Category: Australian News

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, will travel to Poland to attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The world must never allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade. It is vital that the lessons of the past continue to be learnt to ensure this never happens again.

An estimated 1.1 million people were murdered in Auschwitz, almost a million of whom were Jews, before the camp was liberated on 27 January 1945.

What happened at Auschwitz and during the Holocaust is a reminder of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice and the need to remain vigilant against a repetition of the atrocities perpetrated there.

The 80th anniversary of the liberation is also an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable contributions and enduring resilience of the approximately 27,000 Holocaust survivors and their families who made Australia their home after World War II.

The Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia, Ms Jillian Segal AO, will join the official Australian delegation in Poland.

Australia is a proud member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and is committed to Holocaust remembrance, education and research, and ongoing efforts to counter the spread of Holocaust denial and antisemitism.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs will also visit Switzerland and Austria this week, including for meetings with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric.

Responding to reports today that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reduced fines for Optus and colluded on their media strategy before going public, Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The public need to know they have a corporate watchdog with teeth, not a corporate lapdog. The truth is the ACMA has been too weak and too cosy with the big corporations it’s tasked with regulating for too long.

“The ACMA is overdue for a thorough overhaul. They are supposed to regulate these big corporations, not collude with them on communications strategy. The ACMA should reveal the full list of every media statement they have consulted with industry and corporations on before releasing for public consumption.

“The regulator continues to show they are useless when it comes to holding media companies and telcos to account. They are like wet lettuce, whether it’s Optus or the Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O show, as Senate Estimates heard recently. 

“Comprehensive reform to communications and media regulation is long overdue, but sadly it has been squibbed by successive Governments. The agency needs a big broom through it.”

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we hold on to the memories of millions. We reflect on the great multitude of Jewish life that the Holocaust robbed from the world – all of that energy, potential, inspiration, talent and love – and we hold their names and their faces in our hearts.

We tend to these memories because we cannot allow the Holocaust to recede into history. It was a pitiless and unrelenting act of cruelty that was long in the planning, cold in its calculation, and carried out on a scale that falls across the decades like a terrible shadow.

The devastation felt when witnessing the horror, destruction and brutality inflicted by Hamas on October 7 is reminiscent of the dark and painful stories of the past. For the Australian Jewish community, those are the stories of their families.

Eighty years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau our observance carries a powerful message about the enduring strength of the Jewish people, and about our unwavering commitment to combat hateful prejudice in all its forms.

Tragically, we are not yet free of antisemitism. It stands in vile opposition to all we are as a nation and all that we have built – together – over generations. We will not tolerate it in any form. It has no place in our nation, and we will combat it with the full force of our laws and with total commitment from every level of government.

Jewish Australians are integral to the story of Australia, and to the even greater future within our reach. Australia proudly welcomed so many survivors of the horrors of the Holocaust, offering refuge and hope. We embraced the Jewish community then, and we embrace you now.

May you find comfort, hope and strength amid the memories today. And may we all, as fellow Australians, rededicate ourselves to honouring and rejoicing in our shared humanity.

Current and future generations of Australian school children will learn the history and lessons of the Holocaust, following a $6.4 million investment by the Albanese Labor Government to build a National Holocaust Education Centre in Canberra and to deliver an upgrade to the Holocaust Institute of WA’s Education Centre in Yokine.

The announcement, made on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, comes as Australia and the global community mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

In memory of the six million people of Jewish faith murdered by the Nazi Regime, $4.4 million will be delivered to build the National Holocaust Education Centre in Canberra. This will serve as an enduring bulwark against antisemitism and hatred, located right in the heart of our nation’s capital city.

The Centre, to be delivered in partnership with the Australian Capital Territory Jewish Community, will be accessible to the more than 165,000 Australian school children who travel to Canberra each year to learn about Australian democracy, history, and culture.

The Centre will take its place alongside other national institutions such as the Australian Parliament, the National War Memorial, the National Gallery, and the Australian Museum as a crucial educative experience for the next generation of young Australians.

Further, the Albanese Government will deliver $2 million to the Holocaust Institute of WA for the Holocaust Institute’s Education Centre in Yokine to help upgrade the facility to world-class standards. The Prime Minister visited the community in 2024 and will visit again on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Educating school children and future generations on the Holocaust, how it came about and the roots of antisemitism is key to stamping out hatred, bigotry, and discrimination in our communities.

The National Centre in Canberra will also be available to the more than five million Australians who visit Canberra each year and will include access to exhibits and information explaining Jewish culture. It will honour and keep alive the stories of Holocaust survivors through culturally and emotionally sensitive storytelling.

The establishment of the National Holocaust Education Centre and the upgrade to the Holocaust Institute for WA’s Education Centre adds to a significant list of commitments and investments by the Australian Government to combat antisemitism including:

• Establishing Special Operation Avalite respond to and investigate antisemitic attacks,
• A $57 million investment to improve safety and security at Jewish schools and synagogues,
• An $8.5 million investment to upgrade the Sydney Jewish Museum,
• $250,000 towards the replacement of Torah Scrolls housed in the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne,
• The appointment of a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Ms Jillian Segal AO,
• An agreement of National Cabinet to establish a National Database to track antisemitic crime and other antisemitic incidents and behaviours. The Commonwealth will work with States and Territories on the development of the Database.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We must never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust.

“That’s why my Government is making this investment in the National Holocaust Education Centre and in the Holocaust Institute of WA’s Education Centre at the JHub.

“The Centre will serve to educate our young Australians about the horrors of the Holocaust and teach them from an early age that such prejudice, hatred and violence has no place here. Not now, not ever.”

Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher:

“Education and understanding is the key to eliminating hatred and bigotry, including the scourge of antisemitism.

“Our government recognises this, which is why we are so proud to be partnering with the ACT Jewish community to deliver this crucially important Centre.

“Canberra – as the heart of our nation – is the perfect location to build a national centre dedicated to the history of the Holocaust and future generations of Australians learn the vital lessons from this dark chapter.”

Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill:

“The promise of Australian multiculturalism is that great Australian promise of the fair go – that everyone has a fair crack at life here, no matter your ethnicity, faith, identity or life circumstances.

“There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or discrimination of any kind.

“By establishing the National Holocaust Education Centre, Australians will have the opportunity to learn about one of the darkest chapters in modern history and how the scourge of antisemitism continues to have an impact to this day – including in Australia.”

Member for Perth Patrick Gorman: 

“I am proud to have supported the JHub throughout construction, including the Holocaust Education Centre. This new funding will ensure the vision for this vital community centre can be fulfilled.

Local Holocaust education is essential to ensuring the horrors of the past are never repeated.” 

Member for Canberra Alicia Payne:

“I am pleased that our Government is supporting the establishment of a National Holocaust Education Centre in our nation’s capital. 

“Many Australian families have a connection to the Holocaust and a central location for all Australians to learn about the impact and the horrors of the Holocaust is critical for future education. 

“I am proud to have advocated for this proposal from the ACT Jewish community, and I look forward to seeing their project come to fruition.”

Dr Mike Kelly AM, Member of National Holocaust Education Centre’s project team:

“This announcement is tremendous news. It has come at a critically important time and will be great encouragement to Australia’s Jewish community during a difficult period.

“Most importantly this project will make a critically important contribution to the national effort to reinforce social cohesion and build understanding.

“The location of the National Holocaust Education Centre in the nation’s capital will enable the thousands of school children who visit Canberra every year to learn about the deep evil that racial discrimination can lead to and how this has affected many people around the world. It will also reinforce the importance of our democracy and the need to be well-informed citizens.”

The Albanese and Cook Governments are building Western Australia’s future, driving economic growth and delivering benefits for commuters with a partnership to deliver a $700 million upgrade to the Kwinana Freeway.

The Albanese Government will invest $350 million to ensure this important work gets delivered.

Widening the Kwinana Freeway will add around 50 per cent capacity to the upgraded sections, easing congestion for motorists and improving the efficiency of moving freight on a road that typically carries 100,000 vehicles every day.

This investment will also support the operations of the future Westport project, while improving safety and delivering congestion relief for commuters.

The upgrades to road infrastructure will also support the growing industrial areas and Defence Assets on the Western Trade Coast.

The Westport project is the linchpin for future trade growth in Western Australia, supporting local jobs and WA’s economy for the long term.

This new funding builds on the previous $67 million joint commitment towards planning and scoping of landside enabling infrastructure for the Westport project.

The Albanese and Cook Governments are working together to build Western Australia’s future, with major projects underway including METRONET, upgrades to the Tonkin Highway and the Outback Way.

The Albanese Government is investing $9.7 billion towards transport infrastructure projects in Western Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We’re working with the Cook Labor Government to build Western Australia’s future.

“Western Australia is an economic powerhouse, and we want to make sure we are investing in future job creating projects like Westport, while still delivering the immediate congestion benefits for commuters now.

“This project will support jobs, improve safety and ease congestion for the 100,000 commuters who use the Kwinana Freeway each day.

“Only Labor has a plan to build Australia’s future.”

Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook:

“As a Kwinana local, I know how important this project is for our State.

“Western Australia is the economic engine room of Australia, with Westport and the Western Trade Coast critical to keeping our economy strong and creating the local jobs of the future in WA..

“My WA Labor Government is partnering with the Albanese Government to do what’s right for WA.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The Australian Government remains dedicated to working for all Australians by delivering nationally significant infrastructure projects that enhance productivity and resilience, improve liveability and promote sustainability.

“We are getting on with delivering a better future for all Australians, and this project will increase opportunities and connections, build communities and improve safety.”

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti:

“We welcome this critical investment by the Albanese Labor Government.

“The investment will ensure we can continue our Government’s major transformation of the Kwinana Freeway, which has seen the installation of smart freeway technology, the Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge Project and widening to large sections.

“The Western Australian Government is working in partnership with the Australian Government on these and other growth-area roads, including the Stephenson Avenue Extension and Tonkin Highway extension.”

Australian Greens Senator Hanson-Young calls for a full investigation into South Australia’s neo-Nazi cell:

“Today’s Nazi invasion of Australia Day events is sickening.  

“There must be an immediate investigation into the planned activities and intent of this terrorising group.  

“Attempts to scare and intimidate our local Adelaide community are completely unacceptable and must be dealt with by the full force of the law.  

“Adelaide is a peaceful and respectful city, and we don’t need Nazi-wannabes terrorising members of our community.  

“These thugs don’t embody the values of our city, state, or country. Racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate have no place on our streets or in our community.”

“This is a welcome step forward on public school funding that teachers, parents and carers in Victoria and South Australia will take heart from.

“Pressure works. Teacher unions and the Greens have been pushing Labor to increase the Commonwealth share of public school funding to 25% and to eliminate the dodgy loophole that allows states to claim 4% in non-classroom costs as part of their contribution.

“We’ll look at the details in the coming days but it appears that despite these steps forward we are still a decade away from 100% minimum funding for all public schools in the country.

“Labor came to government promising to deliver 100% funding to all public schools. If they’re saying that every public school in the country will be receiving 100% of its minimum funding by 2034, that will have been a quarter of a century since Gonski.

“That’s two entire generations of schoolkids who will have never known what it’s like to attend a properly resourced public school.

“The Greens have a fully costed plan to deliver 100% funding to all public schools in the country by July 2025, and we’ll also ease cost of living pressures on families by eliminating school fees and providing families with $800 back-to-school payments for every child in public school.”

Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve built together and be optimistic for the future we can shape together.

Whether you are someone whose ancestors have loved and cared for this land for 60,000 years, or whether you are making the pledge of commitment as a new citizen today, all of us belong to the greatest country on Earth, and all of us can take pride in a national story written by the courage of our people.

From those who serve in uniform and keep us safe to farmers battling unforgiving country.

The courage to start a business, drive a breakthrough, study or train for a new career, care for our loved ones and educate our children.

The courage to seek and build a new life here.

The courage to show kindness to those in need, preserve our social cohesion and champion a fair go for all.

The courage of everyone who works hard, makes sacrifices and pushes forward, even when times are tough, because they are driven by that oldest and deepest Australian aspiration, wanting a better life and greater opportunity for the next generation.

The values and character of the Australian people is the story of our history, the continuing inspiration of our present and the very best reason to be optimistic for our future.

Whether you’re heading to the beach having friends over for a barbie, or hitting the road for the long weekend, I wish you all a safe and happy Australia Day 2025.

Following news today that Splendour in the Grass will be cancelled, the Greens have called on the Albanese Government to deliver urgent reform to revive festivals and avert another string of cancellations in 2025.

Greens arts spokesperson and Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Today, music fans and the arts sector are reeling to hear Splendour is cancelled for another year. We can’t afford another year of festival cancellations in the cost of living crisis.

“We’ve seen this sad movie before and it’s a warning to policy makers that unless we see reform that can actually revive the live music sector, 2025 could be another wipeout year of festival cancellations.

“Festivals are about more than just supporting great Australian artists, creating lifelong memories and giving euphoric vibes – thousands of creative workers are employed in the arts sector. Thousands more are employed in the small businesses that rely on the ‘arts-tourism’ factor, particularly in regional Australia. Another year of cancellations will leave painful economic scars in the cost of living crisis.

“Reform is urgently needed if we are to revive our local music and festival culture. We need to look at funding, tax and insurance reforms and the Greens stand ready to work with the Government to deliver a package that can stem the cancellations and allow new and independent operations to flourish. 

“Splendour is one of Australia’s most beloved festivals and there will be a lot of fans, musicians and arts workers coming down today upon hearing this news.”