Category: Australian News

Today, the Albanese Government withdrew the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal Bill 2025, after sustained pressure from the community.

This Bill sought to make significant backward changes to Defence Honours cases before the Awards Appeals Tribunal. It would have seen a 20-year time limit for reviewing honours and a separate 6-month appeals period for challenging decisions. The Bill would also remove the rights of extended families and experts to appeal decisions or seek awards to recognise past bravery and service.

The Greens co-authored a motion in the Senate in the last sitting week seeking to remove this Bill from the notice paper, sending a clear message to the Government.

The government’s action today recognises the hard political reality that this Bill had zero support in the Parliament outside the Labor Party.

You can read the Greens’ full dissenting report on this Bill here.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson on Defence and Veterans Affairs, said: “This is a victory for common sense against a Government that has been determined to ignore the Senate, and the entire veterans community.”

“We have seen routinely over the past year the Albanese Government treat opposing voices with disdain and hostility. This means even when the entire Parliament was pointing out that one of their Bills will hurt veterans, they didn’t want to listen.

“There have been positive and welcome developments concerning the treatment of veterans over recent years, however, this Bill represented a step back.

“We will continue to work with the Government to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, but we will not wave through bad laws.

“In recent history, we have seen rank-and-file Australian soldiers face horrible abuse in the military only to be abandoned by the higher-ups once they leave. This Bill represented a Defence leadership that gets what it wants with no pushback, until today.”

Australia’s rental market remains dire according to the latest data from SGS Economics and Planning’s Rental Affordability Index 2025.

In Sydney, full-time workers face severe rental stress and people receiving income support would need to put 131% of their income toward rent making stable housing unattainable without significant assistance.

The data finds that Adelaide is as unaffordable as Sydney, with many outer suburbs becoming inaccessible for average earners. Regional areas across the country have also become less affordable, many hitting the lowest affordability levels recorded by the Index.

The Greens say this is further proof of Australia’s housing crisis hitting renters and call on the government to stop prioritising wealthy property investors over renters.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Australia is in a national housing crisis that is spiralling out of control and renters are paying the price. People on low and moderate incomes, who can’t afford to buy a home, are facing extreme rental stress. Essential workers – teachers, nurses and police – can’t afford to live near where they work.

“Across Australia, we’re seeing a rental market that is unaffordable. With vacancy rates at record lows, the rental market is so tight that landlords can hike prices leaving renters with nowhere else to go. That’s exactly why the Government needs to introduce rent caps – to stop profiteering and give people a fighting chance.

“The problem is that successive governments have created a housing system where rich property investors get billions in tax discounts to buy multiple properties, while millions of others can’t even find an affordable rental, let alone buy a house of their own. It’s no wonder 89 per cent of Australians agree we’re in a housing crisis.

“The Government’s $181 billion tax breaks for wealthy investors – via the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing – are locking out first home buyers and forcing rents to skyrocket.

“Without tackling the root causes of the housing crisis, Labor’s policies, such as their 5% deposit scheme, are pushing property prices up further – locking even more people out of affordable rentals and home ownership. That includes essential workers, such as nurses and teachers, who are already struggling to afford homes near their workplaces.

“This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. Rather than giving billions of tax breaks to wealthy property investors, the Government should be investing directly into building good quality homes and renting them to people who need them at prices they can actually afford.”

The Victorian Greens say that the rates of racial profiling revealed in a new report are shameful and lay bare systemic racism and discrimination. 

The Victorian Greens say that despite a ban on racial profiling since 2015, the latest search data shows it remains widespread – and the Allan Labor Government should be ashamed. 

Instead of urgently establishing the independent police oversight we need, the Allan Labor Government continues  to expand unchecked powers for police – which the Greens warn will only cause these already shocking rates to rise. 

New research from the Centre Against Racial Profiling, based on data obtained under FOI from Victoria Police, reveals that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were 15 times more likely to be searched than white people in 2024, despite being less likely to be found with prohibited items. They were also 10 times more likely to have force or the threat of force used against them, and 13 times more likely to have tasers drawn on them. 

African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities were also disproportionately targeted, with African community members eight times more likely to be searched, seven times more likely to be subjected to force, and 24 times more likely to be pursued by police vehicles. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism: 

“These rates are shocking, but not surprising to any of these targeted communities including my own Pacific Island communities who live this reality every day.

“We know that Aboriginal, African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities have borne discriminatory policing practices for a long time. Without work like this report, we’d have no idea of the scale of the problem and the widespread harms inflicted on these communities. 

“Racial profiling doesn’t just discriminate, it creates a racially stratified community. It is shameful that Labor continues to expand unchecked police powers that will make this worse, when we should be tackling systemic racism in policing, investing in community-led safety, and finally establishing an independent police ombudsman.”

The Victorian Greens say that rent controls are needed to address the rental affordability crisis as new national data released today shows that the rental crisis is growing in Victoria, while the only place across the country where rental affordability is improving is the ACT – which is the only jurisdiction with rent controls. 

The Victorian Greens say this is yet more proof that rent controls work, and that Victoria should join the ACT and multiple countries across Europe, the US and Asia that are already using rent controls to urgently address the “dire” state of the rental market. 

The Rental Affordability Index shows regional Victoria has become even less affordable over the past year, while Melbourne remains at record-low levels of affordability. Thousands of Victorian renters are being pushed to breaking point by relentless rent hikes.

Meanwhile, the ACT – whose Greens-Labor Government introduced rent-increase caps in 2019 – recorded a 4 per cent improvement in affordability, the strongest in the country. Victoria currently has no limits on rent increases, allowing landlords to push rents up year on year as much as they like. 

Today’s data is consistent with the Department’s latest rental data that also shows the rental crisis deepening across Victoria with Melbourne’s median rent increase by $25 in the last reported quarter to $585 per week and regional Victoria’s median rent rising $10 to $460 per week and inner Melbourne recording the largest quarterly jump of 9.8%. 

As well as recent research from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) and Tenants Victoria finding that 4 in 5 renters had a rent increase in the past 2 years of an average of 17% – meaning the average renter is paying nearly $100 more every week. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Renters’ Rights, Gabrielle de Vietri: 

“It’s no surprise that the ACT is the only place in the country where rental affordability is improving when it’s the only place with rent controls. If the Allan Labor Government were serious about supporting renters, they should be taking notes. 

“Renters in every corner of the state are being smashed by soaring rents while the Allan Labor Government refuses to put any limit whatsoever on rent hikes. 

“Rent controls are a proven tool for stabilising rents and giving people certainty, and right now we’re in a dire affordability crisis in Victoria – they work, there’s no reason Labor can’t do this here.”

The Minns Labor Government has today launched the $20 million Aquaculture Industry Development Program to strengthen and expand the NSW seafood industry’s economic contribution to NSW.

The program is designed to boost productivity and increase sustainability across farming operations for oysters, mussels, kelp, and algae, plus freshwater and marine fish hatcheries and bioproducts.

By investing in sustainability and productivity, the Minns Government is helping future-proof the industry, attract investment, and ensure regional communities continue to benefit from a strong, resilient seafood sector.

This grant program enables further action for implementing the Minns Government’s Aquaculture Vision Statement released last year.

The vision was developed by the NSW Government with close input from industry and experts to deliver a strategic pathway to achieve the goal of doubling the state’s aquacultural farmgate production to $300 million by 2030.

Under the program, the aquaculture and commercial fishing industries will have access to two targeted funding streams, offering grants from $500,000 to $2 million, for the following:

• Stream One – Projects focused on infrastructure upgrades to support growth and productivity, such as equipment upgrades, supply chain improvements and new product development.
• Stream Two – Projects that reduce carbon emissions and promote reuse and regeneration of materials, such as converting equipment to lower emissions or creating bioproducts and utilising waste streams such as processing of oyster shells.

The Aquaculture Industry Development Program is part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to support local manufacturing, food security, net zero goals, and economic development in regional communities.

This $20 million investment will help the sector address opportunities and challenges facing the industry such as:

• incoming mandatory Country-of-Origin Labelling requirements for seafood served in hospitality venues from 2026
• managing environmental and biosecurity risks in fisheries and hatcheries
• supply chain challenges of getting produce to state, national and international markets.

Aboriginal businesses and organisations, including Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, are strongly encouraged to apply.

The NSW Government’s Aquaculture Vision Statement supports industry growth through enhancing productivity, streamlining legislation, and supporting innovative research.

The Aquaculture Industry Development Program is part of the NSW Government’s Regional Development Trust that is delivering strategic investments to drive economic development and better outcomes for our regional communities.

Business and organisations are encouraged to apply and submit projects by the end of Sunday 18 January 2026. Program details can be found at:  nsw.gov.au/aidp

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This program will deliver real economic benefits and jobs to regional and coastal communities by helping seafood businesses grow and become more efficient.

“This is a great opportunity for regional aquaculture and commercial fishing businesses to tap into the growing national and global appetite for high-quality protein.

“It means the industry can innovate and look at growing the exciting new developments in seaweed, algae and freshwater and marine bioproducts.

“Ultimately it’s about boosting jobs, strengthening our seafood and emerging bioproducts sectors, and making sure we can keep enjoying the great seafood New South Wales is known for.”

President NSW Farmers, Xavier Martin said:

“The NSW aquaculture industry has set a target to double its farmgate production value to $300 million by 2030, and this initiative will help achieve this through industry innovation, climate change adaptation and the diversification of products.

“As the sector recovers, this program will help ensure industry can manage the risks and take advantage of opportunities in the coming years and decades, through the sustainable development of our natural resources and support for innovation.”

OceanWatch CEO, Lowri Pryce said:

“The Aquaculture Industry Development Program will benefit development and innovation across the seafood sector, including supply chain innovation, carbon net zero and seafood traceability initiatives.

“We know these grants will be well-received by commercial fishers in NSW who are looking for new opportunities to develop and innovate, to ensure a sustainable future for their industry.”

NSW firefighters who are battling skin, lung and other cancers will be better supported after the Minns Labor Government passed landmark laws to expand their medical and income support.

The ‘presumptive cancers’ legislation which passed through Parliament today makes NSW the first jurisdiction in Australia to include two female reproductive cancers as presumptive cancers.

The presumption means firefighters lodging a claim no longer have to prove their cancer was caused by work, which can be difficult due to the nature of how these cancers are contracted and firefighting work.

Under the changes, firefighters’ presumptive access to compensation has been expanded to cover ten additional cancers: primary site lung, pancreatic, thyroid and skin cancers, and female and male reproductive cancers including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulval and penile.

The inclusion of two female reproductive cancers (vulval and vaginal) as presumptive cancers is a national first and demonstrates the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to provide equity for male and female first responders.

Under the Workers Compensation Act 1987, there are already 12 primary site cancers that are presumed to be work-related for qualifying firefighters, including leukemia, brain, bladder and kidney cancer, as well as breast, testicular and prostate cancer. The list of existing presumptive cancers also covers non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, oesophageal, colorectal and ureter cancer.

The laws enhance access to workers compensation for firefighters employed by Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Forestry Corporation and other NSW agencies, as well as volunteer firefighters.

All firefighters must serve qualifying periods to be entitled to the presumption. Under the changes, an expert panel will be established to review volunteers’ claims for the additional cancers against a requirement for the firefighter to have regularly engaged in frontline firefighting activity. 

Under the changes, firefighters diagnosed with one of the ten primary site cancers from 6 August 2025 will have the benefit of the presumption.

Firefighters who previously lodged a workers compensation claim that was denied will also be able to lodge a further claim with the benefit of the presumption.

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:

“Today is a special day and I am proud of our government’s demonstrable commitment to support firefighters during the most challenging time they will face.

“Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to keep us all safe. This reform is an important step in making sure they are better supported when they need it most.

“We know a cancer diagnosis is life-changing and can be devastating for firefighters and the people who care about them. These changes mean they will be able to access entitlements with far less stress, so they can focus on their health and their families.

“We are pleased NSW is the first state to recognise two female reproductive cancers as presumptive cancers for firefighters.

“The strong partnership we have with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU), the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) and Australian Workers Union (AWU) has helped bring about this change and we thank their members and families for their ongoing strong advocacy.”

Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis:

“The Minns Labor Government has worked tirelessly to deliver this important reform. It ensures the firefighters who protect our community can access compensation and support through the presumptive cancer provisions.

“It’s a good time to become a firefighter or a volunteer safe in the knowledge that those who protect the community will in turn be looked after.

“This legislation goes further than other states and territories by including reproductive cancers. 

“By expanding the list of presumptive cancers, we’re recognising the real risks firefighters face on the job and the long latency periods that come with certain cancers.

“I would like to thank the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU), the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) and the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) for their ongoing advocacy.”

Secretary of the FBEU, Leighton Drury:

“This result reflects the hard work of professional firefighters who have worked tirelessly with their local members to bring awareness to this issue.

“We are pleased with the broad support for which this bill has achieved.

“The bill goes a long way to acknowledging the inherent risks of the firefighting profession.”

Scott Campbell AFSM, President of the RFSA:

“Volunteer firefighters work at the frontline to keep the community safe from a range of incidents, from bushfire to vehicle and structure fires. RFS volunteers provide fire cover for 95% of NSW, and we thank the government for recognising the value volunteers provide.

“We know that bushfire smoke is a threat to the health of volunteer firefighters. These new laws mean volunteers who unfortunately suffer cancer as a result of their service will be properly covered, including those with claims that were previously declined.

“We thank the government for delivering new laws that improve the protections for volunteer firefighters, and in particular for providing nation-leading coverage for female reproductive cancers.”

Formal agreement has been reached for COP31 to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, with the Pacific’s interests advanced by Australia assuming the role of President of Negotiations in the lead up to and at the meeting.

Australia will have “exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations”, to shape and guide global decision making in support of the multilateral system and global trade and investment in clean energy industries.

The Pacific will host a special pre-COP for leaders and others, bringing attention to the existential threat climate change poses to the region.

This will give Australia and the Pacific unprecedented influence over multilateral deliberations and actions of the global community in 2026.

We are proud to work with Türkiye, a country with whom we share a long history, to take forward COP31 in 2026.

Australia and the Pacific, led by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, worked hard to negotiate a deal that not only highlights the existential threat of climate change in our region but also strengthens international action.

Under this COP model we will demonstrate that the shared challenge of climate change, is also the world’s shared economic opportunity.

Under the agreement, reached at COP30 in Belem, Brazil:

• Australia will be the President of Negotiations, with “exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations”, from the end of COP30 this week until the end of COP31. This will give Australia and the Pacific unprecedented influence in global climate negotiations. Minister Bowen will fulfil this role.
• Australia will select ministerial and other co-facilitators for negotiations and identify additional champions with Türkiye for the action agenda and thematic priorities, including from the Pacific.
• Australia, in partnership with the Pacific, will set the agenda for and preside over a special Pre-COP for leaders and others in the Pacific in 2026, giving the world an opportunity to see Pacific climate impacts and solutions firsthand.
• The action agenda will be strengthened and elevated, and include a session at COP31 focused on climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States, providing a platform for world leaders and others to make commitments to the Pacific Resilience Facility – a Pacific-led fund to support Pacific climate responses.
• Türkiye will physically host the COP31 conference and World Leaders Summit in Antalya – a moment to demonstrate true, practical global cooperation.
• Türkiye will be nominated to be elected as the COP President.

Australia respects the United Nations Framework Convention consensus rules – and we negotiated with Türkiye in good faith for an outcome that delivers for the interests of the Pacific and our nation. 

This will give our Pacific family the global stage they have always deserved.

Since May 2022, we have been restoring Australia’s climate leadership at home and abroad.

We have restored Australia’s relationship with the Pacific, and proven we are a reliable, trustworthy partner – willing to work with partners on difficult challenges.

Our region is at the frontline of the climate crisis, where the effects of climate change are real and immediate. COP31 will bring the focus of the world to the impacts, opportunities and priorities in our region.  

Global focus on the most pressing challenges facing our region will support investments in solutions which are fit for purpose for our region.  

Leading the COP31 negotiations in partnership with the Pacific will strengthen our ties with our closest neighbours, raising our region’s profile in support of shared prosperity, stability and security.  

Together, COP31 will accelerate practical action and investment to keep global temperatures to safer limits and help build resilience to climate impacts.

Today Australia has imposed sanctions against two Russian cybercrime service providers – Media Land LLC and ML. Cloud LLC – and two of their key personnel – Aleksandr Alexandrovich Volosovik and Kirill Andreevich Zatolokin. Australia has taken this action in partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States.

These organisations have provided their ransomware infrastructure to malicious cyber actors and cybercriminals, allowing them to conduct cyber attacks in Australia and around the world.

Media Land has helped enable criminals to conduct attacks against Australian financial institutions, Australian businesses, their customers, and critical international infrastructure.  

This is the fifth time we have activated Australia’s autonomous cyber sanctions framework, part of the Albanese Government’s coordinated action against cybercrime. 

The sanctions make it a criminal offence to provide assets to either Media Land entity or the two sanctioned individuals, or to use or deal with their assets, with penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and/or heavy fines. The sanctions also ban the individuals from entering Australia. 

Today’s sanctions are the result of the close collaboration between the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Signals Directorate, and international partners. This demonstrates our collective commitment to deterring and responding to cybercrime and protecting our citizens. 

Australians continue to be targeted by malicious cyber actors, and lose billions to cyber scams each year. Cyber sanctions are a key tool to impose costs on cyber actors and protect Australians from this threat. As outlined in the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, the Australian Government is consistently working to deter and respond to malicious cyber activity.

Australians should report cybercrimes, incidents or vulnerabilities to the Australian Signals Directorate at 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) or https://www.cyber.gov.au/report. Australian businesses can help protect themselves from ransomware and phishing attacks by updating devices, regularly backing up files and ensuring staff know to never visit suspicious websites, open emails from unknown sources or click on suspicious links.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:

“The Australian Government is taking strong steps to strike back against malicious cyber activity. These actions are about defending our national security and ensuring Australians can live and work safely in a digital world

“This latest cyber sanction builds on previous actions and demonstrates our relentless pursuit of those who seek to harm Australians.

“These sanctions don’t just impose costs on criminals, they dismantle the infrastructure that enables cybercrime. By disrupting these networks, we make it harder for others to launch attacks and it strengthens Australia’s resilience against future threats.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong: 

“The Albanese Government is working to strengthen Australia’s resilience and keep Australians safe from cyber criminals.

“Working across government and with international partners, we will continue to take action against Russia, to disrupt cybercrime and hold malicious cyber actors to account.”

Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister Tony Burke:

“We will continue to do everything we can to break down the networks and alienate the individuals who are driving cyber attacks against Australia and Australian interests. 

“This is one of the fastest growing threats our country faces and our government will ensure we are ready to face it.”

The Albanese Government is announcing today HIFraser as the first Australian company qualified to supply parts for US Virginia class submarines through the Government-funded Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program (DIVQ) – supporting advanced manufacturing, creating high-value jobs, and strengthening Australia’s security through the AUKUS partnership.

HIFraser is now qualified to supply three valve types and pipe fittings to US submarine programs, for use in the construction and sustainment of Virginia class submarines. This comes less than 12 months after the awarding of an initial contract by the Albanese Government to commence manufacturing of these parts for qualification by US vendors.

DIVQ is a key initiative under Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, accelerating the qualification of Australian products into US and UK submarine supply chains and ensuring Australian companies and workers are at the heart of this generational capability uplift.

USS Vermont Maintenance Period

Today’s announcement coincides with the Submarine Maintenance Period for United States Ship (USS) Vermont at HMAS Stirling.

This is the first time a US nuclear­‑powered submarine has undergone a maintenance period in Australia without a US support ship, with this milestone being achieved solely by Australian, US and UK onshore teams.

During this maintenance period, personnel from the Royal Australian Navy and ASC are working alongside their US counterparts to support more than 160 maintenance tasks, including a world-first mobile pure water plant designed by Western Australian companies MAK Water and Diverse Welding to meet stringent US and UK standards.

There are also two Australian officers and 11 Australian sailors who are part of the crew of USS Vermont supporting all aspects of the maintenance period and routine submarine operations over a four-week period.   

These milestones highlight how AUKUS is creating extraordinary opportunities for Australian industry, workers and Defence personnel – a critical step towards Australia’s capacity to own, operate and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear‑powered submarines.

The Albanese Government is investing $8 billion to upgrade HMAS Stirling to support Submarine Rotational Force‑West from 2027. Over the next 30 years, around 20,000 direct jobs will be created across Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program, supported by training pathways, scholarships, and industry partnerships that will deliver a highly skilled workforce for decades to come.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“AUKUS is happening at pace – strengthening national security, creating jobs, and building a Future Made in Australia.

“Today’s announcement is another example of how our investments in AUKUS are bolstering Defence capabilities and supporting Australian workers.

“It is fantastic to see this work in action here at the home of our submarines, at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles:

“Australian Defence Force personnel and industry are working side by side with our AUKUS partners to deliver a demanding maintenance program on a US Virginia class submarine – building the skills and experience that will underpin our sovereign submarine capability.

“The qualification of HIFraser products to Virginia class submarine standards through the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program is further demonstration of the Albanese Government’s investment to deliver opportunities for industry.

“Australians are making an unprecedented contribution to the operation, building and sustainment of nuclear‑powered submarines.”

the Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy:

“HIFraser’s qualification and MAK Water’s achievement showcase how AUKUS is delivering opportunities for Australian industry, creating jobs for local workers and building our sovereign capability.

“These milestones demonstrate the way Australian industry and workers are not only supporting our own submarines, but contributing to the sustainment of US and UK fleets as well.

“Our three navies, alongside industry, are working, learning and innovating together – making us stronger than the sum of our parts.”

Over the past 80 years, Australia and Chile have developed a close and multifaceted relationship, bound by the Pacific, enriched by Australia’s vibrant Chilean diaspora, underpinned by trade and our complementary strengths as mining economies, and characterized by our shared values and beliefs.

Whether through the 19th-century trade in wheat from Chile that supplied a growing Australian nation, or contemporary investments by our mining companies, commercial ties have provided the backbone of our relationship.

Our high-quality Free Trade Agreement and common membership in the CPTPP have strengthened and diversified our trade, facilitating greater two-way investment and enabling our world-class mining sectors to collaborate in producing the critical minerals vital to the global energy transition.

Australia and Chile form a bridge connecting the Pacific with Latin America, whether through direct flights, strategic business hubs, or the new Humboldt undersea cable connection, which will enable us to harness the digital economy.

Chile and Australia are committed to a peaceful, stable, and prosperou s Pacific region, working closely together to achieve greater regional economic integration through our active membership of APEC, and to bolster defence and security through the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting.

Across the multilateral system, we are strong, like-minded partners who work hand in hand to respond to the global challenges of our time. Whether in the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Cairns Group, Antarctic Treaty System, or many other international bodies, we work to uphold human rights, respond to climate change, achieve gender equality, protection of the oceans, support free and fair international trade, and reinforce an open, stable, and rules-based international system.

Both countries support further reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to achieve our shared objective of safeguarding sovereignty by promoting international peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

The most enduring links between Australia and Chile are those between our peoples. Australia is home to a large and valued Chilean diaspora, and every year, Australians and Chileans cross the Pacific as students, businesspeople, tourists, or working holidaymakers, strengthening our connections.

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are confident it is through these foundations of shared values, common interests, friendships, and human connections that Australia and Chile will continue to grow and prosper together.