Category: Australian News

“The Australian Greens support the Senate Inquiry recommendation to remove discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, but we must also act immediately to remove discrimination against teachers and other staff,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.
“We don’t need any further delay before removing discrimination. Schools should be discrimination-free zones for all LGBTQ+ people, regardless of whether they are are a student or a staff member.”
“Our schools should be teaching our kids about respect and equality. What message does it send to young people if LGBTQ+ staff can be fired because of who they are?”
“Labor and the government promised the Australian people that they would remove discrimination in schools within a fortnight of the Wentworth by-election. It’s beyond time for the major parties to act on that promise.”

The Senate has backed  a Greens’ motion declaring climate change is the biggest threat to life on our planet, calling on the Liberal Government to implement serious climate and energy policy.
“The biggest threat to humanity and life on this planet is climate change, and still the Liberal Government don’t have a plan to reduce pollution,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The consequences of the Liberal Government’s head in the sand on climate – and addiction to burning fossil fuels – are playing out before us now. We’re seeing more extreme weather, mass extinction, a planet under constant stress.
“The alarming recent research from Flinders University showed we are dooming species across the globe due to our inaction on climate change. This anti-science, anti-environment Prime Minister, Energy Minister and Environment Minister are standing in the way of real action on climate change.
“We have some of the most beautiful, unique flora and fauna in the world, but also one of the worst track records on extinction. The Liberal Government cannot be trusted to reverse this harrowing trend.
“The time to act is now. We can be the generation that saves the planet, instead of continuing to contribute to dangerous climate change.”
NOTICE OF MOTION
the Senate—
1.            Notes the Flinders University research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, which shows that, “Climate change and human activity are dooming species at an unprecedented rate via a plethora of direct and indirect, often synergic, mechanisms.”
2.            Notes that climate change is, without a doubt, the biggest threat to life on our planet.
3.            Calls on the government to develop and implement a serious climate and energy policy, with a plan to reduce carbon pollution and overhaul our environmental laws to protect life on earth.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

Australian Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will bring her Private Member’s Bill to ban oil and gas drilling in the Great Australian Bight to the Senate for debate today.
“Drilling in the Great Australian Bight is high-risk, no-reward for South Australia or the nation. If we are to protect the Bight, act on climate change, and remove the risk of a devastating oil spill, drilling must be banned,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Like with the Adani coal mine in Queensland, both the Labor and Liberal parties are ignoring the concerns of the community. The longer they back foreign fossil fuel  companies over the community the harder it will be to transition to a clean zero-carbon economy.
“Putting an oil rig in the middle of a whale sanctuary is madness. We need to be doing more to protect our marine life and oceans, not turning our coastline into an oil field.
“South Australians are proud of our Great Australian Bight and Kangaroo Island is the jewel in our tourism crown.
“Protecting the Bight is a key issue for The Greens at the upcoming Federal Election. We stand with the thousands of passionate South Australians and coastal communities around the country fighting to get big oil out of our Bight.
“We want to show the world how great our Bight is, by giving it World Heritage protection, not turn it into an oil field.
“It was vital the Senate has an opportunity to debate this Bill before the end of the year. The South Australian community has the right to know where their senators stand on this issue – either with them, or with the oil and gas giants.”

Students planning to participate in a national school strike this Friday calling for emergency action on climate change should ignore the Prime Minister’s hectoring Question Time speech, Greens Deputy Leader and climate and energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, said today.
Mr Bandt asked the Prime Minister if he would join the Greens in praising the students and if he would meet with some of the students when they come to Parliament this Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s response was an ignorant condescending lecture.
“The PM is unbelievably out of touch with young people, not only in Australia but around the world,” Mr Bandt said.
“These students want a leader to protect their future, but they got a hectoring, ungenerous and condescending rebuke from someone even worse than Tony Abbott.
“Students and young people are striking this Friday because governments have failed them in Australia and around the world.
“I met with some of these courageous young people from my electorate last week and I am proud to be their local MP and I am proud of their actions.
“Labor’s approval of another giant coal mine for the Galilee Basin shows they are just as out of touch with the mood of young Australians.”

I have spoken to Premier Daniel Andrews to congratulate him and his Labor team on their remarkable victory.
The first Andrews Government has given outstanding service to all Victorians. They have kept their promises, invested in TAFE, hospitals, schools and services. They’ve backed renewable energy and rooftop solar and they’ve begun generational infrastructure projects that will transform this state.
Premier Andrews and his team campaigned on their stability, on their proud record of economic success and social progress and with a clear pledge to finish what they have begun.
For four years, Daniel and his colleagues have worked hard to earn and keep the trust of the Victorian people and their success tonight is tribute to the faith Victorians have shown in them, once again.
Today’s result is also a fundamental rejection of the Liberals’ cuts to schools, TAFE and hospitals, and their failure to invest in renewables and take action on climate change.
All of us in the Federal Labor party wish the Andrews Government well in their second term as they continue to build a better future for all Victorians.

The Opposition is urging Mr Morrison to finally commit to a National Integrity Commission in the final sitting fortnight of the year.
There is no reason to end 2018 without a bi-partisan commitment to a national anti-corruption body.
We welcome today’s open letter to the Prime Minister from 34 former judges, calling on him to establish a National Integrity Commission.
The former judges write: “A National Integrity Commission is urgently needed to fill the gaps in our integrity system and restore trust in our democracy.”
Labor agrees.
In recent years, many Australians have lost faith in politics and our public institutions. It’s time for us to do better. It’s time for us to help restore people’s faith in politics.
At the beginning on 2018, we announced our plan to legislate for a federal anti-corruption body.
A bi-partisan process to establish a National Integrity Commission would help ensure the complex consultation and design work can be completed swiftly, and a body established as a priority.
Mr Morrison delayed the Banking Royal Commission by voting against it 26 times. He shouldn’t make the same mistake with a National Integrity Commission.
Let’s make this issue above politics. The Parliament can come together this week and start the process of establishing a National Integrity Commission.
The Labor Opposition will continue to push for a National Integrity Commission. And if Mr Morrison refuses to act, a Shorten Labor Government will make it law.

There is no evidence of adverse effects on human health from the consumption of lead in drinking water in Australia. However, lead is not considered to be beneficial or necessary for humans; therefore public health experts recommend Australians take every opportunity to limit potential exposure from all sources.
The concentration of lead set in the drinking water guidelines is very conservative so that it can be sure to protect the most vulnerable people, such as very young children and pregnant women.
There have been instances of detection of lead levels above Australia’ drinking water guidelines and, as a precautionary approach, enHealth has issued household good practice guidelines to assist Australians in minimising their exposure to lead in drinking water, particularly when drinking water from old taps.
enHealth have suggested these simple precautionary measures to ensure that lead levels in drinking water are as low as possible.
Elevated blood lead levels are rarely found to be related to lead exposure from drinking water and it is extremely unlikely that lead from drinking water, even over a lifetime, would cause clinical lead toxicity.
I welcome work being undertaken by the Australian Building Codes Board to examine the issue of the level of lead in plumbing fixtures in line with international best practice.
Further information on lead in plumbing products is available on the enHealth Statement on Lead in Plumbing Products available from the department’s web page at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/A12B57E41EC9F326CA257BF0001F9E7D/$File/Lead-plumbing-products-Guidance-Statement-July2018.pdf.

The Coalition Government has today released the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into mental health and announced the appointment of an Associate Commissioner for the inquiry.
The inquiry will consider how mental illness can affect all aspects of a person’s quality of life including physical health, social participation, education, employment and financial status.
The terms of reference will include:

• • Examining the effect of supporting mental health on economic and social participation, productivity and the Australian economy;
  • Examining how sectors beyond health, including education, employment, social services, housing and justice can contribute to improving mental health and economic participation and productivity;
  • Examining the effectiveness of current programs and initiatives across all jurisdictions to improve mental health, suicide prevention and participation, including by governments, employers and professional groups;
  • Assessing whether the current investment in mental health is delivering value for money and the best outcomes for individuals, their families, society and the economy;
  • Drawing on domestic and international policies and experience, where appropriate; and
  • Developing a framework to measure and report the outcomes of mental health policies and investment on participation, productivity and economic growth over the long term.

To assist the Commission in undertaking this inquiry, Professor Harvey Whiteford has been appointed as an Associate Commissioner.
Professor Whiteford is a member of the National Mental Health Commission’s Advisory Board, Professor of Population Mental Health at the University of Queensland, and Professor of Global Health at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington.
He brings extensive experience to the role, having worked on mental health policy with the World Health Organisation, World Bank, OECD and governments in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The two Commissioners overseeing the inquiry are Dr Stephen King and Julie Abramson.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said: “The inquiry will be able to make recommendations as to how the Government can better support Australians living with mental illness, to enable them to lead fulfilling and contributing lives.”
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said he has consulted with state and territory health and mental health ministers as well as the National Mental Health Commission to seek their views on the scope and terms of reference of the inquiry.
“The Commission will consult with Indigenous leaders including the National Mental Health Commission’s Professor Helen Milroy and Professor Ngiare Brown on their expertise,” Minister Hunt said.
“Four million Australians deal with some form of chronic or episodic mental health condition. As well as the individuals affected and people close to them, poor mental health also affects businesses, the hospital system, emergency services and social services.”
The Commission will take submissions and will hold public consultations, including in regional areas.
All interested parties, including carers and patients, are encouraged to participate.
The inquiry will begin immediately and is due to report to Government within 18 months.
The Federal Government will spend an estimated $4.7 billion this year on mental health. Once state and territory government funding is added to this, the investment in mental health rises to around $9 billion per year – that is equivalent to $1 million per hour – every hour of every day.
The terms of reference are available on the Commission’s website.

The 70th anniversary of the raising of the Australian Army’s Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) was marked with a ceremonial parade at the Australian War Memorial today.

The revered Queen’s and recently updated Regimental Colours, featuring the 17 theatre and battle honours bestowed on the RAR, were on display with their respective Colour parties from the battalions of the regiment.

Major General Mark Kelly, AO, DSC (Retd), Colonel Commandant of the RAR said the regiment’s birthday was a time to reflect on its rich history and achievements.

“The battalions of our regiment have provided the full-time infantry combat capability for the Australian Defence Force for the last 70 years,” Major General Kelly said.

 “This parade, and the display of the Colours, helps us to reflect on the sacrifice and valour of those who came before us, including the 684 members of the regiment who died on operations.

“We remain committed to duty, ready to serve the Australian public as a key component of our modern and professional land force.

“We will continue to uphold the high standards set by infantry soldiers before us and look forward to continuing to serve our nation under the regimental motto of ‘Duty First’.”

The RAR, originally consisting of three ‘regular’ infantry battalions – the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions – was raised in 1948 for service in Japan after World War Two. There are now seven RAR battalions, based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin.

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC (Retd); Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC; and Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO were all officers of the regiment. Seven Victoria Cross recipients, including the four most recently serving in Afghanistan, were at one time RAR soldiers.

The RAR has deployed on many operations including the Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Vietnam War, Somalia, Rwanda, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.