Category: Australian News

A First Nations man collapsed and died at Greenough Regional Prison on Tuesday afternoon, the second death of an Aboriginal person in custodial care in less than a week. 

This death follows that of a First Nations woman at Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison who had a “medical event” on December 21 and was on life support until Christmas Eve.

In the year leading up to the end of September, 106 people died in custody and 27 per cent were First Nations people.

WA Greens Senator and Yamatji-Noongar woman, Dorinda Cox said:

“First Nations communities across WA are in distress over yet another death in custody. 

“The final months of 2022 have brought so much grief and sorrow to families who’ve lost loved ones so tragically.

“Following the violent attacks on Cassius Turvey and Diane Miller, our community is now dealing with two deaths in custody over Christmas – when loved ones should be enjoying time with their families.

“We cannot continue to accept First Nations deaths in custody as unavoidable. We need to ensure that everyone in custodial care receives adequate health and mental health care, and access to support services including visits by the community when needed.

“The Commonwealth and State governments have the solutions to change these dire outcomes – they’ve had them for over thirty years.

“I call on state governments to implement all of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report handed down in 1991, and the Commonwealth to urgently fund and implement the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) which was ratified in 2017. 

“We cannot keep turning a blind eye and accepting these devastating outcomes for First Nations people and their families.”

WA Greens MLC, Dr Brad Pettitt said:

“These two tragic deaths in custody in short succession around Christmas time are undoubtedly devastating for the families of these relatively young people.  

“WA continues to have the highest rate of incarceration in the nation and it is time that earnest steps were taken to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission and to do more to ensure these tragedies are not repeated.”

Christmas is such a special time of year.

It’s a day of giving. It’s a day for relaxing together with family and friends.

And for many Australians, it is a day that is so central to their faith.

Of course, not everyone gets to take it easy today. If you’re rostered on somewhere, I want to say thank you for your service to others.

If you’re working because you’ve volunteered your time to make Christmas better for your fellow Australians – whether you’re serving lunch to those in need or you’re keeping our beaches safe – I want to express my gratitude and my admiration.

The same goes to all our emergency service workers, and of course all Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they’re serving here, or far from home overseas. Thank you to every single one of you.

Whatever form Christmas Day takes for you, may it be a very happy one. And may Santa be good to every child.

Merry Christmas.

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

The Sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing on 21 December 2022. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong and China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of interest.

50 years on from the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides reiterated the importance of a stable, constructive relationship to both sides, the region and the world. They agreed to a relationship based on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and navigating differences, in keeping with our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two sides agreed to maintain high-level engagement, and to commence or restart dialogue in areas including:

• Bilateral relations
• Trade and economic issues
• Consular affairs
• Climate change
• Defence, and
• Regional and international issues

They also agreed to support people-to-people exchanges, including the 1.5 track High-Level Dialogue, the Australia-China CEO Roundtable and visits by bilateral business delegations.

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union strongly condemn the Taliban’s recent decisions to ban women from universities, to continue to bar girls from secondary schools, and to impose other harsh restrictions on the ability of women and girls in Afghanistan to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Taliban’s oppressive measures against Afghan girls and women have been relentless and systemic. Over the last 16 months, the Taliban have issued no fewer than 16 decrees and edicts that, among other things, constrain women’s mobility, remove women from places of work, require head-to-toe coverings for women, ban women from using public spaces such as parks and gyms and leave widows and women-headed households in dire circumstances by the requirement of male guardianship. These policies make clear the Taliban’s disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.

Afghan women’s ingenuity and dynamism are needed urgently to help relieve profound and staggering economic and humanitarian needs. A stable, economically viable, and peaceful Afghanistan is only attainable and sustainable if all Afghans, including women and girls, can fully, equally, and meaningfully participate in and contribute to the country’s future and development.

We stand with all Afghans in their demand to exercise their human rights consistent with Afghanistan’s obligations under international law. With these moves, the Taliban are further isolating themselves from the Afghan population and the international community. We urge the Taliban to immediately abandon the new oppressive measures with respect to university education for women and girls and to, without delay, reverse the existing decision to prohibit girls’ access to secondary school.

Taliban policies designed to erase women from public life will have consequences for how our countries engage with the Taliban. Our foremost concern will continue to be the welfare, rights, and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Justin Hayhurst as Australia’s next Ambassador to Japan, commencing in early 2023.

Australia and Japan share a Special Strategic Partnership, with an aligned strategic agenda, strong commercial relations, and enduring people-to-people links.

Japan is Australia’s second-largest trading partner, second-largest export market, and third-largest source of imports.

We are close, trusted and active partners in multilateral, regional and in plurilateral frameworks, including the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue, Quad, the East Asia Summit, World Trade Organization and G20.

Our security and defence relationship is critical to both nations and supports regional stability, prosperity and peace, enabled by a bilateral Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation signed by Prime Ministers this year.

Mr Hayhurst is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Deputy Secretary of the Geostrategic Group and Australia’s Senior Quad Official.

He was previously First Assistant Secretary International in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr Hayhurst has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Beijing, and in the Philippines.

I thank Chargé d’Affaires Peter Roberts for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Japan since July 2022.

The Federal Executive of the Liberal Party of Australia has received the final report of the Review of the 2022 Federal Election.

I would like to thank Brian Loughnane AO and Senator the Hon Jane Hume and the many people who assisted, including Liberal Party members and supporters who made over 600 submissions.

The Review is thorough and forward looking. It makes 49 recommendations relating to: the parliamentary team; Party structure; executives and memberships; pre-selections and candidates; demographics; and campaign preparedness.

While acknowledging the Party has a numbers of strengths, the Review also makes frank assessments about where we can do better.

While the election result in May was disappointing, the Liberal Party is determined to rebuild and offer Australians the strongest possible alternative at the next election.

The Federal Executive will carefully consider the Review and its recommendations, with a clear focus on making our Party stronger and returning to Government.

The report can be downloaded here.

The Albanese and Perrottet Governments today announced a landmark deal to connect New South Wales’ Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and plug Snowy 2.0 into the grid, to create thousands of new energy jobs, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, more secure and more affordable across the east coast.

The joint $7.8 billion deal will back eight critical transmission and REZ projects, supporting more than 3,900 jobs in the regions.

The Albanese Government’s Rewiring the Nation plan will enable $4.7 billion from the Commonwealth to join with $3.1 billion from the NSW Transmission Acceleration Facility, to help NSW realise its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and increase reliability across the east coast grid.

This agreement will unlock the below critical transmission and REZ projects:

1. Sydney Ring – Hunter Transmission Project (HTP);
2. Central-West Orana (CWO) Renewable Energy Zones (REZ);
3. New England (NE) REZ;
4. HumeLink;
5. VNI West;
6. Hunter-Central Coast (HCC) REZ, including potential offshore wind opportunities;
7. Sydney Ring – Southern Sydney Ring; and
8. South-West REZ.

Australia’s electricity grid needs to be strengthened and reconfigured to meet the demands of the rapidly changing electricity market it serves.

Today’s agreement marks the next step in its urgent upgrade to ensure reliability and affordability across the network.

This latest Rewiring the Nation backing follows the landmark deal between the Commonwealth, Tasmanian and Victorian governments for two undersea cables to link Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation projects to the mainland; the Victorian leg of VNI West (Kerang Link); and a range of REZ projects, including offshore wind.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“The Commonwealth has worked hand in glove with the states and territories to shield Australian households and businesses from the worst impacts of the energy crisis caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

“But as well as that critical short-term action, the Australian economy can seize the opportunity of more affordable and reliable renewable energy over the long term– creating jobs in the regions that have always powered Australia, and insulating ourselves from global fossil fuel shocks at the same time.”

“Support for critical transmission infrastructure like Sydney Ring, VNI West and HumeLink, to get across the line, will help transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said:

“This joint $7.8 billion funding deal will support the projected $32 billion in private investment for regional energy infrastructure by 2030.”

“This is our opportunity to invest in our future industries that will drive jobs and wealth creation in our State.”

NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said:

“This is a huge win for NSW that will create new energy jobs across the state and unlock cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy. This investment will support the delivery of our Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap through fast-tracking the development of REZs and transmission infrastructure.”

“These projects are expected to support more than 3,900 jobs during the construction of this critical transmission infrastructure.”

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said:

“The best way to lower energy prices for Australian households and businesses is by increasing firmed renewables across our grid, it is the cheapest and most abundant form of energy across our vast continent.”

“Today’s announcement helps make that a reality by supporting the projects to plug Snowy 2.0 into the grid and linking REZs to ensure the energy can be supplied from wherever the wind is blowing and the sun is shining, to where it’s used by households and industry.”

“Together, the Sydney Ring, VNI West and the HumeLink projects will increase network resilience and energy reliability for consumers and help put downward pressure on electricity bills in years to come.”

Australians travelling overseas over the festive period are urged to understand the health risks associated with any countries they are planning to visit, and in particular, consider the risks posed by measles and polio.

People should ensure they are fully immunised against measles and polio before travelling to any country in which the highly infectious diseases are present.

Measles and polio are found in numerous countries popular with Australian tourists – and it is concerning that immunisation coverage rates have fallen in some of these destinations.

Countries in which measles is commonly found include India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand. It is also widespread in some Middle Eastern countries and across Africa. Outbreaks have occurred in Europe, the UK, and North and South America in recent years. 

If you travel to a country where measles is present and you are not fully immunised, you risk catching the disease, and spreading it – and severe illness – to others.

Two doses of measles-containing vaccine delivers lifelong protection against the disease in 99 per cent of vaccinated people – and people who have previously been infected are also immune.

Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan – and a further 33 countries have experienced outbreaks in 2022. 

Vaccination against polio is recommended every 10 years for adults at higher risk of exposure to the disease.

Your vaccination status may be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register – and your doctor can provide advice on whether you need to get vaccinated against measles or polio.

For information about measles, polio and getting vaccinated, please visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

For specific advice related to your travel destination, please visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website.

The Albanese and Perrottet Governments today announced a landmark deal to connect New South Wales’ Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and plug Snowy 2.0 into the grid, to create thousands of new energy jobs, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, more secure and more affordable across the east coast.

The joint $7.8 billion deal will back eight critical transmission and REZ projects, supporting more than 3,900 jobs in the regions.

The Albanese Government’s Rewiring the Nation plan will enable $4.7 billion from the Commonwealth to join with $3.1 billion from the NSW Transmission Acceleration Facility, to help NSW realise its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and increase reliability across the east coast grid.

This agreement will unlock the below critical transmission and REZ projects:

1. Sydney Ring – Hunter Transmission Project (HTP);
2. Central-West Orana (CWO) Renewable Energy Zones (REZ);
3. New England (NE) REZ;
4. HumeLink;
5. VNI West;
6. Hunter-Central Coast (HCC) REZ, including potential offshore wind opportunities;
7. Sydney Ring – Southern Sydney Ring; and
8. South-West REZ.

Australia’s electricity grid needs to be strengthened and reconfigured to meet the demands of the rapidly changing electricity market it serves.

Today’s agreement marks the next step in its urgent upgrade to ensure reliability and affordability across the network.

This latest Rewiring the Nation backing follows the landmark deal between the Commonwealth, Tasmanian and Victorian governments for two undersea cables to link Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation projects to the mainland; the Victorian leg of VNI West (Kerang Link); and a range of REZ projects, including offshore wind.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“The Commonwealth has worked hand in glove with the states and territories to shield Australian households and businesses from the worst impacts of the energy crisis caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

“But as well as that critical short-term action, the Australian economy can seize the opportunity of more affordable and reliable renewable energy over the long term– creating jobs in the regions that have always powered Australia, and insulating ourselves from global fossil fuel shocks at the same time.”

“Support for critical transmission infrastructure like Sydney Ring, VNI West and HumeLink, to get across the line, will help transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower.”

“This is our opportunity to invest in our future industries that will drive jobs and wealth creation in our State.”

NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said:

“This is a huge win for NSW that will create new energy jobs across the state and unlock cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy. This investment will support the delivery of our Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap through fast-tracking the development of REZs and transmission infrastructure.”

“These projects are expected to support more than 3,900 jobs during the construction of this critical transmission infrastructure.”

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said:

“The best way to lower energy prices for Australian households and businesses is by increasing firmed renewables across our grid, it is the cheapest and most abundant form of energy across our vast continent.”

“Today’s announcement helps make that a reality by supporting the projects to plug Snowy 2.0 into the grid and linking REZs to ensure the energy can be supplied from wherever the wind is blowing and the sun is shining, to where it’s used by households and industry.”

“Together, the Sydney Ring, VNI West and the HumeLink projects will increase network resilience and energy reliability for consumers and help put downward pressure on electricity bills in years to come.”

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who has been in Montreal with the Australian Delegation for the global biodiversity conference COP15, said the new deal agreed overnight puts Australia on notice.

Senator Hanson-Young said:

“The world’s agreement at this conference to protect 30 per cent of land and 30 per cent of oceans is important. The inclusion of a target to halt extinction by 2030 was the minimum commitment needed for species protection – it should be halted now. 

“The world has agreed and now it’s time for Australia to get serious about protecting nature too. This agreement will come to nothing unless it’s funded and implemented properly, and with urgency.

“In Australia halting extinction means governments must stop allowing the destruction of habitat and stop logging and mining in our native forests.

“There is no serious commitment to saving our animals while their homes are being destroyed by government sanctioned mines, logging and development. 

“The 30% protection target is a start, but the big question is how we care and protect the remaining 70% of our environment. We can’t stop animals becoming extinct or keep our drinking water clean without reducing the human footprint on this planet. Reckless environmental destruction for the sake of corporate profits is killing Mother Nature.

“Australia will never be taken seriously while it continues to approve new polluting coal and gas mines. We must have a climate trigger in our laws to stop fossil fuel projects making the climate crisis worse. 

“We must use this new agreement as the impetus for immediate action. Our koalas need their homes saved now, not just what’s left in 10 years’ time.”