Category: Australian News

The Albanese Labor Government is activating financial support for Victorians directly affected by bushfires burning in and around the Grampians National Park and Macedon Ranges – through the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income as a result of recent bushfires in the Rural City of Ararat, Shire of Macedon Ranges, Shire of Northern Grampians and Shire of Southern Grampians.

It is available to people who work or live in a declared Local Government Area, who have lost some or all of their income as a direct result of the disaster, and will earn less than the average Australian weekly income in the 13 weeks after this income loss.

Applications for the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will open on 30 December 2024 from 2pm AEDT.

Members of the community are encouraged to seek information regarding eligibility and how to claim on the Services Australia website.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“At the worst of times we always see the best of the Australian spirit.

“Neighbours helping each other out, communities coming together, firefighters and first responders protecting lives and livelihoods.

“That’s exactly what we’ve seen with these recent bushfires in Victoria.

“We want to make sure people in these communities can get back on their feet as quickly as possible, which is why we’re rolling out this support.”

the Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten:

“Supporting communities and workers impacted by a natural disaster is what Services Australia is geared to do.

“People should check their eligibility for the Disaster Recovery Allowance on the Services Australia website at servicesaustalia.gov.au/disastersupport.

“The easiest way to make a claim is online through myGov. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

“There may be some disruption at Services Australia service centres in affected areas over coming days. We encourage people to access services online or over the phone where possible.”

the Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“The bushfires in the Grampians and Macedon Ranges have impacted the livelihoods of a number of workers, especially tourism operators during what would normally be the peak season.

“Our Government is moving quickly to activate this financial assistance so those whose incomes have been disrupted are supported in the immediate recovery phase.

“It’s critical that locals and those travelling in the area remain prepared to act in an emergency and listen to the advice from local emergency services.”

Today I announce appointments of five highly qualified individuals to lead Australian posts in Addis Ababa, Brunei, Dhaka, Jakarta and Nauru.

Our diplomats are the driver of Australia’s engagement with the world and these appointments strengthen Australia’s diplomatic capability and its prosecution of our national interests around the globe.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments:

• Dr Peter Hunter as Australia’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
• Mr Michael Hoy as Australia’s High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam.
• Ms Susan Ryle as Australia’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
• Mr Rod Brazier as Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia.
• Mr Matthew Barclay as Australia’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Nauru.

I thank the outgoing high commissioners and ambassadors for their contributions to advancing Australia’s national interests.

The Australian Government is making representations to the Russian Government.

We urge the Russian Government to fully adhere to its obligations under international humanitarian law, including with respect to prisoners of war.

Our immediate priority is understanding where Mr Jenkins is and confirming his wellbeing.

We are providing consular support to Mr Jenkins’ family.

I reiterate the Government’s clear advice to all Australians – do not travel to Ukraine.

I want to wish every Australian a very merry Christmas.

For so many, this can be a chance for a well-earned break, spending time with family and catching up with friends, and creating beautiful new memories with those that we love.

For Christians, of course, this is a holy celebration.

For all of us, it is a season of generosity and kindness.

I want to say thank you to our medical workers and emergency personnel, our charity and hospitality workers and those serving in the Australian Defence Force here and overseas – everyone who has given up their Christmas to help others in our community.

You do so much to make this time of celebration and reflection possible.

Of course, the festive season isn’t easy for everyone, such as for the people of Darwin, who, for this year, I’ll be spending time with, commemorating 50 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated Australia’s most northern capital.

I do want to wish everyone the very best and a peaceful and joyful

The Australian Government will provide an additional $5 million in practical humanitarian assistance to the people of Vanuatu, following Tuesday’s tragic earthquake.

This support builds on the Australian Government’s initial $2 million package and will assist the next phase of the Vanuatu Government’s emergency response.

It includes $2.5 million for medical care for those injured, and to supply water, sanitation and hygiene products and services.

Assistance will also be directed to NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) consortium to address the distinct needs of vulnerable community members and to the Australian Red Cross, who in partnership with the Vanuatu Red Cross will deliver services and supplies including shelter, first aid and non-food items.

An Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT), with 16 members will depart tomorrow. They will continue to support local health services to address critical injuries. The team has been drawn from across Australia, and we thank them for their contribution, especially over Christmas.

The 64-member Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which has been assisting with search and rescue efforts, and the six-person AUSMAT team that were deployed on Wednesday will return to Australia tomorrow.

The Royal Australian Air Force will conduct two further flights to Port Vila today. Commercial flights are now resuming.

Australians should be proud of the emergency rescue and medical teams that deployed less than 24 hours after the earthquake. We are grateful to all of those involved in Australia’s response for their work.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to provide consular assistance where needed to Australians present in the affected region.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 in Australia).

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education, has reacted to Labor’s replacement of Ministerial Direction 107 with Ministerial Direction 111. 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“Finally, the worst of MD107 which was throttling the tertiary education sector, is gone but Labor is using the same flawed international student caps that were thoroughly rejected by the Senate and the sector for their new MD111. This shows that the heart of the issue remains unchanged.

“This might be a small reprieve for a sector that has been crushed for too long, but implementing international student caps by stealth through a ministerial direction is sneaky and does not tackle the issues universities face.

“Labor continues to dog whistle and blame international students and migrants for the housing crisis they did not cause. The Albanese government should be ashamed of competing with Dutton’s Coalition in the terrible race to see who wins on punching down on migrants the hardest.” 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Anti-Racism and Higher Education, has reacted to the interim report on racism in universities.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“The findings that racism is pervasive in universities doesn’t come as a surprise but it still makes for devastating reading. Like the rest of society, racism is rife in universities.

“Universities should be places that lead the way and set an example for how to be anti-racist but instead staff and students experience the trauma and distress of systemic racism in their institutions.

“A genuine interrogation of institutional racism at each and every university is essential so they confront the legacies of imperialism, racism and white privilege in academia. 

“Evidence that international students are facing exclusion, a lack of support and feeling unwelcome is particularly disturbing. It should be a wake up call for Labor and the Liberals to stop their racist dog whistling and scapegoating for political advantage that is harming communities.

“Universities must foster a culture of being actively anti-racist, accountable for racist behaviour and norms, and support for First Nations people and culturally and racially marginalised people. Only then can we build an anti-racist campus.

“This report is another piece of evidence in a list that grows longer and longer about how entrenched racism is in this country across all sectors. The time to hide behind nice words like ‘social cohesion’ and ‘harmony’ is over. We need to fully confront racism and call it for what it is.

“Today must be the day the government commits to fully funding and implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework.”

Today I travelled to Kyiv to express Australia’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine and announce further support to assist them in response to Russia’s brutal, illegal war.

Australia has unequivocally condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and provided more than $1.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the full-scale conflict began in February 2022.

In Kyiv, I met with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Sybiha, Defence Minister Umerov and Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak and announced that the Albanese Government is building on our commitment to Ukraine with the following:

• Australia will provide $66 million to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, to assist with Ukraine’s vital recovery and reconstruction efforts.
• Australia will also contribute $10 million in assistance to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to provide heat and electricity for Ukrainians.

I also visited the site of Australia’s Embassy in Kyiv that was closed by the Morrison Government in 2022, where I was updated on the progress of work to enable the full return of Australia’s diplomatic presence.

The Albanese Government has always said we would reopen our Embassy in Kyiv when it is safe to do so. I was pleased to announce we are reopening the Embassy.

From next month, Australia’s Ambassador as well as our Deputy Head of Mission will return to Kyiv.

During my visit, I met families at ‘Save Ukraine’ – a community organisation that supports vulnerable Ukrainian families and children that have been damaged by this terrible conflict where I told them Australia will contribute $80,000 to help facilitate their work.

What happens to Ukraine matters to Australians. Ukraine’s fight against Russia has consequences for our national security and the security of the Indo-Pacific.

Today and every day, Australia stands with Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.

Media note: More information on these announcements can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. Imagery is available via Dropbox.

China has today notified Australia that full resumption of live rock lobster trade can recommence.

The Australian Government welcomed this notification which followed agreement between Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li in October 2024 to resume live rock lobster trade by the end of this year.

This is a major win for our hard-hit live rock lobster industry and follows sustained engagement and advocacy by government and industry. We thank the Australian live rock lobster industry for its patience and resilience as we worked to reinstate market access.

This outcome demonstrates the value of the Government’s patient, calibrated, and deliberate approach towards stabilising Australia’s relations with China.

This announcement opens the door for Australian exporters to supply the world’s best lobsters once again to this important market. The resumption of live rock lobster exports to China is expected to have substantial economic benefits and deliver job security for fishing communities in regional areas.

When the Albanese Government came to office, Australian exporters faced impediments on exporting wine, barley, coal, cotton, timber logs, oaten hay, copper ores and concentrates and red meat into China – around $20 billion worth of Australian products. The removal of restrictions on lobster marks the resolution of all outstanding impediments to trade from that period.

The Australian Government will continue with its calm and consistent approach to the China relationship – where we cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in the national interest.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“This outcome affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Government in the stabilisation of our bilateral relationship.

“As a result of the Albanese Government’s deliberate, patient and calibrated approach, approximately $20 billion worth of trade impediments on Australian exports have been removed.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“Today’s announcement shows the Albanese Labor Government’s approach to this consequential relationship is delivering for Australians and for our national interest.

“We said before the last election that we would work to stabilise the relationship with China, without compromising on what is important to Australians, and that is what we have done.”

Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell:

“This is a fantastic outcome for the Australian lobster industry and for Chinese consumers who will be able to enjoy delicious Australian live rock lobster in time for Lunar New Year celebrations.

“It is in Australia’s national interest to have a constructive relationship with our largest trading partner and to have Australia’s top exports purchased by China’s consumers.

“The Government will continue to support Australian businesses sell their world-class products on the global stage.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins:

“This outcome comes at a critical time for the Australian live rock lobster industry.

“We are continuing to stabilise trade with China to get greater return for our hard-working fishers and other primary producers.”

Today, the Coalition has launched a new webpage – Health Facts – to combat Labor’s desperate lies on health.

It has become clear that a desperate Albanese Labor Government is attempting to reheat their disgraced Mediscare campaign in an attempt to distract from their failures.

We are setting the record straight.

While Labor is focused on lies and scaremongering, we are focused on the facts.

Our Health Facts webpage relies on real data to demonstrate the Coalition’s strong track record on ensuring Australians have affordable and timely access to healthcare, including through increased funding into Medicare, hospitals and medicines.

Labor is relying on lies and spin.

The facts are undeniable. The Coalition always has and always will invest in Medicare.

Under the Coalition, funding into Medicare increased year-on-year from $18.6 billion under Labor in 2012–13 to more than $30 billion in 2021-22.

This led to record high bulk billing rates and a stronger Medicare system for all Australians. Across the Coalition’s time in Government, the average bulk billing rate was 86.15%. Under Labor it is 78.75%

The Coalition also increased hospital funding by 86%, doubled the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions Australians can access, and made more than 2,900 new or amended medicines listings on the PBS.

Since Labor has come into government, the GP bulk billing has plummeted by 11%, out-of-pocket costs have reached the highest level on record, and the Government has cut Medicare mental health support in half.

Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston said that the Labor Party will spend the upcoming election campaign telling lies about health, but the Coalition has a proud record on supporting Australians’ access to essential healthcare.

“In fact, it was Peter Dutton as Health Minister who established Australia’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund, which has led to life-saving new medical developments for Australian patients,” Senator Ruston said.

“The irony is that it has literally never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor than under the Albanese Labor Government.

“We know that Australians can feel the truth of Labor’s health lies in their hip pockets every time they go to pay the bill at their doctor’s reception desk. But now they also have this clear and consolidated resource to fact check Labor’s shameful scare tactics.

“It is incredibly disappointing that this webpage is necessary, but it is clear that Labor does not care about the facts.

“Instead of taking action to tackle the rising unaffordability of essential healthcare, the Albanese Government is lying to Australians. It’s disgraceful.

“Australians cannot afford three more years of Labor, or their lies.”