The future of hydrogen exports in Australia will get a boost from international collaboration between Australia and Germany as the Morrison Government continues to accelerate the development of Australia’s future hydrogen industry.
Australia and Germany are working together on a new initiative to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the development of hydrogen technology.
The Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will take a lead role in the new joint Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Incubator known as HyGATE, supporting real-world pilot, trial, demonstration and research projects along the hydrogen supply chain.
ARENA and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) aim to open the funding initiative in the first quarter of 2022.
Australia has committed $50 million to the HyGATE initiative and Germany has committed €50 million. The funds will be invested into new hydrogen projects.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the HyGATE project follows the signing of the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord in June to collaborate on hydrogen technology.
“The Morrison Government’s ambition is to produce affordable clean hydrogen for use both in Australia and to export to our trading partners, including Germany which has high demand for energy,” Minister Taylor said.
“The recent release of the first report from HySupply, our joint Australian-German hydrogen supply chain study, found there is great potential for Australian hydrogen to supply growing demand in Germany.
“Our partnership with Germany through the HyGATE project will accelerate the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry and will create new jobs and economic opportunities on the path to net zero.”
Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said getting the cost of hydrogen down was a priority under the government’s Technology Investment Roadmap.
“Collaboration with our international partners is vital to achieving the technology breakthroughs required to lower the price of hydrogen and drive its widespread adoption,” Assistant Minister Wilson said.
“Being able to draw on Germany’s expertise in hydrogen technology will help our domestic industry add value and reduce costs in all stages of the hydrogen supply chain.”
Australia’s Special Adviser on Low Emissions Technology Dr Alan Finkel helped broker the hydrogen partnership with Germany.
Australia’s funding is provided under the $565.8 million committed in the 2021-2022 Budget initiative to establish low emissions technology partnerships.
The Australian Government released a National Hydrogen Strategy in 2019, which sets out a vision for Australia to become a major global hydrogen supplier by 2030.
The government is investing more than $1.2 billion to accelerate the development of an Australian hydrogen industry, including $464 million to develop up to seven clean hydrogen industrial hubs in regional Australia.
Clean hydrogen could directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure. Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could also generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.
Hydrogen is a flexible, safe, transportable and storable fuel that when used produces no carbon emissions.
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Temporary Visa Holders
Resumption of travel for temporary visa holders is welcome news and a win for thousands of people whose lives have been disrupted for more than 20 months, the Greens say.
“While this announcement is long overdue, and nothing can erase the immense pain and trauma that the border closure has caused, this news will be celebrated by many thousands of people who hold visas for Australia,” Greens Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“The Greens join with them to celebrate all the children that will be reunited with their parents, all of the couples that will be reunited, all of the people that will be able to return to their jobs, homes, communities and lives in Australia.”
“We also welcome the new temporary visa holders who will now be able to come to Australia and start a new chapter in their lives.”
“The Greens will examine the changes to determine which visa classes have been left out, and continue to advocate for people who hold those visas.”
“There are obviously also many people whose visas have expired, and those who have lost significant amounts of time that they could have spent in Australia.”
“The Greens last month introduced legislation to restore and extend these visas, and we will continue to fight for them to be reinstated.”
Labor’s Bill to End Labour Hire Rorts
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has introduced a private member’s bill to end the labour hire rorts that are ripping off workers in the mining sector and across the Australian economy.
Workers doing the same job at the same mine, factory, construction site, abattoir, shop or office should get the same pay. It’s that simple.
But right now companies are deliberately using labour hire firms that exploit casual workers to undermine job security and undercut wages.
Workers doing the same job at the same mine, factory, construction site, abattoir, shop or office should get the same pay. It’s that simple.
But right now companies are deliberately using labour hire firms that exploit casual workers to undermine job security and undercut wages.
Workers doing the same job at the same mine, factory, construction site, abattoir, shop or office should get the same pay. It’s that simple.
These dodgy arrangements are rife in the mining industry but are increasingly being used in other industries as well such as meat work, construction, hospitality and even aged care.
We know that casual workers in Queensland’s coal-mining industry are consistently earning less than their permanent colleagues – proving it’s a myth that casuals are getting paid their rightful loading.
It’s a rort that has to end.
That’s why Labor committed earlier this year to implementing a “same job, same pay” policy as part of our Secure Australian Jobs Plan. Under a Labor Government workers employed through labour hire companies will receive no less than workers employed directly.
But this doesn’t have to wait to the election.
The Morrison-Joyce Government could join with Labor right now to end these rorts and ensure workers get better pay and conditions.
Scott Morrison and his Nationals colleagues talk a big game about being on the side of miners. But just a few months ago the Liberal and National parties joined with the labour hire firms in a high court case to maintain these rorts. He wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money to ensure casuals can be ripped off.
Scott Morrison also teamed up with One Nation to pass IR changes that extinguish the rights of casual workers in all industries.
Under the government scheme passed earlier this year employers can benefit from the certainty of a permanent worker – but they don’t need to give them the benefits of permanent work like sick leave or annual leave.
If workers want to be casuals they can be. But in our meetings with miners, meat workers and labourers it’s clear many labour hire casuals crave the security, pay and conditions of the permanent workers doing the same job beside them.
Only Labor has a plan to deliver more secure jobs, better pay and a fairer industrial relations system for Australian working families.
We know that casual workers in Queensland’s coal-mining industry are consistently earning less than their permanent colleagues – proving it’s a myth that casuals are getting paid their rightful loading.
It’s a rort that has to end.
That’s why Labor committed earlier this year to implementing a “same job, same pay” policy as part of our Secure Australian Jobs Plan. Under a Labor Government workers employed through labour hire companies will receive no less than workers employed directly.
But this doesn’t have to wait to the election.
The Morrison-Joyce Government could join with Labor right now to end these rorts and ensure workers get better pay and conditions.
Scott Morrison and his Nationals colleagues talk a big game about being on the side of miners. But just a few months ago the Liberal and National parties joined with the labour hire firms in a high court case to maintain these rorts. He wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money to ensure casuals can be ripped off.
Scott Morrison also teamed up with One Nation to pass IR changes that extinguish the rights of casual workers in all industries.
Under the government scheme passed earlier this year employers can benefit from the certainty of a permanent worker – but they don’t need to give them the benefits of permanent work like sick leave or annual leave.
If workers want to be casuals they can be. But in our meetings with miners, meat workers and labourers it’s clear many labour hire casuals crave the security, pay and conditions of the permanent workers doing the same job beside them.
Only Labor has a plan to deliver more secure jobs, better pay and a fairer industrial relations system for Australian working families.
Delivering state-of-the-art equipment to assist cancer treatment
The Morrison Joyce Government is strengthening the safety and quality of Australia’s cancer treatment programs by securing $2.5 million for the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to acquire a new medical linear accelerator (LINAC) for its Melbourne-based laboratory.
Complementing ARPANSA’s current LINAC machine, this new secondary device will ensure a continuous supply of life-saving radiation therapy for cancers.
ARPANSA plays a vital role calibrating the radiation measurement devices for Australian hospitals to ensure that correct doses are administered to patients.
ARPANSA also operates the national dosimetry audit program, verifying that contemporary treatment techniques used by radiotherapy facilities are safe and accurate.
In addition, the LINAC machines are used to conduct cutting edge research into the spatial sensitivity of radiation detectors, the dosimetry of small clinical radiation fields and advanced auditing.
The LINAC will enable ARPANSA to ensure safe radiation treatment for every radiation oncology patient in Australia.
The Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said about 70,000 Australian cancer patients would be treated with radiation this year.
“The number of patients, the sophistication of their treatments and the quality and duration of their survivorship continues to increase,” Minister Hunt said.
“As the number of radiotherapy centres in Australia continues to increase, as does the technological sophistication within those facilities.
“We are ensuring that all Australians have access to safe and accurate radiotherapy treatment.
“Australia is at the forefront of radiotherapy research and treatment, and the Morrison Joyce Government is ensuring that this leading-edge medical equipment is safe to use now and into the future.
Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie said the Federal Government continues to ensure that the steadily increasing number of Australians being treated for cancer received cutting edge therapies, delivered safely.
“This investment in medical infrastructure will ensure these aims are met and ensure that people who live in regional areas can continue to receive modern and safe cancer treatment,” Dr Gillespie said.
“I visited the new Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo this week and met with the first patient who was treated there with a LINAC and heard how much of a difference being able to receive that treatment locally had made to him. I know this investment will help regional patients.”
Dr Gillespie said ARPANSA will have a state-of-the-art linear accelerator to maintain the high standards of calibration work and ensure that all Australians are protected from radiation while undergoing necessary radiotherapy treatments for cancer.
Liberal and ALP parties undermine Land Rights Act, say Greens
The Economic Empowerment Bill 2021 puts forward the most comprehensive changes in 45 years to the Australian Land Rights Act 1976. After successfully negotiating for the Bill to go to a full Inquiry, Senator Lidia Thorpe notes that 92% of submissions are against this bill.
“The Senate inquiry into the Bill has revealed a lack of consultation on this Bill and most stakeholders who gave evidence reject this Bill.”
“Most submissions call for the Bill to be axed, it’s telling that only the likes of the Mineral Council want this Bill to go ahead.”
“When the Morrison Government says that this Bill has been “co-designed,” what they mean is that it has been co-designed with hand picked organisations who have not consulted with the communities that they are supposed to represent.”
“Free, prior and informed consent means exactly what it says. Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: all Traditional Owners have the right to decide what happens on their homelands.”
“This Bill makes it easier for mining and exploration to destroy Country, land, water, and sky.”
“This Bill should not be passed. The government must engage in extensive consultation that is underpinned by free, prior, and informed consent with all affected First Nations people, not just the ones it hand picked.” Said Thorpe.
Cowardly PM shelves corruption watchdog bill as government unravels
Reports that Scott Morrison will abandon his weak anti-corruption body until after the election shows that he never intended to do it in the first place.
Morrison promised that he would introduce a federal integrity commission more than 1000 days ago, but has since pulled every trick in the book to avoid meeting his commitment, and has refused to bring on the Greens bill for a strong corruption watchdog in the House despite it passing the Senate two years ago.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“It’s being reported today that Scott Morrison is abandoning his long-promised integrity commission legislation because he can’t be sure of support from his own backbench or his usually willing accomplices in One Nation.
“This suits him beautifully because it’s another excuse not to progress an integrity body.
“That the PM is prioritising a divisive bill about religious discrimination rather than a much-called-for body to clean up corruption is very telling. The PM has a lot of religion and not a lot of integrity.
“After 1000 days of delay and excuses, it’s perfectly clear the PM never really wanted to introduce a corruption watchdog, probably because more than half of his Cabinet would be facing serious questions about their integrity.
“This is the dodgiest, most secretive and most incompetent government in Australian history.
“The Greens bill for a strong, independent corruption watchdog with teeth passed the Senate two years ago. The PM has been running scared from it ever since. If the PM had any integrity at all, he would bring my bill on for debate and vote in the House, and we could have an effective federal corruption watchdog by Christmas.
“Far from being an ICAC-lite like the government’s phantom proposal, our bill would establish a strong, independent, effective body that allows for public hearings, retrospectivity and the ability to investigate anonymous tip-offs, balanced with appropriate safeguards and privacy provisions. It got top marks from the Centre for Public Integrity in a comparison of the various models. The PM should stop the charade of excuses and bring it on for debate.”
Drawing up the plan for Australia’s Nurse Practitioners
The Morrison Government is developing a new 10-year strategic plan to help Australia’s highly skilled and respected nurse practitioners, enhancing the way they work as they deliver essential health care for Australians.
As part of the strategic plan, the Government is today commencing consultations for the plan, which aims to address workforce issues and enhance the delivery of patient care.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said there are more than 2,250 nurse practitioners in Australia who work across the health system including in our hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health services, and primary healthcare services.
“This is the first opportunity for the community, health providers, clinicians, and experts to make a contribution to this new plan, which will be delivered by the middle of next year,” Minister Hunt said.
“We want to ensure that the 10-year plan improves health outcomes, addresses workforce challenges and ensures that Australians can continue to access the support they need.”
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Nurse Practitioners are focused on improving access to treatment, and dedicated to improving health outcomes of all Australians, particularly at risk populations, including aged care residents, Indigenous
Australians and those living in regional, rural and remote areas.
Nurse Practitioners can be involved in a wide range of health care, providing advanced assessment and complete episodes of care to patients, including minor surgical procedures, ordering diagnostic tests, and initiating or ceasing medicines.
Nurse Practitioners also work collaboratively with other health professionals around planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for their patients.
The consultations will engage a wide range of stakeholders to better understand the issues that can impact Nurse Practitioner delivery of care, as well as innovations or new approaches.
Stakeholders can inform the development of the plan through a survey available on the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub – www.consultations.health.gov.au. Alternatively, written submissions will be accepted to nursepolicy@health.gov.au.
Consultation will close on Monday 20 December 2021.
Labor’s Plan to Boost Education Opportunities for 30,000 Families With No Internet at Home
Up to 30,000 families with no internet at home will be supported with access to free broadband for a year under Labor’s plan for a better NBN.
“During COVID-19 it became clear that students needed high-speed broadband to participate in classes from home,” said Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, today.
“This experience regrettably revealed some school children did not have access to any home internet, and this compounded an already very difficult school year.”
To enable implementation, NBNCo will provide a wholesale rebate to a designated retail provider to supply the service.
Eligible families would be identified by schools, state education departments and local community organisations, and eligibility validated by NBNCo.
“This will help extend unconnected children the opportunity to benefit from the internet and not be disadvantaged,” said Mr Albanese.
At a time when broadband has become a critical link between students and society, action is needed to ensure no child is left behind.
Ensuring every school child has broadband at home is a complex challenge that cannot be solved overnight.
However, through compassion, targeted incentives and a clear sense of purpose, we can make practical progress to bridge the digital divide.
Labor’s plan for a better NBN will secure more Australian families and businesses quality, high speed internet by expanding full-fibre NBN access to 1.5 million premises.
A Labor Government will ensure, 90 per cent of Australians in the fixed line footprint – over 10 million premises – will have access to world-class gigabit speeds by 2025.
Labor will also keep the NBN in public hands, keeping internet costs for families affordable while ensuring improvements to the network.
Reliable, quality, high speed internet is not a luxury or a nice-to-have.
It is essential 21st century infrastructure.
Greens launch new discussion paper on future of universities
Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has today launched a new discussion paper, The University of the Future: Higher Education Built on Democracy and Equity. The policy ideas and research in the paper will provide a starting point for richer, more radical conversations about the future of universities.
Contained in the report is Parliamentary Library data analysed by the Greens has revealed that over the past twenty years, the number of elected members on the governing bodies of Australian universities has decreased by 43% from 274 elected members in 2000 to 155 elected members in 2020. As a proportion, in 2000, more than one-third of positions on these bodies were elected. By 2020, it was down to fewer than one in four.
The paper presents research and proposes a number of policy ideas, discussion questions and political actions relating to:
- University democracy and reclaiming campuses for staff and students; Secure jobs and reversing casualisation;
- Encouraging student activism and campuses as political spaces;
- Equity and anti-racism;
- First Nations knowledges, research, and leadership;
- Academic freedom; and
- Free education and abolishing student debt.
Senator Faruqi said:
“For too long, short-sighted governments and private interests have dominated conversations about what higher education should look like in this country.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and reimagine the very purpose of universities. And we have to take the power back from the anti-intellectual governments and private interests that currently run the show.
“The corporatisation of universities by government and neoliberal university management has occurred while staff and student representation on governing bodies has shrunk massively.
“Universities are at a crossroads. They can continue hurtling down a path of corporatisation, austerity and job insecurity, or they can chart a new course based on principles of democracy and equity.
“Universities are a public good. It’s time to start treating them this way once more.”
The full report is available here.
New centre provides local care and makes Dubbo more attractive for doctors
Cancer patients across Western New South Wales now have access to life-saving treatment and diagnostic services closer to home, following the opening of the $35 million Western Cancer Centre.
Regional Health Minister Dr David Gillespie and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton today toured the newly-opened facility at Dubbo Hospital.
Mr Coulton said it was wonderful to see the Western Cancer Centre complete and open to patients.
“After years of campaigning for this centre, it’s so exciting to be here today to see it in action,” Mr Coulton said.
“This facility is providing crucial care and support to cancer patients across regional NSW, allowing people in the bush to stay closer to loved ones during treatment.
“It’s so heartening to hear how it’s already benefitting people throughout the region, people like Tracey Brown from Wellington who was the very first patient to receive radiation therapy treatment in the new facility.
“Living only 30 minutes away from the new Cancer Centre, and requiring treatment for prostate cancer every day for four weeks, Tracey was able to be treated in the morning and be back home for lunch, making the whole experience much more positive.
“This is exactly why this facility is so important – it means regional people no longer have to travel to metropolitan centres to access the treatment they need and deserve.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating with everyone who helped make this happen at the official opening early next year.”
As a former regional doctor, Dr Gillespie said it was important that locals could access care and treatment in their community and be treated by local doctors and health professionals.
“Country people have a strong affinity with their community and their local hospital, so for patients to now be able to have this treatment here instead of travelling is one-less burden for people going through cancer,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Additionally, having a strong local hospital helps to attract more doctors, nurses and health professionals to the region, as it gives them with more exposure to new technologies and increases their range of clinical skills.”
In addition to the radiation therapy bunker, the Western Cancer Centre Dubbo includes 16 chemotherapy spaces – doubling capacity – as well as new consultation rooms and a wellness space to provide support and well-being services to patients and their families.
The cancer centre opened to patients on 20 September 2021, with the clinic rooms and reception opening first, followed by the new chemotherapy treatment spaces and radiation therapy on the 19 October.
On the ground floor beside the radiation therapy bunker is the PET-CT Scanner. Providing advanced diagnostic services for the Cancer Centre and other specialist services at Dubbo Hospital, the PET-CT Scanner is one of only a handful in the state. It is currently being commissioned and will open at full capacity in the coming months.
The Australian Government provided $25 million for the state-of-the-art health service, with the NSW Government contributing the remaining $10 million.
The project supported 500 jobs during construction and it creates another 70 ongoing jobs in medical, nursing, allied health, administration and support services.