Category: Australian News

The Greens stand in solidarity and compassion with the community of the Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing after they were targeted with Anti-Muslim vandalism on Thursday night.

Everyone should be able to practice their faith in community in peace and with respect from the wider community. But politicians like Pauline Hanson are spreading anti-muslim and anti-migrant rhetoric and emboldening people to carry out racist actions like the vandalism at Virgin Mary Mosque. 

The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) has reported a terrifying increase in Anti-Muslim attacks with an increase of 1313% in reported harassment, verbal abuse, vandalism and online threats since October 2023 and 229% increase alone in the last year. 

The Greens will always stand alongside our community and ICV calls for meaningful investment in anti racism initiatives and say it starts with the full implementation of the recommendations from the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the rise of the far right. 

Victorian Greens Multicultural spokesperson, Anasina Gray-Barberio:

“All Victorians should be able to gather with their community to practice their faith in peace and with the respect from the wider community. But politicians like Pauline Hanson are emboldening social hostility against our muslim communities”.

“The vandalism at Virgin Mary Mosque is a targeted message of exclusion and intimidation on communities of faith. The Greens will continue to advocate for strengthened support for these targeted communities”.

“We can have a community where everyone is free to worship in peace with respect. But that starts with addressing the problem. Labor needs to urgently implement all of the recommendations from the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the rise of the far right ”. 

Labor has struck a serious blow to all public transport users – backing away from their commitment to free fares for concession card holders and cutting the rapid R2 and R3 bus services relied on by West Belconnen residents.

“Canberrans are understandably frustrated. Under this new plan, how are people expected to get to work, get their kids to school, or meet their daily commitments without these rapid, essential routes?”

“The impact of these decisions cannot be overstated. The frequency of the R4 is dropping affecting Tuggeranong residents, whilst residents of west Belconnen will miss their rapid services, significantly disrupting people’s lives,” said Andrew Braddock MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport.

“Labor has chosen to pull bus services from the outer suburbs, making an existing problem much worse. Buses are the answer to congestion, not the thing you cut when there are going to be more cars on the road.

“Residents in Canberra’s outer areas deserve the same level of reliable public transport as those in the inner city, but Labor continues to leave them behind.

“The Friday and Saturday night fares is a gimmick to replace election campaign fare-free Fridays gimmick.”

“Canberrans don’t want random fare-free periods that keep changing, they want convenient, reliable, and accessible public transport.”

“Rather than making public transport cheaper for concession card holders such as students and seniors, they’re subsidising travel for those who would already be going out for dinner.

“These poor decisions will encourage people off of public transport and into cars, exacerbating the very congestion the government should be trying to alleviate.”

Mr Braddock also criticised the decision to delay releasing details of the network changes until after the final parliamentary sitting day.

“Withholding this information until the end of the parliamentary year is yet another instance of Labor using process to avoid scrutiny and accountability.”

Jo Clay, ACT Greens Member for Ginninderra has sponsored a petition calling on the Government to reverse the cuts to the R2 and R3 routes to ensure West Belconnen residents maintain access to reliable, convenient public transport.

“Belconnen resident Dani Hunterford started the community petition because there are so many people who really rely on the R2 and R3. West Belconnen has very poor public and active travel connections. Cutting the few options we have is a bad decision,” Ms Clay said.

“This will only increase congestion in Belconnen. The Greens, along with the community have been calling for more buses and more drivers for decades. It’s a clear sign of poor performance when the Transport Minister is cutting services at the very moment we need them most.

The NSW Government has today announced that greyhound racing at Wentworth Park will end in 2027, with the park to be returned to the community and redeveloped into community parklands and sporting grounds. This is a huge win for greyhounds, their advocates, and the community, who have been campaigning for years to see the end of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park.

The Greens have been staunch in their advocacy to ban this cruel and inhumane industry. We will continue to fight until greyhound racing is banned across the country.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for Animal Welfare:

“This is a big win for so many of us who have campaigned for years to shut down this death track where greyhounds are killed, maimed and injured at the altar of gambling and racing.

“This is the beginning of the end of greyhound racing in Sydney and New South Wales, with people rejecting this gambling-fuelled cruelty and their tax dollars being used to subsidise it.

“The greyhound industry comparing this death track to the SCG is just preposterous. In case they are confused, playing cricket is the polar opposite of killing greyhounds.

“The closure of one of the deadliest greyhound tracks in NSW shows that pressure works and governments can be forced to change their will against all odds.

“We will not stop here. Our campaigns for ending public funding for greyhound racing, returning tracks to public spaces and to shut down this cruelty are only gaining momentum. We will not stop until we end greyhound racing for good.”

Kobi Shetty, NSW Greens MP for Balmain:

“The decision to return Wentworth Park to our community is incredibly welcome and long overdue.

“We’ve had thousands of people engaged with this campaign over many years. Just this weekend, we had a huge community picnic to reclaim Wentworth Park. People gathered to show the NSW Government how this space should be used. And I know they’ll all be so happy to hear that the government has listened to their calls.

“Pyrmont and Ultimo are already two of the most densely populated suburbs in Australia. If the state government is looking to squeeze in even more apartments, having full access to Wentworth Park is so important to ensure our growing community has ample quality green space and sufficient facilities to cope.”

Abigail Boyd MLC, NSW Greens spokesperson for Animal Welfare:

“We welcome this long overdue announcement, that kicks greyhound racing out of the heart of Sydney. Closing the deadliest greyhound racing track in NSW and returning this land to public use is a huge win for the community and everyone opposed to the cruelty of greyhound racing in NSW.

“For too long, the Wentworth Park greyhound racing track has stood as a colosseum of cruelty in the heart of Sydney, a painful symbol of cruelty and social harm. Greyhound racing has no future in NSW. First out of Sydney, and next, the state.

“It’s time for the Minns Labor government to stop pumping public money into this morally bankrupt industry and shut it down for good. The Greens are ready to work with the government to phase out this untenable industry with a transition program that will reskill industry workers, resource impacted communities, repurpose racetracks to community-owned spaces, and safely rehome all greyhounds.

“The Greens are calling on the Minns Labor government to finally release the Drake Report that they’ve been sitting on for months now. Every day they delay its release is another day Labor provides cover for an industry that has well and truly lost its social licence.”

Reports in yesterday’s Australian Financial Review that Airservices Australia is exploring partial privatisation should be thoroughly put to bed by the Minister, say the Greens.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown, Greens spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities:

“Decisions in the 90s to privatise valuable public assets like the Commonwealth Bank, CSL and Qantas have been a disaster for Australians.

“The Minister must categorically rule out privatising parts of Airservices.

“The services that Airservices oversees – air traffic control and firefighting – are an absolutely critical part of aviation safety. They cannot be compromised in any way by making the profit motive a factor in decision making.

“What we will see under this proposal is private companies taking control of these critical assets, and cutting corners on repairs and upgrades to save them money at the expense of the safety of the industry.

“Airservices already relies too much on revenue from the private sector which compromises their impartiality. 

“It’s a bad deal for Australians, not only compromising safety by introducing a profit-driven “partner” for these critical services, but also hitting taxpayers who would be leasing them back anyway, costing us all in the long run.”

UN inspectors have again been blocked from visiting Australian detention centres, leaving Australia as the only nation on earth that has refused access.

The CLP government in Northern Territory has refused the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention inspectors access to NT detention facilities again despite Federal Government assurances that all states and territories would cooperate.

This is the second failed attempt by UN inspectors to access prisons and watchhouses in Australia to check for torture-like conditions with the previous visit embarrassingly aborted in 2022 after they were denied full access in NSW and Queensland.

After the failed visit by the torture inspectors in 2022 we asked in November that year what the federal Labor government had done to ensure access to all states and territories – at that stage they assured us they had written letters to all jurisdictions. 

We have continued to follow this up multiple times since including in Senate Estimates. As recently as November 2025 Labor assured us:

 “The Australian Government continues to work with states and territories to support the implementation of Australia’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)… (and) the Commonwealth continues to engage in a constructive dialogue with the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to support Australia’s OPCAT implementation”. 

They appear to have dropped the ball on this visit however. 

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge: 

“The Federal Government promised in November 2022 they had written to all jurisdictions to ensure access to UN inspectors. Three years later, those promises ring hollow.

“As recently as November 2025, the Commonwealth assured us they were working with states and territories and engaging in “constructive dialogue” with the UN. Whatever the Federal Labor government has done has not worked, and the inspectors have again been denied entry.

“Three years of letters, meetings, and “constructive dialogue” have produced nothing but broken promises and blocked access. This is a failure of national leadership.

“The NT Ombudsman’s recent report exposed appalling conditions in the territory’s detention facilities that would clearly raise the interest of the UN inspectors. 

“We know why the NT government won’t let UN inspectors in, but why is the Federal Government again providing them political cover? 

“The Commonwealth funds 80% of the Northern Territory government budget, including its brutal jails. If they’re funding it, they should demand to open it. If they won’t they should cut off funding to these torture factories. 

“You can’t bankroll a system and then claim you have no power to demand accountability.

“This isn’t just a failure of transparency like we see time and again under this Government, it’s also a failure to uphold Australia’s international human rights obligations under international laws. 

Kat McNamara, NT MLA: 

“We know that the CLP Government is attempting to hide the ongoing human rights abuses that are occurring in NT prisons, this secrecy cannot be accepted.”

“The Minister for Corrections claimed that he welcomed the Ombudsman’s damning report into NT watch houses and yet are blocking attempts for transparency and accountability.”

“The CLP Government cannot be trusted with our prison systems, they have repeatedly told the public that they do not care about the rights of detainees. The Federal Government must intervene now.”

“The only reason you would deny access to a UN body investigating torture and other inhumane treatment in your facilities is because you know that these human rights abuses are occurring.”

The Minns Labor Government has today released the draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP), a 20-year vision to guide the region’s transport future and support one of the most strategically important and fast-growing regions in NSW.

For the first time in over a decade, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven communities will be able to view an integrated long-term plan that sets out priorities based on evidence, data and extensive consultation with more than forty stakeholders including councils, members of parliament and community groups.

The draft Plan identifies a range of short, medium and long term actions across public transport, active transport, roads and freight to support the region’s population growth and changing needs.

The Minns Government is calling on the community to have their say.

Community members can view the draft Plan and provide comment until Monday, 9 February 2026 at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/illawarra-shoalhaven.

A community survey has been designed to help people provide feedback easily, and more detailed submissions can be uploaded or sent to engage.sritps@transport.nsw.gov.au or PO Box 477, Wollongong NSW 2520.

During the public feedback period, Transport for NSW staff will also be out across the region speaking directly with residents at local pop-up sessions.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park said:

“The Illawarra is growing fast, and our transport network needs to grow with it. This draft Plan gives our community a clear view of what the next twenty years can look like.

“This work is about helping people get to work, school, the hospital and the beach more easily while keeping freight moving to support local jobs and industry.

“For locals, it means more reliable public transport, safer roads and stronger connections between our towns, suburbs and regional centres.

“I encourage the community to take a look and share feedback so we can keep shaping a strong transport future for the region.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“This draft Plan is laying important groundwork to support the Illawarra and Shoalhaven’s fast growing community. 

“As a major and fast expanding centre our community deserves transport planning for the future.

“The plan reflects the work the Minns Labor Government have been delivering through planning reforms and other initiatives in the region setting out practical actions to support new homes, new jobs and a growing population.

“By working closely with councils and community groups, we are making sure the long term vision for our region is coordinated, evidence based and ready for delivery.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“Today we are releasing a long-term vision that has been built with and for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven communities.

“Only the Minns Labor Government will deliver the well planned, people focused transport network that this growing region needs.

“We heard loud and clear that people want more travel choices, safer roads and better connections between towns and regional centres. This draft Plan reflects those priorities.

“I want to thank every resident and stakeholder who has shared feedback so far. Your insights help ensure the final Plan truly reflects the needs of the region.”

Member for South Coast, Liza Butler said:

“Our communities have been calling for safer roads and stronger connections between towns for many years. This draft Plan finally puts these priorities on the table.

“Reliable transport options make a real difference whether you live in Ulladulla, Nowra or our smaller coastal villages. I encourage everyone to have their say.”

Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart said:

“This draft Plan puts people first. It recognises that families across the region need safe, reliable and efficient ways to get around.

“I want the community to jump online, take a look and help us shape the final Plan.”

Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson said:

“This is an important milestone for our region. For the first time in a long while, we have a draft blueprint that reflects what Shellharbour residents have been saying for years.

“The plan sets out achievable actions that can improve public transport, strengthen safety and make life easier for the community.”

Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerny said:

“The Illawarra and Shoalhaven are experiencing strong growth and need a transport network that keeps pace with that change.

“This draft Plan outlines practical ideas to improve public transport, boost safety and make it easier for people to access work, study and essential services.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will travel to Washington DC for the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) on 8 December.

They will meet with their counterparts US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

AUSMIN 2025 will mark 40 years of Australia-United States Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister consultations, demonstrating the strength of the Alliance and the importance of our continued cooperation in our region.

Following AUSMIN the Deputy Prime Minister will join Secretary Hegseth and the UK Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey, for an AUKUS Defence Ministers’ meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:

“Australia’s Alliance with the United States is fundamental to our national security, built on our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

“AUSMIN is an invaluable forum to set the strategic direction for the Alliance, including on defence and security.”

“I look forward to advancing our strong defence partnership, including through AUKUS and our long-standing US Force Posture Initiatives in Australia.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“The United States is Australia’s principal ally and strategic partner.

“For four decades, AUSMIN has enabled foreign and defence consultations during periods of great strategic change and challenge. Together, we are working to shape the Indo-Pacific for the better.

“AUSMIN 2025 is an opportunity to advance priorities that deliver for Australia, the United States and our region.”

The Prime Minister will be on leave for five days from Monday 1 December 2025.

During most of this time, the Deputy Prime Minister will be Acting Prime Minister. 

The Deputy Prime Minister is expected to travel to Papua New Guinea from Tuesday morning to Wednesday afternoon. During this time Minister Wong will be Acting Prime Minister.

Starting this Wednesday, children under the age of 16 will be banned from having ­social media accounts.

This will be one of the ­biggest social and cultural changes our nation has faced. It is profound reform which will be a source of national pride in years to come.

The onus will be on social media companies to ensure no child under 16 is on their platforms. If they have not taken reasonable steps to remove them they will have broken Australian law and be subject to substantial fines. Social media companies have a social responsibility. That responsibility starts with the protection of Australian children.

This is a world-leading move by Australia and it is a change driven, overwhelmingly, by Australian parents. As Prime Minister, I’ve had the sombre experience of meeting with mums and dads who have seen their child’s wellbeing crushed by the worst of social media, many living with the devastating pain of losing a child. Yet these ­extraordinary Australians have found courage and selflessness to channel their grief into advocating for this reform because they are determined to do everything they can to spare other families the suffering they have known.

We’re doing this for those parents – and for every parent. Because this law is about making it easier for you to have a conversation with your child about the risks and harms of engaging online. It’s also about helping parents push back against peer pressure. You don’t have to worry that by stopping your child using ­social media, you’re somehow making them the odd one out. Now, instead of trying to set a “family rule”, you can point to a national ban.

The eSafety Commissioner will begin collecting the data from platforms to check how many under 16s are on, and off, and this information will be made public.

From the beginning, we’ve acknowledged this process won’t be 100 per cent perfect.

But the message this law sends will be 100 per cent clear. For example, Australia sets the legal drinking age at 18 because our society recognises the ­benefits to the individual and the community of such an ­approach. The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear, ­national standard.

Our social media ban is about providing greater peace of mind for Australian parents. It’s also about making sure that Australian children have a childhood.

This will be a significant change, and change can be difficult, but Australians work best when we work together. It was parents who worked ­together to make this reform a reality, it will be all Australians working together to make this a moment of national pride.

From December 10, Australian kids will have more time to be kids and Australian parents will have greater peace of mind. The courage of all those parents who have fought for this ban will change lives – and it will save lives.

Originally published as Social media firms face huge fines under new Australian ban (News.com.au).

Australia will start manufacturing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles this month after the opening of a new factory in Port Wakefield, South Australia.

As part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign guided weapons industry and a future made in Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Defence will commence production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at the facility by the end of 2025.

The project will create around 20 new manufacturing jobs on-site and support hundreds more across the supply chain, driven by the Albanese Government’s investment.

The GMLRS missile is a precision strike weapon launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) recently acquired under the Australian Army’s long-range fires project.

The announcement today also marks a significant milestone in Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise plan, meeting the production schedule outlined by the government last year. The factory – designed and built by Intract Australia, an Indigenous-owned and -operated company – was completed in just under seven months.

The Port Wakefield factory will be only the second facility in the world to produce GMLRS outside Lockheed Martin’s facility in Camden, Arkansas. This achievement deepens Australia–United States defence ties and opens significant export opportunities.

The first cohort of Australian workers has successfully completed training at the Camden facility, accelerating knowledge transfer and strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

This project forms part of the Albanese Government’s investment of up to $21 billion over the decade to acquire more long-range strike systems and manufacture longer-range munitions in Australia.

Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Starting missile production in Australia this year is a major step in building the industrial strength our nation needs. It’s about creating advanced manufacturing capability that will serve Australia for decades to come.

“This factory is part of a bigger picture – growing a high-tech industry that supports skilled jobs, drives innovation and strengthens Australia’s economy. It’s a clear example of what a future made in Australia looks like.

“Producing these missiles in Australia demonstrates both the strength of our alliance with the United States and the capability of Australian industry.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“The opening of this factory delivers on the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign missile manufacturing industry. It’s about jobs for locals and a future made in Australia.

“This is a significant milestone and a proud moment for Australia. This will make us more self-reliant and strengthen our national security.

“It reaffirms our defence partnership with the United States, including our growing collaboration on guided weapons and explosive ordnance, and will equip our ADF with long-range strike capability that will help keep Australians safe.”

Mr Patrick Mason, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DE&C):

“The opening of this GMLRS manufacturing facility in Port Wakefield represents a transformative milestone in U.S.-Australia defence cooperation. 

This partnership not only strengthens our shared commitment to regional security but also demonstrates the power of allied innovation in building resilient defence supply chains. 

Our nations’ goal to collaborate on guided weapons manufacturing exemplifies the deep trust and interoperability that defines our alliance, while potentially creating new opportunities for both countries to support partners across the Indo-Pacific region.”