Category: Australian News

Community consultation sessions will begin in Tasmania next week as part of the Albanese Government’s nationwide response to the independent Defence Estate Audit. 

The Audit, delivered in 2023 by Ms Jan Mason and Mr Jim Miller, undertook a comprehensive review of Australia’s Defence estate – including bases, training areas and rifle ranges – to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and provides our Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the facilities and capabilities they need to keep Australian safe. 

Following careful consideration of the Audit’s recommendations, the Government released its response last month. Community consultation sessions have been identified as a key part of the implementation process, with local community organisations, key stakeholders and the broader public invited to provide input on the proposed divestment of 67 sites.

The consultation process will support discussions about how surplus Defence land can best deliver benefits for surrounding communities, reaffirm protections for history and heritage including through the Environment Protections and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and capture the broad range of views from the community.

Many of these Defence sites have served Australia proudly, hold great sentimental value, and are a reminder of our past sacrifices and achievements. The Government deeply understands the emotional attachment that current and former Defence personnel have to the history of our Defence Force. 

That’s why the Albanese Government is committed to preserving and enhancing public access to historically significant sites and collections, so Australians can continue to recognise and celebrate our proud military history.

The community consultation sessions will also provide an opportunity for the public and interested parties to better understand the Department of Finance’s role in managing the divestment process.

While consultation sessions will commence in Tasmania next week, sessions in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Victoria are scheduled to take place in April. These sessions will build on ongoing, site-by-site engagement with Defence people, including cadets and reservists, which is already underway. 

Further information on the planned community consultation sessions, including dates and details and how to participate, is available here: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate/defence-estate-audit-community-information-sessions 

A full list of sites selected for divestment is available here: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate

the Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:

“Australia’s Defence estate is the largest property portfolio in the country. Implementing the independent Audit’s recommendations will ensure our bases and training areas are fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world.”

“Community consultation sessions start today in Tasmania, and we look forward to hearing directly from communities about how the Defence estate can best support Australia’s security while also strengthening the regions in which Defence operates.”

“By engaging directly with communities across the country in the months ahead, we can ensure the Defence estate is modern, efficient and positioned to support the ADF well into the future.”

Today marks two years since Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed in an Israeli strike while delivering vital humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Zomi was driven by passion and a purpose to assist people in need. People like Zomi are rare and their selflessness should not only be celebrated but protected.

The Albanese Government has made clear our expectation that there be transparency about Israel’s ongoing investigation into the deaths of Zomi and her six World Central Kitchen colleagues. We continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges.

Humanitarian workers in Gaza, Lebanon and other conflict zones globally continue to face unacceptable risks in their delivery of critical assistance to civilians.

The death of any aid worker anywhere is unacceptable.

In Zomi’s honour, Australia launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, along with eight other countries, at the United Nations in September last year.

The Declaration is now a shared commitment by more than 110 countries – more than half the United Nations – for stronger accountability, safer access, and better protection for aid workers everywhere.

Honouring Zomi’s legacy means turning commitment into action. We will continue to work with international partners to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones.

The Albanese Government has breached its own rules for deploying Australian Defence Force personnel to conflict zones when it sent forces to the UAE earlier this month. 

The Memorandum on Government Conventions Relating to Overseas Armed Conflict Decision Making was adopted by the Albanese Government on 27 November 2024. It sets out the rules establishing what the Government must do when it “deploys the ADF in a major military operation as a party to an armed conflict overseas.” 

The requirements include providing an unclassified written statement to both Houses of Parliament outlining the objectives of the deployment, the orders made, its legal basis and setting aside a day of debate in Parliament.

The rules clearly state this must be done within 30-days of the deployment, which was announced on March 10, 2024. The Albanese Government has failed to do any of this and this sitting week is its last chance to comply. 

The Greens wrote to the Albanese Government last week seeking it adhere to these rules in the deployment of a E-7A Wedgetail, some 85  Australian personnel and missiles to the UAE in the middle of the war in Iran. The letter from the Greens can be found here, and the Government’s reply here. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said:“The Albanese Government after refusing to support war powers reform in the last Parliament, put forward this memorandum instead. Now they have failed to meet even this extremely low standard. 

“A key requirement of the memorandum is that the Government must provide the legal basis for the deployment of Australian military forces. Labor has now refused to do this, almost certainly because there is no lawful basis for Australia joining this war. 

“The Memorandum also requires regular reports, public statements on the aims and a day of debate in Parliament. All of that has been scrapped so Albanese could be first in line to support Trump. 

“The violence that is spreading through the Middle East, the resulting chaos here in Australia, all of it shows why these decisions need to be under public scrutiny. It absolutely proves how dangerous it is for Australians to be sent into a war zone by a handful of government ministers who have never said no to Trump or the US. 

“The response from the Defence Minister is embarrassing for Labor. The idea that the deployment to the UAE is in any way comparable to the sending forces to Poland is ridiculous. Poland is not an armed conflict zone, as the Gulf is today, which is what this Memorandum is based on. 

“The Labor Government treats the public with contempt when it comes to foreign policy. They ram through a secret defence committee that excludes the public, then demand we applaud them for it. They cheer in Trump’s war and now refuse to tell the public why.

“The war parties of Labor, the Coalition and One Nation aren’t protecting the Australian public with their reckless support of this illegal and damaging war. 

“Labor’s refusal to even debate the war, their refusal to meet their own low standards of transparency, proves once more that they are delivering for their masters in Washington, not their voters in Australia.”

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The Fair Work Commission’s decision today to scrap unfair junior rates for young adults aged 18-20 is a big win for our workers.

The Greens have long campaigned for removing the discriminatory practice of imposing junior rates on Australia’s young workforce.

The real wages of workers have gone backwards as inflation has soared, leaving our young workers behind in a cost-of-living crisis.

The Greens welcome the FWC’s decision for young adults. However, its exclusion of 16-17 year olds is disappointing.

Greens spokesperson for finance, employment and workplace relations Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Scrapping unfair junior rates is a big win for young workers. For too long 18-20 year olds have been doing the same work as their 21 year old colleagues but for less pay.

“Rising inflation is eroding real wages, pushing young workers further behind in the cost-of-living squeeze.

“Low-paid workers are already facing an uphill battle as wages have failed to keep up with the inflation. 

“The Greens believe workers’ pay should reflect their skills, not their age. We need to continue to raise the wages of under-18s who do the same work for less pay.

“It’s not fair that a 16 year old fast food worker earns $16.60 per hour less than their 21 year old colleague doing the same job. 

“Junior pay rates guarantee an endless supply of cheap labour for employers willing to exploit the skills and talents of young people newly entering the workforce.”

Today committee chair and Greens spokesperson for Children, Anasina Gray-Barberio handed down the interim report for the Inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in Victoria. The Greens-led inquiry has already resulted in better outcomes for child safety. 

The inquiry received 99 written submissions and has held 5 days of public hearings so far.

This interim report released today gives an update on the evidence heard by the committee on issues such as quality of services, the growth in private, for profit-providers, child safety and well-being, and cultural safety for First Peoples.

Since the inquiry was established, the national and state governments have made several important changes including improvements to working with children checks, establishing a new regulator, a national early childhood worker register, new offences and penalties, and a CCTV trial in certain centres.

These welcome steps are thanks to advocacy from the Greens and the community.

The select committee will continue its work with further hearings in May before presenting a final report by the end of July.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Children and Committee Chair, Anasina Gray-Barberio:

“This Greens-led inquiry has already been effective in getting the state and federal governments to act on child safety. We’ve seen tangible outcomes including improvements to working with children checks, establishing a new regulator, new offences and penalties and a CCTV trial in certain centres.” 

“Families deserve real answers, and this is exactly what the Greens-led inquiry is providing. 

“We’ve heard too many stories of children being harmed while 

The major parties have colluded to lock in a weak cash mandate that leaves Australians vulnerable to exclusion, the Greens say.

The Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Cash Acceptance) Regulations 2025 only applies to large supermarkets and fuel retailers, meaning most essential service providers are not required to accept cash.

“People should be able to use cash for essential goods and services across the economy, not just at a handful of big retailers,” said Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim

“Cash matters for inclusion, choice, access to essentials, and basic resilience when digital systems fail.”

“These regulations are far too narrow. They let most corporations off the hook while pretending to solve the problem.”

Consumer groups have warned the rules hit older Australians, people on low incomes, and regional communities hardest.

A disallowance motion that would have forced Labor to introduce a broader cash mandate was defeated by the combined votes of the major parties today.

“Yet again the Labor and Liberal parties have voted together to protect their corporate mates, and let most big corporations off the hook.”

The Coalition will strongly oppose any move by the Albanese Government to increase the size of the Australian Parliament, warning it would come at significant cost to taxpayers at a time Australians are already under severe financial pressure.

Analysis from the Parliamentary Budget Office shows that expanding the Parliament could cost taxpayers more than $620 million, including salaries, staff, travel and office costs.

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor said the Government had its priorities completely wrong.

“At a time when Australian families are tightening their belts, the last thing they should be asked to fund is more politicians,” Mr Taylor said.

“This is a Government that cannot manage the economy, cannot control spending, and now wants to make Australians pay for a bigger Parliament.

“This is more spending, more bureaucracy, and more pressure on the budget at exactly the wrong time.

“We will protect Australians’ way of life and restore their standard of living, and that starts with living within our means.”

Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said the proposal showed how out of touch the Government had become.

“People in regional Australia are doing it tough. They are paying more for fuel, groceries and power,” Senator Canavan said.

“They do not want more politicians in Canberra. They want practical help with the cost of living.

“Now is the time to tighten the belt, not expand the bureaucracy.

“This Government is focused on itself. The Coalition is focused on Australians.”

The Coalition is calling on the Prime Minister to immediately rule out any expansion of the Parliament and instead focus on Australia’s declining living standards and cost of living crisis.

Key facts:
· Research shows strong correlation between global oil prices and Australian corporate insolvencies over the past 25 years
· Record 14,722 insolvencies in 2024-25 primarily attributed to COVID hangover rather than oil prices
· Oil price projections of $90-100 USD per barrel expected to create a Multiplier Effect on existing business pressures
· Oil impacts business failures through four channels: transport costs, raw material prices, reduced consumer spending, and interest rate pressure
· Government’s temporary fuel excise cut deemed insufficient for long-term crisis management, with calls for more sustained support measures
 
New analysis released today by Halo Advisory has identified a stark correlation between global oil prices and the rate of corporate insolvency appointments in Australia. The findings, drawn from ASIC insolvency records, RBA cash rate data, and ABS statistics, suggest that the current volatility in the Middle East could be the “Tipping Point” for thousands of SMEs already struggling with inflationary pressures.
The report highlights a consistent trend spanning over two decades: as the price of a barrel of oil climbs, business failures follow in a predictable wave. This analysis identifies that each of the three major oil price surges of the past 25 years—the 2000 spike to $28.50/bbl, the 2006–2008 run to nearly $97/bbl, and the sustained $108–$111/bbl period from 2011 to 2013—was accompanied by a meaningful rise in Australian insolvency appointments in the same or immediately following year.
The 2026 “Multiplier Effect”
While the record 14,722 insolvencies in 2024–25 represent the highest figure in the 25-year dataset, the surge was primarily a “COVID hangover” rather than oil-driven. During 2020–22, insolvency volumes were artificially suppressed to historic lows by JobKeeper, ATO debt forbearance, and safe harbour provisions. The current surge represents a “catch-up” of deferred failures now meeting the reality of higher interest rates and intensified ATO enforcement.
However, with oil prices projected to remain at $90–$100 USD per barrel over the coming months, Brent crude is set to become the primary “Multiplier Effect” on top of these existing pressures.
“The data doesn’t lie. Every major peak in oil prices has preceded a surge in business collapses,” says Greg Bartels, Director of Halo Advisory. “We are currently seeing Brent Crude jump from a 2025 average of $71.91 to a forecasted $85.00+ in 2026. This isn’t just about the cost of filling up the delivery van; it’s about the massive inflationary shock that ripples through the entire supply chain”.
Why Oil is the “Lead Indicator” for Failure
According to Bartels, oil is a “non-discretionary” cost driver that transmits almost immediately into business cash flows, unlike interest rates which operate with a lag of 12 to 24 months. The mechanism works through four simultaneous channels:
· Transport and Logistics: Freight and delivery companies pass on fuel surcharges almost immediately, raising input costs for every business in the supply chain.
· Raw Material and Input Prices: Oil is a base component for plastics, packaging, chemicals, and fertilizers. A sustained price spike flows through to virtually every manufactured good within weeks.
· Consumer Spending Contraction: As households absorb higher fuel costs at the pump, discretionary spending on retail, hospitality, and services contracts—directly cutting revenue for the SMEs most represented in insolvency data.
· Interest Rate Pressure: Rising oil prices serve as a primary driver of headline inflation, which can force central banks to maintain or increase high interest rates to curb rising costs, further squeezing business margins.
“Small businesses are the ‘Canaries in the Coal Mine’ of the economy, and they’re beginning to show signs of real stress,” adds Bartels. Specifically, the construction and food services sectors, which accounted for over 40% of all external administrations in 2023–24, face structurally higher fuel exposure relative to their margins.
The “Triple Threat” and Government Action
Australian SMEs are currently facing a “Triple Threat”: the unwinding of pandemic-era support, persistently high interest rates, and now a geopolitical fuel spike. Halo Advisory acknowledges the Federal Government’s recent announcement to halve the fuel excise and reduce the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months as a positive step in the right direction. However, while this provides immediate relief, the underlying data suggests that fuel prices are likely to remain elevated well beyond this short-term window.
To mitigate the long-term crisis, Halo Advisory urges the government to look beyond this temporary measure and consider further targeted responses:
· Extended or Trigger-based Relief: Moving towards relief measures that activate automatically during sustained price spikes to provide ongoing certainty for transport-dependent SMEs.
· ATO Forbearance and Interest Reform: Finding a middle road between enforcement and collecting the $34 billion in outstanding SME tax debt. This includes potentially reintroducing tax deductibility for interest charges on ATO tax debts.
· Addressing Director Liability: In 2024–25, 85,000 Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) were issued—a 136% increase on the previous year—making directors personally liable for business debts.
“While the excise cut provides a temporary breather, the ‘cushion’ of cash flow will disappear again the moment it expires if global prices remain high,” Bartels concludes. “We expect the remainder of 2026 to be one of the most challenging periods for SME survival on record”.

The ACT Greens are calling for two months of free public transport in Canberra during this extraordinary fuel crisis following similar moves by the Tasmanian and Victorian governments.

“Canberrans are at a loss with the rapid increase in the costs of fuel and questions over whether fuel will even be available at the pump,” said Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Transport.

“Free public transport will reduce fuel demand and save thousands of dollars for those who are struggling to put food on the table,” said Mr Braddock.

“In the middle of a fuel crisis, it’s the least the government can do.”

Last week, ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals teamed up to vote against free public transport funded by a 25% tax on gas exports.

“This was a sensible, climate conscious solution which would’ve brought immediate relief to all Canberrans. Instead, the major parties ganged up to vote this down, putting the needs of Canberrans firmly behind their own.

“It’s time for the ACT Government to rise to this moment and join the growing number of states around Australia making public transport free during the fuel crisis.”

“In uncertain times like these, ACT Labor shouldn’t be looking out for their mates in the fossil fuel industry. They should be empathising with Canberrans and working to ease their cost-of-living pressures.

“If we can afford fare-free Fridays, we can afford two months of free travel during this fuel crisis.

“Public transport in the ACT has been under-done for decades. It needs a significant amount of investment, and a commitment from the Government to get the network moving.

“We can start that here and now with free public transport for the period of the crisis, and permanently for students, seniors and other concession-holders who need ongoing cost of living relief.

“The Commonwealth should also be chipping in. If they can drag the chain on renewable energy, while signing us up to an illegal war in Iran, they can help pay for the consequences faced by Australians.”

The Australian Greens push to tax gas exports at least 25% is gaining momentum, with a newly won Select Committee to look at taxing Australia’s oil and gas, setting the ground for changes in the May budget.

The Select Committee will be chaired by Greens spokesperson for resources, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, who will seek to dismantle the gas industry’s excuses for not paying billions in taxes despite soaring windfall profits. .

At a time of instability and rising pressure on Australia’s energy security, the inquiry will examine how fairer taxation of gas exports could deliver billions in public revenue to ease the cost of living and reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Recent polling shows strong and growing support across the political spectrum for making gas corporations pay more for selling Australia’s resources.

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters:

“Gas corporations are ripping us all off and paying virtually no tax. While people are struggling to pay bills and seeing the cost of living go through the roof, gas corporations shouldn’t get a free ride.

“For years rich gas corporations have got most of their gas for free, shipped it overseas for maximum profit, and now they’re making eyewatering profits off the back of the war.

“The free ride is over. People are fed up with gas industry greed and Labor’s refusal to tax gas corporations to fund cost of living support. This is money that should be helping people pay the bills and have what they need to live a good life.

“This Inquiry will put the rich tax-dodging gas corporations under the microscope, dismantle their excuses for paying no tax, and build momentum for fairer tax in the upcoming budget.”

Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“This inquiry into a gas tax comes at a crunch moment. The gas cartel is poised to cash in on global conflict while Australians are being smashed with rising bills at home.

“A 25 per cent tax on gas exports could raise $17 billion a year. Money that could slash power bills, fund free public transport, and fast-track electrification so we can end our dependence on gas for good.

“This Inquiry will interrogate the outdated talking points of gas corporations, expose how they avoid paying their fair share of tax, and recommend how we get to a tax system that benefits Australians, not greedy gas corporations.”

“It is a moment of reckoning for Labor. Will they stand up to vested interests and make gas corporations pay or will they let them continue to write the rules?