Category: Australian News

Australia and the European Union are strengthening cooperation through a new Security and Defence Partnership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the Australia‑European Union Security and Defence Partnership in Canberra today which, together with the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, is a key aspect of our growing strategic relationship.

The partnership was signed by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and the European Union High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas.

The wide-ranging partnership will boost cooperation across defence industry, cyber, economic security, counter-terrorism, combatting all forms of hatred, and countering hybrid threats.

Under the partnership, Australia and the European Union will: 

• Increase information sharing to counter global threats; 
• Build the capacity to manage, and the resilience to withstand, complex security threats in our respective regions; 
• Deepen cooperation to combat online radicalisation and terrorism financing; and
• Establish a new space security dialogue. 

Building on our already strong defence industry ties, the partnership will also create new defence procurement opportunities for Australian and European businesses. 

The Security and Defence Partnership is now in effect.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“I am pleased to announce the new Australia–European Union Security and Defence Partnership.

“This partnership is a clear demonstration of how Australia and the European Union are working together to tackle global challenges.

“Our new partnership reflects that despite being geographically separated, we are likeminded in our shared commitment to supporting global peace and security.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles

“The Australia–European Union Security and Defence Partnership is a significant milestone which sets up the framework for cooperation with European partners.

“For Australian businesses at the forefront of defence technology and innovation, this partnership will deepen our relationships and lay the groundwork for new opportunities that will further support Australia’s industry and workforce.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong

“In these uncertain times, Australia is pursuing new alignments and maximising how we work with others, to better promote and protect our national interests. 

“The new Australia–European Union Security and Defence Partnership reflects our commitment to work with partners such as the European Union and to make Australia more secure in a less predictable world.”

Today’s latest Gas Statement of Opportunity Outlook from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) paints a sobering picture about the urgent need to invest in gas in the country, while the Middle East conflict continues to put pressure on global energy supply.

The Outlook notes the critical and ongoing role for gas generation and specifically mentions “…gas production from legacy fields in southern states are forecast to decline by 46% over the next five years. This will require new investments to address emerging supply gaps from 2030 under most weather conditions.”

But despite the urgency noted by the regulator in progressing significant projects, it is unclear what Labor is doing to develop new gas – particularly in the southern states like Victoria – where the problem is increasingly acute.

Under the Albanese Government, there’s been no planning for new pipeline gas infrastructure, essential storage, or faster approvals processes for existing exploration projects to get them off the ground quicker for Australian families and businesses.

Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald urged the need to drill baby, drill to drive more energy security at the national level – while boosting jobs and economic growth.

“Labor has had years to increase supply and bolster domestic infrastructure but there remains a looming shortfall, when we have an abundance of gas in Australia.”

“Even AEMO’s advice notes the looming gas shortfall would be sooner if not for the extension of existing coal generation, underscoring how important both new gas supply and existing reliable generation is to Australia.”

“Australia needs policies that signal confidence to investors, and we don’t see that under Labor – instead businesses look to places like Alaska because of attractive policy settings.”

“In the last four years, the Labor government have delayed and deferred release of offshore acreage, and conditions have been slapped on what has been released – such as no seismic.”

Since 2022, Labor has released only one new acreage for gas exploration in December 2025, despite both AEMO and the ACCC warning of gas shortfalls for the duration that Labor has been in government.

When the Coalition was in government, we released new gas acreage on an annual basis, because we understand the criticality of gas to Australia’s energy security.

Labor’s only solution is looking at import terminals – a catastrophic idea that would make Australia even more dependent on international supply chains.

Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan said the Outlook shockingly suggested if gas runs out, Australia would be required to rely on fuels, ‘in extreme gas shortfall conditions, prudent use of secondary fuels to operate gas power generation… may reduce peak day gas shortfall risks without increasing risks to electricity reliability.’

“The AEMO report pushes out the east coast gas shortfall by 12 months because of the decisions of the New South Wales and Queensland governments to extend coal generated electricity in their states.”

“New investment in supply and infrastructure must be locked in before the projected gas shortfall or the eastern states risk an earlier supply gap.

“The Middle East conflict tells us we need energy sovereignty and less reliance on global supply chains and we’re already seeing what fuel dependence looks like as petrol stations run dry across the country.

“Instead of progress on critical gas infrastructure, under Labor Australian businesses and investors have seen the introduction of changes and uncertainty around consultation standards under the EPBC legislation.”

The Coalition is calling on the Albanese Government to immediately halve the fuel tax for three months to provide urgent cost of living relief to Australian households and small businesses facing a deepening national fuel crisis.

This is a practical, immediate step the Government can take today to ease pressure on families already stretched by the Government’s cost of living crisis who are now being hit by surging fuel prices.

The tax cut would reduce fuel prices by around 25 cents per litre for three months.

A corresponding reduction in the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge should also be provided.

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor said Australians were being hit by a perfect storm of Labor’s home-grown inflation crisis and escalating global fuel pressures driven by conflict in the Middle East.

“Inflation has already beaten this Government, and now a national fuel crisis is making it worse,” Mr Taylor said.

“Anthony Albanese is asleep at the wheel.  He needs to stop watching and start acting.  Australians are hurting.

“Families across the country are seeing their standard of living collapse, yet Labor does nothing.

“Right now, what we need is an immediate tax cut at the bowser and a government that gets fuel to where it is needed.”

Leader of the Nationals Matt Canavan said the situation on the ground showed a clear failure of government.

“The budgets of Australian families were already stretched before the Iran conflict. Now thanks to Labor’s war on fossil fuels Australians are at breaking point,” Senator Canavan said.

“Our proposal to halve the fuel excise is an affordable response to provide Australian families with some ‘breathing space’.

“Around 500 petrol stations are dry or without at least one type of fuel.

“The Government says there is enough fuel in the system, but if that is true, then this is a failure to get fuel where it is needed.”

Despite the Government likely being gifted windfall gains in the budget because of the crisis in the Middle East, the Coalition is also putting forward sensible options to fund this relief, ensuring it is delivered without adding to inflationary pressure.

This relief can and should be offset through sensible reprioritisation, including:

• Ending the Electric Car Discount. 
• Reversing the Government’s green hydrogen subsidies and tax credits.
• Pausing and strengthening integrity controls around the Home Battery Scheme. 

These measures will fully fund the approximate $1.5 billion temporary tax cut for Australian motorists while also easing the broader demand pressures that are driving inflation.

The Coalition is ready to work constructively with the Government to deliver targeted, fully funded relief – driven by sensible savings, not new higher taxes.

This will ensure Australians aren’t forced to pay the price of a global fuel shock on top of a cost-of-living crisis caused by record government spending.

The Australian Government is set to begin treaty negotiations on association to Horizon Europe, which will give Australian organisations access to the world’s largest pooled research fund in 2027.

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation funding program worth $155 billion (AUD).

Once associated, Australian organisations can access the current round of Horizon Europe funding to lead and participate in research projects with the brightest minds, including on critical technologies, advanced computing, climate and clean energy, health, and critical minerals.

Horizon Europe’s large pool of funding attracts talented researchers and allows research projects at a scale that would be difficult for Australia to achieve alone.

More than 20 countries have associated with Horizon Europe, including Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom, and have seen significant return on investment.

Following the conclusion of the treaty process, it is expected Australian organisations will be able to apply for Horizon Europe research calls from early 2027.

Australia’s association to Horizon Europe will be jointly supported by the Group of Eight universities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“I am pleased to join European Commission President von der Leyen in announcing that we will commence negotiations on association to Horizon Europe for 2027.

“By associating with Horizon Europe, we are supporting international research collaboration innovation in Australia, creating jobs and driving productivity to help deliver a Future Made in Australia.

“This is a great investment in our future and is testament to the strength of our relationship with the European Union.”

Minister for Education Jason Clare

“Australia should be rightly proud to be home to some of the world’s most brilliant researchers and the most-cutting edge research.

“This will help connect Australian researchers with some of Europe’s best and brightest.

“It will help our world-class universities and researchers to work on game-changing projects that are good for Australia and our economy.”

Minister for Science Tim Ayres

“Horizon Europe will ensure our researchers have the resources and the partnerships they need to tackle the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to cutting-edge technology and the next generation of healthcare.

“The independent Ambitious Australia report released last week laid out the importance of making every Aussie research dollar count. Collaborating through Horizon Europe has a multiplier effect and is good value for money.

“Association to Horizon Europe, supported by partners at Australia’s Group of Eight universities, will facilitate access to joint projects with the EU and other associated countries, while also allowing our industry, science and research sectors to lead projects in the Indo-Pacific.
                                        
“This is a great example of international research cooperation at a time when the world needs more constructive collaboration.”

The Albanese Government is acting to shield Australia against any future fuel supply chain disruptions, by establishing new fuel security powers, enabling government to work with fuel suppliers to keep fuel flowing to Australia.

Next week the Government will introduce amendments to the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act, formalising the Commonwealth’s ability to underwrite additional cargoes and other vital strategic reserves as needed. 

We are already in discussions with local and international fuel suppliers to help them source additional cargoes as needed to keep our nation and our people moving.

Our focus will be on ensuring additional supply helps address regional shortages and critical supply gaps.

The deal making expertise of Export Finance Australia will allow them to enter contracts of insurance or indemnity, give guarantees, make loans, or enter arrangements needed to help secure fuel supply from international markets.

Commonwealth powers will only be used to help acquire additional supply that is valuable for Australia’s fuel security and where would be cost prohibitive for private suppliers to source on commercial terms without government support.

Support will not replace or subsidise fuel that importers are already contracted to supply.

While Australia’s fuel supply outlook remains secure over the near term due to the actions the Government has taken to date, the Government has been clear – the longer this war goes the worse the impacts will be. 

We are acting now to prepare and shield Australians from the worst of it.

Despite stable national supply, global price pressures and a doubling in demand has seen parts of Australia’s regional fuel market come under significant strain. This has had an unacceptable impact on regional customers who source their fuel this way, including farmers.

The Fuel Security powers help to address this by giving suppliers confidence to secure additional and discretionary cargoes – which will be used to service uncontracted demand, including regional and independent fuel suppliers.

Eligibility for underwriting support will be structured to ensure additional supply can be delivered quickly through trusted operators with the capability and networks to get fuel where it needs to go.

Our Government is undertaking every practical measure required to shield our nation from the worst of this global uncertainty.

Ensuring our farmers, our regional communities and the services all Australians rely on can continue to access the fuel they need.

Across the board, the Albanese Government has been working through and planning for the impacts of this crisis and protecting Australians from the worst of this global challenge.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, will today welcome the Federal Minister of Defence of Germany, Boris Pistorius, to Canberra for his first official visit to Australia.

Australia and Germany are close friends with a shared interest in stability and cooperation. 

The Australia-Germany bilateral defence relationship continues to grow at pace, built upon our shared commitment to international security and prosperity achieved through respect for the international rules‑based order.

During the visit, ministers will discuss opportunities to harness this momentum to deepen and strengthen cooperation between our defence forces, across all domains, and defence industries. 

Recognising the importance of defence industry collaboration between Australia and Germany, Minister Conroy will host Minister Pistorius in Brisbane on Friday where they will discuss joint capability development between Australia and Germany. They will also meet with Australian and German defence personnel.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:

“I look forward to welcoming Minister Pistorius to Canberra for his first official visit to Australia.

“Australia and Germany are linked in the ways we work together, as likeminded partners, to address shared strategic challenges. 

“This visit reinforces the strength of our relationship and highlights the importance of further deepening our defence cooperation.”

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy:

“Germany is a valued defence industry partner and trusted security partner. This visit highlights our intent for even greater collaboration among our respective defence industries.

“The Australian Government welcomes our growing defence industry ties with Germany which will only make both our countries more resilient, help secure local jobs and contribute to Australia’s economic growth.”

The Senate today debated a bill that will require both houses of Parliament to vote before the Government can send Australians to wars overseas. 90% of Australians support this reform with most astounded that the Parliament does not already have this power.

The Albanese Labor Government and the Liberals oppose this reform. Both are committed to keeping the decision to send Australians to war as a secret decision made by a handful of cabinet members with no democratic oversight.

Currently, in Australia, the Prime Minister or Defence Minister can unilaterally take Australia to war with no parliamentary oversight before that decision is made. Polling has routinely shown an overwhelming majority of Australians want there to be parliamentary oversight prior to the deployment of troops.

War power reform bills have been proposed in various forms for over 20 years, but have been routinely rejected by the Liberal and Labor parties.

The Albanese Labor Government has sent 85 military personnel, including an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and medium-range air-to-air missiles, to the UAE.

This decision was made in a closed room by a handful of Labor cabinet members, with zero parliamentary or public engagement or consent.

We now know that the information collected by the E-7A Wedgetail is being provided to the US as part of their warfighting in this disastrous war of choice on Iran.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs, said: “The Albanese Labor Government has dragged Australia into another US forever war, and the public never got a say.

“Having Parliament vote before sending a country to war is common in democracies. That is the case in Germany, France, Finland, Denmark and Spain, to name a few. But the war parties here want to keep making that decision in a dark room that only they can enter.

“The majority of Australians do not support Trump and Netanyahu’s war on Iran or the Albanese Labor Government backing it in. This is why the war parties are so resistant to giving Australians a say on this latest disastrous war.

“We are living through the chaos of a war that was supported by a handful of powerful people without public consent. If we had this law in place, then the Government would have had to justify their position before committing troops and the public would have had a chance of stopping it.

“Right now we are seeing death and violence spreading across the Middle East, and Australians are feeling the economic impacts with cost-of-living increases and chaos.

“Australians should decide if we go to war, not Washington, not a handful of people in the war parties and not Donald Trump.

“We needed this law before Vietnam, before Afghanistan, before Iraq and we certainly need it now.”

The Albanese Labor Government announced today that it will prevent people from Iran who already hold a valid Australian visa from coming to Australia. This is a brutal and unfair decision designed to ensure none of them can make an onshore claim for protection like members of the Iranian women’s football team.

The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No 1) Bill 2026, which was supported by One Nation and the Liberals, gave the Minister of Home Affairs the power to block people with a valid temporary visa from travelling to Australia. This power has now been exercised by the Minister of Home Affairs to target Iranians to prevent them from seeking asylum in Australia.

The restriction will initially apply to any Iranians holding a subclass 600 visitor visa. We know from evidence given by Home Affairs in answer to questions from Senator Shoebridge that there are currently around 7,200 Iranians who hold temporary visas but have not yet arrived in Australia.

The vast majority of people seeking asylum from authoritarian countries do so by securing a visa and then applying for asylum upon arrival. There are vanishingly small numbers of offshore humanitarian visas provided to people in Iran, because doing so would clearly identify them as a target from the Iranian government.

Senator Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Immigration, said: “The Albanese Government supported an illegal war on Iran by the US and Israel with the lie that it was to support the Iranian people. Today, we see with 100% clarity what the Albanese Government thinks of the safety of the Iranian people as they shut the door on protection for people with a visa to come here.

“The Labor Party cynically used the plight of everyday Iranians to justify their support for this latest US forever war, and it has now dropped them when they are no longer of ‘use’.

“Time and time again it is the Labor Party that passes the cruellest laws targeting refugees. One Nation and Liberals may cheer Labor on, but it is Labor pulling the trigger.

“The Government’s claim that it consulted with the ‘leadership of the Australian Iranian community’ may be true, even if I doubt it. But if they did, you get no credit for betraying someone while looking them in the eye.

“To its shame, the Labor government has been explicit that this law is to prevent people from Iran from coming to Australia and seeking safety.

“Today’s order puts the lie to the pretence that Labor is supporting the illegal US and Israeli war on Iran to help the Iranian people. They could not care less.”

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission has launched a formal inquiry into the NACC’s performance of its functions, examining how effectively Australia’s key anti-corruption body is operating. This follows significant community concern that the NACC is failing to deliver on community expectations and has been mired in scandals about conflict of interest management. 

Submissions from the public and stakeholders are open until 29 May 2026, with the Committee due to report by 26 October 2026. The inquiry page is here.

Senator Shoebridge, Greens Justice Spokesperson and member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the NACC David Shoebridge: 

“Australians have been watching the NACC operate in the shadows for years and with this inquiry it’s time to drag this body into the light.”

“NACC has no public hearings, no regular updates and zero cooperation with whistleblowers and complainants. That is a recipe for destroying public trust, not fighting corruption. 

“As one of the many people who have lodged complaints with the NACC I know how people feel when they report serious corruption concerns and are met with total silence for months ticking over to years. 

“I hope that with this inquiry the public can get a voice to tell us directly their thoughts on the processes and functions of the NACC and how to fix it. For too long this entire conversation has been captured by the Labor and Liberal parties who are so conflicted. 

“What I repeatedly hear from the public is that they think the NACC is a joke, a hamstrung and secret tribunal that is fundamentally failing to root out federal corruption. 

“This inquiry has been called while the Inspector is undertaking a separate and independent investigation into concerns about the NACC Commissioner’s actual or perceived conflicts of interest. To respect that independence it is right that this inquiry does not cover that same ground.

“The test of this inquiry is simple: will it produce a pathway to a NACC that the public can actually see doing its job? To do that it will have to give a pathway for serious reform so that whistleblowers are respected, the cloak of secrecy is pulled back and people can see how corruption is being tackled,” Senator Shoebridge said.

After months of delay and failure of the Government to act on a Digital Duty of Care, the Greens will introduce new laws to keep all users safe online. The “Fix our Feeds” bill will be introduced into the Senate next week. 

Greens spokesperson for communications, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young: 

“This verdict confirms what we’ve known for years: social media platforms are deliberately designed to keep people hooked, just like cigarettes or pokie machines. 

“These multi-billion dollar companies are making massive profits off a product that is deliberately designed to be addictive, even when it’s harmful. 

“Big tech is the new big tobacco – an industry that makes its profits off selling addictive, toxic and harmful products.

“Despite promising 18 months ago to implement a Digital Duty of Care – a law that requires social media companies not to cause harm to their users – the Government has done nothing and is still sitting on its hands.

“Toxic algorithms flood our social media feeds day after day. It’s time to give Australians the power to control what we see in our feeds. Every user should have the freedom to choose what type of content they want to see and to opt out of toxic algorithms. 

“Right now, big tech giants are allowed to set their own rules. There is no requirement forcing these companies to make their platforms safe to use, even when they know they are doing harm.  

“A Digital Duty of Care would force big tech giants to prevent harm before it happens – not just apologise after the damage is done.

“The Greens will introduce new laws that will help keep everyone safe online because the Government has refused to act.  

“The Greens Fix our Feeds Bill will allow users to opt in or out of predatory algorithms, giving them a safer online experience. 

“Social media apps shouldn’t be able to rig their algorithms to force dangerous content on users for the sake of making mega profits.”