Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government continues to support the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, providing a further $266 million over three years to help eliminate these diseases.

Tuberculosis is the world’s deadliest infectious disease and nearly a quarter of all new HIV cases occur in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Australia’s funding will support global efforts to tackle the spread of these diseases by investing in stronger health systems and helping communities access treatments, particularly across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The Global Fund is a multilateral partnership that unites governments, civil society, communities and the private sector to address global health challenges.

Since 2002, the Fund’s efforts have saved over 26.5 million lives in our region and more than 65 million lives world-wide. The death rate from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has also been reduced by over sixty per cent across the globe.

In a time of heightened global uncertainty, Australia remains steadfast in our commitment to the Global Fund and to supporting our region to tackle high burden diseases.

Today’s announcement matches the record investment the Albanese Government made in 2022 – a ten per cent increase on Australia’s previous contribution.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong:

“Australia is firmly committed to strengthening health outcomes in the Pacific and Southeast Asia and playing our part in addressing global health challenges.

“Our investment in partners like the Global Fund helps ensure our region’s needs are prioritised, contributing to a healthier Indo-Pacific and a safer and more secure Australia.”

Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly:

“Australia is backing the Global Fund as a key partner in the fight against infectious disease in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

“By investing in disease treatment and prevention, we’re helping to build stronger and more inclusive health systems across our region.”

The Labor government increased its spending on consulting contracts every year of the last parliament, despite boasting savings on consulting contracts, according to newly compiled data from the Parliamentary Library.

In 2024-25, Labor spent nearly $1 billion on outsourcing work to consulting firms, more than the last year of the Morrison government in 2021-22.

Labor’s big spend on consulting firms looks to continue with the government spending $76.5 million on 90 consulting contracts in the first two weeks of 2025-26 – that’s nearly 8% of their total spend in 2024-25 in just two weeks. 

While Labor has reduced its contracts with the Big 4 consulting firms (PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and EY), which the Greens welcome, the majority of spending and the number of government contracts are now going to consulting firms that are not one of the Big 7 (Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY, McKinsey, KPMG and PwC). 

The Greens say Labor’s excessive outsourcing of public sector work to the private sector at three times the cost isn’t just wasting taxpayers’ money, it’s eroding Australia’s public service.

Greens finance and public service spokesperson Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Labor has boasted savings on consultants every year it held office in the last parliament. Yet Labor spent more last year on consulting contracts than the final year of the consultant-addicted Morrison government. The numbers speak louder than their empty words.

“This data paints a picture of a business as usual approach following the PwC consultancy scandal and a continued lack of transparency by a government which claims to be spending less, while in fact spending even more.

“While Labor says they’re spending less on consultants, this data shows that instead of spending as much on the Big 4 consulting firms, the government is spending even more money but just on other firms. What’s clear is that the government has been claiming that it has been reducing spending on consultants, but all they’re doing is arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

“Labor promised, as part of their election campaign, to cut $6.4 billion in spending by reducing consultants’ contracts and outsourced service delivery. Yet in the first 24/25 financial year, Labor spent a whopping $968 million on consultancy firms, up from the previous year’s $653 million. 

“Already in the first two weeks of this financial year, the government has spent $76 million on 90 contracts. This is a government that has said it wants to eliminate wasteful  outsourcing yet all signs point to Labor being no different to previous governments – it’s one big smokescreen.

“We know that outsourcing public service work to the private sector costs three-times as much as hiring public servants to do the work and we know it’s eroding our public service – so why this government is spending even more on consultants is beyond belief. 

“The Greens have consistently called on the government to provide a transparent breakdown of the spending data. I’ve repeatedly asked this government direct questions about Senate Estimates about their spending on consultant firms, but they have consistently refused to provide this, they refuse to separate the amount spent on consultants from the overall spend on external contractors. The people of Australia have a right to know where their taxes are spent – where is the transparency?”

Key data:

• In 2024-25 Labor spent nearly $1 billion on outsourcing work to consulting firms ($968.6 million in 2024-25).
• Labor spent more on consulting contracts in 2024-25 than the last year of the Morrison government in 2021-22 ($787.6 million in 2021-22 compared with $968.6 million in 2024-25), that’s a 23% increase in spending on consulting contracts.
• This big spending trend looks to continue, with the Labor government spending $76.5 million on 90 consulting contracts in the first two weeks of 2025-26. That’s almost 8% of their total spend in 2024-25 in just two weeks. 
• The Labor Government increased its spending on consulting contracts every year last parliament, despite boasting savings on consulting contracts ($622 million in 2022-23, $653 million in 2023-24 and $968.6 million in 2024-25).
• Labor has reduced its contracts with the Big 4 consulting firms. Spending on consultant contracts reduced by 47% between 2021-22 (Morrison) and 2024-25 (Albanese). 
• The majority of spending and contracts are now going to consulting firms that are not one of the Big 7 (Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY, McKinsey and PwC).

Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has responded to the Environment Minister’s announcement EPBC change will be tabled by the end of the year.

“The Greens have been ready and willing to negotiate with the Albanese Government for the past 3 years to fix our broken environment laws.

“Australia needs new environment laws that protect nature, consider climate as well as giving efficient responses to applicants.

“Our Howard era environmental laws aren’t working for anyone, except the big fossil fuel companies that continue to block any changes.

“With updated and fit for purpose environment laws we could build houses, save koalas and protect our climate.

“Environment laws that protect nature must include:

• protection of critical habitat and forests
• stop species extinction
• a climate trigger
• federal control over approvals

“The only thing standing in the way of creating laws that give clearer guidance and faster processing are the big fossil fuel companies who prefer the status quo and have repeatedly used their political muscle to prevent fixing the laws.

“Our door is always open to the Government to work together so that we can have laws that actually protect nature.

“Putting in place clear rules, including the protection of critical habitat and a climate trigger would allow for faster and more efficient assessments.”

In solidarity with the Iranian diaspora in Australia, the Greens for years have called on the Australian Government to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act 1995, which the Albanese Government today commit to do. 

These steps are appropriate given the reported actions of the Iranian Regime. They follow from effective action by the authorities to investigate and understand the cause of anti-semitic acts.

The Greens have also called for the government to support at the United Nations General Assembly the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, said: 

“Given the reported nature of the actions of the Iranian regime, it is fitting that the Iranian Ambassador be expelled. 

“The Iranian Regime has a long history of persecuting religious and ethnic groups, women and LGBTQI+ people and the Greens have consistently called for listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. Until today the Albanese government has resisted these calls.

“No country should be allowed to interfere in our politics, or cause fear or repression in any part of our community. We know that diaspora communities are particularly vulnerable to these actions and they all must be protected.

“The Albanese Government now has a responsibility to provide as much detail as possible to detail the chain of evidence to support its conclusions. Transparency builds public confidence and is critical at times like this.

“It should also be clear that sanctions need to be applied consistently to all countries that are breaking international law.

“There is a deep inconsistency with the Government taking these measures against Iran and failing to take similar steps against other countries when they grossly breach international law, not least Israel,” Senator Shoebridge said. 

Labor today launched another cruel attack on refugees and migrants, tabling new legislation to strip people of the right to natural justice. 

The Home Affairs (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 introduced by Home Affairs Minister Burke is targeted at people recently released from immigration detention following a High Court ruling that people cannot be held indefinitely by bureaucrats or politicians. 

The Albanese Labor Government, in the last Parliament, worked hand-in-hand with Peter Dutton to push through extreme anti-migrant and anti-refugee policies Australia has seen in a generation, and now they are doubling down on these laws. 

This law is designed so that people can be forcibly removed to Nauru without having any right to even see the application the government is making. It also removes their right to make representations about why their removal would be unsafe, or explain to the Nauru government why they should not be deported there. 

When rights of natural justice are removed, critical matters like health concerns, family connections and basic human decency get overridden, while damaging mistakes of fact are not identified. 

This legislation is even being made retrospective to address likely failures of natural justice that have been raised in two separate court challenges to Labor’s efforts to forcibly remove people to Nauru.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Immigration, said: “The Government is actively seeking to suspend natural justice from some of the most vulnerable members of the community for one of the most important decisions that will be made in their lives. That is just plain wrong. 

“For centuries, natural justice has been a cornerstone of our law, ensuring everyone has the right to be heard before important decisions are made about their lives. 

“The fact that the Albanese Government is seeking to remove these rights from migrants shows how toxic and far right Labor’s immigration policy has become. 

“Everyone should be equal under the law, no matter where they are born, but that can only happen if people are given the right to be heard before decisions are made about them.

“We know there are active court cases on this issue and by making this law retrospective Labor is trying to validate past illegal practices by Home Affairs and defeat these cases with another legislative deal with the Coalition. 

“Nauruan President Adeang made it clear last year, he intends to send anyone Australia deports there back to the country which they originally fled. 

“People rightfully don’t want to go to Nauru because they know they will face the very real risk of being forcibly returned to danger, and they surely have the right to be heard before that happens to them.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to the ANU’s release of their self-assurance report and Cover Letter. This report was released a few hours before the Greens’ Order for the Production of Documents was to be voted on in the Senate.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education:

“This report is just more gaslighting and denial from the ANU leadership. The ongoing governance failures at the ANU are not going to go away by saying it’s all under control.

“ANU had to be dragged to release this self-assurance report by the threat of our Senate order.

“Trust has been shattered, and this report cannot distract from the growing chorus of voices calling on Bell and Bishop to resign. Staff and students have made their position crystal clear: this leadership is no longer fit for purpose. Bishop and Bell must go.

“ANU can’t hide behind management gobbledygook and expect to regain the trust of their community.”

The Minns Labor Government is ramping up support for local businesses ready to take their products and services to the world, with the new 10-year NSW Trade and Investment Strategy 2035 driving action across the state and zeroing in on priority markets like Southeast Asia.

Investment NSW is delivering more than 30 Going Global Export Programs and Going Global Trade Missions over the next 12 months, supporting up to 350 NSW businesses to thrive in the international marketplace.  

This is the first time the NSW Government has published a forward agenda for the year’s trade missions following support for the idea as part of consultation on the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy 2035. 

Two thirds of the export programs support businesses in manufacturing and the clean energy economy – industries that will shape the future of NSW, as laid out in the NSW Industry Policy. 

Among the first Going Global Trade Missions to take NSW businesses into market is METS (Mining Equipment, Tech & Services)to Indonesia, which will connect NSW companies with leading mineral producers, equipment suppliers, and solution providers across Southeast Asia.  

This mission will showcase NSW’s cutting-edge capabilities and help NSW manufacturers and innovators strengthen commercial partnerships with key decision-makers in Indonesia and beyond. 

Another mission will see NSW clean energy businesses head to Korea and Japan, supporting these markets with their decarbonisation ambitions.  

With advancements in renewable fuels like hydrogen, working with Japanese and Korean companies on their clean energy goals will continue to enhance NSW’s reputation as a reliable energy partner in a net zero future. 

The Going Global Export Programs will also include Agrifood to Greater China, showcasing high quality NSW agrifood to one of the largest consumer markets in the worldand Life Science and Health to Singapore bringingtogether NSW precision medicine, biologics and clinical trial experts to access Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding healthcare market. 

Businesses selected to participate in Export Programs and Trade Missions will have access to bespoke professional training, business matching, and dedicated market-entry support.  

The Going Global programs are just one of the many services delivered by the NSW Government to support local exporters.

These programs complement ongoing export support and advice provided by NSW’s network of TradeStart Export Advisers across the state, and trade experts based across NSW’s international network. 

For more information on other NSW Government’s export programs, please visit: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/export/  

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:  

“Building the state’s economic future is one of my top priorities as Minister for Industry and Trade. 

“We know that exporting is crucial for the productivity and resilience of NSW businesses, and that higher exports lead to higher wages and more employment, driving long-term prosperity right across our state. 

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting businesses on their export journey, and the export support program we’re announcing today will strengthen their ability to crack new markets and accelerate their exports.  

“This is the first time the NSW Government has published a forward agenda for the year’s trade missions, giving businesses more certainty on the support available. 

“This is all about delivering on our NSW Trade and Investment Strategy, which has clear targets to increase the value of NSW exports, and support more businesses to grow in international markets.” 

The Albanese Labor Government is helping more Australians realise their dream of home ownership sooner, by launching 5 per cent deposits for all first home buyers early on 1 October 2025, instead of next year.

Through the expanded 5 per cent deposit scheme, the Albanese Government will guarantee a portion of a first home buyer’s home loan, so they can purchase with a lower deposit and not pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Under the changes, all first home buyers will have access, with no caps on places or income limits. Property price caps will also be set higher in line with average house prices, providing access to a greater variety of homes.

For the average first home buyer, access to the scheme cuts years off the time it takes to save for a deposit and saves tens of thousands of dollars on Lenders Mortgage Insurance. In just the first year alone, first home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential mortgage insurance costs.

The median home price in Australia today is $844,000 and 5 per cent of that is $42,200. The last time $42,200 covered the 20 per cent deposit for a median home was 2002, which shows the generational scale of this change.

The expanded scheme means a first home buyer in Brisbane can purchase a $1 million home with a $50,000 deposit. They could save up to 10 years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, save about $42,000 in mortgage insurance, and could pay up to $350,000 towards their own loan instead of paying rent.

It means that a first home buyer in Bendigo could purchase a $600,000 home with only a $30,000 deposit. They could save up to 6 years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, save about $25,000 in mortgage insurance, and could pay up to $126,000 towards their own loan instead of paying rent.

After consulting with industry, the Government will also direct Housing Australia to promote the diversity of lenders who offer the scheme, giving first home buyers greater choice to buy a home through smaller, customer-owned and regional banks.

Labor was re-elected with a clear mandate to bring down the deposit hurdle for first home buyers and this is just one part of the Albanese Labor Government’s ambitious $43 billion housing agenda. We are building more homes, backing first home buyers, and supporting renters.

Since coming to office in 2022, Labor has helped over 180,000 first home buyers get a home of their own with a lower deposit. On average, there have been 6,000 more first home buyer loans a year under Labor compared to the Coalition’s previous period in office.

For more information on the 5 per cent deposits scheme, go to the Housing Australia website.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“We want to help young people and first home buyers achieve the dream of home ownership sooner.

“Bringing the start date of our 5 per cent deposit scheme forward will do just that.

“Getting more Australians into their own home quicker, while saving them money along the way.

“Labor was re-elected with a clear mandate to bring down the deposit hurdle for first home buyers, and we’re delivering.”

Minister for Housing, Clare O’Neil

“5 per cent deposits for all first home buyers will mean people can get into their own home sooner.”

“The Albanese Labor Government is stepping up to level the playing field and back a new generation of first home buyers into the housing market.”

“It’s just not right that an entire generation of young Australians have been locked out of the housing market – saving for decades while paying off someone else’s mortgage. So Labor’s changing it.”

“Yesterday we announced reforms to unlock tens of thousands of new homes and today we’re announcing changes to help tens of thousands of first home buyers get into home ownership.”

Since the terrible events of October 7, 2023 we have witnessed a number of appalling antisemitic attacks against Australia’s Jewish community.

The Albanese Government asked ASIO and the Australian Federal Police to investigate these incidents as a priority because they have no place in Australia.

Enough credible intelligence has now been gathered to reach the deeply disturbing conclusion that the Iranian Government has directed at least two of these attacks.

Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks on:

• Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney on October 20 last year; and
• The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6 last year

ASIO assesses it is likely Iran directed further attacks as well.

These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil. This is an attack on our society, aimed at creating fear, stoking internal divisions and eroding social cohesion.

These attacks on our society are totally unacceptable and the Australian Government is taking strong and decisive action in response:

• We have informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia he and three additional Iranian diplomats will be expelled.
• We have suspended operations at our embassy in Tehran and all our diplomats are now safe in a third country.
• The Government will legislate so we can list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – the IRGC – as a terrorist organisation.

The Australian people want the killing and hatred to stop, and they don’t want the conflict in the Middle East brought here.

Iran has sought to do just that. They have sought to harm and terrify Jewish Australians, and to sow hatred and division in our community.

The actions of the Albanese Government send a clear message that we stand against antisemitism and violence.

It also sends a message to those who try to interfere in our country: your aggression will not be tolerated.

The Greens say the Government’s roundtable has delivered nothing for workers, renters and first home buyers, according to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock.

With the Treasurer just today identifying the need to move on intergenerational inequality, the Greens say the government must move beyond talk, into action on tax reform and improved conditions for workers.

Senator Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens:

“What a flop that the roundtable didn’t result in anything more than Labor’s minimal pre-election plans. No action on big corporations paying their fair share, no changing housing tax settings that have cooked affordability, and no understanding that climate action is key to future economic prosperity. What a visionless approach,” Senator Waters said.

“The roundtable didn’t consider taxes on rich coal and gas corporations or take action on handouts for wealthy property investors. It didn’t move us towards a four day work week or raise income support. Instead, the major outcomes seem likely to push up emissions and slow down rooftop solar.

“The Treasurer’s calls for action on intergenerational inequality moments after the economic roundtable finished show how little the three day event achieved.

“Labor can’t keep putting off important reforms year after year, talking about problems like the housing crisis or intergenerational inequality while doing little to fix them. It’s time to put the talk aside and take action.”

Australian Greens spokesperson for finance, employment and workplace relations, Senator Barbara Pocock:

“This is a missed opportunity for bold action from the Government. Labor could deliver genuine tax reform today that would tackle intergenerational inequality, improve conditions for workers and boost productivity. Long delays on tax reform aren’t going to fix anything.

“Labor is supposed to be the party of the worker and yet its economic roundtable has delivered nothing for workers. Despite weeks of proposals from unions, we’ve seen zero commitments from the Government to improving working conditions that would ultimately boost productivity. What’s the point of inviting workers’ representatives to a roundtable if you’re not going to listen to them.

“The evidence is clear – flexible working arrangements – such as the right to work from home and a shorter working week with the same pay – reduce the time spent on commuting, improve work-life balance, increase mental and physical wellbeing, and boosts workforce participation and productivity. They are good for women.

“This is about justice for working people. The profit share of GDP has risen while workers’ share has shrunk. It’s time for workers to get their fair share. The Government has the support of unions for real reform for workers and their families. The Greens stand ready to pass them in parliament. 

“Ending the housing crisis is possible but cutting red tape won’t cut it. We have to bite the bullet on tax. That means winding back unfair tax handouts to wealthy property investors which are cooking our housing system, fuelling intergenerational inequality and helping to shut an entire generation out of home ownership.

“Unless the Government makes the necessary reforms to the tax concessions for property investors, we’ll continue to see house prices rise and rents spiral. Labor must listen to the experts and deliver tax reforms that will actually help Australians put a roof over their head.

“Labor must deliver on essential tax reform to deal with the housing crisis, ensure workers get their fair share and strengthen flexible working arrangements which we know boosts productivity.”