all need their work protected from the extractive AI industry.

“AI companies want to build data mining factories that strip mine our knowledge, culture and intellectual property. This is theft. We do not allow other industries to pick and choose what laws apply to them, big tech should be no exception to this.

“The test for the Albanese Government will be how strongly they protect Australia’s knowledge, culture and environment.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for digital rights:

“If this government was serious about accountability it would be building an independent regulator and giving it strong statutory powers, not just building another door inside the PMs office for tech lobbyists to knock on.

“This is another power grab from one of the most centralising PM on record, keen to ensure he doesn’t face another rogue Minister with a vision for serious regulation of this technology.

“Providing government data for US AI companies raises real questions about consent, privacy and surveillance risk for all Australians and it’s hard to see how it’s in the public interest.

“A coordination office in Canberra doesn’t stop a single kid getting harmed tonight, and no amount of branding changes the fact that this government still hasn’t legislated a single enforceable protection.

“Not only does this announcement not provide any meaningful steps for building sovereign capability, the PM is also leaving Palantir embedded in the agencies holding Australians’ most sensitive information including Defence.

“The Prime Minister points to Five Eyes as if that settles the sovereignty question, but our closest security partner is also home to the AI companies that are the biggest security risks across the public and private sectors.

“He’s calling this an AI for Australia plan but the future he mapped out is controlled by American billionaires, not Australian communities.

“Australians need an independent AI regulator with real powers, mandatory guardrails, and legislated protections for kids, workers and creators.

“What we got today was a red carpet for Meta, Palantir and Amazon that leads straight to the PM’s office.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Acting Leader of the Australian Greens:

“Pauline Hanson’s on a holiday with a billionaire, spouting racism and Islamophobia in a hotel room paid for by a different billionaire’s media empire – trying to turn Australians against one another.

“This latest insight into Pauline Hanson’s mind is scary stuff, but unsurprising. Her sit down interview with convicted criminal and professional hate monger Tommy Robinson is the latest in a decades-long career of her spreading the same, hate-filled message.

“Harking back to a white Australia and piling hate on Muslims and migrants is disgusting, blatant racism. This hate doesn’t exist in headlines or in a vacuum, it has a material impact on targeted communities and One Nation knows that. 

“They don’t want people fighting the system making their lives harder, they want people fighting each other.

“The Australia of One Nation’s fantasies is a mean and selfish place where pointing the finger at your neighbour and punching down on Muslims becomes the norm, where women’s rights are wound back, and where we fight each other for scraps dropped from above by the billionaires pulling the strings.

“Labor and the Liberals have created the conditions for One Nation’s hate to rise, by constantly putting their corporate donors’ interests ahead of people’s and dogwhistling on migrants. 

“The One Nation scam of pretending to be anti-establishment while being bankrolled by billionaires and right-wing media is clear for everyone to see. Hanson goes on holiday with a billionaire in a luxury hotel in Italy and still has the gall to tell you it’s migrants making it hard for you to pay your rent. 

“I have taken on Hanson and the far-right in parliament, on the streets and in the courtroom. Now is the time to fight back and show people that something different is on offer. We want to see a country where everyone feels safe, welcome, and has everything they need to thrive and live a good life.”

The Albanese Labor Government will introduce a world-leading artificial intelligence framework to ensure Australia can capture the opportunity, share the benefits and keep Australians safe.

We will do that the Australian way – without undercutting conditions, dividing communities or damaging our environment.

The Government will introduce a set of Australian Standards for AI, building on the Data Centre Expectations, with our values as the benchmark to ensure AI works in Australia’s interests.

The new standards will set out clear rules for large data centres— including a legal obligation to underwrite their own new power supply, pay their full share of connection costs so energy bills are not impacted, reduce power when needed to strengthen the grid, and be as water efficient as possible. 

The Federal Government will also work with State and Territories to ensure large data centres are built in the most appropriate locations, and with input from local communities.

Effective today, the Office of AI will be established within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to accelerate implementation of the Australian Standards on a national level.

The Government’s approach will be considered by National Cabinet in August, with standards expected to be legislated early next year.

The implementation of these standards will deliver a simple, consistent regulatory framework for large data centres and AI training and be the first to be legislated by a government worldwide.

The Government’s approach will help further grow Australia’s economy, strengthen our sovereignty, secure benefits consistent with our national interests, and lift our standard of living.

The AI Standards will deliver greater clarity, speed up approvals and streamline the process for verifying compliance with energy, water, safety and other requirements.

The Government will also ensure the strongest possible protection for Australian artists and media.

Our approach will ensure Australian writers, artists and journalists retain ownership over their work, meaning no company should use Australian creative works to train AI without the artist’s control.

The Government will also outline its whole-of-government AI consumer safety priorities in coming weeks, building on the recent establishment of the AI Safety Institute.

The Government has every confidence that Australia can seize this moment of technological advancement and make it our own, while ensuring AI stands for Australia’s interests.                          

the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese

“This world leading framework is about Australia choosing to shape the future rather than letting the future of AI shape us.

“This framework is about protecting our national interests and ensuring certainty for growth, jobs and investment.

“If we set our national standards high, then we can make AI stand for Australia’s interests.

Senator Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science

“A Future Made in Australia is all about shaping Australia’s industrial and technological future in the national interest and in the interest of every Australian.

“That means securing critical AI investments here so Australians shape the future.

“Australian Standards for AI strengthen Australia’s framework to make sure AI investments are on Australia’s terms and strengthen our resilience, security and economy.”

Andrew Charlton, Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy

“Australia has an opportunity to ensure that new technology delivers inclusive, safe and sustainable growth, with shared benefits for our workers, and the community.

“Establishing a clear and enforceable social licence for AI is fundamental towards achieving this objective.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has serious questions to answer following fresh allegations of corruption and improper government intervention on Victorian Big Build projects.

On ABC’s 7.30 on 30 June, the Prime Minister was asked whether he had sought assurances from Premier Jacinta Allan that Commonwealth funding would not end up in the hands of organised crime. His response was unequivocal: “Well, of course.”

Just two weeks later, The Age today has published fresh allegations from a former senior Victorian Health Building Authority executive alleging government intervention on behalf of the CFMEU on a Commonwealth-funded hospital redevelopment, alongside further reporting of alleged corruption and criminal influence across Victorian Big Build projects.

These allegations raise serious questions about the assurances the Prime Minister claims he received from the Victorian Government.

Australians deserve to know what assurances the Prime Minister received, whether he still stands by them, and whether he remains confident that Commonwealth taxpayer funds have been properly protected.

The Prime Minister cannot simply rely on assurances while serious allegations continue to emerge. He owes Australians an explanation.

The Albanese Government should stop hiding behind assurances and heed the calls of almost 50,000 Australians who have signed Senator Maria Kovacic’s petition for a Senate inquiry into CFMEU and construction sector corruption. The Coalition stands ready to support such an inquiry when the Parliament next meets.

Throughout history, new technologies have always caused concerns, either real or imagined.

The pace of technological innovation picked up considerably in the Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century. It transformed societies – traumatically in some instances – but also made people richer and increased lifespans.

Change only increased in the 20th century, and people who resisted change raised all sorts of objections to new inventions. Wowsers in Australia condemned the introduction of the motor car as “beds on wheels”. Television was going to turn children into zombies. 5G was going to kill us all with radiation.

In this century, technological change has only increased. The new frontier is artificial intelligence, or AI. It has rapidly become part of our lives, and its use is climbing rapidly.

Like all new technologies, there will be people who use AI for good purposes and for bad. AI has the potential to transform the global economy, just like the introduction of factories did in the 19th century, and there are already signs it’s happening. Could AI eventually supplant OI (organic intelligence), otherwise known as our brains?

Fiction has not portrayed AI in a good light – mostly, anyway. Think of the murderous HAL computer in the 1960s film 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Skynet in the Terminator movies, or the bleak dystopian future of the Matrix movies.

The reality in 2026 is very different, but the possible outcomes as the technology advances are anyone’s guess. There are potentially huge economic benefits, but also genuine concerns about AI’s impact on human rights, safety, employment and privacy. That’s why companies developing AI can’t be left to regulate this technology themselves.

This week we’ve seen the Prime Minister create yet another agency – the ‘Office of AI’ – to appear like he’s doing something about it. But this has only come after Pauline’s address at the National Press Club, in which she called for safeguards and regulation to protect human rights and ensure public trust. One Nation continues to set the agenda in Australia, and it’s critical that Australians set the agenda for the use of AI.

Every Australian deserves to feel safe, respected and at home as they go about their day-to-day lives.

Islamophobia has no place in Australia. Yet, we have seen this evil grow and the number of hateful attacks continuing to steadily rise.

It is not the Australian way, it destroys the character of our nation as a country built on fairness, respect and a fair go. It must stop.

Today, we announce the Albanese Government’s response to the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia’s report – A National Response to Islamophobia. 

The Albanese Government thanks Special Envoy Aftab Malik for his considered and thorough report and his long history and determined focus on eliminating Islamophobia in Australia.

Mr Malik has engaged widely across all Australian society and internationally, and his report is an important and long-lasting contribution.

The Australian Government is progressing a range of recommendations and will continue to work on the remaining recommendations alongside the Special Envoy and the Australian Muslim community.

The Government response has been guided by Special Envoy Malik’s key areas of focus – education and awareness, protection and support for victims, building social cohesion and accountability and responsibility.

In addressing these recommendations, the Government is strengthening Australia’s capacity to combat Islamophobia by: 

• establishing an Islamophobia Education Taskforce to support national education and teacher training;
• developing training and guidance for parliamentarians, the Australian Public Service, law enforcement, justice and legal professionals;
• funding mental health and wellbeing supports for local organisations helping communities affected by hate and violence.
• supporting Muslim communities through new multicultural grants, with a focus on Muslim women and young Muslims; and
• creating a national information hub to improve understanding of Islamophobia;
• improving reporting, responses and community support to report Islamophobia through expanded AFP Community Liaison Teams and a new AFP Social Cohesion Team.

These new measures build on extensive existing work across government to combat Islamophobia, along with all forms of hatred.

The Government is making it a legal requirement for universities to prevent and respond to Islamophobia, the accelerated implementation of the hate crimes database, funding mental health and wellbeing support for students in Islamic schools and students of Islamic faith in government schools.

The Albanese Government has also created a framework for banning hate groups from operating in Australia. The legislation criminalises being a member, directing, recruiting or training with a prohibited group.

As with all forms of hatred and prejudice, eliminating Islamophobia is not the responsibility of the Muslim community alone.  

The Government’s full response to the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Islamophobia is available at: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-publications/reviews-and-inquiries/inquiries/.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“There is simply no place in Australia, or anywhere in the world, for Islamophobia and racial hatred.

“The fact we’ve seen a rise in Islamophobic incidents says all of us in civil society need to do more, and that’s what Mr Malik’s considered report will help guide.

“I thank Mr Malik for his recommendations and his important work which will continue to be referenced in the ongoing battle to eliminate hatred and violence targeted at Muslim communities all over Australia.”

the Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke:

“Every Australian, no matter where they’re from or who they worship, should be able to feel safe and at home anywhere in Australia without prejudice or discrimination.

“Islamophobia is real. It is widespread. It is debilitating. And it is unacceptable.”

the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Dr Anne Aly:

“Islamophobia is harmful and causes lasting damage to individuals, communities and to the social fabric of our country.

“The Albanese Government will continue to do all we can to stamp out Islamophobia and all forms of hate, protecting our social cohesion and ensuring that all Australians can live peacefully and free from hatred, threats and fear.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil, will travel to the United States this week to represent the Albanese Government at the Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD).

Held annually since 1993, the AALD brings together senior Australian and American leaders to exchange perspectives on key policy issues, including economics and trade, security and defence, foreign policy, innovation and technology, energy and climate, health, cybersecurity, and emerging global challenges.

The AALD provides an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration on major defence and national security initiatives, while ensuring Australia’s strategic perspectives and policy priorities are clearly communicated as part of our bilateral engagement with the United States.

During his visit, Assistant Minister Khalil will also meet with US Administration officials, and political leaders at both a state and federal level to discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation between Australia and the United States.

Australia’s Alliance with the US is fundamental to our national security and we are working together to grow our defence and security partnership, including through AUKUS, address shared strategic challenges and strengthen regional stability.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:

“Held every year since 1993, the Australian American Leadership Dialogue is an important forum for advancing cooperation between Australia and the United States on the issues that matter most to our shared security and prosperity.

“The Australia–United States Alliance, now in its 75th year, is built on trust, shared values and decades of cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

“As we confront an increasingly complex strategic environment, engagement with our American partners is essential to our alliance.

“AUKUS remains a central pillar of our defence and strategic cooperation, and this week’s discussions will help ensure continued alignment on this vital program.”