Category: Australian News

The Auditor-General has today handed down a scathing performance audit report, Supporting students with disability, which exposes a decades-long failure to adequately fund and deliver targeted supports, monitor school practice and track outcomes for students with disability.

The Auditor-General’s report has been described as damning by Greens NSW MP Abigail Boyd, who chaired the recent parliamentary inquiry into the Experiences of children and young people with disability in NSW educational settings. The report from that inquiry was tabled just last month, and reinforces the Auditor-General’s findings that children with disability and their families are seeing no real improvement in their experiences within NSW’s education system, despite stated government policies and commitments.

The Auditor General’s report found the Department of Education failed to implement their own inclusive education policies and procedures, monitor outcomes and ensure targeted supports for students with disability, despite being aware of these gaps for almost two decades.

It also found serious gaps in the Department’s complaints management process which is neither student-centric nor accessible, and called for independent advice and disability expertise to be provided to parents and guardians of students with disability.

Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MP and Spokesperson for disability rights and inclusion:

“The message coming through in this and previous reports is loud and clear – when it comes to disability rights and inclusion, the NSW Government is all words and no action.

“The NSW Department of Education has knowingly and persistently underfunded measures that would deliver greater inclusion for people with disability, and then chosen not to measure what they know will be the harmful outcomes of their decisions. This is a shocking abrogation of responsibility, and cannot stand.

“With such limited oversight of our education system, it’s no wonder that students with disability continue to experience exclusion, discrimination and neglect in our schools. The latest suspension data from the Department reveals that year on year, students with disability continue to make up half of all suspensions.

“In light of this and multiple other audit reports, parliamentary inquiries and the Disability Royal Commission, it is clear that the Department is unable to oversee itself and its performance under its legal obligations under anti-discrimination legislation.

“We can no longer leave the Department to its own devices. We need an independent oversight body for children with disability in our education system — as unanimously recommended by all members in the recent multi-partisan parliamentary inquiry report — with the primary purpose of advocating for students with disability and their families at its core, with the ability to oversee all issues from enrolments and adjustments to exclusionary discipline and allegations of discrimination.

“The NSW Government must commit to implementing in full all recommendations of this report, our parliamentary inquiry, and the Disability Royal Commission. Anything less than this will constitute a tragic failure of leadership and serve to perpetuate the cycle of disadvantage experienced by disabled people in this state.”

Australia will join Germany, Canada and the Netherlands to take unprecedented action to hold Afghanistan to account under international law for the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.

This action is being brought against Afghanistan for violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to which Afghanistan is a party.

We urge Afghanistan to participate in negotiations, as provided for under the Convention.

Australia is strongly committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls at home and around the world.

Today we were united with partners from all regions of the world on the importance of strong international action in response to the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.

The Taliban has demonstrated contempt for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan, through a campaign of sustained and systematic oppression.

This includes denying girls their right to education and attempting to erase women from public life.

We will not stand by and allow the situation in Afghanistan to become a ‘new normal’.

We have heard the calls of Afghan women and we are committed to defending their human rights and amplifying their voices.

The participation of women and girls in society is essential to achieving peaceful societies and sustainable development.

Australian and Tasmanian governments agree to fully fund all Tasmanian public schools

All Tasmanian public schools will be fully and fairly funded by the Albanese and Rockliff Governments following a historic agreement signed today.

Both governments have signed the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement and agreed to increase funding for all public schools in Tasmania to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS).

Tasmania has become the third state or territory to sign on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.

Currently, the Commonwealth provides 20 per cent of the SRS for Tasmanian public schools. This will now increase to 22.5 per cent by no later than 2029.

The Tasmanian Government, as the primary funders of Tasmanian public schools, will increase its contribution to 77.5 per cent of the SRS by no later than 2029.

The Agreement signed today will be followed by a Tasmanian Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, including:

• Year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help
• Initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including greater access to mental health professionals
• Access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning
• Initiatives that strengthen teacher and school-leader wellbeing.

The Bilateral Agreement will also set out the specific timing of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments’ increases in SRS funding shares to get to full and fair 100 per cent funding level as soon as possible by no later than 2029.

Currently, no public schools in Australia, except for schools in the ACT, are at the full and fair funding level.

This announcement follows Western Australia and the Northern Territory each signing on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, delivering record funding to their public schools.

The Albanese Government welcomes Tasmania’s decision to work together to fully fund public schools.

The Government is committed to working with all states and territories to get all public schools on a path to 100 per cent of the SRS.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I know firsthand the power of a good quality education.

“I want to make sure that every student in Australia, no matter where they live and learn, receives every opportunity.

“Today’s landmark agreement means every public school in Tasmania will be fully and fairly funded.

“This is a national priority that can only delivered when the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments work in partnership.

“That’s why my Government has put $16 billion in extra funding for public schools on the table – the biggest ever increase in Commonwealth funding to public schools.”

Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff:

“Tasmanians deserve every opportunity in the world, no matter where they live or what their parent’s income is.

“Today’s deal between the Tasmanian and Australian Governments ensures public schools will be fully funded.

“Additional funding will now flow to Tasmanian schools from 2025, with up to an additional $300 million invested into our public schools over the next five years.

“We have been transforming Tasmania’s education system over the past decade, and this funding partnership is the next step in delivering for young Tasmanians.”

Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“This is a massive day for public education in Tasmania.

“Tasmania’s decision to work with the Albanese Government to fully fund public schools will deliver a better and fairer education system for Tassie.

“This agreement means that all schools in Tasmania will be fully funded and that funding will be invested in reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.

“I look forward to working with all states and territories to properly fund our schools and build a better and fairer education system for all Australians.”

Tasmanian Minister for Education Jo Palmer:

“The Tasmanian Government is focussed on giving children the best possible start in life and learning.

“Our education system is critical in supporting our young people in gaining the skills they need to fully contribute to our community and economic future.

“Our Government has delivered significant generational change and we are committed to further improving our education system.

“This funding agreement will ensure our students are supported to get the educational outcomes they deserve so they can lead their best lives.

“We must move to full funding as quickly as we can, and that is my focus.”

The Albanese Government will invest $120 million to establish the Northern Heart Centre in Launceston, delivering better health care for northern Tasmanians with heart disease.

The commitment will fund the establishment costs for the Northern Heart Centre, which is a key component of the Launceston General Hospital master plan that has been developed jointly between the Commonwealth and State Governments.

Cardiovascular disease is Australia’s number one killer, accounting for one in every four deaths. More than 4 million Australians, or one in six people, are living with cardiovascular disease.

The Northern Heart Centre will deliver:

• A new coronary care unit with 16 inpatient cardiac ward beds, and seven coronary care unit beds, which will be co-located with the intensive care unit (ICU);
• Two cardiac catheterisation labs with dedicated recovery and holding bays for direct access for patients requiring procedures (bypassing the emergency department);
• Dedicated diagnostic testing for echocardiography and outpatient services, with five echocardiography testing rooms, one exercise testing room and six outpatient consultation rooms; and
• Direct access to the ICU, emergency department and medical imaging.

The Northern Heart Centre will also help to address workforce shortages in Tasmania, by attracting and retaining critically needed clinicians to the state, and the north of Tasmania, in particular.

The Centre’s dedicated cardiac beds and labs will help to take pressure off the Launceston General Hospital, freeing up hospital beds and reducing pressure on the emergency department.

The Northern Heart Centre builds on other Albanese Government investments to improve health services for Tasmanians, like:

• the $20 million committed to establish the Launceston Hospice,
• four new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport, and
• a $28 million investment in services and programs to help older Tasmanians get the care they need outside of hospital, when they no longer medically need to remain there.

Bulk billing is now more available in Tasmania, thanks to the Albanese Government making the largest investment in bulk billing in Medicare history, with Tasmania seeing the largest increase in GP bulk billing in in the country.

The Northern Heart Centre is currently expected to be completed in 2029.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We know cardiovascular disease is the number one killer right around the nation, impacting the lives of so many Australians and their families.

“Chest pain is one of the most frequent presentations to the emergency departments in North West Tasmania.

“This investment will support the delivery of critical health facilities that will serve the people of Launceston and surrounding communities.

“My Government is dedicated to ensuring all Australians have access to quality healthcare, no matter their postcode.
“This is why we have made record investment in strengthening Medicare.

“Our policies have saved Tasmanians have saved more than $9.5 million on the cost of their medicines, thanks to our cheaper medicines policies.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler:

“People in Launceston and right across northern Tasmania will benefit from a new dedicated Northern Heart Centre, funded by the Albanese Government.

“The Northern Heart Centre will mean Tasmanians with heart disease will get the best possible care, while also helping to free up beds at the Launceston General Hospital and take pressure off its emergency department.

“Nearly 45,000 Tasmanians have visited a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and received free, urgent care, with Tasmanians also benefitting from the largest increase to GP bulk billing in the country.”

The second CHOICE Quarterly Report on Supermarket Prices initiated by the Albanese Government has been released today, providing facts to consumers about where to find cheaper prices.

Funded for three years by the Albanese Labor Government, the CHOICE Report gives Australians accurate data on how to get the cheapest groceries.

To compile the Report, CHOICE visited 104 stores across Australia including Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and IGA.

The report found that Aldi once again had the cheapest basket of goods, with the price of CHOICE’s basket falling from the previous quarter.

The Albanese Government is taking a range of actions to make sure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian suppliers are getting a fair price for their goods.

This follows the ACCC announcing legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.

This week the Albanese Government also released the draft mandatory Food and Grocery Code for consultation, which will mean supermarkets could face significant penalties if found to be in breach of the Code.

Actions the Government is Taking to Hold Supermarkets to Account:

• Commissioning the ACCC to investigate competition in the supermarket sector to get better prices for shoppers.
• Introducing legislation to make the Food and Grocery Code mandatory, making big supermarkets subject to multi-million-dollar penalties for serious breaches of the Code.
• Funding CHOICE reports for another three years, with the next due in December 2024, in time for Christmas.
• Progressing the most significant merger reforms in Australia in almost 50 years.
• Working with the states and territories to revitalise National Competition Policy.

Report Findings – The Cost of an Average Basket of Groceries Nation Wide:

• Aldi: $50.79 (with and without specials)
• Woolworths: $68.70 (without specials), $68.37 (with specials)
• Coles: $69.91 (without specials), $66.22 (with specials)
• IGA: $78.95 (with specials)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We know Australians are under pressure and we’re working every day to help.

“Our cost of living help is about getting wages up for workers, bringing costs down for households and getting inflation back to where it should be.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian farmers are getting a fair price for their goods.

“Today’s CHOICE Report provides important information to consumers, but we know there is more to do and we are committed to taking action to make sure Australians are getting the best deal possible.”

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh:

“The Government’s economic plan is all about easing the cost of living for Australians.

“CHOICE’s team of shadow shoppers are helping Australians get the best deal at the checkout. With many consumers feeling the pinch, these results provide hard evidence on prices across the nation.

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering the information that will help shoppers save money and deliver more supermarket competition.

“We want a supermarket sector that’s fairer for farmers, and fairer for families.”

The ACCC’s decision to take Woolworths and Coles to court for price gouging has highlighted Labor’s complete inaction on the corporate villains who caused an inflation crisis.

“These supermarket giants have been caught exploiting consumers under the cover of high inflation, and using fake discount claims to rake in profits,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This is exactly why the Greens have introduced bills to the Parliament to crack down on corporate price gouging and break up the supermarket duopoly.”

“Coles and Woolworths have exploited a national crisis to overcharge people. This is price gouging, plain and simple.”

“Their behaviour is maliciously deceitful and utterly contemptuous of Australian shoppers.”

“They could never have engaged in this behaviour if they did not have market dominance and price gouging had been illegal.”

“Surely now Labor has to stop running interference for Coles and Woolworths and join the Greens to crack down on corporate price gouging.”

“The Greens’ bills would give the ACCC real power to stop this type of behaviour.”

“Today’s revelations show Labor has been asleep at the wheel on this issue. They are protecting their corporate mates while Australians suffer.”

“These companies have used their market dominance to relentlessly profiteer.”

“It’s time to break them up and pass anti-price gouging laws to protect Australians from this kind of exploitation.”

“The Greens have the solutions on the table to end this kind of behaviour and put more power into the hands of shoppers.”

“Labor needs to stop siding with these fundamentally dishonest corporations and work with us to pass these critical reforms.”

The Greens have criticised a decision from Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to approve the clearing of endangered native forest at Manyana on the NSW South Coast.

The endangered forest slated for clearing is one of the last remaining unburnt parcels of land on the NSW South Coast, which was decimated by the 2019/2020 bushfires. The Greens are urging an end to native forest logging.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“The Albanese Government should be protecting critical habitat and native forests, not approving their destruction.

“The endangered forest at Manyana is some of the last remaining in the region after the Black Summer bushfires decimated the NSW South Coast – it must be protected, not destroyed.

“This decision is a slap in the face for a community who have already suffered enough and have campaigned for four years to protect what’s left at Manyana.

“It is alarming that the Environment Minister, whose job is to protect the environment, can approve the destruction of one of the last remaining critical refuges for wildlife in the region like the Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Greater Glider and Swift Parrot. 

“This decision has once again highlighted that our environmental laws aren’t up to the job of protecting our native wildlife. 

“Instead of continuing to greenlight destruction, the Albanese Government should be working constructively in the Parliament to ensure new environment laws stop the destruction of critical habitat.”

The Reserve Bank’s failure to bring down interest rates puts the ball squarely in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ court to act, the Greens say.

“Jim Chalmers has said the Reserve Bank is smashing the economy, but now he has a clear choice: let them keep doing it or finally use powers available to him to bring rates down,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Dr Chalmers could use either fiscal or monetary policy to bring down inflation and he’s currently choosing neither.”

“If the Treasurer is serious about wanting to bring inflation down and ease interest rate pain, he needs to step up with real, concrete action: tax corporate super-profits, clamp down on corporate price-gouging, and freeze rents.”

“He could also use the Section 11 powers to directly override the high interest rates that he says are ‘smashing the economy’.”

“Labor cannot keep standing on the sidelines and let people continue to suffer.”

“Dr Chalmers has the power to bring relief to those who badly need it – he just needs to show some courage.”

“Labor can criticise the Greens all they want, but they are in government and their policies and inaction have put Australia in a per capita recession.”

“Labor is watching the Reserve Bank drive people to the wall and doing nothing.”

The Greens say Labor can’t be trusted on the environment and climate this election after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek today approved 3 new coal mine extensions in the Hunter Valley NSW.

The Albanese Government’s Nature Positive legislation remains stalled in the Senate with the Greens calling for climate impacts to be considered as part of the environmental approval process. Today’s decision comes after the environment Minister also approved destroying a native forest on Friday afternoon.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“The Government must rule out approving any new mines until Australia’s environment laws are fixed. That means including the climate impacts of polluting projects. 

“The Labor Government is deliberately and proactively approving climate wrecking coal mines under laws they know are broken. It’s wrong and irresponsible. 

“This goes to show the Albanese Government has zero credibility on the environment this election after approving 3 coal mine extensions in a single day.

“The Prime Minister was over in WA today, boasting that pollution approvals are happening faster under his government than under Scott Morrison. 

“There can now be no doubt for voters this election: the Greens are the only party you can trust on the environment and climate.

“The Environment Minister has one job: protect the environment, not the fossil fuel industry.”

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Labor approving three more coal projects in the Hunter Valley is a betrayal of everyone who voted for climate action.

“To have any chance of meeting climate targets there can be no new coal or gas mines, yet Labor has now approved 26 new coal and gas projects since coming to power. Each one will make the climate crisis worse.

“Emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than last under Scott Morrison, and now Labor has made the climate crisis even worse.

“You can’t put the fire out if you’re pouring petrol on it.”

The Greens say Labor can’t be trusted on the environment and climate this election after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek today approved 3 new coal mine extensions in the Hunter Valley NSW.

The Albanese Government’s Nature Positive legislation remains stalled in the Senate with the Greens calling for climate impacts to be considered as part of the environmental approval process. Today’s decision comes after the environment Minister also approved destroying a native forest on Friday afternoon.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“The Government must rule out approving any new mines until Australia’s environment laws are fixed. That means including the climate impacts of polluting projects. 

“The Labor Government is deliberately and proactively approving climate wrecking coal mines under laws they know are broken. It’s wrong and irresponsible. 

“This goes to show the Albanese Government has zero credibility on the environment this election after approving 3 coal mine extensions in a single day.

“The Prime Minister was over in WA today, boasting that pollution approvals are happening faster under his government than under Scott Morrison. 

“There can now be no doubt for voters this election: the Greens are the only party you can trust on the environment and climate.

“The Environment Minister has one job: protect the environment, not the fossil fuel industry.”

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Labor approving three more coal projects in the Hunter Valley is a betrayal of everyone who voted for climate action.

“To have any chance of meeting climate targets there can be no new coal or gas mines, yet Labor has now approved 26 new coal and gas projects since coming to power. Each one will make the climate crisis worse.

“Emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than last under Scott Morrison, and now Labor has made the climate crisis even worse.

“You can’t put the fire out if you’re pouring petrol on it.”

Australia will provide an additional $10 million in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.

The funding will be directed to UNICEF and UNFPA and will provide lifesaving assistance, with a focus on women and girls, including the delivery of nutrition support, as well as hygiene and dignity kits.

Since 7 October, Australia has committed $82.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address essential needs in Gaza and the West Bank and respond to the protracted refugee crisis in the region.

Australia continues to push for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need, and for all aid workers to be protected.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

Australia’s support will help address the dire humanitarian situation with the delivery of nutrition and essential hygiene and health products.

Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians, and aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work.

“We continue to press for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the release of hostages.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Civilians should not be made to pay the price for the horrendous acts of others. The suffering must stop.”

“We support the ceasefire endorsed by the UN Security Council and want to see it fully implemented by both parties. Any delay will only see more lives lost.”