Category: Australian News

An Albanese Labor Government will introduce tough penalties to stop dodgy aged care providers neglecting and mistreating their residents. And we will ensure full transparency for Australian taxpayers and aged care recipients about where public and private funds are being spent. 
 
Labor will:

• Introduce criminal penalties – including jail time – for dodgy aged care providers who seriously and repeatedly facilitate or cover up abuse and neglect of older Australians, and who deliberately breach the general duty of care they owe to their residents. 
• Introduce a new duty of care, owed by providers, to recipients of aged care services, including a compensation regime when the duty is breached. This will create a path for class actions against dodgy providers. 
• Create a new aged care complaints commissioner, to ensure complaints against providers are properly and thoroughly dealt with. 
• Introduce new civil penalties for aged care providers who punish aged care workers, residents and families in retaliation for complaints. 
• Give stronger investigative powers to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, including powers to enter and remain in an aged care facility at any time to ensure the safety of residents, as well as full access to documents and records.
• Introduce measures to ensure the 215 minutes of care and nursing that Labor has pledged per resident per day is actually spent on care and clinical support – not on marketing, administration, maintenance or other activities that are not direct care.
• Require providers to publicly report on the expenditure of residents’ and taxpayers’ money – including a breakdown of money spent on caring, nursing, food, maintenance, cleaning, administration, and profits. 

Since the Royal Commission was called, we’ve heard one shocking example after another of outrageous and unacceptable breaches of care standards, including: 

• Homes re-serving left-over food from one resident, pureed, to other residents.
• Delays in identifying and treating wounds leading to severe pain and chronic conditions.
• Overuse of restraints.
• Demeaning practices such as ‘floor time’.
• Management ignoring family complaints.
• Failures in clinical standards and audits.

These measures implement and build on the Royal Commission recommendation to establish a General Duty of Care for aged care – which will set minimum standards to protect residents and workers. Labor will work with residents, families, workers, unions and the sector on the implementation of these measures.
 
These measures are in addition to those announced in Labor’s Budget Reply on Thursday night designed to fix an aged care system which is in crisis – a problem ignored by the Morrison-Joyce Government for far too long.
 
Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Australian Labor Party said: 
 
“The neglect of our aged care residents has gone on for too long. The people who built Australia deserve more protection from their Government. I will act to ensure the sorts of shocking stories we heard during the Aged Care Royal Commission are no longer tolerated.
 
“These measures will build on those announced in my Budget Reply speech to ensure older Australians get the care and dignity they deserve.”
 
Clare O’Neil,  Shadow Minister for Aged Care Services said: 

“Most aged care providers do a great job and put the health and wellbeing of their residents above all else. 

“But there are dodgy providers out there who have been allowed to continue shocking practices which hurt residents, such as re-serving uneaten food from one resident – pureed for other residents – as well as delays in medical treatment and overuse of physical restraints and drugs. 
 
“Labor will throw the book at dodgy aged care providers who hurt and abuse older Australians.”

Australia today signs an historic trade agreement with India, the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, that will further strengthen our relationship while making Australian exports to India cheaper and creating huge new opportunities for workers and businesses.

Tariffs will be eliminated on more than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports to India (valued at more than $12.6 billion a year), rising to almost 91 per cent (valued at $13.4 billion) over 10 years.

Australian households and businesses will also benefit, with 96 per cent of Indian goods imports entering Australia duty-free on entry into force.

India is the world’s largest democracy and the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with GDP projected to grow at nine per cent in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and 7.1 per cent in 2023-24.

In 2020, India was Australia’s seventh largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $24.3 billion, and sixth largest goods and services export market, valued at $16.9 billion. Our Government’s goal is to lift India into our top three export markets by 2035, and to make India the third largest destination in Asia for outward Australian investment.

The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA) signed today will further strengthen that relationship.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the agreement would create enormous trade diversification opportunities for Australian producers and service providers bound for India, valued at up to $14.8 billion each year.

“This agreement opens a big door into the world’s fastest growing major economy for Australian farmers, manufacturers, producers and so many more,” the Prime Minister said. 

“By unlocking the huge market of around 1.4 billion consumers in India, we are strengthening the economy and growing jobs right here at home.

“This is great news for lobster fishers in Tasmania, wine producers in South Australia, macadamia farmers in Queensland, critical minerals miners in Western Australia, lamb farmers from New South Wales, wool producers from Victoria and metallic ore producers from the Northern Territory.

“This agreement has been built on our strong security partnership and our joint efforts in the Quad, which has created the opportunity for our economic relationship to advance to a new level.”

Benefits of AI ECTA include:

• Sheep meat tariffs of 30 per cent will be eliminated on entry into force, providing a boost for Australian exports that already command nearly 20 per cent of India’s market
• Wool will have the current 2.5 per cent tariffs eliminated on entry into force, supporting Australia’s second-largest market for wool products.
• Tariffs on wine with a minimum import price of US$5 per bottle will be reduced from 150 per cent to 100 per cent on entry into force and subsequently to 50 per cent over 10 years (based on Indian wholesale price index for wine).
• Tariffs on wine bottles with minimum import price of US$15 will be reduced from 150 per cent to 75 per cent on entry into force and subsequently to 25 per cent over 10 years (based on Indian wholesale price index for wine).
• Tariffs up to 30 per cent on avocados, onions, broad, kidney and adzuki beans, cherries, shelled pistachios, macadamias, cashews in-shell, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants will be eliminated over seven years.
• Tariffs on almonds, lentils, oranges, mandarins, pears, apricots and strawberries will be reduced, improving opportunities for Australia’s horticulture industry to supply India’s growing food demand.
• The resources sector will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on entry into force for coal, alumina, metallic ores, including manganese, copper and nickel; and critical minerals including titanium and zirconium.
• LNG tariffs will be bound at 0 per cent at entry into force.
• Tariffs on pharmaceutical products and certain medical devices will be eliminated over five and seven years.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said AI ECTA would also further strengthen the people-to-people links between our countries. India was Australia’s third largest market for services exports in 2020.

“This agreement will turbocharge our close, long-standing and highly complementary economic relationship in areas such as critical minerals, professional services, education and tourism,” Mr Tehan said.

“It will create new opportunities for jobs and businesses in both countries, while laying the foundations for a full free trade agreement.”

Both countries will facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications, licensing, and registration procedures between professional services bodies in both countries.

Australian services suppliers in 31 sectors and sub-sectors will be guaranteed to receive the best treatment accorded by India to any future free trade agreement partner, including in: higher education and adult education; business services (tax, medical and dental, architectural and urban planning; research and development; communication, construction and engineering; insurance and banking; hospital; audio-visual; and tourism and travel.

Australia will also provide new access for young Indians to participate in working holidays in Australia. Places in Australia’s Work and Holiday program will be set at 1,000 per year and Australia will have two years to implement the outcome. This is expected to contribute to both workforce requirements and to boost tourism to support our post-COVID recovery.

In a boost to our STEM and IT workforces, the length of stay for an Indian Student with a bachelor’s degree with first class honours will be extended from two to three years post study in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.

Australia and India have also agreed to undertake cooperation to promote agricultural trade as part of the agreement and will now work toward concluding an enhanced agricultural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Mr Tehan today signed AI ECTA on behalf of Australia during a virtual ceremony with India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal, attended by Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Narendra Modi.

Today’s announcement builds on the Morrison Government’s $280 million investment to further grow our economic relationship and support jobs and businesses in both countries, that includes:

• $35.7 million to support cooperation on research, production and commercialisation of clean technologies, critical minerals and energy;
• $25.2 million to deepen space cooperation with India and
• $28.1 million to launch a Centre for Australia-India Relations.

AI ECTA is an interim agreement and both countries continue to work towards a full Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

The Morrison Government is unlocking Tasmania’s renewable energy powerhouse potential and thousands of new jobs through a significant new Commonwealth investment in the Marinus Link electricity interconnector and Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation project.

Marinus Link will export 1,500 MW of fast-start, reliable hydro-electricity from Battery of the Nation and across Tasmania into the other regions of the National Electricity Market (NEM) when it is most needed, delivering an expected $4.6 billion in benefits across the market.

The Government is investing a further $75 million, on top of a previous $66 million already invested, to progress the Marinus Link to a Final Investment Decision and through the next stages of planning, design and approvals.

The Government is also providing $65 million to fund upgrade works on the Tarraleah hydro power scheme redevelopment in Tasmania’s Central Highlands, the first of the Battery of the Nation projects.

These projects will deliver reliable increased renewable capacity to the NEM and brings the Commonwealth Government’s total commitment to $206 million.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said ensuring Australians have access to affordable reliable energy is part of our plan for a stronger future, and addressing cost of living pressures.

“Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation are true nation building projects,” the Prime Minister said.

“This will have enormous benefits for Tasmanians and Victorians, strengthening the economy, creating thousands of jobs, driving down power bills and easing cost of living pressures. More energy in the market means lower prices for everyone.

“Together these game-changing projects will generate thousands of jobs, particularly in regional Tasmania and regional Victoria, and unlock new investment in other renewable energy projects across Tasmania.

“Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation are what a Morrison Government is all about – taking real action to deliver job-creating projects, unlocking economic opportunities, securing our supply of essential services, and ensuring Australians have more money in their pockets to pay for the things they want and need.

“Today’s announcement is the result of the strong partnership I share with Premier Peter Gutwein and his team, and reflects our shared long term commitment to the Marinus Link and delivering for Tasmania.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said the historic agreement would deliver thousands of jobs for Tasmanians while cementing Tasmania’s renewable energy future.

“This is a significant agreement for a clean energy highway, helping to reduce emissions, deliver reliable and affordable energy for consumers, and strengthen Tasmania’s economy through new jobs and investment.

“Tasmania is already a world-leader in renewable energy.  We can already generate 100 per cent of our energy from renewables with a target to double that by 2040. 

“Through Marinus Link, we will take this to the next level, helping to cut at least 140 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050 – the equivalent of taking around a million cars off the road. During construction it will deliver 1400 direct and indirect jobs in Tasmania.

“But most importantly, for Tasmanians and Tasmanian families, it will put downward pressure on electricity prices, helping to ease the cost of living for Tasmanian families into the future.

“I would like to acknowledge the Morrison Government for its support and collaboration in this game-changing infrastructure, that will underpin Tasmania’s continued leadership in renewable energy and the benefits that has for Tasmania.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Marinus and Battery of the Nation are key parts of our balanced plan to deliver a more reliable electricity supply, a more secure grid and lower prices.

“Support of critical reliable generation, like Battery of the Nation, and support of transmission projects that stack up for consumers, like Marinus Link, are key parts of our plan to ensure Australians continue to have the affordable, reliable power they deserve as we bring down our emissions,” Minister Taylor said.

“This is why, in addition to the $140 million in direct support we are providing today, we have also committed to a clear pathway for progressing underwriting of the Tarraleah Battery of the Nation Project through our Underwriting New Generation Investments program.

“Labor have opposed the Underwriting New Generation Investments program, choosing to vote with the Greens in the Senate against this program. On-demand reliable power is critical to keep the lights on and prices low, and Labor’s actions show that all they stand for is a less reliable grid and higher prices.

“Labor’s vote is a vote against Battery of the Nation, against thousands of jobs and economic gains for Tasmanians, and a vote against new generation to power a Tasmanian hydrogen industry.”

Energy and Emissions Reductions Minister Guy Barnett said this was another important step in delivering this nationally significant infrastructure, as well as providing Tasmania with further energy supply and storage capacity – giving us even greater energy security.

“Marinus Link is expected to inject billions into the Tasmanian economy, create thousands of jobs, and provide broader renewable energy opportunities,” the Minister said.

“Its construction is expected to create 1400 new direct and indirect Tasmanian jobs alone, with a further 1400 in Victoria, unlocking projects such as Battery of the Nation which will enable thousands of jobs and opportunities across the supply chain. 

“Complementary to our green hydrogen plans, this will deliver the confidence in our renewable energy future that investors have been looking for, unlocking a further pipeline of projects in Tasmania.”

The Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments will provide strong oversight of both projects through a Joint Ministerial Governance Committee and a Joint Committee of Senior Officials to monitor delivery milestones. Commonwealth nominees will also join the Marinus Link Pty Ltd Board to reflect our 50 per cent investment and partnership in the project.

A Final Investment Decision on the Marinus Link project is anticipated in 2024.

The project, which involves 250 kilometres of undersea cable and 90 kilometres of underground cable in Victoria, will deliver around 2,800 jobs at peak construction, and will stimulate investment in hydro and wind generation. Battery of the Nation is expected to deliver a further 1,120 jobs across Tasmania.

Community coaching in Australian sport is undergoing its biggest transformation in more than 40 years with Sport Australia unveiling a modern coaching approach that focuses on the participant, their individual needs, aspirations, and motivations to play sport.

Developed in collaboration with the sport sector, the new coaching approach is about educating and empowering coaches to create safe, fun, and inclusive environments where participants, volunteers and community sport can thrive.

“We know that in 2022, Australians engage with sport in a different way, and the national coaching model developed in the 1970s doesn’t meet today’s expectations,” Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said.

“Our new approach will help Australia’s half a million community coaches reach their full potential and deliver the best possible experience for everyone involved. The new approach will reshape the sporting experience and encourage more people to play, coach and enjoy sport.

“We are now working closely with over 40 sports to help them revolutionise their coaching approach and developing a range of new offerings to support coaches at all levels.

“For Australia to succeed in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, we must reimagine sport and the environment coaches create is central to this.”

Rather than focusing only on skill development, winning, and moving up through coaching accreditation levels, Sport Australia’s new approach involves ongoing learning and development for coaches. This enables them to continually improve their skills for the benefit of participants, whether they are learning a new sport, playing socially or wanting to compete at a higher level.

Water Polo Australia have embraced the new approach and have restructured their accreditation process to ensure their participants’ needs, motivations and aspirations are at the centre of everything they do.

“One of our biggest priorities is to support and strengthen our coaching workforce. To achieve this, we have removed the outdated accreditation processes, removed the cost barrier for learning and made our content available to all coaches,” CEO of Water Polo Australia Richard McInnes said.

“Evaluating coaches is also no longer about passing a test, it’s about their ability to create positive, engaging environments for their players which ultimately drives retention and growth and ensures our sport will thrive.”

Australian basketball great Carrie Graf says the new approach to coaching will be a game-changer for Australian sport.

“Over the last 20 years, the way we coach hasn’t changed a whole lot, but the participants we engage with as coaches have,” said Graf.

“They have changed a lot in how they think, how they consume information and how they expect information to be delivered.”

In another huge step forward, community coaches across the country will soon have access to free online education which will play a pivotal role in strengthening their essential skills.

“In the coming weeks we will be launching the first in a suite of online courses we have developed to help community coaches across the country deliver a whole new sporting experience,” Sport Australia Director of Coaching and Officiating Cam Tradell said.

“The free course, that will be available on our Australian Sport Learning Centre, will support coaches connect with their participants on a much more individual level, adapt to different coaching environments and increase motivation levels.”

More information about the new approach can be found at www.sportaus.gov.au/coaching/

Australia will commit an additional $40 million in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan for 2022.

This commitment made overnight at the UN Afghanistan Conference, builds on the $100 million in additional humanitarian assistance announced in September 2021.

Australia’s additional funding will provide life-saving food supplies to vulnerable Afghans including women and children, and address other urgent needs such as health, gender-based violence and shelter.

Economic collapse and a lack of essential services are exacerbating the impact of the conflict, as Afghanistan also faces the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing drought. Afghans across all 34 provinces face high levels of food insecurity. More than half of Afghan children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition.

Australia is committed to the Women, Peace and Security agenda including the full and meaningful participation of women in society and economic life.

Women have a vital role in addressing the crisis in Afghanistan. Their meaningful participation is necessary for the stability and prosperity of Afghanistan.

The Taliban has broken its commitment to allow women and girls access to education. We strongly condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal.

Australia joins international partners in condemning the deteriorating situation for women and girls in Afghanistan, including restrictions on education, work and freedom of movement.

Australia continues to stand in solidarity with the Afghan people.

The Prime Minister has taken the final step to reject the application for the Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit PEP-11.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s decision under section 59(3) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to propose to refuse the application has been formalised.

“PEP-11 is officially dead in the water,” the Prime Minister said.

“I said the project would not proceed on our watch, and that is exactly what has happened.

“The decision has been finalised to ensure PEP-11 will not go ahead as a result of the steps taken by my Government.

“I would like to thank our local Liberal Members and candidates and the coastal communities from Newcastle through to Wollongong for voicing their concerns and for working with the Government to ensure the local communities and environment remain protected.”

The New South Wales Government agreed with the Morrison Government’s proposed decision.

The National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) has advised the applicant of the decision.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister James Marape have welcomed $158 million (PGK415 million) in agreements under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to upgrade key power and road networks across Papua New Guinea.

The two Prime Ministers recognised the importance of working together to deliver high‑quality, transformational infrastructure projects, which are critical to Papua New Guinea’s prosperity, and economic recovery from COVID-19.

Australia will support an $86 million (PGK226 million) financing package to improve Papua New Guinea’s national power infrastructure and connect more than 30,000 households, schools and clinics to electricity. Access to electricity is key to improving development outcomes. This partnership will connect many communities in Morobe and East New Britain provinces to the grid for the first time.

Australia’s financing is part of the PNG Electrification Partnership, and supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s objective of connecting 70 per cent of PNG’s population to electricity by 2030.

Australia is also investing $72 million (PGK189 million) to upgrade road infrastructure in key economic corridors across Papua New Guinea, connecting communities and supporting improved access to markets.

The financing will enable the rehabilitation and maintenance of approximately 359 kilometres of priority roads, including the Sepik Highway in the East Sepik and West Sepik provinces, and the Wau Highway in Morobe Province.

Prime Minister Marape welcomed the agreements.

“This financing will assist my Government to progress our priority Connect PNG Strategy, increase strategic connections across Papua New Guinea, and build up critical infrastructure in the power sector,” Prime Minister Marape said.

Prime Minister Morrison said the partnership would support the development of critical infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, and provide a significant boost to the local economy.

“Australia is pleased to support the development of high-quality infrastructure across Papua New Guinea’s diverse regions, and build on our strong record of supporting critical infrastructure across the Pacific,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“This partnership will employ Papua New Guinean workers and use local materials where possible to help stimulate the local economy and assist in its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The agreements recognise the critical importance of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s bilateral partnership and build on the joint ambition established through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP).

Australia will continue to partner with governments and the private sector in Papua New Guinea, and across the Pacific, to respond to infrastructure needs and support our shared interest for an open, resilient and inclusive Pacific region.

Today in Beijing, Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei faced a closed trial on charges of illegally supplying state secrets overseas. At the end of proceedings, the court deferred its verdict.

The Australian Government respects the sovereignty of China’s legal system. However, Ms Cheng’s case has lacked transparency and the Australian Government has never been provided with details of the charges.

Australia’s Ambassador to China and officials were present at the court entrance, reiterating Australia’s support for Ms Cheng and our concerns with what has been a closed and opaque process.

Regrettably, the Ambassador was not permitted entry to the court. The continuing lack of transparency is concerning and further undermines confidence.

Since Ms Cheng was detained in August 2020, the Australian Government has consistently stated the fundamental importance of procedural fairness, basic standards of justice and China’s international legal obligations.

Following Ms Cheng’s trial, we renew our calls for China to uphold these principles and to allow Ms Cheng unimpeded access to her lawyer.

We will continue to provide consular assistance to Ms Cheng under the terms of our bilateral Consular Relations Agreement, and to advocate for her rights, including for her to be able to speak to her two young children in Australia, with whom she has had no contact since her detention in 2020.

Australia stands by Ms Cheng and her family at this difficult time.

Last night, the Greens Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe successfully introduced a Private Senators Bill that will ensure this Country complies with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or UNDRIP.

This Bill is the first step towards implementing UNDRIP into our laws, policies and practice. The Senate also passed a motion, introduced by Senator Thorpe and Senator Cox, that will establish an inquiry into the application of the UNDRIP.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the UNDRIP in 2007, after 144 countries voted in favor and Australia was one of four nations who voted against it. After endorsing UNDRIP in 2009, this Country is finally taking action thanks to the Greens.

Australian Greens Senator for Victoria: Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung woman Lidia Thorpe said:

“This is a historic development for the rights of First Nations people in this country. For too long, all levels of government have been making decisions about us, without us.”

“The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is about First Nations people having the final say on First Nations affairs. It’s about protecting our right to free, prior and informed consent on what happens to our Country, our culture and our people.”

“Senator Payne said in 2007 that something as important as the UNDRIP should not be rushed. For 15 years, successive governments have failed to act on UNDRIP. Last night, the Greens did.”

“First Nations people are strong and capable. We are proud to stand here with the backing of our Greens colleagues and give this Parliament and this Government solutions to the shame of this country’s past. Together, we can find a better way forwards.”

“The bill requires the Government to develop a fully funded national action plan to implement UNDRIP and to audit existing laws, so they are compliant with UNDRIP. It’s time to fix the broken system, and the Greens will get it done.”

“This is a big step forward for Blak justice in this country. This is what having Greens in Parliament can do.”

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the reported winding back of the ban on live sheep export to the Middle East during the Northern Summer will result in completely avoidable animal death and suffering.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Sheep will suffer and die because of this decision. It is a betrayal of the animals and all those who fought hard for the Northern Summer ban just a few short years ago.

“While it certainly wasn’t perfect, the Northern Summer ban clearly did provide some protection to Australian sheep from terrible heat stress and mortality.

“Veterinary and animal welfare experts have repeatedly confirmed that voyages carrying live sheep to the Middle East during the Northern Summer cannot be supported.

“Yet again, the government is folding to their mates in the live export industry for whom profit will always trump animal welfare.

“I find the timing of this decision very devious given the current Senate sat for the last time on Wednesday and now we will not have the opportunity to disallow the regulations before the new arrangements commence.

“Polls repeatedly show that a clear majority of Australians want to see an end to live export. Instead, the government has decided to ramp it up on the eve of an election,” she said.