Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government has today released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, setting out a plan for real, meaningful and enduring reform for Defence personnel, veterans and families.

The Royal Commission was the most significant and comprehensive inquiry conducted into suicide and suicidality in Defence and veteran communities. It heard harrowing evidence about the cultural problems within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over time and identified deficiencies with the approach, services and support of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

The Albanese Government has accepted the overwhelming majority of the Royal Commission’s 122 recommendations: agreeing or agreeing-in-principle to 104 recommendations, noting 17 recommendations for further consideration and one recommendation is not supported in part.

Implementing this response will result in the most comprehensive reform ever undertaken to the culture, systems and processes across Defence, the ADF and DVA to prevent suicide and improve the mental health and wellbeing of serving personnel and veterans.

Consistent with key recommendations of the Royal Commission, the Government will:

• Establish a new statutory entity to oversee enduring and systemic reform. This entity will provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to improve suicide prevention, and drive better outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF personnel.
  • An interim head will be appointed as soon as possible to work across government towards the establishment of a legislated oversight body by September 2025.
• Establish a Taskforce in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet which will draw in expertise from across Government as well as external experts to consider matters of detailed implementation.
• Direct DVA to co-design, with the veteran community, a new agency focused on wellbeing to be established within DVA. This body will be focused on consultation and co-design with Defence and veteran communities, and their families, to ensure the agency meets their needs.
• Fund DVA to continue consultation on the development of a national ex-service organisation peak body.

These reforms will be rolled out together with the implementation of the National Defence Strategy, to ensure that Defence’s most important capability – its people – receive the support and services they deserve as they work to keep Australians safe.

Work already underway

In August 2022, the Royal Commission’s Interim Report was delivered to Government, and we took swift action on all of its recommendations.

The reforms set out today build on the work already completed in response to the Interim Report, as well as the extensive work across Defence and DVA that commenced from the moment the Albanese Government took office, including:

• Fully funding the Government’s response to the Royal Commission’s Interim Report, including $233.9 million to engage 500 new frontline staff at DVA to eliminate the compensation claims backlog, delivering on a key election commitment made by the Government.
• Undertaking extensive consultation to develop legislation to simplify and harmonise the veteran compensation system. Legislation was introduced to the Parliament 3 July 2024.
• Investing $254.1 million over four years to modernise and sustain DVA’s ageing IT systems to ensure more timely payments and better access to services for veterans and families.
• In June 2023, the Government appointed the first three star Chief of Personnel who reports directly to the Chief of the Defence Force to drive systemic reform across the ADF.
• Expanding and improving allowances, conditions of services and entitlements for serving ADF personnel and their families.
• Investing more than $600 million to implement the 2024 Defence Workforce Plan and grow the ADF to deliver an integrated, focused force.

The implementation of the Government’s response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission will see the most comprehensive reform to the systems, processes and culture supporting Defence personnel and veterans ever undertaken in Australia.

Whilst this is a large and complex task, these reforms will ensure those who pursue a career in the ADF are supported from the time they join, throughout transition and in life after service. 

The establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide would not have occurred without those families who have lost loved ones, and advocates such as Senator Lambie. The Government thanks all those who bravely came forward to share their stories and give evidence to the Royal Commission. Their courage has made an enormous difference.

The Government’s full response to the Royal Commission is available on the Defence and DVA websites.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

“We have lost too many lives, and every single one is heartbreaking. Today I want to acknowledge every family and friend grieving the loss of a loved one.

“We called for this Royal Commission in Opposition and we supported it in Government.

“Today’s response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission is an historic opportunity to deliver lasting reform and support our Defence personnel, veterans and their families.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The death by suicide of any Australian, including veterans and serving Defence personnel, is a national tragedy. Implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations is not a simple task, but it is essential.

“The Albanese Government’s Response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission is our plan for systemic and enduring reform to make sure we are supporting our Defence and veteran communities.”

the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh: 

“We thank all those who came forward and bravely told their story to the Royal Commission. Your courage and the Royal Commission’s work directs the necessary change needed to save lives.

“The Government’s response to the Royal Commission will deliver changes in Defence and DVA that will improve the lives of serving personnel, veterans and families today and into the future.”

The Albanese Labor Government welcomes China lifting the remaining suspensions on two Australian meat processing establishments, paving the way for full resumption of red meat exports to China.

This development follows the lifting of suspensions on eight beef processing facilities over the past year.

The Government has consistently advocated for the final two establishments in Queensland to be able to resume exports into China.

China is the second largest market for Australian beef and veal after the United States. The removal today of the final two suspensions marks a return to business as usual for beef and veal exports, which topped $2.2 billion in 2023-24.

Today’s announcement follows forecasts that Australia’s red meat exports are set to break records in 2024–25.

The boost of red meat exports is forecast to push the overall value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry to $94.3 billion, the second highest on record, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“This is great news for Australian exporters, producers and farmers.

“Since we were elected we’ve worked tirelessly to resume trade and that’s exactly what we are seeing.

“It’s a win for trade and a win for Australian jobs – something my Government will always back.”

Foreign Minister, Penny Wong

“The removal of all impediments on Australian beef exports to China affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Labor Government.

“The Government will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their world-class products on the global stage, including through efforts to diversify and expand trade markets.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell

“We are close to the point where China’s trade impediments which impacted $20 billion worth of Australian exports have all been removed.

“The removal of trade impediments has not only saved, but also created thousands of new jobs in Australia.

“Beef producers in Queensland, wine makers in South Australia, and barley growers in Western Australia, have all benefited from this Government’s steady hand on the trade tiller.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP

“I welcome today’s news by China and thank our red meat industry and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officials who have worked so hard to get this outcome. 

“Concerted engagement and advocacy with our largest trading partner have been rewarded with the lifting of suspensions on all Australian meat export facilities in the past 12 months.  

“In 2023-24, Australia exported over 70 per cent of its agricultural, fisheries and forestry production to 169 markets globally – the most diversified trade has ever been. This is thanks to our Government.”

Ahead of International Day of People with Disability (Tuesday 3rd December 2024) Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Senator for WA has today announced a $200m package to support the leadership of disabled people across Australia.

The United Nations has announced the theme for International Day of People with Disability as “amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” The Australian Greens plan will enable disabled people to lead at a local and Federal level. 

The Greens have today announced: 

• Establishment of a $5m Election Access Fund; to support disabled people to inclusively contest Federal Elections.
   
• A $150m grants program to fund Disability Pride Events across the country; to support community-led events that focus on inclusion, reclaiming disability identity and building a sense of pride.
   
• Sustainable resourcing for disability advocacy organisations; an additional $50m to enable organisations to support disabled people through the NDIS, health systems, legal systems and other areas of their lives. 

Jordon Steele-John, Australia’s first physically disabled Senator:

“This year has been particularly rough for disabled people across Australia. We have seen the major parties join together to cut billions of dollars from our NDIS, there has been limited action on the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and the cost of living crisis has been hitting hard with a lack of accessible and affordable housing options, no meaningful increase to the disability support pension, and high prices at the supermarket check-out, along with the rising cost of healthcare. Disabled people are doing it tough.”

“As the only proudly physically disabled person in the Federal Parliament, I see first hand that major party politicians simply do not understand what our disability community needs. The only way we’re going to get better outcomes is to get more disabled people elected to the Federal Parliament. We know that our political systems are inherently ableist, and there are additional cost barriers in the way of contesting an election. That’s why the Greens are committed to the establishment of a $5m Election Access Fund, similar to one the program that New Zealand Electoral Commission runs.“

“At a time where more disabled people than ever are bearing the brunt of inadequate government systems, disability advocacy organisations are operating with inadequate and unsustainable funding. This is leaving disabled people without adequate support. The Greens have announced an additional $50m for organisations who are supporting people with individual advocacy and lobbying for systemic advocacy.”

“So many of the events designed to bring together the disability community are funded by big-corporations who profit directly from disabled people. We deserve events that are community-led and truly build disability pride. That’s why I am proud that the Greens are committed to launching a $150m grants program to enable events to be run across the country that focus on inclusion, reclaiming disability identity and building a sense of pride. It’s through events like these that we can build leadership skills, have a good time, and build our power.”

The Victorian Greens have called on the Premier to ensure that police sniffer dog squads are not present during the summer festival season, as it’s announced that Beyond the Valley will be the first festival with life-saving pill testing services. 

The Police Commissioner confirmed that sniffer dogs would be expected to operate alongside pill testing at festivals, following a line of questioning from the Greens at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings last week.

The Victorian Greens spokesperson for drug harm reduction, Aiv Puglielli says that festival-goers deserve clarity and reassurance that they’re not going to be targeted by police and sniffer dogs for using a life saving health service. 

The Victorian Greens Drug Harm Reduction spokesperson, Aiv Puglielli: 

“The Summer festival season is just around the corner and we know that we need pill testing up and running in order to save lives. 

“For pill testing to work, festival goers need confidence to use this life saving service without fear of being targeted by police and sniffer dogs. 

“The Premier needs to pick up the phone to the Police Commissioner and ensure young people and festival goers have clarity and reassurance about how police will be interacting with pill testing and the people using the service. 

“We know that people are likely to drop all their drugs at once when they see sniffer dogs. That is not safe. 

“Sniffer dogs do not save lives, pill testing does.” 

The first Pasefika-Samoan MP to sit in the Victorian Parliament Anasina Gray-Barberio will give her inaugural speech to Parliament this evening, entering the chamber as over one hundred Samoan singers sing a traditional Samoan song. 

Newly elected Greens MP Anasina Gray-Baberio will give her inaugural speech this evening Wednesday 27 November at 6.00pm. 

The singers will however have to sing from the corridors outside the chamber because the other parties refused to support a motion allowing the cultural practice of singing to occur inside the public gallery inside the Parliament chamber, as is common practice in other Parliaments such as in Aotearoa New Zealand

Ms Gray-Barberio said that the decision not to allow cultural singing in the public gallery, as occurs in other Parliaments, was really disappointing as this is a significant cultural tradition for the Samoan community. 

Greens MP for Northern Metropolitan, Anasina Gray-Barberio: 

“As the first Pasefika-Samoan person to be entering this Parliament, this is an incredibly significant moment and it’s important for me to be able to practice my culture and have my community here for this moment. 

“It’s disappointing that before even getting started, I’m being denied the chance to practice a small part of my culture. The Parliament is supposed to be a place for all Victorians, and I would’ve hoped our Parliament in Victoria could accommodate different cultures in this place, and it’s disappointing to see the community denied this. 

“But we only need to look at the powerful moments from the Parliament in Aotearoa New Zealand in recent weeks to know that the tide is changing. 

“Despite not being able to have the community in there with me tonight, I know they’re behind me. I’m entering this job with my culture at the forefront. To represent the voices that too often go unheard. Let’s get to work.” 

Tomorrow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, will meet with Singaporean counterparts for the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC).

The SAJMC is an opportunity to increase cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including across defence and security, trade and investment, the green and digital economies, science and innovation, education and the arts.

Ministers will also meet Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Wong, and conduct separate bilateral meetings. The Deputy Prime Minister will meet with his counterpart, Dr Ng Eng Hen, the Foreign Minister will meet with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and the Minister for Trade will meet with counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong. 

Singapore is one of Australia’s closest partners, and next year we celebrate 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. We share an interest in a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, The Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Singapore is one of Australia’s closest defence partners, providing longstanding access for our ships and aircraft in the region.

“Singapore has also conducted military training in Australia for more than 30 years, supporting both of our armed forces, and providing significant economic opportunities for Australia.

“I am pleased the recent expansion of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland will create more opportunities for our armed forces to train together and increase our interoperability.

“The bilateral relationship between Singapore and Australia is built upon shared values, deep trust and a commitment to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Our partnership with Singapore is grounded in trust and respect.

“As we prepare to mark a decade since we launched our ambitious Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Australia and Singapore are charting the course for the next phase of our relationship.

“We are working together to foster peace, stability and prosperity in our region.”

the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell:

“Singapore is one of Australia’s closest trade and investment partners.

“As the region’s financial, trading and energy hub, Singapore plays a key role for Australian businesses seeking to deepen their engagement in Southeast Asia.

“Through Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, we are expanding Australian trade and investment to build shared prosperity.

“As a bloc, Southeast Asia is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a potential consumer market that is 10 times larger than Australia by 2040.”

Speaking on the impasse between the major parties on Electoral Reform Greens Senate leader and democracy spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said:

“We’ve seen the big party stitch up on electoral funding reform crumble today. 

“The Greens were ready to pass the transparency aspects of this legislation having long campaigned to get the influence of big money out of politics.

“We want more transparency so the public can see who’s paying for what outcome, who’s paying to try to seek influence.

“With the deal reportedly dead between the two big parties who were very ready to scratch each other’s back, the onus is now on the government to come and talk to the Greens and the crossbench about genuine electoral reform.

“Frankly, the government should have been talking more earnestly with us all along. However, it’s pretty clear that they will now need to do that.

“We will continue to fight to clean up democracy so that it works for people, not just large political donors. 

“We will always fight to make sure that corporate donors and fossil fuel companies and weapons manufacturers can’t buy the policy outcomes that suit them ahead of the interests of the Australian public. 

“We are very keen to continue to try to work on improving our democracy, and we could have passed those transparency measures today. There is theoretically still time, although there’s a lot on the agenda.

“But we need to make sure that those other funding reforms were not simply a stitch up for the two big parties, and that is certainly what they looked to be. 

“We need an inquiry into those provisions, or failing that, the government can go back to the drawing board and come and talk in an appropriately open fashion with the Greens and the crossbench.

“Then we can actually get reforms that will kick big money out of politics and protect democracy for the people, not just the two big parties.

The Greens have accused Labor and Peter Dutton of giving gambling ads to every Australian family this Christmas after voting against a Greens amendment to ban gambling ads in the Senate late last night.

The Greens moved an amendment to ban gambling ads on tv, radio and online during debate over the Communications Legislation Amendment (Regional Broadcasting Continuity) Bill 2024.

Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for communications, Senator for South Australia:

“Labor’s giving gambling ads this Christmas when they could have backed the Greens amendment last night to ban them before the holidays. 

“Labor and Dutton have failed families on gambling ads. Addiction, family breakdowns and financial hardship will be worse this summer in Australia because the Albanese Government has sold out to Sportsbet.

“The facts are clear: Australians lose more per capita to gambling addiction than any nation on earth. Expert evidence and 70% of Australians support a full gambling ad ban, but Labor and Liberal are addicted to the donations, dinners and dirty deals with the gambling lobby.

“Instead of acting on the well established recommendations to ban gambling ads, they have rushed through a knee-jerk social media ban without evidence or due process. 

“The Greens will move our Ban Gambling Ads Bill when Parliament returns in February and the Prime Minister and Peter Dutton should stop selling out to Sportsbet and support it.”

The Greens have condemned Labor and the Liberals for smashing the Social Media Age Ban Bill through parliament this week. 

The Greens had urged the Albanese Government to allow for proper consultation and scrutiny of Labor’s legislation, with many experts including health professionals, saying the blunt ban would have serious negative consequences for young people and recommending other measures to make social media safer for everyone.

Sarah Hanson-Young is spokesperson for Communications & Senator for South Australia:

“It is a disgrace that Labor teamed up with Peter Dutton to ram the social media age ban bill through the parliament this week.

“Parents are rightly concerned and we all agree something needs to be done to make tech platforms safer, but this was not the way to do it. 

“There is no excuse for rushing this bill through and racing Peter Dutton to the bottom – it won’t even commence for 12 months.

“It is a sham bill that’s been through a sham process. It is a piece of legislation that doesn’t do what the PM or Peter Dutton say it will do – it won’t make young people safer online and doesn’t make social media safer for anyone. 

“What we’ve witnessed this week is boomers trying to tell young people how the internet should work. Yet these boomers clearly have no idea how young people engage with the internet. 

“This bill might make oldies feel like they’ve done something but in reality it only delivers a false sense of security. Young people will be pushed to darker spaces on the web and regional, marginalised and vulnerable kids will be further isolated. 

“Instead, the parliament should have supported the Greens’ duty of care amendment, and implemented measures that address the dangerous and predatory business models of the tech giants. 

“The passage of this law is a world-leading failure by the PM and Peter Dutton.” 

Senator Hanson-Young’s speech in the Senate last night here. 

The Greens say the federal government must immediately suspend all mutual obligation requirements after it was revealed that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations had been incorrectly cancelling some Centrelink payments.

The discovery by DEWR that they had incorrectly cancelled payments following a third financial penalty under the Targeted Compliance Framework prompted the department to pause these cancellations in July while it undertakes further inquiries. The Targeted Compliance Framework forms the foundation of mutual obligations.

Greens Social Services spokesperson, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“The news today that DEWR has paused some payment suspensions because of their incorrect application should be the final nail in the coffin for the failed mutual obligations scheme.

“Income support recipients are already forced to survive on poverty payments that are among the lowest in the OECD. Robbing them of the meagre payments they rely on is unconscionable.

“Australia’s income support payments are among the lowest in the OECD, but even these tiny poverty payments can be taken away by unaccountable, profiteering job providers for the most inconsequential breaches.

“The privatised employment services system has produced nothing but failure and harm while enriching private providers who hound people for their payslips and push people into pointless training sessions.

“The Greens will continue to push for Work for the Dole and the Targeted Compliance Framework to be abolished, and for the provision of employment services to be returned to the Commonwealth.”