Category: Australian News

The tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is devastating news.  On behalf of the Australian Government and people, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mrs Abe and to Mr Abe’s family and friends, and to the people of Japan.  

Mr Abe was one of Australia’s closest friends on the world stage.  It was his vision that helped elevate our bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2014.  Under his leadership Japan emerged as one of Australia’s most like-minded partners in Asia – a legacy that endures today.  

Mr Abe was a leader in the Indo-Pacific, championing a vision of a free and open region.  The Quad and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership are in many ways the results of his diplomatic leadership.  

Mr Abe was also a giant on the world stage – a leader in the G7, the G20 and the United Nations.  His legacy was one of global impact, and a profound and positive one for Australia.

Just a few days after being sworn in as Prime Minister, I had the privilege of travelling to Japan for the Quad meeting. In many ways, this grouping is a legacy of Mr Abe’s diplomatic activism.

Mr Abe was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japanese history.  He will be greatly missed.

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI MOURNING FORMER PRIME MINISTER ABE

We, the leaders of Australia, India, and the United States, are shocked at the tragic assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Prime Minister Abe was a transformative leader for Japan and for Japanese relations with each one of our countries.

He also played a formative role in the founding of the Quad partnership, and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Our hearts are with the people of Japan — and Prime Minister Kishida— in this moment of grief.

We will honour Prime Minister Abe’s memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region.

Today the Attorney-General, the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP, discontinued the prosecution of Mr Bernard Collaery under section 71 of the Judiciary Act 1903.

“In taking this decision I have had careful regard to our national security, our national interest and the proper administration of justice.

“It is my view that the prosecution of Mr Collaery should end,” Mr Dreyfus said today.

“I have therefore decided to exercise my power under section 71 of the Judiciary Act not to proceed with the prosecution of Mr Collaery.”

This decision to discontinue the prosecution was informed by the Government’s commitment to protecting Australia’s national interest, including our national security and Australia’s relationships with our close neighbours.

The Attorney-General has notified the ACT Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr Collaery’s legal representatives.

Today I announce the appointment of seven career diplomats to head Australian overseas posts.

Australia’s ability to advance our interests abroad is dependent on the capability of our foreign service.

The appointment of experienced Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officers underscores my commitment to enhanced Australian diplomatic capacity.

I announce the following diplomatic appointments of career DFAT officers:

Ms Berenice Owen-Jones as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Ghana.

Ms Katie Smith as Australia’s next Ambassador to Mongolia.

Mr Neil Hawkins as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Ms Hae Kyong (HK) Yu PSM as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Philippines.

Mr Paul Stephens as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

Dr Angela Macdonald PSM as Australia’s next Ambassador to Thailand.

Ms Annelise Young as Australia’s next Consul-General in Noumea.

I thank outgoing ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in these countries during their respective tenures.

The appalling state of WA’s prisons should be fully investigated, following news overnight that children as young as 14 will be transferred from the Banksia Hill Youth Detention Facility to Casuarina Prison today, the Greens said today.

The Greens remain profoundly concerned for the safety and wellbeing for these children.

As recently as February, the Greens called for an immediate investigation as staffing shortages at the Banksia Hill Centre then forced 10 to 17-year-olds into repeated lockdowns for 22 hours a day. 

Last year, more than 250 former inmates at the prison registered to be part of a class-action lawsuit alleging mistreatment at the Centre.

Yamatji Noongar woman and Senator for Western Australia, Dorinda Cox said:

“No child should be in prison. I am appalled that yet again, children are being blamed for what is essentially a failure of duty on care on part of the WA Government. It says so much about the horrific conditions that these children are being kept in, that this situation has occurred.

“To describe these children as ‘difficult’ completely misses the point – no child should be in prison in the first place, let alone sent to a maximum security adult prison.

“These children are being traumatised as we speak – keeping them in these settings is akin to torture.

“The Western Australian Government has a duty of care to these children, instead, they’re being traumatised in ways that will deeply harm them for the rest of their lives. This benefits absolutely no-one.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens spokesperson for Justice said:

“There’s a growing case for Federal action to keep children safe and out of these inhumane and abusive prisons.

“Putting children in the too hard basket, locking them up in adult prison complexes, will exacerbate trauma and cause lasting harm.

“These actions are a breach of Australia’s international obligations to respect the rights of children and protect them from harm.

“Doing nothing in the face of these systemic failures makes the Federal government complicit not just in WA but in the NT, Queensland and all other states and territories that continue to imprison young kids.”

Australian Government disaster payments will roll out from tomorrow to eligible residents in 23 local government areas (LGAs) affected by the severe storms and flooding that continue to impact large areas of Metropolitan Sydney and east coast of New South Wales.

The assistance will be available in the local government areas of Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lithgow, Liverpool, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.

The one-off, non-means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people who live in those LGAs and who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) has also been made available to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. DRA is taxable.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.

The Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP said:

“It’s heartbreaking to think that for many people this is the third or fourth time in 18 months that their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster of this magnitude.

“Over the last few years our resilience has been tested time and time again, and many people are doing it tough.

“I want everyone in a flood affected region to know that the Commonwealth stands ready and committed to provide support now and through the recovery.”

Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said:

“The Australian Government is committed to making financial help available as swiftly as possible.

“We know natural disasters are distressing for those impacted, both emotionally and financially, and we are doing everything we can to get help where it’s needed fast.

Acting Minister for Government Services Amanda Rishworth said:

“Services Australia’s priority is helping people access essential disaster assistance.”

“These are the toughest of times for people and we want to help communities get back on their feet.

“People impacted can check their eligibility for AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia website, before lodging a claim for assistance.

“The easiest way to claim is online through my.gov.au. Online claiming is available 24×7. Claims can be submitted from 2pm Thursday.

“If people need additional support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 from 2 pm Thursday.”

Deputy Greens Leader and International Aid & Global Justice spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has today written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraging the Australian Government to support Vanuatu’s bid to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the rights of present and future generations to be protected from climate change.

Vanuatu’s initiative will reportedly be considered at the Pacific Islands Forum, which Prime Minister Albanese is attending, next week.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Australia’s support for the initiative would demonstrate that the new government wants to be a climate leader rather than a climate laggard. Critically, it would also prove to our Pacific neighbours that we have listened to them and are genuinely committed to climate justice.

“Those least responsible for the climate crisis, including nations like Vanuatu, face the worst impacts of climate change.

“An advisory opinion from the ICJ could put climate justice and human rights at the forefront of the climate change discussion and drive countries to take stronger climate action.

“Wealthy, colonial countries of the Global North, including Australia, bear overwhelming responsibility for causing and driving the climate crisis. It is imperative that Australia advocates for global climate justice.”

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, will visit Sydney from 6 to 8 July to attend the Australia New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting (ANZLM).

The ANZLM is an annual meeting. Discussions are expected to cover a range of topics including economic links, regional security, Indigenous cooperation, migration settings, economic recovery and climate change.

This visit follows Prime Minister Ardern’s June visit to Australia, and will also include a meeting of the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF).

The ANZLF is being held for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides business and government leaders a valuable opportunity to meet.

The visit is also an opportunity to set the agenda for trans-Tasman cooperation into 2023, when Australia and New Zealand will celebrate 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations trade agreement and 80 years of mutual diplomatic representation.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Ardern back to Australia, along with her delegation of government and business leaders.

“This will be our second bilateral meeting in the past month, which is a reflection of the closeness of our trans-Tasman relationship. It truly is one of family.

“I look forward to discussing ways to strengthen Australia’s bond with one of our closest neighbour.”

Tomorrow I will welcome International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to Australia.

Australia is a longstanding supporter of the IAEA’s mission to harness the peaceful use of nuclear technology in areas like medicine, industrial processes and environmental monitoring, as well as upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Australia’s commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is unwavering.

I look forward to discussing with Mr Grossi the Australian Government’s open and transparent engagement with the IAEA on nuclear safeguards.

This includes our approach for the acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS, in which we are committed to the highest possible non-proliferation standards.

Mr Grossi and I will also discuss the challenging international security environment.

Australia supports the IAEA’s role in addressing proliferation risks in the DPRK and Iran and mitigating nuclear security risks created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2021-22, Australia provided the IAEA $31.5 million in core funding and an additional $5.2 million to assist our regional partners to safeguard healthy oceans, enhance women’s leadership in the nuclear field and support nuclear security in Ukraine.

Mr Grossi will also visit the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to engage with Australian leaders in nuclear science and innovation.

The Coalition is passionate about ensuring Australians get off welfare and into work. When we left office in May 2022, the unemployment rate was 3.9%, which is a 50 year low.

This did not happen by accident. Getting people off welfare and into work was at the forefront of every decision the previous Government made.

The new employment services model that starts today, Workforce Australia, was developed by the previous Coalition Government over a number of years in consultation with jobseekers, providers, peak bodies and employers.

The new model seeks to build on the success of jobactive and give jobseekers the best opportunity to find employment through a tailor made approach. jobactive saw nearly 2 million placements since it was established in 2015. The success of this system was a key factor in keeping our unemployment rate low.

For the new Workforce Australia model to succeed, it is critical that it is based on the principle of mutual obligation, which ensures those receiving a welfare benefit are actively improving their chances of finding work.

The Labor Government must not abandon or try and water down this requirement through the new model.

Unfortunately, we are already seeing worrying signs that the new Labor Government is putting politics ahead of helping Australians find work.

Labor’s proposal to abolish the Youth Jobs PaTH program, which gave tens of thousands of young Australians the ability to find employment, will disadvantage some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

We will hold the government to account to ensure that these changes still allow the system to do what it is designed to do – get more people into jobs.