16 News

The Senate Inquiry into seismic testing has tabled its final report today.
For the first time ever, the Federal Parliament heard evidence that united fishing, environmental, scientific and community stakeholders in their concerns surrounding the ongoing risks of oil and gas exploration in our oceans.
Greens Spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, said he initiated the inquiry because of the diversity of concerns raised with him by those who felt the Government had sat by for too long while fossil fuel companies ran rampant in our oceans.
“Testimony to the Committee demonstrated a David and Goliath stand-off, with a handful of multinational oil and gas industry giants on one side, and multigeneration local fishing communities and ocean lovers on the other.
“Big oil and gas corporations – many who buy influence with hefty political donations – have been seismic testing for the last 50 years while there has been virtually no scrutiny on the impacts this has had to the marine environment.
“It took three attempts to get this inquiry established, with evidence revealing Government Ministers were keen to avoid the scrutiny of a Senate inquiry – and when you look at the findings it’s easy to see why.
“The Committee heard that the current regulatory framework does not provide sufficient environmental or economic protection from the impacts of seismic testing and gives too much latitude to a regulator who is perceived to be too close to the petroleum industry.
“Evidence revealed that the fossil fuel industry has largely been operating within a science and research vacuum – with big companies cherry picking data that suits their interests, to the detriment of our local industries, communities and marine life.
“The Report’s recommendations make it clear that more research is urgently needed. Frankly, I believe this research should be funded by the oil and gas industry and this was recommended by the Committee too.
“While the Report makes significant recommendations that will reform seismic testing, the Greens believe it didn’t – and couldn’t – go far enough.
“Coastal communities right around the nation are opposing offshore fossil fuel exploration in this time of climate emergency. The NZ Greens negotiated to have all new seismic testing and offshore exploration banned – there is no reason Australia shouldn’t do the same.
“In our Additional Comments to the Report, the Greens have included our strong view that all new seismic testing should be banned.
“There is absolutely no excuse for the Government to continue handing out permits for seismic testing until more is known.
“We will also introduce a Private Member’s Bill to Parliament to ban seismic testing, so the debate and public discussion does not end here.”

The Australian Government today welcomes a further step toward South East Queensland securing the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It follows the recommendation overnight from the International Olympic Committee’s executive board that the Queensland bid go to a final vote before its members at the IOC session in Japan next month.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck and Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien who is also the Prime Minister’s representative for Queensland’s candidature, said it was another significant milestone.
“It reinforces the work that has been achieved so far by all bid partners and highlights what can be achieved when all levels of government work toward on an outcome that will have enormous benefits for the entire nation,” Minister Colbeck said.
He said Australia already has an enviable reputation when it comes to hosting global sport.
“We have demonstrated our strong credentials in successfully hosting major sporting events including the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast,” Minister Colbeck said.
“And we now have a runway of major international events booked for Australia.”
Next year, Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the FIBA Women’s World Cup, and the UCI Road World Championships.
Australia has also secured co-hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the 2027 World Netball Cup and is actively working with Rugby Australia to submit a bid for the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic bid is another important step as we continue to help inspire our athletes of the future,” Minister Colbeck said.
Mr O’Brien said the Sunshine State had all the credentials to host an event that would once again showcase Australia to the world.
“Hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games will not only be historic – it will bring Australians and Queenslanders together like never before,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Securing this event won’t just give us something to aim for – but just as we saw at the Sydney Olympics – it will have a long-lasting impact.
“Importantly, the Games are projected to generate billions of dollars of economic output for Queensland and Australia as well as tens of thousands of jobs.
“While we’re delighted to have cleared the penultimate hurdle, we take absolutely nothing for granted as we seek endorsement of members of the IOC session in Tokyo,” said Mr O’Brien.
The final process will include a presentation to the IOC in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
“We know Australia has already proved itself as a major host of international sport,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The case to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympics is compelling and we are confident the IOC members will consider it carefully.”

The Australian Government is helping strengthen the delivery of entry-level aged care services with a $112.1 million investment via the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the latest allocation will provide better access to a range of high demand care services, including meals, transport, social support, respite, gardening and cleaning for older Australians, their families and carers.
“The Morrison Government is committed to supporting senior Australians to remain living safely and independently in their own homes and communities for as long as they can and wish to do so,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This targeted investment will support communities identified as being most in need, including where there are aged care service gaps and high demand,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Support for aged care providers to deliver additional CHSP services to senior Australians will help address key demand pressures.”
Funding will be made available over two years to 141 successful applicants who applied through the CHSP Targeted Growth Funding Round 2020-21 and 2021-22.
“This investment is on top of the $17.7 billion announced in the recent Budget to support a once-in-a-generation reform of aged care to deliver respect, care and dignity to senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It includes more than $630 million to improve access to quality aged care services for senior Australians in regional, rural and remote areas including special needs groups.”
Service providers are required to be as responsive as possible to requests from senior Australians and their carers for short-term or ongoing CHSP services.
To access services, senior Australians, their family or carer can contact My Aged Care on
1800 200 422 and arrange a formal assessment of their care needs.