Category: Australian News

Google’s updated health and medicines policy threatens to limit or stop Australian healthcare providers from advertising their abortion and contraception services unless they are certified by a US based, for-profit company. 

Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters

“Google has a bad habit of overstepping when it comes to Australia’s healthcare regulations. Unlike in the US, abortion and contraception is legal, telehealth is a vital part of our healthcare system, and people don’t need more barriers to information about either.

“Access to safe, legal abortion remains a postcode lottery in Australia, with different rules, costs and availability depending on where you live. The last thing we need in Australia is a US based company regulating our access to information about reproductive healthcare.

“MSI Australia suggests the cost to their organisation would be more than $4700 in registration and annual fees. That money would be much better spent supporting people to access essential reproductive healthcare.

“Abortion and contraception are legal, basic healthcare services. They should be safe, accessible and freely available everywhere in Australia, including on Google.”

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has today tabled its investigation report into Operation Harrisdale – an investigation into a car crash in the NorthConnex and allegations of a police cover-up.

The report details an investigation into a senior police officer known only as AB who crashed his car after allegedly consuming 23.5 standard drinks, lied about it in official police records and attempted to commit insurance fraud. The officer (whose identity is to be kept secret for the next 40 years) reported both in his insurance claim and police safe driving entry that he fell asleep at the wheel with no mention of alcohol.

The report describes acts of deliberate impropriety by police, the routine deletion of messages among officers, and makes clear the need for further resourcing and expanded powers for an independent watchdog, finding ‘a number of ordinary misconduct processes only occurred after questions were asked by the Commission’s Oversight Investigator.’

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “The Harrisdale report paints a damning picture of how police leadership instinctively protect themselves and their own.”

“When a senior officer crashed a vehicle while drunk and committed insurance fraud, police pursued ‘arm’s length’ internal investigations and stated their main concern was that the officer ‘got through the ordeal with as much support as possible’. This, Harrisdale finds, is not unusual.”

“The impunity was full throttle on this occasion. Without LECC oversight and public scrutiny, it does not appear that NSW police would have issued media statements about the initial incident, or followed basic internal accountability measures following the incident. This is the culture at NSW police and it is unacceptable,”

“This was outright lying and gross misconduct from a senior member of the force and it was enabled by an embedded culture of impunity and coverup at NSW police,”

“It’s alarming that police officers are routinely deleting work messages out of apparent concern they could be made a matter of public record. The Commissioner must set the record straight and put and end to this practice immediately,”

“When police do the wrong thing, they must be held accountable and the public must know. Instead, this officer maintained his prestigious position, continued to hold his driver’s licence and was immediately given access to another police vehicle. It was only when the LECC started asking questions three months after the accident that a safe driving panel was established,”

“We simply don’t have an effective police integrity and accountability system. The LECC does excellent work, but it is reactive, has limited resources and powers and is routinely obstructed by police in the courts. A police force we can trust requires a watchdog with proactive powers and teeth,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education Spokesperson has responded to recently released student contribution rates which reveal a standard three year arts degree will cost around $51,000 while a law degree will cost around $85,000.
 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“The Albanese government’s refusal to scrap the disgraceful, punitive fee hikes of the Coalition’s job-ready graduates package is making the student debt crisis much worse. Students are graduating with bigger and bigger debts.

“In opposition, Labor spoke a big game against the Morrison Government’s fee hikes for degrees like arts, business and law. In Government, they’ve shown their true colours, continuing the Coalition’s crusade against young people and students.

“Labor’s student debt relief policy is a bad joke. It still means student debts rising by 11.5% in their first term of Government and arts degrees costing over $50,000. That’s not a solution, that’s a disaster for people already crushed by a housing and cost of living crisis. 

“Soaring student debt is already locking people out of the housing market, crushing dreams of further study and stopping people from starting a family, and Labor is making things worse.

“With the Albanese Government backing Morrison’s university fee hikes, and student debt ballooning out of control, young people are telling me that they’re finding it harder and harder to tell Labor and the Liberals apart.

“The Universities Accord Final Report was scathing in its assessment of the Job-ready Graduates package, stating that it was a failure that needs urgent remediation. The Government is completely ignoring this advice and students will pay the price for years to come.”

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.