Category: Australian News

I am pleased to announce the outcomes of the 2026 round of the New Colombo Plan (NCP), which is supporting record numbers of Australian students to deepen their Asia capability and expertise.

The 2026 round will see a record 328 NCP scholarships offered to Australian undergraduates, an increase of almost 50 per cent from 2025.

The 2026 round will also see 1,247 student grants offered under the new Semester Program, and 1,635 student grants offered under the Mobility Program.

The reforms to the New Colombo Plan that I announced in July this year are now in action. More NCP participants are now developing the skills and capabilities Australia needs to deepen our national understanding of the region, strengthen the ties between our people, and increase engagement with Australian businesses operating in the region.

Importantly, a record number of students will undertake long-term study programs in Asian languages, including Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Japanese and Vietnamese.

Launched in 2014, the NCP has supported over 56,000 Australian undergraduate students through study, internships and language training in the Indo-Pacific. I look forward to the continued impact of the program as more young Australians develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy.

I extend my congratulations to all the successful students.

The NSW Government has dismissed key recommendations of the long-awaited and damning report of the NSW greyhound racing industry.

Greens NSW MP and Animal Welfare spokesperson Abigail Boyd has condemned the government’s failure to respond adequately to the report and the ongoing support for the greyhound racing industry as an ongoing political cover up of the greyhound racing and gambling lobby.

Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MP and spokesperson for animal welfare:

“Across 722 pages, Commissioner Drake paints a damning picture of the greyhound racing industry, detailing persistent and systemic governance and animal welfare failures. Constrained by the inquiry’s terms of reference, the Commissioner walked right up to the line and all but called for the shutting down of the entire greyhound racing industry in NSW.

“After sitting on the report for months, the feeble response from the Minister in the face of incontrovertible evidence, shows what we have known and said all along, this inquiry and report process was nothing more than a political fix from a government in the thralls of the gambling and racing industry.

“Commissioner Drake’s recommendations include a breeding cap, genuine whole-of-life tracking for greyhounds, independent oversight of both the racing industry’s corporate arm as well as the regulator, overhaul of the industry’s rehoming regime, implementation of minimum track standards, and an end to the export program sending greyhounds overseas.

“We have known all along that the greyhound racing industry is incapable of reform. It seems now the Minister agrees, and so has no intention of requiring it to.

“Today’s Wentworth Park announcement stinks of cheap politics and a shoddy attempt to obscure the government’s far deeper failure to protect greyhounds across NSW.

“How many more inquiries, corruption scandals, and well-documented evidence of live baiting, doping and discarded greyhounds do we have to have before the NSW government finally listens and shuts this morally bankrupt industry down?”

The Victorian Greens have slammed Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government for approving new gas drilling in the Otway and Gippsland basins, warning it locks Victoria into decades more fossil fuel pollution, accelerates climate-driven disasters, and hands special treatment to gas corporations at the expense of ordinary Victorians.

Expanding gas slows down the renewable transition by diverting investment and delaying electrification. AEMO’s modelling does not suggest Victoria needs new gas projects – the real bottleneck is the slow rollout of renewable energy, storage and transmission.

Experts and economists have made it clear that opening new fossil fuel projects delays the transition and locks pollution into the grid for decades. Instead of fixing those failures, Labor is giving fossil fuel corporations exactly what they want.

The Greens say Labor is speaking out of both sides of its mouth on climate – and that they’re misleading Victorians by claiming to accelerate the transition while approving fossil fuel projects that make the climate crisis worse and energy more expensive.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell: 

“Jacinta Allan’s Labor is giving special treatment to fossil fuel corporations while Victorians face higher bills and worsening climate disasters.”

“Approving new fossil fuels in the middle of a worsening fire season is reckless. Real leadership listens to climate science and puts communities first, not gas corporations.”

Victorian Greens clean energy transition spokesperson, Dr Tim Read: 

“Victoria doesn’t have a gas supply problem, we have a political problem. Labor is choosing special treatment for gas corporations instead of accelerating electrification and renewables, which would mean cheaper bills and improved energy security” 

“Every new gas approval diverts investment away from clean energy and slows down the transition Victorians are already making. If Labor was serious about affordability or climate action, they’d speed up renewables, not hand out favours to fossil fuel corporations.”

Today’s Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) funding announcement is welcome but will be of little comfort to the Hobart-based Antarctic and Southern Ocean researchers that are still suffering a substantial reduction in government funding for their critical science programs.

Greens spokesperson for science, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: 

“Today’s Antarctic funding announcement is welcome but can’t be used to hide the fact that yet again scientists are facing funding cuts and imminent job losses at other critical Antarctic research programs like the Australia Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS) and at the CSIRO. 

“Current funding for the ACEAS is $6.7m per annum which expires imminently. Despite lobbying for a long-term government commitment this critical cooperative research centre has only received $5m for two years – which will result in significant job losses. 

“We still don’t understand how many job losses will occur at the CSIRO in Tasmania, but we know the Environmental Research Unit (ERU) is facing the brunt of job cuts, which includes many oceans, climate, and nature-based researchers based in Hobart.   

“Why is the Minister giving with one hand and taking with the other? Either you are committed to funding Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and research, or you are not. 

“Disappointingly there still appears to be no long term, holistic plan for Antarctic science funding, with no sign of any details on Labor’s long-promised decadal plan for Antarctic science funding and priorities.  

“A well thought-through decadal plan for Antarctic science was a key recommendation of a recent Senate Inquiry into funding at the AAD. This decadal plan is again proving more elusive than the Scarlet Pimpernel.

“More short-term funding top-ups without a plan just won’t cut it anymore for our Antarctic efforts, which require critical long-term government commitment. 

“Antarctica is the heartbeat of our planet, and is facing significant challenges from a warming climate, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels. As Antarctica changes it presents significant risks to our planet, and our research efforts to better understand this are critical.”

Shocking new independent health data shows patients in Western Sydney are suffering the longest waits for treatment since the height of the Covid pandemic.
 
At Westmead Hospital, the number of T2 Emergency Patients (very urgent category) starting their treatment on time has fallen to 25%, the worst result since the height of the COVID pandemic in July 2021.
 
The median wait time from arrival to leaving for all patients at Westmead was 7 hours and 11 minutes- the highest on record.
 
The Bureau of Health Information’s latest report also revealed that across the State the number of patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for surgery rose 64% compared to the quarter prior.
 
The data also shows that the median waiting time from arrival to leaving an Emergency Department for all patients was 3 hours and 54 minutes, the highest on record.
 
Opposition Leader, Kellie Sloane said our hospitals and health staff continue to face unprecedented pressures, but Labor has no plan to fix it.
 
“Under Chris Minns, Western Sydney hospitals are going backwards and recording their worst results on record. The Premier needs to stop with the excuses and support the Opposition’s call for an inquiry into Western Sydney health services.”
 
“These escalating wait times, combined with rising surgery backlogs, reflect systematic pressures that require serious, long-term solutions.”
 
“What is most galling about today’s data is it shows that NSW has had record presentations to our hospitals and yet we have a Labor Prime Minister in Canberra who has called on NSW to cut hospital funding and a Premier who has failed to get NSW it’s fair share of hospital funding.”
 
Nationals Leader, Gurmesh Singh, said today’s data reinforced what people in regional NSW already know: under Labor, they are being left behind.
 
“Whether it is Labor’s decision to close Wee Waa Hospital’s emergency department or the fact we’ve seen a 15 per cent increase in the number of overdue surgeries in rural hospitals this quarter, Labor is failing regional communities on health care delivery.”
 
“The data also showed that Coffs Harbour Hospital was experiencing an increase in ambulance ramping with the percentage of patients being transferred from paramedics to ED staff within 30 minutes falling from 89% under the Liberals and Nationals to 75% under Labor.”

The Albanese Government will invest approximately $1.4 billion to advance collaborative air capabilities, transitioning the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational war fighting asset for the Australian Defence Force.

The Government today confirmed a major milestone: the Australian-designed and manufactured MQ-28A Ghost Bat – known as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) – has successfully engaged an aerial target with a live weapon. In a landmark test, the Ghost Bat deployed an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile against an Australian-made Phoenix Jet Uncrewed Aerial Target.

Operating as a loyal wingman to a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, the MQ-28A Ghost Bat destroyed the airborne target during trials at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia.

This announcement of additional funding, coupled with the successful live-fire test, reinforces Australia’s position at the forefront of CCA technology globally. The latest investment includes new contracts with Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) for six operational Block 2 MQ-28A aircraft and the development of an enhanced Block 3 prototype.

The delivery of these additional Ghost Bats will lay the foundation for an operational Air Combat Platform capability within the Royal Australian Air Force. The Albanese Government is investing more than $10 billion on drones over the next decade, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems.

Investment in uncrewed and autonomous systems is a key priority of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Collaborative combat aircraft like the MQ-28A Ghost Bat deliver asymmetric surveillance and air combat capabilities, increasing the lethality and survivability of existing crewed platforms. 

The Ghost Bat program supports more than 440 high-skilled jobs nationwide, including roles at Boeing Defence Australia and across more than 200 Australian suppliers – 70 per cent of program expenditure is directed to Australian industry.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Australia is at the forefront of efforts to develop and field autonomous collaborative combat aircraft to provide asymmetric advantage and enhanced fighting depth for existing crewed platforms.

“This landmark demonstration proves the MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a world-leading collaborative combat aircraft made and designed in Australia

“The successful weapons demonstration underlines its growing potential to deliver an operational capability for the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“With Ghost Bat, the future of collaborative air combat is right here, right now. Today’s announcement highlights that Australia is leading the world in the development of collaborative combat aircraft.

“The Ghost Bat transforms a single fighter jet into a formidable team—capable not only of surveillance but also of engaging adversaries. This delivers a vital layer of protection for our aviators who remain our most valuable asset.

“The MQ-28A program is also building a stronger sovereign defence industry and increasing Australia’s resilience with over 70 per cent of this investment remaining on our shores, providing high-tech, high-paying jobs for Australians.”

I am pleased to announce the outcomes of the 2026 round of the New Colombo Plan (NCP), which is supporting record numbers of Australian students to deepen their Asia capability and expertise.

The 2026 round will see a record 328 NCP scholarships offered to Australian undergraduates, an increase of almost 50 per cent from 2025.

The 2026 round will also see 1,247 student grants offered under the new Semester Program, and 1,635 student grants offered under the Mobility Program.

The reforms to the New Colombo Plan that I announced in July this year are now in action. More NCP participants are now developing the skills and capabilities Australia needs to deepen our national understanding of the region, strengthen the ties between our people, and increase engagement with Australian businesses operating in the region.

Importantly, a record number of students will undertake long-term study programs in Asian languages, including Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Japanese and Vietnamese.

Launched in 2014, the NCP has supported over 56,000 Australian undergraduate students through study, internships and language training in the Indo-Pacific. I look forward to the continued impact of the program as more young Australians develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy.

I extend my congratulations to all the successful students.

Penny Wong

The Albanese Government will invest approximately $1.4 billion to advance collaborative air capabilities, transitioning the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational war fighting asset for the Australian Defence Force.

The Government today confirmed a major milestone: the Australian-designed and manufactured MQ-28A Ghost Bat – known as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) – has successfully engaged an aerial target with a live weapon. In a landmark test, the Ghost Bat deployed an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile against an Australian-made Phoenix Jet Uncrewed Aerial Target.

Operating as a loyal wingman to a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, the MQ-28A Ghost Bat destroyed the airborne target during trials at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia.

This announcement of additional funding, coupled with the successful live-fire test, reinforces Australia’s position at the forefront of CCA technology globally. The latest investment includes new contracts with Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) for six operational Block 2 MQ-28A aircraft and the development of an enhanced Block 3 prototype.

The delivery of these additional Ghost Bats will lay the foundation for an operational Air Combat Platform capability within the Royal Australian Air Force. The Albanese Government is investing more than $10 billion on drones over the next decade, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems.

Investment in uncrewed and autonomous systems is a key priority of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Collaborative combat aircraft like the MQ-28A Ghost Bat deliver asymmetric surveillance and air combat capabilities, increasing the lethality and survivability of existing crewed platforms. 

The Ghost Bat program supports more than 440 high-skilled jobs nationwide, including roles at Boeing Defence Australia and across more than 200 Australian suppliers – 70 per cent of program expenditure is directed to Australian industry.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Australia is at the forefront of efforts to develop and field autonomous collaborative combat aircraft to provide asymmetric advantage and enhanced fighting depth for existing crewed platforms.

“This landmark demonstration proves the MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a world-leading collaborative combat aircraft made and designed in Australia

“The successful weapons demonstration underlines its growing potential to deliver an operational capability for the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“With Ghost Bat, the future of collaborative air combat is right here, right now. Today’s announcement highlights that Australia is leading the world in the development of collaborative combat aircraft.

“The Ghost Bat transforms a single fighter jet into a formidable team—capable not only of surveillance but also of engaging adversaries. This delivers a vital layer of protection for our aviators who remain our most valuable asset.

“The MQ-28A program is also building a stronger sovereign defence industry and increasing Australia’s resilience with over 70 per cent of this investment remaining on our shores, providing high-tech, high-paying jobs for Australians.”

• Joint Statement

09 December 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles on December 8 in Washington, D.C., marking 40 years of AUSMIN consultations. Building on the historic October 2025 leaders’ meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Secretaries and Ministers (the “Principals”) committed to a range of new initiatives to advance the safety, security, and prosperity of our two countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Promoting a Free and Open Indo-Pacific:

Recognising the growing threats to peace in the Indo-Pacific, the Principals committed to new joint efforts to promote regional stability and security.  The Principals also resolved to build resilience to economic coercion and to jointly promote growth in the Indo-Pacific region underpinned by a free and fair economic order.  The two countries will advance these efforts with regional partners, including through the Quad Leaders’ Summit and Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

• Australia and the United States are innovating how we deliver assistance and are enhancing coordination on strategic critical infrastructure investments in Southeast Asia and the Pacific:
  • Australia committed to working with the United States, the Philippines, and Japan to advance the development of the Luzon Economic Corridor;
  • Australia and the United States are partnering with Papua New Guinea (PNG) on digital infrastructure, with Australia already investing in the Coral Sea Cable and Digicel Pacific, and on a blueprint for reform and investment in PNG telecommunications;
  • Australia and the United States are continuing to partner with PNG on economic development in Lae, which includes Australia’s work with PNG to redevelop the Lae Port, and new planned support from the United States to bolster cargo inspection and screening infrastructure and training to enhance port security, disrupt transnational criminal activity, and spur economic development;
  • The United States committed to strengthen disaster management capabilities through the National Disaster Center in partnership with Australia as a demonstration of our continued commitment to PNG.
• The Principals committed to exploring further opportunities to support the development of trusted ICT networks across the Indo-Pacific and applauded the completion of the Vaka Submarine Cable to Tuvalu – a USD $56 million (AUD $80 million equivalent) project jointly financed by the United States and Australia, in partnership with Taiwan, New Zealand, and Japan.
• The United States and Australia intend to expand trilateral cooperation with Japan on training, and sharing data on air and missile defence threats.  They plan to also continue to cooperate on Maritime Cooperative Activities in the South China Sea with the Philippines and other partners.
• The United States and Australia are committed to increased cooperation to combat transnational crime, including with regional partners, and plan to establish a bilateral, interagency Working Group to Combat Online Scam Operations. The two sides also welcome a renewed MOU between AUSTRAC and FinCEN on sharing financial intelligence to tackle serious crime.
• The United States and Australia underscored our shared commitment to cyber coordination and capacity building in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to increase the region’s resilience to cyber threats.  Working with Congress, the U.S. Department of State plans to invest over USD $10 million, and Australia will invest up to AUD $10 million, including funding to hold another Pacific Cyber Week.

Strengthening the U.S.-Australia Alliance:

Looking forward in 2026 to the 75th anniversary of the signing of the ANZUS Treaty, the Principals reaffirmed the vital importance of the U.S.-Australia Alliance and committed to deepening cooperation through accelerating and expanding joint defence initiatives, shared investments in new capabilities, and industrial base integration.

• The Principals praised the positive trajectory of both countries’ investments in defence capabilities and infrastructure as the Alliance builds out our force posture and defence industrial cooperation to respond to the demands of the Indo-Pacific strategic environment.
• In line with President Trump and Prime Minister Albanese’s direction to move “full steam ahead” on AUKUS, the Principals recognised the work underway to deliver priority infrastructure works and a workforce uplift plan in support of an enhanced trilateral submarine industrial base.
• Australia will soon deliver the next one-billion-dollar payment as scheduled to be invested in expanding U.S. submarine production capacity. This brings Australia’s contribution to the U.S. submarine industrial base to USD $2 billion so far.
• The United States and Australia advanced key priorities across an ambitious range of force posture cooperation, including:
  • Committing to progress Enhanced Air Cooperation through infrastructure works at Royal Australian Air Force Bases Tindal and Darwin to support rotations of U.S. bombers, fighters, and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, and scope infrastructure works at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley;
  • Expanding Marine Rotational Force-Darwin capacity through logistics and infrastructure development, including the prepositioning of USMC MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft;
  • Establishing Northern and Southern nodes within the combined logistics networks in Australia; and
  • Establishing the U.S. Oversight and Support Group – Australia for the administration and coordination of U.S. force posture presence in Australia.
• The Principals re-affirmed the criticality of establishing Submarine Rotational Force-West as early as 2027, and the regular visits and maintenance of U.S. SSNs at HMAS Stirling to support Australia’s sovereign-ready efforts for its conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine program.
• The Principals endorsed a two-year shared pathway for the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise:
  • Pursuing co-production, co-sustainment and follow on development of Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile;
  • Furthering depot-level sustainment of AIM-9X and Advanced Medium-Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM);
  • Identifying cooperation on maritime strike and interceptor capabilities to be integrated into this pathway in 2026.
• The Principals welcomed the blanket Third Party Transfers authorisation for Australia and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the practical use of export control license exemptions maintained by both nations.  Both sides encouraged maximising utilisation of authorised exemptions where appropriate, including those in the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (such as those sections in 126.4 and 126.7) and Australia’s Defence Trade Control Act 2012 and associated regulations, for ongoing and future work related to the GWEO Shared Pathway.  These actions are streamlining bilateral defence trade, supporting Alliance activities, and bolstering defence industrial bases. 

Strengthening National Security through Economic Cooperation:

Building on the groundbreaking Critical Minerals Framework signed by President Trump and Prime Minister Albanese, the Principals committed to expand efforts to secure supply chains of critical minerals and to explore new initiatives to further bolster economic ties.

• The Principals agreed on the importance of swift implementation of the Critical Minerals Framework.  Following the announcement of joint investment with Japan in the project,they welcomed Alcoa’s recent progress to move expeditiously towards gallium production in 2026 to diversify a critical supply chain for the defence sector.  
• The United States and Australia agreed to deepen bilateral strategic finance cooperation, including through establishment of an Export Finance Australia (EFA) presence in Washington, D.C.
• The Principals welcomed EFA and Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) issuing coordinated Letters of Support/Interest worth a combined total of USD $600 million to Tronox to support a planned expansion of the company’s rare earth and minerals projects in Australia, which in turn will support a key critical minerals supply chain in the United States.
• Both countries committed to collaborating on reserve mechanisms for critical minerals and exploring opportunities for offtake arrangements, including for national security supply chains.
• Global Entry will be available to all Australian citizens on December 15, 2025, streamlining secure entry to the United States and strengthening our robust people-to-people links.
• The United States and Australia are exploring a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) to prevent, investigate, and disrupt customs law violations.

A parliamentary inquiry is hearing evidence today concerning the unauthorised disclosure by the Office of Director of Public Prosecutors of identifying information of a First Nations young person to 2GB.

Legal peak bodies and experts are calling for urgent reform to strengthen identity protections for children and young people in criminal proceedings.

Greens MP, solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“The circumstances that have led to the identification of a First Nations child, due to an unauthorised disclosure, also known as a “leak” from the ODPP to 2GB, are incredibly confronting and indicate a problem that needs to be fixed,”

“The Minns Labor Government need to urgently progress reforms to strictly prohibit the release of identity protections for vulnerable children. The Attorney General, Michael Daley should drive these reforms in the knowledge that he has the support of the Children’s Court, the Law Society of NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service and other expert legal minds to do so,”

“Despite laws preventing children from being identified, the public is routinely being made aware of circumstances that can be pieced together to identify a child inadvertently. This is referred to as ‘jigsaw identification’ and it particularly happens in regional areas with close-knit communities who have intimate knowledge of a child’s circumstances. It’s clear we need stronger protections in law to make absolutely clear to police and prosecutors that this trend is unacceptable,”

“The matter that was examined by the Parliamentary Committee today is proof that identity protections for children in our court system are not fit for purpose. Our laws expressly prohibit identifying children but information tending to identify children often gets out. In regional communities the publication of a child’s age, the town they live in, and the circumstances of their offence are often more than enough to piece together a child’s identity and that puts children and young people in danger and it undermines their rehabilitation prospects,”

“When we have prosecutors and police bringing charges against children, who are disproportionately First Nations, we must remember that the aim of our criminal justice system should be to rehabilitate and divert children exhibiting offensive behaviour,”

“Instead, we often see police and prosecutors failing to truly consider the potential for the information they disclose to identify children and young people, we have even seen police posting mugshots of children on Facebook. This cavalier attitude and conduct undermines our criminal justice system and we need to put an end to it, ”

“We need brighter lines for police and prosecutors when we are talking about identifying children and young people at risk,” Ms Higginson said.