Category: Australian News

The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Allan Labor Government’s decision to force reserve-price disclosure before auctions, noting that the reform closely mirrors a Greens Bill first introduced in Parliament in August.

Underquoting has run rampant across Victoria for years, with countless first-home buyers spending thousands on building and pest inspections for homes that were never genuinely within the advertised range. Labor has only exacerbated the problem with its 5% deposit scheme, which has fuelled competition and driven prices even higher without doing anything to improve affordability.

The Greens say Labor is only acting now because of sustained public pressure and a damning media investigation and have urged Labor to go much further if it’s serious about fixing a system stacked against first home buyers.

While Labor’s proposal would require reserve prices to be published just one week before an auction, the Greens’ Bill goes further by mandating that reserve prices be disclosed from the moment a property is listed, giving buyers full transparency from day one.

The Greens say that if Labor genuinely wants to make housing fairer, transparency reforms are only the first step – and what Victoria really needs is proper investment in public housing and strong rent controls to address the root causes of the crisis.

Victorian Greens housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“Labor’s finally catching up. First-home buyers have been getting completely screwed for years, wasting time and spending thousands on inspections for homes they were never going to afford.

“People deserve honesty, not false hope, and Labor should go further like the Greens’ Bill does by making agents disclose reserve prices from day one.

“Being told the reserve early is helpful, but it doesn’t change the reality that most young people can’t afford the reserve in the first place, but right now Labor’s making the housing crisis worse by demolishing public housing and pushing prices up with no plan to address affordability.”

Older Australians will retain the right to access end-of-life healthcare in their homes, regardless of where they live, following a conscience vote in NSW Parliament last night.

Labor, Liberal and National party members were granted a conscience vote and were divided on the issue, but the amendments were ultimately rejected by the Legislative Council, with 23 votes against and 16 votes in favour of the changes.

According to Greens spokesperson for Health and former rural GP Dr Amanda Cohn, aged care and health care advocates have welcomed Parliament’s decision to reject amendments to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Amendment (Residential Facilities) Bill 2025 introduced by Liberal MLC Susan Carter.

“The proposed changes to the bill could have denied elderly people living in faith-based aged care facilities access to voluntary assisted dying in their homes,” Dr Cohn said.

The bill threatened the health rights of individuals based on the religious views held by facility management.

“Residential aged care facilities are people’s homes. We know that elderly people have limited choice of providers and, in some regional communities, there is only one facility available.”

“Moving frail and terminally ill people at the end of their life is far from simple. Most people want to die at home, not in a hospital.”

“Changes to access would have meant that anyone living in a faith-based facility, whether they shared that faith or not, would have fewer rights than everyone else. This is completely unjust.”

“Voluntary assisted dying laws in NSW were hard-fought and carefully negotiated in 2022. The upper house has strongly rejected this piecemeal and poorly considered reform. We have heard clearly that the community does not want to see access to voluntary assisted dying eroded.”

There was widespread opposition to Susan Carter’s proposed changes from health care providers and seniors advocates, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW), Seniors Rights Service, Older Women’s Network NSW, Council on the Ageing NSW, Uniting NSW.ACT, Go Gentle, Dying with Dignity NSW, Cancer Voices NSW and others.

Dr Cohn’s full contribution in Parliament on the bill on 15 October can be found here.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa for the annual G20 Leaders’ Summit from 20 to 22 November 2025.

The Summit brings together world leaders under South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.

This will be the first time the G20 Leaders’ Summit has been held on the African continent.

Discussions at the Summit will focus on advancing inclusive and sustainable growth, reinforcing the G20’s contribution to global resilience and championing a fair and just future for all.

While in South Africa, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to advance Australia’s economic and strategic interests.

The Prime Minister will be the first Australian Prime Minister to visit South Africa since 2013.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister until the Prime Minister’s return from overseas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The G20 brings together the countries that drive the world’s economies and Australia is a key part of that.

“Now more than ever, Australia needs to be working with our international partners to tackle the shared challenges and opportunities ahead.

“G20 member countries make up 85 per cent of the world’s economic output.  Being part of the G20 helps build a stronger, more resilient global economy which benefits all Australians at home.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will today honour three prominent Australians who played an influential role in advocating for the end of apartheid in South Africa.

The names of former Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke, and former diplomat Bruce Haigh, have been inscribed on the Wall of Names in Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria in recognition of their support for racial equality in South Africa.

Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum was created after apartheid to honour those who fought for South Africa’s freedom and democracy, and to promote reconciliation and understanding.

Malcom Fraser worked with the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations to investigate apartheid in South Africa. He was one of the first world leaders to visit Nelson Mandela in prison and strongly pushed for sanctions against the apartheid regime.

Bob Hawke also advocated for sanctions against the apartheid regime through the Commonwealth of Nations and the Australian Council of Trade Unions, as well as sporting boycotts.

Bruce Haigh established contact with anti-apartheid activists and shone a light on the injustices of apartheid during his posting to South Africa from 1976 to 1979. His legacy was captured in Richard Attenborough’s 1987 film Cry Freedom.

The three names join two other Australians already listed on the Wall. Freda Brown was a journalist, actress and President of both the Union of Australian Women and the Women’s International Democratic Federation. Peter McGregor was a university lecturer and activist.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“It is a great honour to see the names of these great Australians on the Wall of Names at Freedom Park, alongside others who fought for freedom and democracy in South Africa.

“Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke and Bruce Haigh displayed the best of who we are as Australians. They stood up for what was right and fought for equality and dignity.

“Their belief that racial discrimination has no place in society, and courage to speak out on the world stage, helped contribute to the end of apartheid in South Africa.

“The legacy of these great Australians is a powerful reminder that standing up for what is right is what matters most.”

Today I will travel to India for the 16th Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue and my 26th meeting with the Minister for External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar.

Australia and India have never been closer and our partnership never more consequential – it is crucial for us and crucial for the region in a sharper and more competitive world.

My visit continues the high tempo of engagement between our two countries and reflects the ongoing work of the Albanese Government to deepen our relationships and strengthen our resilience.

Our cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects our deepening alignment and shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

I look forward to discussions with my counterpart and friend, Minister for External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar, to set the course for an even more ambitious, future-focused agenda, as our partnership enters its next phase.

We will look to enhance our cooperation across cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security, defence, sport, and people-to-people ties.

Together, Australia and India are working bilaterally, through the Quad, and through multilateral institutions to advance our collective security and prosperity.

The Minns Labor Government has announced that it will legislate the existing doli incapax presumption, introduce new mandatory considerations for courts, and expand access to diversionary options for some children. The package follows an independent review commissioned earlier this year.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice, Sue Higginson, has welcomed the NSW Government’s long-overdue decision to legislate the doli incapax test, but says today’s announcement fails to address the evidence and fails to deliver the urgent change needed to keep children and communities safe.

Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson Sue Higginson said:

“Legislating the existing doli incapax presumption is welcome, but the Minns Labor Government has once again stopped short of the single reform that all experts, First Nations leaders and the United Nations have been demanding for decades. We must raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14. Anything less leaves NSW trapped in a cycle of political panic and child harm,”

“The Government is telling the public these changes will keep communities safe, but the evidence shows the opposite. Children aged 10 to 13 do not have the cognitive capacity to understand criminal intent and early contact with the criminal legal system dramatically increases the likelihood of future offending. The review the Government commissioned confirmed this, yet the Government continues to ignore it,”

“The Attorney General and Premier are trying to present today’s announcement as a bold move, but codifying an existing common law presumption does not address the real crisis. What we needed was a commitment to keep children out of prisons, invest in community-led supports and finally stop criminalising the youngest and most vulnerable,”

“First Nations children are already massively overrepresented in the youth justice system and they will continue to be harmed by a Government that refuses to listen to Aboriginal peak bodies calling for an Aboriginal led response. We cannot keep repeating the mistakes that experts and communities have been warning about for decades,”

“The limited diversion reforms are only a partial fix. Children should not need to navigate criminal charges to access support. The Government has missed the opportunity to shift to a true public health model that prevents offending rather than punishing it,”

“NSW cannot claim to be serious about youth crime while it locks up ten year olds. The evidence is clear. Raising the age keeps communities safer. It keeps children safer. It is consistent with international law. The Government’s refusal to act on the full issue is a failure of leadership and a failure of courage,” Ms Higginson said.

First Nations peak bodies, University Law Schools and legal experts have been critical of the Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong for progressing laws that will worsen the risks of deaths in custody following the NSW State Coroner’s rare statement criticizing the worst year for First Nations deaths in custody on record.

In an open letter,First Nations peak bodies, and law experts warned that “Incarcerated people subjected to discipline proceedings, who are locked in solitary confinement, fined, and deprived of basic privileges like phone calls and visits with loved ones, are at increased risk of acute and ongoing mental and physical harm, and even dying in custody, if these laws pass.”

The reforms in question, which are set to pass the NSW Legislative Council today, change the standard of proof for correctional centre offences so findings of guilt can be made on the lesser standard of “the balance of probabilities” rather than “beyond reasonable doubt”. They follow a damning NSW Ombudsman investigation that exposed a shocking culture of lawlessness within Corrective Services.

Greens MP, spokesperson for Justice and solicitor Sue Higginson said:

“First Nations peak bodies and legal experts are incredibly concerned at the Minns Government’s attempt to let our prison system off the hook after the Ombudsman exposed serious maladministration and law-breaking in the inmate discipline system to the detriment of at risk vulnerable inmates,”

“We know the inmate discipline system is used, often unlawfully, to place inmates in solitary confinement, to impose some of the harshest removals of privileges in the developed world, and to fine inmates,”

“The only person the Corrections Minister has consulted with on this Bill, other than the Premier it would seem, is the leadership of the prison guard’s union, he has clearly snubbed legal experts and First Nations peak bodies even though these laws fly in the face of the advice of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody,”

“It’s shocking that the Minns Labor Government introduced a Bill that will increase the risk of First Nations deaths in custody during the same week the Coroner released a statement saying we were in the worst year for First Nations deaths in custody on record,”

“The Minns Labor Government is ignoring the Ombudsman, who explicitly warned against watering down these standards. The Parliament’s own Legislative Review Committee has warned these laws may contravene international law, by increasing the likelihood of solitary confinement and by denying incarcerated people the presumption of innocence,”

“NSW Labor needs to take the deaths in custody crisis seriously, and that means sitting down with First Nations people and experts to hold our prison system accountable for lawlessness and harm. This Bill does the exact opposite, it endorses more punishment against at risk vulnerable First Nations people in law,” Ms Higginson said.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to secure the future of NSW’s coal-producing communities by introducing legislation to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority.

The statutory authority will partner with all levels of government, industry and the community to unlock investment opportunities and facilitate new opportunities for jobs.

Around 90% of NSW coal is shipped to nearly 30 countries, and demand for our high-quality product remains strong. With around 40 mines in operation across the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West, coal is NSW’s number one export.

The coal industry delivers $2.7 billion each year through economic activity and royalties that flow back to the people of NSW – while supporting thousands of regional jobs.

The legislation has been drafted following extensive consultation with industry bodies, mine operators, unions, universities, business groups, local councils, local advocacy and community groups across all four regions.

Local Divisions will be established in each coal-producing region, ensuring decisions reflect local priorities and community voices.

The Bill gives the Authority powers and functions to:

• attract investment to create new jobs and industries
• facilitate post mining land use for productive purposes
• lead genuine community engagement through the four Local Divisions
• report on mine closures to keep communities informed
• provide workforce support.

New regulatory requirements will require coal mine operators begin planning to support their workers for the future.

Coal mine operators will be required to provide at least 3 years’ notice prior to closure. This is a similar requirement to the existing provisions for coal-fired power stations. Notification will also require coal mine operators to share information with the government on how they intend to support their workforce in the lead up to and following closure of the mine. These features are crucial to guarantee workers are placed at the heart of the decision-making process.

These new obligations will give the authority a better understanding of the timeline of mine closures, helping government, unions and communities prepare.

Failure to report or prepare workforce plans will be enforced by the authority, including through financial penalties.

To reinforce transparency and accountability, the legislation mandates that the authority report annually to the NSW Parliament. This key feature is designed to demonstrate the authority’s progress and performance. A further statutory review will be undertaken after 3 years of the legislation commencing to ensure the authority remains agile and responsive to the expected shifts in the coal sector.

Further targeted consultation will take place on the finalisation of regulations to support the objectives of the authority once the legislation passes the Parliament. The Future Jobs and Investment Authority is backed by a $27.3 million investment across four years to support its establishment and operations. In addition, the Future Jobs and Investment Fund will unlock more than $110 million to fund projects supported by the authority.

More information about the Future Jobs and Investment Authority is available at www.nsw.gov.au/fjia.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“Our coal regions have powered NSW for generations. Now, we’re investing in their future by helping workers gain new skills and seize opportunities in a growing, diversified economy.

“Coal mine workers are the backbone of regional coal communities. The authority ensures their needs are front and centre as we build a stronger future for coal-producing communities.

“Thank you to everyone who was part of our consultation process, and for your valuable input as we deliver this important election commitment. Getting this framework right is critical to ensuring coal regions have the support they need into the future

“The authority will drive investment and create new opportunities, supporting new jobs and industries that will sustain regional communities.”

Pauline Hanson is taking a firm stand for free speech as she launches a Federal Court appeal after a judge ruled her blunt response to Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi breached the Racial Discrimination Act. The case stems from 2022, when Senator Mehreen Faruqi publicly refused to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and criticised the late monarch on Twitter. Thousands of Australians voiced their frustration, and Pauline Hanson joined the national debate with a forthright message — a message now at the centre of this legal battle. Last year a judge ruled her post promoted a racist trope and breached section 18C, but Pauline Hanson is fighting back. She argues that political debate in Australia has always been robust, especially on platforms like Twitter where ordinary people speak plainly without filtering their views through layers of political correctness.

Pauline Hanson’s legal team told the court it cannot hide in an “ivory tower” while everyday Australians are expected to tiptoe around sensitive topics or risk legal punishment. She says this case is bigger than one tweet — it’s about whether Australians still have the right to speak their minds in public without being dragged through the courts. If a phrase like “go back to where you came from” is ruled unlawful in all contexts, then political free speech in Australia takes yet another heavy blow. Pauline Hanson is fighting to ensure Australians can continue to express themselves, challenge politicians, and take part in honest debate without fear of racial discrimination laws being weaponised to silence them.

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.”

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.”