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The Australian Greens are celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility by announcing a number of policies to make trans and gender diverse peoples lives safer and easier.

“The Greens are celebrating transgender and gender diverse people today and repeating our commitment to fight for full equality for trans and gender diverse people, as well as all LGBTIQ+ people,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

“Trans and gender diverse people, indeed all LGBTIQ+ people, should have the right to be free from discrimination, have autonomy over their bodies, and access to holistic and comprehensive health services and secure housing.

“Despite recent progress, there are still multiple barriers preventing transgender and gender diverse people from affirming their identities.”

“They experience higher rates of mental ill-health than the general population, and face discrimination at work, in the healthcare system and in schools.”

“The Greens understand the importance of funding for trans and gender diverse needs to be driven by principles of self determination, bodily autonomy and co-design.”

“We celebrate and acknowledge the contributions that the trans and gender diverse community have made to this country in the face of immense pressure.”

“We will continue to stand with and work with transgender people and their families to ensure Australia is a place where everyone is safe, respected, valued, treated as equals and free from discrimination.”

The Greens’ plan will:

1. Provide funding for transgender and gender diverse peer support programs

2. Establish a transgender and gender diverse advisory board to the department of health

3. Establish  $3m grants funding program for trans-specific mental health programs

4. Invest in trans-specific health initiatives

5. Establish a complaints body for medical decisions affecting trans and intersex people

6. Legislate for all-gender toilets in the workplace.

The 2019–20 Federal Budget will lock in an additional $1.6 billion of our Liberal Nationals Government’s investment into critical road and rail infrastructure across Perth and regional Western Australia, busting congestion and driving stronger growth, while enhancing road safety to ensure people across WA get home sooner and safer.
This builds on the $9.81 billion in our Government’s commitments to West Australian road and rail infrastructure since we came into Government in September 2013, including $4.8 billion over the past two Budgets.
The Liberal Nationals Government will boost investment in congestion-busting urban projects including $207.5 million to fund the removal of three level crossings at Oats Street in Carlisle, Welshpool Road in Welshpool and Mint Street in East Victoria Park while also investing $115 million for the Fremantle Swan River Crossing Traffic Bridge.
Those level crossings are some of the worst across Perth. Removing them will deliver significant amenity, productivity and congestion busting benefits.
The 257-metre Fremantle Traffic Bridge will include both a road bridge with a track rail bridge and improve freight productivity and access to freight gateways across Perth.
The Government is also committing an additional $151.5 million towards the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 extension bringing lifting our contribution to $404 million (or from 50 to 80 percent of the total project costs of $505 million) to ensure this project can get underway in earnest as soon as possible.
We will also provide $10 million towards intersection improvements at Thomas Road and Nicholson Road under the Urban Congestion Fund, which comes on top of our announcement in early March of $96 million towards five congestion-busting projects in Perth.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this year’s Budget also locked in further federal support for crucial infrastructure projects across regional WA, including the Albany Ring Road, the Karratha to Tom Price Road sealing, additional funding towards the completion of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and other regional road corridor upgrades such as funding towards the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation.
“The upcoming Budget will continue the Liberal Nationals Government’s firm commitment to ensuring Western Australia gets its fair share of infrastructure funding now and into the future,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are prioritising investment in the major projects needed to better support regional areas, ease congestion in and around Perth and reduce the terrible impact of road trauma by delivering safer roads.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals’ Leader Michael McCormack said the investment from the Liberals and Nationals will make roads safer and boost productivity by investing in freight corridors..
“The Budget will commit $535 million towards key regional road investments across the state under the Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance initiative,” Mr McCormack said.
“This investment is yet another part of the Liberals and Nationals vision to get people home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.
“It will increase efficiency, productivity and improve the supply chain.
“By making the freight system more efficient, local businesses will also have more money to invest in their operations, creating more jobs and providing a vital shot in the arm for WA’s agriculture and mining sectors.”
Minister for Finance and the Public Service and Senator for Western Australia Mathias Cormann said the Budget built on the Government’s strong existing infrastructure investment record in the state.
“The Budget will also include a total of $348.5 million towards three projects on the Tonkin Highway bringing out total commitment to $929 million and a further $122 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, bringing our total commitment to $682 million,” Senator Cormann said.
“These are not just numbers. These are commitments to a better quality of life for our commuters who will be able to spend more time with their families, while also delivering a stronger economy through more efficient freight and transport links and less tragedy on our roads on the back of safer road infrastructure.”
The Australian and Western Australian governments are also continuing to work together to negotiate the Perth City Deal, which will focus on securing the wider benefits of METRONET and to ensure there is a shared long-term vision to effectively address the future growth of Perth.
Funding for key WA infrastructure projects in the upcoming Budget includes:
LEVEL CROSSING REMOVALS

• Oats Street/Welshpool Road/Mint Street Level Crossing Removal (Federal Government investment: $207.5 million)

ROADS

• Albany Ring Road (Federal Government investment: $140 million)
• Fremantle Traffic Bridge (Swan River Crossing) (Federal Government investment: $115 million)
• Tonkin Highway projects (Stage 3 extension; Great Eastern Highway to Collier Road; Kelvin Road, Hale Road and Welshpool Road East intersection upgrades) (Federal Government investment: $348.5 million of additional funding bringing our overall commitment to those three projects to $929 million)
• Bunbury Outer Ring Road – Stages 2 and 3 (Federal Government investment: $122 million of additional funding taking our overall commitment to $682 million)

ROADS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE INITIATIVE

• Western Australian section of the Newman to Katherine Corridor (Federal Government investment: $70 million)
• Western Australian section of the Alice Springs to Halls Creek Corridor (Federal Government investment: $75 million)
• Karratha to Tom Price Corridor (Federal Government investment: $248 million)
• Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network (Federal Government investment: $70 million)
• Western Australian section of the Port Augusta to Perth (Federal Government investment: $50 million)
• Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation – Stage 1 (Federal Government investment: $22 million)

URBAN CONGESTION FUND

• Thomas Road and Nicholson Road in Oakford (Federal Government investment: $10 million)
• Transforming Freeways – widening and introduction of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) (Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways) (Federal Government investment: $50 million)
• Lloyd Street Extension (Federal Government investment: $20 million)
• Abernethy Road Upgrade (Federal Government investment: $13.25 million)
• Lakelands Station (Federal Government investment: $10 million)
• Shorehaven Boulevard / Marmion Avenue Intersection Upgrade (Federal Government investment: $2.5 million)
• More Parking Bays at Mandurah Station (Federal Government investment: $16 million)

MAJOR PROJECT BUSINESS CASE FUND

• Future Road and Rail Connections for Perth (Federal Government investment: $25 million) – to investigate future road and rail links to support the growth of the transport network in Perth
• Westport project (Federal Government investment: $10 million) – development of business cases and corridor preservation to support the Westport: Port and Environs Strategy, which is currently being developed by the WA Government.

I will travel to Christchurch with my wife Jenny to attend New Zealand’s National Remembrance Service for the victims of the 15 March terrorist attack.
The Christchurch attack was the most shocking and horrific of events.
The National Remembrance Service is an opportunity for Australia to stand in unity and solidarity with New Zealand as the global community comes together to honour the victims and their loved ones.
The Governor-General and the Leader of the Opposition will also attend the National Remembrance Service.
On behalf of the Australian Government and the Australian community, our delegation will represent Australia in offering every support we can provide our New Zealand brothers and sisters, and the Muslim community around the world.
Scott Morrison
 

Motorists across Sydney and the Central Coast will be spending less time in traffic and more time doing what’s important to them after a $253.5 million congestion-busting funding boost.
The package includes upgrading King Georges Road and Blaxland Road at Balaclava Road in Eastwood, the Princes Highway at Waratah Street in Kirrawee, The Horsley Drive and Homebush Bay Drive in Sydney Olympic Park, while also investing $50 million into commuter car parking.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment would mean Sydney-siders and people on the Central Coast would be getting home sooner and safer.
“Our investment means people can spend more time with friends and family and tradies can be earning more on site rather than being stuck in traffic,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is a significant investment in tackling the congestion hotspots that are costing people precious time and losing businesses money.”
“People living in Sydney know better than anyone the very real impacts road congestion has on people’s lives and we are doing something about the pinch points and bottlenecks that lie at the heart of the problem.”
Funded through the Government’s $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund, projects include:

• $95 million to upgrade The Horsley Drive in the city’s south-west;
• $50 million toward widening King Georges Road in the city’s south;
• $50 million to upgrade Homebush Bay Drive, including investigating options to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Australia Avenue and Underwood Road;
• $4.5 million to upgrade Blaxland Road at the Balaclava Road intersection in Eastwood;
• $4 million to upgrade the Princes Highway at Waratah Street in Kirrawee;
• $7.5 million for commuter car park upgrades at Panania;
• $7.5 million for commuter car park upgrades at Hurstville; and
• $35 million for commuter car parking at Gosford Station and Woy Woy Station on the Central Coast.

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the Urban Congestion Fund was designed to eliminate congestion issues where they are hurting the most.
“This is not only the major freeways but the local pinch points which cause daily headaches to commuters,” Minister Tudge said.
“This package shows we are not slowing down in NSW, and builds on the $26 billion we already have invested in game-changing infrastructure in Sydney and across the State since coming into power.”
The Morrison Government’s existing investment across urban New South Wales includes WestConnex, NorthConnex, the M1 Productivity Package, the Northern Road Upgrade and the transformational Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport, which will support tens of thousands of jobs and connect western Sydney to the world.

Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim says words of condemnation for Pauline Hanson’s repugnant comments about Port Arthur are not enough.
“One Nation is a threat to community harmony, and Australia’s safe and tolerant society,” Senator McKim said.
“Ms Hanson’s comments about the Port Arthur massacre represent a new low.”
“They are an affront to every Tasmanian, particularly those of us who remember the horrors and trauma of that incident.”
“But words of condemnation are not enough – they must be backed up by actions.”
“The best way to reject One nation’s hateful agenda is for all other political parties to join with the Greens in preferencing One Nation last in the Senate in Tasmania at the forthcoming election.”

The Australian Greens have released their climate and energy plan for the upcoming federal election. Releasing the policy Renew Australia 2030: Powering past coal for a future for all of us, Greens Leader Richard Di Natale joined climate and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP at a building powered by renewables, the 60L Green Building, in the heart of his Melbourne electorate.

The climate and energy plan includes:

• 100% renewables by 2030 including support for households and business solar and batteries and the establishment of renewable energy zones

• A new public energy retailer Power Australia and re-regulation of electricity prices

• Phasing out the burning and export of thermal coal supported by a $1 billion transition plan for workers

• The building of a solar export industry based on hydrogen and direct exports to Asia

• Doubling energy productivity and a reduction in pollution across the economy driven by industry programs, a energy efficiency target and a carbon price

• A shift to electric cars with the phase out of petrol car sales

• Support for farmers to drawdown carbon in the land

The plan will create 170,000 new jobs and drive Australia towards zero-net emissions by 2040.

Dr Richard Di Natale, Australian Greens Leader:

“Coal is the world’s biggest cause of climate change – and Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of coal. Unless we phase out coal, we can’t deal with climate change,” said Dr Di Natale.

“Unlike the major parties, the Greens have a plan to phase out coal exports and create a jobs boom in the renewable energy export industry. Our Renew Australia 2030 action plan will lower energy costs for households and businesses and drive fossil fuels out of the economy.”

“Australia can become a renewable energy super power, replacing coal with clean energy and exporting that clean energy to a global market that’s ready to consume it.

Adam Bandt MP, Greens climate change and energy spokesperson:

“This is a plan to take on coal. If you don’t have a plan for coal, you’re not serious about climate change.

“We need to turf out the Coalition coal-huggers, but Labor has no plan for coal either. The Paris Agreement requires us to keep coal in the ground, but Labor and Liberal take millions of dollars from coal corporations and keep exporting this toxic substance.

“Coal mining companies will have to compete for export permits as we phase out thermal coal mining and we have set out a plan to retire coal-fired power stations by 2030. We’ll make sure that no-one will be left behind, as coal workers will be supported with a $1 billion just transition fund.”

Click here to read the full plan to Renew Australia.

The Australian Greens welcome the acknowledgement from the federal agriculture minister and the Victorian environment minister that native forest logging is unsustainable and contributes to climate change.
“It’s clear that native forest logging in Victoria and across the country must end immediately and that the destructive logging laws, the Regional Forest Agreements, must be scrapped,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens forests spokesperson.
“The Greens plan would end native forest logging immediately, transition the industry to 100% plantations from the current 88%, and include a carbon pollution trigger in national environment laws.”
“Victoria’s native forests store more carbon than any other forest in the world, yet they’re currently being logged mainly for woodchips.”
“As well as being massive carbon stores, Victoria’s native forests provide homes for threatened animals and provide most of Melbourne’s drinking water.”
“There is a clear pathway to end destructive native forest logging. Given that Coalition and Labor seem to have now finally realised that logging is unsustainable, I urge them to work with the Greens to ensure we protect these forests for a safe climate, for water security, for threatened animals, for the agriculture industry, and for future generations.”
Victorian Greens environment spokesperson Ellen Sandell said: “Native logging in Victoria is so destructive, economically and environmentally, that even the Federal Liberal Government is calling for it to be stopped. The Victorian Labor Government cannot continue this environmental destruction any longer: they must end native forest logging in Victoria now.”