Category: Australian News

Our nation’s thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the Australian Army soldier who has tragically died during a training exercise in the Northern Territory yesterday.  

Our thoughts are also with the five other Australian Army soldiers who were injured in the incident, and we wish them a speedy recovery. 

There are no safe or easy days for those who serve in our country’s name. This sad incident is a terrible reminder of what families take on when their loved one bravely puts on our nation’s uniform. 

Every loss and every incident is felt deeply by the broader Defence family, but by none more so than their mates who served alongside them. We think of them today and every day. 

We ask that all Australians respect the privacy of Defence members and families at this saddest of times.

The ADF will provide further updates when possible.

Today, we pause to remember the devastation that Hamas unleashed in the terrorist attack in Israel on the 7th of October, 2023. 

On this dark anniversary, we remember the 1200 who were taken from the world, the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust.

We think of everyone who was dragged into captivity, everyone who never returned home to their families, and everyone forever scarred by what they endured. 

We think of all who lost loved ones, everyone who suffered, and those who entered that most agonising of vigils, struggling to bear the weight of hope as they waited for news of their loved ones held hostage.

We mourn Australian Galit Carbone. Our hearts are with her family, who live each day with her absence.

We solemnly vow to never forget what the terrorists perpetrated in all their cruelty.

That they chose to target young people at a music festival promoting friends, love and infinite freedom sent a clear message to the world that Hamas stands in opposition to humanity.  

Time marches on with an ease denied to the human heart. For so many, no day since has been easy, but anniversaries fall with their own terrible weight. And for many others, what compounds the pain is the approach of the first anniversary of the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach.

These few years have been hard beyond measure, but Australia stands with the Jewish community here and across the world. 

We stand against antisemitism and racism in all its forms because it goes against who we are. 

We stand against Hamas, which must disarm and play no role in Palestine’s future.

Australia continues to push for the implementation of the Gaza peace plan to end the conflict after such terrible suffering and loss of civilian life.

The Australian Government encourages and welcomes all genuine moves towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, underpinned by the State of Israel and the State of Palestine living side by side, within internationally recognised borders in peace and security.

Such a future would be the greatest victory of humanity over hatred. That is the future we must strive for together.

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Richard Morecroft. As the face and the voice of the news of the ABC, Richard became a beloved part of Australian life. 

Combining a consummate professionalism with an unyielding humanity, Richard was a figure of absolute trust, a warm and familiar presence who guided us through the good times and bad. 

He loved the arts and was deeply passionate about our natural environment. Nothing completed the picture so delightfully as the time we learned that he used to keep a baby flying fox safe and sound beneath the desk while he was presenting the news.

Richard was a great Australian and we were lucky to have him as part of our lives.

Our thoughts now are with his partner Alison Mackay.

May Richard Morecroft rest in peace.

At least two Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) will be homeported at HMAS Cairns, strengthening defence industry and regional security in Northern Australia.

The first, HMAS Arafura, is scheduled to be homeported in Cairns in early 2027.

This decision builds on the Albanese Government’s significant investment in the region and recognises the important role HMAS Cairns plays in supporting national security and sovereign defence industry. 

Homeporting Arafura Class OPVs in Cairns will enhance Navy’s ability to operate and sustain capability in the north and support engagements across the region. 

It will further bolster the established maritime sustainment sector in Cairns, supporting the local economy and jobs and providing further confidence for North Queensland industry to invest in workforce capability and skills.

The Arafura Class OPVs are designed to conduct maritime patrol, surveillance and response tasks and will work closely with Australian Border Force and regional partners.

This announcement builds on the Albanese Government’s $250 million investment in HMAS Cairns, including expanded berthing capacity and enhanced supporting wharf and landside facilities.

Built for resilience, the wharf has been elevated above surrounding infrastructure to withstand rising king tide levels and ensure it continues to meet Navy operational requirements for decades to come.

Through this project, more than 770 people worked onsite, with $67.7 million awarded to local businesses within 125 kilometres of Cairns.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“Northern Australia is central to our Defence strategy and Cairns is an increasingly important hub for Navy operations, sustainment and maritime security.

“Cairns has developed one of Australia’s most capable maritime sustainment and maintenance sectors, making it a natural location to support the future offshore patrol vessel fleet.

“This decision strengthens sovereign industrial capability while creating opportunities for local businesses to support one of Navy’s newest classes of vessels.”

Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt:

“Since the release of the National Defence Strategy I have been advocating for the capacity of the Far North.

“The $250 million expanded wharf at HMAS Cairns will see more jobs, more growth, and more security for our region.

“The home porting of at least two Arafura Class OPV’s is an acknowledgement of the capacity of Cairns and the importance of the Far North more broadly.

“Today is a proud day for Cairns as we continue to flex on the national stage.”

For the first time in 15 years, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Show will return to the skies above Perth in 2027.

The free air show, on Sunday, 12 September, 2027 will be a spectacular aviation experience showcasing Australian Defence Force aircraft, military capabilities and Defence personnel.

The skies over the Swan River will be alive with a thrilling Air Force display showcasing our cutting edge capabilities, with the best vantage points expected to be Langley Park, the Swan River foreshore and King’s Park.

The Air Show will be complemented by a ground display at Langley Park, where the Western Australian community will have the chance to see an impressive array of military equipment, talk to ADF personnel, and explore ADF careers.

Ground displays will be open to the public between 10am and 6pm, with flying displays between 2pm and 5pm.

Further information and updates regarding the RAAF Air Show are available on the Air Force webpage.

Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP: 

“I’m excited to announce that the RAAF Air Show is coming to Perth, ready to captivate Western Australian’s with a spectacular Air Force display of thrilling aerobatics, high-speed jet displays and unforgettable experiences for everyone.

“With our stunning Swan River as backdrop, crowds will have a fantastic opportunity to experience a unique spectacle of sights and sounds up close, thanks to the incredible skills of our Royal Australian Air Force aviators and Australian Defence Force personnel.

“The Air Show is a chance to recognise the important role of RAAF Base Pearce in our local community and internationally. 

“Pearce is the only permanently operational RAAF Base in the West, and while its primary role is to host our future pilots and support international partners, it plays a significant logistics role and is one of the busiest RAAF bases in the country.”

Air Force Head of Air Shows, Air Commodore Micka Gray: 

“Our aviators are ready to come back to Perth and put on an unforgettable show – an awe-inspiring display of the sophisticated air power of our Air Force and its people.”

Next week the inaugural Australia-Japan Leadership Dialogue will bring together leaders from government, business, academia and civil society to discuss opportunities for the future of one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships.

Announced by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Takaichi at the Australia-Japan Annual Leaders’ Meeting in May, the Dialogue will focus on Opportunities for a Resilient Future: Regional Security, Economic Security and Energy Security, reflecting the shared interests and strategic challenges facing Australia and Japan.

The Australian delegation brings together distinguished leaders and experts whose diverse backgrounds and expertise will help shape discussions on the future of the bilateral relationship.

Australia’s participants will be:

• Stephen Smith (Chair), Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence
• Jan Adams (ex officio), Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Andrew Shearer (ex officio), Ambassador to Japan
• Shiro Armstrong, Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
• Michaela Browning, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group
• Elizabeth Cox, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, AirTrunk
• Debra Hazelton, Incoming President, Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee; Chair, Export Finance Australia
• Phil Morle, Partner, Main Sequence Ventures
• Grant Wilson, Executive Chairman, Tivan Limited
• Ben Wyatt, Senior Independent Director, Rio Tinto Limited, Non-Executive Director of Woodside Energy Group Ltd

The Dialogue is co-hosted by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Michiaki Hirose, Senior Corporate Advisor to Tokyo Gas and Chair of the Japan-Australia Business Co-operation Committee, will serve as Japan’s Chair.

The Australian Government has re-listed 15 persons and two entities for counter-terrorism financing sanctions, with effect from today.

Those re-listed include eight persons and one entity linked to Hamas who were first listed in response to Hamas’ horrific 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel which killed around 1,200 people including Australian Galit Carbone. Our thoughts remain with Ms Carbone’s loved ones and all those affected by Hamas’ abhorrent acts of terror.

Eight Hamas members and operatives have been re-listed for their role in the group’s covert investment network which spans multiple countries across the Middle East and Africa. They include Hamas’ investment portfolio secretary, senior portfolio managers, and current and former members of Hamas’ Political Bureau, at least one of whom has close ties to the Iranian regime.

Profits generated by the network are used to finance Hamas’ terrorist activities, including attacks. One Sudan-based financier has terrorism links that stretch back to companies associated with Osama bin Laden.

The Australian Government has also re-listed Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company. The company is a Gaza-based money transfer business which has provided money transfers to Hamas, Islamic State and al-Qa’ida, including through the transfer of cryptocurrency.

Four re-listings target individuals involved in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) campaign of attacks and assassinations. One is a senior IRGC Quds Force commander, now based in Yemen, who has directed and funded attacks and assassinations and managed Iran’s relationships with terrorist proxies including Hamas, Hizballah and the Houthis.

Australian alleged terrorist Neil Prakash, also known as Abu Khalid al-Cambodi, who departed Australia to travel to Syria in 2013 and became one of Islamic State’s most prominent Australian recruiters, has been re-listed.

The re-listings also include Islamic State Sinai Province (IS-Sinai), a religiously motivated violent extremist group responsible for attacks in Egypt’s North Sinai. In one 2022 attack, IS-Sinai detonated a gas pipeline after rigging it with explosives to the east of Bir Al-Abd city.

The Australian Government will continue to take action against terrorists and violent extremists around the world, including choking off access to funds that support their ability to plan attacks, recruit followers and spread fear and hatred.

Anyone who uses or deals with the assets of a listed person or entity, or makes assets available to them, is committing a criminal offence which could result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

A Consolidated List of sanctions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.

A dozen federal public servants are earning over $1 million a year, including one EL2 earning over $1.5 million, according to a government response to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock.

This week the Minister for the Public Service Senator Katy Gallagher provided a response to a Question taken on Notice, after Senator Barbara Pocock queried the government through the Senate Question on Notice process on 31 August.

The Minister said all these highly paid people work at the government’s Future Fund Management Agency.

The Greens say this raises serious questions about the government’s economic management and value for money of taxpayer dollars.

Greens finance and public service spokesperson Senator Barbara Pocock: 

“In a cost of living crisis, Australians are hurting. Many would be outraged to learn that a dozen public servants are earning over a million dollars and in some cases double what the Prime Minister earns. 

“We’re not talking about Secretaries who run big government departments but employees. How can the government justify this?

“Senior government officials managing large departments with huge budgets and staff would be asking why lower ranking public servants are getting lottery-sized earnings.

“What kind of public service work warrants a salary of $1 million or 1.5 million dollars? Even the Prime Minister and deputy Prime Minister don’t earn this much. I think most taxpayers would be questioning whether this represents good value for money.

“The Government says it wants to rebuild the public sector yet it is slashing jobs while paying a handful of public servants millions and outsourcing work to big consultancy firms. That’s not how you rebuild the public service. The government is burning up its APS targets.”