Category: Australian News

Labor’s proposed merger law reform is a missed opportunity to take on the market dominance of supermarket and airline corporations, and far from enough to address the real issue of corporate power in Australia, the Greens say.

“Labor has missed the chance to take the bold action needed: create the power to break up duopolies and oligopolies through forced divestiture,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Big corporations already hold too much power, and simply trying to prevent them from getting bigger won’t fix the problem.

“What we need is to create competition by breaking up corporations when they misuse their market power.”

“We need to give the courts and regulators the power to force the divestiture of corporations that have monopolised industries, including supermarkets, airlines and energy companies.”

“Without these powers, we’ll continue to see price gouging, rising costs of living, and Australians paying the price for unchecked corporate greed.”

“We’ll work our way through the detail of the proposed reforms, but we’re going to keep fighting to make sure Labor does more than just fiddle at the margins.

The Prime Minister should be condemned for his comments today in Question Time, as he mocked Tourette’s Syndrome for his own political point scoring.

Mocking a disability is no laughing matter.

For the Prime Minister to do so is not only reprehensible, but it sends a concerning message to the entire disability community.

The Australian Government should stand as a pillar of support for those who need it most, including Australians living with serious conditions like Tourette’s Syndrome.

Australians living with Tourette’s deserve the Prime Minister’s respect, not his ridicule.

The Prime Minister must immediately apologies to all Australians living with Tourette’s Syndrome and the entire disability community for his insensitive and insulting comments.

Today, the Coalition has secured the support of the Senate to stand with Israel and affirm its inherent right to defend itself and protect its citizens.

In a remarkable 24 hours, the Albanese Labor Government has once again changed its position, reinforcing its internal confusion and division over Labor’s position on Israel.

In accepting significant Coalition amendments to the motion forced through the House of Representatives yesterday, the Albanese Government has only added to the confusion, inconsistencies and weakness in its positions.

The Coalition’s successful amendments included Israel’s right to defend itself as well as the condemnation of those committed to the destruction of Israel, and the actions of those seeking to celebrate and promote the actions of terrorists.

However, Labor’s decision to reject other Coalition amendments which confirmed Australia’s long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution continues its record of trashing decades of bipartisanship on the issue.

Without a negotiated two-state solution, which addresses critical issues of security guarantees, agreed borders and rights of return, Labor is instead doubling down on Minister Wong’s ill-conceived arbitrary timeline for a recognition that resolves none of the issues of dispute.

Foreign Minister Wong’s further remarks about international consensus were a significant misrepresentation of the US position in a stunt that was either naïve or deliberately misleading.

Labor’s inability to sustain a firm position on Israel continues to put Australia at odds with our major ally and security partner in the United States.

The ceasefires we should all be supporting are where all hostages are released, while both Hamas and Hezbollah surrender their terrorist infrastructure, capability and leadership. That would give Israelis, Palestinians and Lebanese people the best chance of peace.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics building activity data has confirmed there is no end in sight to Labor’s housing crisis.

2023-24 saw the lowest home building commencements in over a decade, dropping 8.8 per cent to just 158,690 new starts.

Australians know Labor’s promise to build 1.2 million homes over five years has ground to a halt, with industry leaders confirming the Coalition’s predictions of a shortfall by more than 400,000 homes.

This is far less than what was built under the former Coalition government, where the number of dwellings commenced during the last full five calendar years from 2017 to 2021 was 1,028,703.

Additionally, trade apprenticeship numbers have also declined, with completions down 8.6 per cent and commencements down 11.8 per cent, further impacting the construction sector.

To put Labor’s housing crisis into more perspective:

• The number of loans provided for the purchase or construction of new homes is at a 15-year low.
• Net permanent and long-term arrivals in the 12 months to July 2024 was 463,150, almost 60 per cent greater than the 293,860 net arrivals in the equivalent year before the pandemic.
• Since the election, national median rents have increased by 23 per cent to $632 per week from $512 in May 2022.
• The National Housing Accord envisages 240,000 new homes each year, however, the past 12 months have seen only 166,200 new home building approvals across Australia.
• One new home needs to be built every 2.2 minutes to keep up with Labor’s promise to build 1.2 million homes.
• The twelve-interest rate rises since the election has added at least an extra $20,000 per year to a family with a $750,000 mortgage.

Under Labor, housing will never be a priority, maintaining mortgage and rental repayments has never been more difficult, and home ownership has never been further out of reach.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, will travel to Vientiane, Laos from 9-11 October for the 4th Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and 19th East Asia Summit.

This visit is vital to advocating for Australia’s interests for a more prosperous and stable region, and will build on the success of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne in March, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to securing peace and a sustainable future for the region.

Deepening engagement with Southeast Asia is a priority of the Australian Government. Stability in the region is crucial for Australia’s future.

ASEAN is Australia’s second largest two-way trading partner. Trade supports one in four Australian jobs, with half a million jobs in Australia already linked to trade with Southeast Asia. More than one million Australians have Southeast Asian heritage, reflecting our personal ties in the region.

In Vientiane, Prime Minister Albanese will meet with leaders and business representatives to discuss work underway to boost two-way trade and investment through Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I look forward to building on the success of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit earlier this year and thank Prime Minister Sonexay for hosting these vital meetings.

“We are committed to working with our partners to pursue a peaceful, stable and prosperous region with ASEAN at the centre.

“We are also acting to grasp economic opportunities in a region of incredible vitality and promise. Trade creates jobs for our nation and helps build our Future Made in Australia agenda.

“My Government will continue to work closely with our partners to maximise opportunities for Australian businesses and workers within the region.”

The Albanese Government is introducing legislation today to keep the National Broadband Network (NBN) owned by the Australian people – ensuring fast, reliable and affordable internet now and into the future for all Australians.

Our Government committed at the election to deliver accessible internet for all, and today we continue to take that forward.

High speed broadband is essential to modern life – it allows Australians to work remotely, run their businesses more productively, video-conference with clients and colleagues, supply and receive telehealth services – while enjoying leisure with their families through streaming.

The Coalition rushed to declare the NBN ‘complete’ so they could put it on the block for sale – selling out Australian consumers and regional communities.

The Albanese Government won’t let that happen. This legislation will ensure the NBN is owned by who it belongs to – the Australian people.

This is in addition to what we have already done:

1. Invested $2.4 billion to expand full fibre NBN access to an additional 1.5 million premises – including 660,000 rural and regional communities;
2. From September next year, boosting download speeds by up to 5 times current speeds – at no extra wholesale cost.  A household or small business with a 100 Mbps plan in 2024 will benefit from 500 Mbps connectivity in 2025;
3. Rolling out more fibre in the fixed line network, upgrading the fixed-wireless network and planning for future needs.

These upgrades are already making a real difference in the lives of Australians through faster more reliable internet access.

Keeping the NBN in public hands will lock in affordable and accessible high speed internet for all Australians for generations to come.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“All Australians deserve high quality and affordable services no matter their postcode. That includes access to the NBN.

“Keeping the NBN in public hands means high speed broadband remains affordable for Australian families and businesses around the country.

“Upgrades to the NBN are also a key part of our plan for a Future Made in Australia, but achieving this vision won’t happen without a reliable, high-speed National Broadband Network.

“The Coalition made a mess of the NBN – my Government is getting on with the job of fixing it and making sure it stays in public hands, where it belongs.”

Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher

“The NBN is critical national infrastructure, and we know that having a faster, higher quality NBN network has a huge impact on Australia’s economy – delivering a $400 billion uplift in GDP by 2030.

“Economic analysis commissioned by NBN Co shows that for every one megabit per second increase in average broadband speed, Australia’s productivity-driven GDP increased on average by 0.04 per cent.

“The Albanese Government is delivering a better NBN for Australians, investing $2.4 billion in the October 2022-23 Budget to expand fibre access to 1.5 million premises by 2025.”

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland

“It is only a Labor Government that will ensure the NBN remains in public hands.

“Communities across Australia have told us that the job of upgrading the NBN is not complete, which is why we’re investing in more fibre and fixed wireless upgrades.

“Australians don’t trust the Coalition not to flog off the NBN just like they did with Telstra, resulting in higher prices and poorer services, especially in the regions.

“This Bill will ensure the NBN continues to deliver for all Australians – improving digital inclusion and price certainty for industry and consumers.

“The Government is delivering on our election commitments to provide fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all Australians, and only by keeping the NBN in the ownership of the Australian people will that vision continue to be delivered.”

The ACT Greens will support volunteer trail builders and deliver new trails at Stromlo Forest Park, to maintain Canberra’s appeal as a mountain biking destination for locals and tourists.

“Mountain biking is one of Canberra’s fastest growing sports, and more trails means more fun,” said Laura Nuttall MLA, Greens spokesperson on sport and recreation, recontesting her Tuggeranong seat of Brindabella.

“Mountain biking has already brought $30 million a year in domestic tourism to the ACT, and an international event happening on the South Coast next year is a huge opportunity for Canberra – if we can maintain our status as a mountain biking destination for tourists.

“We need to get on and deliver the Master Plan for Stromlo Forest Park and keep Canberra’s other trail networks in great shape.

“That’s why the ACT Greens will invest $1.2 million in our trails and the people who look after them,” Miss Nuttall said.

The ACT Greens will:

• Invest $800,000 in new trails at Stromlo Forest Park, as a start to delivering the Master Plan
• Provide $400,000 to community groups building and maintaining trails across the ACT
• Make the most of the opportunity offered by Sea Otter 2025 coming to Mogo Trails next October.

“Mountain biking is good for our health, it’s great fun, and it’s a wonderful way to appreciate Canberra’s environment,” said Jo Clay MLA, recontesting Greens Member for Ginninderra.

“We have excellent trails across the city for locals and visitors. But our volunteers need support to keep them that way.

“The Greens plan will build on the improved maintenance we’ve secured at Stromlo, to support local groups to maintain trail networks across the ACT, from Majura Pines and Cotter Pines to Bruce Ridge, Kowen Forest and more.

“This investment will get the gears moving again on making Canberra Australia’s mountain biking capital – where locals, tourists and competitive riders can shred the day away.”

More detail about the Greens’ plans for mountain biking and community sport is on the ACT Greens website.

The NSW and Australian Labor Governments have kicked off the first Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney this morning despite the recent approval of 3 massive coal mine expansions and the ongoing logging of the public native forest estate, including the promised Great Koala National Park in NSW. Community members gathered at the International Convention Centre in Sydney to protest the Summit under guard by heavily armed police.

Greens MP and spokesperson for nature Sue Higginson said “Today’s summit in Sydney is a scam against NSW, Australia and the global community. The Labor Governments in NSW and Canberra are trashing the climate and nature, while trying to sell this nature positive lie to the world,”

“The greatest threat to nature, the environment, and humans, is the rapidly changing climate and we are turbo charging this crisis by mining, exporting and burning coal from NSW. Just two weeks ago, the Federal Labor Government signed off on 3 coal mining projects in NSW in one day, extending the mining of coal for another 30 years. This summit today is a sick and twisted charade from a Labor Party that has been captured by the fossil fuel industry,”

“It is galling that as this summit is underway extinction logging across our precious public forest estate continues, including in the Great Koala National Park. Communities from Taree to Tweed are in the forests right now, putting their lives on hold and their bodies on the line to stop the industrial scale logging that is driving the extinction of our most threatened species while Tanya Plibersek pats herself on the back in Sydney. Labor’s cognitive dissonance on nature right now is intellectually dishonest.”

“Labor is trying to hide their failures by blaming weak environmental laws. As a planning and environmental lawyer, I know that the laws we have need fixing – but they could be used to stop coal and gas projects and logging, Labor is just refusing to do it,”

“The heavily armed police at the community rally today was unnecessary and an act of intimidation against peaceful people. If the Police are wondering who the real threats to security are, they’ll find them working in the boardrooms of fossil fuel giants,”

“We have had enough. In Parliament, Members from across the political divide are ready to stop the Minns Labor Government in its tracks. If the Government won’t listen to their own Labor backbenchers, as well as the science, then we will take a stand to make them,” Ms Higginson said.

Following the huge crowds that attended peaceful anti-war protests over the weekend, the NSW Premier Chris Minns has spoken out about the possibility of categorising ongoing assemblies as user-pays events. In NSW, the Police Force provides most policing services free of charge, but are entitled under the “user-pays” agreement to charge the organisers of primarily music festivals excessive fees to police crowds and ensure community safety. There has been sustained criticism in recent years that the NSWPF have been using user-pays to price-gouge organisers and shut-down events they deem inappropriate.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “The right to protest, including as part of a sustained protest effort, is the foundation of a healthy, functioning and mature democracy. Threatening to interfere with the right to protest creates a dangerous environment where important voices of democracy are strangled out of existence,”

“The police presence at the civil assemblies in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese people has been extreme, excessive and unnecessary. We now have 52 weeks of evidence that demonstrates these protests are non-violent and peaceful. In 365 days there have been no incidents of violence, except from the police themselves. People are gathering to express their collective grief and they’re calling for an end to the violence. There is simply no justification for such an excessive show of heavily armed and mounted police at these events,”

“If the Premier is concerned about the cost to the public of excessive police presence at protest events, the rational solution is to stop the excessive police presence and allocate those resources elsewhere. It is wrong for him to cry poor on police resourcing and allocation when he has been drumming up the need for the heavy police presence and when there is simply no credible reason for such a show of police to attend these events,”

“The extreme reliance on the Police in this state has been well documented, and under this Labor Government is being ratcheted up to an extreme level. It is not protestors or sustained peaceful non-violence that is a drain on our public funds, but the intense over-reliance on heavily armed and over-empowered police officers. It is time for the police state being swiftly cultivated under Minns’ watch to be called to account,”

“We know that the user-pays price tag is just a thinly-veiled attempt to shut down these important historic anti-war assemblies. The Premier knows well that a grass-roots coalition sustained by volunteers committed to speaking out against injustice have no possible means to pay the hefty price tag associated with a user-pays event. This is a state-sanctioned chokehold on the right to protest and assembly, and a transparent attempt to disband the tens-of-thousands of people critiquing NSW Labor,”

“There is simply no need for such a heavy handed approach and over policing. The Premier is once again responding to shock-jocks who would rather stoke social unrest than listen to the voices of the people. The Premier is now so influenced by 2GB it is hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. Perhaps it is time for Chris Minns to cut out the middleman and hand over the Premiership to 2GBs Ray Hadly,” Ms Higginson said.

A healthy, happy, productive society needs access to nutritious and affordable food. As cost of living pressures continue to increase for Canberrans, the ACT Greens are committing to further food relief for households and public schools students.

“Food is not a luxury, it’s essential to our wellbeing. But the market is failing us – price-gouging, and forcing people into impossible choices between food and medicine, or food and rent,” said Emma Davidson MLA, recontesting her south Canberra seat of Murrumbidgee.

“In a period of just six months this year, 51 per cent more people started visiting the YWCA’s food hub in Lanyon. In just one month, St. John’s Care started helping out 100 more Canberra families.

“For many people, this is their first time having to ask for help with the basics, and it’s essential we work together as a community to respond.”

The ACT Greens will:

• Increase funding for community-run food relief programs, with $330,000 per year on top of the funding already committed in the most recent ACT Budget
• Expand the provision of free breakfast and lunch to 20 ACT public schools by 2028, and provide free fruit twice a week to every public school student
• Support food and emergency relief agencies with improved logistics and storage
• Fully fund the Social Recovery Framework to strengthen community recovery after a disaster.

ACT Greens spokesperson on education, Laura Nuttall MLA, said food is fundamental to a good education.

“Kids have hungry minds, but they also need full bellies to be able to learn properly at school. 

“Food is a basic need. It’s essential. But right now, there are students in the ACT starting their days running on empty. 

“Providing food at school will improve learning and attendance, and help families struggling to afford enough good food.

“The Greens will provide free breakfast and lunch three days each week at 20 of the most in-need schools in the ACT, and give free fruit to every public school student at least twice a week.”

ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury said the food affordability crisis is significant in the overall cost pressures facing Canberrans.

“Make no mistake, this is a cost of living election, but only the Greens have got plans to transform the circumstances we face.

“While we work to fix the price-gouging supermarket duopoly, the ACT Greens will make sure Canberrans don’t go hungry at home or at school.

“While we work to fix the broken housing market, the ACT Greens will build thousands more public homes so Canberrans can rent from the government at a price they can afford, knowing the rent they pay is invested back into this community.

“While people are juggling so many cost pressures, the Greens will deliver 160,000 free GP appointments each year, so you don’t have to choose between seeing a doctor or putting food on the table.

“All this is possible, if you vote for it.”

The ACT Greens’ plans for food relief and to address the cost of living are detailed on the ACT Greens website.