Category: Australian News

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will host their Republic of Korea (ROK) counterparts for the Australia-ROK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Melbourne on 1 May 2024.

The meeting with ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Tae-yul, and Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, will advance our shared interest in promoting peace and prosperity in our region, deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and globally, and growing defence and security ties, under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Australia and the Republic of Korea are closely aligned partners with a strong relationship underpinned by a significant and complementary trading relationship, and vibrant people-to-people links.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Shin will also visit Hanwha Defence Australia’s facility in Avalon, Victoria.

the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“I am delighted to host Minister Shin’s first visit to Australia as National Defense Minister and look forward to building on the productive discussions we had in October 2023.

“Australia and the Republic of Korea share a deep and historic defence relationship, dating back 74 years to the start of the Korean War. In that conflict and ever since, we have worked together to defend the rules-based international order and ensure our region remains peaceful, secure and prosperous.

“I highly value the expansion of our defence industry cooperation. The future Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence will provide a significant economic boost to Australian defence industry and manufacturing capabilities, and deliver hundreds of jobs to the local community.”

Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong

“Australia and the Republic of Korea are comprehensive strategic partners committed to working together to build the type of region we want.

“We are two countries who understand the value of peace and the cost of war. We are working together to help shape a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. Together we help maintain a regional balance of power where no country dominates and no country is dominated.

“The Republic of Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy enhances development and diplomatic engagement in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Australia will continue to work closely with the Republic of Korea as it implements the strategy.”

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women, Larissa Waters

“Thousands of people joined marches around the country yesterday calling for an end to gendered violence, and for the declaration of a national emergency in the face of an escalating death toll of women. 

“Labor’s response has been lacklustre in the face of this public outcry. The total funding commitment to the National Plan over five years is $2.23 billion, less than half the $5 billion the women’s safety sector is calling for.

“Women’s Legal Services have said they are turning away 52,000 people a year because they don’t have the funding they need to keep up with demand.

“There is no national record of the number of women killed by violence in this country. Instead we rely on volunteer work of organisations like Counting Dead Women and Australian Femicide Watch. This data should be kept by the government, as we do for the road toll, to encourage reduction of the numbers of deaths.

“Stopping violence against women will take systemic action to tackle root causes and transform harmful social norms, but it also requires adequate funding of the organisations that do the hard work on the frontlines of this epidemic. 

“Prevention must be prioritised to stop women being killed by men’s violence and to dismantle our persistent rape culture. While consent and respectful relationships education is now mandatory in our national curriculum, more funding is needed to properly resource public schools and specialist third-party providers to deliver and implement this education.

“An alarming number of people still disbelieve or victim-blame survivors of assault. We desperately need to overhaul the criminal justice system so that trauma-informed training guides police and judges.” 

Greens portfolio holder for First Nations, Senator Dorinda Cox

“The Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children Inquiry and hearings, has sadly shone a light on the historic and current failures for First Nations communities when trying to keep women and children safe from violence.

“First Nations women and children are disproportionately impacted but as we saw from the rallies this weekend, this is a national emergency that impacts us all.

“I refuse to ask women to carry the burden of keeping themselves and their children safe. This makes us complicit and as a community we all have a responsibility to say enough is enough. 

“It is now time for all Australians to stop being silent and use their everyday power to stop violence against women and children.

“Let’s stop asking women why they dont leave or what were you wearing? And start calling it for what it is,  men’s violence that is not acceptable. It should never be condoned and should include appropriate consequences including adequate bail conditions, in order to protect women and children.

“I acknowledge that many men rallied yesterday and we need to encourage more men to stand up and challenge other men. Help raise our boys with good role models and stop protecting men who use violence against women with lame excuses. 

“Now is the time for Labor to adequately fund early intervention, crisis response and healing/recovery services.

“For those who use violence, we need to provide accessible and appropriate well funded behaviour change services and opportunities to see their is a better way. 

“Labor also needs to fund and ensure culturally safe and place based services and responses that consider Australia’s diversity of cultures, language groups and terrains and the needs of regional and remote communities. 

“In order to do this, they need to immediately review the process for allocation of the block funding as we know that this process is flawed.

“Labor needs to implement the capturing of national data as we can’t provide adequate funding response if we are not capturing and sharing data that will inform appropriate funding allocation and honour the lives of those killed.” 
 

The Albanese and Miles Governments are harnessing the power and potential of quantum technologies to help deliver a Future Made in Australia and make Brisbane a tech manufacturing powerhouse.

The Australian and Queensland Governments will invest almost $1 billion into frontier technology company PsiQuantum to build the world’s first fault tolerant quantum computer in Brisbane.

PsiQuantum’s co-founders include Australians Professor Jeremy O’Brien and Professor Terry Rudolph, and the beginnings of its world leading computing approach were developed by Professor O’Brien at the University of Queensland.

This investment marks the start of a manufacturing and production partnership with Queensland and Australia that will create up to 400 new highly skilled ongoing jobs with the company.

Quantum computers are considered the next major development in computing, delivering tremendous data processing power, well beyond the capabilities of today’s super-computers.

That processing power can help solve problems conventional computers can’t and can help drive advances in areas like new medicines, AI and the net zero transition.

PsiQuantum is a global leader in quantum computing and has attracted significant private investment.

The joint government investment into PsiQuantum will secure its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Brisbane.

This will mean hundreds of direct jobs and billions of dollars of direct investment in Australia by PsiQuantum – investment that would otherwise have gone overseas.

As a result the company will become a cornerstone customer of Australia’s digital, quantum and AI supply chains, adding further economic value to the nation.

The joint Commonwealth-Queensland investment includes approximately $470 million in equity and loans from each government.

As part of this investment, PsiQuantum will:

• Establish its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Brisbane.
• Build and operate successive generations of its Fault Tolerant Quantum Computer (FTQC) in Brisbane.
• Create up to 400 highly skilled local jobs.
• Establish partnerships with the local quantum industry and advanced manufacturing clusters.
• Create a dedicated climate research centre.
• Open new digital and advanced tech supply chain opportunities.
• Invest in university and research collaborations, including PhD positions, mentoring and internship opportunities.

This investment aligns with the Government’s commitments under the National Quantum Strategy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“It takes great partnerships to build new industries. We need to make bold investments today if we want to see a Future Made in Australia.

“We are proud to be working with the Queensland Government to make visionary investments in the future of our nation.

“This investment shows we are serious about building a strong quantum ecosystem here in Australia.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles: 

“Today’s announcement cements Queensland’s position as a global leader in the quantum technology industry, backed by our dedicated Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy.

“Quantum will bring billions in economic opportunity to Queensland, which will deliver thousands of high paying tech jobs and the chance for Queenslanders to work in careers that will change the world.

“This investment partnership is as significant for Queensland and the nation as the first silicon microprocessors were to California that established Silicon Valley.

“Queensland and Australia will now be at the epicentre of this world changing technology.”

Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic:

“Quantum tech will drive the growth of advanced manufacturing and the Albanese Government sees this investment in PsiQuantum as a big part of that effort.

“We want to build the quantum tech sector with local talent and we want to bring talented Aussies home to meet our national ambition to make Australia a centre for quantum growth.

“Australia built one of the world’s first digital computers, only to give up our chance to design and develop computing here.

“John Howard’s Government turned its back on the chance to manufacture computer chips in Australia.

“Australia has hugely talented people with great ideas that want to build strong companies and secure jobs. That’s going to help us deliver a Future Made in Australia.”

Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Cameron Dick

“The Queensland Government is delivering on our plan to create more jobs in more industry by diversifying our state’s economy.

“This deal is the result of years of hard work and planning by Queensland Treasury officials, and I congratulate them on this achievement.

“There will be very few seats at the table when it comes to global leadership in quantum technology, and today’s announcement ensures Queensland will have a place.”

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley:

“Quantum computing is a transformational and strategically important technology. It will disrupt all sectors of society. Australia is perfectly placed to achieve a globally significant quantum industry, but we can’t take a business-as-usual approach to realising this potential.

“We must take advantage of the quantum technology wave to reach the industry scale needed by attracting quantum companies to set up manufacturing here. This investment shows that Australia is serious about its quantum industry development by ensuring we are at the front of the pack in the global race to build the first useful quantum computer.”

Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals will be able to register for Australia’s new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) program from 3 June 2024, providing new opportunities for Pacific and Timorese nationals to live, work and study in Australia.

The program will enable up to 3,000 citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year.

This will grow Australia’s diaspora, deepen cultural connections, boost business, and educational ties between Australia and participating countries and support economic development in the Pacific.

Countries participating in the first year of the program include Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, with discussions ongoing with other partners in the region.

The PEV program will use an online ballot to select participants, who can then apply for the visa, providing an equitable, streamlined and transparent system.

Applicants must secure a formal ongoing job offer in Australia and meet health and character requirements, before being granted a visa.

The PEV responds directly to Pacific requests for greater regional mobility, delivering education, skills and economic and development dividends for the region, and linking us more closely together.

Pacific and Timorese nationals participating in the program will have access to a range of supports, including migrant settlement services, English language programs, public schools and healthcare, and financial supports to encourage participation in study and training.

For further information visit Pacific Engagement Visa program.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment to deepen our connections with the Pacific and Timor-Leste with the commencement of the Pacific Engagement Visa.

“Australia has listened to the calls of Pacific leaders and responded, as we play our part for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific.”

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

“The Pacific Engagement Visa demonstrates the high value Australia places on its relationship with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.”

“The program will grow Pacific and Timor-Leste diasporas in Australia, strengthening linkages between our people and encouraging greater cultural, business, economic and educational exchange with Pacific countries.”

“The program has transformative potential, making Australia’s world-class education and training system more accessible for new residents under the Pacific Engagement Visa.”

“Through these impacts, and by boosting remittance flows to Pacific countries, the program will also support economic development and welfare in the Pacific.”

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP:

“The Pacific Engagement Visa program is an opportunity to address the under-representation of Pacific island and Timorese nationals in Australia’s permanent migration program, with less than 1 per cent of permanent migrants currently coming from the region.”

“The program is in keeping with the Government’s Migration Strategy which identifies deepening Australia’s people-to-people links with the Indo-Pacific as one of eight key actions to reform the migration system.”

The Chair of Mental Health Australia has resigned because the labor government has failed to take sufficient action on mental health policy. 

The Australian Greens agree that the government is failing people in Australia when it comes to proactive policies that would improve our communities’ mental health. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Spokesperson for Health:

“We are experiencing a mental health crisis in this country – the former chair of Mental Health Australia knows it, our community knows it, but Labor does not seem to care. 

“This month we’ve seen the Labor government choose to provide billions in handouts to weapons companies, instead of investing in our community and expanding mental health care available through Medicare. 

“We need to see Labor reverse their decision to reduce the number of better access scheme sessions and commit to return to 20 mental healthcare sessions. 

“In the cost of living crisis we’re experiencing there should be no out-of-pocket costs for people accessing mental health care in this country. It is unacceptable that people are in a situation where they need to ration their healthcare because of the cost.

“This is beyond crisis point. The Federal Government must explore ways for people to get affordable mental health care, including expanding the range of mental healthcare professionals that offer services through Medicare.” 

Just published data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade shows that in February 2024 alone Australia directly exported over $1.5 million in ‘arms and ammunition’ to Israel.

This most recent version of DFAT’s monthly ‘country and commodity pivot tables’ shows that the value of the February 2024 exports was nearly as much as the entire value of direct ‘arms and munitions’ exports to Israel since the Albanese Government came to power, collectively over $3.25 million.

The term ‘arms and ammunition’ only refers to guns, bullets, missiles, tanks, swords and other weapons. This definition does not cover the bulk of military goods Australia exports directly to Israel or through third countries, such as engines for drones and military-grade steel for armoured vehicles. These figures also likely do not include weapons exported indirectly, such as F35 fighter parts that likely are channelled through the United States and Europe.

At a recent Senate Estimates hearing, the Chief Economist of DFAT acknowledged that the DFAT data showing Australia has exported $10 million worth of ‘arms and ammunition’ to Israel over the past five years is credible.

UN agencies and experts have called on countries, including Australia, to stop exporting military equipment to Israel for months. These calls are being ignored by the Albanese Government.

Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: “Make no mistake the Albanese Labor Government by permitting these exports to Israel is complicit in the genocide that is occurring. Each of these exports requires the express consent of the Australian government.

“The fact these arms and ammunition exports occurred in February 2024 is appalling. This was five months into the brutal assault on the people of Gaza when the world had witnessed indiscriminate and disproportionate killing and mass starvation being used as a weapon by the Israeli military.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says Australia is still exporting military equipment to Israel, as does the UN and Australian arms manufacturers. It is no longer credible for the Albanese Government to deny this reality.

“It’s remarkable that Australian exporters are being more honest about sending arms and ammunition to Israel in the middle of a genocide than our own Government.

“It is long past time for the Albanese Labor Government to stop the two-way arms trade with the State of Israel. This is their obligation under international humanitarian law and the express provisions of the Genocide Convention.

“How many more deaths will it take, and how many more times will the Government try to mislead the public, before action is taken?”

A Royal Commission could draw further attention to this epidemic, but we already know what needs to be done to reduce and eliminate violence against women: fund and roll-out nationwide prevention programs, fully fund frontline response services including crisis housing, and fix the justice system.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women, Larissa Waters

“Many state and federal parliamentary inquiries into violence against women and children have already been undertaken, creating many excellent recommendations that await implementation. The National Plan likewise contains laudable aspirations.

“A Royal Commission could further delay those urgent actions while women continue to die at the hands of men they know.

“If we want to stop women being murdered, we need to see the government cough up real funding increases in the upcoming budget that are guaranteed in the long-term. 

“We need to properly fund crisis accommodation, so that women and children experiencing violence can find a safe place to sleep.

“We need to fund prevention services, to put an end to the gender inequality and culture of disrespect for women that exists in our society.

“We need to increase income support payments so that women trying to escape violence aren’t forced to choose between a violent home and poverty. 

“These are real, concrete actions Labor can take now to keep women safe. Without waiting for a Royal Commission.”

The Chair of Mental Health Australia has resigned because the Labor government has failed to take sufficient action on mental health policy.

The Australian Greens agree that the government is failing people in Australia when it comes to proactive policies that would improve our communities’ mental health.

The Greens plan includes investing $4.8 billion to ensure mental healthcare is fully covered under Medicare by providing unlimited sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist with no out-of-pocket fees so everyone can get the support they need, when they need it, at every stage of their mental health journey.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Spokesperson for Health

“The Labor government’s obsession with providing billions in handouts to weapons companies instead of investing in our communities has left millions of Australians struggling.

“Last Week Defence Minister Richard Marles announced an additional $50 Billion in funding to accelerate long-range missiles and targeting systems, as well as lethal autonomous systems. This $50 billion could have instead provided free and unlimited mental health care to every resident in Perth and across the country for a century.

“We are experiencing a mental health crisis in this country and instead of getting rid of the arbitrary division between mental health and physical health this government has cut Medicare subsidised psychologist sessions by half.” 

“The Greens want to end the creeping Americanisation of Australia’s healthcare system and bring mental healthcare fully under Medicare so it’s your medicare card and not your bank balance that determines whether you can get the support you need when you need it.”
 

Sophie Greer, Greens Candidate for Perth

“Our community here in Perth are struggling right now and the cost of living crisis is having a significant effect on the mental wellbeing of our community.”

“During COVID the increase in subsidised psychologist sessions was a relief for so many residents who were struggling. It’s unbelievable that the Labor government, including our local member, would support reducing people’s access to affordable mental health care.” 

“1 in 2 people in Australia experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, and our Perth community is in urgent need of more community mental health support. 

“The Greens plan will see a huge investment into our healthcare system, it’ll support our local mental health workforce and ensure people can access mental health support, including access to psychology or psychiatry sessions free of charge when they need it.”

The Guardian reports today that the Australian Border Force’s marine unit is rife with “inappropriate workplace behaviours including sexual harassment and bullying”.

A secret AHRC report revealed that in the marine unit every woman who responded to a survey had witnessed sex discrimination, as well as sexual and/or sex-based harassment, and 78% had personally experienced the same behaviour.

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

“The Respect at Work reforms were the centrepiece of the government’s response to workplace harassment, and no workplace, including the Australian Border Force can continue to operate without regard to the new legal framework. 

“The remoteness of the marine unit has allowed an unacceptable culture to develop. The ABF must act immediately to comply with its positive duty and ensure base stations are not hostile work environments.

“The sex discrimination commissioner, Anna Cody is correct, immediate intervention is required. Border force leadership must be held accountable for addressing incidents of inappropriate workplace behaviours.”

Veteran business incubator Frontline Labs is encouraging Australians to give back by supporting veteran-owned and operated businesses.

This Anzac Day, veteran business incubator Frontline Labs, is calling on all Australians to rally behind veteran-owned and operated businesses.

The Support Veteran Business campaign encourages business and the public alike to support the veteran economy. By choosing to engage with a veteran business, or supporting veteran products in the supply chain, everyone can make a meaningful difference to this valuable community – made up of more than 30,000 veteran innovators.

Mark Leatham, veteran and Frontline Labs co-founder, says supporting veteran-owned businesses is one of the best ways Australians can show their support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) community.

“Every Anzac Day we see hundreds of thousands of people rally behind veterans at ceremonies and dawn services, which always means so much to the veteran community,” he says.

“This year, we’re encouraging Australians to take that support one step further by directly engaging with a veteran-owned business, helping to improve the livelihoods of servicemen and women who typically face various challenges when transitioning outside of military life.”

In their transition back to civilian life, veterans disproportionately face severe health and social issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, unemployment, suicide, and homelessness, with a 2023 report finding that veterans are overrepresented in Australia’s homeless population.

Michael Handley, an army veteran with seven years of army experience and two overseas deployments under his belt, faced these challenges first-hand during his own transition back to civilian life in 2022.

Michael says that his personal experience with mental health challenges – including PTSD and suicidal thoughts – inspired him to create REDSIX, a revolutionary veteran support app that helps veterans and ADF servicemen and women seek help when they need it.

“REDSIX was designed and developed from lived experience in one of the highest suicide risk demographics globally – the military. This is due to the rising rate of modern-day veterans losing the battle after returning home from operation demands,” says Michael.

Each year, approximately six thousand individuals depart from the ADF to reintegrate into civilian life. For many veterans, this transition can present numerous challenges, including difficulties in adjusting to new lifestyles and environments.

During his transition out of the ADF, Michael participated in one of Frontline Labs’ Veteran Entrepreneurship program, an experience he says was essential to helping him navigate such a challenging time.

“I think for me personally, having REDSIX has helped with my transition into civilian life by allowing me to look at my service history as part of my make-up – part of my DNA – but not my only identity,” he says.

Understanding the importance of self-employment in the transition process, Frontline Labs supports Australia’s defence community with fully funded programs. It’s here they can be encouraged with new opportunities to seek cohort and purpose in the growing veteran economy.

This Anzac Day, Frontline Labs is asking all Australians to do their part to support the servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. By choosing to engage with veteran business, or supporting veteran products in the supply chain, everyone can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served their country.

To learn more about the ‘Support Veteran Business’ campaign or to contribute, please visit supportveteranbusiness.com.au.