Category: Australian News

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we hold on to the memories of millions. We reflect on the great multitude of Jewish life that the Holocaust robbed from the world – all of that energy, potential, inspiration, talent and love – and we hold their names and their faces in our hearts.

We tend to these memories because we cannot allow the Holocaust to recede into history. It was a pitiless and unrelenting act of cruelty that was long in the planning, cold in its calculation, and carried out on a scale that falls across the decades like a terrible shadow.

The devastation felt when witnessing the horror, destruction and brutality inflicted by Hamas on October 7 is reminiscent of the dark and painful stories of the past. For the Australian Jewish community, those are the stories of their families.

Eighty years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau our observance carries a powerful message about the enduring strength of the Jewish people, and about our unwavering commitment to combat hateful prejudice in all its forms.

Tragically, we are not yet free of antisemitism. It stands in vile opposition to all we are as a nation and all that we have built – together – over generations. We will not tolerate it in any form. It has no place in our nation, and we will combat it with the full force of our laws and with total commitment from every level of government.

Jewish Australians are integral to the story of Australia, and to the even greater future within our reach. Australia proudly welcomed so many survivors of the horrors of the Holocaust, offering refuge and hope. We embraced the Jewish community then, and we embrace you now.

May you find comfort, hope and strength amid the memories today. And may we all, as fellow Australians, rededicate ourselves to honouring and rejoicing in our shared humanity.

Current and future generations of Australian school children will learn the history and lessons of the Holocaust, following a $6.4 million investment by the Albanese Labor Government to build a National Holocaust Education Centre in Canberra and to deliver an upgrade to the Holocaust Institute of WA’s Education Centre in Yokine.

The announcement, made on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, comes as Australia and the global community mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

In memory of the six million people of Jewish faith murdered by the Nazi Regime, $4.4 million will be delivered to build the National Holocaust Education Centre in Canberra. This will serve as an enduring bulwark against antisemitism and hatred, located right in the heart of our nation’s capital city.

The Centre, to be delivered in partnership with the Australian Capital Territory Jewish Community, will be accessible to the more than 165,000 Australian school children who travel to Canberra each year to learn about Australian democracy, history, and culture.

The Centre will take its place alongside other national institutions such as the Australian Parliament, the National War Memorial, the National Gallery, and the Australian Museum as a crucial educative experience for the next generation of young Australians.

Further, the Albanese Government will deliver $2 million to the Holocaust Institute of WA for the Holocaust Institute’s Education Centre in Yokine to help upgrade the facility to world-class standards. The Prime Minister visited the community in 2024 and will visit again on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Educating school children and future generations on the Holocaust, how it came about and the roots of antisemitism is key to stamping out hatred, bigotry, and discrimination in our communities.

The National Centre in Canberra will also be available to the more than five million Australians who visit Canberra each year and will include access to exhibits and information explaining Jewish culture. It will honour and keep alive the stories of Holocaust survivors through culturally and emotionally sensitive storytelling.

The establishment of the National Holocaust Education Centre and the upgrade to the Holocaust Institute for WA’s Education Centre adds to a significant list of commitments and investments by the Australian Government to combat antisemitism including:

• Establishing Special Operation Avalite respond to and investigate antisemitic attacks,
• A $57 million investment to improve safety and security at Jewish schools and synagogues,
• An $8.5 million investment to upgrade the Sydney Jewish Museum,
• $250,000 towards the replacement of Torah Scrolls housed in the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne,
• The appointment of a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Ms Jillian Segal AO,
• An agreement of National Cabinet to establish a National Database to track antisemitic crime and other antisemitic incidents and behaviours. The Commonwealth will work with States and Territories on the development of the Database.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We must never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust.

“That’s why my Government is making this investment in the National Holocaust Education Centre and in the Holocaust Institute of WA’s Education Centre at the JHub.

“The Centre will serve to educate our young Australians about the horrors of the Holocaust and teach them from an early age that such prejudice, hatred and violence has no place here. Not now, not ever.”

Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher:

“Education and understanding is the key to eliminating hatred and bigotry, including the scourge of antisemitism.

“Our government recognises this, which is why we are so proud to be partnering with the ACT Jewish community to deliver this crucially important Centre.

“Canberra – as the heart of our nation – is the perfect location to build a national centre dedicated to the history of the Holocaust and future generations of Australians learn the vital lessons from this dark chapter.”

Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill:

“The promise of Australian multiculturalism is that great Australian promise of the fair go – that everyone has a fair crack at life here, no matter your ethnicity, faith, identity or life circumstances.

“There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or discrimination of any kind.

“By establishing the National Holocaust Education Centre, Australians will have the opportunity to learn about one of the darkest chapters in modern history and how the scourge of antisemitism continues to have an impact to this day – including in Australia.”

Member for Perth Patrick Gorman: 

“I am proud to have supported the JHub throughout construction, including the Holocaust Education Centre. This new funding will ensure the vision for this vital community centre can be fulfilled.

Local Holocaust education is essential to ensuring the horrors of the past are never repeated.” 

Member for Canberra Alicia Payne:

“I am pleased that our Government is supporting the establishment of a National Holocaust Education Centre in our nation’s capital. 

“Many Australian families have a connection to the Holocaust and a central location for all Australians to learn about the impact and the horrors of the Holocaust is critical for future education. 

“I am proud to have advocated for this proposal from the ACT Jewish community, and I look forward to seeing their project come to fruition.”

Dr Mike Kelly AM, Member of National Holocaust Education Centre’s project team:

“This announcement is tremendous news. It has come at a critically important time and will be great encouragement to Australia’s Jewish community during a difficult period.

“Most importantly this project will make a critically important contribution to the national effort to reinforce social cohesion and build understanding.

“The location of the National Holocaust Education Centre in the nation’s capital will enable the thousands of school children who visit Canberra every year to learn about the deep evil that racial discrimination can lead to and how this has affected many people around the world. It will also reinforce the importance of our democracy and the need to be well-informed citizens.”

The Albanese and Cook Governments are building Western Australia’s future, driving economic growth and delivering benefits for commuters with a partnership to deliver a $700 million upgrade to the Kwinana Freeway.

The Albanese Government will invest $350 million to ensure this important work gets delivered.

Widening the Kwinana Freeway will add around 50 per cent capacity to the upgraded sections, easing congestion for motorists and improving the efficiency of moving freight on a road that typically carries 100,000 vehicles every day.

This investment will also support the operations of the future Westport project, while improving safety and delivering congestion relief for commuters.

The upgrades to road infrastructure will also support the growing industrial areas and Defence Assets on the Western Trade Coast.

The Westport project is the linchpin for future trade growth in Western Australia, supporting local jobs and WA’s economy for the long term.

This new funding builds on the previous $67 million joint commitment towards planning and scoping of landside enabling infrastructure for the Westport project.

The Albanese and Cook Governments are working together to build Western Australia’s future, with major projects underway including METRONET, upgrades to the Tonkin Highway and the Outback Way.

The Albanese Government is investing $9.7 billion towards transport infrastructure projects in Western Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We’re working with the Cook Labor Government to build Western Australia’s future.

“Western Australia is an economic powerhouse, and we want to make sure we are investing in future job creating projects like Westport, while still delivering the immediate congestion benefits for commuters now.

“This project will support jobs, improve safety and ease congestion for the 100,000 commuters who use the Kwinana Freeway each day.

“Only Labor has a plan to build Australia’s future.”

Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook:

“As a Kwinana local, I know how important this project is for our State.

“Western Australia is the economic engine room of Australia, with Westport and the Western Trade Coast critical to keeping our economy strong and creating the local jobs of the future in WA..

“My WA Labor Government is partnering with the Albanese Government to do what’s right for WA.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The Australian Government remains dedicated to working for all Australians by delivering nationally significant infrastructure projects that enhance productivity and resilience, improve liveability and promote sustainability.

“We are getting on with delivering a better future for all Australians, and this project will increase opportunities and connections, build communities and improve safety.”

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti:

“We welcome this critical investment by the Albanese Labor Government.

“The investment will ensure we can continue our Government’s major transformation of the Kwinana Freeway, which has seen the installation of smart freeway technology, the Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge Project and widening to large sections.

“The Western Australian Government is working in partnership with the Australian Government on these and other growth-area roads, including the Stephenson Avenue Extension and Tonkin Highway extension.”

Australian Greens Senator Hanson-Young calls for a full investigation into South Australia’s neo-Nazi cell:

“Today’s Nazi invasion of Australia Day events is sickening.  

“There must be an immediate investigation into the planned activities and intent of this terrorising group.  

“Attempts to scare and intimidate our local Adelaide community are completely unacceptable and must be dealt with by the full force of the law.  

“Adelaide is a peaceful and respectful city, and we don’t need Nazi-wannabes terrorising members of our community.  

“These thugs don’t embody the values of our city, state, or country. Racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate have no place on our streets or in our community.”

“This is a welcome step forward on public school funding that teachers, parents and carers in Victoria and South Australia will take heart from.

“Pressure works. Teacher unions and the Greens have been pushing Labor to increase the Commonwealth share of public school funding to 25% and to eliminate the dodgy loophole that allows states to claim 4% in non-classroom costs as part of their contribution.

“We’ll look at the details in the coming days but it appears that despite these steps forward we are still a decade away from 100% minimum funding for all public schools in the country.

“Labor came to government promising to deliver 100% funding to all public schools. If they’re saying that every public school in the country will be receiving 100% of its minimum funding by 2034, that will have been a quarter of a century since Gonski.

“That’s two entire generations of schoolkids who will have never known what it’s like to attend a properly resourced public school.

“The Greens have a fully costed plan to deliver 100% funding to all public schools in the country by July 2025, and we’ll also ease cost of living pressures on families by eliminating school fees and providing families with $800 back-to-school payments for every child in public school.”

Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve built together and be optimistic for the future we can shape together.

Whether you are someone whose ancestors have loved and cared for this land for 60,000 years, or whether you are making the pledge of commitment as a new citizen today, all of us belong to the greatest country on Earth, and all of us can take pride in a national story written by the courage of our people.

From those who serve in uniform and keep us safe to farmers battling unforgiving country.

The courage to start a business, drive a breakthrough, study or train for a new career, care for our loved ones and educate our children.

The courage to seek and build a new life here.

The courage to show kindness to those in need, preserve our social cohesion and champion a fair go for all.

The courage of everyone who works hard, makes sacrifices and pushes forward, even when times are tough, because they are driven by that oldest and deepest Australian aspiration, wanting a better life and greater opportunity for the next generation.

The values and character of the Australian people is the story of our history, the continuing inspiration of our present and the very best reason to be optimistic for our future.

Whether you’re heading to the beach having friends over for a barbie, or hitting the road for the long weekend, I wish you all a safe and happy Australia Day 2025.

Following news today that Splendour in the Grass will be cancelled, the Greens have called on the Albanese Government to deliver urgent reform to revive festivals and avert another string of cancellations in 2025.

Greens arts spokesperson and Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Today, music fans and the arts sector are reeling to hear Splendour is cancelled for another year. We can’t afford another year of festival cancellations in the cost of living crisis.

“We’ve seen this sad movie before and it’s a warning to policy makers that unless we see reform that can actually revive the live music sector, 2025 could be another wipeout year of festival cancellations.

“Festivals are about more than just supporting great Australian artists, creating lifelong memories and giving euphoric vibes – thousands of creative workers are employed in the arts sector. Thousands more are employed in the small businesses that rely on the ‘arts-tourism’ factor, particularly in regional Australia. Another year of cancellations will leave painful economic scars in the cost of living crisis.

“Reform is urgently needed if we are to revive our local music and festival culture. We need to look at funding, tax and insurance reforms and the Greens stand ready to work with the Government to deliver a package that can stem the cancellations and allow new and independent operations to flourish. 

“Splendour is one of Australia’s most beloved festivals and there will be a lot of fans, musicians and arts workers coming down today upon hearing this news.”

Today, the ACT Greens have announced Dani Hunterford and Sam Carter as their candidates for the seats of Fenner and Bean, adding the new faces alongside Isabel Mudford for Canberra, Christina Hobbs for the Senate and Jo Rocke for the Senate.

Elected directly by a grassroots, community membership made of nurses, teachers, retail workers, and more, ACT Greens candidates running this election have genuine connections to the people they would represent in Federal Parliament.

“As a community sector advocate and a postgraduate at the Australian National University, I’ve seen firsthand how government policies can shape the lives of everyday people, for better or worse,” said Candidate for Canberra, Isabel Mudford.

“But unfortunately, over the past three years our local representative, Alicia Payne, has consistently voted alongside the least progressive Labor government in living memory – failing to advocate for the changes Canberrans want and need.

“Meanwhile, instead of working for you, the two major parties have been taking millions in donations from big corporations. These corporations donate because it gets them results – all the while our community struggles with the cost of living.

“Unlike the major parties, the Australian Greens refuse to take donations from big corporations. Our movement is powered by everyday people—volunteers from all walks of life. Because of them, we work for the community, not corporate interests.”

“This election, Canberrans have a real choice — more of the same, or community candidates who will listen to the voices in our city, and push for ambitious action on climate, housing, health and the environment.  

The seat of Canberra is a pivotal battleground for the ACT Greens this election. The party are set to build on their strong previous performances in the seat. In 2022, the ACT Greens secured Canberra as a two party preferred contest between themselves and Labor.

Last year the ACT Greens announced Isabel Mudford for the Seat of Canberra alongside former United Nations humanitarian worker, Christina Hobbs as lead candidate for the Senate and educator and policy advisor, Jo Rocke for the Senate. 

Dani Hunterford:

“As a young person, a renter, and a passionate advocate for change working in harm-reduction in the not-for-profit sector, I know that this election presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to make real change,” said Candidate for Fenner, Dani Hunterford.

“But while our community is struggling with the cost of living, the major parties are supporting new coal mines and giving tax breaks to big corporations.

“It’s pretty clear, this election, nothing changes unless your vote does – a vote for the Greens will hold Labor to account and keep Dutton out. 

Sam Carter: 

“As a Paralympian and advocate for people with disability, I’ve seen how government decisions can impact the livelihoods of so many in our community, no matter who they are,” said Candidate for Bean, Sam Carter.

“But instead, Labor and the Liberals prioritise corporate interests over the needs of ordinary people, leaving renters and people struggling with the cost of living behind.

“By voting Greens in this election in any seat, you can elect community members who will fight for fairness and equality—fight for a future that puts people first.”

The Victorian Greens have called out the new Opposition Leader Brad Battin’s offensive and harmful comments towards First Nations Victorians and policy to ‘scrap the Treaty’, saying his Trump-style politics of division shows the party is lurching even further to the right. 

Mr Battin recently chose to attend an interview with Andrew Bolt on right-wing media outlet Sky News, where he reiterated that he would scrap Victoria’s Treaty negotiations and called into question the legitimacy of Victoria’s elected First Peoples’ Assembly, and labelled those attending Jan 26 events and protests as ‘hateful’.

The Victorian Greens say that these are dog-whistling comments in the lead up to January 26 and show total disrespect towards First Nations people in Victoria.

The Victorian Greens say the Liberals are lurching even further to the right and taking a leaf out of Donald Trump’s playbook with this divisive and fear-mongering style of politics. 

the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell: 

“It’s gross to see the new Liberal Leader Brad Battin taking another leaf out of Trump’s playbook – going on Andrew Bolt’s Sky News program to take a swipe at our First Nations leaders and re-iterate the Liberals would scrap Treaty negotiations in Victoria. 

“For many people, Jan 26 is a sombre day where First Nations people ask us to listen and reflect on our country’s history, yet the Liberal leader can’t even show some basic respect and understanding on this day. 

“Instead, the Liberal leader is using it as an opportunity to stoke fear and hate to serve his own political agenda. 

“This kind of divisive political point scoring doesn’t benefit anyone, it’s actually just disrespectful and gross and it needs to be called out.”

The Greens are calling for an urgent response to the shocking decline of Tasmania’s east coast little penguin population. 

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

“The unprecedented and shocking decline of Bicheno’s little penguin population is a wakeup call to all communities along the Great Southern Reef that the impacts of climate change are with us here and now. 

“Marine heat waves generated by the burning of fossil fuels impact our oceans in so many ways, and these changes to ocean currents, biodiversity and habitat will only become bigger and more dangerous to endemic Tasmanian marine wildlife into the future. 

“Nobody wants to see marine wildlife seemingly vanish along our coastlines, especially not when the species is celebrated by a coastal community and is a crucial part of its identity, economy, and environment – as is the case with Bicheno and its little penguins. 

“There is reason to hope Bicheno’s little penguins will ultimately survive this setback and return, but the science tells us their future will only become more bleak if governments continue to open new fossil fuel projects and fail to address the climate crisis.”

Tasmanian Greens MHA and member for Lyons, Tabatha Badger: 

“The Premier needs to reconvene Tasmania’s Penguin Advisory Group as a matter of urgency, and provide the community with advice and an understanding on exactly what is going on.

“Tasmania’s Penguin Advisory Group was established in 2021 to oversee research and strategies relating to the multiple threats facing little penguins – however it has been inactive now for some time, and it is unclear if it has been disbanded.

“Communities can learn lessons from this summer’s setback and the Penguin Advisory Group would play a critical role in recommending future adaptation strategies. For example, how to look after abandoned and sick penguin chicks when their parents fail to return to feed them Tasmania’s Penguin Advisory Group 

“Penguins’ key food source is sardines, and the community has also expressed concerns about future potential impacts on little penguins from a proposed sardine fishery off Tassie’s coast. This is understandable given the last thing our little penguins need is more pressure on their food sources and foraging behaviour at such a difficult time.

“I urge both the federal and state government to welcome scrutiny in relation to this proposed trial and operate with the utmost transparency.”