Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government is delivering for Australian veterans, with work underway on the new Surf Coast/Geelong Veterans’ and Families’ Hub, providing critical services and support closer to home for the region’s 6,600 veterans and their families. 

Working closely with the newly-opened Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency, the Hub will offer everything from mental and physical health services to claims and compensation advocacy, education, employment and housing advice. 

Designed in consultation with the local veteran community, the Hub will provide a welcoming, accessible space where veterans and families can seek practical assistance, build connections and access ongoing support.

RSL Victoria will establish the Hub, which will be based on site at the Geelong RSL, complemented by satellite sites across the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula to extend its reach across the region. 

The Surf Coast/Geelong Veterans’ and Families Hub forms part of the Albanese Government’s growing network of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across Australia, bringing support closer to the communities where veterans and families live. 

The Surf Coast/Geelong Hub is expected to open in mid-2027.

Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister:

“Geelong and the surrounding region have a proud history of military service, and our Government is committed to ensuring those who serve, and the families who support them, can access the care and assistance they deserve.

“This new Hub will deliver immeasurable benefits for the many serving personnel, veterans and their families who call this region home.

“The Albanese Government is proud to be delivering this program, providing tailored, community‑focused programs in a dedicated space and support the wellbeing of our veterans here in Geelong and right across the country.”                                                                                  

Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs:

“We know that wellbeing support is more effective when services are properly joined up and when veterans and their families can access it close to where they live.

“The Albanese Government is investing more than $5 million together with RSL Victoria to build a Veterans’ and Families Hub for the Surf Coast and Geelong so veterans and their families have a local central place to access supports and co-ordinated connection to other services, backed by the work of the new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency.

“It’s great to see the Hub taking shape so local veterans and their families can get the right support at the right time.”

Libby Coker, Member for Corangamite:

“This is a really important milestone for local veterans and families of veterans, and it’s exciting to see the Hub taking shape after extensive outreach and consultation with our local veteran community from Torquay, Portarlington, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.

“Local feedback has helped shape the Hub and the services it will offer, from help with DVA claims and compensation to finding a job or a home, and opportunities to connect with like-minded locals. 

“Importantly, this Hub has been designed with the local veteran community because we want veterans and their families to know there is a welcoming place close to home where they can find the right support, feel heard and stay connected.”

The Albanese Government will support the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association to begin work to establish a new Australian Military Training Memorial in Canberra. 

The memorial will provide a dedicated place of national recognition for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who have lost their lives during military training, and for the families, friends and colleagues who carry the enduring impact of their loss.

The risks a person takes on when they choose to serve in our ADF cannot be underestimated. We are forever grateful to all those who choose to serve in our nation’s uniform, and the families who support them. 

The new memorial will be appropriately situated on Anzac Parade, between Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial. 

Alongside the other memorials that sit on this revered path, the Australian Military Training Memorial will provide a lasting place of reflection and remembrance for families, the Defence community and all Australians.

The Australian Military Training Memorial will address a longstanding gap in Australia’s national commemorative landscape, ensuring those who have died during military training are honoured alongside others who have served our nation.

The Government’s support will help fund consultation with bereaved families, serving and former ADF personnel, and other stakeholders, as well as the development of a concept design for the memorial.

Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles: 

“The Australian Military Training Memorial will address a distinct and longstanding gap in national commemorations. 

“It will take pride of place on Anzac Parade as a reminder to all Australians of the risk and sacrifice Australian Defence Force personnel have made in the past, and for years to come.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh: 

“In recent years we have been heartbroken by too many painful reminders of the immense risks our service personnel face every single day to keep us safe. 

“Our personnel should be safe in the knowledge that whatever may befall them in service, they, and their families will be looked after, and acknowledged by a grateful nation.”

All Australians value the service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families. Those who are killed or injured in service, and the loved ones who share in their sacrifice, deserve meaningful and enduring recognition. 

In 2021, the then‑Government asked the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal to conduct an independent inquiry into recognising the sacrifice of ADF members

The Albanese Government has now carefully considered the findings of that inquiry, and produced the Recognising their Sacrifice – Discussion Paper.

The Government’s Discussion Paper proposes a new form of recognition for the families of ADF personnel who die during their service, outside the Australian honours and awards system. This could include a commemorative emblem that families can wear as a lasting symbol of their loved one’s service and sacrifice. 

Individual ADF members would continue to be recognised through the Australian honours and awards system in the usual way. 

Beyond this proposal, the Government is also seeking views on how Australia can better recognise the broader sacrifices associated with military service, including those personnel who are wounded as a result of their service, those who die after their service has ended, and the families who support them. 

Today, we invite community feedback from Serving members, veterans, families and the broader Australian community on the Government’s proposal, as well as additional forms of recognition. 

Feedback received through this consultation will help inform the Government’s consideration of how recognition can best honour the service and sacrifice of ADF members, veterans and their families.

To access the Recognising their Sacrifice discussion paper, provide feedback, or find out more information visit https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/recognising-their-sacrifice.

The Australian Government is today imposing targeted Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions and travel bans on four Sudanese individuals and targeted financial sanctions on one entity in response to the ongoing conflict and catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have committed serious human rights violations and abuses, including attacks on civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and extrajudicial killings. Those responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses must be held to account.

The sanctions target the leaders of both warring parties, including Commander in Chief of the SAF, Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, and Commander of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Mousa. They build on sanctions already imposed by Australia on 13 individuals under the United Nations Security Council’s Sudan framework.

Since the conflict in Sudan began on 15 April 2023, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and over 14 million individuals have been displaced. Almost 34 million people – over 70 per cent of Sudan’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Australia has provided over $67 million in humanitarian assistance to organisations delivering support to those impacted by the conflict. Assistance has included food, clean water and shelter, health and protection services and support to victim survivors of gender-based violence.

A class-based humanitarian permit has been issued for Sudan, to facilitate certain humanitarian activities otherwise restricted under Australia’s autonomous sanctions framework.

The latest sanctions underscore Australia’s commitment to addressing human rights atrocities and holding perpetrators to account.

Australia unequivocally condemns violence against civilians and humanitarian personnel. We call on all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, and to allow and facilitate full, safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Australia stands with the people of Sudan and Sudanese communities in Australia affected by this devastating conflict.

For further information, including the full list of sanctions, visit the Australia and sanctions page on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

“The Reserve Bank has been forced to raise interest rates on Australian families and small businesses for the 17th time under the Albanese Labor government because the Taxaholic Treasurer still can’t kick his spending addiction”, said Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson.

Mr Wilson’s comments come in the wake of the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.85 per cent, the fifth interest rate rise this year, the 17th since Labor came to power, and the highest level in 18 years.

In its statement, the RBA noted “Inflation is now forecast to remain elevated through much of 2027 and is not expected to reach the top of the 2–3 per cent target range until late 2027, around three quarters later than previously forecast”.

“The only sure bet on Melbourne Cup Day was Australian families would be forced to make tough choices because the Treasurer won’t kick his spending addiction”, Mr Wilson said.

“The RBA has now warned that because of the Treasurer’s spending addiction rates are going to be high and stay there”.

“Today’s rise adds around $150 a month to the average new mortgage. That family is now paying about $32,000 a year more in interest than when Labor was elected. That’s $2,700 a month ripped out of the family budget”.

“In March last year the Treasurer said we’d turned the inflation corner, but by July last year inflation started rising and so did pressure on interest rates”.

“While most developed countries have had one or two interest rate hikes this year, Australia has now had five because we have a Treasurer that can’t kick his spending and inflation addiction”. 

“Australia now has higher interest rates and higher underlying inflation than every major advanced economy. This isn’t a global story. It’s a homegrown inflation problem, and its name is the Albanese government’s active inflation agenda”.

“Underlying inflation is 3.6 per cent and has been above the Reserve Bank’s target band in 15 of the 18 quarters since Labor was elected. Prices set here in Australia are up 4.5 per cent, and government spending is at its highest share of the economy since 1986-87 outside the pandemic”.

“The Reserve Bank, the IMF and business leaders have all warned that government spending is fuelling inflation. The Treasurer keeps pouring debt petrol on the inflation fire, and families and small businesses keep paying the bill at the bank and at the checkout”.

“Real wages are down 1.5 per cent under Labor. Australians are working harder, paying more at the supermarket, getting less in their trolley and going backwards”.

“The Albanese government will never pull in its belt, but it keeps telling Australians to pull in theirs. It stokes inflation, taxes inflation and spends inflation in a vicious cycle that keeps Australians poorer”.

“The Coalition has a plan to get inflation down and take pressure off interest rates. We’ve found $31 billion in savings by cutting Labor’s waste, we will put a speed limit on spending so government can’t spend faster than the economy is growing, and we will deliver our Tax Back Guarantee, so every Australian worker gets a bigger, permanent tax cut, every year”.

“The Treasurer has a choice in MYEFO. He can rein in his spending, or he can keep running the economy down the recession runway and leave families and small businesses to pay for it with even higher interest rates”. 

“Australians deserve an economy where hard work gets them ahead, not one where they run faster just to stand still”.

ANNUAL INFLATION, LAST 12 MONTHS

Annual Inflation	Headline SEP-26	Core SEP-26
Japan	2.1%	2.1%
France	3.1%	1.5%
Canada	3.1%	2.2%
Germany	3.3%	2.4%
UK	3.5%	2.8%
US	3.7%	2.6%
Italy	4.2%	1.6%
Australia	4.3%	3.6%

Sources
RBA decisions, Tables F1.1 and F6 (August 2026).
ABS CPI, September 2026 and September quarter 2026.
ABS WPI, June quarter 2026.
ABS Lending Indicators, June quarter 2026 (average new loan).
Trading Economics (other countries).
Final Budget Outcome 2025-26, Appendix B, Table B1 (spending).

This week I will attend meetings of the G20 and Quad foreign ministers in Atlanta, United States.

The meetings come as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy supplies and drive up fuel prices, with flow-on effects for the cost of food and other essentials.

Through the G20, Australia works with major global economies to strengthen economic resilience, support sustainable growth, and advance peace and security.

This week, we will focus on pressing global challenges, including threats to energy security and global supply chains.

Protecting the free flow of international trade is part of that effort. Australia has joined the European Union-led `No Fees/No Tolls’ pledge, opposing unlawful fees and tolls that would undermine freedom of navigation and set a dangerous precedent for international shipping.

I will advocate for these principles in my discussions with international counterparts during the visit.

I will also meet with counterparts from the United States, India and Japan for the third Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this year.

Together, we will advance practical cooperation on regional security, maritime security and economic resilience in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The text of the following statement was released by the Secretary of State of the United States, the Foreign Minister of Australia, the External Affairs Minister of India, and the Foreign Minister of Japan.

The Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan met in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 31, 2026, to discuss progress on ongoing Quad initiatives and reaffirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Quad ministers underscored the importance of economic security in maintaining global stability and prosperity. They reiterated their commitment to building reliable and open global supply chains and trusted and resilient infrastructure. They expressed grave concerns regarding economic coercion, including through arbitrary export restrictions, as well as non-market policies and practices that result in overcapacity to disrupt global supply chains in critical industries. Recognizing the importance of critical sea lanes, the uninterrupted flow of commerce, energy security, and the unhindered passage and safety of maritime crews and vessels without the imposition of tolls, they reiterated the absolute necessity to protect and preserve navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in accordance with international law as reflected in UNCLOS.

The Quad ministers highlighted the importance of Super Intelligence (SI)* and initiatives like Pax Silica to the future of economic growth and expressed their intent to provide over $85 million of technical and financial assistance to support access to trusted SI across the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad SI Accelerator.

The Quad ministers expressed their deep concern about the proliferation of online and cyber scams that pose a threat to national and international peace and security. They condemned the criminal groups running the scam operations and trafficking people and forcing them to defraud our citizens, stealing tens of billions of dollars annually of hard-earned wealth from our respective countries. The Quad countries committed to dismantling these operations and holding transnational criminal groups and their leaders accountable.

The Quad ministers expressed their condolences for those who lost their lives during the flash floods of August 26, 2026, and underscored their shared commitment to supporting partners in times of need.  They recognized India’s leading role as the first responder to Nepal’s rescue, along with the significant support to Nepal from all Quad countries.

The Quad ministers welcomed progress on key initiatives bolstering the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, including:

Economic Prosperity and Security

• Securing Critical Minerals Supply Chains:  Under the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework announced in May 2026, Quad countries have strengthened their cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, working together to recover critical minerals from electronics waste and scrap materials to reduce reliance on any single supplier.  They welcomed private sector-led investment in waste collection networks, processing plants, and refineries, and work with Quad countries to establish trusted critical minerals recycling value chains.  They welcomed the U.S. commitment to provide $10 million to promote infrastructure and facilities in India and ASEAN countries that recover critical minerals from waste.  Quad countries look forward to exploring streamlining export and import procedures to facilitate the transboundary movement of recyclable materials and strengthen the implementation of existing regulations.
• Supporting Energy Security in the Indo-Pacific: In September, the Quad convened the first-ever Quad Fuel Security Forum and discussed our commitment to advancing fuel security in the Indo-Pacific, including by strengthening their respective strategic petroleum reserves and stockholdings.
• Advancing Ports Infrastructure in Fiji: Quad countries are actively working with the Government of Fiji on infrastructure modernization projects for key ports at Suva, Lautoka, and Rokobili. This includes through the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, which is supporting Fiji in developing a Port Strategic Development Framework, and the Government of Australia, which is assessing the feasibility of a new transshipment port facility.
• Building Infrastructure Capability Across the Indo-Pacific: To date, Quad countries have provided more than 2000 infrastructure fellowships across the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and South Asia providing critical skills to Indo-Pacific nations to support a stronger and more resilient region.
• Advancing Commercial Diplomacy: The Quad ministers announced the first-ever Quad Business Leaders’ Forum that will convene industry leaders, government, and policy experts from Quad countries to foster greater ties across our public and private sectors, including the promotion of commercial deals in key sectors. Quad export credit agencies, building on their 2024 Memorandum of Cooperation, will convene in Tokyo on November 18 to identify opportunities for practical cooperation, further demonstrating our commitment to deepening economic cooperation.
• Progressing Secure and Resilient Digital Connectivity in the Indo-Pacific: Quad countries continue to accelerate efforts to develop trusted, redundant, and high-speed cable routes in the region and share best practices to manage secure and resilient undersea data cables.

Maritime and Transnational Security

• Making the Seas Safer: The second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission successfully sailed from Chennai, India, to Perth, Australia from September 25 to October 7 with representatives from all four Quad countries aboard an Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel, a significant step toward strengthening Quad maritime interoperability to address unlawful maritime activities.
• Strengthening Maritime Collaboration: The Quad countries look forward to holding their first exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at Sea Dragon 2027. The initiative was announced in May by the Secretary and Foreign Ministers in New Delhi to enhance information sharing and maritime domain awareness.
• Improving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): The Quad countries are pleased to announce the first Quad Maritime Domain Awareness Track 1.5 Symposium under the Quad Maritime Training Initiative (MAITRI) in early 2027, which will provide a platform for regional partners to discuss MDA approaches, technologies, and information sharing.

Critical and Emerging Technology

• Trusted Communications Networks: In the spirit of the Quad Leaders’ endorsement of the Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security, Quad countries committed to identifying priority countries for cooperation on trusted advanced communication technologies, including 5G, 6G, Open Radio Access Networks (RAN), and SI* RAN developing a pipeline of trusted 5G projects, as well as exploring future cooperation on SI* RAN.
• Semiconductor and SI* Hardware: Quad countries reinforced the need to build secure, resilient, and trusted supply chains for advanced, leading-edge semiconductors and SI* hardware. They will launch a new effort to identify semiconductor and SI* supply chain chokepoints before they cause disruptions.
• Digital Identity Standards: Quad countries continue to advance efforts to map digital identity standards, making it easier for our public and private sectors to work together.
• Deepening Cooperation on Cyber Security: This month, Quad Cyber Senior Officials met and pledged to continue advancing Quad countries’ unique capabilities to support a trusted and resilient cybersecurity environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Response

• Building Capacity to Respond to Disasters: The Quad continues to improve capabilities to respond to natural disasters via its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Partnership. Australia, Japan, and the United States will send observers to India’s Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise (AJHE-26) in November to build shared capacity to respond to natural disasters.
• Developing Shared Logistics Capabilities: The Quad countries made significant progress toward the development of the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) Standard Operating Procedures, during the second IPLN Tabletop Exercise (TTX) hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Defense in September. This will facilitate swift and effective response to natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad countries will continue advancing their shared humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) logistics capacity, including at the next IPLN exercise to be held at the next Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

We look forward to the convening of the Quad Leaders’ Summit, the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and continuing our engagements that advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

* In Australia, India, and Japan, ‘Super Intelligence’ refers to ‘artificial intelligence.’

The NSW Greens have condemned the record of retiring Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris, who will leave Parliament after presiding over stalled Treaty progress, failures to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, attacks on Aboriginal land rights, the worst year on record for First Nations deaths in custody, and the introduction of laws that disproportionately imprison First Nations children

Greens MP and spokesperson for First Nations Justice Sue Higginson said:  

“David Harris has been a profound disappointment as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, and his retirement comes with a shameful legacy of failing to stand up for First Nations people when they needed him most,”  

“At every turn, when his Government has made decisions that actively undermine the rights, safety and futures of First Nations people, Harris has been sitting at the Cabinet table supporting them. He has had the responsibility and the opportunity to stand up for First Nations people, and he has failed,”  

“I have repeatedly questioned Minister Harris about the appalling treatment of First Nations people by his Government, and he has constantly deferred his responsibility on every issue from cultural heritage protection, to children in prison under discriminatory bail laws and deaths in custody,”   

“When I questioned him about the record number of First Nations deaths in custody, he told me the response was outside his portfolio. When I challenged him about laws restricting First Nations people’s rights to march and protest, he confirmed that everyone in Cabinet supported those laws. This was an extraordinary admission from the Minister who is supposed to advocate for First Nations people at the highest levels of Government,”  

“Meanwhile, more than 44,000 Aboriginal land claims remain unresolved and his Government has passed retrospective laws that the NSW Aboriginal Land Council has warned weaken Aboriginal land rights. The failure has been so serious that the NSW Aboriginal Land Council has withdrawn from the Government’s Closing the Gap framework,”  

“David Harris will leave politics, but the consequences of the decisions he has supported will remain with First Nations people long after he is gone. His retirement should be a moment of serious reflection for the Minns Government about the harm they have caused, and the urgent responsibility they have to change course,” Ms Higginson said.   

People with disabilities and their loved ones are advised that the following media release will cover the confronting topic of deaths of people with disability in our community. 

We also ask that any public discussion centres the dignity of people with disability and handles the subject matter with sensitivity.

ACT Greens Disability Spokesperson Laura Nuttall MLA this week secured a commitment to a disability death review scheme, after the Assembly unanimously agreed to her motion.  

“This is an incredibly difficult time for the disability community, but the implementation of this crucial recommendation will be one small step in the right direction,” said Miss Nuttall. 

“We know from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability that this community faces disproportionate rates of both premature and avoidable deaths. 

“Now, in line with a recommendation from the Royal Commission to all state and territory governments, the ACT will begin developing a review scheme to help understand how and why these deaths occur in our current systems. This is crucial as it will make sure we know what needs to be changed to make sure the avoidable deaths don’t happen again. 

The motion passed unanimously after amendments and requires that the Government determine the exact model for a Disability Death Review Scheme and begin implementing it by January 2028. 

“Canberrans should be incredibly proud that this motion was ultimately agreed to unanimously as some things simply have to be above partisan politics. 

“We know that this is only one small step in the right direction as the disability community is still dealing with huge NDIS cuts and foundational supports simply aren’t ready. The ACT Greens will proudly keep campaigning with the disability community on these incredibly important issues, for as long as it takes to ensure adequate funding and supports are in place,” said Miss Nuttall.  

On Remembrance Day, our nation will pause to honour all Australians who have served, suffered, and sacrificed in wars and military operations for our nation.

Remembrance Day is one of the most sacred days on our national calendar.

Yet this Remembrance Day, protests have been planned by students and teachers across Australia.

Freedom of speech – and freedom to protest – are core tenets of our democracy.

But shame on all those who abuse those freedoms and choose Remembrance Day – of all days – to protest.

What disrespect to the fallen!

What disregard to our veterans and their families

What ingratitude and historical ignorance!

Choosing Remembrance Day – of all days – to protest is utterly disgraceful.

And let’s not forget how these protests can quickly morph into violent unrest as other extremists seize on the opportunity.

We’ve seen that elsewhere.

Don’t think Australia is immune.

We must protect our way of life.

Remembrance Day must not be hijacked.

I’m calling on the Prime Minister to join me in condemning these protests.

Let’s proudly protect and commentate this most solemn day.