Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government has established an autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, as part of our ongoing efforts to hold the Taliban to account.

The new framework enables Australia to directly impose its own sanctions and travel bans to increase pressure on the Taliban, targeting the oppression of the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, as well as actions that undermine the rule of law and good governance in Afghanistan.

It builds on the 140 individuals and entities Australia currently sanctions under the United Nations Security Council’s Taliban framework.

The new framework also introduces an arms embargo, prohibiting Australians from supplying arms or related materials, and any related services or activities to Afghanistan.

In effect today, the Government has also announced its first listings under the new framework.

We have imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on three so-called Taliban ‘ministers’ and the so-called Taliban ‘Chief Justice’ for their involvement in the oppression of women and girls and in undermining good governance or the rule of law. This includes restricting access to education, employment, freedom of movement and the ability to participate in public life.

The Australian Government remains deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban continues to demonstrate contempt for the rights, freedoms and welfare of the Afghan people, particularly women and girls.

Our thoughts are with those suffering under the Taliban’s oppression, as well as the Afghan community in Australia.

Since the fall of Kabul, the Australian Government has provided over $260 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, with a strong focus on women and girls. A further $50 million is allocated for 2025/26. We have issued a humanitarian permit under the framework.

Australia is the first country to establish an autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, strengthening our approach to the worsening situation. It adds to those we have in place for countries such as Iran, Russia and the DPRK.

Further information on the Afghanistan sanctions framework is available on the Department’s website: Legislation and Sanctions Frameworks.

Amid reports that Labor is considering using public money to keep Australian businesses dependent on gas, the Greens have warned they will not support any Labor response to the broken gas market that incentivises new gas mines.

The Greens warn that the government’s current approach risks massive new gas subsidies, failing to tackle the problem of excessive, untaxed exports.

The Greens are reiterating calls for an immediate 25 per cent tax on all LNG exports, a measure proposed by the ACTU and backed by experts.

This tax would replace the deeply flawed Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT), which has failed to collect meaningful revenue from LNG exporters due to massive loopholes. The tax would also prioritise domestic gas supply without incentivising new fossil fuel projects.

Labor’s approach risks locking in decades of catastrophic emissions from climate bombs like Beetaloo and Narrabri, undermining our international climate commitments.

the Australian Greens spokesperson for resources Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“These reports are genuinely alarming. Labor must not use public money that should be going towards schools and hospitals to buy discounted gas for polluters. 

“If they move to cement the power of gas corporations, the ones pillaging our resources and tripling household prices, we will face this problem over and over again.

“Labor is actively pushing the industry’s faulty premise that new supply is needed when the reality is that we’ve already got enough gas to get us through the transition.

“Gas corporations are gouging Australian households and tripling bills, while escaping without paying their fair share. An export levy will help right this wrong and deliver cost-of-living relief that families desperately need.

“When Labor pursues new gas incentives, they are walking hand-in-hand with the Coalition and industry lobbyists.

“Labor needs to scrap the broken PRRT and properly tax exports, not continue padding the balance sheets of gas giants who have had a free ride for too long.

“The 25% on gas exports is the best solution to redirect existing supply to Australians, raise revenue to compensate households, and get us off of gas quickly and fairly.

The Australian Greens are calling on the Albanese Government to back Australia withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to compete despite the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Slovenia, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have already announced boycotts. It’s time Australia showed the same moral courage.

In the face of apartheid and genocide, cultural boycotts have been proven to have power and be a force for justice and change. This history needs to be remembered now and applied to the struggle for a Free Palestine.

Greens Senator and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: 

“Eurovision banned Russia for war crimes but rolls out the red carpet for Israel while Palestinian children are still starving, bombs are still falling and cities lay destroyed. 

“The International Court of Justice is investigating Israel for genocide, we should not be asking Australians to sing alongside a regime that has committed such appalling crimes.

“History shows us that cultural boycotts work. Artists and athletes refusing to perform in apartheid South Africa helped bring down that brutal regime. 

“It’s a simple fact that our participation in Eurovision 2026 legitimises Israel’s atrocities.

“Politically compromised voting in Eurovision 2025 almost delivered an Israeli victory at the song contest, will we really sit meekly by and watch that happen again?” Senator Shoebridge said

Today’s Adelaide Advertiser has published a cracking opinion piece by Caleb Bond, laying out something so glaring that only a Labor minister could miss it. Bond’s column spells out a simple economic fact. When governments hike taxes beyond reason, they don’t magically create virtue. They drive ordinary people straight into black markets. High taxes kill economies. High taxes breed corruption. Every economist worth their salt knows it, One Nation has said it for years, and now the evidence is quite literally burning down tobacconists across the country.

Yet, according to Bond’s view, Environment Minister Murray Watt still can’t see the connection. Or worse, refuses to.

Bond recounted an exchange at this week’s Senate Estimates discussing illicit tobacco. One Nation’s Senator Malcolm Roberts asked the minister the most basic economic question imaginable: isn’t the government’s sky-high tobacco tax the reason law-abiding Aussies are pushed toward illegal cigarettes that cost a third of the legal price?

Senator Roberts asked a fair, obvious question. Minister Watt, with a straight face, said “No.”

Not only “No,” but he said “there’s absolutely no evidence” for it.

This, despite the Australian Border Force and industry data showing the illicit tobacco market already accounts for around 50 percent of cigarette sales, with projections hitting 80 percent next year. If that doesn’t scream cause and effect, nothing will.

Our streets are now dotted with dodgy tobacconists. Crime gangs are firebombing shops. Innocent people have been killed. Insurance premiums are exploding for shops and homes near tobacconists. All while Labor insists none of this has anything to do with the punishing taxes they keep piling onto smokers.

Bond put it plainly. The idea that ordinary Australians buying ten or fifteen-dollar illegal smokes instead of fifty-dollar legal packs has nothing to do with tax is so ridiculous that, as he joked, even a seven-year-old wouldn’t fall for it.

Labor’s position isn’t just wrong. It’s silly. It’s wilfully blind. And it’s dangerous.

One Nation is the only party in that room telling the truth. Excessive taxation flips an economy on its head. It drives markets underground. It rewards criminals, punishes honest people and destroys small business. It’s basic economics, and the Adelaide Advertiser has now spelled it out for everyone.

The real question is why the Albanese Government keeps pretending not to understand what the rest of the country can see so clearly.

As Caleb Bond writes, if Minister Watt has an explanation for this explosion in illegal tobacco that doesn’t involve tax, we’d all love to hear it. Because right now, the only thing more dangerous than Australia’s illicit tobacco market is a government too stubborn to admit it created the problem in the first place.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the state’s Newcastle area.

Juanita Gaid, aged 54, was last seen on Hunter Street, Newcastle West, about 9am on Wednesday 3 December 2025.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Juanita’s welfare.

Juanita is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm – 175cm tall, of solid build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Inquiries established she may be travelling in a 2014 black Jeep Cherokee with NSW registration CVO51J.

Juanita is believed to frequent the Newcastle area.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a boy missing from the state’s north.

Darcey McKay, aged 14, was last seen in Hamilton South about 4:45pm yesterday (Friday 5 December 2025).

Unable to be located or contacted since that time, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Family and police hold concerns for Darcey’s welfare due to his age.

Darcey is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall, of thin build with light brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a predominantly black t-shirt depicting red and white graphics, tan shorts and brown “Birkenstock” shoes.

Darcey is known to frequent local skate parks, public parks, the Junction Fair, Bar Beach skate park and the Newcastle area.

The Albanese Government will provide a $95 million package of military assistance and has imposed further targeted sanctions related to Russia’s shadow fleet as part of our continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

Australia will make a $50 million contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) – a NATO initiative to supply Ukraine with critical military equipment.

This contribution sees Australia, alongside New Zealand, become the first non‑NATO contributors to the PURL initiative. In doing so our two countries continue to demonstrate our commitment to upholding the global rules‑based order, recognising that what occurs in Europe matters in the Indo‑Pacific.

In addition to the PURL contribution, today’s support package also includes:

• $43 million of Australian Defence Force (ADF) materiel and equipment, including tactical air defence radars, munitions and combat engineering equipment.
• An additional $2 million contribution to the Drone Capability Coalition, focused on providing Ukraine with advanced drone technologies.
• Targeted sanctions on an additional 45 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, bringing the total number of sanctioned shadow fleet vessels to 200. These sanctions are designed to starve Russia’s war economy of revenue.

This brings Australia’s overall support for Ukraine to over $1.7 billion, including more than $1.5 billion in military assistance since the start of the conflict. Australia remains the largest non‑NATO contributor of military assistance.

Australia continues to stand with the Coalition of the Willing, a group of more than 35 countries coordinating to strengthen support for Ukraine and see a just and lasting peace on its terms.

This builds on the ADF’s ongoing contribution to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel in the United Kingdom under Operation Kudu.

The final tranche of Australia’s gifted 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks will also be delivered to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Australia’s ongoing contributions ensure the Armed Forces of Ukraine are equipped with much needed capabilities to contribute to their defence, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to Ukraine and the global rules-based order.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Australia is unwavering in its support for Ukraine. These commitments will make a tangible difference in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

“We are proud to be contributing to PURL, standing in solidarity with our partners – in NATO and the Indo-Pacific – to see a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:

“Australia’s sanctions complement those of key partners, including the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand and the European Union, as part of a coordinated effort to starve Russia’s oil revenues and limit its ability to finance its invasion.

“As a result of actions we have taken, direct Australian imports of Russian energy products have fallen from $80 million before Russia’s invasion to zero.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy: 

“We are proud to be meeting Ukraine’s direct request for assistance. It’s a testament to our steadfast support for the right of the courageous people of Ukraine to live in peace and to determine their own future.

“Our government will continue to support them alongside the Australian people until we see a just and lasting peace.”

The Albanese Government is providing an additional $5 million in emergency assistance in response to the worsening impacts of recent cyclones and flooding in the Indo-Pacific region.

This brings Australia’s total assistance to over $14 million since October, supporting local and international partners to provide urgent lifesaving assistance to affected communities.

Today’s announcement includes an additional $2.5 million for Sri Lanka, increasing Australia’s response to the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah to $3.5 million. Australia is engaging with all affected countries, with support to be provided through Australian NGOs and the United Nations as requested to meet urgent needs.

In recent weeks, Australia’s close partners in our region have experienced the devastating impacts of cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides. Communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have all been affected.

Australia’s support is providing emergency relief supplies, shelter, food, water and sanitation, and it is meeting the needs of displaced communities, including support for health and education. Our funding prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, girls and people with disability.

Australia will continue to work with countries and communities in the region as a steadfast and reliable partner across the Indo-Pacific.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent floods and devastation in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. We are working with our partners in the region to deliver life-saving assistance to accelerate their response.

“Australia is committed to supporting our neighbours in good times and bad – we are a partner our region can count on.”

Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly:

“Recent severe weather and earthquakes have had devastating impacts for communities in our region, and we’re ensuring our neighbours have the support they need to help communities to respond.

“Already vulnerable community groups – such as women and girls and people with disability – are regularly the worst impacted when disaster strikes. We’re working with trusted and experienced partners to ensure assistance is getting to the people who need it.”

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) are receiving on average 350 requests for help each day that they can’t meet. 

SHS are buckling under the pressure of the worsening housing crisis and epidemic of violence against women, and having to turn people at risk of homelessness away.

Women and children made up over 7 in 10 requests for SHS help, with people who had experienced domestic and family violence the largest cohort seeking help – 40 per cent of all SHS clients.

First Nations women, older women, women of colour and women with disabilities are on the very front line of this crisis. 

Leaving a violent relationship requires secure housing, and violence against women can not be stopped without addressing the housing crisis.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters:

“The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children recognises the growing intersection between violence and housing insecurity. The Albanese Labor government continues to fail women by fiddling at the edges of the housing crisis. 

“By refusing to fully fund frontline services the government is forcing SHS workers to ask ‘who is most in danger?’ when prioritising where their help goes. No woman or child seeking help should be turned away. 

“Labor’s inaction on the housing crisis is forcing women to choose between violence and homelessness. 

“Cancelling just one nuclear submarine could see everyone fleeing violence able to be homed, and an end to homelessness for all. 

“Labor can properly address the housing crisis but is shamefully choosing not to.”

Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Australia is in a housing crisis that is spiralling out of control. 

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

“If Labor can spend $181 billion on wealthy property investors, they can build homes and provide services for people sleeping rough. They can put a roof over the head of thousands of women and children escaping violence. This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. 

“Labor must address the root causes rather than turbocharge our housing and homelessness crises through minor interventions that make things worse.

“High rents, unaffordability in the private rental market, insufficient public housing stock, and the greed of property developers and investment housing are all causes of homelessness. Without tackling the structural drivers the crisis will only worsen.

“We can end homelessness in Australia – by building enough public housing, adequately funding homelessness services and the wrap-around supports we need to break the cycle of recurring homelessness. We can put a roof over everyone’s heads, and limit rent increases to stop any more evictions into homelessness.”

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay successfully moved amendments to add community housing projects under the ACT Government’s proposal to waive third party appeal rights for public housing projects listed as a Territory Priority Project. 

The legislation passed yesterday in Parliament with all Greens amendments adopted, which also include provisions for nature conservation and First Nations cultural protection before Government can declare a development as a Territory Priority Project. 

Ms Clay said that now the legislation has passed, the Labor Government needs to step up, deliver more homes and drastically increase public housing stock to support the more than 3,500 Canberra households facing homelessness.  

“These changes provide a real opportunity for the ACT Government to push ahead and deliver the public housing stock Canberra needs,” Ms Clay said. 

“The amendments passed yesterday ensure that public, community and social housing is prioritised. It’s a move which upholds the principles of housing as a human right – which is now enshrined in legislation following the passage of an ACT Greens bill earlier this year. 

The ACT Greens took an ambitious program to increase public housing numbers at the last election and since, under a Labor minority Government, we’ve only seen the waiting list rise.  

“While at the same time we’ve seen funding pools for community housing from the Commonwealth and Territory Government increase. Community housing providers have told us that certainty on timing is a critical factor that Government’s consider when allocating funding. 

“The ACT Greens know we can have both homes and the environment.  We cannot and should not sacrifice nature for development – we’ve seen the government agree after community advocacy to protect places like Bluetts Block and Coombs Peninsula as nature reserves.  

“We are also pushing Government to establish urban growth boundaries, which includes finalising the future of the Western Edge and Eastern Broadacre areas. 

“As our city continues to densify, we also need to ensure people have access to green spaces and nature. Our amendments also ensure there is a degree of scrutiny without delaying new public and community homes from being built. 

“Community input is important and should be considered. While these changes take away third party appeal rights through the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for some developments, Canberrans can still make submissions on Development Applications, which will be considered by the Minister with advice from the independent Territory Planning Authority.  

“We have also set a timeframe to review these changes and put a sunset clause end date on them so future Parliaments can consider what worked well, what needs to change and assess whether the Government have delivered the right outcomes.” 

The ACT Greens consulted with the housing industry, community housing providers, environment organisations, Labor, Liberals and the Independents on the amendments before the amendments and legislation passed yesterday. 

Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra, Frances Crimmins: 

“YWCA Canberra welcomes the ACT Greens’ decision to support sensible planning reforms that will facilitate the delivery of much-needed social, community and public housing in Canberra.  

“Our city is facing an unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis, and meaningful change is long overdue to address the critical need for housing for low-income earners. 

“Canberrans now face a clear choice: do we continue to see people experiencing homelessness on our streets, or do we choose to ensure they have a place to call home in our neighbourhoods? 

“We can no longer afford to overlook practical and effective legislative reforms that will expedite the construction of public, social and affordable homes.  

“This amendment makes sense. It supports low-income Canberrans and brings us closer to a community where everyone has a safe place to live.” 

Ms Clay’s amendments and explanatory statement are available on the ACT Legislative Assembly website.