Category: Australian News

On 20 January, Israel demolished the East Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, and 11 countries including UK, Canada and France have signed a joint statement condemning Israel for this action. The Albanese government has declined to sign up to this international statement.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for International Aid and Global Justice: 

“Labor’s refusal to join even Canada, the UK and France to condemn Israel for demolishing UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem shows Minister Wong has completely given up the pretense of caring about aid to Palestinians.

“Silence on Israel’s bulldozing of UNRWA headquarters was bad enough, but not even having the moral fortitude to join like-minded nations to condemn them is yet another low for the Albanese Labor government. Though, what else can you expect from a divisive government who is laying out a welcome mat for the president of a state committing genocide and who still hasn’t torn up Trump’s invitation to join the farcical and imperial so-called ‘board of peace’?

“At a time where UNWRA and aid is needed the most, this is just going to further fast-track Israel’s genocide and erasure of Palestinians who are already facing starvation, bombing and murder even during a ceasefi

Australians are bracing for another interest rate rise because Labor has turbo-charged the housing crisis and refused to tackle corporate price gouging, the Greens say.

With the RBA likely to raise rates this week, the Greens argue that millions of people will face an interest rate rise because the government has not tackled two major causes of inflation, spiraling housing costs and corporate profiteering.

Sen. Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens said:

“If you’re a mortgage holder or a renter, you face being hit by the RBA to “fix” the government’s “inflation problem”.

“Anyone with a mortgage will be giving more per month to the big banks. Renters are going to cop it as it will trickle down into unfair rent rises. That leaves you with less money to spend on food, or the things you enjoy.

“It’s hard enough right now to get ahead, you shouldn’t be doing it harder. It shouldn’t be on you.

“This is about choices. The government’s priorities mean that you are copping the pain while banks, energy companies and property investors keep winning.

“If they’d taken them on, you wouldn’t be getting a rate rise.”

Sen. Nick McKim, Greens Economic Justice spokesperson said:

“Labor has chosen to leave inflation to the Reserve Bank instead of tackling some of the causes of rising prices – skyrocketing housing costs and corporate price gouging.

“If the Reserve Bank increases interest rates the Treasurer will wring his hands and pretend he shares peoples’ pain when in reality he is responsible for increasing pressure on the RBA to raise.

“If you have a mortgage you are going to feel the pain, while the big banks keep winning. If you’re renting, higher interest rates will flow straight into rent increases.

“Labor pretends this is out of their control. It isn’t. This is about political choices, and Labor has chosen to protect corporate profits while ordinary people wear the pain.

“Big corporations are driving up prices and making massive profits, and Labor refuses to make price gouging illegal across the economy.

“At the same time, Labor is handing out around $180 billion in investor tax breaks that push up house prices and rents.

“The big winners from rising interest rates are the big banks, which already make around $200,000 in profit on the average mortgage.

“Energy giants like AGL and Origin are also cashing in, with around a third of people’s power bills going straight to profit.

“We need to make corporate price gouging illegal, and we need to end tax breaks that help wealthy investors hoard housing.

“People deserve a government that fights for them, not one that leaves inflation to the RBA while protecting big banks and corporations.”

Sen. Barbara Pocock, Greens Finance, Housing and Homelessness spokesperson said:

“In the midst of a housing crisis, families across Australia are holding their breath in anticipation of another interest rate rise. Millions of people are already in mortgage stress, already hurting in a cost of living crisis.

“Australia’s inflation problem is being driven largely by rising house prices, caused by Labor’s failed housing policies.

“$181 billion worth of investor tax handouts are driving up the cost of housing. Investor lending is running hot and now economy wide inflation is in resurgence.

“Labor’s 5% deposit scheme, combined with their massive subsidies for property investors are spiking housing costs, which is the biggest driver of inflation.

“It’s clear that Labor cares more about investors with dozens of properties than it does about renters, first home buyers and homeless people.

‘The Albanese government must urgently slow housing inflation. Labor needs to stop treating housing like a game of monopoly. It needs to scrap the tax breaks for wealthy property investors and directly build social and affordable houses.”

The latest update to the Australian Electoral Commission’s transparency register confirms that the major parties continue to take handouts from the same big corporations and dirty industries in exchange for access and influence.

Fossil fuel companies, gambling interests, pharmaceutical companies and the major banks and supermarkets continue to write cheques to Labor and the Liberals – while Australians pay the price with weak climate laws, stalled gambling reform, and rising cost of living pressures.

With analysis ongoing, some of the largest sources of funds for Labor from the 2024/25 data includes donations of $100,000 each from the Australian Hotels Association and the Pharmacy Guild, $82,000 from the Minerals Council of Australia, one of the country’s largest fossil fuel lobbies, $130,000 combined from gambling companies Sportsbet and Tabcorp, and hundreds of thousands from major fossil fuel companies like Santos, Chevron, Inpex and Woodside, and the peaks that represent them.  

Many of these payments are classified as “other receipts,” a vague category that can allow corporations to buy access to events and forums where they can directly influence politicians.

This week, the Greens intend to reintroduce legislation to ban donations from industries that profit at the expense of the public good.

Greens Democracy Spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“Once again, we see Labor getting cosy with the big corporations that are ripping off everyday Australians.

“While households struggle with groceries and rent, Labor continues to take hundreds of thousands of dollars in dirty donations from the very companies causing the cost of living crisis. 

“Fossil fuel giants have bought their way into the heart of our government. It’s why Labor’s new nature laws ignore climate change — they’re protecting the billions they hand out to big polluters instead of protecting our planet.

“There’s massive public support for real gambling reform but instead of listening to the families being ripped apart by gambling harm, it spends its time banking cheques from multinationals like Sportsbet and Tabcorp.

“If there was any doubt that Labor answers to big corporations, this is the latest receipt. It shows they prioritise the interests of Woolworths, Woodside and Westpac over the needs of everyday families.

“We welcome better donation disclosure, but sunlight alone won’t stop these dirty deals. If we want a democracy that works for the people, we have to ban dirty donations altogether.

The Liberal Party today announced a comprehensive deregulation agenda to get Australia’s economy moving again, lift productivity, and reverse the decline in living standards under Labor.

At the heart of this agenda we will cut red tape so tradies, farmers and businesses can spend less time dealing with government and more time doing their job, saving time and saving money.

This will help small business and large businesses reduce compliance, and get government out of the way of enterprise by:

• Establishing a clear target to reduce the overall red tape burden
• Conducting the first comprehensive regulatory stocktake since 2014
• Cutting the existing stock of unnecessary and duplicative regulation
• Stopping the flow of new red tape through stronger regulatory discipline
• Introducing a national red tape tracker to improve transparency and accountability
• Using technology and AI to simplify compliance and reduce regulatory burden

After nearly four years of the Albanese Government, Australians are working harder but getting ahead less. 

Australia has experienced the largest decline in living standards in the developed world, while economic growth and productivity have stalled.

Since Labor came to office, GDP per capita has been flat or falling in 10 of the past 13 quarters, including no growth at all in the most recent quarter.

Productivity has gone backwards, falling by 0.8 per cent over the last year, undermining wages growth, business investment and long-term prosperity.

The Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley said Australia is being weighed down by a growing web of red and green tape that is choking enterprise, investment and innovation.

“Australia cannot grow its way to higher wages and better living standards if productivity continues to fall,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

“Right now, our economy is being smothered by regulation with businesses spending more time filling out forms than investing, employing and growing.

“Labor’s answer to every problem is another rule, another process, another layer of bureaucracy and that approach is failing.”

Research shows the cost of complying with federal regulation has risen to around $160 billion, equivalent to 5.8 per cent of GDP, up sharply over the past decade. 

Since coming to office, Labor has introduced thousands of new regulations and hundreds of new laws, adding billions of dollars in compliance costs to the economy 

Under Labor, Australia’s global competitiveness has slipped, productivity growth has declined, and living standards have gone backwards. 

Small businesses, farmers, tradies and manufacturers are on the front line of this failure.

The Liberal Party’s deregulation agenda is focused on one clear goal: getting the economy moving again by lifting productivity and restoring confidence to invest and grow.

Today, the Liberal Party is releasing a discussion paper outlining a practical plan to cut red tape and reboot Australian enterprise.

Shadow Minister for Productivity and Deregulation Senator Andrew Bragg said deregulation is not about lowering standards, but about ensuring rules are fit for purpose and work for Australians.

“Good regulation protects the public interest while bad regulation crushes initiative and holds the country back,” Senator Bragg said.

“Australia’s economic recovery will not come from Canberra writing more rules. 

“It will come from backing Australians to take risks, start businesses, build homes and create jobs.

“We cannot lift wages, restore living standards or strengthen the budget unless we fix productivity and we cannot fix productivity unless we cut red tape.”

The Liberal Party is inviting businesses, industry groups and the broader community to make submissions on where red tape is doing the most damage and how it can be cut, streamlined or modernised 

The Liberal Party’s door is open to businesses, industry groups and the broader community to contribute practical ideas and real-world examples from those who deal with regulation every day and understand where the system is broken.

This agenda is about restoring economic momentum, rebuilding confidence and getting Australia moving again.

Today marks five years since the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government. Since 1 February 2021, the people of Myanmar have endured escalating violence, widespread human rights violations and severe humanitarian suffering.

This crisis, caused by the coup, continues unabated. In 2026, an estimated 16.2 million people will require lifesaving humanitarian assistance, and over 3.6 million people are internally displaced due to ongoing conflict. The economy has contracted significantly, and transnational and serious organised crime has flourished, threatening regional stability.

Recent regime elections were held amid ongoing violence and repression, and without meaningful participation from opposition parties. They did not meet the conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections.

Australia has consistently condemned the regime’s brutal and ongoing atrocities against the people of Myanmar, and we will continue to judge the Myanmar military by its actions. We continue to support ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus as the framework for addressing the situation in Myanmar and urge for its full implementation.

We look to the incoming Myanmar authorities to put in place measures that reflect the Five-Point Consensus, including the cessation of violence against civilians; safe and unhindered access to humanitarian support, without discrimination, for all those in need; and a commitment to genuine and inclusive dialogue amongst all stakeholders. We continue to call for the release of all those unjustly detained.

Australia is ready to support genuine efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering, improve economic and social conditions and advance a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis.

We stand with the people of Myanmar, and share their ambitions for a better future.

New data from ACOSS today shows the Federal Government spends more on housing investor tax breaks ($12.3bn in 2025) than on social housing, homelessness services and rent assistance combined ($9.6bn in 2025).

In the midst of a housing crisis, millions of Australian families are living in fear of a possible mortgage rate rise next Tuesday, driven largely by rising house prices resulting from Labor’s failed housing policies, including changes to the 5% deposit scheme which have poured fuel on the fire.

The Australian Greens say the housing and homelessness crisis cannot be solved unless the government winds back tax breaks, such as the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, builds more public and affordable housing and stops pushing policies that fuel demand and make the crisis worse.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Labor’s response to the housing crisis is making things worse. It is more concerned about rewarding property investors with tax breaks than about investing in social housing, homelessness services, and rent assistance altogether. 

“We are in a housing crisis and the government is adding fuel to the fire. Labor’s policies are driving up house prices, rents continue to skyrocket, and waits for social housing are getting longer.

“What’s clear is that Labor prioritises the wealth of property investors, many of whom have dozens of properties, instead of ensuring everybody has a roof over their head.

“For decades, successive Labor and Coalition Governments have put billions of dollars in the pockets of property investors, property developers and the banks. We won’t solve the housing crisis unless the government scraps its $181 billion tax breaks for wealthy investors.

“Labor needs to treat housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. What we need is real action and that means winding back tax breaks for wealthy property investors, as well as building affordable houses in the places where Australians need them.

“Labor needs to stop faffing around with the HAFF, which is too slow and too complex, and it needs to stop fuelling demand with policies like the 5% deposit changes which just make the crisis worse. The government must immediately fund social and affordable housing directly to drive down rental prices.” 

The Australian Greens have backed in the momentum for the treasurer to abolish the billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies given to mining companies as an urgent measure in the upcoming budget.

Reports today show even Labor’s own Environment Action Network have come on board with a policy the Greens spearheaded 29 years ago, when Bob Brown first used a 1997 National Press Club address to call on the government to cap miners’ fuel tax credits. 

Independent analysis of the Fuel Tax Credit scheme shows major miners receive large sums of taxpayer money, BHP around $627 million a year and Rio Tinto around $416 million a year, that should be redirected into electrification and regional transition. 

The Greens took a policy to the last federal election that would see the end of all taxpayer handouts contributing to the climate crisis, including these Fuel Tax Credits  which are bankrolling highly profitable coal, oil and gas companies.

This would free up around $8 billion a year¹ which could be repurposed to provide cost of living relief to households. 

Leader of the Australian Greens, Larissa Waters:

“If these handouts to coal and gas corporations survive the budget chopping block this year, that’s a clear red flag that Labor is prioritising corporate profits over people.” said Senator Waters on Friday.

“Australians are being told to tighten their purse strings while the government gives wealthy coal and gas companies hundreds of millions of dollars to buy diesel. It’s not good enough and it shows exactly where Labor’s priorities lie.

“At the last election the Greens were clear: taxpayers should not be propping up the pollution and profiteering of the coal, oil and gas industries.

“The Greens first called for an end to the diesel fuel rebate for mining 29 years ago. Our 1998 policy called to scrap the handouts to fossil fuels – they were unjustifiable in 1998 and they are indefensible now.

“Even those within Labor agree we shouldn’t be throwing taxpayer money at the multi-billion dollar fossil fuel sector. Jim Chalmers needs to make this a priority in the upcoming budget.

“The Greens want to see real reform that ends these fossil fuel handouts, not tinkering that leaves subsidies for wealthy mining corporations intact.”

A government report prepared for UNESCO on actions taken to stop the Great Barrier Reef losing its World Heritage status highlights that without community and Greens pressure, the Albanese government would have nothing to boast about. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: 

“The most significant measure taken by the government to protect the Great Barrier Reef has only come about because of community and Greens pressure. 

“Deforestation was listed as a key factor in UNESCO’s decision whether to list the Great Barrier Reef as in danger or not – and the only reason vegetation within 50 metres of Reef catchments now receives assessment under Australia’s environment laws is because the community and Greens fought for it. 

“Tackling local threats like deforestation are obviously very important for the Reef’s short term protection, but they won’t save the Great Barrier Reef from being annihilated by the political stupidity of ripping open new coal and gas projects in a climate crisis.

“Obvious to everyone except Labor is that you simply cannot truly protect the Great Barrier Reef by making climate change worse.

“It is hypocritical for Labor to think it can be the trusted guardian of the world’s greatest natural wonder while also the third biggest exporter of fossil fuels on the planet. 

“So long as Labor is content with ripping open new coal and gas projects that are cooking our oceans, the Great Barrier Reef is at risk of losing its World Heritage values forever.”

After two years of sustained community and parliamentary pressure, the ACT Government has finally escalated action against the owner of Big Splash following their failure to maintain the site and open over the past two summers.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader and Member for Ginninderra, Jo Clay, says this is encouraging movement, with a consideration to terminate the lease, but a little too late.

“While this is welcome news and great the see that the ACT Government is finally listening to the community, it should have come sooner,” Ms Clay said.

“The reality is the Labor Government had authority to escalate regulatory action against the owner of Big Splash for failing to meet the condition of its lease from March 2025 – after being closed to the public for 12 months.

“Without the sustained pressure from the community including two petitions, in parliament, and countless questions to the Planning Minister, the ACT Labor Government would have sat back and watched Canberra’s only waterpark become one for the history books.

“Today’s announcement shows that Canberrans have power to drive government action. Now it’s time for us to uphold the government, ensure these are not empty words and ensure Canberra has a waterpark for future generations.”

National Cabinet met in Sydney today and reached a landmark agreement to deliver record funding to state and territory hospitals and secure the future of the NDIS.  

These reforms will ensure Australians can continue to access world class health care and disability supports.

It prioritises investment in our precious public health system and builds on the Commonwealth’s measures to strengthen Medicare.

Hospital funding

Today’s agreement reaffirms a shared commitment to delivering safe, high-quality health and disability services for all Australians. It is a major step forward in addressing growing pressures on our health and aged care systems and the NDIS, ensuring their sustainable delivery into the future.

As part of this deal, the Commonwealth will provide $25 billion in additional funding for public hospitals. This is three times more additional funding for public hospitals than under the last 5 year agreement. Commonwealth funding for state-run public hospitals will reach a record $219.6 billion from 2026-27 to 2030-31.

The funding includes the Commonwealth share of estimated hospital activity from 2026-27 to 2030-31 of $24.4 billion through the National Health Reform Agreement hospital base funding and over $600 million in further Commonwealth investment in the public hospital system.

The Commonwealth will continue to help states take pressure off their hospitals by delivering 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, record investment to expand the bulk billing incentive for all Australians, 92 Medicare Mental Health Clinics, 1800Medicare, cheaper medicines for every Australian and delivering the best aged care for older Australians.

Disability reforms

National Cabinet has acknowledged the need for continuing reforms to secure the future of the NDIS, ensuring it is sustainable and can continue to provide life changing support to future generations of Australians with disability.

Building on this momentum, National Cabinet has agreed to additional reforms including: 

• Adjusting state and territory NDIS contribution escalation rates to be in line with actual scheme growth, capped at 8 per cent, from 1 July 2028 with a review point in 2030-31.
• Working together to target annual cost increases to 5 to 6 per cent.
• $2 billion, matched by states, to deliver Thriving Kids, the first phase of Foundational Supports, with the Commonwealth providing $1.4 billion of its contribution to support states to help their kids thrive.

The national model of Thriving Kids has been informed by the Thriving Kids Advisory Group led by Minister Butler and Professor Oberklaid OAM, and the Parliamentary Inquiry led by Dr Mike Freelander and Dr Monique Ryan.

The Commonwealth has listened to stakeholders including parents, health professionals, disability advocates, educators and states. To ensure states and territories have enough time to implement Thriving Kids the roll out will now commence on 1 October 2026, with full implementation by 1 January 2028.

Children with permanent and significant disability, including those with developmental delay and/or autism with high support needs, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS. 

From 1 October 2026, children with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will start to access support through Thriving Kids. Thriving Kids will be fully rolled out by 1 January 2028.

Children aged 8 and under enrolled in the NDIS prior to 1 January 2028 with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will be subject to the usual reassessment criteria in place prior to 1 January 2028.

The Commonwealth, states and territories will continue to finalise the national and local services to be delivered to support children and their families in each jurisdiction.

The National Health Reform Agreement Addendum is more than hospital funding. This new Addendum has key reforms embedded throughout to make Australia’s hospital and health care system more effective, efficient and equitable.

Australia has world-leading health and disability support services. The decisions taken by National Cabinet today will further strengthen our health system and secure the future of the NDIS.

This media statement has been agreed by First Ministers and serves as a record of meeting outcomes.