Category: Australian News

More disgraceful thuggish behaviour by the Labor Government’s paymasters, the CFMMEU, including disgusting homophobic slurs, has been exposed by the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Less than a week after Labor Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke neutered the ABCC by reducing its powers to the “bare legal minimum”, the Federal Circuit and Family Court yesterday fined the CFMMEU and two of its officials $151,200 for right of entry breaches on the Queensland Cross River Rail project.

Senator Cash said: ‘’The successful prosecution, brought by the ABCC before it was neutered by Mr Burke, is more proof that the tough cop on the beat is still desperately needed in the building industry.”

“Mr Burke and the Labor Government are running a protection racket for the CFMMEU by abolishing the ABCC,” she said.

“But that’s hardly surprising when the CFMMEU gives them so much money that the Labor Government should actually be considered a wholly owned subsidiary of the militant union,’’ she said.

The Court found that, on 15 April 2020, whilst at the Boggo Road site, CFMMEU official Andrew Blakeley aggressively “chested” a representative of the site occupier by walking towards him with his (Blakeley’s) chest puffed and arms bent at the elbows in an imposing and aggressive stance and later stood in the path of a truck to delay it from proceeding down a road and refused requests to leave the area.

Judge Vasta said that he had “absolutely no doubt” that Mr Gibson calling the safety advisor a ‘pumpkin eater’ was “meant as a homophobic slur”. In support of that finding, Judge Vasta referred to a subsequent offensive comment made by Mr Blakeley to the safety advisor that suggested that he was trying to look at Mr Blakeley’s penis whilst in a toilet block.

The conduct of the CFMMEU organisers on that day contravened the right of entry provisions in the Fair Work Act 2009. In penalising Blakeley and Gibson $12,600 respectively, the Court ordered that they must pay the penalties personally.

Judge Vasta said: “The antecedents of the [CFMMEU] are notorious. I have previously described them as the “greatest recidivist offenders in Australian corporate history” and many other judges have also noted their infamous past.

“There is no other “appropriate” penalty that will achieve the deterrent effect necessary other than the imposition of the maximum penalty.

“I acknowledge that this penalty will still be insufficient to deter the [CFMMEU] who will, as I remarked during the hearing, regard such a sum as “chump change”.

Senator Cash said: “Mr Burke and the Government should hang their heads in shame for leaving the construction industry and its workers unprotected from this sort of disgusting behaviour.’’

The Albanese Government is risking lives with mixed messaging on Australia’s border policies.

The Australian Border Force’s Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) has today confirmed four vessels carrying 125 people from Sri Lanka were stopped in June, 2022.

Alarmingly, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly stopped additional boats within their jurisdiction.

Some of these boats had children on board, facing treacherous conditions.

This is the harsh reality of what happens when a government signals it is weak on Australia’s borders.

I am calling on Labor to do the right thing by keeping Temporary Protection Visas – a key pillar of OSB – and protect lives, instead of preferencing ideology.

Last time Labor was in government more than 50,000 people arrived here illegally on more than 820 boats. Tragically, at least 1,200 people died at sea.

The question Labor needs to answer is why are all these boats arriving now?

Sending mixed messages – particularly in relation to Temporary Protection Visas – creates opportunity for people smugglers to prey on vulnerable people.

It is crucial to our national security and our sovereignty that we maintain the integrity of Australia’s borders.

Australia is a fantastic sporting nation and the best of our amazing athletes will begin competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this Friday.

From the 28^th of July to the 4^th of August, more than 420 elite Australian athletes will compete across all 21 sporting disciplines wearing the Green and Gold.

“I have no doubt Australians right across the country will be cheering our athletes by interacting on social media using #BeBoldinGold and even becoming inspired to take up a new sport,” Shadow Minister Ruston said.

“Australia’s representation at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is a credit to all of the coaches, support staff, families and importantly local communities who support our athletes to train and prepare for events on the world stage. I’m excited to soon be watching our Athletes make us proud to be Australians.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry congratulated Queensland athletes on achieving the impressive feat of being selected to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

“It is a great honour that my state has 122 representatives at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“I encourage everyone in Queensland to support our amazing Australian athletes,” Ms Landry said.For more information about our amazing athletes, and to keep up to date with their achievements, visit https://www.birmingham2022.com/

Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, has responded to the release of today’s inflation figures.

“The government should introduce a corporate super profits tax to help ease cost of living pressures, including by fixing up the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT).

“And they should use the additional revenue to provide cost of living support, such as by putting dental into Medicare and making childcare free.”

“COVID disruption and energy price hikes are driving inflation globally.

“But inflation is also being driven by corporate profiteering.

“The share of national income going to profits is at record highs.

“But wages’ share is at record lows and workers are being asked to brace for further real wage cuts.

“Workers are not to blame for higher inflation but they are the ones feeling the pain.

“In particular, new homeowners and renters will be hit hard by expected further increases in interest rates.

“The Treasurer needs to be more than a reporter of bad economic news.

“Fiscal policy needs to be deployed to mitigate monetary policy overreach. 

“The Treasurer needs to heed the advice of the likes of Joseph Stiglitz and Rod Sims and tax excess profits to help cushion the impact of inflation.

“In particular, global gas giants are taking the Australian public to the cleaners while also fuelling the breakdown in the climate.

“On paper, the PRRT is already a windfall profits tax.

“But it is broken and being exploited, and the government should fix it.”

In the first week of Parliament, Labor and the Liberals have joined forces to deny the disability community the opportunity to have disabled person as Chair of the Joint Standing Committee of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Tonight, Senator Larissa Waters as Greens Leader in the Senate moved a motion to change the rules that govern the composition of the Joint Standing Committee of the NDIS. If that motion had been successful, it would have allowed Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John the opportunity to Chair the Committee. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John is the only physically disabled person in the Australian Parliament.

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, Disability Rights and Services Spokesperson said:  

“The Joint Standing Committee of the NDIS is the key Parliamentary oversight body of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. 

“It is an outrage that the Labor and Liberal Parties have worked together to block our Greens motion which would have ensured that a disabled person would have led that committee and the reviews it undertakes. 

“Right now the NDIS is failing so many people in our community. Urgent, transformative change is required. The only pathway we will get this change right is centering lived experience, putting disabled at the helm of reviews, and we must ensure disabled people are taking on leadership roles.=

“Shame on the old, two-party system denying our community this vital opportunity.” 

New data from the Productivity Commission reveals that this country is still failing to hit more than two-thirds of the Closing the Gap targets. Suicide, adult incarceration, First Nations children in out of home care and developmental milestones are among the targets that are not on track.

“If the Albanese Government has any backbone, they will implement all of the recommendations from the Bringing them Home report and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.”

“First Nations people are sick of hearing about the continued failures of Closing the Gap, we demand action from this so-called progressive Government who says that Blak Lives Matter.”

“We have the solutions. We’ve known how to Close the Gap for over 30 years.”

“First Nations people are taking their lives because they can’t see a future for themselves in this system. Survivors of the stolen generation are seeing a new generation of our children being stolen. Over 500 people have died in custody since the Royal Commission and no one has been held accountable. It’s devastating.”

“The Joint Council on Closing the Gap shows us that advisory bodies don’t work. Every year, they tell us how bad we’re doing. The Albanese Government needs to listen to the voices that have already spoken and go back to the incredible work that our old people have already done.”

“Everyone does better when we’re free to make our own choices. We can Close the Gap by putting First Nations people in charge of our own communities through Treaty. The area’s where we’re seeing progress shows us that putting First Nations people in the driver’s seat works.”

“The area’s where we’re going backwards are areas that successive Governments have chosen to ignore, for over 30 years. They have the solutions and they choose to ignore them. This is your chance to do the right thing, Labor.”

I have declared the unfolding situation regarding monkeypox (MPX) in Australia to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.

This follows the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the global situation regarding MPX to be a public health emergency of international concern.

The latest data from 1 January to 28 July 2022 as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) indicates there have been 20,311 MPX cases in 71 countries (including Australia) that have not historically reported MPX.

In Australia, there have been 44 cases – the majority of which have been within returned international travellers.

It is important to note that although I have declared MPX to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance, it is far less harmful than COVID-19 and there have been no deaths reported during the current outbreak outside of countries where the virus is endemic.

MPX is also not transmitted in the same way as COVID-19 – and is far less transmissible.

The decision to declare MPX a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance was made under the Emergency Response Plan for Communicable Disease Incidents of National Significance, in consultation with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

Since May, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care public health experts have engaged with at-risk communities in partnership with key stakeholders and have been working very closely with their counterparts in state and territory health departments to ensure our response to MPX has been swift and coordinated.

The National Incident Centre has been activated to provide enhanced national coordination to assist states and territories to effectively manage the outbreaks within their jurisdictions.

MPX’s rash and flu-like symptoms are relatively mild, and in most cases, resolve themselves within two to four weeks without the need for specific treatments.

Most cases of MPX in Australia have been among people aged 21 to 40 years. The experience internationally and in Australia to date is most cases have been among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

Although MPX is not usually considered a sexually transmissible infection, physical contact with an infected person during sexual intercourse carries a significant risk of transmission and intimate physical contact such as hugging, kissing and sexual activities represent a risk of infection, with infectious skin sores being the likely mode of transmission.

The rash usually occurs on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. However, in this outbreak it is being seen especially on the genital and perianal regions of affected people.

The rash can vary from person to person and take on the appearance of pimples, blisters or sores. The flu-like symptoms often include fever, chills, body aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and tiredness.

The National Medical Stockpile has available stock of MPX treatments, such as antivirals, for states and territories to access on request.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated clinical guidance on vaccination against monkeypox using the ACAM2000 vaccine to include the use of MVA-BN vaccine to prepare for supplies of the third-generation vaccine being made available in Australia.

Further information about monkeypox is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website www.health.gov.au/health-topics/monkeypox-mpx

Inflation figures out today confirm what many families are already feeling – the cost of everything is going up.

The ABS has confirmed The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.8 per cent this quarter. Over the twelve months to the June 2022 quarter, the CPI rose 6.1 per cent.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Labor promised cost of living relief during the election campaign but is now telling struggling families they’ll need to wait.

“Families are feeling it at the bowser, in the supermarket, when they pay their power bills and when they renovate their homes,” Mr Taylor said.

“Labor went to the election promising to ease the cost of living, reduce electricity costs and increase real wages but it’s only getting harder for Australian households and the Government has offered no real plan to address these challenges.

“We haven’t seen inflation this high in more than three decades. The Government can make choices to address these pressures. The Treasurer should avoid being complacent about these real pressures on Australians and outline a proactive plan to address inflation.

“Australians are already paying the price for the lack of a Labor plan.”

Shadow Minister for Finance Senator Jane Hume said the Government needed to provide a clear and credible path forward to managing the budget, not just excuses.

“Jim Chalmers says that his statement tomorrow will be outlining why his job is hard. Labor had all the answers during the election campaign, but now at a time when Australians are paying more for their groceries, their petrol and their homes, there are no solutions in sight from the Government,” Senator Hume said.

“Australians are feeling the pinch in their pockets and need more than the same old excuses from Labor to afford basic necessities.

“The International Monetary Fund report released overnight has confirmed that the Government needs to act and plan for the future now.

“The former Coalition Government left Labor with the toolkit to continue Australia’s strong economic position. Record low unemployment, strong GDP growth, historically low interest rates and the largest turn around to the budget bottom line in 70 years.

“Anthony Albanese needs to provide Australians with a plan to help them deal with this cost of living crisis, not a list of excuses.”

The Albanese Labor Government introduced legislation today to deliver our commitments to fix the crisis in aged care, and usher in a new funding model for residential aged care.

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 will require a qualified registered nurse to be on site in every residential aged care home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring older Australians living in residential aged care receive immediate care when needed.

The former Morrison Government ignored the Royal Commission’s recommendation that nursing homes should have a RN on site 24/7.

We are also delivering on our election commitment to improve transparency in the aged care system, with the Bill introducing measures to monitor the costs associated with aged care, placing greater responsibility on providers to be transparent and fair.

This will see the publication of more information about providers’ operations including what they are spending money on.

The legislation also delivers on our election commitment to stop the rorting of Home Care fees, by placing a cap on how much can be charged in administration and management fees.

This means home care users can be confident their money is going directly to care – not the bottom line of providers.

Also introduced today, the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 contains nine measures to implement urgent reforms to the aged care system, and responds to 17 recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Royal Commission Response Bill provides the legislative framework for the new AN-ACC funding model for residential aged care homes, which will replace the outdated Aged Care Funding Instrument in October 2022.

This framework will offer more equitable funding, better matched to providers’ costs in delivering the care residents need.

It also extends the functions of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority, which will lead to better price-setting for aged care homes.

Other measures enshrine transparency and accountability of approved providers, and improve quality of care and safety for older Australians receiving aged care services.

This includes the Star Ratings System, which will see the Department of Health and Aged Care publish a comparison rating for all residential aged care services by the end of 2022; an extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to all in home care providers from 1 December 2022, meaning increased protection for older Australians from preventable incidents, abuse and neglect; and a new Code of Conduct for approved providers, their workforce and governing persons.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“We are wasting no time getting on with the job with fixing the aged care system.

“The introduction of this legislation is the first step towards delivering new funding, more staff and better support to the sector, while improving transparency and accountability.

“We are using this first sitting week of the 47th Parliament to take important first steps towards fixing aged care and protecting vulnerable Australians, while addressing the challenges in our economy. “

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“We’re delivering on our commitment to putting nurses back into nursing homes and improve transparency in aged care.

“ Every person with a loved one living in residential aged care expects, is the peace of mind in knowing aged care residents have access to clinical care from a qualified, registered nurse when they need it, 24 hours a day, every day.”

“This legislation delivers on the Government’s major reform agenda to protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every older Australian accessing aged care services.”

The Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells said:

“This Implementing Care Reform Bill will put nurses back into nursing homes; it will put a stop to high administration and management fees for home care, which means more dollars go to care and support; and it will improve integrity and accountability for residential aged care homes.”

“We have introduced urgent legislation for a new funding model that will increase funding to aged care providers that was left languishing by the former Government because they couldn’t work with the Senate.”

“This legislation demonstrates our commitment to making public what aged care providers are spending their money on, ensuring a fair and transparent system for our older Australians and their families and carers.”

“24/7 registered nurses in residential aged care is a significant and much needed change to ensure high quality care for older Australians. This will be supported by the initiatives we have in place to grow and boost the skills of aged care nurses.”

“Publishing Star Rating for residential aged care homes will help people meaningfully compare services to make the right choice for themselves or their loved ones”

Over the weekend, four democracy activists in Myanmar were put to death by the military junta, including hip hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw who had close ties to the diaspora community here in Australia, and protest leader Ko Jimmy. 

According to ABC News “the four men had been accused of helping militias fight the army that seized power in a coup last year and unleashed a bloody crackdown on its opponents.” They had been charged under so-called counter-terrorism laws.

Unfortunately, this is a part of many killings perpetrated by the junta across Myanmar. Extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and serious crack downs on the freedom of expression and the media continue. More than 2,000 people have been killed and more than 14,000 arrested since the military coup in February 2021. 

Greens Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

“It has been over a year and the Australian Government has continually failed to act in supporting the people of Myanmar. Instead, it has been revealed that the Australian embassy has spent $750,000 at a luxury hotel linked to the junta. Rather than uniting in solidarity with the people of Myanmar, the previous Government has effectively been funding the war against them. This is embarrassing, unjustifiable and inexcusable.

“Australia is a country which proudly opposes the death penalty. Minister Wong and Prime Minister Albanese must impose targeted sanctions on the military junta who have led the coup. Countries including the US, UK, Canada and countries in the EU have already acted. We must not continue to fail the people of Myanmar. 

“To the people of Myanmar: My Greens colleagues and I hear your cries for help, and we support you in your struggle for freedom and democracy in your country. The Australian Greens will always champion your democratic rights and freedoms.”