Category: Australian News

My fellow Australians.

Serving as your Prime Minister is the greatest honour of my life.

And it is with a deep sense of humility, and a profound sense of responsibility that the first thing I do tonight is say thank you to the people of Australia, for the chance to continue to serve the best nation on earth.

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay respects to elders past, present and emerging today and everyday.

Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values.

For fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all.

For the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need.

And Australians have voted for a future that holds true to these values.

A future built on everything that brings us together as Australians and everything that sets our nation apart from the world.

In this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination.

Australians have chosen to face global challenges, the Australian way – looking after each other, while building for the future.

And to serve these values, meet these challenges, seize these opportunities and build that better and stronger future, Australians have chosen a majority Labor Government.

A majority Labor Government promised and delivered.

A short time ago, I spoke with Peter Dutton who has of course conceded defeat.  

I thanked him – what we do in Australia is we treat people with respect. I thanked Peter for his generous words, at the end of what has been a hard-fought campaign.

And I want to take this opportunity to wish Peter and Kirrilly and their family all the very best for their future.

Now at election time, parties and candidates ask people to make a choice.

And, inevitably, the campaign and the coverage is about our differences and our disagreements.

That is the nature of our democracy and it is role of the media who serve it.

But now that the Australian people have made their clear choice, let us all reflect on what we have in common.

Because no matter who you voted for, no matter where you live, no matter how you worship, or who you love. 

Whether you belong to a culture that has known and cared for this continent for 65,000 years or you have chosen our nation as your home and enriched our society with your contribution. We are all Australians.

So let all of us work together to build our national unity on the enduring foundations of fairness, equality and respect for one another.  

My fellow Australians, I know the world has thrown a lot at our country over the past three years.

I know so many of you have worked hard, in the face of significant challenges.

And I know there is still much more to do, to help people under pressure.

That is why it means so much that in these uncertain times, the people of Australia have placed their trust in Labor once again. Including so many Australians who have voted Labor for the first time.

I make this solemn pledge. We will not forget that. We will never take it for granted.

Repaying your trust will drive our government, each and every day of the next three years.

The positive program we took to this election, was shaped by the Australian people’s priorities.

And our government will dedicate the next three years to making a positive difference to your lives and to your future.

Bringing the rewards for your hard work within reach.

Investing in our youngest Australians, looking after older Australians.

And building an economy and a society that is every bit as strong and fair, as resilient and generous, as Australians are themselves.

From tomorrow – tomorrow, back at work, maybe not everyone here and that’s probably for the best – we take up this task with new hope, new confidence and new determination.

Because together, we are turning the corner and together we will make our way forward with no-one held back and no-one left behind.

Friends, I was raised to be an optimist.

My mum had a hard life, and we struggled financially.  

But she taught me to always be positive and see the best in people.

When it comes to Australia’s future, all of us have so much reason to be optimistic.

Because when we look at everything going on around the world today, when we consider the changes that will shape the future of the global economy,

when we think about our people and their smarts and skills, truly, there is nowhere else you’d rather be, than right here in Australia.

This is a time of profound opportunity for our nation.

We have everything we need to seize this moment and make it our own.

And we must do it together, all of us.  

Because for Australia to realise our full potential, for our nation to be its very best, every Australian must have the opportunity to be their best.

To serve our Australian values – we must value every Australian and Labor will govern for every Australian.

Every Australian who wants a fair go at work, fair wages for their work and the right to disconnect when they are done with work.

Every Australian who deserves the security of a roof over their head, or who dreams of owning their own home.

Every woman who wants her contribution to our economy and society to be valued equally.

Every parent who wants their child to get the best start in life, with cheaper child care and with fair funding for every student in every school.

Everyone who counts on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

We will be a Government for every Australian who wants to train or re-train for new skills and a good job at public TAFE.

Every Australian who works hard for the life-changing opportunity of higher education and wants 20 per cent cut from their student debt.

Every Australian who knows that climate change is a challenge we must act together to meet, for the future of our environment and knows the fact that renewable energy is an opportunity we must work together to seize for the future of our economy.

We will be a government that supports reconciliation with First Nations people, because we will be a stronger nation when we close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

And, friends, we will be a government that relies and helps every Australian who relies on Medicare.

Because this card is not Labor red, or Liberal blue, it is green and gold.

It is a declaration of our national values, in our national colours.

Medicare belongs to all Australians and together, we will make it stronger for all Australians.

Friends, I stand here tonight as the proud leader of an extraordinary team.

I stood on the hallowed turf of the ‘G this morning, doing live crosses making that point. I want to thank all my colleagues, beginning with my friend, our incredible Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles. No one could hope for a better Deputy and I thank him so much.

My friend and our Senate Leader, Penny Wong and her Deputy Don Farrell.

Our economic team, led by Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.

Our campaign spokesperson, Jason Clare. And we’ve got a bit of a shared party tonight, Burke is here, the Member for Watson.

My amazing Labor Caucus, which when you look at it across the benches, it’s representative of the Australian people.

I acknowledge all of our Labor candidates, in every seat, who put up their hand and gave up their time for our cause and their community. If you’ll excuse me, for singling out one of them, who ran for a third time in Dickson, Ali France.

So many of whom will be joining us as Caucus Members of Parliament.  

To the people of Grayndler most of whom are here tonight, I’ve got to say something, it was very special, on the way here, I don’t know if there was a drone above us or what have you. My security team said, you know, maybe they’re just out on the street. You know people don’t just hang about Canterbury Rd and from Lilyfield, Liechhardt, all the way here. I’m sorry but I won’t be moving back for a little while.

The people of Grayndler did me an incredible honour in choosing me as their representative, 29 years and 10 elections ago. I’ve lived in this community in the Inner West my whole life, and it is an incredible privilege to serve a community that you love, and I do love it.

To the Labor Party’s heart and soul, our rank and file members and the mighty trade union movement of Australia.

Everywhere I have been through this campaign, your energy, your enthusiasm, your dedication to the cause has lifted me up. The Labor Party will always stand up for jobs and people’s wages and conditions. Everywhere I have been through this campaign, your energy, your enthusiasm, your dedication to the cause has lifted me up.

You inspire all of us in your service of working people and we thank you.

To our magnificent campaign director, National Secretary Paul Erickson.

Paul has run an outstanding campaign, Paul and I did tell people May was the right time. And he managed to become a dad during the campaign. He was supported by an absolutely brilliant team.

All of those dedicated people own a part of this victory and I thank you.

To my personal staff, led by Tim Gartrell. The loyalty, the passion and the commitment that you’ve shown, you have a tough job that you perform with grace, with humour, with joy and a passion for changing our country for the better.

Thank you for what you do.

To my son Nathan, who has grown into a fine young man who I am so proud of, thank you. To my fiancé, Jodie Haydon, probably wasn’t expecting this to be in your life half a dozen years ago. I am so grateful for your support, your friendship and your love.

You make me so happy, which matters, you have my heart, I love you and look forward to living our lives together. 

My fellow Australians, Australians have chosen the Australian Labor Party as their government.

And our government will choose the Australian way.

Because we are proud of who we are – and all that we have built together in this country.

We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else.

We do not need to seek our inspiration overseas.

We find it right here in our values – and in our people.

Tomorrow, we dedicate ourselves to your service.

We renew the great responsibility and opportunity of government.

And with pride and purpose, optimism and determination, with faith in the fair go and faith in each other.

We return to the work of Building Australia’s Future.

Thank you all.

The Australian Greens Victoria have referred behaviour by volunteers for the Liberal and Libertarian parties to the Victorian Police following a series of incidents at early voting centres.

Police were deployed to the early voting centre in Melton yesterday after incidents involving sexual and racial harassment of Greens volunteers, and have been contacted regarding a second early voting centre in Croydon following a number of threats of violence and intimidating behaviour towards Greens volunteers and Candidate for Deakin, Amy Mills.

Incidents at early voting centres have been individually raised with the Australian Electoral Commission, and with the Liberal Party and relevant candidates prior to contact with police.
 

Spokesperson from the Victorian Greens:

“We’ve received reports of intimidating and aggressive behaviour, physical threats of violence and both sexual and racial harassment targeted towards Greens volunteers and candidates. 

“No one should be confronted with intimidating or aggressive behaviour when volunteering on election day or trying to vote. Aggressive and intimidating behaviour at polling booths is undemocratic and should not be tolerated by any party. The Liberals should have volunteers removed as soon as these serious reports are made.

“Threats of violence towards candidates or volunteers are unacceptable and individual matters have been referred to the police.”

The Greens have committed to nominating the Takayna/Tarkine for World Heritage listing and declaring it a new National Park, delivering long-overdue protection for one of the most precious and irreplaceable landscapes on earth.

“It is time to finally protect this globally significant place for future generations,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“Takayna is a living link to deep time. It holds stories from the age of Gondwana and 60,000 years of continuous Aboriginal connection to country.”

“Instead of being destroyed for short-term profit, Takayna deserves to be celebrated, protected and restored as a cultural and ecological treasure.”

The Greens will:

• Nominate Takayna/Tarkine for World Heritage listing through a boundary extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
• Declare it a National Park under Tasmanian law to provide strong protections and formal identity
• Invest $9 million to support the nomination process and establishment of the new park

“Takayna/Tarkine contains Australia’s largest remaining temperate rainforest and over 60 threatened species.”

“It’s home to ancient rock carvings, vast shell middens, and rare ecosystems that are among the last of their kind anywhere in the world.”

“World Heritage listing is about preserving nature as well as recognising country, culture and connection.”

“For decades, scientists, Traditional Owners and local communities have called for this. The old parties have ignored them. The Greens will act.”

“This is about pride in our place. It’s about building a future where Tasmania is known not for what we’ve destroyed, but for what we’ve protected.”

The Greens have committed to nominating the Takayna/Tarkine for World Heritage listing and declaring it a new National Park, delivering long-overdue protection for one of the most precious and irreplaceable landscapes on earth.

“It is time to finally protect this globally significant place for future generations,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“Takayna is a living link to deep time. It holds stories from the age of Gondwana and 60,000 years of continuous Aboriginal connection to country.”

“Instead of being destroyed for short-term profit, Takayna deserves to be celebrated, protected and restored as a cultural and ecological treasure.”

The Greens will:

• Nominate Takayna/Tarkine for World Heritage listing through a boundary extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
• Declare it a National Park under Tasmanian law to provide strong protections and formal identity
• Invest $9 million to support the nomination process and establishment of the new park

“Takayna/Tarkine contains Australia’s largest remaining temperate rainforest and over 60 threatened species.”

“It’s home to ancient rock carvings, vast shell middens, and rare ecosystems that are among the last of their kind anywhere in the world.”

“World Heritage listing is about preserving nature as well as recognising country, culture and connection.”

“For decades, scientists, Traditional Owners and local communities have called for this. The old parties have ignored them. The Greens will act.”

“This is about pride in our place. It’s about building a future where Tasmania is known not for what we’ve destroyed, but for what we’ve protected.”

Labor’s promise to cut $6.4 billion in spending by reducing consultants’ contracts and outsourced service delivery is meaningless unless the Government commits to firm targets to cut spending across all departments and agencies, according to Greens spokesperson on Finance and the Public Sector, Senator Barbara Pocock.

While Labor claims to have already made savings of around $5 billion on external contracts, spending on consultants had only come down by $40 million in 2024 with the bulk of those savings coming from a reduction in external labour hire contracts.

Lines attributable to Senator Barbara Pocock:

“In the wake of the PwC scandal, Labor has convinced everyone that their crackdown on contracts with the Big 4 consulting firms has led to reduced spending on consultants, but it hasn’t. During their first year in office consulting contracts were cut by almost $100 million but in 2023-24 Labor’s total spend on consultants rose to just over $643 million, roughly $40 million less than the Morrison Government spent in 2021-22.

“All this talk about getting rid of consultants from the public service is just a smoke screen for business as usual. There has been a reduction in contracts going to the Big 4, PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and EY, but instead of bringing that work back into the public service, the Government has simply outsourced nearly all of it to smaller consulting firms.

“The Greens have argued relentlessly since the PwC scandal came to light that core government work should be done by public servants and while Labor has made bold statements about doing that, they have failed to make any real progress.

“I made some very clear recommendations following the two Parliamentary inquiries into the Government’s use of consultants, advocating targets for a phased reduction in spending on consultants across all departments and agencies. Why won’t Labor commit to the Greens policy of reducing spending on external consultants by 15% each year over five years?

“Leaving it up to each agency to set its own targets does not guarantee real immediate action. Government departments have become so reliant on the consulting industry that only mandated targets to reduce outsourcing will get the results needed to bring core work back into the public service. Peter Dutton’s promise to cut 41,000 jobs from the APS will inevitably lead to a consultants feast in a return to worst excesses of the Morrison era.

“Both major parties need to commit to building a strong public service with the capability to deliver the level and quality of service that Australians expect and deserve, without feathering the nests of private interests who routinely fail to provide value for money, are often riddled with conflicts of interest and who remain unaccountable to the ordinary Australians who pick up the tab for their over-priced services.”

The Greens have committed to pushing for $20 million in the next Parliament to establish a multipurpose Hazara Community & Cultural Centre in Melbourne’s southeast. 

The Hazara community in Australia is one of the largest in the world, outside of Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the majority living in Melbourne. Many in the Hazara community are new Australians, arriving in recent years, often fleeing the brutality of the Taliban, who are currently repressing and persecuting Hazara culture and community. 

Following the generational long war in Afghanistan, Australia has a moral obligation to support the people of this country. As the Australia-Hazara community rebuilds and adds so much to Australia’s proud multicultural society, there is a need to support the community to ensure they continue to thrive.

The Hazara Community & Cultural Centre proposal aims to address longstanding gaps in community infrastructure, trauma-informed support, culturally inclusive spaces, and employment pathways. 

The Greens are proud to support the Hazara diaspora, and we want to ensure they are provided places to celebrate their culture, connect and share with their community.

The Greens have announced a plan to transition the industrial fish farming industry to land-based operations starting with an immediate exit from Macquarie Harbour to save the critically endangered Maugean skate.

“For too long, the salmon corporations have treated Tasmania’s oceans like a dumping ground, and the old parties have let them get away with it,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“Labor and the Liberals have worked hand-in-hand with big salmon corporations to weaken environment laws, and trash Tassie’s coastline. The Greens will stand up to them.”

The Greens’ plan will immediately remove fish farms from Macquarie Harbour and begin the transition of the entire industry onshore and into clean, sustainable operations that don’t pollute the environment or threaten species with extinction.

The plan would invest $50 million of Commonwealth funding for:

• Marine environmental remediation to clean up the mess the salmon corporations have caused
• Rigorous independent monitoring of salmon farms to ensure compliance with animal cruelty and environmental standards
• A jobs transition package for Macquarie Harbour fish farm workers

Importantly, the industry would receive no Commonwealth funding for the transition.

“Salmon multinationals have for decades made obscene profits based on animal cruelty and environmental harm. The Greens would force them to pay for their own transition.”

“The Greens will act on the science, protecting the environment, and backing communities instead of toxic salmon farming corporations.”

“Only the Greens will take on the powerful salmon industry and deliver a future where our marine life, our workers and our communities all have a fair go.

The Australian Greens Victoria have referred behaviour by volunteers for the Liberal and Libertarian parties to the Victorian Police following a series of incidents at early voting centres.

Police were deployed to the early voting centre in Melton yesterday after incidents involving sexual and racial harassment of Greens volunteers, and have been contacted regarding a second early voting centre in Croydon following a number of threats of violence and intimidating behaviour towards Greens volunteers and Candidate for Deakin, Amy Mills.

Incidents at early voting centres have been individually raised with the Australian Electoral Commission, and with the Liberal Party and relevant candidates prior to contact with police.
 

Spokesperson from the Victorian Greens:

“We’ve received reports of intimidating and aggressive behaviour, physical threats of violence and both sexual and racial harassment targeted towards Greens volunteers and candidates. 

“No one should be confronted with intimidating or aggressive behaviour when volunteering on election day or trying to vote. Aggressive and intimidating behaviour at polling booths is undemocratic and should not be tolerated by any party. The Liberals should have volunteers removed as soon as these serious reports are made.

“Threats of violence towards candidates or volunteers are unacceptable and individual matters have been referred to the police.”

The Greens have today announced a plan to lower the retirement age and lift the age pension above the poverty line, allowing Australians to retire earlier on a liveable income.

Greens leader Adam Bandt announced the plan in the party’s target seat of Richmond in northern NSW, along with Social Services spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne and Greens candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan.

By lowering the pension age from 67 to 65, recipients who benefit would on average receive $18,000 more a year. This includes those moving from JobSeeker to the Age Pension.

There are currently 54,295 JobSeeker recipients who are aged over 65. Since 2017 the proportion of people older than 65 receiving JobSeeker, DSP or the Carer Payment has doubled.

The commitment will largely benefit older women who are more likely than men to face the prospect of poverty in old age. The majority of JobSeeker recipients aged over 65 are women.

The pension rate was raised from 65 to 67 by the Rudd Labor government in 2009, with the Greens opposing the decision at the time.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“In a wealthy country like ours, no one should retire into poverty. The Greens will fight for the right to retire earlier at 65, with an income that will actually pay the bills and support older Australians to enjoy the retirement they deserve.

“There is a poverty crisis among older Australians and it’s worse for older women, who are one of the fastest growing groups facing homelessness.

“One in three big corporations pay no tax, while thousands of older Australians are struggling to get by. By making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax, older Australians can retire earlier with a liveable income.

“In a minority Parliament, the Greens will keep Dutton out and restore respect and dignity in ageing by getting Labor to return the pension age to 65, and raise the pension rate above the poverty line.”

Greens spokesperson on Social Services and Government Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Thousands of older people are in physically demanding, minimum wage jobs or accessing the much lower JobSeeker rate because successive Labor and Liberal governments have failed to give them the support they need.

“Older people deserve better from their government. The Greens will return the pension age to 65 and lift the pension above the poverty line, providing a well-deserved earlier retirement with liveable income support.”

Greens candidate for Richmond, Mandy Nolan:

“This region has among the highest house prices and least affordable rents in the country. We know too that this is the most climate-impacted, with house insurance becoming unaffordable for tens of thousands of Richmond households. Yet the pension has remained below the poverty line. In a wealthy country, housing stress and homelessness should not be an issue for our elders.

“I only need a 1.8% swing to win this seat from the same MP who has held it for 20 years. If I’m elected, I’ll work with Labor and the Independents to lower the pension age, and raise the pension rate above the poverty line.”

New analysis shows that public schools will have $18 billion ripped away due to Labor’s plan to push full public school funding back to 2034. 

The federal government’s share of public school funding is currently set at 20%, but is due to rise to 25% (40% in the NT) in order to reach the bare minimum funding required by Australia’s public schools. Analysis of budget papers and Labor’s statements reveals that the timeline for raising the federal contribution has been pushed back, with the vast majority of new funding planned for after 2029. 

Already struggling public schools will miss out on around $3 billion each year between now and 2029 when compared with raising the federal contribution from 2026. Labor’s plan sees an estimated $5.8 billion ripped out from NSW public schools by the end of the funding deal, with Victoria losing $5 billion and Queensland losing $4.4 billion. 

Peter Dutton has repeatedly committed to only funding public school agreements “as the numbers appear in the budget papers.” With promised funding not in the budget due to Labor pushing meaningful increases out past the forward estimates, Labor have handed Dutton a free pass to gut public school funding if he gets into office. Dutton’s positioning on only committing to expenditure detailed in the forward estimates has “all the hallmarks of the Abbott/Pyne abandonment of the Gonski funding plan in 2013” according to education expert Trevor Cobbold. 

Under the Greens’ plan the Commonwealth share of spending on public schools will rise in 2026 to 25% – except in the Northern Territory where it will be 40% – rather than making public school kids wait another decade for the bare minimum.

The Greens plan for public schools also includes free lunches and 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.

The Greens are the party of public education, and the only party committed to fully funding our public schools in 2026.

Comments attributable to Greens spokesperson for Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“I think public school parents and teachers will be shocked at how much is being ripped out of their school. And what’s worse, this leaves the door open to funding cuts if Peter Dutton gets his way. 

“With Labor giving up on fighting inequality and the Liberals ideologically opposed to the very existence of public education, only the Greens are fighting for our public schools.

“This election is an opportunity to elect strong local Greens MPs that believe in public schools, or more major party backbenchers that will leave public schools underfunded for another decade.

“Every child deserves a free, world-class public education, and that’s what the Greens are committed to delivering – we think kids starting school next year deserve a fully funded education now, not in ten years.

“If you’re worried about your public school getting the funding it needs, we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.”