Category: Australian News

Labor’s Housing Minister Clare O’Neil’s announcement today to bring forward guarantees for a 5% deposit for first-home buyers to avoid mortgage insurance will only drive up house prices for Australians trying to get into the market.

We have seen today Labor move its first housing bill (Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025) which, incredibly, builds public homes for US troops and defence contractors. In the midst of a national housing crisis, where are Labor’s priorities for Australians?

Australia’s housing crisis can’t be fixed until the Government tackles the key driver, and that is, winding back tax discounts for wealthy property investors that lock out first-home buyers and force rents to skyrocket.

Greens spokesperson for housing Senator Barbara Pocock:

“This is a furphy designed to sound good but actually will continue to drive up house prices – turbocharging higher prices and bigger debts for first-home buyers. Experts agree these demand-side schemes just drive prices up, the only ones who benefit from this scheme are the banks and property investors.

“People will still be borrowing 95 percent of their mortgage and with median property values at eight times the typical annual household income, that leaves households highly vulnerable to huge repayments. 

“We need real action on housing, not tinkering, and that means winding back tax breaks for wealthy property investors and building affordable houses in the places where Australians need them.

“This scheme won’t help first-home buyers. Economists and even Treasury’s own modelling say this scheme will force house prices to go up, which will leave more people in higher levels of debt. 

“The Greens won’t stand in the way of things that aim to help first-home buyers. However, the Government has to look at the bigger picture because house prices are skyrocketing and more demand-side measures are only going to make that problem worse. 

“Our tax system rewards wealthy property investors and pushes up prices. Every day that negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount stay in place is another day that first-home buyers are outbid by property investors at auctions around the country. 

“The Government has a real opportunity in this progressive parliament to fix the housing crisis and they must take it, otherwise generations will be locked out of affordable housing forever.”

Senator Hanson-Young has called on the AFL to dump slur-merchant Snoop Dogg as the AFL Grand Final entertainment, and instead let an Aussie artist take the stage.

Find footage of her speech in parliament here.

Greens spokesperson for the arts, Sarah Hanson-Young:

“The irony is not lost on many AFL fans that just last week they suspended Izak Rankine for using a homophobic slur, yet Snoop Dogg is set to get $2 million to play his misogynistic, homophobic music on our turf.

“The AFL is a cultural institution in Australia, and cultural institutions should be backing homegrown talent.

“At a time when Aussie artists are copping the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, we need proper investment in our music industry.

“If it’s an Aussie game, it should be an Aussie artist playing.

“With over 6 million people tuning into the AFL Grand Final year on year, this is a prime time slot to platform homegrown talent. It’s time to let Aussie artists rock the ‘G’.

“I urge the AFL to have the guts to dump slur-merchant Snoop Dogg and let an Aussie artist rock the stage instead.”

On the first day of the resumed Parliament, the Australian Greens have successfully established a Senate Inquiry into the quality and safety of early childhood education and care (ECEC).

The inquiry follows last week’s meeting of education ministers, which delivered a series of piecemeal measures such as CCTV and a national register. While welcome, the Greens warn these steps alone won’t address the deep, systemic issues in childcare that have seen families lose trust in the system.

The inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the regulatory framework, the pressures facing the workforce, and whether the current funding model supports quality and safety. It will also provide a platform for families, educators and advocates to share their experiences, and deliver recommendations for both immediate improvements and long-term reforms towards universal early learning.

The inquiry will report back in early 2026.

Greens spokesperson for early education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“Families have lost confidence in the childcare system, and tinkering around the edges with CCTV and registers won’t bring that trust back.

“This Senate Inquiry will shine a light on a broken system by exposing the conditions that allow abuse, and laying down a clear path to reform through fixing the funding model, lifting the workforce, and strengthening regulation.

“There’s nothing more important than a safe, high-quality future for our kids. That means lifting standards now – not slapping a band-aid on after harm has already occurred.

“Importantly, this Inquiry will give families, educators and advocates a national platform to share their stories and demand change.

“This inquiry can help pave the way towards the universal early learning legacy the Prime Minister has promised, but so far delayed.

“We welcome cross-parliament backing to put the safety of our kids above party politics.”

Greens Spokesperson for Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, and Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie MP, will today co-introduce a bill into the House of Representatives and the Senate to implement the recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission and put pressure on Labor to cease harmful debt recovery practices that are putting income support recipients at risk. In the House, the bill will be seconded by Helen Haines, Member for Indi.

Senator Allman-Payne and Mr Wilkie will announce the move together from Parliament House alongside key community advocates including Economic Justice Australia, who helped to draft the bill, and other sector advocates including Anti-Poverty Centre who have been calling for the changes to be implemented urgently. 

Recommendations outstanding from the Royal Commission, and fulfilled by the Greens and crossbench bill include:

• Reinstating the 6 year limit on recovery of debts
• Establishing  a duty of care for the Department of Social Services that prioritises the needs of social security recipients while administering the law,
• Restricting the kinds of decisions which can be made or automated without human oversight
• Better protections for people experiencing hardship from receiving compliance notices. 

The move comes while more than 100,000 income support recipients await a decision from Labor on whether the Government will cancel more than $1 billion in unfair historical welfare debts that are currently being assessed for collection by the Department of Social Services. 

Those debts, which pre-date 7 December 2020, were levied using the Department’s ruthless and dubious methods of ‘income apportionment’, similar to Robodebt. A recent court ruled that the Government was able to reassess these debts using alternate methods, putting them back on the table. 

The average age of the ‘income apportionment’ debts affected by this decision is 19 years old. To pursue these debts would effectively contravene the 6 year limit on debt recovery recommended by the Royal Commission, and previously agreed to by Labor. The Greens have previously written to Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek urging Labor to immediately waive those debts and put the Robodebt era behind them. The Department currently holds income support debts dating back to 1979. 

In echoes of the Robodebt scandal, a recent Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report found that around 1,000 people have had their support payments unlawfully cancelled by the Government’s automated IT system between April 2022 and July 2024, despite warnings from external legal advisors.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Social Services:

“I’m pleased to be joined by advocates and members of the crossbench in urging Labor to finally honour the victims of Robodebt and bring about these protections for people who rely on income support.”

“More than two years on from the Royal Commission, and still Labor is treating vulnerable welfare recipients like criminals.”

“It’s just ridiculous that while 1 in 3 big corporations get away with paying no tax, Labor’s time and effort goes into chasing ancient welfare debts dating back to the 1970s.”

“If you’re struggling to pay the rent or put food on the table, getting hit with a dodgy debt notice can be catastrophic.”

“This legislation is ready to go, the Greens are urging Labor to walk the walk on Robodebt and end the cruelty in the welfare system for good.”

Consumers are being reminded to take a moment to stop, check, and protect themselves when transacting or interacting online as Scams Awareness Week returns from 25-29 August 2025.

Australians have already lost more than $147 million to scams in 2025, with NSW residents alone reporting more than $48 million in losses, and more than 25,000 scams to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s National Anti-Scam Centre – Scamwatch.  

Phishing scams where people are tricked into clicking links or entering details on fake websites which impersonate trusted organisations like banks, governments, or other services, are still the most common scams in NSW with nearly 9,000 reports, followed by identity theft, online shopping scams, and false billing. 

Those aged 65 and over continue to be disproportionately affected, with older Aussies lodging more than 6,100 reports in the last year alone.  

In the past year, more than 40 per cent of scam reports received by NSW Fair Trading were related to phishing attempts involving impersonation scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp.  

Around 27 per cent involved tele fraud, false billing, or itinerant trader scams, while others concerned fake fundraising, trade promotions, and community gaming – reflecting the diverse ways scammers target consumers. 

But it is not just online and digital scams which can cause harm, consumers are also being warned to be vigilant when shopping online. 

Often based overseas, fake, or temporary online shops can seemingly pop-up overnight and employ ‘bait’ advertising like urgent calls to action which aim to rush shoppers into securing a purchase before authenticity is verified. 

While Australian Consumer Law applies to online purchases made in Australia, purchases from overseas-based scammers are difficult to resolve. 

Shoppers are urged to stay vigilant, research the seller, use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal for buyer protection, and always beware of deals which may look too good to be true. 

People who have been scammed from bogus shops should keep receipts and screenshots of correspondence to assist with lodging a complaint with NSW Fair Trading. 

Everyone can also join ID Support NSW’s free 30-minute webinar on 27 August for Scams Awareness Week 2025 to learn how to spot, avoid, and report scams – register for the webinar here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/events-hub/events/scams-awareness-week-2025-webinar.  

To help people shop safely online, ID Support NSW also offers a free online shopping module which explains how to spot fake websites, avoid scams, and know what to do if something goes wrong: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/learn/learning-modules/online-shopping. 

Clear advice on spotting scam messages, managing privacy settings, securing devices, and monitoring financial information, including how to request a temporary credit ban if needed, is available at www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/be-prepared. 

NSW Fair Trading encourages consumers dissatisfied with a business’s services to lodge a complaint online here: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaint or on 13 32 20.  

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said: 

“It’s worth taking the time to be sure you are not being scammed and we want everyone to take a moment to stop, check, and protect themselves and their loved ones against scams. 

“Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, targeting people through social media, messaging apps and impersonating trusted organisations.  

“Phishing scams are still the most reported in NSW, and they’re becoming harder to spot, so if something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t engage.”  

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said: 

“Consumer protection is one of the Minns Labor Government’s top priorities.  

“When a business is based in Australia and a consumer has been misled or scammed, NSW Fair Trading can step in to help resolve the issue where appropriate. 

“Buying from private sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can carry real risks, so if a deal seems too good to be true, it often is, and consumers should take extra care and trust their instincts. 

“NSW Fair Trading encourages people to buy from reputable retailers and to be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar online sellers.  

“If someone believes they’ve been scammed, they should report it to the ACCC via the Scamwatch website, which helps protect others and contributes to national efforts to disrupt scam activity.” 

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.”

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles will travel to the United States this week. 

In Washington DC, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other senior Administration officials.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also participate in several defence industry engagements. 

The Alliance between Australia and the United States is built on an enduring foundation of trust, a long record of collaboration, and a shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo Pacific.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“I was pleased to speak with Secretary Hegseth at the Shangri La Dialogue in May, and welcome the opportunity in Washington to build on our valuable discussions of shared defence and security matters.

“Given the shared challenges we face in our region, I look forward to reaffirming our commitment to the Alliance and advancing our strong partnership.”

1. On 20 August 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Bui Thanh Son and the Foreign Minister of Australia Senator the Hon Penny Wong met in Ha Noi to hold the seventh annual Viet Nam – Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
2. Both sides noted that the Viet Nam – Australia partnership has never been stronger, with mutual strategic trust and understanding. Both sides share a common vision for a peaceful, secure, and stable region, where disputes are resolved peacefully in accordance with international law. The elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024 was an historic development. Both sides welcomed significant progress in the Plan of Action to Implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024-2027).
3. Both sides appreciated the frequent high-level engagement, welcomed the inaugural Viet Nam – Australia Ministerial Security Dialogue, and encouraged an early convening of the inaugural Ministerial Energy and Minerals Dialogue. Both sides welcomed the establishment of a new Viet Nam – Australia Policy Planning Dialogue.
4. Both sides welcomed their expanding trade ties and committed to further deepening the trade and investment relationship and enhancing economic cooperation, including the fruitful implementation of the Viet Nam – Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy and the practical initiatives set out in Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, including the $2 billion Southeast Asia Financing Facility.
5. Both sides acknowledged the deepening strategic cooperation in science, technology, cyberspace and innovation and on digital transition and digital inclusion. Both sides welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology Cooperation and reaffirmed the commitment to finalising a Digital Economy Memorandum of Understanding. Australia welcomed Viet Nam’s diplomatic contribution to international efforts to combat cybercrime, including through hosting the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
6. Both sides acknowledged the strong people‑to‑people links, including deep education connections and the growing number of Vietnamese students studying in Australia. Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to working together to support Viet Nam’s human resource development. Viet Nam welcomed Australia’s commitment of $96.6 million in ODA for 2025-26 and the Viet Nam – Australia Development Partnership Plan 2025-30. Both sides also agreed to continue frank, collaborative and constructive exchanges, including through the annual Human Rights Dialogue, and to strengthen and contribute to the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
7. Both sides reaffirmed their unwavering support for multilateralism, the United Nations Charter and international law, which underpins regional and global peace, stability and prosperity. Both sides recognised the importance of the collective capacity to shape the response to changing dynamics in their region and to address common challenges.
8. Both sides emphasised the upholding of a predictable, transparent, open, inclusive, free, fair, sustainable and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core to foster global economic growth, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the regional economic architecture, including through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), the ASEAN -Australia – New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Australia reaffirmed the continued support for Viet Nam as the host of APEC 2027. Both sides will work closely together and with other members to ensure the success of APEC 2027.
9. Both sides reaffirmed their steadfast support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN – led regional architecture, and agreed to continue working closely to further deepen the ASEAN – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), especially leveraging the 5th anniversary of the CSP in 2026. Viet Nam welcomed Australia’s commitment as ASEAN’s oldest Dialogue Partner to support the implementation of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future through practical initiatives and increased cooperation, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through practical cooperation in its four priority areas, and in maintaining an open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and rules‑based regional architecture with ASEAN at its centre, that upholds international law.
10. Both sides agreed to work together to promote open communication and dialogue within ASEAN-led mechanisms and other relevant regional and multilateral institutions in order to strengthen regional architecture, enhance mutual understanding, reduce the risks of miscalculation, prevent conflict and address shared challenges. Both sides encouraged concrete confidence building and preventive diplomacy measures to bolster conflict prevention processes, including through the Peacekeeping Partnership Arrangement, and strengthen strategic stability in the Indo‑Pacific region. Both sides welcomed ASEAN’s efforts, and the leadership of Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, to facilitate the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, including the establishment of an ASEAN-led observer mechanism. On Myanmar, both sides commended the ongoing efforts of ASEAN, including the Special Envoy, to seek a peaceful resolution in line with the ASEAN Five Point Consensus.
11. Both sides expressed their shared concern regarding the situation in the South China Sea and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to peace, security, stability, and the rule of law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this regard, both sides emphasised the need for full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and noted the importance of any Code of Conduct on the South China Sea (COC) being in accordance with international law, particularly the UNCLOS, and not prejudicing the rights of any state under international law. Both sides reaffirmed that the UNCLOS sets out the comprehensive legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, and that it is of strategic importance as the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the marine sector and its integrity needs to be maintained and protected.
12. Both sides agreed to advance cooperation between Australia and Mekong sub-region as a key aspect of the Viet Nam – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides commended the Initial Mekong – Australia Senior Officials’ Meeting in May 2025, co-hosted by the two countries, and welcomed Viet Nam’s initiative to draft a concept paper on Mekong ‑ Australia cooperation to address shared and transboundary challenges, including sustainable development, deepened economic linkages, regional cooperation and prosperity. Viet Nam welcomed Australia’s announcement of a $50 million portfolio of six new and expanded climate resilience activities across Mekong countries, and support for human resource development through Australia Awards scholarships. Both sides also appreciated Australia’s support for the Mekong Delta in enhancing climate resilience, agricultural transformation, and sustainable livelihoods, and look forward to further cooperation on capacity building, technology transfer and knowledge sharing. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to work together through regional and multilateral frameworks, including the Mekong River Commission and ASEAN-led mechanisms.
13. Both sides agreed to cooperate in addressing non-traditional security challenges of mutual concern. Both sides recognised the shared challenges Viet Nam and Australia face in responding to climate change and the importance of taking urgent climate action to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement, while ensuring economic prosperity and the transition of economies to net-zero by 2050. Viet Nam welcomed Australia’s active role in promoting global efforts in response to climate change, including its bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific. Both sides agreed to enhance their cooperation on climate change, just energy transition and disaster preparedness.
14. Both sides acknowledged the upcoming 25th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2025, and reaffirmed the importance of the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The decision by the Israeli Higher Planning Committee to approve plans for settlement construction in the E1 area, East of Jerusalem, is unacceptable and a violation of international law.

We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms.

Minister Smotrich says this plan will make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem. This brings no benefits to the Israeli people. Instead, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, taking us further away from peace.

The Government of Israel still has an opportunity to stop the E1 plan going any further. We encourage them to urgently retract this plan.

Unilateral action by the Israeli government undermines our collective desire for security and prosperity in the Middle East. The Israeli government must stop settlement construction in line with UNSC Resolution 2334 and remove their restrictions on the finances of the Palestinian Authority.

Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has strongly condemned the University of Melbourne following findings by the Victorian Privacy and Data Protection deputy commissioner that the university unlawfully surveilled students and staff during a pro-Palestine protest by using Wi-Fi location data. The deputy commissioner found that because “the collection and use of the data involved the surveillance of students and staff, and surveillance by its nature is antithetical to human rights, the breach was serious”.

The University of Melbourne has maintained that its use of Wi-Fi location data was reasonable “given the overriding need to keep our community safe”.

Lines attributable to Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education:

“The University of Melbourne has doubled down on unlawful surveillance and failed to apologise for its serious breach of privacy.

“Universities should nurture critical thought, dissent and protest. Surveillance is the tool of authoritarian states, not places of learning.

“Using Wi-Fi tracking, CCTV footage and email monitoring against students and staff is a profound betrayal of trust. A university that spies on its students has lost its moral compass.

“Universities should defend free expression, not police it. When a university treats protest as a crime, it betrays its own purpose.

“The University of Melbourne’s claim that the surveillance was justified to ensure community safety is a harmful narrative designed to smear protestors. The real threat to safety is Israel’s genocide in Gaza — and yet the University continues to maintain links with weapons companies fuelling that genocide.”

“Instead of doubling down on this punitive response—one which has already harmed students and staff—the University must offer an unconditional public apology, reverse all disciplinary actions against pro-Palestine protestors, end ties to weapons companies and immediately commit to transparent policy reform that respects privacy, academic freedom, and the right to protest.”