Category: Australian News

Today marks two year since Australian citizen, Dr Yang Jun, faced a closed trial in Beijing.

Dr Yang is still awaiting a verdict and the Australian Government remains deeply concerned about delays in his case.

Today, our thoughts are with Dr Yang and his family.

Australia has consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment for Dr Yang, in accordance with international norms and China’s legal obligations.

We will continue to advocate for Dr Yang’s interests and wellbeing, and provide consular support to Dr Yang and his family.

Today the landmark review of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 was tabled in Parliament. This review, led by Professor John McMillan AO, is a thorough analysis of the operation of the Act in its first three years. 

It also makes 30 recommendations to strengthen the Act, to ensure it is meaningfully tackling the scourge of modern slavery, both at home and abroad.

Modern slavery, including human trafficking, forced labour, and forced marriage are reprehensible crimes that have no place in our society.

The Government will now consider Professor McMillan’s review. We will consult across government and with stakeholders in formulating our response to the recommendations.

Many of the review’s recommendations are in line with key election commitments from the Albanese Government’s Tackling Modern Slavery package.

Recommendations include:

• introducing penalties for non-compliance with statutory reporting requirements
• lowering the reporting threshold from $100M to $50M
• requiring entities to report on modern slavery incidents or risks
• amending the Act to require entities have a due diligence system in place
• strengthening the administration of the Act through proposed legislative amendments and expanded administrative guidance
• proposing functions for the federal Anti-Slavery Commissioner in relation to the Act.

The review was informed by an extensive public consultation process involving over 280 government and non-government organisations, including from business, civil society and academia. 136 written submissions were provided to the review from a wide range of domestic and international stakeholders.

The Government would like to thank Professor John McMillan AO for his leadership of the review as well as all stakeholders who participated in the review process.

Additional support

Help is available for any person experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or other forms of modern slavery.

The Australian Federal Police can keep you safe, provide advice and refer you to support services. Call 131 237 (131 AFP). If you have immediate concerns for your safety or the safety of someone else, call Triple 0 (000).

If you suspect that another person is experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or modern slavery, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP’s confidential online form.

If you are in, or at risk of, forced marriage, visit www.mybluesky.org.au for support and free, confidential legal advice.

Today marks six years since the Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued at Uluru on 26th May 2017.

Along with National Sorry Day and this year’s National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), it an important time for Australians to reflect.

Six years ago, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from across the nation issued the Statement from the Heart, inviting their fellow Australians ‘to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’.

At this historic meeting the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for the establishment of a Voice to Parliament to be enshrined in the Constitution.

It was the culmination of regional dialogues and included 1,200 First Nations representatives, that formed the Uluru Dialogues.

The sixth anniversary provides an opportunity for all Australians to reaffirm their commitment of the generous invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, in full.

The Australian Government understands that the Statement from the Heart provides the best chance to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and to bring people together and move our nation forward.

Next week the Constitutional Alteration is expected to pass the House of Representatives taking us one step close to a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a Voice to Parliament in Australia’s founding document.  

In the words of the Uluru Statement let’s end “the torment of our powerlessness” and allow “our children to flourish”.

In 2017 we heard the call to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and in 2023 we deliver on its promise.

2023 will be the year that Australia moves forward to a better future, for everyone.

A “Yes” vote at the 2023 referendum is a chance for all of us to take the next step on the journey to reconciliation.

To be counted – and heard – on the right side of history.

National packaging and waste reduction targets designed to increase recycling, help build a circular economy and minimise plastic pollution are likely to be regulated and enforced after decades of failed voluntary industry-led schemes. 

Following questioning from Senator Peter Whish-Wilson in Senate Estimates, the federal environment department acknowledged a move is underway to reset recycling and waste reduction laws, with hopes a national enforceable scheme to clean up plastic packaging waste will be established by 2025.

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“The failure of the Federal Government to hold big plastic producers and polluters to account for the mess they make has dragged on long enough.

“It’s a relief to see the federal environment department signal a long overdue move to establish a legally enforceable producer-responsibility scheme under federal laws. 

“For years the Greens, waste advocacy groups, and the recycling industry have called for the government to regulate strict national waste reduction and recycling targets. 

“For too long successive governments have allowed big producers of plastic pollution to self-regulate their own voluntary waste reduction and recycling targets, without any penalties for failure or fear of regulation.

“Most Australians would applaud federal government leadership in developing a new regulatory framework for waste reduction, especially one that removes unnecessary single-use plastics from our waste stream, promotes the redesign of packaging for a circular economy and provides the recycling industry with the investment confidence needed to upgrade infrastructure. 

“A new approach to waste reduction and recycling is long overdue and if done right, will no doubt be a huge win for jobs, innovation, and Australia’s environment and oceans.”

The Greens have again called for the pilitika/Robbins Island wind farm project to be abandoned due to its numerous environmental red flags. This includes fresh concerns raised by the Federal Environmental Department at Senate Estimates this week about the proponents failure to produce information on managing risks to one of lutruwita/Tasmania’s last Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) free habitats.

The pilitika/Robbins Island wind farm project would see hundreds of hectares of critical Tasmanian devil habitat cleared, adjacent to where the deadly DFTD was recently detected, and where hundreds of devils from this population have been killed on roads in recent years.

Concerns about this project’s impact on the Tasmanian devil follow a bilateral federal-state ­EPA assessment that ruled the windfarm must shut for five months each year to avoid impacting migrating orange bellied parrots. 

Greens senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“The Greens support a rapid renewable energy transition, but it would be a cruel irony if Australia’s renewable energy projects come at the expense of our threatened and iconic species.

“We need to have confidence that wind farms – like any energy project – don’t damage the environment, and the fact is the pilitika/Robbins Island wind farm project hasn’t been able to prove that. 

“The federal government’s oversight of the pilitika/Robbins Island wind farm is going to be a real test on how serious it is about reaching its ‘zero new extinction’ target and implementing strong environmental laws that actually protect critical habitat and wildlife instead of relying on dodgy offsetting schemes.

“Tassie devils are only just clawing their way back from the horrendous DFTD that wiped out 95% of the species’ population, while also battling a myriad of other pressures including land clearing, mining, logging, and becoming roadkill. Needless to say, a massive industrial wind farm on pilitika/Robbins Island is only going to add unacceptable pressure to the plight of the Tasmanian devil.”

Today’s report from the Greens-initiated Universal access to reproductive healthcare Senate inquiry confirms that despite being legal, access to abortion, contraception, sexual healthcare and maternity services remains a postcode lottery in Australia.

The consensus recommendations made by the multipartisan Committee today set out a comprehensive plan for improving access to reproductive, sexual and maternity healthcare for everyone, and the Greens look forward to working with the government to get them implemented.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:
“The message has been clear throughout this inquiry – there are currently too many barriers to abortion, contraception, sexual healthcare, and maternity services in Australia.  That needs to change. 

“These recommendations will have a real impact on people’s access to reproductive health, and we welcome the unanimous support for them from the committee. The Greens will push to see them implemented as soon as possible.

“People shouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars and travel hundreds of kilometres to get an abortion. The Committee’s recommendation to lift restrictions on medical abortion and ensure public hospitals provide surgical abortions or a referral to an affordable local service will go a long way to improving access. 

“The Greens will continue to call for those pathways to be fully funded. Abortion care is basic healthcare, and that means it should be available with no out of pocket costs.”  

“Contraception is crucial to giving people more control over their reproductive choices. The Committee recommendations will improve access and affordability for different types of contraceptives, including long acting reversible contraceptives. 

“The Greens will continue to advocate for all contraception to be free, but we welcome these steps to address some financial barriers. 

“Half the battle is figuring out where you can go to get an abortion or advice on contraception. A national hotline will provide a single touchpoint for people to find reproductive healthcare where and when they need it.

“Around Australia, closures of maternity wards in regional hospitals have left many expectant parents with no choice but to drive for hours to give birth.  It’s unacceptable, and we are pleased that the Committee has called for birthing services to be available in all regional hospitals.

“Another welcome recommendation is support for midwives in birthing and a broader range of reproductive healthcare, and support for more birthing on country initiatives for First Nations people. 

“This inquiry has revealed the scale of work needed to achieve universal access to abortion, contraception, sexual healthcare, and maternity services in Australia, and the Greens are committed to getting it done.”

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Richard Feakes as Australia’s next Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism.

Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism is responsible for leading our international engagement on counter-terrorism including at international fora and works closely with domestic agencies on counter-terrorism issues.

Mr Feakes will also sit on the Commonwealth Joint Counter-Terrorism Board and the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee.

Terrorism is a global challenge, and working closely with our international partners in the region and beyond is critical to safeguarding Australia, our people and our interests from the harms of terrorism and violent extremism.

Mr Feakes is a career diplomat with extensive counter‑terrorism experience. He most recently served as Commonwealth Deputy Counter-Terrorism Coordinator within the Department of Home Affairs. His previous diplomatic roles include Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan and postings to Iraq and Papua New Guinea.

I thank the former Ambassador, Major General (Rtd) Roger Noble AO DSC CSC, for his contribution to increasing Australia’s standing as a partner of choice on counter-terrorism throughout his tenure.

The Greens have welcomed today’s announcement that the Victorian Labor Government intends to bring forward the state’s transition out of native forest logging, and are ready to work with the Albanese Government to end logging nationwide.

The Greens’ Ending Native Forest Logging Bill 2023 is already before Parliament to repeal the Regional Forest Agreements, closing the loophole that gives the logging industry a free pass to skirt national environmental protections. 

Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Forests said:

“If the Albanese Government is serious about fighting the climate crisis and protecting our environment, it must now follow the lead of Victoria, and other state governments, and stop all native forest logging.

“Native forest logging is a dying industry and there’s no way around it. 

“If Labor bring on the Greens bill to a vote, we can immediately ban all native forest logging across the country. 

“The Regional Forest Agreements have allowed reckless destruction of native forests for decades across Australia, pushed native wildlife to the brink of extinction, destroyed First Nations heritage, endangered our water supplies, heightened bushfire risk, and made the climate crisis worse.

“The Government has a responsibility to stop this destruction, protect native forests and fix our broken environment laws. 

“The Greens are ready to work with the Albanese Government on a national ban on native forest logging, ensure a just transition for forestry workers and protect what remains of our precious native forests.”

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for the Environment said:

“This is an important breakthrough in Victoria and must force the Federal Government to act – we now need a permanent, national ban on native forest logging across the country.

“In 2023 in the midst of a global extinction and climate crisis there is no excuse for Australia to keep logging our great forests.

“The Victorian Government has today made the right decision for our native forests and wildlife, but this must be nation-wide.

“The Greens will move to make this national and permanent in our Federal environment laws. It is good for the environment, good for the economy and popular.

Today we announce the inaugural Advisory Board for the Centre for Australia-India Relations, that will drive greater collaboration between our countries from its new Western Sydney base.

The Centre will work across government, industry, academia and the community to build greater understanding within the Australia-India relationship and support business to seize the opportunities of our economic partnership.

The Centre’s headquarters will be in Parramatta, an emerging hub for entrepreneurship and innovation and home to one of Australia’s largest Indian communities. The new headquarters is being supported by the NSW Government.

Joining the Chair of the Advisory Board, Ms Swati Dave, and the CEO of the Centre, Mr Tim Thomas, we are pleased to make the following appointments to the Board:

• Ms Florence Drummond, CEO, Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia
• Mr Adam Gilchrist AO, former Australian cricket captain
• Ms Amrit Gill, Creative Program Lead, City of Melbourne
• Ms Catriona Jackson, CEO, Universities Australia
• Mr Sammy Kumar, CEO, Sayers Group
• The Hon. Martin Hamilton-Smith, former South Australian Minister for Trade
• Ms Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, CEO, Mind Blowing Films
• Ms Jodi McKay, National Chair, Australia India Business Council
• Mr Gunjan Pagare, Executive Manager, Community Investment, Commonwealth Bank
• Mr Amit Singh, Managing Partner, Mandala Partners
• Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, (ex-officio), Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Centre will also deliver the Maitri (friendship) program of scholarships, fellowships, cultural partnerships and grants. For more information on the Centre for Australia-India Relations, visit its website: www.australiaindiacentre.org.au.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met today in Sydney for bilateral discussions that deepened the friendship between our two nations.

The Australia-India relationship is already strong, but we both see potential for growth and an opportunity shape a better future for our region.

The meeting built on the outcomes from the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in March and reinforced their commitment to an open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific.

The leaders discussed the strength of the bilateral trade, investment and business relationship and reiterated their shared ambition for an early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

Further reinforcing the economic and people to people ties between our two countries, the leaders announced the finalisation of the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement, which will promote the two-way mobility of students, graduates, academic researchers and business people, while also enhancing cooperation to prevent irregular migration and people smuggling.

The Prime Ministers welcomed progress towards establishing an Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce and today announce the Terms of Reference for the Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce have been agreed.

Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that the new Centre for Australia-India Relations will be head-quartered in Parramatta. The Centre began operations this month and will drive deeper engagement with India through business, policy and cultural activities and work with Indian diaspora communities. The Centre will be led by Chair Swati Dave and CEO Tim Thomas.

Prime Minister Albanese also announced the establishment of the new Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru. Expanding Australia’s diplomatic footprint to Bengaluru will connect Australian businesses to India’s booming digital economy and innovation ecosystem, and reinforce our growing links in science and technology. Prime Minister Albanese welcomed India’s plans for a Consulate-General in Brisbane.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Modi celebrated Australia’s valued Indian diaspora communities at a community event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. In recognition of the important contributions of the Indian diaspora to Australia’s rich multicultural society, the leaders unveiled a plaque for the foundation stone of a “Little India” gateway for Harris Park.

The leaders also welcomed the City of Perth and Western Australian Government’s decision to rename a road along Perth’s Swan River in recognition of Private Nain Singh Sailani, one of 12 known ANZACs from the Indian community who fought in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia has strengthened the close and strong relationship that Australia enjoys with India.”

“This is a relationship we need to invest in. Our strong partnership with India will deliver benefits for Australia in trade, investment and business, and in regional security and stability.”

“In my first year as Prime Minister, I have met with Prime Minister Modi six times, which underscores the value we place on deepening ties between our nations.”

“Australia is a better place because of the contributions of Indian-Australian community, and we want to see more connections between our countries.”