Category: Australian News

A family with two kids in a public school would be almost $2,500 better off every year under the Greens plan to make public schools truly free, and also provide $800 ‘back to school’ payments to parents.

With a minority Parliament looming and the Greens holding three seats in inner-city Brisbane, 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. 

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP will make the announcement today at Coorparoo State School in the electorate of Griffith, alongside Greens spokesperson for Primary & Secondary Education Senator Penny Allman-Payne and Griffith MP Max Chandler-Mather.

The bold cost-of-living package would see an annual payment of $800 made to families at the start of the school year for each child attending a public school, helping to meet growing out-of-pocket costs like uniforms, technology and school supplies.

And in order to abolish public school fees and charges and help reverse the cost-shifting that has occurred under Labor and Liberal governments, additional funding of $2.4 billion over the forward estimates will be given to public schools. This is on top of the 100% Schooling Resource Standard funding commitment previously announced. 

Public school fees, charges and contributions rose 20.58% from 2021 to 2022, and school supplies are set to cost an estimated $694 for primary school children and $1,149 for secondary students.

This massive cash boost for working families would be funded by making big corporations pay their fair share of tax. The previously announced Big Corporations Tax frees up $514 billion across the decade to help fund dental & mental health into Medicare, a cap on rent increases & low-rate mortgages, and the Greens’ plan to see the GP for free.

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP:

“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics: a home, food, and world class health and education. 

“Parents are forking out thousands on ‘voluntary’ fees, uniforms and out of pocket costs, but meanwhile 1 in 3 big corporations pays no tax. 

“Governments are underfunding our public schools and shifting the costs onto parents already struggling with the cost of living.

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. If Brisbane voters return their Greens MPs, they can keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the cost of living crisis. 

“When a nurse pays more tax than a multinational corporation, something is wrong. Taxing the big corporations to fully fund our public schools, scrapping so-called ‘voluntary’ fees and securing back to school payments will be on the table in a minority Parliament.

“In the last shared power Parliament, the Greens saved families thousands by getting dental into Medicare for kids, and now we want more relief for people doing it tough.”

Greens spokesperson on primary and secondary education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Public school should be free, but families are having to dig deeper and deeper as fees have increased and the cost of uniforms, school supplies and education technology has soared.

“The situation is so bad that teachers are increasingly having to dip into their own pockets to pay for classroom basics that many families simply can’t afford.

“When I was a teacher I regularly spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars of my own salary to give my students the resources they needed, and I know parents do the same.

“Every child deserves a free, world-class public education, and that’s what the Greens are committed to delivering.

“Getting your child ready for the school year is always a hassle, but it shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars, and our public schools shouldn’t need to rely on the generosity of parents.

“Public schools typically get more than $400 from parents for each student enrolled – not because they want to charge fees, but because they aren’t adequately funded. 

“World-class public education is the foundation of a strong and caring society, and it should be accessible to everyone.”

Greens MP for Griffith Max Chandler-Mather:

“Families in my electorate of Griffith paid over $14 million in public school fees and charges in 2023. That’s about $500 per child. 

“At a school like Balmoral State High School, parents paid nearly $1,500 in fees per student. At Whites Hill State College it was over $2,000. That’s not the fault of the schools but of systemic underfunding from our governments.

“Familes here care deeply about their local public schools, but at the moment it’s getting harder and harder to afford even a public education. 

“Why is it in a wealthy country like Australia, we let 1 in 3 big corporations get away with paying no tax, but we can’t even provide free public education? Getting your child ready for the school year is always a hassle, but it shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars.”

South Australian parents are paying the 2nd highest out-of-pocket fees for public schools in Australia – but today the Greens have announced a national plan to make public education actually free by abolishing public school fees and delivering an $800 back-to-school payment for each public school student as the school year returns.

The Greens will push to give the schools cost-of-living relief package to South Australian parents in the likely event of a minority Government post-election.

Key Points:

• SA public school fees are 2nd highest in Australia, $548 per student in 2022  second only to Victoria – or $94.4m per year across the state
• Greens would abolish public fees & deliver $800 back-to-school payments for each public school student 
• A family with two kids would be around $2,500 better off every year under the Greens plan
• Policy costed by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office & funded by the Greens suite of tax reforms to make big corporations pay their fair share 

 Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Senator for South Australia:

“Public education should be free, but SA parents are getting slugged with some of the highest school fees and costs in Australia, second only to Victoria. In a cost of living crisis this is one cost the Government can help families with. The Greens will deliver relief to parents by abolishing school fees and delivering an $800 back-to-school payment for each student.

“A family with two kids in a public school would be over $2,500 better off every year under the Greens plan.

“Beyond abolishing fees, the $800 ‘back to school’ payment to parents will help with all the additional costs at the beginning of the school year.

“Governments are underfunding our public schools and shifting the costs onto parents. The pressure of back to school bills is extreme at this time of year and our plan will help cover costs like a new uniform, a new set of books, school shoes and those other expenses so that kids can participate fully in their education.

“This investment in our kids’ education has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office and will be funded by making big corporations like Santos, Qantas and Netflix pay their fair share of tax under our fully costed suite of tax reforms.”

In order to abolish public school fees and charges and help reverse the cost-shifting to parents that has occurred under Labor and Liberal governments, additional funding of $2.4 billion over the forward estimates will be given to public schools. This is on top of the 100% Schooling Resource Standard funding commitment previously announced. 

In a balance of power position, the Greens (WA) will negotiate for an end to forest mining in Western Australia and greater protections for our forests. 

WA has some of the most beautiful and biodiverse forests on earth yet bauxite mining is the number one cause of deforestation in these forests, with over 33,000 hectares already lost to this strip-mining practice and huge expansion proposals before government.

These forests are vital for wildlife, biodiversity, water and climate and the Greens will prioritise their protection.

While aluminium and critical minerals are essential to the energy transition, the destruction of any more of our forests is a net loss for our climate and our state’s dwindling biodiversity – mining must be off limits in native forests.

In 2023, the community was appalled when Environment Minister Reece Whitby and the Cook Government took the extraordinary step of granting Alcoa a special exemption to continue clearing forests even while the WA  Environmental Protection Authority undertakes  an assessment of the company’s impacts on the environment.

The Greens will hold the Cook Labor government to account and call an end to the prioritising of corporate profits over our precious forests and the endangered wildlife who call them home. 

In a balance of power position, the Greens will push for:

• All new forest mining and expansion proposals to be rejected.
• The immediate and permanent exclusion of mining from Reservoir Protection Zones. 
• The immediate protection of critical habitat and other high conservation value forests through the creation of mining exclusion zones. 
• A rapid phase out of forest mining and a just transition for all workers in the sector. 

Greens WA Forest Spokesperson Jess Beckerling:

“We have some of the most beautiful, biodiverse forests on Earth, and we’re treating them like a giant quarry. This has to come to an end.

“It is impossible to restore a jarrah forest after bauxite mining. The science is very clear that once they’re gone they’re gone forever.

“The community was appalled when Minister Whitby and the Cook Government recently granted Alcoa a special exemption to keep clearing even while the EPA finally assesses its impacts.

“It’s staggering that the Cook Government has allowed clearing to continue even in the face of the Water Corporation stating that a contamination event from Alcoa’s strip mining is considered certain, and that it constitutes the most significant risk to Perth and the South West’s water quality.”

WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt:

“Right now, almost nowhere in WA is off limits to mining projects.

“We have so much land, yet we allow these massive multinational companies to deforest and destroy some of the most biodiverse habitats in our state, home to critically endangered species.

“Right now, the South West Black Cockatoos are in serious trouble with the Perth Zoo and wildlife centres reporting an inundation of starving cockatoos coming into their care.

“Protecting what remains of our native forests and restoring their habitat is the only way to prevent further decline and the unthinkable extinction of these beloved birds.”

Greens WA candidate Diane Evers:

“Mining Exclusion Zones are required throughout the southwest to protect areas for conservation, food security, tourism and other economic activities.

“Our Mining Act is 45 years old and no longer reflects the interests of our communities. Nowhere in the legislation is the term, “public interest” defined.

“Our southwest forests provide considerable economic value to the nearby communities for recreation, honey production, and biological research, and this is in addition to the physical and mental health values of interacting with nature.

“Our Environmental Protection Authority should be fully independent and assess mining applications taking into account the cumulative impact on the forest over time.”

Background

The current primary cause of deforestation in WA’s south west forests is bauxite mining by Alcoa and South32. In the past sixty years, bauxite mining has been responsible for the clearing of at least 33,000 hectares of publicly owned forests. The rate of clearing for bauxite mining is accelerating – with more than a third of this area cleared between 2010 and 2020.

The loss of forest from mining activities is permanent. The science is very clear – jarrah forests do not regrow after bauxite mining. This forest destruction has  profoundly devastating impacts on Black Cockatoos, Quokkas and other endangered wildlife.

South West Black Cockatoos rely on the nesting and feeding habitat in the Northern Jarrah Forests. Following WA’s longest, hottest, driest summer on record, and the resulting drought impacts on the forests, all three species are reportedly struggling. 

The Perth Zoo and wildlife centres are reporting an inundation of starving cockatoos coming into their care and experts are renewing calls for habitat to be protected and restored to prevent their extinction.

Bauxite mining in our forests is also risking Perth’s water. The Water Corporation has said that Alcoa’s strip mining in water supply catchments “the single most significant risk to water quality in Perth and the South West” and that a contamination event is “considered certain”.

Today, the Coalition has announced new action to combat rising anti-Semitism. Where the Albanese Government has shown weakness and failed to combat extremism, a Dutton Coalition Government will show strength and act. 

The firebombing of cars and targeting of homes in Sydney last week follows the horrific attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December in what is now a clear campaign of terror.  

Under Labor, the Jewish community feels under siege and abandoned. 

Last week, the Prime Minister again refused to convene a National Cabinet in response to the attacks in Sydney.  

Today we commit that, if elected, a Dutton Coalition Government will: 

Take a national leadership role expected of the Commonwealth Government, including convening a National Cabinet to combat anti-Semitism and extremism. 

Strengthen the sentencing regime for terrorism by legislating for a mandatory minimum term of 6 years imprisonment for all acts of terrorism under Commonwealth law. 

Amend draft laws currently before the parliament to make it a hate crime to urge or threaten violence towards a place of worship; punishable by imprisonment for 5 years or 7 years in the case of an aggravated offence. 

Introduce mandatory minimum sentences of 12 months imprisonment for the public display of prohibited Nazi symbols, prohibited terrorist organisation symbols, and giving the Nazi salute in public, and increase the maximum penalty to 5 years imprisonment. 

The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Peter Dutton MP, said “The shocking rise in anti-Semitism in our country is a national crisis which requires a national response. I first requested the PM convene a National Cabinet on anti-Semitism in November 2023. He failed to do so. Last week I again wrote to him requesting a National Cabinet on this most pressing matter yet he still evades his responsibility.” 

“The Prime Minister talks about taking “action” but real action has been missing from this Prime Minister. The time for talk is over, so today we announce measures that a Dutton Coalition Government will undertake to stop this vile scourge of anti-Semitism in our country in its tracks. If the PM won’t show the strong leadership our country needs, then we will,” Mr Dutton said.  

Shadow Attorney-General, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, said “We must stamp out anti-Semitism in Australia.  The Albanese Labor Government’s weakness has allowed anti-Semitism to run out of control in Australia to the point where we are now experiencing acts of outright terrorism. A clear and strong message needs to be sent to those who perpetrate such evil acts and that is exactly what these proposed new laws do.” 

Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Senator James Paterson, said “A campaign of terror has been unleashed on the Australian Jewish community and those responsible have clearly been emboldened by the weakness of the Albanese Labor Government. Only strong action and real consequences for the perpetrators will bring this to an end. We are sending a clear message today that these acts of terrorism will not be tolerated on the watch of a Dutton Coalition Government.” 

A Dutton Coalition Government will take the strong action required to end the vile scourge of anti-Semitism afflicting our country which has festered for too long and which threatens the safety of our communities. Enough is enough.  

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future and boosting New South Wales’ housing supply by investing more than $182 million in critical infrastructure that will unlock more than 25,000 new homes across the state.

Nine projects will be allocated funding through the Albanese Government’s Housing Support Program to fast-track housing in regional and metropolitan growth areas.

Funding will be used on enabling infrastructure works such as roads, sewage and water, and to support new homes with connections to transport links and public open spaces.

More than 14,700 homes will be unlocked in Parramatta with a $10.1 million investment in the city’s Civic Link project – a “green spine” and activated pedestrian connection from Parramatta Square to the Parramatta River.

This funding will go towards Civic Block 3, which will deliver a new green space along Horwood Place and link new homes with essential public transport connections via rail, light rail and the future Sydney Metro West.

Other New South Wales projects receiving funding include:

• $13 million to construct a new road and intersection design and an 86 metre bridge on Pelican Road, Schofields which will enable 235 homes;
• $45 million to deliver water and sewer infrastructure in Kempsey, including new water treatment plants to unlock more than 430 homes;
• $27.2 million to deliver Stage 2 of the Marulan Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade to unlock more than 400 new homes in the Goulburn Mulwaree shire;
• $10 million for enabling civil infrastructure for Lake Wyangan, including stormwater drainage/earthworks, installing a new stormwater outfall pump, realignment of Mallinson and Abattoir Roads and construction of two new road T-Intersections at Boorga Road and Mallinson Road to enable 500 homes in and around Griffith;
• $45 million to construct a new pressure sewer system, a wastewater treatment plant and discharge system at Stuarts Point, Grassy Head and Fishermans Reach to enable 40 homes;
• $4 million to construct a four-legged roundabout on the Princes Highway, and the upgrade and extension of water and sewer infrastructure at Moruya to enable 45 homes;
• $22.1 million for road, intersection and utilities upgrades between Bellbird North Urban Release Area and Cessnock CBD to enable 900 new homes in Cessnock;
• $6.2 million to construct an active transport tunnel under Old Canterbury Road in Dulwich Hill, connecting two currently unconnected links of the GreenWay on either side of Old Canterbury Road to support 7,800 new homes in Sydney’s inner west.

This funding follows $304.3 million already allocated to New South Wales for enabling infrastructure and social housing across the state as well as $22.3 million delivered to fast-track planning capability.

This is part of the Albanese Government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia Plan, an ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next 5 years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

“Today we are announcing an additional $182 million to unlock an additional 25,000 homes across New South Wales.

“This comes on top of major announcements to upgrade infrastructure across Western Sydney and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.

“Only a Labor Government will build Australia’s future.”

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

“Housing was ignored by successive Coalition Governments for over a decade, which is why Federal Labor is working across governments to fix their mess.

“From Parramatta to Eurobodalla, Dulwich Hill to Kempsey, we’re turbocharging housing supply by delivering the infrastructure Australia needs.

“We can’t all rely on the bank of Mum and Dad, which is why the Albanese Labor Government is making it easier for people to build or buy their own home.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O’Neil: 

“Our government is undertaking the biggest home building program in Australian history, because to help more people into their first home we need to build, build, build.”

“These announcements might not be the sexiest, but if we want to drastically increase the number of homes we are building in Australia we need to invest in the pipes, sewage and roads that supports this.”

“I know that so many Australians are feeling utterly despondent about the possibility of owning their own home, but Labor has a plan to bring home ownership back into reach for hundreds of thousands of people.”

Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton: 

“Parramatta is where Australia’s story began, and today, it’s where our future is being built.

“With this investment from the Albanese Government, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected Parramatta, a thriving hub where our families can grow, our businesses can prosper, and our communities can flourish.

“This is more than just infrastructure. It’s about building a city that reflects the ambition, resilience, and pride of the people who call it home.”

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing in the Lake Macquarie region.

Andrew Dumbrell, aged 35, was last seen at a hospital in Waratah about 6.50am on Tuesday 14 January 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Andrew’s welfare as he lives with medical conditions which require medication.

Andrew is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm to 170cm tall, of medium build, with grey hair and brown eyes.

He is known to frequent the Windale, Warners Bay, Charlestown and Belmont.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Albanese Labor Government is Building Australia’s Future with a record $2 billion investment in the Australian-made aluminium industry, securing more well-paid jobs for Australian workers in our regions and suburbs.

Supercharging the local metals industry, a new Green Aluminium Production Credit will provide targeted support to Australian aluminium smelters switching to reliable, renewable electricity before 2036.

Facilities will be eligible for support for every tonne of clean, reliable Australian-made aluminium they make over a period of 10 years.

This Credit will provide local aluminium smelters with confidence to invest, paving the way for more secure Australian jobs in our world-class aluminium industry.

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

We’ve got all the ingredients right here for a world-leading metals industry – from the best solar and wind resources, to the critical minerals and facilities, as well as a highly skilled workforce.

From Gladstone to Portland and Bell Bay to Tomago – Australia is already the sixth largest producer of aluminium in the world and we want to see that continue to grow.

Increasingly the world is looking to import clean, reliable metals – like Australian-made aluminium – which represents a massive opportunity for growth in a decarbonising global economy.

Australia’s entire aluminium supply chain is uniquely located on shore – from bauxite mining to finished products, all produced from generations of Aussie know-how.

Not only will this deliver for economic wins for Australia, it will help significantly reduce emissions at the same time.

Securing the future of the Australian-made aluminium industry is a direct investment in jobs and skills across the country – all the way from Central Queensland to Northern Tasmania.

This is what Building Australia’s Future looks like and only a Labor Government will deliver it.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Labor’s plan for a Future Made in Australia is very clear: we want Australia to make more things here.

“Investing in the Australian-made aluminium industry is a massive opportunity – to create well-paid jobs in our regions and suburbs, and set Australia up for the future.

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

“We are building Australia’s future, not taking Australia backwards.”

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:

“Jobs up, emissions down and a secure future for our world-class aluminium industry – that’s what today’s announcement provides.

“With an entire aluminium supply chain uniquely located right here in Australia, we’re well positioned to capture the rewards of the global green energy transition.

“Communities and businesses rely on aluminium smelters, and we have an opportunity to partner with the private sector to support these secure well-paying jobs into the future

“Backing our strengths, playing to our advantages and building a future for all Australians.”

Assistant Minister for Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres:

“The aluminium sector is a critical value-add industry for Australia and a crucial part of the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia plan.

“This package guarantees good blue collar jobs in the Hunter, Central Queensland, Northern Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria.

“We know that Peter Dutton’s risky nuclear reactor plan requires the closure of Australian electricity-intensive manufacturing like aluminium refining.

“The biggest risk to aluminium and regional manufacturing is Peter Dutton’s Liberals.”

Today the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are taking another important step in building Australia’s future, announcing $1 billion to better connect Western Sydney to the word.

Jointly funded by both governments, the project will upgrade Fifteenth Avenue to create a critical transit corridor from Liverpool to the new Western Sydney International Airport.

Over 22,000 vehicles per day travel along the congested two-lane Fifteenth Avenue, with around 8 per cent of those being trucks. Liverpool City Council predicts a significant increase in housing in the areas immediately around Fifteenth Avenue, which could see as many as 63,000 additional people living there by 2041.

Fifteenth Avenue will connect the new Bradfield city centre, the new Metro, and the airport, enabling multi-modal travel including fast and easy public transport along the route.

It will also unlock jobs and housing in key growth areas and provide better access to education and opportunities for Sydney’s growing west.

Western Sydney is the fastest growing region of New South Wales, and this funding is part of both governments’ ongoing investment in the future of the region. This adds to existing major investments in Western Sydney, including the $10.4 billion Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, $2 billion M12 Motorway, $1 billion Mamre Road Stage 2 Upgrade and $800 million Elizabeth Drive – Priority Sections Upgrade.  

The Australian and NSW governments are each committing $500 million to this project.

The Australian Government is investing nearly $18 billion towards transport infrastructure projects in Western Sydney. 

For more information on projects funded under the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“My Government wants Western Sydney to be a gateway to the rest of the world.

“We want it to thrive as the engine room for jobs, economic growth and opportunity.

“This half a billion dollars’ worth of new funding from the Australian Government is part of our commitment to delivering more resilient infrastructure for all Australians.”

Premier of NSW Chris Minns:

“This critical investment is a game changer for Western Sydney that will connect thousands of jobs at Western Sydney Airport and the Aerotropolis with Liverpool.

“We promised to deliver fifteenth avenue and I’m very proud that together with the Albanese Federal Government – we are delivering this project.

“The Aerotropolis has the opportunity to transform Western Sydney and this road link is critical to delivering the jobs of the future in Australia’s fastest growing region.

“Without this critical road we couldn’t deliver the growth and jobs the Aerotropolis has the potential to deliver.”

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

“We’re connecting Sydney to Western Sydney, and Western Sydney to the world, by investing in infrastructure that will boost jobs, unlock housing, and shape the way we live. 

“From Liverpool to Parramatta, Bankstown to Cabramatta, we’re not just building roads, we’re building Australia’s future.”

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car:

“Together with the Commonwealth Government, the Minns Labor Government is committed to building better communities in Western Sydney and connecting our local community.

“We are investing in the suburbs where the former Liberal National government allowed development to occur but failed to deliver essential roads and infrastructure.

“We are ensuring the necessary investments to improve access to the new airport, which is a key part of Western Sydney’s economic future.”

NSW Minister for Roads John Graham:

“The jobs and investment being brought by Western Sydney Airport will be squandered if Fifteenth Avenue remains a two-lane road from a time gone by.

“With this substantial investment in the road infrastructure of Western Sydney we are building a highway to economic opportunity.”

Member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley:

“I have been advocating for an upgrade of 15th Avenue for more than 15 years from the time that Austral Housing developments were approved by Liverpool Council and the NSW government.

“Now with the opening of the Western Sydney Airport less than 2 years away, it has taken a Federal and State Labor Government working together to deliver the much needed upgrade.

“More than 10 years of Liberal governments did not recognise how important this upgrade was, and it has meant that residents have been putting up with long delays in traffic jams because development has far outstripped the road network upgrades.”

Today I announce the appointment of three highly qualified individuals to lead Australian posts in Brussels, Belgrade and Lae.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments:

• General (Rtd) Angus Campbell AO as Australia’s next Ambassador to Belgium
• Mr Peter Truswell as Australia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia
• Mr Brenton Kanowski as Australia’s Consul-General in Lae.

Australia’s representatives overseas prosecute our national interests and through their diplomatic engagement help uphold the norms and rules that have underpinned decades of peace and prosperity.

General Campbell will also serve as the Ambassador to the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Luxembourg. His experience as Chief of the Defence Force from 2018 until 2024 will help deepen Australia’s peace and security cooperation with NATO, both in the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific.

I thank the outgoing ambassadors and consul-general for their contributions.

Today I will depart for the United States to attend the inauguration of President Donald Trump in Washington DC.

The invitation to attend is a demonstration of the steadfast alliance between Australia and the United States and I look forward to representing Australia.

The United States is our vital ally, closest global partner, and most important strategic relationship. The US is also Australia’s most significant economic partner and, together, we continue to boost each other’s prosperity.

While in Washington DC, I will meet with members of the Trump Administration and Congress.

I look forward to discussing how we can advance the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership and expand our cooperation.

The Foreign Ministers of India and Japan will also attend the inauguration. I look forward to engaging with my Quad counterparts. We share an unwavering commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.