Category: Australian News

New Legal Aid client liaison officers to provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and cultural and linguistically diverse Canberrans are among projects that Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury has funded from the Confiscated Assets Trust (CAT).

The funding will support a range of initiatives designed to empower victims, strengthen community connections and ensure a fairer legal process for the community.

The Attorney-General said that CAT funding ensures that proceeds of crime recovered under the Confiscation of Criminal Assets Act 2003 can be used productively to address the impact of crime on the community. These projects invest proceeds of crime in activities that will support criminal justice activities, crime prevention, and assistance to victims of crime.

“Access to justice is a fundamental right,” the Attorney-General said. “This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring that all Canberrans have equal opportunity to navigate the legal system. We are proud to support these important initiatives that will make a real difference in the lives of many.”

Projects aimed at increasing access to justice to receive CAT funding in this round include:

• Women’s Legal Centre: $30,000

Supporting the development and distribution of a Sexual Assault Legal Service handbook, providing essential information and resources to sexual assault survivors navigating the criminal justice system.

• Expansion of the Witness Assistance Scheme: $404,346

Immediate expansion of the Witness Assistance Scheme within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), providing essential support and guidance to witnesses and complainants throughout the criminal justice process.

• Legal Aid ACT: $369,000

Strengthening Legal Aid’s capacity by employing three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse client liaison officers, who will provide targeted support to vulnerable members of the community.

• Extension of Embedded Prosecutor Initiative: $107,000

Extending the placement of a senior prosecutor within the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) in the ODPP, ensuring the provision of high-quality, pre-charge advice and support for the implementation of the new Threshold to Charge policy. 

Dr John Boersig PSM, Legal Aid ACT Chief Executive Officer

“Legal Aid ACT is strongly committed to the delivery of services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. As a mainstream service provider to the ACT, we understand the importance of communication and the key role of allied professionals in the justice system.  This will allow us to better provide legal assistance by engaging liaison officers from these communities.”

Quote attributable to Elena Rosenman, Women’s Legal Centre ACT Chief Executive Officer

“The first step to making the criminal justice system more responsive to people who have been affected by sexual violence is to provide clear, accessible information about what to expect in the process. Information, accompanied by specialist legal assistance and support, can be part of rebuilding community trust in the policing and criminal justice responses to sexual violence. . If you need help, please contact Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377.”

The Victorian Greens have slammed the Victorian Labor Government for steamrolling ahead with their devastating plans to demolish and privatise Melbourne’s public housing while residents still remain in the towers.  

It follows reports in the Guardian that the Victorian Labor Government will sign a contract for demolition works to commence on or after 19 July at three towers that are the focus of a class action – 33 Alfred Street and 120 Racecourse Road in North Melbourne, and 12 Holland Street in Flemington. 

The Labor Government plans to demolish and privatise all 44 public housing towers across Victoria, which would displace over 10,000 residents, forcing people out of their homes and tearing communities apart. The majority of this public land looks set to be handed over to wealthy property developers for expensive private housing instead of retaining it for public housing. 

A class action to protect the North Melbourne and Flemington towers was launched in January and just last week the court ordered that it would go to a two-day trial commencing 28 October. A parliamentary inquiry into Labor’s privatisation plans is also set to begin within months.

Labor has previously used the awarding of demolition contracts to force residents to leave their homes using the threat of eviction and legal proceedings. This move shows a complete disregard for the existing class action and is a callous betrayal of residents still living in the buildings. 

Labor’s plan to demolish these homes while more than 120,000 people remain on the state’s public housing waiting list demonstrates its contempt for public housing. 

Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Samantha Ratnam: 

“Labor steamrolling ahead with this demolition and privatisation plan completely undermines the rights of residents who are being forced from their homes. People have called these towers home for decades and yet Labor is determined to rip these communities apart. 

“Since this project was announced, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with residents who are angry, heartbroken and want answers. 

“Labor fast-tracking this project while a class action is underway and residents remain in the buildings demonstrates a complete disregard for the rights and welfare of the residents and is a stark example of this government’s total contempt for public housing in Victoria.”

Today marks 10 years since the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and the tragic loss of 298 lives, including 38 people who called Australia home.

Ten years on, those killed that day remain in our hearts and in our purpose. Our thoughts are with their loved ones – the passing of time does not diminish the pain of their loss.

We acknowledge and remember the courage and resilience shown by those who responded to the disaster. We recognise the Australian Federal Police, Defence Force and Australian Transport Safety Bureau personnel whose work was central to the thorough and painstaking investigation.

Australia remains steadfast in our commitment to seeking truth, justice and accountability from those responsible for this horrific act of violence.

In November 2022, the District Court of The Hague found Russians Igor Girkin and Sergey Dubinskiy, and Ukrainian separatist Leonid Kharchenko guilty for their involvement in the downing of Flight MH17 and the murder of all 298 on board.

Australia has imposed sanctions against these three, as well as Sergey Muchkaev who commanded the Russian Brigade that provided the surface-to-air missile that shot down Flight MH17.

The Court unequivocally and conclusively established Russia’s responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17.

Australia continues to call for the Russian Federation to take responsibility for the role it played and to cooperate to ensure these perpetrators serve their sentences.

Australia and the Netherlands are pursuing accountability through a dispute against the Russian Federation in the International Civil Aviation Organization Council.

Today, the Foreign Minister will host a memorial service with victims’ families, along with first responders, investigators and officials, at Parliament House in Canberra.

The Attorney-General will attend an event in the Netherlands hosted by the MH17 Air Disaster (Next of Kin) Foundation with representatives from victims’ families and loved ones.

This week I will travel to Japan to represent Australia at the 10th Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10). The meeting in Tokyo is an opportunity for the Pacific family to discuss regional challenges and Pacific priorities with Japan.

A long-time partner in the Pacific, Japan is a strong advocate for increasing Pacific unity through the Pacific Islands Forum and supporter of the Pacific’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Australia and Japan are working together to deliver on Pacific priorities such as climate resilience, infrastructure, health, and digital connectivity.

Our countries have never been closer; we have a strong relationship underpinned by shared interests and complementary economies. Australia is committed to remaining a long-term energy security partner for Japan as we transition to net zero.

Australia and Japan share the Pacific’s vision for a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous and where sovereignty is respected.

Australia’s nuclear regulator has today approved a license to store waste from US, UK and possibly Australian nuclear submarines at HMAS Stirling off Perth. 

The licence allows the Australian Submarine Agency to establish a ‘Controlled Industrial Facility’ to handle the waste of US and UK nuclear submarines that dock at HMAS Stirling Navy Base, Garden Island, in Western Australia. 

The nuclear regulatory body, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said in a statement the license is “intended” to cover low-level waste from US and UK nuclear submarines. 

However, the Australian Submarine Agency admitted in the June Senate Estimates hearings that the licence also covers intermediate-level waste. 

ARPANSA received 165 public submissions concerning this licence application, many concerned over the lack of public information concerning the scope of the application, community impact and decision-making. 

The Albanese Labor government are currently in the process of seeking to pass legislation that can make anywhere in Australia a nuclear waste dumping ground with no public consultation or First Nations consent. 

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 also allows for the US and the UK to dump high-level nuclear waste in Australia. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence, said: 

“We are already seeing the toxic impacts of AUKUS with this move to store nuclear waste from US and UK nuclear submarines off Perth. The community overwhelmingly opposed this application and pointed out the lack of transparency and balance in the approvals process.

“It is remarkable that ASA failed to include in its public consultation material the fact that this license allows for the handling of intermediate-level waste. This waste is significantly more toxic than any other nuclear waste currently stored in Australia.

“While this licence was quietly pushed through, the Albanese Labor Government has stalled legislation in Parliament that would allow unlimited amounts of high-level nuclear waste to be dumped here. 

“This ARPANSA licence looks like a rushed plan B from Labor to avoid the political damage it from pushing its naval nuclear waste legislation while also trying to oppose Dutton’s disastrous civil nuclear plans.”

Senator Dorinda Cox, WA Senator and Greens spokesperson for First Nations, Resources, North Australia, Trade and Tourism said:

“As a First Nations woman, today’s approval of this licence devastates and angers me. It is shameful that although I stood with my community outside Minister King’s office in protest and the voices were clear, they did not want the storage of nuclear waste on their lands, this licence has still been granted.”

“There has been no respect shown to the community and to Traditional owners who opposed this licence.

“I personally raised this lack of prior and informed consent at recent Estimates and was assured consultation would happen. Myself and the Traditional Owners of these lands are still waiting for the basic respect of a meeting to share our concerns and be consulted with. 

“Today’s decision yet again silences our voices and is shameful. First Nations peoples have seen nuclear storage devastate their lands, waterways and communities before. This storage is costly and will destroy irreplaceable cultural heritage, including intangible heritage such as song lines and the local biodiversity.
“Why are the Labor government allowing this to take place in our waters alongside the silencing of First Nations voices again and at the risk and detriment of all Australians? This is shameful.”

The Greens have condemned the federal government for greenlighting the return of a foreign-owned industrial super trawler to operate off the coast of lutruwita/Tasmania.

The New Zealand super trawler has returned to target threatened orange roughy – an endangered deep-sea species which, under Australia’s broken environmental laws, can still be fished.

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“When will we learn the lessons of history?

“The infamous historic crash of the orange roughy fishery off the coast of lutruwita/Tasmania, caused by overfishing, is a tale of greed and stupidity that should never be repeated. 

“The Albanese government talks a big game about Australia being a global leader in ocean protection. But how is greenlighting the operation of a foreign-owned industrial super trawler to target an endangered deep-sea species taking global leadership in ocean protection? 

“Big industrial trawlers can do decades of devastating and lasting damage not only to vulnerable marine life like orange roughy but to our precious deep-sea ecosystems. 

“The Australian Fisheries Management Authority’s (AFMA) apparent decision to ignore scientific advice to halve the catch limit in the eastern orange roughy zone risks the environment and puts into question the economic benefits of accessing this fishery.

“What returns are the Tasmanian and Australian people getting from foreign-owned fishing fleets and big commercial quota owners operating off our coastlines?

“The fish are being processed on the industrial vessel meaning there will likely be zero flow-on benefits such as employment to local communities.”

The Australian Greens unequivocally condemn the attack on former president Donald Trump that occurred in Pennsylvania over the weekend.

While election campaigns can get passionate, there is never a justification for violence.

In a democratic society people can speak with their vote, which I hope people in the United States do in November and reject a second Trump presidency.

One Nation MLC Sarah Game has again displayed her determination to stand up for parents and taxpayers – this time earning support for helping to publicise a South Australian council’s plans to stage a kids’ storytime conducted by a local drag queen. 

Since being elected in 2022 Sarah has introduced various bills to defend family integrity and children’s rights, including the Education and Children’s Services (Parental Primacy) Amendment Bill 2024 that aims to give parents more control over the education their children receive on issues of morality, ethics, politics, social values, and identity – including gender and sexuality.  

This latter platform saw Sarah respond to constituents who raised concerns about a planned show titled “Rainbow Storytime”, scheduled to take place today (Monday 15 July) at the Salisbury Community Hub Library. 

Part of a school holiday program, the event is featuring Adelaide drag performer Fifi, who will read stories such as “Chicken Divas” and “Just the Way We Are” to children of all ages. 

Initially, Sarah wrote to the SA Minister for Local Government, plus the Minister for Education, outlining her concerns and the concerns of locals, who were outraged at the Salisbury City Council’s plans. 

Sarah told the ministers that numerous people had voiced their view that shows with adult themes – such as drag acts – are inappropriate for young audiences and said that public funds should never be used for such events. 

She asked about the criteria used to determine the appropriateness of such content, plus the frequency of council-organised events involving adult-themed content. 

“Public institutions must run with integrity and transparency, ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent in a way that is consistent with the expectations and values of the community,” she told the ministers. 

Following that letter, Sarah last week featured in a front-page article in the Adelaide Advertiser about the planned show, telling the paper she believes it is “totally inappropriate for young children” to be encouraged to question their “gender identity and gender fluidity”. 

“There’s a growing concern in the community about teaching children about gender fluidity because we don’t really understand the impact that has on young minds,” Sarah said. 

“They’re adult concepts and it’s confusing for children; I think we just need to allow children to be children, and let them grow up and be who they are without these other influences.” 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with the Governor-General Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, will welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia in October this year.

This will be The King’s first visit to Australia as Sovereign.

The King shares a long history with and affection for Australia, having previously made 15 official visits to our nation and having visited every state and territory.

During this visit, The King and Queen will travel to the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.

Official Australian portraits of The King and Queen have now been released and can be downloaded from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

In the official portraits, The King wears The Sovereign’s Badge of the Order of Australia, while The Queen wears the Wattle Brooch which was gifted to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Australia in 1954.

Australians can request printed versions of the portraits through their Federal Member of the House of Representatives or Senator in their state or territory.

Planning is currently underway for the Royal Visit, and more information will be provided in due course.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I am honoured to welcome The King and Queen on their first Royal Visit to Australia later this year, they are always welcome visitors.

“The King has a deep regard for our great nation, and has always spoken warmly of the time he has spent here and the astounding beauty of our extraordinary continent.

“I look forward welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia for this important visit.”

They never give up, those people smugglers.

This is especially the case when they detect an Australian government gone weak at the knees on border security.

There appears to have been a significant uptick in attempts by people smugglers to breach our borders since the High Court released an immigrant detainee last year, only for the Albanese Labor government to panic and release another 148 of them into the community. Quite a few of them have since reoffended, some quite seriously. They were obviously in detention for a reason—to keep the Australian community safe from them—but that doesn’t seem to have entered into Labor’s calculations.

Instead, Labor has sent a clear signal: criminals will roam free if they can make it to Australia.

The people smugglers have listened. Indonesian authorities have detained five suspected groups this year, while another four boats have reached Australia, including two that reached the mainland in Western Australia, and another that reached Christmas Island in May.

This week, there have been two boats carrying a total of around 70 people intercepted and turned back to Indonesia. The people being smuggled are from all over: Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India. It was reported that one group paid up to $15,000 each to people smugglers. It’s a business model that sells false hope, and one of the reasons it makes money right now is because of Albo’s weakness.

Labor – again caving to the fanatics in its left faction, has gotten rid of temporary protection visas, one of the most effective deterrents to people smuggling. These are essentially visas that allow a genuine political refugee to stay in Australia on a temporary basis until conditions in their home country improve so they may safely return. Labor has also dragged its feet on upgrades to patrol boats and surveillance aircraft, needed more than ever now that people smugglers have changed tactics.

Labor must reinstate TPVs to stem the growing tide of people smuggling and make sure we don’t return to bad old days under Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, when those incompetent prime ministers oversaw some 50,000 people arrive illegally in Australia on more than 800 vessels. That was the last time we didn’t have TPVs. More than 1200 people died.

We’re not downplaying the difficult task of monitoring millions of square miles of ocean, but is it too much to ask of any government to do one of the most basic jobs a government can have—secure our borders?