Category: Australian News

Following ongoing heatwaves and ongoing high fire risks, the ACT Greens are pushing for the ACT Government to renew their now lapsed policy to ban waste-to energy incinerators.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay says that there is no social license for waste-to-energy incinerator projects in the region.

“Right now we are seeing the real impact of climate disasters: destruction, disconnection and lives lost. We cannot afford for governments to stall on climate action – and that includes a long-lasting ban on waste-to-energy,” Ms Clay said.

“Following the NSW Government’s proposal for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Tarago, people in Canberra, and the Queanbeyan and Goulburn regions have contacted the Greens concerned about the impact it will have on our region.

“Waste-to-energy produces harmful byproducts and pollutants like heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, bottom ash, furans and dioxins. It poses many risks for people, nature, our waterways, agriculture and our climate.

“Burning waste for energy creates greenhouse gas emissions and is not a sustainable or efficient source of energy.

“The ACT’s Waste-to-energy Policy 2020-25 prohibits thermal waste-to-energy including incineration, gasification and pyrolysis. It’s time for Labor to put the conversation to rest and extend the ban indefinitely.

“Canberrans have a right to a healthy environment. They have a right to know the ACT Government will continue to prohibit harmful and polluting waste-to-energy incinerator projects.

“Considering the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is phasing out fossil fuel gas, there is no reason for the Government to delay renewing the ban.”

Ms Clay also urges the ACT Government to immediately progress establishing a circular economy in Canberra to manage waste without harming people and planet.

“Waste-to-energy disincentivises our moves towards a circular economy. It can also promote more waste generation than ever before.

“In the ACT, we have a resource recovery target of 90%. But our actual resource recovery has dropped to only 65%. We need the government to do more – to put policies in place that reduce waste production and create a lifecycle solution for waste we generate.

“We need local recycling facilities that can process household waste so there’s no need to burn it – like soft plastics.

“Instead, the ACT Labor Government sits back and waits for a federal scheme to manage soft plastics, even though it’s taken decades to progress.

“Governments at all levels must work with industry to design out waste and stop the problem at its source.

“If we don’t move towards a circular economy, we will see more waste in landfill and more harmful solutions for waste management like waste-to-energy projects.”

Chair of Toxics Free Australia, Jane Bremmer:

“The ACT has been a leader and a beacon of light in safeguarding a sustainable zero waste policy for a true Circular Economy in Australia.

“Burning our waste makes no sense when it is the most expensive and polluting way to make energy or manage what should be the smallest fraction of our waste stream – residual waste.

“Waste incineration threatens the urgent, global transition to clean renewable energy, emitting more carbon pollution than coal and gas per unit of energy, supports and vindicates the existing policy position of the ACT Government and the ACT Greens’ leadership.

“Advanced Waste Sorting Technologies coupled with non- combustion residual waste technologies can deliver the sustainable, climate friendly, cheaper and more secure, waste management framework that Australia needs and with 200 times more jobs.

“While the waste incineration industry currently has no social license to operate in Australia and with the EU turning away from this technology, the ACT should continue to uphold its ban for the protection of future generations.”

acting leader of the Australian Greens and Arts spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“The cancellation of the beloved Adelaide Writer’s Week is a dark day for the arts in South Australia and now the future of the Adelaide Festival as whole hangs in the balance.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas must apologise for his intervention which has helped lead to this fiasco.

“Writer’s Week has been cancelled and the whole of the Adelaide Festival Board has now resigned, this is a complete mess that could have been avoided had there not been undue political influence exerted on the board.

“This is a devastating outcome for the authors and audiences who love Writer’s Week. As we face major challenges in the world it is important that we have spaces like Writer’s Week where people can come together to discuss ideas and disagree in a civil manner.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas’ political meddling has destroyed Writer’s Week and now risks derailing the whole of the Adelaide Festival. It is up to the Premier to fix this mess before the Adelaide Festival collapses and South Australia loses thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in economic activity.

“As Louise Adler has warned, Writer’s Week is the canary in the coalmine. It’s now up to all of us to fight for artistic freedom and resist the censorship of our artistic institutions.”

acting leader of the Australian Greens and Arts spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Premier Peter Malinauskas has created an enormous mess by putting political pressure on the Adelaide Festival Board. Now he needs to take responsibility and clean it up to save our festival and our state’s reputation.

“Adelaide’s arts and festival brand is in tatters. With half the board, including the Chair, resigning it’s not just Adelaide Writers Week that’s at risk, but the entire Adelaide Festival.

“The Adelaide Festival is now on the brink of collapse and the Government needs to act urgently.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas must change course to stem the collapse of this beloved arts institution, and that must start with reinstating author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.

“Whether it is direct or indirect, there is no doubt political pressure has plunged the broader Adelaide Festival into crisis. And we need leadership now to save it.

“This will cost our state thousands of jobs, millions of dollars and unimaginable reputational damage.

“Without proper leadership from the SA Government, South Australia’s brand as the arts and festival state is at risk.

“What would Don Dunstan say? What would he say, to see South Australia’s arts community and reputation torn down by such political cowardice and shortsightedness?”

Greens Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock:

“The collective public outrage and boycotting of the festival over the cancellation of Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah speaks volumes. This decision risks our reputation as a place of art, courage and challenge.

“This appalling decision by the Adelaide Festival Board, backed by the Premier, must be reversed. The Premier has questions to answer. What role did he play in undermining the independence of this significant event?”

Following ongoing heatwaves and ongoing high fire risks, the ACT Greens are pushing for the ACT Government to renew their now lapsed policy to ban waste-to energy incinerators.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay says that there is no social license for waste-to-energy incinerator projects in the region.

“Right now we are seeing the real impact of climate disasters: destruction, disconnection and lives lost. We cannot afford for governments to stall on climate action – and that includes a long-lasting ban on waste-to-energy,” Ms Clay said.

“Following the NSW Government’s proposal for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Tarago, people in Canberra, and the Queanbeyan and Goulburn regions have contacted the Greens concerned about the impact it will have on our region.

“Waste-to-energy produces harmful byproducts and pollutants like heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, bottom ash, furans and dioxins. It poses many risks for people, nature, our waterways, agriculture and our climate.

“Burning waste for energy creates greenhouse gas emissions and is not a sustainable or efficient source of energy.

“The ACT’s Waste-to-energy Policy 2020-25 prohibits thermal waste-to-energy including incineration, gasification and pyrolysis. It’s time for Labor to put the conversation to rest and extend the ban indefinitely.

“Canberrans have a right to a healthy environment. They have a right to know the ACT Government will continue to prohibit harmful and polluting waste-to-energy incinerator projects.

“Considering the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is phasing out fossil fuel gas, there is no reason for the Government to delay renewing the ban.”

Ms Clay also urges the ACT Government to immediately progress establishing a circular economy in Canberra to manage waste without harming people and planet.

“Waste-to-energy disincentivises our moves towards a circular economy. It can also promote more waste generation than ever before.

“In the ACT, we have a resource recovery target of 90%. But our actual resource recovery has dropped to only 65%. We need the government to do more – to put policies in place that reduce waste production and create a lifecycle solution for waste we generate.

“We need local recycling facilities that can process household waste so there’s no need to burn it – like soft plastics.

“Instead, the ACT Labor Government sits back and waits for a federal scheme to manage soft plastics, even though it’s taken decades to progress.

“Governments at all levels must work with industry to design out waste and stop the problem at its source.

“If we don’t move towards a circular economy, we will see more waste in landfill and more harmful solutions for waste management like waste-to-energy projects.”

Chair of Toxics Free Australia, Jane Bremmer:

“The ACT has been a leader and a beacon of light in safeguarding a sustainable zero waste policy for a true Circular Economy in Australia.

“Burning our waste makes no sense when it is the most expensive and polluting way to make energy or manage what should be the smallest fraction of our waste stream – residual waste.

“Waste incineration threatens the urgent, global transition to clean renewable energy, emitting more carbon pollution than coal and gas per unit of energy, supports and vindicates the existing policy position of the ACT Government and the ACT Greens’ leadership.

“Advanced Waste Sorting Technologies coupled with non- combustion residual waste technologies can deliver the sustainable, climate friendly, cheaper and more secure, waste management framework that Australia needs and with 200 times more jobs.

“While the waste incineration industry currently has no social license to operate in Australia and with the EU turning away from this technology, the ACT should continue to uphold its ban for the protection of future generations.”

Natalie Ward
Acting Leader of the Opposition

Today’s announcement of a Commonwealth Royal Commission is a necessary and long-overdue step to confront the alarming rise of antisemitism and extremism, and the systemic failures that have allowed it to escalate.

The NSW Opposition has consistently advocated for a national response of this scale, including formally calling on Premier Chris Minns to request a Commonwealth Royal Commission with full powers and national scope.

This outcome reflects the seriousness of the threat and the clear reality that these issues extend well beyond the borders of any one state.

Antisemitism has been allowed to grow unchecked in New South Wales. Successive failures across governments to intervene early and strengthen existing laws have left communities exposed and undermined public confidence.

A Commonwealth Royal Commission is the only mechanism capable of examining the full picture, across intelligence, law enforcement, online radicalisation and counter-terrorism frameworks, and delivering accountability and reform at a national level.

The NSW Opposition stands ready to work constructively with the NSW Government to ensure this process delivers real outcomes, restores confidence, and sends an unequivocal message that antisemitism and extremist violence have no place in our state or our country.
 

Federal Parliament will be recalled to deal with important national security legislation in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

The Prime Minister will write to the Speaker asking for the House of Representatives to sit on Monday 19 January and Tuesday 20 January. Senator Wong as Leader of the Government in the Senate will be writing in similar terms to the President.

The first order of business will be a condolence motion to remember those who lost their lives and those whose lives were forever changed by this antisemitic terrorist attack.

Agreement has been reached with the Opposition on the wording of the condolence motion.

Parliament will then deal with legislation the Government began drafting in the immediate aftermath of the attack. It will be introduced to the House on Monday and debated on Tuesday before being transmitted to the Senate.

The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 is a comprehensive package of reforms that:

• Creates serious offences for hate preachers and leaders seeking to radicalise children
• Increases the penalties for hate crimes offences
• Ensures that offenders whose crimes were motivated by extremism have that factored into their sentencing
• Creates a new offence for inciting hatred in order to intimidate or harass
• Expands and strengthens the ban on prohibited symbols
• Makes it easier for the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel or refuse a visa for people who want to come here and spread hatred
• Creates a new framework that will enable the Minister for Home Affairs to list organisations as ‘Prohibited Hate Groups’. Once an organisation is listed – it will be a criminal offence to be a member, recruit for it, donate or receive funds or support that group in any way.
• Set up the National Gun Buyback Scheme to get guns off our streets.

The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds – and lethal weapons in their hands. These reforms deal with both.

The Bill will be referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security for a sharp and focused inquiry.

We want these laws to have the broadest possible backing, demonstrating that our Parliament and our nation are united in our determination to combat hatred and eradicate the evil of antisemitism and extremism.

National unity is vital to our national security – and our Government will continue to strengthen both.

Every day since the devastating antisemitic terrorist atrocity at Bondi Beach, the Albanese Government has been focused on strengthening our national security and our national unity.

Already we have:

• Taken further action in response to the recommendations from our Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal
• Brought the National Cabinet together to fast track tougher gun laws nationwide
• Delivered new resources to our law enforcement agencies to help prevent further attacks
• Established the Richardson Review – to quickly identify any gaps in the work of the national security bodies
• Established the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, led by Former High Court Justice the Honourable Virginia Bell AC

Getting this legislation passed is the next step to protecting our national security and our national unity.

It is with deep appreciation for his tireless contribution to our national interests over the last three years in Washington that we today announce the Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC will conclude his posting as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States at the end of March 2026.

Dr. Rudd has decided to accept the role of global President of leading international relations think tank, the Asia Society, which has recently become vacant and which Dr. Rudd headed between 2021-2023. Dr. Rudd will also head the Society’s Centre for China Analysis.

Dr Rudd is one of the world’s most eminent and sought-after experts on China and US–China relations.

Dr Rudd has delivered concrete outcomes for Australia – during both Democrat and Republican Administrations – in collaboration with our closest security ally and principal strategic partner.

We thank Dr Rudd for his exceptional service as Ambassador and as a former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Australia.

Since Dr Rudd commenced in March 2023, he has led the Australian Embassy’s work to advance Australia’s interests in the United States, including by:

• Securing US Congressional authorising legislation for AUKUS, with full bipartisan support, as well as full presidential endorsement from both the Biden and Trump Administrations.
• Negotiating and concluding the Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Framework Agreement with the US, which is now being implemented across multiple mining and processing projects to the benefit of both countries – and forms the basis for US agreements with others partners, including the G7.
• Securing agreement to negotiate a bilateral critical technology agreement that will unlock billions of dollars in new US investment in Australian data centre, AI and Quantum projects – in addition to the $25 billion already secured in investment from Microsoft and Amazon Web Services during Dr. Rudd’s tenure.
• Turbocharging US engagement with Australia’s superannuation industry, including by convening the Australian Super Summit in Washington DC in 2025 and again in March 2026, elevating Australia’s capital pool and strengthening Sydney’s credentials as the next financial services centre of the Indo-Pacific.
• Working to secure Julian Assange’s return to Australia in 2024.
• Introducing Global Entry and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) services for all Australian travellers to the US as of 2024-25, significantly reducing processing and waiting times at US international and domestic airports for registered participants.
• Developing personal and working relationships across the Trump and Biden Administrations, Republican and Democrat congressional leadership, and key stakeholders in the defence, intelligence and corporate communities.

We also recognise the outstanding work of Ms Therese Rein. We thank Therese for her invaluable contribution to advancing Australia’s interests in the US.

Ambassador Rudd will conclude his posting on March 31, 2026. An announcement regarding Australia’s new Ambassador to the United States will take place in due course.

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada and the European Union issued the following statement:

“We commend the bravery of the Iranian people as they stand up for their dignity and their fundamental right to peaceful protest. 

“We strongly condemn the killing of protestors, the use of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people. 

“Iran must immediately end the use of excessive and lethal force by its security forces including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij against protestors. Too many lives – over 40 to date – have already been lost.

“The Iranian regime has the responsibility to protect its own population and must allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.”

Acting Leader of the Australian Greens and Arts & Communications spokesperson Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young said:

Like a lot of South Australians today, I am deeply disturbed the Adelaide’s beloved Writers Festival has been ruined by this terrible decision.

The decision to drop Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah from Adelaide Writers Festival is deeply concerning and should be reversed.

Freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas are what makes writers festivals what they are.

Engaging in respectful, thoughtful debate and challenging ideas and opinions is the whole purpose of an event like this.

Censorship and shutting down diverse voices, including Palestinian voices is the antithesis of an open, free and respectful democracy.

South Australia has a proud history of our arts festivals and supporting artist freedom of expression. This craven decision will leave our state and our reputation as the festival state in tatters.

The Greens will continue to advocate for artists to do their work free of political interference and pressure.

As both a regular panelist and supporter of the AWW I am extremely disappointed and saddened that the Adelaide Festival board has made this decision. It is a bad decision and should be reversed.

The Victorian Greens have expressed deep concern as bushfires burn out of control in Victoria, with the State Control Centre warning of more extreme heat in the coming days and an escalating risk to lives and homes in areas facing catastrophic fire danger ratings.

An emergency bushfire near Longwood has forced evacuations, with homes and livestock feared lost after the fire rapidly expanded overnight under dangerous conditions.

The Greens said their thoughts were with everyone being asked to leave their homes today, as communities face an anxious and uncertain wait while extreme fire conditions continue. 

The unfolding crisis underlines the urgent need for strong preparedness, properly resourced fire services, and serious action to reduce the severe climate risks presented by both the Victorian and federal Labor governments’ continued burning of coal and gas. 

Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Dr Sarah Mansfield: 

“Our thoughts are with everyone being asked to leave their homes today. It’s so scary for these communities who face an anxious and uncertain wait while extreme fire conditions continue. We know that for many of these communities, the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires remains front of mind.

“We’re deeply grateful to the career and volunteer firefighters risking their lives in brutal conditions to protect people and homes, but they deserve more than our thanks and must be properly resourced to do their jobs safely.”

“Victoria needs stronger preparedness, properly resourced fire services, and real action on climate change to keep communities safe. Labor has made clear choices that have put Victoria at risk – cutting bushfire capacity and approving at least five major fossil fuel gas projects in the past nine months that pour fuel on the climate crisis driving these dangerous conditions.”

“Victoria is facing the most dangerous fire conditions since Black Summer, a stark reminder that our summers are becoming more intense and unpredictable and that we must do more to prepare and protect communities.”