Category: Australian News

Keeping contracts secure and developers accountable are just some the ways the ACT is instilling confidence in off-the-plan home buyers, a recent review has confirmed.

The review of the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003 confirmed the effectiveness of 2021 reforms that safeguard buyers from unfair contract cancellations. Under the reforms, sellers must obtain the buyer’s consent, or a Supreme Court order, before they can cancel contracts under sunset or delay-event clauses.

Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said the reforms are working as intended based on the review, which included extensive public consultation.

“Buying a home can be a daunting and complex process in itself; buyers shouldn’t need to contend with unfair contract cancellations as well,” said the Attorney-General.  

“This review shows our 2021 reforms are making a real difference by improving the fairness and transparency in the market. We’ve listened to the community, and we’re pleased to see these reforms have delivered increased protections for homebuyers.”

Key findings of the review include:

1. The reforms have led to a decrease in the number of rescissions, providing greater certainty for buyers.
2. Consumers and industry stakeholders generally agree the changes have improved protections for buyers.
3. There is a desire for further protections, including enhanced pre-settlement inspections and clearer communication about delays.

The government will consider these recommendations as part of its ongoing commitment to a balanced and equitable property market.

“We value the feedback we’ve received from the community and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these reforms,” said Attorney-General Rattenbury. “We’re also exploring additional measures to further strengthen consumer protections and ensure a fair playing field for both buyers and sellers.”

The Listening Report – Public consultation on unfair contract recission terms is available here: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/download_file/11633/3316

Minister for Community Services, Seniors and Veterans Emma Davidson today tabled the ACT’s first ten-year strategy for volunteering in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The ACT Government and VolunteeringACT have co-developed the ACT Volunteering Strategy 2024-34 and the first Action Plan 2024-2027. It outlines how the ACT Government and the community sector will work together to better support volunteers.

Minister Davidson said the Strategy is the first of its kind for the ACT and recognises the value volunteers add to make Canberra a more beautiful and liveable place.

“Canberra is such a kind, connected and caring community which is why its no surprise we have one of the highest rates of volunteering in Australia,” Minister Davidson said.

“Every week, hundreds of people generously give their time to help others whether that be in aged care, disability, community services, environment, the arts, health, education, emergency services, recreation or sport.

“The Volunteering Strategy and First Action Plan respects the invaluable contributions volunteers provide all over our community and aims to genuinely support them so we can continue to work a fairer, healthier and more equitable Canberra.

“The action plan aims to increase awareness and numbers of volunteers, promote the benefits and value they add to our community, improve cross-sector collaboration and training and make volunteering more inclusive and accessible.”

“The Strategy and Plan were co-designed with VolunteeringACT and reflects a joint, whole-of government and community sector commitment to support our volunteers and encourage volunteering activities across the Territory.

“We couldn’t do this without the community sector. Their insights and input over the past two years has produced a Strategy that will genuinely support our volunteers and provide more opportunities for people to volunteer across our city.”

Chief Executive Officer Jean Giese, Volunteering ACT

“I am delighted to be launching this Strategy alongside Minister Davidson, and sharing our cross-sector vision for how we will work in partnership over the next decade to ensure ACT volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations receive the recognition, support and investment they need to continue making the amazing contributions they make to the life of our city and region.

“I would also like to acknowledge the countless individuals and groups who gave their time to help us develop the Strategy over the past few years – in particular our Volunteering Strategic Advisory Group members and Community Services Directorate colleagues.

“We could not have reached this huge milestone without their expertise, knowledge and continued support throughout our co-design journey.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the ACT Government to progress the actions and expanding our engagement with the ACT volunteering sector and wider stakeholders including Ministerial Councils, and we are excited to be supporting our government colleagues to hold the first annual ACT Volunteering Strategy round table.”

Minister for Corrections and Justice Health Emma Davidson:

This is a very distressing situation for the family involved, staff and other people in the Alexander Maconochie Centre. My thoughts are with the family, friends and community of the deceased. 

Every death is a tragedy and felt deeply across the community. I recognise many people will be struggling with this news today.

ACT Corrective Services is providing support to people within AMC and the family involved. The matter has been referred to the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services and Worksafe as required by law.

As this is a matter for the police, I will make no further comment at this time.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Hon Feleti Teo OBE, today announced the entry into force of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty.

The Falepili Union Treaty was signed at last year’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in the Cook Islands, responding to Tuvalu’s request of Australia to help safeguard the future of Tuvalu. The Treaty covers three main areas of collaboration: climate cooperation, mobility with dignity, and shared security.

Since the Treaty was signed in November 2023, both governments have undertaken domestic consultation processes to confirm support for the Falepili Union.

With the treaty now in force, our two countries will work together to open our special mobility pathway in 2025. The pathway will enable up to 280 Tuvaluan citizens per year the choice to live, work or study in Australia.

As the relationship between Australia and Tuvalu strengthens, we are also working closely to deliver on our shared vision of ensuring Tuvaluans can remain in their homeland with enhanced development cooperation, and by building security and prosperity for generations to come.

From today, and for the first time ever, Australia is obliged to respond when Tuvalu calls for assistance in the face of a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression. Tuvalu, in turn, will mutually agree any new third-party engagement on defence and security-related matters with Australia.

The Albanese Government has made climate change a central pillar of Australia’s partnerships in the Pacific. In a world-first for a legally binding agreement, the Falepili Union recognises that Tuvalu’s statehood and sovereignty will continue, notwithstanding the impacts of climate change-related sea level rise.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Australia recognises the unique challenges facing Tuvalu, which is why addressing climate change is central to the Falepili Union.

“I am honoured to announce the entry into force of the Falepili Union – it is a proud and historic moment for our two countries.

“This Treaty demonstrates that Australia will always respond to Pacific needs, while respecting sovereignty and delivering Pacific-led solutions to our shared challenges.

“The Falepili Union responds to Tuvalu’s request to safeguard its future.

“Australia shares a vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region.

“We have listened, learned, and are working together on Pacific-led, Australian-backed solutions.

“It shows our Pacific partners that they can rely on Australia as a trusted and genuine partner.

“We are stronger together and in these challenging times, we can count on each other to ensure our region remains safe and secure.”

Prime Minister Feleti Teo:

“Although, the Falepili Union Treaty was signed by my predecessor, I am honoured to announce the ratification by Tuvalu of the Treaty after extensive public consultations on it by my administration after it came to office in February this year.

“Today also marks the entry into force of the Treaty after both parties confirmed their ratification of the Treaty.

“The Treaty is ground-breaking in Tuvalu’s foreign relations.

“For the first time, there is a country (Australia) that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, a health pandemic or military aggression.

“Again, for the first time there is a country (Australia) that has committed legally to recognise the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate changed-induced sea level rise.

“An objective that I will pursue tirelessly for more countries to provide the same legal assurances.

“I expressed profound gratitude for the new elevated, integrated and comprehensive partnership between Tuvalu and Australia that is grounded on the Tuvalu customary value of Falepili that connotes good neighbourliness, respect and duty of care.”

Coles making $1.1 billion in profits during a cost of living crisis shows the corporate supermarket duopoly needs to be broken up and price gouging needs to be made illegal, the Greens say.

“Coles is cashing in on a crisis, showing complete contempt for the people who are struggling the most,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This is corporate greed at its ugliest, and it’s happening because Labor refuses to rein in these corporate giants.”

“Coles’ $1.1 billion profit is a sick joke for the millions of Australians struggling to afford food and groceries.”

“They are price gouging as food prices continue to drive Australia’s stubbornly high inflation numbers.”

“The Greens won’t stand by while corporate giants like Coles bleed Australians dry. It’s time to break up the supermarket duopoly and make price gouging illegal.”

With planning for a new more than $1 billion northside hospital well underway, the first of several services currently based at the North Canberra Hospital campus will be relocated to make way for future demolition works. 

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) the ‘Cottage’ program will move to Canberra’s south and benefit from a new purpose-built facility in Lyons. 

The Cottage is a day program for young people with moderate to severe mental health issues that impact their ability to attend school. The program has been successful in supporting young people to make functional gains, and build their confidence and capacity to return to school or vocational programs.

The planned relocation of the Cottage represents the first step needed to prepare this site for demolition and then construction of a new northside hospital, this work is part of the northside hospital enabling works which received a $27.5 million investment in the 2024-25 ACT Budget.

Now the first procurement process for the Northside Hospital Project is complete. Billard Leece Partnership Pty Ltd has been appointed as the successful tenderer and design partner for the new CAMHS facility on the Lyons site.

Over the past year, the ACT Health Directorate has been working with clinical services on the North Canberra Hospital campus to understand current and future accommodation needs and explore suitable alternative locations for those services that will have to move over the next few years. 

Billard Leece Partnership Pty Ltd will now progress the detailed design of the new CAMHS facility so that it supports the needs of staff, patients and their families.

More information on the Northside Hospital Project is at builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson:

Community-based models of care ensure Canberrans have access to support they need when and where they need it.

The relocation of The Cottage to Lyons will be more accessible for young people with a mental illness. This will be a more appropriate setting than being on a hospital campus for a community mental health service supporting transition back to school. The new location is in an area already familiar to many of us who live nearby as a nurturing environment for children and young people, with schools, after-school recreation activities, and other services nearby.

The CAMHS Childhood Early Intervention Program and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Program will also relocate. This first of these programs is delivered through the school system to support schools and families with identifying and responding to early signs of mental health issues in primary aged children, and the second is an intensive individual and group therapeutic intervention for young people presenting with moderate to severe mental health issues.

We look forward to working closely with staff, clinicians and consumers to help us design this new facility.

This media releases was originally published on the ACT Government website.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education has responded to Labor’s announcement that international student commencements will be capped at 270,000 in 2025. 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi: 
“Today is a bad day for university independence, student choice and, of course, for international students wishing to study in Australia. 

“Labor and Minister Clare have arrogantly ignored the near unanimous opposition from  the higher education sector and are charging ahead with this terrible policy.

“The weak Albanese government is playing right into the fear mongering, dog whistling, racist agenda of the Coalition and putting migrants and international students in the firing line. It is disgraceful.

“If Minister Clare wants to do something about our universities, how about fully funding them, wiping student debt and dumping the disastrous job-ready graduates policy. 

“After almost a decade of Coalition attacks, universities still can’t get a break. Labor has proven to be a woeful disappointment.

“The Government needs to stop micromanaging universities and start funding them properly.” 

The Victorian Greens have secured key reforms that will stop property investors from hoarding homes to use as short stay accommodation, and instead make homes available for renters and first home buyers to live in. 

In negotiation with the government, the Greens’ reforms will combine the 7.5% property investor levy in the Short Stay Levy Bill 2024 with stronger powers for Councils and owners’ corporations to limit or ban short stay accommodation in their communities. The reforms are due to come before Parliament this week. 

Under the new changes, local governments will have the power to regulate short stay accommodation in their area – including restricting the number of short stay properties in any area, the number of days a property can be listed, introducing amenity and safety standards or banning short stay accommodation altogether. Local governments will also now have access to a register of short stay properties in their area to help them enforce any  regulations. 

The Greens also secured powers for owners corporations, which will have the power to prohibit short stay accommodation in their apartment buildings. 

The Greens have also ensured that people who list a short-stay in their primary residence  through platforms like Airbnb are exempt from the levy. This would mean those who want to temporarily let out a room in a house, or put their place up temporarily while on holiday would not be subject to the levy.

The Greens spokesperson for Renters’ Rights, Gabrielle de Vietri says that these reforms will free up homes for renters and first home buyers and that they’re essential measures we need to be taking to stop property investors hoarding homes in the middle of the worst housing crisis in living memory. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Renters’ Rights, Gabrielle de Vietri: 

“In the middle of a housing crisis, it’s not right that 48,000 entire homes are on Airbnb across the state. This pushes up property prices, locks out first home buyers and takes homes away from renters. 

“We’ve negotiated significant reforms that will stop investors hoarding homes for profit. The Greens reforms will combine a property investor levy with new powers for councils and owners corporations to ban or limit short stay accommodation in their communities.

“We know that communities across Victoria are sick to death of property investors snapping up homes to cash in on Airbnb while locals struggle to find somewhere to live. 

“These reforms are going to make more homes available for renters and first home buyers to live in. We know that pressure works, and we will keep fighting for a rent freeze.” 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese needs to come clean on whether there was any deal between his Government and John Setka relating to putting the disgraced CFMEU Construction Division into administration.

Last night on the program Spotlight, Mr Setka, the former Secretary of the Victorian CFMEU Construction Division said he was given assurances through various intermediaries that if he resigned as Secretary, the CFMEU would not be placed into administration by the Albanese Government.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, said that Mr Albanese and Ministers in his Government had some very serious questions to answer.

“Mr Albanese needs to come clean about what he, his office, his Ministers or anyone in his Government knew about this alleged ‘secret deal’ with John Setka or anyone else in the CFMEU.” Senator Cash said.

Senator Cash said it was highly alarming that when the Albanese Government should have been focusing on dealing with the chaos being created by the CFMEU, which was largely as a result of Mr Albanese’s disastrous decision to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), they were instead allegedly trying to make deals with John Setka.

“Mr Albanese has serious questions to answer. Were other CFMEU officials offered special treatment? Were the CFMEU offered secret concessions if placed into administration? Who was the alleged intermediary negotiating between Mr Setka and former Minister Tony Burke?” Senator Cash said.

“Thanks to the Albanese Government, the CFMEU have enjoyed a free rein over Australia’s construction sector, which has seen the cost of infrastructure for Australian taxpayers increase by 30%, contributing strongly to the national cost of living crisis.” Senator Cash said.

“The CFMEU have given the Labor Party over $6.2 million in donations since Mr Albanese became leader. If the Australian people are to have any confidence in this Government, it is imperative that Mr Albanese comes clean on the interactions between his Government and John Setka in the days and weeks surrounding his resignation.” Senator Cash said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Tonga from 27 to 29 August 2024 for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

This will be his third PIF Leaders’ Meeting, and his first visit to Tonga as Prime Minister.

The Pacific Islands Forum is our region’s top multilateral body and the PIF Leaders Meeting is the most important annual meeting of leaders of all PIF member states.

Prime Minister Albanese will join other Pacific leaders to discuss important issues affecting our region, including climate resilience, education, health and regional security.

The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting is central to safeguarding our region’s collective prosperity and security.

“It is important that Pacific leaders meet each year to discuss our shared aspirations and challenges — and work together towards Pacific-led solutions that benefit us all.

“Australia understands that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of Pacific Island communities.

“I thank Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku for hosting the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum and welcome his leadership in helping deliver tangible and practical outcomes for the region.”