Category: Australian News

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.”

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has landed its first international airline, with Singapore Airlines confirming its intention to operate from the airport and connect Western Sydney passengers to the world.

This new commercial arrangement allows Singapore Airlines to begin developing its future operations at WSI, helping Australians wing their way to one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.

With more than 80 per cent of the airport’s construction now complete, WSI is getting closer to take off, welcoming airlines and passengers from late 2026.

WSI will welcome up to 10 million annual passengers a year. It will offer an integrated domestic and international terminal, in addition to Business Precinct and Aviation Support Facilities, including cargo.

Australia has completed successful bilateral air services negotiations with a number of countries recently including Samoa and Tonga, and in the last 12 months with Türkiye, Vietnam, Sri Lanka.

These agreements have increased capacity immediately available to international airlines operating to and from Australia by more than 50 services a week – and by 100 services per week over the next two years.

Bilateral air services negotiations continue with a number of other countries, with a particular focus on seeking to increase available capacity in the Asia Pacific region.

Construction of WSI is delivering more than 9,000 jobs and half a billion dollars’ in contracts to Western Sydney businesses.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“From Singapore’s Marina Bay to Sydney’s Badgerys Creek, this shows the bright future ahead for Western Sydney International.

“Connecting Western Sydney with the world, while boosting jobs, skills and opportunities right across this region.”

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King

“This strategic partnership recognises WSI’s status as a world-class international airport and new gateway to Asia.

“Tourism is a major contributor for Sydney and Australia, with WSI a major contributor to opportunities for jobs and local businesses.”

Today the ACT Government has announced a plan to make Canberra homes more resilient to our environment, saving Canberrans money on energy bills, reducing waste and water usage, improving air quality, reducing use of toxic materials and lowering home maintenance costs.

Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said the Pathway will help Canberra’s building and construction sector transition towards best practice that leads to more sustainable and climate ready buildings for the territory.

“As a born Canberran, I’ve often heard of the plight of Canberra homes. Too cold in winter, they say, and far too hot in summer,” said Minister Vassarotti.

“That’s why earlier this year, I was proud to implement seven-star energy efficient buildings for all of Canberra, but there’s more to we can do to deliver cost-effectiveness and better comfort.

“This plan will set in motion a building system made for Canberrans by Canberrans so that homes built here are ready to adapt to our climate.

“Today’s announcement of a ten-year roadmap to achieving net-zero emissions in buildings offers a vision that will significantly improve the lives of many Canberrans for the better, for many, reducing energy usage by up to 70%, saving massive costs on electricity bills.

“Emissions from materials used in construction, such as steel and cement, are expected to become the largest source of carbon emissions in the building sector in the coming decades. The actions set out in this pathway will also help achieve the ACT’s goal of net zero emissions by 2045.”

The key actions over the life of the Pathway are:

• Working towards net-zero new residential buildings, through increases to the minimum energy performance standards.
• Addressing embodied carbon through a national approach to measuring and disclosing embodied carbon and moving to set minimum standards for new ACT commercial buildings.
• Requiring the development of building manuals for new and existing buildings to document maintenance and plan for electrification.
• The development of Ministerial guidelines for the use of sustainable materials for buildings under the Building Act 2004.

“Transitioning our building sector to be more sustainable is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for the industry to showcase their innovation.

“I encourage the local industry and the community to look at the strategies outlined in the Pathway so we can work together to make smarter and more sustainable building and renovation choices.

“The ACT Government will continue to advocate for national buildings policies that lead to greater sustainability, innovation, and improve quality of life outcomes for a cleaner and climate-friendly future,” Minister Vassarotti said.

For more information about the Sustainable Buildings Pathway, visit the ACT Planning website.

After years of promises and working groups, the Albanese Labor Government has quietly killed off the inclusion of questions on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics in the upcoming 2026 Census. 

The failure of the Census to appropriately consider LGBTIQA+ people in its design was so acute that the Australian Bureau of Statistics issued a rare Statement of Regret a year ago, apologising to the LGBTIQA+ community, Equality Australia and April Long for the exclusion of non-binary people from being counted as parents. 

In response, the ABS set up an LGBTIQA+ expert advisory committee to ensure future Censuses used appropriate language and ensure LGBTIQA+ people are counted. A committee they have clearly ignored.

Including questions about sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics in the Census — alongside appropriate and inclusive language in the rest of the Census and safeguards against domestic and family violence an accidental outing might trigger — have long been demands of the LGBTIQA+ community. 

The lack of clear data on the prevalence, experiences and economic circumstances of LGBTIQA+ people has stymied our community’s demands for reform. It is impossible without appropriate Census questions for governments and support services to understand the health and wellbeing needs of LGBTIQA+ people — and the breadth of need and scale of funding necessary to address the compounding disadvantages LGBTIQA+ people face, particularly in rural and regional areas. 

Last year, Stephen Bates MP tabled a petition 5,000 signatures-strong from Evalyn Venture in Federal Parliament calling on the ABS to include these questions in the Census. Equality Australia has also run its CountUsIn campaign with thousands of people Australia-wide signing up. 

Stephen Bates MP, Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson

“Today, Anthony Albanese and Labor have — once again — betrayed the LGBTIQA+ community.  

“Clearly LGBTIQA+ rights don’t matter to Labor anymore. Labor has backpedalled and stalled on every reform that would improve the lives of queer people.

“Labor has failed to deliver protections for LGBTIQA+ teachers and students, Labor has failed to deliver the LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing action plan, and now Labor’s even failed at the bare minimum to count LGBTIQA+ appropriately in the Census. 

“It is abundantly clear that Labor in Opposition and Labor in Government are two entirely different parties. They say one thing and do another.

“You can’t trust the major parties to ever defend LGBTIQA+ people.

The Australian Government is pleased to recommend to Her Excellency, the Governor-General, that Abigail Bradshaw CSC be appointed as the new Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), succeeding Rachel Noble PSM.

Subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council, the change will take effect on 6 September 2024.

Ms Bradshaw has served with distinction as Deputy Director-General ASD and Head of ASD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) since March 2020. The ACSC is the Australian Government’s technical authority on cyber security. It provides an avenue for organisations large and small to partner with Government and adopt a security framework to protect their information technology and operational technology systems, applications, and data from cyber threats.

Ms Bradshaw has played a pivotal role in developing partnerships between Government and industries domestically and internationally. She has led ASD’s response to nationally-significant cyber security incidents and has spearheaded the Government’s cyber security partnership with industry, forging critical partnerships which underpin Australia’s national resilience.

Ms Bradshaw brings with her a wealth of experience in cyber security, intelligence and Australia’s national security, including roles in the Royal Australian Navy, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Home Affairs and Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

The Government thanks Rachel Noble PSM for her leadership of the Australian Signals Directorate over almost five years. During her time as Director-General, Ms Noble oversaw the growth of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, enabling it to better protect Australian businesses and community, and continued improvements to Australia’s offensive cyber and signals intelligence capabilities. 

The first female to head an Australian statutory intelligence agency, Ms Noble also oversaw the development and delivery of ASD’s transformation under the REDSPICE program – the largest ever investment in Australia’s signals intelligence and cyber capability.

A new head of ASD’s ACSC will be appointed in due course.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister

“I congratulate Abigail Bradshaw on her appointment as Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate.

“At a time of increasingly complex geostrategic challenges, Ms Bradshaw’s expertise in both cyber and national security matters will be critically important in leading ASD to continue protecting our nation.

“Rachel Noble has led ASD with distinction over almost five years and I would like to thank her for her service to our country.”

Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence

“Abigail Bradshaw’s experience in cyber, national security, crisis management and incident response uniquely equips her to lead the Australian Signals Directorate as it continues to defend Australia against global threats and advance our nation’s interests.

“As Head of ASD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre, Ms Bradshaw has strengthened relationships with cyber security leaders and private network owners in Australia and internationally, including our Five Eyes partners.

“Her appointment demonstrates the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring our national intelligence community remains at the forefront of global efforts to bolster national defence and security against increasingly sophisticated malicious cyber activity.

“I would like to thank Rachel Noble for her leadership and foresight, which has seen ASD significantly expand its cyber and intelligence capabilities over recent years, including under the REDSPICE program, and I wish her well into the future.”

Abigail Bradshaw CSC

“It is an absolute privilege to be appointed as the next Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate. I look forward to leading the incredible mission-focused team at ASD as we continue to advance Australia’s national interests.

“ASD’s focus will remain steadfast on continuing our proud history of support to the Australian Defence Force, collecting foreign signals intelligence, conducting cyber offensive operations and protecting Australians from cyber threats.”

The peak body for NSW native forests has called for Premier Chris Minns to consult with them on a clear strategy to exit native forest logging in this term of Government. The Forest Alliance NSW has informed the Government that they expect to be consulted on the soon to be announced future of forests plan. Their 5 demands include a roadmap for the end of native forest logging, an industry transition plan, and inclusion of forest ecology experts on any formal advisory panel.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “The environment and forest movement in NSW is united behind the calls for an urgent end to native forest logging in NSW, and the Forest Alliance has laid out our expectations in this statement,”

“We expect that the Government will be announcing their promised roadmap for forests and forestry in the coming weeks, but we will not accept an industry led process that continues the destruction of native forests. Our forests simply cannot afford for logging to continue past this term of Government,”

“There is a genuine concern that the Minns Labor Government is planning to continue the unprofitable and extinction-driving logging of our public native forests, making them more susceptible to intense fire, while attempting to greenwash the practice – just like the former Coalition Government,”

“The high profile logging of threatened species, including the Greater Glider and Koala, is costing the people of NSW a future that has healthy forests and access to iconic and critical forest dependent species. The Forestry Corporation has proved themselves to be bad faith and untrustworthy custodians of natural heritage, and so-called ‘sustainable’ native forest logging a sick joke that costs us millions of dollars every year,”

“There must be an interim plan for communities to apply for an exemption from logging for critical native forests, to ensure that the Forestry Corporation cannot double down on logging in areas that are the last foothold for biodiversity. The logging within the Great Koala National Park, and forests like the proposed Kiwarrak Flora Reserve show that the rogue Forestry Corporation will not stop their destruction without immediate Government intervention,” Ms Higginson said.

New electric vehicle (EV) chargers continue to come online across Canberra thanks to funding from the ACT Government.

Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury said the new DC fast chargers are now operational in Calwell, Curtin, Jamison Plaza, Braddon and Hobart Place in the City.

“The new DC fast chargers in these areas brings the total amount of public chargers in the ACT to 170, which means we are well on track in reaching our goal of 180 by 2025,” Minister Rattenbury said.

“It’s exciting to see more fast chargers installed in areas we know have been asking for more infrastructure, and it’s great we’ve been able to see the rollout progress throughout the Territory with more chargers in the north, the south, and the inner city.

“Government funding continues to support the rollout of a mix of DC fast chargers and slower AC chargers. This gives the community flexibility on how they would like to charge their vehicle, whether it’s a quick top-up while heading into the shop or cafe, or a longer stay when they are at work or school.

“We now have an established EV charger network in the ACT, which means government funding can support new chargers that fill gaps in the existing network. More EV chargers will be coming soon in strategic locations across Canberra that are supported by the ACT Government’s Public EV Charging Infrastructure Fund. 

“Transport currently accounts for over 60% of ACT emissions, but more and more Canberrans are making the switch to electric, with the ACT having the highest update of EV ownership in the country.

“We are continuing to support Canberrans making the transition to an electric vehicle through stamp duty exemptions, lower registration, and interest free loans,” said Minister Rattenbury.

The new public chargers are operated by Evie Networks. Seven public chargers received support from ACT Government. Two additional public chargers, one each at Jamison Plaza and Calwell, have been installed with the support of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). This brings the total number of chargers at the five sites to nine.

Find out more about public charging in the ACT on the Everyday Climate Choices website.

Adrian Salinas, Knowledge Sharing Manager – Transport Portfolio of ARENA:

“The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is supporting the rollout of charging infrastructure under the Driving the Nation Program to support projects that reduce road transport emissions through EV uptake by improving access to advanced EV charging infrastructure.

“Grants are expected to deliver innovative charging solutions for Australians such as those living in apartment blocks and in our remote and regional communities.

“This investment will help ensure Australia’s EV charging infrastructure is accessible and modern, and will inform regulation that will make it easier to install and operate chargers.”

Geoff Brady, Chief Operating Officer of Evie Networks:

“We’re excited to further expand the Evie fast charging network in the ACT thanks to the invaluable support from the ACT Government and ARENA.

This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to making electric vehicle charging convenient, sustainable and widely available.”

I congratulate Hamish MacDonald and Rully Kurniawan, the recipients of the Elizabeth O’Neill Journalism Award for 2024.

Mr MacDonald is a co-host of ABC Radio National Global Roaming program and a Walkley Award winner. Mr Kurniawan is a senior correspondent for CNN Indonesia with over 19 years’ experience in broadcast media.

They have each demonstrated a commitment to furthering their understanding of Indonesia and Australia respectively.

The Award will support Mr MacDonald to spend two weeks in Indonesia and Mr Kurniawan to spend two weeks in Australia. They will engage in specialised programs to deepen their understanding of contemporary issues in each country.

The Award commemorates the distinguished career of Elizabeth O’Neill OAM, who died while serving her country in Indonesia on 7 March 2007. It continues the legacy of Ms O’Neill, who was passionate about fostering mutual understanding of Australia and Indonesia through informed media coverage.

The Award is open to high-achieving journalists from print, radio, television and online media organisations across Australia and Indonesia.

Labor and the Greens have teamed up to ram through new mandatory disclosure laws which impose an unacceptable compliance burden on the Australian economy.

Treasury analysis confirms these changes impose a $2.3 billion a year compliance cost on Australian businesses. This cost will be passed on to small businesses and is bad for investment, bad for the economy and bad for productivity.

The government motion was supported by Senators David Van, Jacquie Lambie, and David Pocock.

Australia is entrenched in a GDP per capita recession and almost 19,000 businesses have gone insolvent since the government came to power. Now is not the time to add even more red tape and $1.3 million per year, per business to comply.

These new climate reporting requirements also put Australia out of line with international peers. The United States, Canada, Japan, and most of Australia’s trading partners do not require the reporting of Scope 3 emissions.

The Productivity Commission has confirmed to Senate Estimates that this sort of misalignment in regulation will harm investment and make Australian business less competitive.

The inclusion of Scope 3 emissions reporting means big companies will pass risk and costs down their supply chain to their small business customers – this could be a farmer banking with a big company, a café owner in the lobby of a big company, a building supplier fitting out the office of a big company, or a manufacturer buying components from a big company.

At Senate Estimates, ASIC and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman confirmed that this massive compliance cost will be passed on to small businesses.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Labor’s relentless attacks on Australian small business must stop.

“This green tape bomb comes on top of Labor’s cuts to small business tax concessions, anti-competitive workplace laws and soaring energy bills.

“The Albanese Labor Government is essentially outsourcing activism to stop programs and industries they don’t like.

“Activists may tell banks to stop lending to farmers who don’t do as they’re told. And a tradie doing office fit outs may have to work out the emissions from their ute and report it to the company they’re doing the fit out for.

“Unlike Labor and the Greens, the Coalition will make it easier to do business and boost productivity by tackling anti-competitive red tape.”

Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Luke Howarth said the government has given up on reducing red tape.

“In a cost of living and doing business crisis, more red tape is the last thing the Australian economy needs.

Unnecessary regulation ultimately costs small businesses and consumers by raising prices. The former Coalition Government had a strong deregulation agenda which has fallen by the wayside under Labor.”