Category: Australian News

Many Aussie families with children are homeless and will continue to be, while immigration levels remain high according to all media outlets, including ABC News.

The time has come to drastically cut our immigration levels, put a break on inflation, and reduce the rising costs of buying or renting a home.  

Labor promised in their budget papers for 2022 that only 235,000 immigrants would be allowed into the country. This immigration promise was broken, and now we are facing an influx of 400,000 this year.  

Predictions are we will climb to 600,000 immigrants imminently.  

It is now time for a mass movement of people to oppose this mass migration scheme. A movement that opposes the housing crisis and demands a better and just outcome for all Australians.  

The Labor Party has disputed the immigration reality by issuing a ‘fact check’ through their local branch of the ABC.  One Nation affirms that the published government figures in budget papers on proposed migration constitute a ‘promise’. 

Representing the interests of all Australians is a key One Nation focus, and we are deeply concerned about the recent reports from news.com.au of the lack of consultation on the Aborigional voice to parliament proposal. The comments made by Uncle Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu, a senior Tiwi Islands elder, highlight the failure of the current approach to engage Aboriginal communities in this important process.

It is clear, from listening to Aboriginal communities from across Australia, that the Labor government didn’t consult with all Aboriginal communities. Instead, they stacked rooms, over various days, with their supporters and then claimed an extreme minority of Aboriginal people were ‘listened to’.

It is now apparent a huge majority of Australia’s aboriginal community opposes the Voice.

Uncle Francis Xavier’s comments reflect the frustration and disappointment felt by many Indigenous communities who feel left out of the consultation process. He stated that Aboriginal people on the Tiwi Islands were “completely confused” due to the lack of information and consultation, and described the situation as “shocking.” It is unacceptable that a proposal of such importance has not been adequately communicated to the very communities it aims to empower.

One Nation believes that consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities should be at the forefront of any decision-making process that affects them. It is imperative that politicians and policymakers take the time to meet with remote communities, listen to their concerns, and ensure that their voices are heard and respected. The lack of consultation, as highlighted by Uncle Francis Xavier, is a failure on the part of the government and undermines the integrity of the Indigenous voice to parliament proposal.

Furthermore, One Nation is disappointed to note that no federal Labor minister has traveled to the Tiwi Islands since being elected to government. This lack of engagement from the opposition party is concerning and highlights the need for all political parties to prioritize consultation with Indigenous communities.

One Nation stands for the fair and equal treatment of all Australians, including Indigenous peoples.

We are deeply concerned about the lack of consultation on the Indigenous voice to parliament proposal, as highlighted by Uncle Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu’s comments.

The Australian Government has reached an agreement with China that creates a pathway towards resolving the dispute over Australian barley.

Since 2020, China’s 80.5 per cent duties on Australian barley have effectively blocked exports to that market, worth about $916 million in 2018-19.

The Australian Government has been clear in our view that there is no justification for these duties and that it is in both countries’ best interest for all trade impediments to be removed.

Following recent constructive dialogue at all levels, we welcome China’s agreement to undertake an expedited review of the duties over a three-month period, which may extend to a fourth if required.

This dialogue has taken place in parallel to Australia continuing to prosecute our national interests through the World Trade Organization (WTO). Australia has agreed to temporarily suspend the WTO dispute for the agreed review period.

If the duties are not lifted at the end of the review period, Australia will resume the dispute in the WTO. The WTO trade disputes system encourages bilateral resolution where possible.

The Australian Government will continue to pursue our national interests through dialogue and the multilateral trading system. We will use all opportunities, including the WTO dispute mechanism, to get the best outcomes for Australia’s world-class producers and farmers.

This includes creating further opportunities for Australian business to diversify overseas markets.

We remain confident in the outcome for Australian wine at the WTO. If today’s agreement is successful in providing a pathway for lifting duties on barley, we expect a similar process to be followed to remove trade barriers for Australian wine.

The Albanese Government’s approach has been to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest. This pathway reflects that approach.

Australia is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon.

During this time of Ramadan, Pesach and Easter, we call on all parties to immediately work to halt the violence, exercise restraint and restore calm.

Australia condemns unreservedly the indiscriminate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon and Gaza and recognises Israel’s right to defend itself.

We are shocked by the horrifying news of deadly terror attacks in the West Bank and Tel Aviv and our thoughts go to the victims’ families and the injured. Terrorism and violence against civilians can never be justified.

Australia calls on all parties to respect and protect the sanctity and status of Jerusalem’s holy sites. Violence at Al Aqsa, including against worshippers, is reprehensible. Security operations must be proportionate and in accordance with international law.  

Events in recent days are urgent reminders of the need for leaders to work together to foster the conditions necessary for tolerance and peace.

Happy Easter, Australia.

For many, Easter Sunday is a holy day marking the resurrection – a celebration of faith, hope and renewal.

The variety of services, vigils and ceremonies across the Easter period speaks for our nation’s diversity.

Of course, it’s only possible for us to enjoy the long weekend because of the efforts of those Australians who are working through these public holidays.

Thank you for your contribution to our nation.

Finally, can I ask you all to please take care on the roads at this busy time for travel.

Have a safe, happy and holy Easter.

You can view and download the Prime Minister’s Easter 2023 message here.

The Prime Minister will be on leave for one week from Saturday 8 April 2023.

During this time, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will be Acting Prime Minister.

This Good Friday, the Australian Government is pleased to announce $6 million to support the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.

The funding, to be delivered over the next three years, will help continue the hospital’s important work to ensure children and their families can access healthcare of the highest quality.  

It will help fund life-changing treatment, world-class research, leadership and training, to attract the brightest minds to help care for kids from Melbourne, Victoria and across Australia.

It will ensure the continued supportive care underpinning integrated multidisciplinary teams of specialist medical, nursing, allied health, and research staff to utilise the latest learnings and best practice in the Hospital, which includes the Children’s Cancer Centre.

The Good Friday Appeal has been fundraising for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne since 1931, raising a total of $421 million over the past 92 years.

Every year, thousands of people volunteer their time, expertise and creativity to organise fundraising events and activities to support the hospital, culminating in the telethon on Good Friday.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution or learn more about the patients, volunteers and staff at the hospital can visit www.goodfridayappeal.com.au.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“There is no greater obligation on a government than ensuring the health and wellbeing of our kids, and I am pleased to be able to announce this funding on Good Friday.

“Many Australian families owe so much to the dedicated staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital and those who work so hard to raise additional funds to support their work.

“I would encourage all Australians to get behind the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday appeal.”

Minister for Health Mark Butler said:

“The Royal Children’s Hospital is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals.

“The Good Friday Appeal’s ongoing fundraising over almost 100 years has been invaluable in supporting the hospital’s life-saving work.

“I’m proud to support this fantastic initiative, to ensure Australian children and their families can continue to access world-class health care right here in Australia.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has backed today’s call by former defence and security chiefs for the government to release a recent review of the security implications of the climate crisis.

The Office of National Intelligence climate risk assessment report, commissioned by the government after taking office, has not been made public despite similar assessments being declassified and released in the past.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“The Government wants to believe that the climate wars are over, but as the climate crisis gets worse, defence chiefs are warning that conflict from global heating is just warming up,” Mr Bandt said.

“Australia’s safety is under threat from coal and gas. 

“Labor is refusing to confront the scale of the climate crisis, keeping secret a report that would likely deliver a body blow to new coal and gas mines.

“The climate crisis is the biggest threat to our nation, yet the government is keeping people in the dark.

With yet another damning report confirming widespread cultural problems at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), the Greens are calling for The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the AAD to act immediately to comply with Respect at Work reforms.

Senator Larissa Waters has today written to Minister Plibersek to request a briefing about the proposed workplan for responding to the Russell review.

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

“The Russell review has confirmed Professor Nash’s report that revealed appalling sexism, discrimination and harassment at Antarctic stations. Women working in Antarctica need an assurance that the Department is taking this issue seriously.

“Antarctica is the ultimate “fly in fly out” workplace, and its remoteness has allowed an unacceptable culture to develop. I have written to the Minister to request a briefing from the Department about a proposed workplan for responding to the Russell recommendations.

“The Respect at Work reforms were the centrepiece of the government’s response to workplace harassment, and the AAD cannot continue to operate without regard to the new legal framework.

“The AAD must act immediately to comply with its positive duty and ensure base stations are not hostile work environments. If additional funding is required to support changed work practices, that should be allocated in the upcoming Budget.

“It is critical that we encourage and facilitate women working in STEM and in places like Antarctica. But that comes with an onus on the Department to make those work environments safe and respectful.”

There has been an 11% increase in the number of Aussies being forced to sell their homes since Labor took office (Courier-Mail 04/04/2023). While the Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers spent yesterday begging for pats on the back over the announcement from the RBA that interest rates didn’t jump again, the forced sale statistic should have been his focus.

Jim Chalmers was called a ‘factional hack’, ‘backstabber’ and described as a weak crybaby by former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in his book ‘The PM Years’. In that same book, Rudd reports Chalmers admitted to him that the now former PM wouldn’t have wanted him in parliament (pages 586,587).

Families are crying right now as their homes are being stripped from underneath them by a callous and mean-spirited Labor government. Children are being thrown out on the street into a market that has no rental availability by a grossly incompetent Labor government and Treasurer.

Labor has splashed cash since taking office on vanity projects like a referendum, and this spending has contributed to the Reserve Bank’s decision to increase interest rates.

People feel stabbed in the back by Treasurer Jim Chalmers when he gloats about opening the floodgates to hundreds of thousands of immigrants, which the ABC has admitted is the primary cause for the rental crisis and will be for some time (ABC News 03/04/2023).

Rudd’s treasurer Wayne Swan was widely accepted as the most incompetent Treasurer next to the disgraced Jim Cairns of the Whitlam era. Swan employed Jim Chalmers as his chief of staff. Chalmers’ training ground, as documented by Kevin Rudd, was the factional backrooms of the Canberra bubble. It’s no wonder Labor hasn’t got a single policy to help Aussies in financial strife.

One Nation proposes reducing government spending to balance the budget and reduce immigration significantly.