Category: Australian News

The Australian Government condemns the recent horrific violence in Syria’s coastal region.

We are deeply concerned by UN reports that many civilians from the Alawite community were summarily executed and understand the community’s distress. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

Australia condemns the murder of innocent civilians. All minorities must be protected, including those from the Alawite, Christian, Druze and Kurdish communities. 

The Government has urged all parties to protect civilians, exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue.

We are closely monitoring the words and actions of Syria’s interim authorities, including their pledge to hold accountable all those involved in the bloodshed.

The persistent conflict, oppression and displacement that Syria’s population has long endured must end.

Australia calls on Syria’s interim authorities to lead an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process that fully respects the rights of all minorities and establishes a representative, non-sectarian government.

We will continue to engage with the UN and our international partners to encourage lasting political change and inclusive governance to deliver long-overdue peace and stability for the Syrian people.

Fourteen iconic events from Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to the TCS Sydney Marathon and Tamworth’s Country Music Festival, will benefit from less red tape in recognition of their importance to our state’s identity.

The Minns Labor Government is introducing a new events framework, and announcing the first round of Foundation Events, to secure our calendar of events, including the Sydney Festival, the Parkes Elvis Festival, Vivid Sydney and the Bathurst 1000.

Events are a significant contributor to the NSW visitor economy. In 2023-24, events supported by the Destination NSW alone delivered $1 billion in visitor expenditure for the state. In classifying these events as foundation, we not only protect them but also ensure their ongoing contribution to the NSW visitor economy, support for local businesses and role as jobs creators.

The new framework complements the NSW Government’s focus on experience tourism to keep visitors coming back to enjoy our iconic events time and again.

The event framework recognises that foundation events contribute not just economically but to the cultural fabric and tradition of the state. For example, the NRL Grand Final should be assessed and supported differently to a travelling Premier League match due to its significance over many decades to NSW. 

Beyond generating economic value through direct event visitation, the framework will assess the social contribution and community benefits, as well as social and cultural legacy of events.

The event framework gives event organisers certainty, which allows them to innovate with programming, drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.

Foundation Events will be assessed differently, and provided additional support –

• Prioritised for a minimum 3-year Strategic Investment Agreement with Destination NSW (or 3 events for bi-annual events) with renewals negotiated one year prior to the last event. This gives events greater certainty and room to plan.
• A more favourable regulatory environment will support events to maximise benefits for the community.
• An event assessment approach which provides greater consideration of strategic, economic, marketing and brand, social and cultural benefits.

Events included in the first round of Foundation Events

• Bathurst 1000
• Biennale of Sydney
• Bluesfest
• Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
• Deni Ute Muster
• NRL Men’s & Women’s Grand Final
• Parkes Elvis Festival
• Sydney Festival
• Sydney Fringe Festival
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• SXSW Sydney
• Tamworth Country Music Festival
• TCS Sydney Marathon
• Vivid Sydney

This list will be reviewed periodically, and more events will be announced in the future.

Minister for Arts, Tourism, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said:

“We are building the calendar and investing for growth. These events light up the calendar, they have become part of who we are, and it’s time we give them the recognition and certainty they deserve.

“The NSW calendar has an incredible line up of events, special times in our annual calendar that allow us to come together for iconic moments. The foundation events framework gives these festivals certainty so they can keep producing these important experiences for us all to share.

“What these incredibly fun and unique events speak to, is government supporting local communities to play to their strengths and then tell their local story to the world. Locals know what works in their patch. We support them to do it!

“The foundation events framework gives events certainty, which drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.”

Background

• The three new event categories
  • Foundation Events: Regular, recurring events that may grow in size and significance over time. These events are often essential to NSW’s identity and visitor economy.
  • Major Events: Large-scale events that bring in significant visitor economy and economic benefits. They could happen once or several times and have a major impact on an area.
  • Local Events: These events are typically smaller in scale and contribute to a local visitor economy and the community.
• The stage process:
  • Step 1: Classify the event
  • Step 2: Assess the event based on criteria
  • Step 3: Make a recommendation and prioritise

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, today announcing $750 million to boost development of new technologies to ensure our metals manufacturers remain globally competitive.

Australia is already prized for its alumina, aluminium, iron and steel, and this funding will value add to our high quality Australian metals exports worth over $150 billion annually.

Part of the $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund announced at Budget 2024/25, this new $750 million of funding will supercharge cutting-edge innovation and boost development of new low emissions technologies.

The Fund will support the development of cutting-edge new technologies, as well as funding pilot and demonstration projects, that can lower emissions, improve productivity and revitalise plant and equipment.

It will have the potential to unlock commercial-scale production of green metals using Australian ores and renewable resources, opening the door to more trade opportunities, more jobs, more value-adding and lower emissions.

Funding will be administered independently through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Building on the Albanese Labor Government’s significant support for manufacturing, this latest investment is part of more than $5 billion now allocated to supercharge Australian metals industry.

Together these initiatives demonstrate the Albanese Labor Government’s clear determination for sovereign metals manufacturing to remain in Australia’s future.

• Green Aluminium Production Credits
• Green Iron Investment Fund
• Joint package with SA Government to give steelmaking in Whyalla a strong future
• Funding for clean energy technology manufacturing – accelerating the deployment of emerging battery technologies, wind turbine manufacturing and hydrogen electrolysers
• Funding for low carbon liquid fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.
• Passing legislation to deliver Production Tax Credits for hydrogen and critical minerals, which was opposed by the Liberals and Nationals
• Investment in major critical minerals and rare earths projects through the Critical Minerals Facility including Iluka and Arafura
• Investing in Geoscience Australia to accelerate the discovery of resources
• Funding Hydrogen Headstart to catalyse Australia’s hydrogen and clean energy industries
• Investing in green metals through the Powering the Regions Fund

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We want to see more Australian workers make more things here.

“That’s why we are allocating funding to back our local metals manufacturers to seize the opportunities of the future.

“We’ve got the resources, the workers, and the know-how – the only thing we don’t have is time to waste.”

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:

“Jobs up and emissions down, that’s our goal and investing in our world-class Australian made metals know-how is helping make that happen.

“The work of our scientists and researchers can sharpen our competitive edge, but getting that work into our mills and smelters quickly is a challenge, and that’s where this investment comes in.

“Demand for green metals is expected to account for a third of the global metals market in coming years, this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

“For a century, metal-making has been the spine of Australian industry, and this investment is there so it continues to underpin our economic and national security resilience for decades to come.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“The Albanese Labor Government is backing businesses across the country to seize the opportunities of a Future Made in Australia, powered by low-emissions tech including reliable renewables.

“While we are getting on with the job and delivering solutions for hard-to-abate sectors to decarbonise right now, Peter Dutton’s Coalition is championing a $600 billion dollar nuclear scheme that relies on a smaller economy and Australian industry being forced to shut down.

“Helping some of Australia’s largest industrial emitters, like alumina refining, capture the benefits of a global clean energy economy, cut fuel bills and remain competitive is at the centre of a Future Made in Australia.”

Parliament is set to pass laws that end no grounds evictions and rental bidding today as the Victorian Greens claim this as a ‘huge win for renters’ and renew calls for rent controls.

The reforms to ban no grounds evictions and rental bidding are included in the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024, which is slated to pass through the Upper House later today with support from the Greens.

After years of pressure from the Greens, Labor has finally delivered some relief for struggling renters but the Greens say that while these are huge reforms that have been long fought for, rent controls are the final piece that will make the biggest difference for renters.

The laws set to pass today will make it illegal for real estate agents to accept offers above the listed rental price; end the ability for landlords to kick renters out at the end of a first fixed term agreement; increase notice period for rent increases and notices to vacate from 60 to 90 days; protect renters’ privacy and end hidden fees through predatory third party apps.

The Victorian Greens Renters’ Rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri said these are tangible reforms for renters, but that until unlimited rent increases are made illegal, housing will still be unaffordable and insecure for renters.

Victorian Greens Renters’ Rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“For too long landlords and real estate agents have been able to prey on renters, forcing them to bid against each other for a roof over their heads and then kicking them out for no reason. But after years of Greens pressure, today we’re making that illegal.

“These reforms are a huge win for renters, but we know that a massive rent increase is still just a de facto eviction and that to make a real difference in the lives of renters, we need to make unlimited rent increases illegal. We’ll keep standing up for renters and pushing Labor until we freeze and cap rents.”

On the eve of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and the sixth anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacre, the Greens Deputy Leader and Anti-racism spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called on the Prime Minister to stop the targeting of Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians and to start combatting rising Islamophobia. 

Following the publication of the Fifth Islamophobia in Australia report, Senator Faruqi has written to the Prime Minister urging the government to drop the one-sided approach to racism, unequivocally acknowledge the breadth and depth of rising Islamophobia and reject political narratives that fuel Islamophobia. 

Senator Faruqi said:

“Rather than tackling Islamophobia with the urgency it deserves, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities who are bearing the brunt of this racism are being silenced, demonised and gaslighted, especially over the last 18 months of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“It has been six years since an Australian far-right terrorist murdered 51 people in a Christchurch mosque. This should have been a turning point but both Labor and the Liberals still ignore the reality for Muslims in this country, treating us like second class citizens.

“It is 2025 and mosques are threatened with violence, racist graffiti is rampant and people are losing their jobs and being demonised in the media for opposing a genocide. 

“Communities are suffering but the Prime Minister refuses to treat Islamophobia like the emergency it is. In fact, the Labor Party is pouring fuel into the fire through its complicity in Israel’s genocide on the Palestinian people.

“It is deeply disturbing that Muslim women are largely the target of the rise in Islamophobia. The particularly toxic crossover of racism and sexism really harms us. 

“People are rightly angry at the double standards in the way Muslims in this country are treated. The Prime Minister must drop the one-sided approach to racism, unequivocally acknowledge the breadth and depth of rising Islamophobia and loudly reject political narratives that fuel fear, blame and hatred against Muslims. 

“Muslim communities are not hapless victims of racism. We are sick and tired of being taken for granted, used as photo props and for harvesting votes. People are organising and ready to hold political leaders who have failed them to account. 

“We’ve had enough. People are hurt, angry and frustrated by the glaring double standards and hypocrisy of the two big parties when it comes to tackling Islamophobia. We can see right through them.

“Politicians deliberately neglect, and even deny, Islamophobia while hiding behind whitewashed buzzwords. All this does is bury the truth and entrench white privilege.

“I urge the Prime Minister to fully fund the implementation of the National Anti-racism Framework in the upcoming budget so we can start to eliminate all forms of racism, bigotry and hate.

“The Greens are the only party with an anti-racism portfolio, and the only party committed to fighting all forms of racism, something that the Labor and Liberal parties cannot say.File

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Correspondence from Senator Faruqi.pdf

The Victorian Greens have slammed the Labor Government following their confirmation that there will be no public housing rebuilt at Flemington and North Melbourne as they steamroll ahead with their plan to demolish the public housing towers at the sites.

Today Labor has finally conceded that they have no intention to build any public homes at the sites and will be handing over all responsibility for the Flemington development to a private consortium, as well as also putting a call out to companies interested in developing North Melbourne.

The plan will see Labor hand over the publicly owned land to a private consortium to be responsible for the entire design, construction and management, meaning that the “social” units will be converted to privately-owned community housing.

The majority of housing built across the two sites will be private expensive apartments, including 300 units of so-called “affordable housing.” Not a single unit at the new development will be public housing.

Community housing is more expensive than public housing and community housing residents do not have the same rights. For example, public housing tenants have rent capped at 25% of household income and rights to a life-long lease, whereas community housing tenants have to renew every 3 years, and can pay upward of 30% of their income.

“Affordable” housing has no strict definition and has been found to be leased at higher than market rent even in some government managed properties.

The Victorian Greens say that this confirms Labor’s total retreat from public housing as Victoria already has the least, and spends the least, on public housing in comparison to the rest of the country. It comes after Labor has repeatedly dodged questions from the Greens and the media about whether they can confirm a single public home will be built at the tower sites.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“This announcement confirms our fears that Labor is washing their hands of public housing in Victoria.

“Labor is handballing people’s lives and the housing crisis to a private consortium.

“We’re in a housing crisis where we should be building more public housing on public land, but instead Labor’s handing over our public land and demolishing the public housing we already have.”

The Victorian Greens have responded to Labor’s kneejerk bail laws saying the changes repeat past mistakes and are at odds with the evidence which tells us that making it easier to put children in prison results in a disproportionate incarceration of First Nations children and doesn’t improve community safety.

Victoria’s bail laws were reviewed less than a year ago and the proposed changes risk undoing reforms that were made in response to the death in custody of First Nations woman Veronica Nelson after the inquest into her death labelled Victoria’s bail laws an ‘unmitigated disaster’.

The Victorian Greens are deeply concerned that the Premier is more interested in the optics and playing politics with laws that risk First Nations deaths in custody, than implementing evidence-based policies that are proven to improve community safety.

Early interactions with the criminal justice system have been proven to significantly increase the likelihood of a young person re-offending whereas programs that support children, such as diversion and early intervention as well as preventive services, significantly decrease the likelihood of reoffending and that when bail is granted is the best opportunity for intervention.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Justice, Katherine Copsey:

“Making it easier to put children in prison doesn’t improve community safety, it actually significantly increases the chance of a young person reoffending and results in First Nations children being disproportionately incarcerated.

“What we need is evidence based, long term solutions like early intervention and preventative measures, that get to the root cause of the problem and support children, not just kneejerk policy on the run from a panicking Premier.”

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge has today launched a fully costed scheme for legalising cannabis across Australia.  

The policy is supported by new costings from the Parliamentary Budget Office. The costing shows total tax revenue from legalising cannabis tracking at over $700 million a year within 3 years of operation. This is just part of the shift of wealth from bikie gangs and organized crime towards the public and legitimate businesses when we legalise recreational cannabis. It’s also fresh money that can be invested in schools, hospitals and climate action. 

A legal, well-regulated cannabis market means safer products, billions in public revenue, and no more pointless arrests for possessing a plant. With our plan, you’ll be able to buy regulated cannabis from licensed dispensaries and cannabis cafes or even grow up to six plants at home. No more dodgy deals—just a smart, safe, and fair system.

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge: 

“Labor had the chance to vote for legalisation last year and blew it. We’re not waiting for them to wake up.

“The Greens plan will let the public decide if they want to spend more time and money on the failed war on drugs or grow a new sustainable and exciting industry. 

“Billions of dollars in revenue, just imagine what that fresh funding could do for mental health, education, and drug programs. 

“Legal weed isn’t a wild idea—it’s already working in Canada, Germany, and most of the US. Why is Australia stuck in the past?

“Safe, labelled, quality-controlled cannabis, maybe even organically grown, that’s the future we see. This would be an amazing step up from the current policy setting that so often delivers random strength mystery weed and billions in profits to an illegal industry.

“The future we see is one with secure regional jobs, safe products, flourishing small businesses and the option to visit a chilled out cannabis cafe. 

“If you can responsibly enjoy a beer, why not an infused smoothie or a fresh baked brownie? Adults should be trusted to make their own choices when it comes to cannabis.

“We’ve already hashed out the details, now is the time to make legal cannabis a reality”, Senator Shoebridge said. 

The Albanese Government is future-proofing the transport links for a growing Western Sydney, locking in a future rail connection between Leppington and the new Bradfield City Centre with a $1 billion investment.

The Leppington to Bradfield connection is a missing link on Sydney’s rail network, joining the new Western Sydney International Airport to Sydney’s south west.

Previously in the works, it was shelved under the Coalition Government in 2014, when it cut funding from public transport projects across the nation.

Today, we’re revitalising this crucial connection for Sydney’s south west with a $1 billion investment to secure future rail corridors not just between Leppington and Bradfield, but also between the Bradfield City Centre and booming suburbs in the Macarthur region.

The new corridors will pave the way for Metro or Sydney Trains network extensions that would give passengers and workers at Sydney’s new airport easy rail access to Sydney’s south west, and onwards to the Sydney CBD.

They will also connect the south west Sydney regions with the airport, granting access to the world.

This is the next practical step in safeguarding the future and ensuring we are well-positioned to deliver the infrastructure communities across south west Sydney need.

This investment from the Albanese Government follows the recent release of funding for a joint State and Federal $195 million business case, which is already underway to explore future rail connections in Sydney’s west.

Timelines for delivery of this corridor preservation work will be finalised with the New South Wales Government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Back in 2014, as Shadow Minister for Transport, I said we needed rail as well as road in order for this airport to work.

“Today, we’re delivering on that – investing $1 billion to continue planning the rail connection Sydney’s new airport should have had.

“We don’t want residents of Sydney’s south west to have to rely on buses to get to the airport. We want them to have fast, frequent rail access, and our investment today will help deliver that.

“This is all part of our plan to build Australia’s future – connecting people with the jobs of the future, and with each other.”

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

“Our $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney Airport will transform the way Sydneysiders travel around our country and across the globe.

“Our Government is not just investing in this new airport, but also giving people the connections they need to get there, now and for decades to come.

“This includes our $5.25 billion investment in the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, connecting commuters to the Western Line in St Marys with fast and frequent services and our $1.6 billion investment in the new M12 which will connect the new airport to Sydney’s network of motorways.

“This new investment will open the airport up to rail connections to Sydney’s South West, giving commuters more options when travelling in and out of the airport and the future Bradfield City Centre.”

Member for Macarthur Mike Freelander

“The booming suburbs of South West Sydney have grown under the promise of future rail connections, but under previous Governments they never came.

“Now we’re putting in the work to preserve these vital rail corridors so our region can have the future public transport it needs and deserves.

“I’m really pleased that our Labor Government is delivering for south west Sydney’s future.”

The Albanese Government is activating financial support for communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred through the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

This allowance offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the event.

It will be available in: 

• 14 Local Government Areas in Queensland – Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast;
• 17 Local Government Areas in New South Wales –  Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield and Tweed as well as the locality of Lord Howe Island, including any islands within a 3 Nautical Mile radius.

It is available to individuals who live or work in these declared areas and have lost some or all of their income due to the disaster.

To be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, a person’s income must have fallen below the average Australian weekly income as a result of the floods.

Applications will open at 2pm local time, Tuesday 11 March.

Before they claim, people can check their eligibility on the Services Australia website at: Natural disaster support (Services Australia).

The easiest way to claim is online through myGov.

If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“At the worst of times we see the best of the Australian character.

“That’s exactly what we’ve seen in the past week in Queensland and New South Wales.

“My message to these communities in this difficult time is we’ve got your back and will support you through the recovery.”

Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher:

“The past week has been tough for many people in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales and while the rain will continue to fall, it’s essential that we support communities who have lost income due to this weather event.

“The Government is focused on helping communities get back on their feet – we will provide up to 13 weeks of income support through the Disaster Recovery Allowance to people who have lost work.

“If you live in an impacted area and your employment has been affected, please visit the Services Australia website to check if you are eligible.”

Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“It’s been a really challenging time for communities with heavy rainfall, severe wind damaging roads, isolating communities and making it difficult for people to get to work.

“The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides eligible workers whose income has been disrupted with up to 13 weeks of income support, while they move into recovery from this event.

“We’re acting quickly to make financial assistance for impacted individuals and families available.

“Whether you live in New South Wales or Queensland, the Albanese Government is working with all levels of governments to support communities when they need it most. We are here for the long haul.”