Category: Australian News

The Greens are urging Labor to avoid a second Robodebt-scale scandal by stopping all welfare payment suspensions immediately, following the release of a second damning report into the welfare system in two weeks.

The Deloitte report, released late yesterday, shows widespread legal and technical failures in the system responsible for the accurate administration of income support payments.

This is the second report in two weeks to smash the welfare compliance system, after a damning Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report that found over 1,000 welfare recipients had their welfare payments unlawfully cancelled by the automated system over two years.

While Labor has paused all cancellations and reductions of payments under the compliance scheme, tens of thousands of welfare recipients are still subject to harmful payment suspensions each month. Nearly 350,000 payment suspensions were issued in the first quarter of 2025, from roughly 800,000 welfare recipients who had compliance requirements during that period.1

The government excluded payment suspensions from the scope of the Deloitte review, but they will be considered by the Commonwealth Ombudsman in a further volume later this year.

The Greens have called on Labor to stop these welfare payment suspensions immediately, a call which has been echoed by a broad coalition of community groups including the Anti-Poverty Center, Economic Justice Australia and the Australian Council of Social Services.

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

“Labor doesn’t seem to care if people on income support get the payments they need to make ends meet or not.”

“Hundreds of thousands of people are losing access to vital payments that they need to put food on the table – all because of a system flooded with inaccuracies that treats ordinary income support recipients like criminals.”

“Can the Employment Minister hold her hand on her heart and say that over 100,000 payment suspension penalties issued against welfare recipients each month are accurate? Are they lawful? Are they fair?”

“Robodebt showed us that automated systems can’t be trusted with peoples lives, and nor can so-called employment service providers who profit out of peoples poverty.”

“Clearly this system has not been fixed since Robodebt. And while Minister Rishworth hides behind Department officials, income support recipients are unfairly losing payments they need to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head.”

“Labor can’t wait for another report – they need to end payment suspensions right now.”

Key findings from the Deloitte report:

The Deloitte review confirmed legal issues in the system, stating that “legal and evidentiary basis for compliance actions […] cannot be consistently documented, verified, or reconciled with legislative provisions or policy intent.” (p8)

It describes a system where “errors and noncompliance may go undetected, and where systemic issues are not reliably escalated or addressed” (p10).

Despite the passing of new laws requiring the use of discretion when pursuing welfare debts, the report found “no records were available to demonstrate compliance with this requirement.” (p9)

The Deloitte review demonstrates that the Government has for years shown disinterest in meeting their legal obligations and avoiding undue harm to welfare recipients in keeping with the recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission. 

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to build a fairer NSW by rolling out nation-leading emergency safety materials for passengers with vision impairments or intellectual disabilities on regional rail services.

Led by NSW TrainLink, the initiative introduces new accessibility measures including Braille for passengers with vision impairments and Easy Read format for people with intellectual disabilities.

This means if a TrainLink passenger is blind, has low vision, or has an intellectual disability, they’ll have the same access to life-saving emergency information as every other passenger.

These new materials help all passengers understand what to do in an emergency – like finding the nearest exit, pressing help buttons, or safely getting off the train.

Coinciding with National Rail Safety Week, the comprehensive suite of new safety materials is part of a blitz to make regional rail travel in NSW safer and more accessible. Other material includes:

• Animated safety videos both on board and on platforms
• Audio announcements on board trains and platforms
• Revised onboard safety cards in Braille and Easy Read formats
• Accessible station information including posters, digital screens and signage

The rollout of these groundbreaking materials is part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader commitment to ensuring essential services work for everyone in our community.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“We are making safety information more accessible at every stage of the journey.

“The Minns Labor Government believes in fairness and that means ensuring every passenger, regardless of their abilities, has equal access to the safety information they need to travel confidently on our regional rail network.

“Rail Safety Week from 11 to 17 August is a great opportunity to remind passengers of how important it is to be prepared in case of an emergency.”

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“The introduction of Braille and Easy Read safety materials represents a significant step forward in making public transport truly accessible.

“More than 450,000 Australians have an intellectual disability, and many more have vision impairments. This important initiative ensures those passengers have the same access to critical safety information as everyone else, which could save someone’s life.”

Council for Intellectual Disability advocate Shannon Lalor said:

“It’s vital that appropriate emergency messages reach everyone travelling on trains so they know what to do in an emergency. Easy Read helps people with intellectual disability understand information about staying safe on trains.

“These cards help people stay safe, especially when travelling long distance. We need to know this important information just like everyone else.”

Leading mental health experts and groups have teamed up with the insurance industry to draw attention to a major drag on Australia’s productivity; mental ill-health.

In an open letter to the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the signatories have called for bold reform which will target the root causes of mental ill-health in Australia to avoid needless misery and financial hardship.

The signatories include:

• Former Australian of the Year Professor Pat McGorry
• Co-Director of the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre Ian Hickie
• Former chair of the National Mental Health Commission Allan Fels
• Mental Health Australia
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
• Australians for Mental Health
• the Council of Australian Life Insurers and more

“The Productivity Commission has previously found mental ill-health is costing the economy up to $220 billion a year. That’s an economic drag the federal government cannot ignore. Our economy can only ever be as good as our people,” Executive Director of Australians for Mental Health Chris Gambian said.

Almost 1 in 2 Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, and mental ill-health was one of the leading causes of temporary and permanent disability for workers under the age of 30, with young people being disproportionately affected by mental health conditions.

“We must do more to support Australians’ wellbeing from the get-go, not when they reach a crisis point and can no longer contribute to their communities and workplaces because they are too unwell to work,” Chris Gambian said.

The coalition of signatories is urging the federal government to consider how mental ill-health is holding the nation’s productivity back, and to consider the following recommendations:

1. Coordinate a whole-of-government response to the mental health crisis, including national mental health targets, to make every department accountable
2. Guarantee timely and affordable access to mental health care by boosting funding and training for community-based services
3. Bolster education and training within the mental health workforce to combat workforce shortages.

“Taking steps to stop people from becoming so mentally unwell to the point they can no longer work will be a major boost for the economy, communities, families and most importantly the person who got the support they need before a crisis takes hold.

“We know working and contributing to society is good for our mental health, but not when working hours and demands are unsustainable, contributing to burn out and psychological injury.

“We can’t treat our way out of rising rates of mental ill-health. We need bold reform to embed wellbeing in our policies. It will be better for Australians, and our economy too.”

Two major export deals worth a combined $80 million have been secured by Kongsberg Defence Australia, seeing missile launchers and command and control consoles made in South Australia soon to be exported to Europe.

Last year, the Albanese Government added Kongsberg Defence Australia to its Global Supply Chain Program, which has since opened the door to Australian defence industries. These export deals are made possible through Australia’s Naval Strike Missile procurement contract, which included an agreement for components to be manufactured in Australia.

As a result, South Australian companies are now contributing to exporting sophisticated defence hardware to Poland, Spain and Denmark. 

Through its parent company, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace in Norway, the company will deliver Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System Command and Control Consoles to Poland. 

The $30 million contract is Kongsberg Defence Australia’s first export as part of the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program. The company also secured another $50 million order for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile Launcher Systems to be exported to Spain and Denmark.

The export deals mark a significant milestone for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons manufacturing program. 

Both the launcher systems and command and control consoles will be assembled by Kongsberg Defence Australia, and tested in their production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The consoles and launchers will be manufactured using 100 per cent Australian made components and subsystems from companies based in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. 

The two projects are set to create 60 highly-skilled jobs at Kongsberg Defence Australia and across its local supply chain. 

The Naval Strike Missile is a modern anti-ship cruise missile designed to defeat highly capable enemy warships as well as land-based targets. The Naval Strike Missile is being installed on Navy’s Hobart class destroyers and Anzac class frigates with a successful first of class firing in July 2024 and Initial Operational Capability declaration in 2024.

These exports are part of the Australian Government’s investment in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise, underpinned by a commitment in Defence’s Integrated Investment Program of $16 to $21 billion over the next decade.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The Albanese Government’s efforts to support Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry have reaped further benefits with these significant export deals. This is an exciting milestone for Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry and a proud moment for Australian businesses to enter the global supply chain for missile manufacturing. 

“It will be the first time Naval Strike Missile launchers are manufactured outside of Europe and the United States, positioning Australia as a trusted source of supply to the Naval Strike Missile capability. 

“These deals underscore the Government’s commitment to working alongside our industry partners to strengthen Australia’s role in the global defence industry.”

South Australian Minister for Defence & Space Industries, the Hon Stephen Mullighan MP: 

“This is a fantastic result for South Australia’s defence sector, demonstrating our capabilities in delivering state-of-the-art technology to a global market.

“These significant contracts will not only boost the workforce at Kongsberg’s Mawson Lakes facility, but along the supply chain. 

“It’s successes like this that help cement South Australia’s reputation as the Defence State.”

Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia, John Fry:

“These major export contracts are a huge milestone for Kongsberg Defence Australia. 

“Together with our Australian suppliers, we have demonstrated our determination and competitiveness to be able deliver to our parent company, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for international customers, highlighting the capability, quality and reliability of our Australian team and supply chain.

“The export contracts under the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program are creating opportunities in the international market for our local suppliers, which is a fantastic outcome for Australian Defence industry.”

Ahead of the Government’s productivity roundtables, the Productivity Commission’s interim report on Delivering quality care more efficiently re-affirms that the Government must urgently deliver bold reform for the care sector, with the Greens arguing early childhood education and care should be firmly on the agenda. 

The interim report proposes that the Government pursue greater alignment in quality and safety regulation across all care sectors. 

Today, Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, has written to the Treasurer urging that universal, affordable and high-quality early learning be a central item on the roundtable agenda to help achieve its stated goals of improving living standards, boosting productivity and strengthening economic resilience.

Expanding access to high-quality early learning would enable more women to participate in the workforce, support children’s development and deliver substantial long-term economic returns. Yet the current privatised childcare system remains a major barrier, leaving too many children locked out of the quality education they need in their early years.

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

“Early education is a vital part of the care sector and essential to lifting national productivity.

“A shift to a universal, low-cost, high-quality early learning system would be a game-changer for families, children and the economy. Research shows such a system could grow the economy by $168 billion and generate an additional $48 billion in government revenue.

“The childcare subsidy model and market-driven approach make early learning inaccessible and unaffordable for many families, and clearly fails to guarantee safety or quality.”

“This broken system is locking young parents, especially women, out of the workforce and stopping them from contributing their full skills to our economy.

“If the Government is serious about boosting productivity, it must examine every part of the system. 

“Early learning is low-hanging fruit for real reform. Let’s create a bold legacy of universal, high-quality early education that gives kids the best start in life and gives parents real choices to get back into work and study.”

The Greens have slammed the Albanese government for taking extraordinary measures to dodge accountability in the Federal Court on allowing the expansion and continuation of polluting salmon farming in the last remaining habitat of the endangered Maugean skate. 

Environment groups waited two years after lodging a reconsideration request of the expansion before the Albanese government sensationally passed legislation in February specifically designed to bypass the reconsideration and allow salmon farming to continue.

The controversial new laws were set to be challenged by the Bob Brown Foundation in Federal Court next week and would have compelled the Minister to reconsider the expansion based on evidence. 

To avoid being held accountable in Federal Court, the Minister today confirmed the reconsideration request had been settled and salmon farming would continue.

Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans & Senator for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:

“The only reason this decision has been made by the Minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. 

“The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn’t, instead it opted to sensationally bring in new legislation that undermines Australia’s already weak nature laws in an attempt to bypass making a decision based on evidence.

“The Minister has disrespected the legal process, dodged accountability, and refused to look at the evidence, all to placate and extend a polluting industry pushing a species to extinction.

“Labor is showing just how far it will go to protect the profits of foreign salmon farming corporations over Tasmania’s environment and the survival of the Maugean skate.”

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil’s promise to deregulate home building won’t fix the housing crisis, according to Australian Greens Housing and Homelessness spokesperson, Senator Barbara Pocock.

Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Today’s leaked Treasury advice shows that this Government has caved to demands of the property lobby. Labor needs to be careful they’re actually tackling the housing crisis, not just doing the bidding of property developers who want to make more money. 

“We need more housing built more quickly but what we don’t want is poor quality housing in bad locations. There is a dire need to lift productivity in the housing sector but we must be very careful undertaking reforms in this area to avoid greenlighting shoddy developers who will deliver substandard dwellings in inappropriate settings.

“Many of these regulations are in place to protect consumers, protect the environment and to make our urban areas more liveable. We can’t afford to lower our standards on safety and sustainability as we try to improve efficiency. Giving robots control over environmental approvals is not the answer.

“The housing crisis in Australia can’t be solved simply through deregulation. We urgently need to wind back tax breaks for wealthy property investors, such as the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, to open up a pathway for first home buyers. 

“These tax breaks make home ownership unaffordable for too many Australians and turbo charge intergenerational inequality. We need action on housing but we need the right set of policy solutions to ensure equity and liveability in our urban environments.

“If the Government doesn’t tackle the tax handouts to rich property investors, they are not tackling the housing crisis. 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 and we’ll continue to see levels of homelessness increase, which advocacy groups have said is the worst in living memory. The Greens stand ready to work with Labor to action this urgent reform.

“Ahead of the Government’s productivity roundtable, it’s disappointing that the outcomes have already been decided. We’ve had public debate in good faith on how to boost productivity, and deregulation alone won’t cut it. Labor must deliver on essential tax reform to deal with the housing crisis, ensure workers get their fair share and strengthen flexible working arrangements for women and carers.”

City of Newcastle has started work on a $2.1 million project that will make it safer and easier for pedestrians, cyclists, and all other road users to navigate two key intersections on Parkway Avenue.

The work will focus on the approaches to the roundabouts at National Park Street and Smith Street, which both have a history of accidents.

The project is being delivered by City of Newcastle, utilising $469,000 from the Australian Government Black Spots Program, which is administered by Transport for NSW.

Cr Pringle, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and Ryan Tranter on Parkway Avenue, Hamilton South.Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said this is a great day for road safety and active transport in Newcastle.

“Safer, more accessible options for walking and cycling are exactly what our city needs,” Ms Claydon said.

“These upgrades, backed by a $469,000 investment from the Albanese Labor Government, will make a real difference for local residents, families, the Newcastle High School community, and commuters who want a healthier, more sustainable way to get around.

“Better paths and cycleways mean safer streets, cleaner air, and a healthier Newcastle, and I am proud to be part of a Federal Government supporting projects that deliver all of that and more.”

The project will provide traffic calming improvements, including the installation of speed humps and the realignment of the kerb to narrow the lanes, which will enhance safety for all traffic approaching each of the roundabouts.

Further improvements include cycle lanes along Parkway Avenue, with separated off road bypasses for cyclists at each of the roundabouts.

There are also raised shared path crossings across Parkway Avenue at both National Park Street and Smith Street to provide safer and more accessible crossing facilities for the large number of cyclists, pedestrians, and school students who travel through the area.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee, Councillor Joel Pringle, said the upgrades have been shaped by community feedback.

“We received more than 400 submissions from drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and 91% of them were supportive of the proposed changes,” Cr Pringle said.

“Parkway Avenue is an important connecting route for schools, sportsgrounds, shopping centres and beaches so these changes are designed to cater for everyone.

“The Parkway Avenue road reserve, including the Norfolk Island and New Caledonian trees, is locally heritage listed and these trees will be retained and protected during the construction phase.

“This will help to maintain the urban canopy, which provides much-needed shade and reduces heat during summer.”

Executive Manager of Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said City of Newcastle has been working closely with the community to ensure the project supports current needs, as well as supporting future development in the area, including the upgrade to Newcastle High School.

“The project’s main aim was to improve cyclist safety by slowing traffic on approach to the roundabouts and provide off-road cyclist bypasses at each roundabout, as well as designated on-road cycle lanes with a clear buffer to parked vehicles,” Mr Tranter said.

“This will help to address the conditions which have led to eight crashes in the past five years at these two roundabouts, with the majority involving cyclists.

“As part of the project we have incorporated two raised shared path crossings on Parkway Avenue in front of the school to improve pedestrian safety in the area, as we also look to improve active transport connectivity between Hamilton South and the commercial areas to the north.

“Our safety improvements align with the transport management plans for Newcastle High School and support NSW Schools Infrastructure’s current campus development project, ensuring the new connections support the expected increase of students coming to the campus.” 

Roadworks are expected to commence on 19 August, with the section of Parkway Avenue to be closed to traffic.

The project is due to be completed by early 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has concluded his visit to Papua New Guinea with the official opening His Majesty’s Papua New Guinea Naval Base (HMPNGS) Tarangau – reflecting the growing defence cooperation and interoperability between our two countries.

HMPNGS Tarangau, also known as the Lombrum Naval Base, is the largest security infrastructure project delivered by Australia in the Pacific and will enable the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to grow and develop its sovereign capabilities, and respond to PNG’s security priorities.

Delivered under the Lombrum Joint Initiative, the new naval base includes:

• Working and living accommodation for the PNGDF;
• A medical centre that will serve the base and local community;
• Water and sewerage services to supply the base;
• Upgraded maritime infrastructure, including barge landing ramps;
• Office infrastructure, including a guard house and headquarters building; and
• Combined mess facilities, able to accommodate around 200 sailors and officers.

The completion of HMPNGS Tarangau will also provide further opportunities for Australia and PNG to increase interoperability and cooperation through joint training, exercises and ship visits.

During his visit to PNG, the Deputy Prime Minister also handed over 12 up-armoured LandCruisers to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

These lightweight vehicles will allow PNGDF personnel to move securely and respond with agility across diverse terrain, further enhancing PNG’s ability to respond to domestic security challenges.

Our defence cooperation with PNG is stronger than ever – underpinned by our shared history and future and our strategic trust as neighbours, partners and friends.

This visit comes just one week after the conclusion of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, which marked the first time a component of the Exercise was held outside Australia, in Papua New Guinea.

Australia and PNG are further strengthening ties through the ongoing negotiation of a defence treaty, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Papua New Guinea Minister for Defense, Dr Billy Joseph, in February 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Australia is committed to partnering with Papua New Guinea to build their sovereign capabilities and enable them to respond to their own security needs.

“Our shared geography and history interests make Papua New Guinea and Australia natural partners, and Australia is pleased to see this partnership growing even further in 2025. 

“The Australian Defence Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force continue to work together to enhance the interoperability between our two countries, respond to our shared strategic challenges in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”