Category: Australian News

The Victorian Greens say the Allan Government has capitulated to the gun lobby after rejecting a key recommendation from former Police Commissioner Ken Lay to cap the number of firearms a person can own, following the Bondi massacre.

Despite accepting 15 of the 16 recommendations from the firearms review commissioned after the Bondi tragedy, Labor refused to support limits on the number of guns a single licence holder can possess.

The review found some recreational hunters own up to 68 firearms, while some sports shooters own as many as 288.

Leader of the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell said Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government had put politics and gun lobbyists ahead of community safety.

the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“Victorians are right to ask why anyone needs dozens or even hundreds of firearms and why Labor is letting them.

“This was Labor’s chance to show leadership on gun reform and community safety, but they blinked because they’re more worried about upsetting powerful gun lobby groups in marginal seats ahead of this year’s election than community safety.

“This is exactly why people are fed up with Labor. They’ll say or do whatever they need to cling to power, even if it means rejecting common-sense reforms to keep people safe, just because the lobbyists will get upset.”

The Greens have welcomed the resignation of NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton, which came the day before he was due to face Senate Estimates for the first time.

The Greens have been calling for Commissioner Brereton’s resignation for years. Today he has resigned after sustained community and political pressure. 

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge: 

“Paul Brereton’s resignation is the right outcome for the NACC and is a step towards rebuilding trust in the Commission. 

“It is striking that he chose to resign today the day before his first planned appearance at Senate Estimates which was only scheduled following a successful Greens motion in the Senate last sitting week.

“The Robodebt victims, including the people who died as a result of that unlawful scheme, and the hundreds of thousands of Australians harmed by it, deserved better from NACC than they received under Brereton’s leadership. 

“Commissioner Brereton’s inability to appropriately manage conflicts of interest, including relating to the Robodebt scandal, has plagued the NACC and materially damaged public trust. 

“Repeated questioning in Parliament oversight committees has slowly drawn out details of Commissioner Brereton’s ongoing involvement with Defence and this has been essential in shedding light on the NACC.   

“The NACC was established because Australians demanded genuine, independent accountability in the Commonwealth public sector. That task is more important than any single Commissioner.

“The Albanese Government needs to learn from this experience and approach new appointments with a focus on transparency, accountability and with genuine oversight by the Parliamentary Joint Committee into the NACC. 

“The Greens will keep fighting to make sure the NACC becomes the integrity body this country so desperately needs.”

Growing numbers of voters are making the link between net zero and their spiralling energy costs. It’s not surprising there is growing support for coal, gas and nuclear. The reality is that only One Nation are committed to scrapping net zero and making your energy bills cheaper.

Only last week the leader of the Nationals even said he was not for leaving the Paris climate change agreement! Being in this international agreement ties the hands of governments, making it impossible to turn our back on net zero.

The Greens call on Labor to immediately respond to reports that the CSIRO will tomorrow sack a third of the team working on Australia’s national climate model.

Greens spokesperson for science, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Scientists have made a dire warning that Labor’s cuts to the CSIRO mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports – including the IPCC. 

“These projections are relied on by governments, industry and farmers to manage critical risks including to our national security, and losing them will significantly reduce Australia’s sovereign capability to protect the country’s interests. 

“A Senate inquiry into the CSIRO’s funding and resourcing was told by the organisation’s management in February that the impact of the cuts would be minimal – what’s changed? Did the CSIRO management mislead the Senate inquiry? 

“Minister Tim Ayres’ silence in response to questions about cuts to climate modelling capacity is cowardly. 

“Climate modelling is critical to each and every Australian. Now is the time in history to increase our capacity in environmental research – not withdraw from it.”

Greens spokesperson for finance, public sector, workplace relations and employment, Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Australia’s climate science capability is both globally significant and locally irreplaceable.

“Gutting CSIRO is part of a broader process by successive Labor and Coalition Governments to weaken Australia’s public sector.

“This is about choices and the Labor Government is choosing to subsidise fossil fuel companies in the midst of a climate crisis over ensuring our nation’s resilience and sovereign capability through essential climate science.

“This is a shameful way to treat our hardworking, passionate scientists who dedicate their lives to trying to solve the climate crisis.

“This Government must urgently reverse all funding and staffing cuts, commit to increased and ongoing funding for public good science, and urgently establish an audit of CSIRO facilities to ensure its sustainability and viability.”

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report today on the Collins Class Submarines Life of Type Extension, shows structural negligence from the major parties and Defence leadership, and another multi billion dollar defence debacle attached to AUKUS. This comes just days after Defence Minister Marles announced that Labor was so confident in this project they were committing $11 billion to it.

The Collins class-submarines are a 1980s design that entered into the Australian Navy in the 1990s, with the six submarines scheduled for retirement in 2026-2036. Successive failures of Liberal and Labor Governments have created the need for an experimental ‘Life of Type Extension’ (LOTE) to keep these submarines operating more than a decade beyond their design life.

This ANAO audit makes clear that LOTE was initially designed to work alongside the French attack submarine contract entered into by the Turnbull Government. This plan went sideways when the Morrison government announced AUKUS with Labor’s backing. Despite this, the LOTE project continued on without change for years and no one in Defence, or the major parties, reassessed it. They kept on pumping money into a program based on a cancelled French submarine project that had been superseded by AUKUS.

The lack of key management artefacts, baseline controls, clear rationales, clear milestones, strict budgets has seen the design contract balloon from $125 million to $813 million since 2022 and has left defence with a failing, half baked plan for the Collins class submarines.

This is a pattern of behaviour that is common in Defence, cheered on by Labor, One Nation and the Liberals. Billions wasted, projects failing and everyone involved walking away with promotions and plaudits.

Senator Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Defence, said: “This is what happens when you have a Defence establishment that fails time and time again, and relies on the unquestioning loyalty of Labor, the Coalition and One Nation. It is an expensive cult that thrives off public money and the gravy train of AUKUS.”

“This whole project has been a farce, with Defence signing a half-baked design contract in February 2022 that they have had to amend 53 times since, with the cost spiralling from $125 million to $813 in that time. All to sustain a project that was completely upended by AUKUS.

“Once the Coalition and Labor decided to sink $375 billion on nuclear submarines, with no value for money assessment, no review, no analysis, it was always going to have damaging flow-on effects. It is a pattern of behaviour from Defence, they don’t explain what they are doing and are hostile to anyone seeking basic answers about AUKUS or the LOTE.

“No wonder we had Defence Minister Marles out earlier this week trying to cushion the blow of this damning report by announcing the descope. The Minister and the senior defence chiefs knew this audit was coming and have been desperately trying to spin their way out of the mess.

“Defence is now stuck spending billions on experimental plans to keep the ageing Collins submarines in the water long enough for AUKUS to come good. It turns out that neither part of the plan is on track, and the multi billion dollar cost is being borne by the Australian public.

“As usual with Defence no one has been sacked, no one has been demoted and no one held accountable for this multi billion dollar disaster.

“What should make every Australian taxpayer shiver is this is the same organisation that Labor has decided to reward with an extra $53 billion over the next decade.”

The St George Illawarra Dragons Community and High Performance Centre is now open, thanks to joint funding between the federal and state governments and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The new $65 million centre in Wollongong brings elite training, community programs and new opportunities for women and girls under one roof.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Minister for Sport Anika Wells, News South Wales Minister for Sport Steve Kamper and other local representatives at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus for the opening of the world-class facility, which will create sporting legacy for teams, fans and the Illawarra community into the future.

The Albanese Government invested $13.6 million in the facility, alongside funding from the New South Wales Government and St George Illawarra Dragons. 

The Centre unites the Dragon’s facilities together in one location, laying a strong foundation for the club’s future.

The new centre boasts two full-sized NRL playing fields, high performance gym and sports science facilities, medical and treatment areas, and equitable facilities for male and female players.

Dedicated classroom and program spaces, a lecture theatre with an internal ‘grandstand’, communal function rooms, an allied health area, meeting rooms and office space for football, community and administrative staff and community partners make the centre a community asset.

The centre also features a research and collaboration hub that is shared with the university, reflecting a partnership built on values in health, education and community resilience.

For women and girls in the region, the centre creates greater opportunities for participation in sport and is expected to draw in an additional 6,000 women into sport across the Illawarra over the next decade.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“This is what rugby league is all about – community, a sense of identity and belonging, learning on and off the field and always looking to improve yourself right beside your teammates.

“Our investment of $13.6 million to the St George Illawarra Dragons’ Community and High Performance Centre will provide a world-class facility for the Dragons to deliver the next chapter for the Illawarra.

“Fifteen months ago, we backed this vision for the boys and girls of the Illawarra to be the next NRL and NRLW Dragons, and today we’re proud to help make it a reality.”

Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“This isn’t just a training centre for the Dragons – it’s a place where the next generations of athletes will develop, where women and girls will have access to sport, and where the community can come together around something they can be proud of.

“Women and girls deserve the same quality facilities as men, and I’m proud the Albanese Government helped make that a reality in this centre.

“High performance sporting centres like this one have launched the careers of champions across this country, and we’re giving the Illawarra the facilities to match that ambition.”

Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes:

“The opening of the Bruce Gordon Centre is a major milestone for the Illawarra and a powerful example of what can be achieved when all levels of government and community partners work together.

“This world-class facility will help nurture the next generation of local sporting talent, while creating more inclusive opportunities for people of all ages, genders and abilities – fostering a lifelong love of sport and community.

“It will be especially important for local women and girls, giving them access to elite facilities close to home and the chance to pursue sport at the highest level.

“I thank the St George Illawarra Dragons and the University of Wollongong for their vision and commitment in delivering this outstanding community asset.”

Member for Whitlam Carol Berry:

“Whether you’re a young person dreaming of wearing a Dragons jersey or someone who’s looking forward to greater access to quality sporting facilities, this is a facility our whole community can be proud of.

“We have seen in the NRL that investment into quality sporting facilities and programs is incredibly important for club success and community culture. By investing in our young talent here in the Illawarra, we help build local champions, not only in the NRL but across a wider range of sports.

“When women and girls have access to good facilities, they stay involved in sport longer, step into leadership roles, and become the coaches and role models for the next generation. This is what this Centre will make possible here in the Illawarra.”

St George Illawarra Dragons Chairman, Andrew Lancaster:

“Today marks a significant moment in the history of the St George Illawarra Dragons. The Bruce Gordon Centre gives our club a home that matches our ambition — not only for our elite teams but also for our pathways, staff, partners, supporters and our community programs.

“We are incredibly grateful to the NSW Government, the Australian Government and the University of Wollongong for their partnership and belief, which have made this possible.

“The Dragons have always had deep roots in the region, and the Bruce Gordon Centre strengthens that connection in a meaningful and lasting way.

“It will help us develop the next generation of rugby league talent, provide equitable facilities for our NRL and NRLW players, and create more opportunities for young people, particularly women and girls, to see a genuine future for themselves in sport.

“The Bruce Gordon Centre is a facility the whole region can be proud of.”

The $164 million upgrade of the Jervis Bay Road intersection is one step closer to completion, with the new flyover bridge set to open to traffic from Monday, 1 June.

Motorists travelling southbound will be the first to use the new bridge, with motorists travelling northbound to follow shortly afterwards.

The full project was originally forecast to open to traffic in late 2027, but thanks to the efforts of 110 workers who have contributed a combined 472,000 hours, it is now set to open almost a year ahead of schedule, in early 2027.

The upgrade will make navigating Jervis Bay Road onto the Princes Highway intersection much simpler, allowing drivers to travel continuously under the bridge before merging onto the highway. This will significantly reduce congestion and delays at this well-known pain point.  

The new bridge will open to traffic in two stages over the coming week.

From Monday, 1 June, southbound traffic on the Princes Highway will move onto the new bridge, with two lanes open in each direction.

The new southbound off-ramp will also open, giving motorists easier access to Jervis Bay Road via the eastern roundabout.

The eastern roundabout will help traffic move more efficiently between the Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road, which is the key connection to Huskisson and other Bay and Basin villages.

From Wednesday, 3 June, northbound traffic will also move onto the new bridge.

However, motorists will not be able to turn right from the Princes Highway into Jervis Bay Road for several months while work continues on the western roundabout.

During this time, a detour will be in place via Comberton Grange Road for motorists accessing Jervis Bay Road.

Following traffic switching onto the bridge, work will continue on the western roundabout and associated local road network which will allow traffic to move safely and efficiently in all directions once the full intersection upgrade is complete.

The intersection upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($100 million) and the NSW Government ($64 million).

the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese

“This upgrade is about making the Princes Highway safer, more reliable and more efficient for locals, visitors and freight operators.

“This is a major milestone for this project and will help reduce congestion at one of the South Coast’s busiest intersections.

“This is good for productivity, good for people visiting this beautiful part of the world, and will ensure more people get home quicker and safer.”

the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King

“This $164 million upgrade is a major investment in safer, more reliable journeys on the Princes Highway.

“I want to thank local member Fiona Phillips for her strong advocacy on this project, as we’ve worked together with our state colleagues to deliver it.

“This intersection is a big safety improvement and it will make a real difference for people driving through the beautiful South Coast.”

NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham

“This is a major milestone for the Jervis Bay Road intersection upgrade, with traffic set to move onto the new flyover bridge from 1 June.”

“Once complete, this upgrade will separate highway traffic from vehicles entering and exiting Jervis Bay Road, helping to reduce congestion and improve safety at one of the South Coast’s busiest intersections.”

“I want to thank the workers who have already put more than 472,000 hours into this project, as well as the local community and road users for their patience while we deliver this important upgrade.”

NSW Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Ryan Park

“The opening of the new flyover bridge is a major step forward for the South Coast and will provide welcome relief for motorists travelling through this busy intersection.

“This upgrade will improve how people move between the Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road, including those travelling to Huskisson, Vincentia and the wider Bay and Basin area.

“I want to thank the local community, businesses and road users for their patience while this important work continues.”

the Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips

“This is a fantastic milestone for our community and a big step towards fixing a long-standing bottleneck on the Princes Highway.

“Anyone who travels through this intersection knows how busy it can get, particularly during peak periods and holiday times.

“This upgrade will mean safer, smoother and more reliable journeys for locals, tourists and everyone travelling through our region.”

the State Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney

“This bridge opening is an exciting milestone for the South Coast and a sign of real progress on a project our community has been waiting for.

“The Jervis Bay Road intersection is one of the busiest points on the Princes Highway between Nowra and the Victorian border, so improving safety and reducing delays here matters.

“I’m pleased to see this project moving ahead of schedule, and I thank the workers who are helping deliver it.”

the State Member for South Coast, Liza Butler

 “This project is about making everyday journeys safer and easier for the people who live, work and travel across the South Coast.

“The new flyover will help traffic move more efficiently through this important connection to the Bay and Basin villages, including Huskisson, Vincentia and surrounding communities.

“With work continuing on the western roundabout and local road network, we are now one step closer to a safer and more reliable intersection.”

“I sincerely thank the community for their strong advocacy in helping bring this project to life, and I also thank the wider community for their patience and understanding throughout the construction process.”

The Albanese Government is enhancing Australia’s fleet of Collins class submarines, through a life of type extension that will reduce risk, enhance capability and maximise availability for the Royal Australian Navy as Australia transitions to a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet. 

The life of type extension will commence with HMAS Farncomb at the end of the month, the first of six submarines to receive an extension. ASC, as the Government’s sovereign submarine sustainment partner, will continue to be responsible for delivering the program. 

Informed by independent expert advice, detailed planning and industry engagement Defence will undertake a conditions-based sustainment approach across the life of type extension program. This will see Defence and ASC retain and restore base components, while continuing to upgrade critical weapons and systems. 

This will reduce engineering and schedule risks and ensure the Collins class remains a formidable deterrent for years to come. 

As one of the oldest boats in the Collins class fleet with the highest number of sea days and distance travelled, HMAS Farncomb’s life of type extension will also include a detailed engineering assessment period to tailor its life of type extension upgrades and inform work required across the class. 

The program will also accelerate and prioritise sustainment work on the fleet’s youngest submarines, commencing with HMAS Rankin. 

Safety will not be compromised and the Collins class will be supported by increased investment of up to $11 billion over the next decade for sustainment, including life of type extension maintenance and the skilled workforce and infrastructure required to maintain this capability. 

In 2024, the Government listed the Collins class submarine capability as a Product of Concern to increase ministerial oversight and management of the capability. This is now driving improvements in process and productivity across Defence and industry. 

Defence industry will continue to play a central role, with both Osborne in South Australia and Henderson in Western Australia remaining integral to sustaining the Collins class fleet. 

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles: 

“These decisions reaffirm the Albanese Government’s commitment to keeping the Collins class a potent and highly capable strike and deterrent capability today, and for years to come. 

“Extending the life of all six Collins class submarines is critical to maintaining that edge as we transition the Navy from conventional to nuclear-powered submarines.” 

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy: 

“The Collins life of type extension is a critical capability decision and a major investment in Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base and submarine supply chain. 

“Strong collaboration with Defence industry partners will be essential to keeping the Collins class fleet available as we move towards a nuclear-powered submarine capability.” 

After discussions between Australia and China, including between the Prime Minister and China’s Premier Li, the Albanese Labor Government has helped to secure three shipments of jet fuel, totaling more than 600,000 barrels or about 100 million litres.

The Government has also helped to secure another 38,500 tonnes of agricultural grade urea from Brunei, for Australian farmers, producers, and our agriculture industry, to keep Australia’s food and fiber production systems strong.

This adds to fertiliser and fuel that has been secured through the Albanese Labor Government’s $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility, designed to help Australia’s agriculture and transport industries manage the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East.

The Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility has now helped to obtain around 125,000 tonnes of agricultural grade urea, in addition to the 250,000 tonnes of agricultural grade urea secured from Indonesia in partnership with Incitec Pivot.

This extra fertiliser gives greater certainty to farmers as they make planting and growing decisions, safeguarding our domestic food supply and the food security we provide to our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific region.

The three cargos of jet fuel from China are expected to arrive from early June, and are in addition to the 600,000 barrels or about 100 million litres of jet fuel already secured through the Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility.

These cargoes from China are a first step and we are working to ensure there will be more to come, to keep our aircraft flying, including to rural and regional areas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“In the face of global challenges, my Government will leave no stone unturned to shield Australians from the impact of global fuel challenges.

“The additional 600,000 barrels of jet fuel will help keep Australia moving, and the extra fertiliser will help provide certainty to our farmers.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:

““Australia is working with countries in our region to respond to this unprecedented shock to the global economy and ensure the continued flow of essential fuels.

“The Albanese Government is focused on securing the supplies – including diesel, jet fuel, petrol and fertiliser – that Australia needs.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell:

“The additional jet fuel will support travel to Australia’s world class tourist destinations and support the movement of freight within Australia and exports overseas.”

“The fertiliser we have secured will support Australian farmers to produce the agricultural exports that we sell to the world, helping grow our economy and maintain our reputation as a supplier of world-class exports.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:

“The Albanese Government is continuing to secure more fuel to help Australians now while we set Australia up to better prepare for future shocks.

“Our efforts throughout Government have made Australia more energy secure now and into the future.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:

“Securing these jet fuel supplies is just one of the ways the Albanese Government is working with industry to keep people and goods moving.

“This additional fuel will be a welcome boost for our aviation sector and ensure the public can continue to fly with confidence.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins:

“At a time of global uncertainty, our Government is doing everything we can to give our farmers confidence for the future.

“The additional fertiliser we have secured through our $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility will mean Australia’s farmers can keep farming.

“Having access to critical inputs like fertiliser underpins the food security of Australia and the countries we export to, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, which is why we’ve been working day and night with industry to get fertiliser to our farmers.”

A Greens-led Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity, has today revealed a housing crisis out of control where younger generations of renters, first home buyers and people experiencing homelessness are being left behind.

Evidence to the committee today showed:

• Younger people have been disproportionately harmed by government decisions to walk away from directly providing housing. 
• Renters are being left behind by unlimited rent increases and short-term leases.
• In 2024, 40% of young renters in our major capital cities were spending more than 30% of their disposable income on housing. In 2001, that figure was just 26%.That’s a 14 percentage point increase in a single generation.
• The Government won’t meet its target of building 1.2 million houses by 2029. 
• 640,000 people are in need of social housing. Even if the Government manages to fully deliver on the HAFF’s 40,000 promised social and affordable houses, this will only amount to 6% of what’s needed, and there will still be a long waiting list.
• Increase in investor demand for housing has caused massive house price growth and fuelled the current housing crisis.
• Big banks are among the biggest winners of the housing crisis as they make more profit out of home loans than business loans – they make $229,000 in profit on the average 30 year home loan.
• Immigration does not explain the housing crisis. For example, during COVID dwelling prices increased by 32% despite there being effectively no migration during this time.

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

‘The evidence of this inquiry is clear: The housing gap between generations is widening thanks to successive governments’ failures.

“45% of tax breaks for wealthy property investors have benefited baby boomers. Meanwhile young people today face rising rents and house prices, more insecure employment and massive HECS debts. We are looking at an intergenerational chasm. 

“Housing affordability has deteriorated significantly in Australia, particularly for younger generations. Home ownership rates among young people are falling, rents are rising while wages aren’t keeping up, and young people are making up a large proportion of people experiencing homelessness.

“Labor’s budget does nothing for renters, homeless people and for the 190,000 people on public housing waiting lists. 

“640,000 Australians are in need of social housing right now yet the HAFF will only meet 6% of this demand when it’s fully implemented. That’s unacceptable. 

“The HAFF is too slow, it’s too complicated, it isn’t touching the sides, and it isn’t delivering housing for future generations. 

“Tinkering around the edges of a broken housing system won’t fix the housing crisis. Labor needs to stop working for the 1% and instead start treating housing like a human right.

“It’s time this government looked after the 30% of Australians who rent, many of them young people, who are increasingly facing housing stress.”