Category: Australian News

All the news from around Australia

Greens secure $500 million for social housing upgrades; no coal, oil and gas funding in Future Made In Australia, end commercial financing of fossil fuel projects overseas; Greens will pass Future Made In Australia and other bills this week

After constructive negotiations, Australian Greens have secured life-changing upgrades to 50,000 social homes across the country, who will have their homes electrified and save approximately $1,800 a year on power bills.   

The Greens have also secured significant amendments to the Future Made In Australia Bills which will ensure that no support will be provided to coal, oil and gas under Future Made in Australia and commercial investments and programs of Export Finance Australia.

The deal is part of an agreement with the government on a package of amendments and reforms to secure the passage of over 20 bills through the Senate including some of the Future Made in Australia Bills, Treasury Bills including Build to Rent, and other Bills.

An additional $500 million will be allocated to expand the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative to upgrade public and community homes to lower power bills for tenants. It will be proportionally distributed to the states without requirement of co-contributions from the states, meaning 50,000 social homes will be retrofitted with energy efficient upgrades such as air conditioning, insulation and shading; electric hot water water systems, cooktops and ovens; and solar panels and batteries. An estimated quarter of all social homes across the country could be retrofitted under the program.

Amendments to the Build to Rent legislation will increase the minimum lease term that must be offered to tenants in new developments from three to five years.

The government has also agreed to support Greens amendments to retain the government’s power to override the Reserve Bank where there is disagreement. The ability of the Reserve bank to direct the lending activities of banks will also be retained.

Agreement on a large number of other amendments to an agreed list of other bills has also been reached.

The new investments in social housing and energy upgrades builds on the previous $3 billion for social housing and $1.7 billion for household electrification previously secured by the Greens.

The Greens have secured the following package of changes in good faith negotiations with the government this week:

  • Future Made in Australia funding will be closed off for coal, oil and gas projects.
  • Export Finance Australia will now be legally prevented from financing any domestic or overseas fossil fuel projects on their balance sheet. Around $1.5 billion of coal, oil and gas projects have been financed by EFA since 2009 – this kind of financing will now not be possible.
  • $500 million for the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative to lower power prices for tenants. It will be proportionally distributed to the states without requirement of co-contributions from the states, meaning  an additional 50,000 social homes will be retrofitted with energy efficient upgrades such as air conditioning, insulation and shading; electric hot water water systems, cooktops and ovens; and solar panels and batteries. Current federal funding for the program is $300 million so an additional $500 million more than doubles federal funding. This takes the total social homes to be retrofitted to 110,000, a quarter of the 446,000 social homes in Australia.  If states choose to contribute matching funding the program could expand to up to $1 billion. This program was initially secured by the Greens in previous negotiations with the government and will now be massively expanded. 
  • Government will support the Greens amendments to retain existing powers for governments to overrule the RBA and for the central bank to be able to direct commercial banks where to direct credit. 
  • Extend the lease period from 3 years to 5 years on Build to Rent leases, meaning every lease under this scheme will have long term lease security. 
  • Portfolio level agreed amendments within the list of bills below.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt:

“Thanks to the Greens, people in 50,000 public and community homes will receive life-changing upgrades and save approximately $1,800 a year on power bills.

“The Greens have secured $500m to electrify Australian homes starting with those most in need, cutting power bills and pollution at the same time.

“In negotiations on Future Made in Australia, the Greens have stopped billions of dollars of public money going into coal, oil and gas projects, here or overseas.

“Australia’s export finance agency has shamefully invested around $1.5 billion in coal, oil and gas projects overseas on their commercial account. That’s not possible any more.

“Greens pressure works. Having delivered good outcomes that will help people, the Greens now turn to keeping Peter Dutton out and pushing for cheaper rents, cheaper groceries and no new coal and gas in a coming minority parliament.  

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.”

Greens spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness Max Chandler-Mather MP:

“The Greens have more than doubled federal funding for a government program that will see life improving upgrades to a quarter of all public and community homes across Australia, saving social housing tenants approximately $1,800 a year on their power bills.

“This means insulation, air conditioning, shading, and bill saving rooftop solar and batteries for hundreds of thousands of people living in social housing who are often forced to suffer through brutal summers and winters in homes in desperate need of basic repairs.

“We said from the start the Greens were ready to work constructively, and in just one week we have agreed to pass Labor’s two housing bills and secured $500 million for social housing upgrades, adding to the $3 billion we have already secured for social housing.” 

Greens spokesperson for Treasury Senator Nick McKim:

“The Greens are using our power in Parliament to fight for renters and mortgage holders. I’m relieved to see the Treasurer agreed to retain the power to cut interest rates. The Greens are fighting for mortgage holders and the government should do the same.

“Labor and the Liberals are still on a unity ticket about unlimited rent increases, new coal and gas approvals and letting the supermarkets price gouge.

“The Greens are here to push for better. Get outcomes. Make the government fix the problems, not just tinker around the edges.

“Right now times are tough for a lot of us, but nothing changes unless your vote does.

“Putting more Greens in the parliament means we keep Peter Dutton out and we have more leverage to push Labor to get outcomes on housing, climate and cost of living.”

The Greens will now pass the following Bills through the Senate this week:

Treasury 

Attorney General

Future Made in Australia 

Other portfolios:

Greens Secure Deal to Electrify Public Housing in Tasmania

Greens pressure on the Government has delivered a major windfall gain for Tasmania, with electrification upgrades set to benefit at least 1,750 Tasmanian public and social housing households, saving residents around $1,800 a year according to government modelling.

Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the agreement marked a significant win for the state, securing funding to help households reduce energy bills while slashing emissions.

“This is a major win for climate, and  for people living in public and social housing in Tasmania,” Senator McKim said.

“Electrifying these homes means lower power bills, warmer homes in winter, and cleaner energy for our state.”

“For so many Tasmanian families these upgrades will ease the cost of living and improve quality of life.”

The funding, part of a $500 million national spend secured by the Greens, will allow for energy efficient upgrades such as air conditioning, insulation and shading; electric hot water systems, cooktops and ovens; and solar panels and batteries.

“Tasmania should be leading the way in the clean energy transition, and this deal is a step toward ensuring that everyone can benefit from it,” Senator McKim said.

“Tasmanians have been hit hard by rising costs, and this deal shows what the Greens can deliver when we hold the balance of power.

“This funding wouldn’t exist without the Greens, and we’re proud to be securing real outcomes that make a difference in people’s lives.

“Having the Greens in Parliament means better outcomes for people and the planet.”

Labor does the bidding of big business to protect native forestry logging

Australia’s native forests have been thrown under a fleet of log trucks after Prime Minister Albanese abandoned the environment on the instructions of Australia’s logging and mining industries. 

“It’s now crystal clear that the PM and his Forests Minister Julie Collins are simply puppets of logging and mining interests.”

“Any chance of better protections for nature have been lost due to big corporate interests completely capturing the Labor Party.”

“This was a naked display of power by big polluters, and the boardroom of the BCA is now acting like the third chamber of the Commonwealth parliament.”

“The Greens will keep fighting to end native forest logging.”

“It’s now abundantly clear – a vote for Labor is a vote to destroy nature.”

“If we want to save Australia’s precious native forests we need more Greens in Parliament.”

Pollution rises again under Labor, remains higher under Albanese than Morrison

The latest quarterly emissions data has revealed emissions remain higher under Anthony Albanese than Scott Morrison, as the Greens call on Labor to stop backing new coal and gas mines.

In the year to June 2022 – the last quarter of the Morrison Government – 438.4 million tonnes of emissions were released.

In the quarterly data released today, they sit at 440.6 million tonnes per annum in the year to June 2024.

The data also shows that pollution has risen 3.5% since the last quarter, up from 109.5 million tonnes in the March quarter to 113.4 million tonnes in the June quarter. 

The Greens say to drive down emissions and take the action needed to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees, Labor needs to stop approving coal and gas projects.

Since coming into office Labor has approved 28 new coal and gas projects, and both the Prime Minister and Climate Change Minister have indicated they won’t announce Australia’s 2035 climate targets before the next election.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Climate emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than under Scott Morrison.

“Under Labor, emissions are rising and they have approved 28 new coal and gas projects.

“Labor have disappointed the country on climate, talking up renewables while approving 28 new coal and gas projects and lifting emissions. 

“To have any chance of a safer climate, Labor must stop approving new coal and gas projects and start rapidly cutting emissions.

“Coal and gas are keeping emissions high, but Labor and Liberal are backing more. Labor has lifted emissions and Peter Dutton would be even worse. We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result on climate.”

Launch of ASEAN-Australia Centre to strengthen Southeast Asia ties

I am pleased to launch the ASEAN-Australia Centre, delivering a key commitment of the Albanese Government from the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit earlier this year.

The Centre will be launched tonight at Parliament House in Canberra alongside H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The ASEAN-Australia Centre will build on the Labor Government’s work to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia and will focus on further increasing business, education, cultural and community connections with Southeast Asia. 

Key initiatives of the ASEAN-Australia Centre will include: 

  • launching an Emerging Leaders Program to support the brightest minds from the region to build skills and connections; 
  • investing in expanding the BRIDGE school partnerships program to connect teachers and students in Australia, Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste; and
  • developing a Young Women Entrepreneur Exchange to supercharge the business and creative ventures of Australian and Southeast Asian women.

The Centre is also supporting creative industry exchanges, cultural initiatives and Southeast Asia literacy through a Grants Program. 

The Centre invites applications related to creative industry exchanges, cultural initiatives that drive two-way trade and connect our region, and practical projects that strengthen Southeast Asia literacy in Australia. Information is available on the GrantConnect website and applications are open until 10 January 2025. 

I’m also pleased to announce a partnership between the ASEAN-Australia Centre and National Museum of Australia with a world-first First Nations Art Exhibition to tour Southeast Asia from 2025. This partnership delivers on recommendations from Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. 

From the day the Albanese Government was elected, we have worked to deepen our ties with Southeast Asia because we know how important these relationships are for Australia’s future.

With the launch of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, we have delivered on another commitment to help make Australia stronger and more influential in our region and the world, and to build a better future for Australians.

New strategy to promote and protect the rights of people with disability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond

The Albanese Labor Government has launched a new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy, to drive meaningful improvements for people with disability through Australia’s international engagement, including international development and humanitarian programs.

It is the first international disability strategy released by the Australian Government in almost a decade and for the first time, includes the introduction of a performance target for disability equity in Australia’s international development program.

Australia will also provide $12 million to expand access to essential assistive technology across the Indo-Pacific, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, and communication devices.

The Strategy focuses on five priorities:

  • partnering with people with disability and the disability rights movement;
  • eliminating discrimination and exclusion;
  • promoting meaningful disability inclusion;
  • supporting equity in humanitarian assistance and climate action; and
  • strengthening evidence on effective disability equity practices.

This will see improvements for people with disability through Australia’s support for the region, which in turn will contribute to economic growth, sustainable development, and social cohesion.

The Strategy’s release comes ahead of the United Nations International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) marked on 3 December each year and the Strategy will be officially launched today at an event in Parliament House, Canberra to celebrate IDPwD.

International Day of People with Disability is a day to champion and promote community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. It celebrates the contributions and achievements of people with disability and is led by people with disability.

The United Nations IDPwD theme this year is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. Our Government’s approach to implementing the Strategy directly aligns to with this theme as it includes local leadership and decision-making as a priority.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Advancing equity and rights for people with disability reflects Australia’s values and helps build resilient communities, reduce poverty and foster peace.

“Through this strategy, we will continue Australia’s proud legacy of support for the rights of people with disability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

“The Australian Government is ensuring disability equity is an essential part of our international engagement, so no one is left behind.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, 
the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Globally, people with disability remain among the poorest and most marginalised.

“Australia’s new Strategy goes beyond disability inclusion to focus on equity and rights — addressing structural barriers that impact the dignity of all individuals.

“Importantly, people with disability helped to shape this strategy, through consultations with representative organisations and development partners from across our region.”

Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP:

“Australia is a proud signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and we are committed to its implementation.

“Through our Supporting Participation Program, people with disability in Australia are supported to attend international conferences hosted by the United Nations and share their perspective and experiences on the world stage to advance equity and human rights.

“This Strategy will drive progress on our commitments and complements Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 – our national policy framework to drive action at all levels of government to improve the lives of people with disability.”

Meeting with the President of the Czech Republic

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with the President of the Czech Republic, His Excellency Mr Petr Pavel, today in Canberra.

This is the first visit by a Czech President to Australia in 29 years.

Australia and the Czech Republic are likeminded partners, our relationship is underpinned by shared values and a mutual understanding of contemporary global challenges.

Prime Minister Albanese and President Pavel reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, and reiterated this support would continue from both countries for as long as it takes.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Czech Republic’s increased engagement with the Indo-Pacific, as well as President Pavel’s continued advocacy for European engagement in our region.

Strengthening ties between partners like Australia and the Czech Republic allows us to respond to the shared security challenges of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

This was the first meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Pavel since he assumed office in March 2023.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I am pleased to welcome President Pavel to Australia for this historic visit, the first by a Czech President in 29 years.

“Australia is fortunate to be home to a large and thriving Australian-Czech community.

“The relationship between Australia and the Czech Republic is underpinned by strong people-to-people ties and continues to grow to meet shared opportunities and global challenges.”

Dutton & Labor have caved to Sportsbet, Greens will ban gambling ads

The Greens say both Labor and Peter Dutton have caved and failed on gambling ads, while their Bill honours the Peta Murphy Inquiry recommendations. 

Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Labor has no excuse for failing to ban gambling ads and Peter Dutton’s fake vibes are no substitute for what is needed: a full ban on gambling ads as recommended by the Peta Murphy Inquiry and supported by 70% of Australians.

“Everyone can see that Labor have caved, but no one should fall for Peter Dutton’s trickery: the Coalition was in Government for years and did nothing. Both are captured by the lobby while problem gamblers keep losing.

“Australians lose more per person to gambling than any nation on earth. We could pass laws to ban gambling ads by Christmas with the Greens Bill in line with the Peta Murphy Inquiry recommendations – but both Dutton and Labor have sold out to Sportsbet and refuse to support it.”

Senators Mehreen Faruqi and Lidia Thorpe call for inquiry into racism in parliament

Senators Mehreen Faruqi and Lidia Thorpe have today moved a motion in the Senate calling for the Standing Committee on Procedures to conduct an inquiry into racism within Parliament.

See the motion here.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“It’s been three years since the Set the Standard report, two years since the parliamentary behaviour codes were developed and 20 months since they were endorsed by parliament, but it seems to make no difference to how women of colour are treated in here.

“The highest office in this country should lead the way on safe and respectful behaviour but it is far from it. That’s why we are seeking a review of standing orders as recommended by the Jenkins review so we can finally move to eliminate the discrimination, racism and sexism that so many are subjected to and harmed by. 

“The Senate refused to censure Senator Hanson when I was racially vilified, but they are quick to shut me down for calling out racism. Politicians in here really need a good dose of anti-racism training.

“In here, it’s easy to fling around racism and racist commentary without consequence, but if you dare call out racism or white supremacy you are shut down, silenced and gaslighted.

“If there is any workplace that needs unpacking of white privilege and white fragility, it is this parliament. 

“Despite all the revelations of the past few years, parliament still has not reckoned with its whitewashed and exclusionary culture where discrimination against First Nations people, people of colour, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people is common in practice and policy.

“Just last week I was silenced in the Senate for calling out racism and white supremacy while speaking in support of Senator Thorpe. It seems those running this place have not really listened to what the Set the Standard report had to say about systemic inequality, entitlement and exclusion. 

“I hope the Senate will support our motion so we can move forward with consistent enforcement of behaviour standards so this can be a safe workplace for all.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe

“Racism in the Senate chamber is routine. Senators dogwhistle and demonise people of colour in speeches, and racist sledging and comments have been made towards Senators of colour, myself included.

“The President and many senators don’t have a good understanding of what is and isn’t racist, and consistently fail to recognise or call it out.

“It was confronting to see that I was kicked off a parliamentary delegation to Fiji and Tuvalu because I dared to call out the King for the genocide of First Peoples, while a Senator who made appalling racist, homophobic and ableist comments online was dealt a more lenient consequence by the Senate.

“It shows that if you speak up and demand justice for First Peoples, you will be punished, while racism, homophobia and ableism are not treated seriously by the Senate.

“Discussions of racism might make people uncomfortable, but these are real problems that need to be openly discussed. It’s racist in itself to prevent these issues from being raised in the chamber, or forcing senators to withdraw.

“For young people of colour wanting to move into politics, the level of racism we see in this workplace is a major barrier and turn off.

“Racism is still frequently used as a political tool by the major parties. They use it to create fear and distrust for their political benefit, and those attitudes flow through to the rest of society. The Prime Minister and opposition leader frequently partake in racist dog whistling.

“This inquiry is about taking a stronger stance on racism and holding this parliament to a higher standard.

“It aims to ensure that the recommendations of the Jenkins report are being taken into consideration in relation to racism, and that codes of conduct are strengthened.

“Parliament is my workplace. Racism is called out in other workplaces, and it should be called out in parliament too.”

Greens to wave through Labor housing bills, continue fight for renters to the next election and in minority parliament

The Greens say Labor has given up on renters and first home buyers by refusing to negotiate on the government’s housing bills, but have decided to wave the legislation through to focus on campaigning for renters and against Peter Dutton at the next election.

The Greens say renters should now vote Green to put them in balance of power in a minority Parliament if they want to end tax handouts for property investors and an end to unlimited rent increases.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP:

“There comes a point where you’ve pushed as far as you can. We tried hard to get Labor to shift on soaring rents and negative gearing, but we couldn’t get there this time.   

“We’ll wave the housing bills through and take the fight to the next election, where we’ll keep Peter Dutton out and then push Labor to act on unlimited rent rises and tax handouts to wealthy property investors.”

Greens Housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather MP:

“The Greens are waving through Labor’s housing bills after accepting Labor doesn’t care enough about renters to actually do anything meaningful for them, and that is deeply, deeply disappointing. 

“Last year the Greens secured $3 billion for social housing, six times what Labor originally planned to spend, and we hoped we could secure a similar outcome this time, but the tragedy is Labor decided they’d rather have a fight with the Greens than actually help people. 

“We have pushed as hard as possible to get Labor to do more than tinkering around the edges of this devastating housing crisis in this term of parliament, but in the end we just couldn’t get Labor to care enough. 

“We got close. Labor costed changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. We were inches away from the most significant changes to housing policy in a generation that would have helped hundreds of thousands of renters, but the Prime Minister blinked and that is deeply disappointing.

“It’s now over to the people of Australia at the next election. If you want to keep out Dutton, and push Labor to cap rent increases, phase out negative gearing and establish a public developer to build affordable homes, then vote Greens.”