Category: Australian News

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP will visit Singapore from 10-12 June 2022 to attend the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue.

The visit will be Deputy Prime Minister Marles’ first overseas engagement as Minister for Defence, providing an invaluable opportunity to meet with regional counterparts from over 30 nations.

“I am honoured to represent Australia at such an important forum to discuss security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region in complex and challenging times,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.

“The Indo-Pacific is in the midst of the most consequential strategic alignment of our time. I welcome the role this Dialogue plays in shaping robust conversation on strategic challenges and regional security dynamics.”

The Shangri-La Dialogue is the largest regional security dialogue in the Indo-Pacific, attended by high-level international representatives.

This year’s Dialogue is an important opportunity for in-person regional engagement at ministerial level, which was limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Australia remains committed to working with our partners across the region to promote our shared interests of a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.

“I look forward to sharing Australia’s strategic outlook at the Dialogue, and outlining our regional priorities.”

While in Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister Marles will participate in the tenth Australia-Japan-United States Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense, Kishi Nobuo and United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.

Secretary of Defence, Mr Greg Moriarty, and the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell will also attend the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Further information on the Shangri-La Dialogue can be found at https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2022

Senior Lawman and Tiwi Traditional Owner Dennis Tipakalippa is taking the federal offshore oil and gas regulator to court to challenge its decision to approve Santos’ plans to drill the Barossa gas field, saying he and his people were never consulted about the drilling. 

Santos received approval in March 2022 from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to drill up to eight gas production wells off the Northern Beaches of the Tiwi Islands. 

Mr Tipakallipa, who was chosen by his community to represent them, is asking the Federal Court to set aside Santos’ drilling approval, saying, contrary to Santos’ legal obligations, he and his community were never consulted about the drilling plans. 

Plaintiff and Munupi Senior Lawman, Dennis Tipakalippa: “Santos say they did consultation for this drilling project, but no one spoke to me as a Traditional Owner and Senior Lawman for the Munupi clan. My clan, the Munupi, own these Northern Beaches. It’s our land that’s closest to the drilling site. We are the ones who are going to be affected. They never came to me in person or face to face. I think they couldn’t face my people. 

The legal action was filed just as Santos is set to commence drilling, with Tiwi Islanders saying the drilling proposal poses a fundamental threat to their food sources, culture and way of life, and that they should have been consulted. 

Mr Tipakalippa: “We spend a lot of time out in the water – hunting, fishing. We only ever take what we can eat in a day, no more. We respect our homelands, our sea country and it looks after us. Santos should have respected us and consulted in the proper way. They think they can just go ahead with drilling our sea country without even talking to us. Enough is enough.” 

Mr Tipakalippa and his community are particularly concerned by impacts on their sea country if an oil spill occurs. He is also worried that increased shipping may interfere with the breeding patterns and nesting grounds of turtles, dugongs, whales and other marine species essential to Tiwi ceremonies, songlines and cultural practices. 

“The drilling may be out in the ocean, but that’s our sea country and we know how the waters move. I’m also worried about all the noise from the choppers overhead and all those big ships going by. The turtles could be killed by those ship propellers. Their shells all chopped up. Or they will be scared away and not nest here anymore,” Mr Tipaklippa said.

Marine scientist & energy campaigner for the Environment Centre NT, Jason Fowler, concurs with the Tiwi Islanders concerns: 

“Drilling production wells in the Barossa field will have a huge impact on marine life in the Timor  Sea because it means two years of non-stop heavy industrial shipping activity and huge volumes of chemicals, cement and waste dumped into the sea during the drilling process. 

“Any mistake at the Barossa field, such as a well blowout or ship collision, could be devastating to the Tiwi Islands, particularly during the summer monsoon when strong northwest trade winds will push any oil spill towards the Tiwi coast. Tropical cyclones regularly cross the Timor Sea which greatly increases the chances for these disasters to occur. 

“Santos have rejected key safety measures such as locating oil spill clean up equipment at Port Melville on the nearby Tiwi Islands, ceasing drilling during cyclone season and ruling out the mandatory use of double hulled ships. This all adds up to increased risk to Tiwi Islanders who will have limited ability to react if an oil spill occurs.” 

Santos was required by law to consult with people who might be impacted by the drilling plans, including Tiwi people. Lawyers from the Environmental Defenders Office will argue that because Santos failed to consult Mr Tipakalippa and his community, the decision by Australia’s offshore regulator, NOPSEMA to approve the environmental plan is invalid. 

Alina Leikin, Special Counsel for the Environmental Defenders Office: 

“In seeking approval for this project, Santos had a legal obligation to consult with people who might be impacted by the drilling. Our client is arguing that consultation did not occur, and so the approval is invalid.  

“The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Tiwi community. Their food source, their traditional practices, their culture and the country they’ve protected for millennia will be at risk if this drilling goes ahead. These waters and the life within them mean everything to Dennis and his community, but they didn’t have a chance to voice their concerns before the drilling was approved. They were sidelined from the consultation process. 

The outcomes of this case will be significant, given that it is Australia’s first ever legal action brought by a First Nations person challenging an offshore project approval because of lack of consultation. 

Ms Leikin: “This case could establish what constitutes adequate consultation with First Nations people in relation to offshore gas developments. It could have significant implications for how mining companies view their consultation obligations with First Nations people.”  

This case is not the first time that Tiwi Traditional Owners have voiced their concerns over a lack of consultation by Santos. In February 2022, Traditional Owners from the neighbouring Jikilaruwu clan took the South Korean government to court in an attempt to stop it from financing the project, about which they said they had not been consulted. 

Mr Tipakalippa: “It’s all about our future generations. That’s what I worry for. What are they going to have, who are they going to be? Our lives are not just lived on the land, but in the sea – this home that we have loved for thousands of generations.  

The latest Australian Charities Report shows a major rise in total sector revenue and expenses.  

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner Dr Gary Johns said the report, released today, illustrates Australian charities’ major contribution to the economy and to thousands of communities. 

“Pleasingly, the eighth edition of the Australian Charities Report shows that we have a resilient charity sector. It is hugely important economically and employed more than 10 per cent of Australia’s workforce in the 2020 reporting period. Enormous public support for charities is clear, with donations increasing to $12.7 billion. However, expenses also increased by $10.2 billion,” Dr Johns said.

“It was a landmark year for the sector, starting with devastating bushfires in many parts of Australia. Charities responded to help impacted communities with the generous support of the Australian public. There was unprecedented disruption with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing many charities to change, reduce or cease operations for varying periods. Nearly 2,000 charities did not operate, with 650 citing COVID-19 as a reason.

“The disruption may have led to charities incurring additional costs as they tried to shift and change to meet changing needs and requirements. It meant the need for sustained support was never felt as keenly as it was in 2020. There may be some bruises and scars to show for it, but there is no doubt that charities are built on a strong foundation of resilience, innovation and, importantly, public support, trust and confidence.”

The report is mainly based on data 49,000 charities submitted in their 2020 Annual Information Statements — most reporting on the 2020 calendar year or the 2019 –20 financial year. It also includes JobKeeper data supplied by the Australian Taxation Office.

JobKeeper payments to ACNC-registered charities supported an estimated 331,000 individuals between April and September 2020. This reduced to approximately 128,000 individuals between October and December 2020, and 86,000 between January and March 2021.

“JobKeeper helped relieve the financial stress brought about by the response to the pandemic for some charities. Total revenue in the sector rose to $176 billion, an increase of $10 billion on the previous year, which suggests many charities were able to navigate the challenges of 2020 with the support of government,” Dr Johns said.

This edition captures charity program data for the first time, giving an insight into the work of the sector across 75,000 programs. Approximately 7% of charities reported that they operate overseas, in 217 countries or regions. The five most common countries were Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya and Papua New Guinea.

Explore the interactive data (including state by state figures) and download Annual Information Statement data by visiting the ACNC section on data.gov.au               

Key stats

In the 2020 reporting period:

• Charities’ revenue rose to $176 billion — up by more than $10 billion on the previous period
• Donations rose by 8% to $12.7 billion
• Revenue from government rose to $88.8 billion — up $10.7 billion on the previous period, accounting for 50.4% of total revenue  
• Other major revenue sources were goods and services (32.5%) and donations or bequests (7.2%)  
• The 50 largest charities by revenue accounted for 33% of total sector revenue
• Expenses increased by $10.2 billion
• Charities employed 10.5% of all employees in Australia — 1.38 million people
• There was a rise in the proportion of full-time and part-time staff
• Education charities employed the most staff — more than 330,000
• Volunteer contribution was high at 3.4 million volunteers, but decreased by 220,000 on the previous period
• 51% of charities reported no paid staff
• Environment charities reported the most volunteers — 810,000
• Approximately half of the sector’s expenses were employee expenses

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, Trade Minister Senator Don Farrell, Industry Minister Ed Husic, and Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM, will travel to Indonesia for the Annual Leaders’ Meeting with President Widodo in Jakarta.

They will be joined on the visit by a high-level delegation of Australian business leaders.

The Prime Minister will depart Australia on Sunday 5 June, returning Tuesday 7 June.

During the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, the Prime Minister and President Widodo will discuss bilateral trade and investment, cooperation on climate and energy, and regional and global interests.

Especially important will be both sides’ ambition to unlock the potential of the Indonesia‑Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, including to take forward the Government’s proposed $200 million climate and infrastructure fund with Indonesia.

In Jakarta, the Prime Minister will also meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi to discuss the Government’s commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN centrality.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Indonesia is one of our closest neighbours, which is why I committed to visiting as soon as possible.

“Our two countries have a long history of cooperation and friendship, and my Government will work with Indonesia to deepen this.

“We partner together closely on issues of trade, development, education, and regional security.

“During my visit, I look forward to building our ties further, including to revitalise our trade relationship and promote climate, infrastructure and energy cooperation.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong said:

“The Australian Government is serious about our engagement in Southeast Asia, and this visit demonstrates the importance we place on our partnership with Indonesia.

“We share a fundamental interest in promoting a more prosperous, stable and secure region, where sovereignty is respected.

“Australia’s partnership with Indonesia has never been more consequential to this objective.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell said:

“The Albanese Government will deliver the economic expansion promised in the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

“Revitalising our trade and investment relationship will boost the economies of both Australia and Indonesia.”

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said:

“Australian industries will benefit greatly from a reinvigorated partnership with Indonesia.

“Working with Indonesia is central to the Albanese Government’s Trade Diversification Plan, which will provide new opportunities for businesses in both nations.”

Today the Albanese Labor Government has recommended to the Fair Work Commission’s Expert Panel conducting the Annual Wage Review that they ensure that the real wages of Australia’s low paid workers do not go backwards.

One of our election commitments was to put forward our own submission to the Fair Work Commission advocating for an immediate wage increase for Australia’s low-paid workers, and today we are delivering on that promise.

For nearly a decade, low wages were a deliberate design feature of the Liberal National Government.

That era is now over.

Economic conditions are highly unusual and challenging given inflation is at a 21-year high of 5.1 per cent and is expected to increase further in the near-term due to persistent and compounding supply shocks.

High and rising inflation and weak wages growth are reducing real wages across the economy and creating cost-of-living pressures for Australia’s low-paid workers.

The Government does not want to see Australian workers go backwards; in particular, those workers on low rates of pay who are experiencing the worst impacts of inflation and have the least capacity to draw on savings.

Many low-paid workers are young, female, in casual employment, and are far more likely to find themselves experiencing financial hardship.

These low-paid workers were also on the front line delivering essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the retail, hospitality, aged care, cleaning, and childcare sectors.

Over the past decade, in 9 out of 10 years, the Panel has increased the minimum wage rate in line with, or above, inflation. The largest increase in recent years was in 2018–19 where a 3.5 per cent increase was ordered, when inflation was only 1.9 per cent.

Our submission does not suggest that across-the-board, wages should automatically increase in line with inflation, and our broader economic plan has been calibrated to boost productivity, which is the key driver of real wages growth over the longer term.

Ensuring that real wages for low-paid workers do not go backwards will protect the relative living standards for these workers and give them the best chance possible to earn a decent living, keep up with skyrocketing costs of living, secure more opportunities and actually get ahead.

An increase in wages for Australia’s low-paid workers will also complement our efforts to help close the national gender pay gap.

The economy we inherited from the previous government is weaker than was expected before the election and there are significant challenges ahead.

The Albanese Labor Government has immediately started work on building a better future for all Australians, including through this Annual Wage Review submission.

We thank the Fair Work Commission’s Expert Panel conducting the review for the opportunity to make a submission and look forward to their decision later this month.

New Australian Government Submission to the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2022 PDF 598 KB | DOCX 147 KB

Australian Red Cross has highlighted the extraordinary contributions of women and people in low-income areas in the ranks of its most generous donors since the start of 2019 and throughout fires, floods and the pandemic.

New South Wales stands out as the state or territory that gave the most to Red Cross, at $76.5 million, followed by Victoria at $56.2 million. But the smaller state, Victoria, took out the top spot for having the most Red Cross donors, with 197,755 people supporting the charity, followed by NSW with 197,195.

Australian Red Cross State and Territory Operations Director Poppy Brown said an analysis of Red Cross non-corporate donations data from 1 January 2019 – 30 April 2022 showed women give more money and donate more often than men, and people in low-income areas give as much – as a percentage of their area’s median income – as those in wealthy areas and more than those in middle income areas.

“This has been the case throughout 2020 and 2021, despite women and people on lower incomes being disproportionally affected by the pandemic, the rising cost of living, and slow wage growth,” Ms Brown said.

“And this trend is only growing. In the first four months of 2022, a period marked by significant disasters, with unprecedented floods in Queensland and New South Wales and multiple international crises, women and those in low-income areas continue to show their generosity, already donating $21 million to Red Cross.” 

Ms Brown said Red Cross was grateful for support from every part of the community.

“Every donation makes a difference, supporting our work to help people in urgent need 365 days a year – which is why we’re asking people to make a tax-deductible donation as the financial year ends, so we can continue delivering vital services. 

“Every single dollar from every single donor helps make a real difference, whether it’s children donating their pocket money, people giving $5 or $10 when they can, or people and corporates making large donations, including bequests. 

“That support from so many means we can not only respond to disasters at home and overseas, but also support migrants and refugees, work with people who are homeless, and help older Australians overcome loneliness and isolation,” Ms Brown said.

To make a tax-deductible donation, head to redcross.org.au by June 30.

Key data: Australian Red Cross Giving Trends 01 January 2019 – 30 April 2022

• 1,038,644 donors gave $586.95 million to Australian Red Cross from 1 January 2019 – 30 April 2022 (includes corporate donors and donations).

WOMEN

• 183,940 women donated a total of $91.37 million compared to 129,539 men who donated a total of $88.96 million.**
• In the first four months of 2022, 74,484 women have given $13.83 million compared to 55,948 men who have given $10.68 million.**

LOW-INCOME AREAS

• People in low-income and high-income areas gave 0.13% of their area’s median incomes, while those in middle-income areas gave less, at 0.11%.
• In 2021, people in low-income areas gave a higher percentage of their area’s median income, at 0.12%, compared to those in middle (0.10%), high (0.11%) and very wealthy (0.11%) areas.
• In 2021, a total of 54,000 people in low-income areas donated a total of $13 million. This generosity continues in 2022, with 41,000 people in low-income areas donating a total of $8 million in the first four months of 2022. 

STATE AND TERRITORY ANALYSIS

• Per capita, ACT was the most generous state with donations amounting to $25.12 per person, followed by TAS ($15.59 per person), WA ($9.69 per person), NSW ($9.35 per person), SA ($8.77 per person), VIC ($8.46 per person), QLD ($7.93 per person), NT ($7.07 per person).
• Per capita, more people in the ACT give to the Red Cross (5.14%) followed by WA (3.02%), VIC (2.98%), TAS (2.97%), NSW (2.41%), SA (2.27%), QLD (2.25%), NT (1.4%).
• NSW had the highest total donations at $76.5 million, followed by VIC ($56.2 million), QLD ($41.5 million), WA ($26 million), SA ($15.5 million), ACT ($10.8 million), TAS ($8.4 million) and NT ($1.7 million)
• VIC had the most Red Cross donors at 197,755 people, followed by NSW (197,195), QLD (117,726), WA (81,122), SA (40,140), ACT (22,095), TAS (16,014), and NT (3,613)

POSTCODES ANALYSIS

• QLD postcode 4350 had the highest number of Red Cross donors (2,873) followed by VIC 3000 (2,786) ACT 2602 (2,006), NSW 2153 (1,743), WA 6163 (1,680), TAS 7250 (1,441), SA 5159 (900), NT 0810 (29)
• QLD postcode 4350 had the highest donations total, at $1.135 million, followed by ACT 2602 ($1.130 million) NSW 2088 ($870,046), TAS 7250 ($659,467), VIC 3186 ($646,104), WA 6163 ($610,178), SA 5159 ($281,873), NT 0810 ($4,356)

 Top 3 postcodes for donations:

o   QLD: 4350 ($1.135 million), 4740 ($631,490), 4870 ($612,574)

o   ACT: 2602 ($1.130 million), 2611 ($912,382), 2615 ($869,140)

o   NSW: 2088 ($870,046), 2000 ($669,366), 2066 ($602,411)

o   VIC: 3186 ($646,104), 3122 ($637,599), 3000 ($604,367) 

o   WA: 6163 ($610,178), 6010 ($521,216), 6155 ($492, 111)

o   SA: 5159 ($281,873), 5062 ($250,356), 5000 ($244,495)

o   TAS: 7250 ($659,467), 7000 ($497,905), 7018 ($415,461)

o   NT: 0810 ($4355), 0870 ($2656), 0822 ($1853)

Top 3 postcodes for donors (actual number of donors in the postcode area):

o   QLD: 4350 (2,873), 4870 (1,828), 4740 (1,706)

o   ACT: 2602 (2,006), 2615 (1,875), 2611 (1,739)

o   NSW: 2153 (1,743), 2031 (1645), 2026 (1,631)

o   VIC: 3000 (2,786), 3030 (2,005), 3121 (1,729)

o   WA: 6163 (1,680), 6018 (1,499), 6210 (1,365)

o   SA: 5159 (900), 5162 (704), 5158 (617)

o   TAS: 7250 (1,441), 7018 (844), 7000 (764)

o   NT: 0810 (29), 0870 (16), 0800 (14)

*Analysis is based on latest available Australian Red Cross data and 2016 census data. Postcode, income areas, state-by-state and gender analysis excludes corporate donors and donations.

**Of donors where gender was known to Red Cross

Tonight I will travel to Samoa and Tonga, to renew and strengthen Australia’s deep ties of friendship and family.

This is my second visit to the Pacific since being sworn in as Foreign Minister nine days ago.

I look forward to listening to leaders in Samoa and Tonga about how the Australian Government can best apply the new energy and resources we are bringing to the Pacific.

We understand that we need to work together like never before, for our peoples and for generations to come.

We want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to help build a stronger Pacific family – through social and economic opportunities including pandemic recovery, health, development and infrastructure support, as well as through our Pacific labour programs and permanent migration.

We will increase our contribution to regional security: we understand that the security of the Pacific is the responsibility of the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part.

We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific family in addressing the existential threat of climate change. And we will deepen cultural and sporting ties.

In Samoa I will meet Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Prime Minister the Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. My visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of Samoa’s independence being celebrated this week.

In Tonga, I will meet leaders including Prime Minister the Hon. Hu’akavameiliku and Foreign Minister the Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu. Australia played a leading role in the international response to January’s volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, and I look forward to discussing what more we can do to help.

“Australia is the only Western democracy that doesn’t have a national Charter of Human Rights, but we have an opportunity to change that,” said the Greens spokesperson for Justice: Senator Lidia Thorpe. 

This comes as The Human Rights Law Centre released the Charters of Human Rights Make Our Lives Better report, outlining 101 cases where a Charter would level the playing field and empower people to take action if their rights are violated.

The application of human rights in these cases include a domestic violence survivor avoiding eviction, parents with a disability keeping their family together, advocating for people in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic and access to education for asylum seekers.

“Human rights are the tools we use to fight for our basic dignities and freedoms. These tools belong to all of us. They ensure that each and everyone of us in this country is protected.”

“Successive governments have failed to legislate our human rights in federal law. It is time we live up to our international commitments and reflect these in our laws, policies and practice.” Said Thorpe.

The Australian Government has been closely monitoring the evolving situation regarding cases of monkeypox virus internationally.

The National Incident Centre has been activated to support the national response after Victoria and New South Wales both confirmed a case today.

The confirmed cases are both in returned travellers – one travelled to the United Kingdom and the other through Europe.

The Victorian Department of Health and New South Wales Health are responding to the cases and working to rapidly identify contacts.

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) have met and will continue to meet to monitor the situation.

Internationally, cases have been reported in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, France, the Canary Islands, the United States and Canada. Local transmission is thought to have occurred as the majority of the cases have not travelled to areas where the virus is endemic.

Whilst a number of the recently identified cases have self-reported as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, monkeypox has not been described as a sexually transmitted disease, though it can spread through direct intimate contact during sex.

Monkeypox, also known as MPX/MPXV, is a rare viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.

The virus is mostly transmitted to humans via infected animals, such as primates or rodents, however human-to-human transmission does occur.

Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox can occur through close contact with lesions on the skin, body fluids including respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding. Transmission via respiratory droplets usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact. Transmission can occur between sexual partners, through intimate contact during sex, with infectious skin lesions being the likely mode of transmission.

It is important to note that significant close contact with an infected person who is displaying symptoms is usually required for transmission. This means that, with good community awareness, transmission is likely to be localised, readily identified and able to be contained.

Investigations are ongoing as to the precise nature of transmission during this outbreak.

While there are currently no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, outbreaks can be controlled. As monkeypox is similar to smallpox, smallpox vaccine can also protect people from getting monkeypox. It is also thought that antiviral treatments for smallpox may also be effective for treating monkeypox.

The department is coordinating the necessary approaches for both potential vaccination and treatments for high-risk people in collaboration with states and territories.

Australian travellers returning from, or going to, countries where cases have been identified, are urged to be aware of the signs of infection and to seek medical help if they think they may be at risk.

Signs of infection include fever, a distinctive vesicular rash which can occur on any part of the body including the face, and swollen lymph nodes. People who have recently returned from overseas, or who have been in contact with a case in Australia, and who develop any of these symptoms should seek medical advice immediately.

Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks, however severe cases can occur, including death in rare instances. Effective treatments are available in Australia so early diagnosis is important.

Monkeypox virus is not currently a nationally notifiable disease in Australia, however international incidents such as these are monitored by the CDNA and AHPPC, which includes communicable disease experts and Chief Health Officers and other representatives from jurisdictional health departments.

States and territories are alerting clinicians to be on the lookout for potential cases and to report any cases to their relevant state and territory authorities urgently so that a public health response can be activated. Post exposure prophylaxis can be effective in preventing or modifying disease contacts if provided soon after exposure.

The Australian Government will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates.

Learn more about monkeypox.

From today, Australia joins other Commonwealth nations in celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Tonight Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP will light a beacon in Canberra as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons, which coincides with beacon lightings throughout the Commonwealth.

The Platinum Jubilee marks The Queen’s 70 years of dedication and service to Australia and the Commonwealth.

The Australian Government will rename Aspen Island in Canberra in Her Majesty’s honour and showcase her 16 visits to Australia by releasing the Australian Visit Programs.

All Australians are invited to send a personal message of congratulations and thanks to The Queen through the Platinum Jubilee website.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated from 2–5 June 2022 and includes the illumination of iconic buildings and monuments around across Australia in royal purple.

Their Excellencies, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, are in London representing Australians. A contingent from Australia’s Federation Guard is also in London to participate in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on 5 June 2022.

More information is available at: www.platinumjubilee.gov.au.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Today I have the great privilege of lighting a beacon as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons and to commence Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Australia.

“Australia will honour and pay tribute to the remarkable dedication and service of Her Majesty The Queen over the course of the Platinum Jubilee official celebrations.

“I look forward to officially renaming Aspen Island to Queen Elizabeth II Island later this week as a mark of Australia’s appreciation and respect for Her Majesty.”