Category: Australian News

A Senate inquiry hearing into the job and program cuts at the CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific research agency, has revealed low morale for our scientific community and a grim future for essential science in the face of the climate crisis.

Damning evidence to the committee today showed:

• A push to privatise research funding at CSIRO, with implications for the nature of CSIRO’s research agenda.
• Further jobs cuts (up to 350) are expected at CSIRO, on top of the 800 positions already slashed in the past 18 months.
• Low morale among the workforce at CSIRO with staff left devastated by the dehumanising approach to job and program cuts without consultation.
• Inadequate government funding of Australia’s leading scientific research agency, which is unable to keep up with inflation costs of research.
• An economic and human life cost from “adapting blindly” to the climate crisis as a result of lack of funding.
• Shrinking career opportunities for scientists as a result of dwindling funds and employment opportunities at CSIRO and universities.

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

“The Greens secured this inquiry in response to job cuts and funding pressures. The inquiry has revealed the real-world implications of inadequate public funding for science and on our ability to face the climate crisis and future health challenges.

“I’ve heard evidence today from a range of different scientists who have shared the alarming consequences of funding cuts. In the midst of a climate crisis and after a global pandemic, Labor is pouring billions into submarines instead of the fundamental research needed to adapt to and tackle these global challenges.

“At a time when science investment should be growing, our leading research agency is cutting hundreds of jobs to stay afloat. These aren’t just numbers — they’re skilled workers essential to Australia’s scientific future. Our science needs long-term continuity of funding and should be at least in line with the OECD average of 2.7% of GDP.

“CSIRO workers are facing relentless uncertainty about their jobs and research. These are dedicated scientists, and losing their expertise would be a serious blow.

“In the face of a worsening climate crisis, the work of the CSIRO is vitally important to Australians and our future generations. We should be strengthening our research capacity, not murdering its capability slice by painful slice. 

“The Greens are calling on the government to properly resource CSIRO to ensure the long term critical science and knowledge we need to keep our nation safe and prosperous. We heard evidence that, once lost, it will be difficult if not impossible to rebuild these research capabilities.”

Greens spokesperson for science and Senator for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Cutting CSIRO staff and science programs, especially within the Environmental Research Division in Hobart, shows the Albanese Labor government does not truly value environmental science or the scientific community in Tasmania.

“From the high personal cost being imposed on each and every scientist being told their life’s work is no longer important and required, through to institutional reputational damage and the negative message this sends to young career scientists — it’s a very difficult time and it doesn’t have to be this way.

“You can’t gut the critical role scientists play at CSIRO and then turn around and say you support early career research programs, that just doesn’t make sense.

“It is deceitful for the government to say job cuts are necessary due to budget constraints when it can find hundreds of billions of dollars for nuclear submarines and subsidies for fossil fuel companies. 

“It is clear that science is no longer a priority for this government.”

Today, the Albanese Labor Government, with the support of the Liberals, handed security agencies a veto over what information can be given to Royal Commissions into the Bondi attack and how that evidence can be used.

The Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026, is meant to respond to a recommendation from the Interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, but only partially implements this.

The Veterans Royal Commission found that members of the Defence Force and security agencies did not feel free to give evidence to the Royal Commission because of fear of prosecution for breaches of secrecy provisions. As the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion begins this protection is clearly essential, and it is not being given by Labor’s proposals.

This Bill does not give the protection recommended by the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide. It only gives current and former members of security agencies protection from prosecution if they give evidence to the Royal Commission in accordance with arrangements negotiated between the security agency and the Royal Commission. The Bill also provides that the Royal Commission can only use such information in accordance with arrangements agreed to by the security agency.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Justice, said: “You cannot have the security agencies deciding what evidence is given to the Royal Commission about their own activities. This Bill lets the fox run the hen house.

“The horror we saw at Bondi was a national tragedy. This Royal Commission must be able to closely scrutinise the role of Commonwealth security agencies before and after this racist attack. This cannot happen when those same agencies are looking over the commission’s shoulder.

“The Greens have long called for the protection of whistleblowers, including those inside security agencies who want to provide information to Royal Commissions or the Parliament.

“There must be proper protections for brave truth tellers, and agencies can’t hide from scrutiny behind secrecy clauses where this stands in the way of uncovering fundamental problems.

“This Bill goes nowhere near the protections needed for witnesses to the Royal Commission who look at David McBride in jail and are right to be worried what will happen to them if they tell the truth.”

Today the War Parties, Labor, One Nation and the Liberals voted together to pass a Bill that will slam the door on Iranians fleeing a war they have cheered on.

Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No 1) Bill 2026 gives the Minister of Home Affairs the power to block people with valid temporary visa from travelling to Australia.

The Government has made clear that it plans to immediately use this law against 7,200 current visa holders from Iran. The Albanese Government does not want people fleeing Labor’s, Trump’s and Netanyahu’s illegal war from seeking safety here in Australia.

This power can be used to block people from any country from entering Australia. As war and instability spreads across the Middle East, this law could be used on over 61,000 people in the region. This includes not only 7,200 from Iran, but 1,150 from Lebanon, 157 from Palestine, 207 from Syria and more around the region.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Leader said: “This Iranian visa ban is a new low from a Labor government who keep showing themselves to be morally bankrupt on refugee rights.

“It’s extremely cynical how Minister Burke has painted himself as a hero for providing asylum for a handful of women who have distinguished themselves on the soccer field, while shutting the door on thousands more.

“In all my time in Parliament, it’s a new low for Labor to simultaneously champion themselves as humanitarians, while shutting the door on thousands of needy people. I don’t know how you can live with yourselves.”

Senator David Shoebridge Greens Spokesperson on Immigration: “This is Labor again leading the way on cruelty towards migrants and refugees. One Nation and the Liberals back Albanese in, but it is Labor that leads the pack of war parties. They send our military into an illegal war, then slam the door on those fleeing it.

“This Bill will stop grandparents from seeing their grandkids, stop students from getting an education, stop people from bringing their skills and talent into businesses and the community. All because Labor wants to out-cruel One Nation and the Coalition on immigration and refugees.

“Labor keeps saying this war was about protecting the Iranian people from a brutal regime. We can see today what Labor really thinks of the Iranian people, they have just told them to stay in Iran in danger and fear.”

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Triple 0 service outage:

“The evidence that the committee has heard from the ACMA today is disturbing.

“This regulator has proven time and time again that they are asleep at the wheel.

“Despite being informed by ambulance services immediately after the fact, the regulator failed to ask TPG about the death of a customer who couldn’t access Triple 0 services, and allowed the telco months to publicly verify this incident. This is astounding.

“The relationship between the corporations and the regulator ACMA is far too cosy.

“The fact that nobody – from the regulator, to the department, to the Minister’s office – was willing to front up to the Australian people and tell them that another person had died says a lot.

“ACMA are the regulator. Their job is to ensure these telecommunications companies are delivering services properly. Time and again, they prove that they’re just not up to the job.

“Australians are being let down by a regulator that is more of a lapdog than a watchdog – meanwhile a handful of big corporations are getting away with poor service and self regulation.”

Labor has wasted $53 billion on tax concessions for wealthy property investors since it came to power in 2022, according to new data compiled by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).

The PBO analysis shows that a further $190 billion will be wasted over the next decade, if Labor continues to delay action on winding back the capital gains tax (CGT) discount and negative gearing. 

The Greens say this foregone revenue should instead have built public and affordable housing, calling on Labor to end the waste at the May budget.

Greens leader Larissa Waters: 

“Labor cannot keep subsidising and boosting the profits of property investors while a generation is locked out of home ownership and renters struggle to keep a roof over their heads.

“Australia is suffering the worst housing crisis in living memory, and Labor’s pathetic tinkering has only entrenched housing inequality. 

“When it’s easier to buy your fifth home than your first, you know the system is truly cooked.

“The upcoming budget gives the government a once-in-a-generation choice to back regular people over wealthy property barons, billionaires and big corporations. The Greens would wholeheartedly support this.

“Albanese should stop handing billions to support speculators through the CGT discount, end negative-gearing handouts, and redirect that money into public and affordable housing.”

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

“In the midst of a housing crisis, Labor has wasted billions on property tax breaks which could have instead built more public housing.

“Handing out $53 billion in tax breaks for wealthy property investors that could have instead helped fix the housing crisis, shows just how little Labor cares about first-home buyers and renters.

“First-home buyers don’t stand a chance because the government has allowed investor lending to run rampant backed by the CGT discount and negative gearing.

“Labor must end the runaway housing price inflation driven by bad policy and tax breaks for property hoarders. It must end unlimited rent increases.

“Australia’s housing system is rigged for the wealthy; it’s a system designed to drive up the cost of housing and rents, generating enormous wealth for the 1%.

“Labor needs to deliver bold, ambitious tax reform that puts home buyers and renters first. It must do away with tax incentives for those who need it least.

Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice Senator Nick McKim:

“The Capital Gains Tax Discount is the most unfair tax break on the books.”

“Nurses, carpenters, cleaners and bartenders are paying twice the tax of someone making the same amount of money buying and selling investment properties.”

“Winding back the CGT discount would help renters, first-home buyers and the budget. The evidence given to the Greens-led Senate inquiry has made the case for change overwhelming.”

“Labor has a massive majority in the House of Representatives, the opposition is in disarray, and the Greens with balance of power in the Senate are ready to pass progressive and ambitious tax reform.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity for genuinely progressive tax reform to pass the parliament.”

The Albanese Government will strengthen Australia’s maritime security with a $176 million investment to deliver 40 new Australian-designed and built Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USV) – one of the world’s largest sovereign USV fleets.

Announced today, the contract with Ocius Technology expands Navy’s operational fleet to 55 Bluebottles, significantly boosting long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability across Australia’s vast maritime domain.

This investment will create 50 jobs at Ocius’ new advanced manufacturing facility in Sydney, supported by a second production site in the NSW Hunter region and an extensive Australian supply chain. Further opportunities for small and medium Australian businesses will be generated as production scales. 

The Bluebottle, developed in partnership with Navy and initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, is a long-endurance USV powered by solar, wind and wave energy. It provides persistent surface and sub-surface surveillance, can carry payloads and operates as part of a teamed, integrated maritime force.  

Increasing Bluebottle capability delivers a sovereign, persistent and scalable capability, supporting a key priority identified in the Albanese Government’s National Defence Strategy. 

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP

“The Bluebottle is an innovative platform designed, developed and manufactured right here in Australia. This is an excellent example of Defence and industry working together to deliver cutting-edge capability.  

“The Albanese Government’s investment in Ocius Technology and their Bluebottle USV has accelerated the delivery of the autonomous systems for Navy.

“Over the next five years and beyond, Bluebottle will monitor Australia’s maritime approaches and strengthen Defence’s ability to protect our national security interests.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP

“With this investment the Albanese Government is backing Aussie ingenuity while creating highly skilled, well-paid jobs for locals. We are investing right now to uplift our sovereign defence industry. 

“With this world-leading technology, we are able to increase surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches and respond to increasing maritime threats.

“Accelerated development of autonomous capabilities will be fundamental as we navigate this new era of global uncertainty.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia this week for a Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defence, His Excellency Gen (ret) Dr Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest and most important partners. Our relationship is built on friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace and security in the region.

The Defence Ministers’ Meeting will build on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Jakarta last month to sign the Australia‑Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, which reflects the close friendship, partnership and deep trust between Australia and Indonesia. 

It will also give Ministers the opportunity to progress the historic Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed by Australia and Indonesia in August 2024. 

Through this agreement, Australia and Indonesia continue to enhance practical arrangements, strengthening interoperability and support increased dialogue between our defence forces. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Our bilateral defence ties with Indonesia make an important contribution to our shared security, and that of the region. 

“The Defence Cooperation Agreement represents a historic step in our defence cooperation, which has been further enhanced by the recently signed Treaty on Common Security.  

“Australia is committed to working more closely than ever before with Indonesia, to support a secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific.”

The Albanese Government continues to support Australians affected by the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East as limited commercial flights resume and consular efforts expand across the region.

Our first priority is keeping Australians safe and we are working around the clock to help Australians who need it.

More than 3,000 Australians have now returned home on 21 direct commercial flights and further services are scheduled in coming days.

Two flights from Dubai are scheduled to arrive in Australia this morning, with a further two due to depart this afternoon. A flight from Doha is also scheduled to depart this evening.

Airports and airlines have advised that the overwhelming majority of Australian passengers stranded while transiting through the Middle East have now departed.

While airspace restrictions and intermittent closures around major transit hubs continue to cause delays and cancellations, commercial flights remain the fastest option for Australians to leave the Middle East.

We understand these are difficult decisions for Australians who live and work in the Middle East and we encourage those who do wish to leave to do so now on commercial flights.

Major airlines have extended their refund and free rebooking windows to assist passengers whose flights have been impacted.

Limited outbound commercial flights have begun to operate from Ben Gurion International airport in Israel and commercial flights continue to operate from Rafic Hariri International Airport in Lebanon.

The Government advises Australians if they can secure a commercial flight or other transport to leave Lebanon, and it is safe to travel to the departure point, they should consider doing so.

With airports closed in Kuwait and Bahrain, Australian officials are working with our partners on bus transportation to Riyadh enabling passengers to continue their journey on commercial flights.

Our ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited.

Any Australians in Iran should prioritise their safety, monitor events and shelter in place during strikes.

We urge them to consider all available options to depart if it’s safe to do so.

The 24/7 DFAT Crisis Centre remains activated, and the crisis registration portal is open for Australians in Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.

We continue to advise Do Not Travel to most destinations in the Middle East.

Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).

March 15 is the seventh anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacre, where an Australian white supremacist killed 51 Muslims and it marks the International Day against Islamophobia. Today, in the wake of rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate in this country, Senator Faruqi attempted to to move a motion marking the day and calling for action on rising Islamophobia, but was shutdown by Labor and the Coalition

On the weekend, a man stormed an Iftar organised by the Ballarat Muslim community and threw abuse and punches. He was asked by police to move on. He was not charged. Just recently, a white supremacist was arrested in Western Australia for planning a terrorist attack on mosques in Perth, after allegedly stockpiling weapons and ammunition. Mosques and Islamic schools across this country are receiving violent threats and Muslim women continue to bear the brunt, as they are abused and assaulted.

Instead of supporting the motion, the Labor Government shut down debate and used it as another opportunity to attack the Greens, rather than take action.

Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for Anti-Racism:

“The Christchurch mosque massacre should have been a turning point that forced this country to confront its own racism, but the reckoning never came.

“The Labor Government couldn’t even bring themselves to support a motion that condemns Islamophobia and calls for action. Instead, they shut down debate while whitesplaining a Muslim woman and attacking the Greens.

“Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate has become more normalised, more emboldened, and more dangerous. Instead of confronting this hate, politicians and the media continue to inflame and legitimise it.

“The ideology that fuelled the Christchurch terrorist was built over decades of Islamophobia. Decades of Muslims being portrayed as dangerous. Decades of politicians and the media telling us that Muslims are a threat to the so-called ‘Australian way of life’.

“Instead of distorting, diminishing and dehumanising Muslims and our religion, the Labor government should stop their dog-whistle politics, stand unequivocally against Islamophobia and protect Muslims, but they couldn’t even find it in their hearts to support the Greens motion.”

The Greens today will introduce a Bill that will require both Houses of Parliament to vote before the Australian Defence Force can be sent overseas to engage in warlike actions.

War power reform bills have been proposed by the Greens for over 20 years, and have been routinely rejected by the Liberal and Labor parties. With Australia being sent into another illegal US war, without any democratic debate or input, the Greens today are reintroducing the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill, introduced by Senator Jordon Steele-John in 2020.

There is widespread community support for this reform, including a 2023 poll that found 90% of Australians support war powers reform, to enforce a Parliamentary vote before the deployment of troops.

The announcement from the Albanese Labor Government to send 85 military personnel, including an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, to the Gulf and medium-range air-to-air missiles, into the conflict shows Australia has been fully dragged into another US forever war. This decision was made in a closed room by a handful of Labor cabinet members and zero parliamentary or public engagement or consent.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens leader said: “Labor’s Defence Minister finally revealed the truth last night about Donald Trump’s pressure for Australian deployment. Trump has been pressuring Australia to join his illegal war in the Middle East – it’s Trump calling the shots, and the Labor party is following.

“Albanese’s unquestioning support for Trump and Netenyahu’s illegal war shows why Australians deserve a say before their families are sent to war.

“Australians don’t want war. They weren’t asked if they back this illegal war. Parliament doesn’t get a say. Even the Labor backbench is reportedly unhappy. The only person that Albanese seems to listen to is Trump.

“We cannot allow a handful of the executives behind closed doors to take us to war, endangering civilians and putting Australian lives at risk whenever the US asks.
“Sending service members overseas without parliamentary approval risks unnecessary bloodshed. It undermines the accountability our veterans, their families and the people deserve.

“War will never deliver peace. Instead, civilians suffer, troops die, and the world becomes less stable. Parliament must be a counterweight to our government’s drive to appease Trump, Netanyahu, and others like them.

“The War Parties have fought against this because they know the public doesn’t want war – but the Green will keep pushing for this.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said: “Australia has joined another illegal US war, and the public got no say. That democratic failing is what this bill seeks to urgently address.

“We cannot have a handful of MPs from one of the war parties in the Commonwealth Parliament to send Australian troops into a string of US forever wars with no oversight and no public interest.

“Australians are outraged that after Iraq, after Afghanistan, the Australian military has been sent back to the Middle East as part of a US-Israeli illegal war. The Albanese Government has seen the decades of bloodshed and pain the US has caused across the Middle East, and signed us up for more.

“Australia’s defence and foreign policy elite are addicted to secrecy and hate the public having any say. AUKUS was decided in secret and AUKUS has driven us into this war. Democracy must not stop at the Foreign Minister’s office.

“War will not help the Iranian people, it will cause untold pain across the region, make the world a more dangerous place and all done without the consent of the Australian people. It’s time that changed, and time democracy got a chance to save us from the next illegal US war.”