Category: Australian News

The Victorian Greens fully support long-awaited reforms to Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws this week, while pushing for further reforms to remove final barriers for people who should have the choice for a more compassionate end-of-life option. 

The Greens are seeking to fix a requirement that one of the two doctors assessing someone’s eligibility for VAD must be a specialist in the patient’s illness, which has proven to be a huge barrier – especially for people in regional areas. 

Dr Sarah Mansfield, the Greens spokesperson for Health and a former GP, introduced a Private Members’ Bill last year after extensive consultation with stakeholders, clinicians, advocates and families affected by flaws in the current legislation. 

Dr Mansfield says while many of the Government’s proposed reforms reflect that work, this vital common-sense change – already in place in other states – is still missing and that the Greens would put forward an amendment to advocate for the change. 

The Victorian Greens will be supporting the Bill and welcome any progress. Victoria was the first state to introduce VAD laws, but being first meant the scheme was drafted with restrictions which have proven to be unnecessary barriers for many terminally ill people. 

Labor and the Liberals will both be given a conscience vote on the legislation, meaning that votes could split differently and the Greens amendments could pass. 

Dr Mansfield said allowing GPs with relevant experience to act as assessing practitioners would make the system more accessible and compassionate, particularly for rural and regional Victorians. 

Victorian Greens health spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield: 

“I had many patients during my time as a doctor who wanted the choice of voluntary assisted dying, but it wasn’t an option for them. 

“The Greens will support any step forward in this space and will work constructively to strengthen the reforms. A vital missing piece is fixing the requirement that one of the two assessing doctors must be a specialist in the person’s illness. It’s a serious and unnecessary barrier – especially for people in regional Victoria – and a common-sense change that’s already reflected in other states’ laws.

“GPs who have cared for a patient for years and understand their illness and prognosis should be trusted to make these assessments.

“As more people become eligible under these reforms, we’ll also need to ensure there are enough trained providers to meet demand, so no one is left without support at the end of life.”

The Australian Greens have called on Labor to save Australia’s largest aluminium smelter from closure with a public ownership stake, and underwrite a clean energy build out to give them cheap reliable power, following news that the smelter may close jeopardising jobs for 1,000 workers.

Greens spokesperson for Transition & Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“The Albanese government should take a public stake in Tomago Aluminium, and make sure the Australian people get a return on their money.

“In addition to taking a public stake, Labor must underwrite the cost of a clean energy build out to power the smelter to support the green transition.

“This is an opportunity to both put workers first and accelerate the transition out of fossil fuels, not just deliver another Glencore-style corporate bailout that offers no public benefit. 

“We can’t keep doling out public cash to billionaires and big corporations without expecting a return. 

“Australia will be a world leader in green aluminium; the job of the government is to support workers and be a bridge from existing infrastructure.

“Australian smelter workers deserve job security, not yet more uncertainty as another facility faces closure.”

The Coalition has today introduced the Crimes Amendment (Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2025, ensuring that those who abuse, exploit or prey upon children face real justice.

The Bill introduces mandatory minimum sentences of five years’ imprisonment for serious Commonwealth child sexual abuse offences, increasing to six years for repeat offenders. It also closes a loophole that has allowed some offenders to walk free on recognizance release orders after serving only a fraction of their sentence.

The Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, said the legislation responds to growing community outrage over weak sentencing and repeated failures to protect victims.

“When an offender produces and shares 77 images of child abuse material and walks free after six months, that is not justice, it is a betrayal,” Ms Ley said.

“Australians expect strong laws that protect our children, not weak excuses that protect offenders. The Coalition will always stand on the side of victims and the community.”

The Shadow Attorney-General, Andrew Wallace, said the Coalition’s Bill strengthens the mandatory minimum sentencing laws first introduced by the former Coalition Government in 2019 and reinforces its long-standing record of protecting Australian children.

“For too long, compassion has been shown to offenders while survivors live with trauma for life. That imbalance must end,” Mr Wallace said.

“This Bill sends a clear message: child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in Australia, and those who commit these crimes will face real time behind bars.”

In the 2024–25 financial year, the Australian Federal Police received 82,764 reports of online child sexual exploitation, a 41 per cent increase in just twelve months. That’s an average of 226 reports every single day, each one representing a child whose life has been shattered by unimaginable harm.

The Coalition is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to support the Bill and back mandatory minimum five-year sentences for these heinous offences. In the last sitting period, Labor blocked the Coalition’s attempt to introduce the Bill. It has now been reintroduced and should be supported without delay.

The reintroduction of this Bill follows Ms Ley and Mr Wallace joining Bruce and Denise Morcombe at a Roundtable with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to discuss child safety, prevention, and the urgent need for tougher sentencing laws.

“Bruce and Denise Morcombe have shown extraordinary leadership and courage in their fight to protect Australian children, which will again be on display this Friday on Day for Daniel, to improve child safety education and awareness,” Ms Ley said.

“Their tireless advocacy reminds every one of us that this is not a political issue, it is a moral duty,” Mr Wallace said.

Only a Coalition Government will back our police, strengthen our laws, and restore safety and security for Australian families.

The ABC’s Four Corners investigation has once again exposed horrific abuse and regulatory failure within Australia’s childcare sector – a crisis that sits at the heart of a failing for-profit system and government inaction on real reform.

The investigations revealed most abuse occurring in for-profit centres where cost-cutting, high staff turnover and inadequate regulation has left the gap for serious safety breaches.

Despite warnings from experts and repeated calls from the Greens, Labor has failed to introduce the comprehensive reforms needed to keep children safe.

The Greens continue to call for a national, independent watchdog with the power to keep children safe.

In August, the Greens successfully established a Senate Inquiry into the quality and safety of early childhood education and care after the government failed to adequately address the deep flaws in the system and responded with cosmetic fixes. 

Greens spokesperson for Early Childhood Education and Care Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“This investigation is the latest example of a for-profit system working exactly as it’s designed – to make profit for shareholders while leaving our children as collateral damage.

“Parents and educators have been ringing the alarm bell for years, and they’re met with a patchwork of cosmetic fixes that do nothing to actually address the underlying problem.

“It’s the government’s job to make sure our childcare is safe. Instead, it passes the buck to families and abandons our educators who are plugging holes in a leaking ship.

“While the Coalition rejects bold childcare reform and Labor does as little as possible to pass the PR test, our children and educators continue to be left to fend for themselves.

“With the Senate Inquiry imminent, we’re ready to shine a light on the broken conditions that allow abuse and push for a system that will actually put children, families and educators at the heart of policy.

The Australian Greens have put forward a motion to parliament today calling on the Senate to recognise Australia’s housing crisis as a matter of public urgency, following recent data revealing the dire state of our housing problem. 

House prices have risen at the fastest rate in four years as rates of home ownership have declined, especially among young young people. One in three property markets across Australia now have a median value of $1 million plus, a new record-high, according to Cotality. While Domain data shows Sydney house prices jumped by $58,148 (3.4 per cent) in just 90 days, the fastest quarterly growth in more than two years.

The Greens say Labor is making the crisis worse as their policies, such as the $180 billion tax breaks for landlords and the 5% deposit scheme, are spiking prices and putting home ownership further out of reach for renters and first home buyers.

With 89% of voters agreeing that Australia is in a housing crisis, the Greens are calling on the government to listen to voters and address the root causes rather than turbocharge our housing and homelessness crises through minor interventions.

Greens spokesperson for housing, homelessness and finance Senator Barbara Pocock:

“This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. 

“Australia is in a housing crisis that is spiralling out of control. House prices are soaring and Labor’s $180 billion tax perks for rich property investors are pouring fuel on the fire, locking renters and first-home buyers out.

‘The Australian dream of home ownership is dead. Rates of home ownership are falling especially among those under 35, with 25-29-year-olds dropping from 50% in 1971 to 36% in 2021. 

“Home ownership is out of reach for so many Australians. Thirty years ago it took 4 years of average weekly earnings to buy a house, now it’s on track to be more than 8 times the average. How do first-home buyers stand a chance?

“Under the major parties, housing has become a wealth accumulation asset, not a roof over our heads. Housing finance is increasingly spent on investment properties not home ownership, with investors making up around their highest share of new lending since 2017. 

“Australia’s housing market is rigged in favour of wealthy property investors and banks and it’s failing everyone else and it’s only going to get worse – house prices are forecast to increase by 9 percent next year.

“It’s clear where Labor’s priorities lie – with the big banks, property developers and wealthy investors – while another generation of renters and potential first-home buyers are left behind. 

“Homelessness in Australia is the worst in living memory, having increased by 10 percent since Labor was elected. We’re seeing nine potentially avoidable deaths of homeless people on our streets every day which is unacceptable. We still don’t have a national plan to end homelessness. If Labor can find billions for investors, why can’t they find homes for people sleeping rough?

“Ending the housing crisis is possible. The government must wind back unfair tax handouts to wealthy property investors which are cooking our housing system, fuelling intergenerational inequality and helping to shut an entire generation out of home ownership.”

The Albanese Government has today announced two milestone investments to boost Australia’s economic engagement with Southeast Asia, supporting new opportunities for Australian investors and businesses.

The Government will invest AUD$175 million in IFM Investors’ Asia-Pacific Debt Fund and USD$50 million in a new Southeast Asia Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment fund established by Australian infrastructure specialist Plenary.

Both investments, administered by Export Finance Australia (EFA), will help expand the presence of Australian investors and businesses in Southeast Asia.

These investments are being delivered through the Government’s A$2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF).

Australia continues to increase our economic engagement with Southeast Asia under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. ASEAN alone represents nearly 700 million people, and by 2040 is expected to be the fourth largest economy in the world.

The A$175 million investment in IFM Investors’ Asia-Pacific Debt Fund will support IFM’s expansion into Southeast Asia, targeting investments in key sectors including renewable energy, telecommunications and logistics.

The USD$50 million investment in Plenary’s new Southeast Asia PPP investment fund will enable it to finance essential public infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia – using Australian know-how to deliver nation-building projects in sectors such as healthcare, education and transport.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Together, these investments represent a major step forward in my Government’s delivery of our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy. 

“A quarter of a billion dollars to kick-start Australian investments in the region and back the growth of Australian companies.

“These investments will boost exports and supply chains, helping grow jobs back home”

Foreign Minister, Penny Wong

“Australia is fully invested in Southeast Asia, and we continue to build opportunity and prosperity together.

“Almost $1 billion of new Australian investment has been supported under Invested, and two-way trade has increased $6 billion between 2023 and 2024.

“Trading and investing more in our region means more opportunities for Australian businesses to grow, creating more Australian jobs and boosting our economic prosperity and resilience.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell

“As a bloc, Southeast Asia is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040.

“Through these new investments, the Albanese Government is backing Australian exporters and investors to take advantage of the growth of the world’s most dynamic region.

“We are determined to leverage the enormous opportunities for Australian businesses, creating and sustaining jobs both here and in Southeast Asia.”

The Albanese Government has today announced two milestone investments to boost Australia’s economic engagement with Southeast Asia, supporting new opportunities for Australian investors and businesses.

The Government will invest AUD$175 million in IFM Investors’ Asia-Pacific Debt Fund and USD$50 million in a new Southeast Asia Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment fund established by Australian infrastructure specialist Plenary.

Both investments, administered by Export Finance Australia (EFA), will help expand the presence of Australian investors and businesses in Southeast Asia.

These investments are being delivered through the Government’s A$2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF).

Australia continues to increase our economic engagement with Southeast Asia under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. ASEAN alone represents nearly 700 million people, and by 2040 is expected to be the fourth largest economy in the world.

The A$175 million investment in IFM Investors’ Asia-Pacific Debt Fund will support IFM’s expansion into Southeast Asia, targeting investments in key sectors including renewable energy, telecommunications and logistics.

The USD$50 million investment in Plenary’s new Southeast Asia PPP investment fund will enable it to finance essential public infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia – using Australian know-how to deliver nation-building projects in sectors such as healthcare, education and transport.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Together, these investments represent a major step forward in my Government’s delivery of our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy. 

“A quarter of a billion dollars to kick-start Australian investments in the region and back the growth of Australian companies.

“These investments will boost exports and supply chains, helping grow jobs back home”

Foreign Minister, Penny Wong

“Australia is fully invested in Southeast Asia, and we continue to build opportunity and prosperity together.

“Almost $1 billion of new Australian investment has been supported under Invested, and two-way trade has increased $6 billion between 2023 and 2024.

“Trading and investing more in our region means more opportunities for Australian businesses to grow, creating more Australian jobs and boosting our economic prosperity and resilience.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell

“As a bloc, Southeast Asia is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040.

“Through these new investments, the Albanese Government is backing Australian exporters and investors to take advantage of the growth of the world’s most dynamic region.

“We are determined to leverage the enormous opportunities for Australian businesses, creating and sustaining jobs both here and in Southeast Asia.”

Australia warmly congratulates Timor-Leste on its accession as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the occasion with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and ASEAN leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

This is an important milestone for ASEAN and a significant step for Timor-Leste’s regional integration and economic development. It is a credit to both ASEAN’s and Timor Leste’s sustained efforts over many years.

We acknowledge the leadership of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão in achieving what he has described as a ‘historic goal’ for the nation and people of Timor-Leste.

Australia is proud to have supported Timor-Leste’s ASEAN journey from the beginning, including through our $11.8 million technical assistance and capacity building package.

Australia is ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner, and we strongly support ASEAN’s role in shaping a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN is central to regional stability; it guards against conflict, drives regional economic growth, and reinforces the rules and norms that protect us all.

As a close friend, partner and neighbour, we look forward to continuing to work closely with Timor-Leste and ASEAN to ensure membership delivers real benefits for the Timorese people and our shared region.

Nic Hodgson, aged 29, was last seen in Swansea, about 3.30pm yesterday (Sunday 26 October 2025).

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Nic’s welfare as she lives with a number of health conditions.

Nic is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, medium build, red/auburn coloured shoulder length hair that maybe tied in a bun and has sleeve tattoos on both arms and the right leg.

She was last seen wearing a green shirt, black cargo shorts and black boots.

Nic is known to frequent the Swansea and Morisset areas.

The body of a 29-year-old woman reported missing from Swansea yesterday (Sunday 26 October 2025) has been located.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge has recently been diagnosed with a serious medical condition that requires ongoing treatment. 

He will be taking a leave of absence from his duties as Lord Mayor starting Monday, 27 October until early 2026.

During this period, Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Charlotte McCabe will assume the responsibilities of Lord Mayor to ensure continuity of leadership and service to the community.

City of Newcastle extends its full support to Lord Mayor Kerridge and wishes him strength and a full recovery.