Category: Australian News

Communities across regional Australia will be left without critical workers like nurses, aged care staff, teachers, mechanics, and chefs because of Labor’s changes to the visa system.

And more migrants will move to Australia’s capital cities, further worsening housing shortages and the rental crisis.

According to media reports today, Labor will allow migrants on temporary work visas to leave their jobs in rural Australia and move to the cities to work. This at a time Labor is bringing 1.5 million people into Australia over five years through their Big Australia by stealth policy.

Labor will sever the connection between migrants, the businesses that sponsor them and the regional communities in which they operate.

Labor will also index increases to the Temporary Skilled Migration Threshold, which will lock out regional and rural businesses from sponsoring skilled workers, because their costs and wages are lower due to their location.

Because of Labor, businesses that sponsor temporary workers to live and work in regional Australia expect to lose key staff, impacting their ability to operate. Labor’s changes will be a disincentive for them to sponsor skilled migrants because they will all end up in the cities.

Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Dan Tehan said Labor always made a mess of immigration.

“Labor want the 1.5 million people they are bringing to this country to all live and work in our major capital cities as part of their Big Australia by stealth policy,” Mr Tehan said.

“Labor’s changes will see Australians in regional communities lose access to key services while people living in capital cities will face higher rents, worse congestion, and more demand on government services, like hospitals and schools.

“When the local mechanic closes because they have no workers to fix cars, and the corner pub closes because they have no cooks to keep the kitchen open you can blame Labor. Why would a business spend money, time, and effort to recruit workers to fill skills shortages if that worker can leave on day one and move to the city?

“Labor isn’t listening to regional businesses and they’re not listening to regional communities. We want a better Australia not Labor’s Big Australia.”

Almost one hundred thousand spectators are expected to line Newcastle Harbour to catch a glimpse of thrilling aerial displays and flypasts as part of the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023.

City of Newcastle has partnered with the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) to host the one-off event on Saturday 18 November, with a RAAF aircraft flying display at 10am to 12.30pm and again at 1.30pm to 4pm.

Formation and aerial displays will feature heritage and vintage aircraft like the Harvard, Winjeel, Spitfire, Mustang and Canberra in addition to flypasts from F/A-18F, EF/A-18G Super Hornet and the Growler.

City of Newcastle will host free viewing areas at Nobbys Beach, Foreshore Park and Stockton, featuring family-friendly activities to create a festival atmosphere at the free community event.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the spectacular community event was not to be missed, offering something for both die-hard aviation enthusiasts and families looking for a fun weekend out.

“City of Newcastle is proud to partner with the RAAF to deliver the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle’s spectacular coastline will be on display for tens of thousands of visitors to see all the action over Newcastle Harbour, Nobbys Beach, Foreshore Park and Stockton.

“Attracting major events of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle’s growth as a world-class events and cultural city and indicative of a thriving local economy.

“Newcastle continues to shine as a destination and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors to both air displays on Saturday 18 November and showcasing the diversity of what our city has to offer including its rich heritage, natural scenery and vibrant cultural scene.”

A Park and Ride facility will operate from McDonald Jones Stadium with parking available at Stockton located within an easy walk to prime vantage points.

“We encourage spectators to make the most of public transport options available to ease traffic congestion with the crowd numbers we are anticipating,” Cr Nelmes added.

A ticketed premium viewing area at Fort Scratchley will provide access to the only licenced viewing site for both air shows, with a variety of food and beverage options available to purchase. Tickets are on sale now and are restricted to patrons 18+.

Tickets to the RAAF Open Day at Williamtown on Sunday 19 November will go on sale on 1 October.

For more information about the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023, 18 to 19 November 2023, visit www.visitnewcastle.com.au/air-show-2023 or www.airforce.gov.au/news-and-events/newcastle-williamtown-air-show-2023

An independent Inquiry will be held into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help better prepare and protect our country for the future.

Given the loss of life, dislocation, stress and expenditure resulting from the pandemic, we said it would be in the national interest to hold an Inquiry into the response.

It will review what worked well and what we can do better to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.

The Inquiry will consider Commonwealth responses to the pandemic. This includes the provision of vaccinations, treatments and key medical supplies to Australians, mental health support for those impacted by COVID-19 and lockdowns, financial support for individuals and business, and assistance for Australians abroad.

The Inquiry will consider the role of the Australian Government in responding to future pandemics, including the coordination of National Cabinet.

The Government has appointed an independent panel to conduct the Inquiry. The panellists have vast experience in public health, government and economic policy.

• Ms Robyn Kruk AO, who has a wealth of experience in government and in leading independent reviews. Ms Kruk previously held roles as Director-General of the NSW Department of Health, Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and CEO of the National Mental Health Commission.
• Professor Catherine Bennett, Deakin University’s current Chair in Epidemiology and the University of Melbourne’s former Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Director of Population Health Practice. Professor Bennett has also held senior positions in the New South Wales and Victorian state governments.
• Dr Angela Jackson, a health economist with extensive experience in economics and government, including through her current role as lead economist for Impact Economics and Policy. Dr Jackson is a member of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee and is the National Chair of the Women in Economics Network. Dr Jackson was also previously a Board Member and Chair of the Finance Committee at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 2015-2021.

A Taskforce within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will support the Independent Panel.

The Inquiry will run for 12 months, with a final report to be delivered by 30 September 2024.

Key stakeholders and members of the community will be invited to share their views as part of a public consultation.

The Terms of Reference for the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant global crisis that we have faced in decades.

“Its impacts are still being felt throughout Australia.

“This Inquiry will look at the Government’s responses and will give advice on what worked, what didn’t, and what we can do in the future to best protect Australians from the worst of any future events.”

Health Minister Mark Butler said:

“This Inquiry will look at what went well in our response to COVID-19, and what we need to do better in the future.

“The Inquiry will help ensure we are better prepared for future pandemics.

“The panellists have the collective expertise to take a thorough look into all aspects of Australia’s response – and I encourage members of the public, when they have the opportunity, to have their say about what worked and what, with hindsight, we might have done differently.”

The Australian Government has commissioned an Independent Review into Australia’s intelligence agencies.

The work of our intelligence agencies underpins Australia’s national security objectives, including safeguarding Australia’s sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment. Our intelligence agencies help protect Australia’s security, prosperity and values in complex and changing circumstances.

The National Intelligence Community (NIC) has undergone significant structural and transformational changes in recent years. The Review will ensure that our intelligence agencies remain well-placed to serve Australia’s national interest.

The Review will be co-led by Dr Heather Smith PSM and Mr Richard Maude.

Dr Smith is currently a professor at the Australian National University National Security College and has served as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and Deputy Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. In April 2023, Dr Smith was appointed the National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. Dr Smith has nearly 20 years’ experience in the public service at senior levels.

Mr Maude is currently Executive Director of Policy at Asia Society Australia and a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. He is a former senior Australian Government official with 30 years’ experience in foreign policy and national security, including as the former Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. In May this year, Mr Maude was appointed to the External Advisory Panel to oversee the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review.

The reviewers will consult widely, and welcome public submissions. The findings of the Review will be provided to Government in mid-2024.

Independent Reviews of the intelligence community have been commissioned periodically, with the last completed in 2017.

Public submissions on matters included in the Review’s Terms of Reference can be made to IIR2024@pmc.gov.au, or by post to ‘2024 Independent Intelligence Review’ c/o Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, PO Box 6500 Canberra, ACT 2600. The closing date for public submissions is 24 November 2023.

Further information, including the Terms of Reference, can be found here: 2024 Independent Intelligence Review.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Our intelligence agencies underpin our national security objectives, including helping to safeguard our sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment.

“This Independent Review will make sure that our intelligence agencies are best positioned to serve the Australian national interest, respond to future capability and workforce challenges, and continue to protect our security, prosperity and values.

“Dr Smith and Mr Maude are highly capable individuals with the specific skills needed to lead this Review.”

Today the new rates of income support payments that were announced at the federal budget come into effect.

The government’s increase will be supplemented by an additional rate rise due to indexation.

These combined increases still leave people in poverty in a cost of living crisis.

The eligibility of the single parenting payment also expands today, to allow more parents to access the payment, but those with children aged 14 years or older have still been left with nothing.

Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Social and Government Services said:

“Even when Labor’s base rate increase is paired with the automatic rate rise due to indexation, the changes coming into effect today don’t bring Jobseeker, student and youth allowance payments close to the poverty line, let alone make them enough to live on.

“People on Jobseeker will still struggle to afford food as well as their medicine. More and more students will abandon their studies because they can’t afford to study and pay the rent.

“Labor’s increase to Jobseeker is less than even the Liberals did under Scott Morrison.

“While in opposition, Labor slammed the Morrison Government for its paltry increase and now in government, Labor is doing even less to help welfare recipients than the conservative party.

“We are in a cost of living crisis, and this government is choosing to leave people without heating or food as they struggle to pay the rent.

“Poverty is a political choice. Labor must scrap their stage 3 tax cuts for billionaires and the ultra-wealthy and lift all income support rates above the poverty line.

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Spokesperson for Women said:

“We were pleased to see Labor partially reverse the Gillard government’s decision to cut off Parenting Payment Single when kids turn 8, but single parenting doesn’t stop when a child turns 14.

“Now that the government has the final Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce report, they should revisit their decision to only partially reinstate Parenting Payment Single. Parents of kids who are 14, 15 and 16 deserve the same level of support.

“Our calls requesting the immediate implementation of changes to the Parenting Payment Single urgent support for parents were ignored by Labor, forcing 8,145 single parents – mostly single mums – onto JobSeeker if their child happened to turn 8 before 20 September.

“Labor is choosing to keep women and children in poverty, while they fund tax cuts for billionaires and nuclear submarines.”

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

“It’s disgraceful that in a year where Alan Joyce presided over a company ripping off their customers, allegedly breaching consumer law, and mistreating and underpaying their staff, that he was paid an exorbitant salary 300 times what cabin crew and ground staff typically earn.

“The Qantas board should rule out handing Alan Joyce the extra $14.4 million in bonuses. Alan Joyce should pay back his extremely generous paycheque given Qantas nosedived under his watch.

“Under a publicly owned Qantas, the CEO’s salary could be capped.  We should not see exorbitant bonuses for executives and massive wealth inequality in what used to be our national carrier, but is now a private company clearly profiteering off an apparently cosy relationship with the government. 

“The Federal government should admit that privatising Qantas was a mistake and urgently consider bringing it back into public hands.”

Australia will today join 31 other countries delivering interventions before the International Court of Justice in support of Ukraine’s case against Russia in response to Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

Solicitor-General Dr Stephen Donaghue KC will deliver Australia’s intervention in the preliminary objections phase of the proceedings, arguing that the Court has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Australia strongly supports Ukraine’s decision to bring this case before the International Court of Justice, which alleges Russia has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Russia’s attempts to use false allegations of genocide as a pretext to justify its egregious violations of international law in Ukraine undermines the rules-based international order.

Australia stands against such attempts and is supporting Ukraine and the international community in holding Russia to account.

Australia continues to call on Russia to comply with the ICJ’s legally binding order of 16 March 2022 to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

We remind Russia that, as a member of the United Nations, it is legally obliged to comply with decisions of the ICJ in any case to which it is a party.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“Russia must be held to account for its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.”

“Australia’s intervention in the International Court of Justice today is just one way we are supporting Ukraine to hold Russia to account.”

“We stand with the people of Ukraine and the 31 other countries who are supporting Ukraine in this case – we are stronger when we work together to address shared challenges.”

Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP said:

“Australia stands unequivocally with Ukraine in its fight to hold Russia accountable for the despicable allegations used as the pretext for its illegal and immoral invasion.”

“Our intervention before the International Court of Justice demonstrates Australia’s unwavering commitment to upholding fundamental rules of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.”

The latest OECD Economic Outlook has sounded the alarm on a government that is distracted from managing the economy at a time it has never been more critical.

The OECD has forecast the second consecutive downgrade to Australia’s GDP growth forecast and predicts inflation will be higher for longer under Labor.

Under the OECD’s projections, Australia’s economy will grow at a slower rate than the EU, the United States, Brazil, Mexico and the G20 average.

Australia’s core inflation rate will lead the Euro Area, the United States and G20 advanced economies by 2024.

These forecasts come as Australia is already experiencing collapsing real wages, a GDP per capita recession, record slumps in consumer confidence, falling labour productivity and one of the highest core inflation rates amongst advanced economies.

Most alarmingly, the OECD’s policy recommendations stand at odds with the government’s agenda:

• More flexible labour markets, not more union red tape
• Stronger fiscal policy, not a one-and-done surplus
• Reducing the burden of state-owned enterprises, not creating new ones

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said families are already facing higher mortgage rates, higher rents, higher energy bills and higher taxes under the Albanese Labor Government.

“For families expecting relief from the cost-of-living crisis, this is a bitter pill to swallow,” Mr Taylor said.

“This is a consequence of a government that has had its eye off the ball when it comes to the economy.

“This is a government that is distracted by its Canberra Voice and more interested in paying back its biggest donors than it is in managing the economy.

“With inflation already higher for longer under Labor, Australian families cannot afford another year of Labor on autopilot.”

Shadow Finance Minister Senator Jane Hume said the OECD’s updated economic outlook has sounded the fiscal alarm bells.

“Labor inherited a budget benefitting from a booming commodity sector and record low unemployment following nine years of pro-growth, pro-jobs and productivity-enhancing economic management from the Coalition,” Senator Hume said.

“With the 2022-23 budget year inheriting the fiscal and economic settings from the Coalition, the test for Labor is: will it get better or worse from here?

“Labor must commit to restoring the fiscal guardrails, reining in spending to help bring down inflation and delivering the reforms the economy needs to get productivity moving to boost jobs, boost wages and boost economic growth.”

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, commenting on the release of nuclear costings by the government, said today Peter Dutton’s exorbitant nuclear pipedream was a distraction from the urgent need to stop more coal and gas.

Mr Bandt said Peter Dutton’s advocacy of nuclear power was a dumb fantasy, but Labor pushing more coal and gas projects in the middle of a climate crisis is dangerous.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“The Liberals are for nuclear, Labor is for more coal and gas and the Greens are for clean renewables.”

“Across the country, Labor wants to prop up dirty coal fired power stations, open new coal mines and frack for more gas in the middle of a climate crisis. 

“Peter Dutton is living in nuclear fantasy land, but Labor’s reality of more coal and gas is dangerous.”

Greens Forest spokesperson Senator Janet Rice has announced today the Greens’ fully-costed ‘Protecting Native Forests, Protecting the Climate’ policy.

The Greens’ plan is an integrated approach of immediate action on the climate crisis by protecting Australia’s forests and banking the carbon benefits from ending logging; funding ecological restoration and supporting regional workers and communities through a just transition.

The Greens plan would commit ten billion dollars over 20 years, to be provided to state governments that end native forest logging, including states that have already committed to doing so.

The funding would be allocated between state governments, with $800 million allocated on the basis of the most recent log harvesting volumes. The remaining $200 million will be allocated between jurisdictions (including the Northern Territory) as negotiated by the Commonwealth.

As part of taking real action on the climate crisis and reaping the benefits of the carbon value, state governments that end native forest logging must commit to not using forests to create offsets for fossil fuel expansion.

The Commonwealth and state governments would be required to allocate a major proportion of the $10 billion to ecological restoration and ensuring a just transition for workers and communities. These projects would provide significant employment in areas such as restoring previously logged forests where post-logging regeneration has failed; pest and weed control; effective, ecologically appropriate and culturally-informed fire management, and other projects that help restore and protect the incredible beauty of Australia’s native forests.

https://greens.org.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/Greens%202023%20Policy%20Initiative%20-%20Protecting%20Native%20Forests%2C%20Protecting%20the%20Climate.pdf