Category: Australian News

The Australian Greens have confirmed their support for the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill, recognising it as a step in strengthening protections for vulnerable and targeted communities. 

The Greens will move amendments recommended in the Bill’s Senate Inquiry Report, including adding disability as a protected attribute in hate symbols offences, extending protections to associates of protected groups, and updating language around gender and sexuality.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Spokesperson for Anti-racism:  

“The Greens will support Labor’s Hate Crimes Bill as it ensures stronger protections for vulnerable and targeted groups. It is a considered piece of legislation which is a step towards combating hate.

“We will move amendments proposed in the Bill Senate Inquiry Report to include disability as a protected attribute in hate symbols offences and to extend protections for associates of protected groups, as well as to update language around gender and sexuality. 

“We will consider our position in relation to amendments moved by other parties.

“The Greens will continue to call for a national Human Rights Act, for the government to urgently and fully fund the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework to tackle all forms of racism, and for investment in responses to hate that are grassroots and community-led.”

Political donations data published today by the Australian Electoral Commission shows corporate control over the major parties is rife through donor influence and our dodgy donation laws.

Both the big parties accept huge sums of money from dirty industries with a track record of trying to buy favourable policy outcomes. Only once a year can we find out just how much these powerful industries are paying for their influence on our democracy.

Greens spokesperson on Democracy, Senator Larissa Waters:

“As becomes clear every February, Australian democracy is still for sale and big corporations are pulling the strings.

“Today’s data once again shows that money talks, with more than $8.5 million in donations pocketed by the big political parties in the last financial year.

“Corporate donations to both big parties is over $260 million in the last ten years. 

“The annual disclosure records for the big political parties are littered with donations from big miners, property developers, banks and consultants – the same big corporations who are buying influence for private profits.

“The Liberal’s multimillion dollar investment fund the Cormack Foundation has shares in both Woolworths Group and Coles which returned $52,500 and $172,500 the fund respectively. Woolworths also made an $11,000 donation to Labor last financial year.

“It’s no wonder the big parties aren’t taking action to bring down the cost of groceries when they’re making bank off the back of the big supermarkets’ profits.

“Fossil fuel donations to both big parties continue and it’s no surprise that in return the Albanese government continues to approve new coal and gas projects and give $11 billion of public money every year in fossil fuel subsidies, turbo charging climate destruction.

“The biggest fossil fuel and mining donors are bankrolling a Dutton prime ministership with Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting giving $500,000 to Liberal Parties, and Rio Tinto giving $555,619 and BHP $469,368 to Liberal body Cormack Foundation.

“The Greens will continue to push for a ban on donations from dirty industries seeking to influence government policy – like coal and gas, the banks, big pharma, the pokies and alcohol lobby, tobacco, and weapons manufacturers. 

“We’ve had to wait a whole year, and today’s data only shows the tip of the iceberg. Many donations fall below the $16,300 disclosure threshold, and many ‘membership fees’ and cash-for-access event fees are not classed as donations so stay hidden from public view.

“We urgently need real-time donations disclosure so the public can see who is buying influence in the lead up to the federal election, not 20 months afterwards.

“There are the numbers in parliament to pass electoral reforms which can improve transparency, bring in truth in political advertising and genuinely reduce the influence of big money in politics.

“The government needs to decide if it wants a deal with the Liberals to keep the big parties’ coffers flush or have serious talks with the Greens and crossbench to ensure electoral reform improves democracy and doesn’t just prop up the fortunes and war chests of the two big parties.

“Big corporations keep making political donations to the big parties, yet one in three big corporations pay no tax. The Greens will keep Dutton out and push Labor to make the big corporations pay their fair share of tax, to fund the things we all need.

The Greens (WA) have announced a list of key demands to strengthen renter’s rights and shift the power balance away from property developers, landlords and real estate agents.

Housing will be a top priority for the Greens (WA) in the next term, with recent data showing Western Australia is now the epicentre of the national housing crisis¹ after four years of the Cook Labor government.

Since the 2021 State Election, rents in Perth have increased by more than 50%² putting thousands of Western Australian into financial hardship and earning our city the unfortunate title of ‘least affordable capital city’ in the country.

Meanwhile, our ageing public and private housing stock is some of the worst in the country, putting renter’s health at risk in our notoriously hot summers and through the cooler months of winter as well.

After four years of the Cook Labor government tinkering around the edges of the housing and renting crisis, the Greens will today announce a commitment to strengthen renter’s rights including:

1. A two-year freeze on rent increases and a permanent cap on rent increases pegged at CPI + 10% (in line with the model introduced in the ACT);
2. Immediately scrap no-reason evictions from the Residential Tenancies Act;
3. Introduce minimum standards for all public and private rental properties, including minimum standards for heating, cooling and energy efficiency:
   1. As of 1 May 2025, all new properties in WA will be required to have a minimum energy efficiency rating of 7 stars under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. Western Australia could retrofit all social housing to meet this standard by 2030 at a cost of $640million and incentivise private rentals to do the same;
4. Tougher controls to stop rent-bidding:
   1. The advertised weekly rent for a home is the price tenants will pay; and
   2. Introduce a 3-strike policy for real estate agents, and fines for private landlords, for encouraging rent-bidding or accepting bids above the advertised price for a rental property.

WA Greens Housing Spokesperson and Legislative Council Candidate, Tim Clifford:

“Over the last four years the Cook Labor government has consistently prioritised the rights of property developers, landlords and real estate agents over the rights of the 700,000 Western Australians who rent. 

“Despite passing reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act in April last year, new inflation data out last week shows Western Australia is still at the epicentre of the national housing crisis with rents rising more than 10% in the last year and more than 50% in the last four years.

“Western Australians who rent desperately need relief which is why the Greens will push for a two year rent freeze after the state election which would save the average household almost $6,000 per year³; more than 8 weeks rent!

“But unlike the Cook Labor government, who are experts at bandaid solutions, we know that more than a temporary rent freeze is needed to ease the pressure on renters in the long-term.

“That’s why the Greens are announcing today a permanent cap on rent increases that is tied to CPI alongside a suite of policies that will actually make a difference for the 700,000 Western Australians who rent.

“Housing Minister John Carey could have made bold reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act but instead he caved to the property developers, landlords and real estate lobbyists like REIWA.

“Labor just keeps tinkering around the edges of this housing crisis. If Labor really wanted to tackle this crisis they would freeze and permanently cap rents, scrap unfair no-reason evictions and give WA renters safety and security in their own homes.”

WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt:

“Western Australia is the only state where tenants can be evicted for no reason and the only state where the government uses this unfair policy regularly to evict tenants from government owned and managed housing.

“The Greens WA tried to amend the Residential Tenancies Act in April last year to get rid of the unfair practice but were blocked by the WA Labor government who claimed, without evidence, that doing so could impact housing supply. 

“What there is plenty of evidence for is the impact that maintaining this unfair practice has on the security and affordability of housing for the 700,000 Western Australians who rent. 

“A survey last year by Make Renting Fair WA⁴ revealed tenants are too scared to ask for maintenance or necessary repairs in case that leads to an eviction and feel powerless to negotiate rent increases. 

“As the biggest landlord in the state, the WA Labor government regularly uses no-grounds evictions to evict public and social housing tenants into homelessness; a practice that is, frankly, criminal. 

“We are joined today at this announcement by Sandii Rogers, a public housing tenant on the disability support pension who has been told by the government she will have to cover the cost of installing insulation in her home. This is not good enough.

“So many public housing tenants swelter through summer in state-government owned and managed housing that doesn’t even meet basic minimum standards such as roof insulation, let alone air conditioning. It is time to invest in minimum energy efficiency standards as a priority.

“Alongside investing in public housing, we would push for a $1,500 rebate scheme to incentivise landlords to improve the energy efficiency of private rental properties, helping renters to save on their energy bills too.

“Far too many Western Australian homes fall well below minimum standards for safe housing; this needs to change as a priority.”
 

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¹ Perth housing market: Latest inflation data shows renters hit hard in 2024, The West Australian, Wednesday 29 January 2025, Source: https://thewest.com.au/business/economy/perth-housing-market-latest-inf…

² SQM Weekly Rents: Perth. Source: https://sqmresearch.com.au/weekly-rents.php?region=wa%3A%3APerth&type=c…

³ Renters could have saved 10 weeks worth of rent by now under Greens rent freeze proposal, Max Chandler-Mather, Australian Greens, 24 October 2024. Source: https://www.maxchandlermather.com/renters_could_have_saved_10_weeks_wor…

⁴ 2023 WA Renter’s Survey, Make Renting Fair WA. Source: https://makerentingfairwa.org.au/resources/survey-findings/

The Greens have offered the Albanese Government a pragmatic pathway to tackle the harms of gambling advertising with new laws this fortnight.

The Greens have today released a letter sent to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland last week in which the party offered Labor a compromise: to ban gambling ads online, ban ads before and after sport and during kids viewing times, and to create a cap of 2 ads per television program, mirroring the Government’s earlier position.

The new offer heaps pressure on the Albanese Government. The Greens have offered to to amend their Ban Gambling Ads bill which is scheduled to be before the Senate on Wednesday morning for debate.

Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Gambling ad reform is the unfinished business of this parliament. The public want this done before the election and the Government should listen and act.

“We’re offering a pragmatic pathway here and there is just enough time to get it done. On Wednesday, the Senate will debate and vote on the Greens’ bill to ban gambling ads. All sides should back it.

“We will support legislation this week to ban gambling ads online and implement some broadcast restrictions before and after sport and during kids viewing times.

“This offer is consistent with the Albanese Government’s previous promises.

“If the Government is serious about preventing gambling harm and protecting our kids they will jump at this offer.

“Australians want gambling ads banned and stakeholders are desperate for action.

“The Albanese Government shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The Greens have compromised and Labor should too.

“The Greens will push for a full gambling ad ban in the next parliament but in the meantime we should work together for the sake of our kids and communities.

“Australians lose more to gambling than any other nation than earth and we need our politicians to act.”

The Australian Government has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on the white supremacist terrorist network Terrorgram, as part of our ongoing work to combat antisemitism and keep Australians safe.

Terrorgram is an online network that promotes white supremacy and racially-motivated violence.

It is now a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram.

Penalties include up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or heavy fines.

It is the first time any Australian Government has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entity based entirely online.

The Australian Government has also re-listed for counter-terrorism financing sanctions four other entities that promote nationalist and racist violent extremist ideologies: National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base.

This demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to disrupting the activities of terrorists and violent extremists and preventing them from recruiting and radicalising people online.

There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or violence.

The Australian Government has also imposed sanctions on Hizballah’s new Secretary-General and a leading spokesperson for the terrorist group, Mr Naim Qassem.

Hizballah is responsible for the deaths of countless civilians in Lebanon, Israel and across the Middle East.

One person and another four entities have also been re-listed for counter-terrorism financing sanctions.

A consolidated list of sanctions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

The Victorian Greens will second read their Bill to Parliament and will force a debate to enshrine abortion services into the Victorian Constitution, safeguarding access to abortion from future conservative State governments.

Separate to the Bill, the Upper House will debate a Greens motion committing the Parliament to guard against the current and future political threats to the provision of safe abortion services in the State.

The Greens Bill would require a supermajority, and while the Premier has been clear she’s committed to protecting reproductive rights, support from some Liberal MPs would likely still be necessary to make the change.

The Greens wrote to the new Opposition Leader Brad Battin regarding his position on the Bill several weeks ago, but have yet to receive a reply.

It comes after the Liberal leadership spill that saw many in the anti-abortion faction of the party oust the former moderate Liberal Leader John Pesutto, who had expressed his personal support for abortion and said he would put it to a conscience vote.

The last time the Liberals were in power under Denis Napthine they were considering winding back Victoria’s abortion laws.

The moves come in response to renewed attempts from some Liberal and National MPs around the country to wind-back abortion laws in Parliaments across Australia.

State Greens Leader Ellen Sandell said that protecting abortion was especially necessary in Victoria, given the rise of the staunchly anti-abortion faction of the Victorian Liberal Party under its new Leader Brad Battin.

Greens Spokesperson for Health Dr. Sarah Mansfield, a former regional GP, will second read the Greens Bill on Wednesday.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“It’s frightening that all it takes is for a change of government to threaten our right to safely access abortion in Victoria, especially when the Liberals are lurching further to the right here.

“People deserve to know where their leaders sit when it comes to their reproductive rights and access to essential healthcare.

“In little over a month as leader Brad Battin has welcomed one anti-abortion MP back to the Liberal Party, promoted another to the shadow cabinet, and pre-selected a third as a candidate for an upcoming by-election”

the Victorian Greens Health Spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:

“Abortion is already a postcode lottery in Victoria, we can’t risk a change in government further threatening access to this essential healthcare.

“We know that the last time the Liberals were in government in Victoria they considered winding back our abortion laws.

“Our reproductive rights have been hard-won, but it’s clear the fight isn’t over. Around the world, and here in Australia, we are seeing a renewed attack on reproductive rights from conservative politicians.

“If there was ever a time to do this, it’s now. The Greens call on the Parliament to finally protect Victorians’ reproductive rights forever.”

The Australian Greens have launched a plan to deliver 50 cent public transport fares across the country, taking the Queensland experience national, in a bid to tackle the skyrocketing cost-of-living and save households thousands.

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP will make the announcement today at a pre-poll booth for the Prahran by-election, alongside Australian Greens’ spokesperson for transport Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Greens’ Prahran candidate Angelica Di Camillo.

The plan would see a full-time worker in Melbourne save $50 a week, or $2,400 a year.

In Sydney a full-time worker would save $2,160 a year, in Perth $2,006, and in Adelaide $1,872.

An independent costing by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) reveals it would cost the federal government $8.1 billion dollars over the forward estimates. 

This money would be used to fund the lost ticket revenue from introducing the 50 cent fares.

The Greens’ plan includes a one-off $250 million-dollar fund to help states and territories transition to ‘smart ticketing’, allowing people to pay for public transport using their credit or debit card, or their phone.

Under sustained pressure from the Greens, the Queensland Government recently shifted to 50c public transport fares. 

With a minority parliament looming, the announcement is the latest in the series of the Greens’ ‘Robin Hood reforms’ that will be put on the table in any post-election negotiations, and will be funded by making big corporations pay their fair share of tax. 

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

”The Greens will make big corporations and billionaires pay tax so you can have 50c fares. 

“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics. 50c fares will help people make ends meet. 

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. This election will be the most important in a generation. By electing more Greens we can keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the cost-of-living crisis.

“With poll after poll indicating we’re headed towards a minority parliament, if people vote Greens we can get cost-of-living relief like 50c fares. 

“Greens pressure got 50c fares in Queensland, and now we want it for everyone.

“The major parties can’t say it’s impossible, because it’s happening right now in Queensland.”

Australian Greens transport spokesperson, Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP:

“The average household is spending almost $450 a week on transport, meanwhile Australia’s billionaires are making $67,000 an hour.

“After years of Greens pressure, Queensland has 50c fares for good. Now we’re fighting to roll this out nationwide.

“Queensland’s recent shift to 50c fares has been proven to be a huge success. It has reduced traffic and emissions, massively increased ridership on public transport, and saved Queenslanders millions. 

“Now it’s time to roll out 50c fares across the country. If it’s good enough for both Queensland Labor and LNP, surely it’s good enough for Federal Labor.”

Greens candidate for Prahran, Angelica Di Camillo:

“Melbourne residents have copped three fare increases in the last 18 months alone, and have some of the most expensive public transport in the world.

“But under the Greens’ plan to make public transport 50 cents nationwide, Melbourne households could save almost $5,000 a year.

“I catch the 78 tram every week along Chapel street to get to Pilates or Prahran market, and the cost absolutely adds up.

“50-cent fares would provide much-needed cost-of-living relief to people across Prahran.”

The Australian Greens and The Greens (WA) have today issued a joint call for a seismic blasting moratorium in Western Australian and Commonwealth waters.

The call comes as fossil fuel giant Woodside gears up to pressure the state and federal government to allow the company to seismic blast in endangered blue whale habitat and feeding grounds at the pristine Scott Reef off the Kimberley coast — an activity that contradicts government funding to study the Australian Indigenous songlines to better protect Australia’s whales and dolphins, including tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Woodside’s seismic blasting plans at Scott Reef were revealed earlier this month in an application by the company to the Federal Environment Department. In the document, the fossil fuel giant divulged its plan to carry out ongoing seismic blasting as part of its application to dump carbon under the seabed at the pristine coral reef, using risky and untested carbon capture and storage (CCS) practices never tried before in Australian waters. 

Woodside details the potential risks its planned activities at Scott Reef pose to endangered Blue Whales and four species of endangered and vulnerable sea turtles, acknowledging possible “direct or indirect impacts” from seismic blasting, drilling, subsea fluid discharges, unplanned discharges of hazardous waste or a hydrocarbon (condensate) spill. Woodside concedes that modelling for “underwater noise emissions” from seismic blasting indicated that “fauna injury/mortality is predicted if individuals remain close to the source for a long period of time” which the fossil fuel giant claims is “considered highly unlikely.”

The Greens are calling for federal regulators to reject Woodside’s application and for a seismic blasting moratorium to be put in place to protect Western Australia’s stunning marine environments and endangered marine life. 

Greens WA Fossil Fuel and Marine & Coastal Spokesperson Sophie McNeill: 

“Even Woodside acknowledges that its seismic blasting and carbon dumping plans at Scott Reef could harm endangered blue whales and loggerhead turtles. 

“It is unfathomable that the federal regulators could approve such activity in this highly sensitive marine environment, home to dozens of endangered, vulnerable and threatened species. 

“Western Australia’s oceans and our marine life are already suffering horrific consequences as a result of warming temperatures and continued fossil fuel production. 

“This month, a severe and deadly marine heatwave in WA’s northwest that has seen water temperatures rise above 30°C has been attributed for the deaths of more than 30,000 fish in the Pilbara and has also been blamed for the deaths of 10 melon-headed whales on the Kimberley coast near Broome.

“The WA community have made it clear that they want this government to protect our oceans, endangered marine life and our stunning Kimberley coast from companies like Woodside.

“The time to end seismic blasting and new oil and gas exploration off our WA coast is now.” 

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans: 

“Last year one of the largest seismic blasting proposals ever in Australian history was withdrawn by its proponent following immense community pressure. It was a siren call to all the fossil fuel companies eyeing off our oceans: your time is up. 

“Increasingly West Australians understand their oceans are under siege and are unnecessarily being exploited by reckless and rapacious fossil fuel corporations. 

“In 2021 I moved for a Senate inquiry into seismic blasting. This inquiry was the first of its kind, with evidence revealing seismic blasting presents immense risk to coastal communities and marine wildlife. As chair of the inquiry I implore governments to review the evidence, and ban seismic blasting right across Australia’s coastlines.

“I’ve introduced the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Fight for Australia’s Coastline) Bill to the Senate. If passed, this legislation would permanently stop some of the most destructive offshore oil and gas exploration in our oceans. We’ve seen NSW put an end to new oil and gas exploration in their state waters, and in the next parliament I intend to amend and progress the Bill I introduced to set a precedent right across Australia. 

“The tide is now turning, and what we need is a brave state and federal government ready to invest in a renewable future. But if you want change, you have to vote for it.” 

BACKGROUND

• Scott Reef is a globally significant marine ecosystem, home to hundreds of species, including sea snakes, sharks, rays and sawfish. It provides critical habitat to endangered pygmy blue whales and endangered green sea turtles.
• According to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), seismic blasting has a devastating effect on marine life and has been connected to temporary and permanent hearing loss, habitat abandonment, mating and feeding disruption and possible death in marine mammals like whales.
• Research has found that seismic blasting also triggers extensive death in plankton, including krill, which are crucial foundations of marine food webs, from more than a kilometre away.
• In 2022, a Federal Senate inquiry into seismic blasting moved by Senator Whish-Wilson heard evidence that the current regulatory framework does not provide sufficient environmental or economic protection from the impacts of seismic blasting and gives too much latitude to a regulator who is perceived to be too close to the petroleum industry.
• Greenland, Spain, Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Belize and Portugal have all implemented bans on new oil and gas exploration, as did the New South Wales State government in 2022.
• The Greens have introduced Federal legislation, Protecting the Spirit of Sea Country Bill 2023 and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Fight for Australia’s Coastline) Bill. Both Greens Bill would stop the most destructive offshore oil and gas exploration in our oceans, including Scott Reef.
• In September 2024, a successful community-led campaign in Victoria saw Norwegian oil and gas exploration company TGS abandon plans to carry out the largest proposed seismic testing survey in Australian history in the Otway Basin. 

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future by investing in training and apprenticeships, with new data released today showing in Victoria there have been close to 110,000 enrolments in Free TAFE since the program began in January 2023.

We are continuing to deliver cost of living relief while encouraging more Australians into trades.

That’s why we’re making Free TAFE permanent.

It’s also why we’ve announced a $10,000 incentive payment for Australians in construction apprenticeships.

Labor’s plan for a Future Made in Australia is very clear: we want Australian workers to make more things here and that includes building more homes.

From July 1 2025, eligible apprentices will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages, over the life of their apprenticeship to work in housing construction.

As part of the Albanese Government’s Free TAFE program in Victoria, between January 2023 and September 2024, there have been:

• more than 13,300 enrolments in the construction sector.
• more than 34,300 in the care sector.
• more than 5,900 in the agriculture sector.
• more than 9,900 in the technology and digital sector.
• more than 5,500 in the early childhood education and care sector.

This new data also shows popular Free TAFE courses in Victoria were:

• Diploma of Nursing with students saving up to $17,150.
• Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) with students saving up to $9,257.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment with students saving up to $5,368.
• Certificate IV in Cyber Security with students saving up to $4,108.
• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping with students saving up to $3,597.

Students from regional areas comprised more than a third of all enrolments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Building Australia’s Future is about so much more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating a better life for Australians, building better education and creating new employment opportunities.

“That’s why my Government is backing training and apprenticeships, to set up the next generation for the future.

“Only a Labor Government is building Australia’s future.”

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:

“Free TAFE is providing an accessible pathway to secure work and cost-of-living relief to more than 108,000 enrolments in Victoria.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to building the future of our country which is we introduced our Free TAFE Bill in Parliament, to make Free TAFE enduring.

“As I travel around Victoria, at every TAFE I visit, I meet students who tell me how much Free TAFE has changed their life.

“Now – with our additional $10,000 incentive payments and increased support for apprentices – there is no better time to pick up the tools, build homes for Australians and earn while you learn.

“The Liberal party believes that if you don’t pay for something, you don’t value it. Well I believe the tens of thousands of Victorians who’ve enrolled in Free TAFE value their TAFE education and the doors it opens.

“It’s great to see Victorians embracing the opportunity to lay the foundations for their future careers through Free TAFE. I’m proud that they can make this decision without having to consider the burden of financial pressure of training costs.

“Peter Dutton and the Liberals are blocking Free TAFE, but with Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party, Free TAFE is here to stay.”

Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney:

“Victoria is the birthplace of Free TAFE. Since 2019, almost 190,000 Victorian Students have accessed Free TAFE, saving over $550 million in tuition fees.

“The Allan Labor Government is leading the Nation when it comes to Vocational Education and Training, apprenticeships and addressing skills shortages.

“Implementing our response to the Victorian-led Apprenticeship Taskforce is making apprenticeships safer and fairer.”

Talking big on community cohesion while letting war criminals live freely among the people they have harmed is a farce. Australia shouldn’t be a safe haven for war criminals, but right now, it is. This is why the Australian Greens will create a dedicated permanent body that can investigate and prosecute war crimes. 

This initiative involves a $10 million annual commitment. It would create an office similar to the existing Office of the Special Investigator but without a politicised remit that restricts its ability to make findings and undertake prosecutions. 

Numerous countries, including the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland, have permanent and specialised bodies to investigate and prosecute international crimes. 

These units have led to successful investigations, arrests and prosecutions. In 2022, Sweden prosecuted Hamid Nouri for his involvement in the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners. The same year, the UK investigated and arrested a suspect in the murder of the reporter Mylvaganam Nimalarajan during the Sri Lankan civil war.

Many multicultural and diaspora community groups, including Rwandans, Sri Lankans, Tamils, Fijians, Ukrainians and Palestinians, have voiced concerns about war criminals in Australia not facing justice and the risks they pose to their communities. Alleged war criminals who have harmed these communities should be subject to proper investigation and prosecution in Australia. 

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: 

“Community members who have experienced torture or been subject to genocide and war crimes need to know they are safe here from those who committed these crimes. That’s what this War Crimes Investigation Unit will produce. 

“The community expects war crimes to be treated seriously but instead have seen delay and avoidance that has prevented accountability for war crimes, even those committed by Australian troops. 

“While Labor flip-flopped about whether it would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu for his role in perpetrating a genocide, the Greens won’t. The Government isn’t even monitoring which Australians are fighting for the Russian or Israeli militaries despite the clear risks of involvement in serious war crimes in both conflicts. 

“Not only has Labor not taken action on his war crimes, but they appointed Fijian Colonel Penioni Naliva to a senior role within the Defence force despite serious allegations of torture against him. 

“In recent years, alleged war criminals have treated Australia as a safe haven, knowing they won’t face justice because it’s nobody’s job to investigate them. This impunity must end.  

“Establishing a War Crimes Investigation Unit is an essential part of upholding the international order and global human rights and it is criminal that Australia does not already have one. 

“The major parties won’t take responsibility for upholding international law, but the Greens recognise that a strong international system is a pathway to peace.”