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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will today welcome the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon David Lammy MP and Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon John Healey MP to Sydney for Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).  

Australia and the United Kingdom have a deep and enduring partnership, grounded in our shared history, values and interests. 

This will be the second AUKMIN since the election of the Starmer Government and an important opportunity to deepen our cooperation in key areas of our partnership. 

AUKMIN 2025 will bring renewed ambition to our diplomatic and defence cooperation to address emerging challenges and to shape our shared future together, including in the Indo-Pacific. 

On Sunday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will join their counterparts in Darwin to see this cooperation firsthand, with the deployment of a United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group to Australia as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.  

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles MP: 

“The United Kingdom is a critical partner for Australia. We continue to work closely together, including through the AUKUS partnership, to address shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. 

“We are seeing a very real example of how this works, with the first visit by a United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group to Australia since 1997.  

“I look forward to discussions in the coming days to advance our enduring relationship.” 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong: 

“Australia and the United Kingdom are longstanding friends and partners. In these uncertain times, we are strengthening and modernising our relationship to advance our shared interests.  

“We take the world as it is – but together, we are working to shape it for the better. 

“From building defence capability and boosting economic resilience, to standing up for human rights, advancing gender equality, and defending the international rules and institutions that protect us all.” 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will today welcome the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon David Lammy MP and Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon John Healey MP to Sydney for Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).

Australia and the United Kingdom have a deep and enduring partnership, grounded in our shared history, values and interests.

This will be the second AUKMIN since the election of the Starmer Government and an important opportunity to deepen our cooperation in key areas of our partnership.

AUKMIN 2025 will bring renewed ambition to our diplomatic and defence cooperation to address emerging challenges and to shape our shared future together, including in the Indo-Pacific.

On Sunday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will join their counterparts in Darwin to see this cooperation firsthand, with the deployment of a United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group to Australia as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles MP:

“The United Kingdom is a critical partner for Australia. We continue to work closely together, including through the AUKUS partnership, to address shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.

“We are seeing a very real example of how this works, with the first visit by a United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group to Australia since 1997.

“I look forward to discussions in the coming days to advance our enduring relationship.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong:

“Australia and the United Kingdom are longstanding friends and partners. In these uncertain times, we are strengthening and modernising our relationship to advance our shared interests.

“We take the world as it is – but together, we are working to shape it for the better.

“From building defence capability and boosting economic resilience, to standing up for human rights, advancing gender equality, and defending the international rules and institutions that protect us all.”

The NSW Government has invested $700,000 to support homegrown arts and cultural productions to tour to 36 regional towns across NSW.

Audiences of all ages in towns across NSW – from Bellingen to Albury, Cowra to Cobar, Balranald to Queanbeyan and beyond – are set to enjoy some of the state’s best performances, plays and exhibitions when new productions are toured in the year ahead.

It is expected more than 76,000 people will enjoy one of these tours, a number of which are taking full advantage of newly restored and refurbished cultural spaces, such as Leeton’s Roxy Theatre, Deniliquin’s Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre and award-winning Mudgee Arts Precinct.

Through the Regional Arts Touring funding program, the NSW Government supporting regional touring projects – ranging from First Nations led theatre, children’s shows and puppetry workshops, dance performances, museum exhibitions, as well as musical and spoken word performances.

Forty per cent of the successful projects funded were developed by regional artists.

The changes to Create NSW’s Regional Arts Touring program have resulted in funding for a broader range of recipients that engage priority areas including Western Sydney and regionally-based productions; visual art and museum exhibitions; and small tours from emerging individual artists.

This tour funding will enable ten successful productions, and sixty talented NSW artists and arts workers creatives, to take their exceptional shows and exhibitions on the road. For some recipients, this funding fulfils the dream to tour their work for the first time, including Northern Rivers dancer Max McAuley and writer/performer Mandela Mathia, both presenting their debut work.

More details on the Regional Arts Touring funding program can be found here. 

Minister for the Arts John Grahamsaid:

“Touring is vital for artists and arts organisations to engage new audiences, and for the artists and arts workers to gain important professional development and employment opportunities.

“For audiences, impact of regional touring is immeasurable. The opportunity to see acclaimed productions and cultural programs, the chance to hear new stories – or stories that reflect your own lived experience can captivate imaginations, and inspire communities.

“Access to arts and culture contributes to vibrant and connected communities. It’s important that regional and remote communities have opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences.”

Create NSW Executive Director Kerri Glasscocksaid:  

“Create NSW is thrilled to support the delivery of so many extraordinary, homegrown arts and cultural productions and programs to communities across regional NSW. Touring is vital for ensuring groundbreaking arts and cultural experiences are accessible in regional and remote communities, and that artists from emerging to established can extend the reach of their work.

“These are not just stories from the city heading to the bush – this round includes incredible work developed and made in regional communities that are now able to be shared across NSW.”

Meagan Gerrard (Gamilaroi / Wailwan) and Alex McWhirter – Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporationsaid:

“Through powerful truth-telling, Secrets of Dawn honours Coota Girls Survivors and all Stolen Generations Survivors who, despite efforts to eradicate First Nations people and culture through assimilation, have resisted and persisted through truth telling, healing and self-determination.”

“Created, directed and co-curated by Meagan Gerrard (Gamilaroi Wailwan), Alex McWhirter and co-curated by Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), the Secrets of Dawn exhibition features historical photos and content from Dawn Magazine, published by the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board from 1952 to 1968, and candid interviews from Coota Girls Survivors.  With this funding for the Secrets of Dawn exhibition tour, Meagan and Alex aim to share this healing and truth-telling experience to Coota Girls Survivors and other Stolen Generations Survivors, their families and descendants, broader First Nations communities across NSW, and non-First Nations supporters across Wiradjuri, Awabakal, Gumbaynggirr Country and other regional galleries”

The Minns Labor Government will invest $12.5 million as part of the 2025–26 Budget to create the NSW Take Off Fund to secure more flights and grow the visitor economy across the state.

The NSW Take Off Fund will support NSW’s efforts to boost airline seat capacity by 8.5 million seats over the coming years, ensuring the state remains competitive in the global race for air routes and visitor markets.

The funding will provide financial and marketing support to international and domestic routes that commit to launching new or additional services into NSW.

This announcement is the latest in a series of targeted aviation initiatives that have already delivered major wins for the state, creating more than 25,000 jobs of which 15,000 were direct jobs.

Through previous initiatives including the Aviation Attraction Fund and the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, the Minns Labor Government’s strategic aviation investments are delivering results across all three of NSW’s international gateways — Sydney, Western Sydney and Newcastle.

Sydney Airport has locked in new routes to major aviation hubs in Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Shanghai (Juneyao Air), and boosted capacity on routes to India, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) just last month confirmed Air New Zealand will run flights to Auckland from mid-2027, joining Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar as early airline partners, and supporting WSI’s goal of reaching 10 million annual passengers.

Newcastle Airport has secured new routes to Perth (Qantas) and Denpasar (Jetstar) ahead of its new international terminal opening later this year.

More information including the criteria for the fund and opening date information will be released in the coming weeks.  

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper:

“This is how we grow our visitor economy — by increasing airline capacity and unlocking new international markets for NSW.

“The NSW Take Off Fund builds on the wins we’ve already delivered. In the last year alone, we’ve helped secure new routes from Auckland to Western Sydney, from Denpasar to Newcastle, and from Istanbul and Shanghai to Sydney.

“More seats mean more visitors, and that means a stronger tourism sector, stronger regions and more jobs. This fund will ensure NSW remains a top destination for travellers and a top partner for airlines around the world.”

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said:  

“This new round of aviation funding will help unlock flight capacity and welcome more international visitors to Australia’s premier gateway.  

“I congratulate the Minns NSW Government and Destination NSW for their vision and commitment to supporting aviation, which is fundamental to achieving the ambitious goals of the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy.  

“Aviation is a cornerstone of Sydney and NSW’s prosperity. Every dollar invested into aviation attraction at Sydney Airport generates a $9 return, with a typical international service supporting 1,200 full time jobs and delivering $130 million in annual economic benefit.

“We look forward to working with Destination NSW and new and existing airline partners to further elevate Sydney as Australia’s leading international tourism destination.”    

Western Sydney International airport CEO Simon Hickey said:

“We’re talking to more and more airlines each week that recognise the benefits of flying into Sydney’s new 24-hour international gateway when we open next year.

“This investment from the government will strengthen those discussions and help bring greater connectivity for Australia’s global city, which means more choice for travellers and a more vibrant tourism economy, creating growth and terrific job opportunities across the industry.”  

Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said:

“The NSW Take Off Fund demonstrates the NSW Government’s continued commitment to growing aviation capacity across the state and we welcome its potential to support important regional gateways like the Hunter.

“With our international terminal fully operational from August, we are working closely with Destination NSW to deliver on our promise to be the airport our region deserves and secure new international services that will boost visitation and deliver lasting benefits to the Hunter region and beyond.” 

The Albanese Labor Government is today introducing legislation to cut 20 per cent off all student debts.

This will wipe more than $16 billion in debt for more than three million Australians.

Our number one focus is continuing to deliver cost of living relief for the Australian people.

Cutting student debt by 20 per cent will ease pressure on workers and students across the country.

For someone with the average debt of $27,600 this will see around $5,520 wiped from their outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans.

Backdated to 1 June, it will reduce the burden for Australians with a student debt –  including all HELP, Vocational Education and Training (VET) Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, Student Startup Loans, and other student loans.

In addition to cutting student debt by 20 per cent, the legislation raises the minimum amount before people have to start making repayments from $54,435 to $67,000 and reduces minimum repayments.

For someone earning $70,000 it will reduce the minimum repayments they have to make by $1,300 a year.

This builds on our reforms to fix the indexation formula, which has already cut more than $3 billion in student debt.

This means, all up, the Albanese Labor Government will cut close to $20 billion in student debt for more than three million Australians.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“This is another way my Government is continuing to deliver cost of living relief to Australians.

“We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in Parliament – and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“Getting an education shouldn’t mean a lifetime of debt.

“No matter where you live or how much your parents earn, my Government will work to ensure the doors of opportunity are open for you.”

Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“We promised we would cut your student debt by 20 per cent and we are delivering.

“This is a big deal for 3 million Australians, in particular, a lot of young Australians.

“Just out of uni, just getting started, this will take a weight off their back.

“It will also cut their annual repayments. For someone earning $70,000 a year, it will cut the amount they have to repay every year by $1,300.”

“That’s real help with the cost of living. It means more money in your pocket, not the government’s.”

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles: 

“From speaking with students at TAFEs across the country, I know that cost can often be a barrier to Australians pursuing an apprenticeship or qualification.

“This bill will deliver cost of living relief to almost 280,000 students in the VET sector – cutting half a billion dollars of student debt from this group alone.

“Our Government is focused on reducing the barriers to further study and training, so that every Australian can get the skills they need for secure, well-paid jobs.”

The Albanese Government is accelerating the acquisition of cutting-edge drone and counter-drone technologies for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to keep Australian’s safe and protect our military assets.

Just four months after the announcement of Project LAND 156, the Albanese Government has issued an initial rolling wave of contracts worth $16.9 million to 11 vendors, including five Australian companies, to rapidly deliver counter-drone capability and technologies.

This means that following testing, at least 120 of the world’s most capable threat detectors and drone-defeating technologies, will rapidly be introduced into service by the ADF.

The Government will announce further counter-drone acquisitions in the coming months, including contracts to deliver a command-and-control capability, and additional advanced counter-drone sensors and effectors, giving the ADF more options to protect Australian defence bases.

Through Project LAND 156, the ADF will continually upgrade and refresh capabilities to address emerging drone threats. This process is driven by $58 million of investment by the Albanese Government over the past three years in research, development and prototyping.

The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Mission Syracuse is also accelerating the development of capabilities to counter medium size drones and swarms of drones, providing cutting-edge future capability options for LAND 156.

The Albanese Government is investing more than $10 billion on drones over the next decade, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems. This funding will strengthen the sovereign Defence industry, with partners such as Droneshield, Sypaq Systems, AMSL Aero, Grabba Technologies and Boresight.

These capabilities will complement current in-service drones such as the Black Hornet, PUMA, Wasp, Skylark and R70 Skyranger, as well as those currently being introduced into service including the Switchblade 300, Insitu Pacific Integrator, and Quantum Systems Vector 2-in-1.

The ADF has a large array of uncrewed aerial systems already in service, including armed drones. A range of drone capabilities are also being tested at Exercise Talisman Sabre to accelerate evaluation, and delivery into the hands of the ADF.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“We have accelerated the acquisition of an appropriate mix of drone capabilities to suit Australia’s environment of military interest and are continuing to examine new autonomous capabilities.

“The Australian Government knows drone and counter-drone technology will continue to evolve rapidly.

“The delivery of cutting-edge drones and counter-drone technology shows the increasing speed at which Defence and industry are able to deliver new capabilities to the ADF.

“Australian industry is critical to delivering this technology, and they are demonstrating world leading innovation while creating Australian jobs.”

Damning new research from the Centre for Public Integrity has revealed that the Albanese Government is worse than the Morrison Government when it comes to refusing Senate Orders for the Production of Documents – critical tools used by the Senate to scrutinise government decisions. 

The Albanese Government’s compliance rate in the 47th Parliament was just 32.8 per cent, the second-worst performance of any federal Parliament since 1993. 

Australian Greens spokesperson for democracy, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“This research confirms what Australians already suspect: the Albanese Government is hiding critical decisions from the public.

“These document requests aren’t just political theatre, they’re about exposing how decisions are made, who influences them and whether the public interest is being served. 

“From fossil fuel approvals to billion-dollar contracts, the public has a right to know whose interests are being served, and the Senate has a right to perform its job as a house of review.

“Labor’s track record is worse than even the Morrison Government – less than a third of document orders have been fulfilled. That’s not transparency, that’s secrecy. And the question every Australian should be asking is, what are they hiding?

“When governments dodge scrutiny, it’s usually because powerful corporate lobbies – like the fossil fuel industry – are pulling the strings. If Labor wants to govern for people, not profits, it needs to open its books.

“Our vision is simple: a democracy where the government works for the public, not powerful donors. Where decisions are made in daylight, not darkness.”

A decision handed down by the NSW Supreme Court of Appeal has today confirmed that the NSW Government under the Planning System must consider the local impacts of climate change of the coal that is burnt, regardless of where that is, as a result of the approval of coal mines in NSW. This recognises the causal link between the impacts of climate change and fossil fuel production.  

The Court’s decision has overturned years of denial by the NSW Government and their Independent Planning Commission (IPC), that the planning laws of NSW don’t require scope 3 emissions (emissions from a project that result from the burning of extracted fossil fuels) and their impacts to be considered when assessing fossil fuel projects.   

Greens MP, Solicitor, and spokesperson for Planning and the Environment Sue Higginson said:

“This decision is a significant legal break through and will send shockwaves through a planning system and a Government that has been failing to take real action to prevent climate breakdown,”  

“The years of denial from successive NSW Governments about the facts of the causes of climate change is over. The Court has ruled that the Government bears responsibility for the emissions that they create as a result of the fossil fuel projects they approve. This is a giant leap forward in holding our Governments to account when it comes to the damage they are doing to our climate and local communities through waving through more coal and gas projects,”  

“The coal project that has now been knocked back, Mt Pleasant by MACH Energy, was set to be one of the biggest, dirtiest and highest polluting coal projects in NSW. It would have been allowed to continue for another 22 years, smashing our emissions reductions targets and pouring millions of tons of fuel on the climate fire,”  

“To date, the NSW Government has been able to hide behind our commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Federal Government’s 43% emissions reduction commitment, that’s now over. The Court has held that that is unacceptable and mere lip service to the obligations under NSW planning law to consider the impact of developments that they approve,”  

“Under NSW Law, there is a clear requirement for climate impacts to be assessed when considering polluting projects. The clear and growing scientific body of evidence around the impacts of emissions and the deadly climate impacts hammering our communities has finally cracked through in this decision. The NSW Government will no longer be able to ignore the impacts that emissions are having on our environment and communities when signing off on more coal mines,”  

“Once again, it is the work, courage and strength of local communities who are on the frontline of climate breakdown, witnessing the harm that these massive coal mines are doing to their local environments. They have held the government to account through upholding the law in an epic David Vs Goliath battle, I have run these cases in the court and I know how hard they are,”  

“There is a legal and moral responsibility to minimise climate emissions to the greatest extent possible. With this decision, the Government must now reckon with the fact that they have a responsibility to the whole planet when it comes to allowing more coal to be dug up and burnt. The status quo of setting emissions reduction targets domestically and then exporting the climate crisis is now broken with this decision,” Ms Higginson said.