Category: Australian News

The Victorian Greens will second read their Bill to Parliament and will force a debate to enshrine abortion services into the Victorian Constitution, safeguarding access to abortion from future conservative State governments.

Separate to the Bill, the Upper House will debate a Greens motion committing the Parliament to guard against the current and future political threats to the provision of safe abortion services in the State.

The Greens Bill would require a supermajority, and while the Premier has been clear she’s committed to protecting reproductive rights, support from some Liberal MPs would likely still be necessary to make the change.

The Greens wrote to the new Opposition Leader Brad Battin regarding his position on the Bill several weeks ago, but have yet to receive a reply.

It comes after the Liberal leadership spill that saw many in the anti-abortion faction of the party oust the former moderate Liberal Leader John Pesutto, who had expressed his personal support for abortion and said he would put it to a conscience vote.

The last time the Liberals were in power under Denis Napthine they were considering winding back Victoria’s abortion laws.

The moves come in response to renewed attempts from some Liberal and National MPs around the country to wind-back abortion laws in Parliaments across Australia.

State Greens Leader Ellen Sandell said that protecting abortion was especially necessary in Victoria, given the rise of the staunchly anti-abortion faction of the Victorian Liberal Party under its new Leader Brad Battin.

Greens Spokesperson for Health Dr. Sarah Mansfield, a former regional GP, will second read the Greens Bill on Wednesday.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“It’s frightening that all it takes is for a change of government to threaten our right to safely access abortion in Victoria, especially when the Liberals are lurching further to the right here.

“People deserve to know where their leaders sit when it comes to their reproductive rights and access to essential healthcare.

“In little over a month as leader Brad Battin has welcomed one anti-abortion MP back to the Liberal Party, promoted another to the shadow cabinet, and pre-selected a third as a candidate for an upcoming by-election”

the Victorian Greens Health Spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:

“Abortion is already a postcode lottery in Victoria, we can’t risk a change in government further threatening access to this essential healthcare.

“We know that the last time the Liberals were in government in Victoria they considered winding back our abortion laws.

“Our reproductive rights have been hard-won, but it’s clear the fight isn’t over. Around the world, and here in Australia, we are seeing a renewed attack on reproductive rights from conservative politicians.

“If there was ever a time to do this, it’s now. The Greens call on the Parliament to finally protect Victorians’ reproductive rights forever.”

The Australian Greens have launched a plan to deliver 50 cent public transport fares across the country, taking the Queensland experience national, in a bid to tackle the skyrocketing cost-of-living and save households thousands.

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP will make the announcement today at a pre-poll booth for the Prahran by-election, alongside Australian Greens’ spokesperson for transport Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Greens’ Prahran candidate Angelica Di Camillo.

The plan would see a full-time worker in Melbourne save $50 a week, or $2,400 a year.

In Sydney a full-time worker would save $2,160 a year, in Perth $2,006, and in Adelaide $1,872.

An independent costing by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) reveals it would cost the federal government $8.1 billion dollars over the forward estimates. 

This money would be used to fund the lost ticket revenue from introducing the 50 cent fares.

The Greens’ plan includes a one-off $250 million-dollar fund to help states and territories transition to ‘smart ticketing’, allowing people to pay for public transport using their credit or debit card, or their phone.

Under sustained pressure from the Greens, the Queensland Government recently shifted to 50c public transport fares. 

With a minority parliament looming, the announcement is the latest in the series of the Greens’ ‘Robin Hood reforms’ that will be put on the table in any post-election negotiations, and will be funded by making big corporations pay their fair share of tax. 

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

”The Greens will make big corporations and billionaires pay tax so you can have 50c fares. 

“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics. 50c fares will help people make ends meet. 

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. This election will be the most important in a generation. By electing more Greens we can keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the cost-of-living crisis.

“With poll after poll indicating we’re headed towards a minority parliament, if people vote Greens we can get cost-of-living relief like 50c fares. 

“Greens pressure got 50c fares in Queensland, and now we want it for everyone.

“The major parties can’t say it’s impossible, because it’s happening right now in Queensland.”

Australian Greens transport spokesperson, Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP:

“The average household is spending almost $450 a week on transport, meanwhile Australia’s billionaires are making $67,000 an hour.

“After years of Greens pressure, Queensland has 50c fares for good. Now we’re fighting to roll this out nationwide.

“Queensland’s recent shift to 50c fares has been proven to be a huge success. It has reduced traffic and emissions, massively increased ridership on public transport, and saved Queenslanders millions. 

“Now it’s time to roll out 50c fares across the country. If it’s good enough for both Queensland Labor and LNP, surely it’s good enough for Federal Labor.”

Greens candidate for Prahran, Angelica Di Camillo:

“Melbourne residents have copped three fare increases in the last 18 months alone, and have some of the most expensive public transport in the world.

“But under the Greens’ plan to make public transport 50 cents nationwide, Melbourne households could save almost $5,000 a year.

“I catch the 78 tram every week along Chapel street to get to Pilates or Prahran market, and the cost absolutely adds up.

“50-cent fares would provide much-needed cost-of-living relief to people across Prahran.”

The Australian Greens and The Greens (WA) have today issued a joint call for a seismic blasting moratorium in Western Australian and Commonwealth waters.

The call comes as fossil fuel giant Woodside gears up to pressure the state and federal government to allow the company to seismic blast in endangered blue whale habitat and feeding grounds at the pristine Scott Reef off the Kimberley coast — an activity that contradicts government funding to study the Australian Indigenous songlines to better protect Australia’s whales and dolphins, including tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Woodside’s seismic blasting plans at Scott Reef were revealed earlier this month in an application by the company to the Federal Environment Department. In the document, the fossil fuel giant divulged its plan to carry out ongoing seismic blasting as part of its application to dump carbon under the seabed at the pristine coral reef, using risky and untested carbon capture and storage (CCS) practices never tried before in Australian waters. 

Woodside details the potential risks its planned activities at Scott Reef pose to endangered Blue Whales and four species of endangered and vulnerable sea turtles, acknowledging possible “direct or indirect impacts” from seismic blasting, drilling, subsea fluid discharges, unplanned discharges of hazardous waste or a hydrocarbon (condensate) spill. Woodside concedes that modelling for “underwater noise emissions” from seismic blasting indicated that “fauna injury/mortality is predicted if individuals remain close to the source for a long period of time” which the fossil fuel giant claims is “considered highly unlikely.”

The Greens are calling for federal regulators to reject Woodside’s application and for a seismic blasting moratorium to be put in place to protect Western Australia’s stunning marine environments and endangered marine life. 

Greens WA Fossil Fuel and Marine & Coastal Spokesperson Sophie McNeill: 

“Even Woodside acknowledges that its seismic blasting and carbon dumping plans at Scott Reef could harm endangered blue whales and loggerhead turtles. 

“It is unfathomable that the federal regulators could approve such activity in this highly sensitive marine environment, home to dozens of endangered, vulnerable and threatened species. 

“Western Australia’s oceans and our marine life are already suffering horrific consequences as a result of warming temperatures and continued fossil fuel production. 

“This month, a severe and deadly marine heatwave in WA’s northwest that has seen water temperatures rise above 30°C has been attributed for the deaths of more than 30,000 fish in the Pilbara and has also been blamed for the deaths of 10 melon-headed whales on the Kimberley coast near Broome.

“The WA community have made it clear that they want this government to protect our oceans, endangered marine life and our stunning Kimberley coast from companies like Woodside.

“The time to end seismic blasting and new oil and gas exploration off our WA coast is now.” 

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans: 

“Last year one of the largest seismic blasting proposals ever in Australian history was withdrawn by its proponent following immense community pressure. It was a siren call to all the fossil fuel companies eyeing off our oceans: your time is up. 

“Increasingly West Australians understand their oceans are under siege and are unnecessarily being exploited by reckless and rapacious fossil fuel corporations. 

“In 2021 I moved for a Senate inquiry into seismic blasting. This inquiry was the first of its kind, with evidence revealing seismic blasting presents immense risk to coastal communities and marine wildlife. As chair of the inquiry I implore governments to review the evidence, and ban seismic blasting right across Australia’s coastlines.

“I’ve introduced the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Fight for Australia’s Coastline) Bill to the Senate. If passed, this legislation would permanently stop some of the most destructive offshore oil and gas exploration in our oceans. We’ve seen NSW put an end to new oil and gas exploration in their state waters, and in the next parliament I intend to amend and progress the Bill I introduced to set a precedent right across Australia. 

“The tide is now turning, and what we need is a brave state and federal government ready to invest in a renewable future. But if you want change, you have to vote for it.” 

BACKGROUND

• Scott Reef is a globally significant marine ecosystem, home to hundreds of species, including sea snakes, sharks, rays and sawfish. It provides critical habitat to endangered pygmy blue whales and endangered green sea turtles.
• According to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), seismic blasting has a devastating effect on marine life and has been connected to temporary and permanent hearing loss, habitat abandonment, mating and feeding disruption and possible death in marine mammals like whales.
• Research has found that seismic blasting also triggers extensive death in plankton, including krill, which are crucial foundations of marine food webs, from more than a kilometre away.
• In 2022, a Federal Senate inquiry into seismic blasting moved by Senator Whish-Wilson heard evidence that the current regulatory framework does not provide sufficient environmental or economic protection from the impacts of seismic blasting and gives too much latitude to a regulator who is perceived to be too close to the petroleum industry.
• Greenland, Spain, Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Belize and Portugal have all implemented bans on new oil and gas exploration, as did the New South Wales State government in 2022.
• The Greens have introduced Federal legislation, Protecting the Spirit of Sea Country Bill 2023 and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Fight for Australia’s Coastline) Bill. Both Greens Bill would stop the most destructive offshore oil and gas exploration in our oceans, including Scott Reef.
• In September 2024, a successful community-led campaign in Victoria saw Norwegian oil and gas exploration company TGS abandon plans to carry out the largest proposed seismic testing survey in Australian history in the Otway Basin. 

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future by investing in training and apprenticeships, with new data released today showing in Victoria there have been close to 110,000 enrolments in Free TAFE since the program began in January 2023.

We are continuing to deliver cost of living relief while encouraging more Australians into trades.

That’s why we’re making Free TAFE permanent.

It’s also why we’ve announced a $10,000 incentive payment for Australians in construction apprenticeships.

Labor’s plan for a Future Made in Australia is very clear: we want Australian workers to make more things here and that includes building more homes.

From July 1 2025, eligible apprentices will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages, over the life of their apprenticeship to work in housing construction.

As part of the Albanese Government’s Free TAFE program in Victoria, between January 2023 and September 2024, there have been:

• more than 13,300 enrolments in the construction sector.
• more than 34,300 in the care sector.
• more than 5,900 in the agriculture sector.
• more than 9,900 in the technology and digital sector.
• more than 5,500 in the early childhood education and care sector.

This new data also shows popular Free TAFE courses in Victoria were:

• Diploma of Nursing with students saving up to $17,150.
• Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) with students saving up to $9,257.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment with students saving up to $5,368.
• Certificate IV in Cyber Security with students saving up to $4,108.
• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping with students saving up to $3,597.

Students from regional areas comprised more than a third of all enrolments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Building Australia’s Future is about so much more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating a better life for Australians, building better education and creating new employment opportunities.

“That’s why my Government is backing training and apprenticeships, to set up the next generation for the future.

“Only a Labor Government is building Australia’s future.”

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:

“Free TAFE is providing an accessible pathway to secure work and cost-of-living relief to more than 108,000 enrolments in Victoria.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to building the future of our country which is we introduced our Free TAFE Bill in Parliament, to make Free TAFE enduring.

“As I travel around Victoria, at every TAFE I visit, I meet students who tell me how much Free TAFE has changed their life.

“Now – with our additional $10,000 incentive payments and increased support for apprentices – there is no better time to pick up the tools, build homes for Australians and earn while you learn.

“The Liberal party believes that if you don’t pay for something, you don’t value it. Well I believe the tens of thousands of Victorians who’ve enrolled in Free TAFE value their TAFE education and the doors it opens.

“It’s great to see Victorians embracing the opportunity to lay the foundations for their future careers through Free TAFE. I’m proud that they can make this decision without having to consider the burden of financial pressure of training costs.

“Peter Dutton and the Liberals are blocking Free TAFE, but with Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party, Free TAFE is here to stay.”

Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney:

“Victoria is the birthplace of Free TAFE. Since 2019, almost 190,000 Victorian Students have accessed Free TAFE, saving over $550 million in tuition fees.

“The Allan Labor Government is leading the Nation when it comes to Vocational Education and Training, apprenticeships and addressing skills shortages.

“Implementing our response to the Victorian-led Apprenticeship Taskforce is making apprenticeships safer and fairer.”

Talking big on community cohesion while letting war criminals live freely among the people they have harmed is a farce. Australia shouldn’t be a safe haven for war criminals, but right now, it is. This is why the Australian Greens will create a dedicated permanent body that can investigate and prosecute war crimes. 

This initiative involves a $10 million annual commitment. It would create an office similar to the existing Office of the Special Investigator but without a politicised remit that restricts its ability to make findings and undertake prosecutions. 

Numerous countries, including the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland, have permanent and specialised bodies to investigate and prosecute international crimes. 

These units have led to successful investigations, arrests and prosecutions. In 2022, Sweden prosecuted Hamid Nouri for his involvement in the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners. The same year, the UK investigated and arrested a suspect in the murder of the reporter Mylvaganam Nimalarajan during the Sri Lankan civil war.

Many multicultural and diaspora community groups, including Rwandans, Sri Lankans, Tamils, Fijians, Ukrainians and Palestinians, have voiced concerns about war criminals in Australia not facing justice and the risks they pose to their communities. Alleged war criminals who have harmed these communities should be subject to proper investigation and prosecution in Australia. 

Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: 

“Community members who have experienced torture or been subject to genocide and war crimes need to know they are safe here from those who committed these crimes. That’s what this War Crimes Investigation Unit will produce. 

“The community expects war crimes to be treated seriously but instead have seen delay and avoidance that has prevented accountability for war crimes, even those committed by Australian troops. 

“While Labor flip-flopped about whether it would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu for his role in perpetrating a genocide, the Greens won’t. The Government isn’t even monitoring which Australians are fighting for the Russian or Israeli militaries despite the clear risks of involvement in serious war crimes in both conflicts. 

“Not only has Labor not taken action on his war crimes, but they appointed Fijian Colonel Penioni Naliva to a senior role within the Defence force despite serious allegations of torture against him. 

“In recent years, alleged war criminals have treated Australia as a safe haven, knowing they won’t face justice because it’s nobody’s job to investigate them. This impunity must end.  

“Establishing a War Crimes Investigation Unit is an essential part of upholding the international order and global human rights and it is criminal that Australia does not already have one. 

“The major parties won’t take responsibility for upholding international law, but the Greens recognise that a strong international system is a pathway to peace.”

A Kempsey Shire causeway that’s highly susceptible to flooding is to be replaced with a new 75-metre-high bridge following approval of more than $3 million in natural disaster betterment funding from the Albanese and Minns Governments.

The Dungay Creek causeway at Yessabah has been repeatedly damaged across multiple natural disasters in recent years, leading to frequent closures which have impacted and isolated local communities. 

A more resilient and higher concrete structure is being funded through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Funding Arrangements. The funding will allow council to build more resilience into the road network to help communities to stay connected during extreme weather.

Work will start this month with the construction of precast elements off-site, and is due to be complete in February 2026, weather permitting.

Senator Tony Sheldon:

“Infrastructure that keeps communities connected during natural disasters isn’t just about roads or bridges – it’s about ensuring families can stay safe, access medical help when they need it, and recover together after the worst has passed.”

“There’s often an increased demand for medical services during natural disasters, so having infrastructure that provides access to those services is essential.”

“I’m really pleased to see Kempsey Shire Council leading the way on this project. With the backing of the Albanese and Minns Governments, this new bridge will be a game-changer for locals, keeping them safe and connected when they need it most.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“The NSW Government is committed to making sure we do all we can to improve the safety of local infrastructure and mitigate against future disasters.

“This bridge is critical to the livelihoods of locals, and not only will this work mean it is more resilient in the event of future disasters, it will also help keep them safe and connected.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“It’s great to see all three levels of government working together to improve the reliability of the crossing over Dungay Creek which will provide social and economic benefits for Council and the community.

“The new bridge will reduce the number of closures and will mean communities can stay connected during and after flood events, ensuring Council can focus on other assets or functions during post-flood events.”

Kempsey Shire Council Infrastructure Delivery Group Manager, Dylan Reeves:

“The Dungay Creek causeway project is a significant undertaking for our community and will greatly enhance the reliability and safety of access for the community of Wittitrin.

“With preliminary off-site works commencing in January 2025, we’ve already completed essential groundwork, including site surveys, geotechnical investigations, and environmental assessments.

“The construction will be managed by Kempsey Shire Council, with specialised contractors engaged to ensure we deliver a high-quality project. We’ll minimise disruptions by keeping the existing causeway open during construction, with only limited closures during key phases.

“This bridge represents an incredible enhancement to our transport network, ensuring safety and better connectivity for all who rely on it.”

Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Kinne Ring: 

“The Dungay Creek causeway project is a powerful step forward in connecting the Macleay Valley, improving road safety for all, and enhancing the daily lives of our residents.

“With work beginning in January 2025, this bridge is an essential piece of infrastructure, made possible through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package.

Kempsey Shire Council is proud to manage this significant upgrade to our transport network, providing safer, more reliable access for our entire community.”

Australians are doing it tough. Inflation is through the roof, food and fuel prices keep climbing, and power bills are out of control. People need cheap power, a reduction in their fuel bills, less income tax and solutions to the housing and food crises.  

Meanwhile, the Labor government is more focused on increasing taxes and mass migration than actually fixing the problems everyday Australians are facing.

While Labor and the Liberals keep offering band-aid solutions that do nothing to lower the cost of living, One Nation has been delivering real policy solutions that put money back in Australians’ pockets.

This year, One Nation has made huge inroads in policy announcements that tackle the financial pressures Aussies are facing—without blowing out government spending.

Cutting Taxes and Giving Australians a Fair Go

One of the biggest ways to ease the cost of living is tax relief, and One Nation is the only party putting forward serious, commonsense tax reform.

• Raising the tax-free threshold for self-funded retirees to $35,000 – Retirees who’ve worked hard and saved responsibly should not be slugged with tax just for funding their own retirement. Unlike pensioners, these Australians receive no government support, yet Labor still wants to take more from them. One Nation will let them keep more of their money.
• Income splitting for families – Families should be able to file joint tax returns, so couples with children aren’t unfairly taxed when one parent stays home. This policy helps families keep more of their income, reduces the tax burden on single-income households, and makes it easier for parents to raise their kids without needing government handouts.
• Removing work limits for pensioners and veterans – Australia has a worker shortage, yet we punish pensioners and veterans for working by cutting their payments if they earn too much. One Nation will scrap these penalties so older Australians can work as much as they want without losing their pension. This helps businesses, fills workforce gaps, and reduces the need to import foreign workers.

These are real, practical solutions that make life more affordable for Australians without increasing debt or wasting taxpayer money.

Fixing the Housing and Skilled Worker Crisis

Housing prices and rents are skyrocketing because of Labor’s mass migration policies. Meanwhile, we have massive shortages in skilled trades, healthcare, and education. Instead of addressing the problem, Labor’s solution is to bring in more migrants—which only drives up housing demand and makes things worse.

One Nation’s policies tackle this issue head-on by:

• Encouraging older Australians to re-enter the workforce by removing pension earning limits, helping to fill critical job shortages without relying on foreign workers.
• Reducing the need for taxpayer-funded childcare by making it easier for one parent to stay home with children through income splitting, rather than forcing both parents into the workforce just to survive.
• Giving self-funded retirees more financial freedom so they can invest more in Australian property and businesses, stimulating the economy without government intervention.

Labor and the Liberals refuse to address the real causes of the cost-of-living crisis. One Nation is leading the way with policies that provide long-term solutions instead of quick fixes.

Real Action

Labor promised lower power prices – remember that $270 lower power promise Albo made.. Instead, they shut down coal and gas projects, pushing prices even higher. They promised more housing, but their mass migration policies have made the crisis worse. Every time they make a promise, it ends up costing Australians more money and more hardship.

One Nation doesn’t make empty promises. We deliver policies that work—solutions that put money back in people’s pockets, ease cost-of-living pressures, and ensure Australians come first.

The 2025 Federal Election is coming, and Australians will have a choice:

• More taxes, more migration, and more cost-of-living pain under Labor
• Or real economic relief with One Nation’s common-sense policies

The solutions are here. It’s time for a government that actually listens and puts Australians first.

The RBA should call a meeting immediately to cut interest rates, the Greens say.

“Inflation is coming down rapidly, markets are pricing in a rate cut, and it appears inevitable that rates will be cut when the RBA board meets next month,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“But there is no need to wait that long. Most of the country is back at work – the same should apply to the RBA Board.”

“The latest CPI of 2.4% is well within the RBA’s target band of 2-3%.”

“People are being smashed by needlessly high interest rates and the RBA needs to act immediately.”

“This current high interest rate cycle has been hugely damaging to so many people through higher rents and higher mortgages. It needs to end now.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and higher education spokesperson, supports and welcomes a senate inquiry into university governance. 

Senator Faruqi sits on the Senate Education and Employment Committee, which is conducting the inquiry. Terms of Reference and further details of the inquiry can be found here.  

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for NSW:

“This senate inquiry is a win for all of us who have been highlighting the breadth and depth of the impacts of the ‘corporate university.’ As a former academic, I have seen this decline where students and staff suffer while the executive class splurge on consultants and largesse.

“The need for an extensive overhaul of university governance has been crystal clear for a long time as neoliberal policies of both Labor and Coalition governments have crept in. Universities have become places of systemic wage theft while VCs and executives walk away with hefty paychecks.

“The corporate model has corroded universities to the extent that nothing short of a governance overhaul will do to fix the problems that have been entrenched over years.

“Cleaning up university boards to ensure they are run by staff and students, not stacked with corporate elites, will lead to a more democratic university which serves the public interest.

“The Greens will make sure that this inquiry results in actually fixing governance problems and making universities democratic, accountable and transparent.”

The Lunar New Year marks exciting new opportunities for Australian food and agriculture exporters to China, with $20 billion worth of trade impediments now removed.

China’s consumers can celebrate the Year of the Snake by dining on a smorgasbord of Aussie cuisine, including delicious lobsters, the world’s best wines, and high-quality beef steaks.

The Albanese Labor Government has worked calmly and consistently to restore dialogue to Australia’s relationship with China and secure the removal of $20 billion of trade impediments.

Following the removal of the final trade impediments in December 2024, dining tables in China will now feature Australian live rock lobsters, a welcome outcome for Chinese consumers and Australian businesses alike.

Over 900 tonnes of live rock lobsters has already been exported to China since the removal of impediments. This has supported the jobs of 3,000 Australians employed in the industry, 2,000 of which are in Western Australia.

Australian fresh cherries are also highly prized as a gift to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and demand is expected to grow this financial year, after strong growth last year. Australia exported $14 million or 582 tonnes of cherries in 2023-24, an increase of 129 per cent in value and 137 per cent in volume. 

Exports to China of Australian agricultural products previously affected by trade impediments have rebounded in 2024 year-on-year (January to October):

• barley increased 221 per cent in value;
• wine increased over 5,000 per cent in value; and
• timber logs (specifically, wood in the rough) increased over 8,000 per cent in value.

China remains Australia’s largest market for agricultural exports, worth $17.1 billion and accounting for around a quarter of total agricultural exports in 2023-24.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Labor Government’s calm and consistent approach to our relationship with China is delivering for Australians and for our national interest.

“It’s the result of hard work and a responsible Government that doesn’t play reckless political games with Australia’s most important relationships. 

“Labor will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their products to the world, including through our efforts to diversify our trade.”

Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell:  

“Sustained engagement and advocacy by the Albanese Labor Government has resulted in the removal of around $20 billion of Chinese trade impediments, benefiting Australian farmers, exporters and our regions.

“But we will not rest on our laurels – we are committed to creating even more export opportunities for Australian farmers and producers.

“Every product we export means more national income and more well-paying Australian jobs.”

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins:

“Australia has an outstanding reputation as a supplier of high-quality agricultural products in China.  

“Our Government is focused on strengthening our trade relationships and expanding opportunities for Australia’s farmers and producers.

“In 2023-24, we recorded 88 market access achievements which opened, improved, maintained, or restored access for Australian businesses, including unlocking 10 new markets.

“Australia exports over 70 per cent of our agricultural, fisheries and forestry production to 169 markets globally – the most diversified trade has ever been – thanks to the Albanese Labor Government.”