Category: Australian News

Greens Deputy Leader and International Aid and Global Justice Spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has stated that while the Albanese Government’s decision to provide an additional $10 million in aid to Gaza is a positive development, it must be accompanied by more long term aid funding to UNRWA and critically, sanctions on Israel.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“More aid funding for Gaza, where so many Palestinians have endured months of genocidal violence by Israel and are facing a deliberate famine, is the bare minimum.

“More aid funding won’t compensate for the fact that the Albanese Government is complicit in Israel’s genocide and has failed to impose a single consequence on Israel for its horrific slaughter of 36,000 Palestinians.

“The Albanese Government merely calling on Israel to stop blocking aid is not good enough. We need actual sanctions, not more flimsy calls and weasel words that the genocidal state of Israel will inevitably ignore.

“Labor needs to show real leadership and take tangible action like backing South Africa’s ICJ genocide case against Israel and ending the two-way arms trade with Israel.

“We must not forget that Labor abruptly suspended aid funding to UNRWA, without a shred of evidence and has yet to apologise for that reckless and dangerous decision and must increase funding to UNRWA.”

The Australian Greens have lashed Labor for their refusal to condemn the war crimes committed by the State of Israel and Hamas, after the government blocked a Greens attempt to include condemnation of the actions of the IDF in criticism of October 7.

Labor and the Liberals voted against condemning Israel’s war crimes on October 16, asserting that Parliament ‘stands with Israel’ and asserting that it had a right to defend itself, despite reports of Israeli war crimes in the initial 9 days of the conflict. Since then, Labor has voted against reconsidering this position six times.

The report released by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel yesterday is clear. Both Hamas and the State of Israel’s military forces have committed war crimes in the fighting on and since October 7th. 

The Commission further concluded that the immense numbers of civilian casualties and widespread destruction of civilian objects and vital civilian infrastructure were the “inevitable results of Israel’s chosen strategy for the use of force” during these hostilities, undertaken with intent to cause maximum damage, disregarding distinction, proportionality and adequate precautions, and thus unlawful.

Since their refusal to condemn Israel’s war crimes, the Government was given six opportunities in early 2024 by the Greens to support a motion to reverse their “stand[ing] with Israel”, call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and end their support for the invasion. Each time they voted against the motion being brought on for consideration.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Spokesperson for Peace and Foreign Affairs:
“War crimes must be called out wherever and whenever they occur.  Labor’s refusal to condemn Israel as well as Hamas’ is a damning indictment of their willingness to turn a blind eye to the IDF’s actions since October 7,” Senator Steele-John said.

“The United Nations Commission’s report makes clear that both Hamas and the State of Israel have committed heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“Labor had the opportunity in Parliament to vote to condemn Israel’s war crimes, and they voted against it. Since then, Labor has joined with the Liberals to block every attempt to push them to reconsider their stance.

“Simply repeating that Israel has a “right to defend itself” whitewashes the horrific destruction inflicted by Israel on Gaza, Rafah, and the Palestinian people – each of which has been devastatingly catalogued by the UN. No one has the right to commit war crimes, and Labor must call them out.

“Our government can not pick and choose when to respect International law. Our nation must respond to the State of Israel’s crimes in the same way we have rightfully responded to those committed by Hamas.

“It’s time for Labor to end the two-way arms trade that is fueling this genocide, sanction Prime Minister Netanyahu and his war cabinet and expel Israel’s ambassador to Australia until the State of Israel is compliant with the orders of the ICJ and International Law.

“We must always remember that peace is the goal and a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis has been made so much harder to achieve through the actions of the State of Israel and Hamas.“

The amendment blocked by Labor on October 16, added to a motion condemning attacks on Israel:
Mr Bandt moved, as an amendment—Omit paragraph (2), substitute:
(2) condemns war crimes perpetrated by the state of Israel, including the bombing of Palestinian civilians, and calls for an immediate ceasefire between all parties and an end to the war on Gaza, recognising also that for there to be peace there must be an end to the state of Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories;”

The motion subsequently opposed by Labor six times:
That the House:
(1) notes that since the House resolution of 16 October 2023 concerning Israel and Gaza, which supported the State of Israel’s looming invasion of Gaza by stating that the House ‘stands with Israel’, the following have occurred:
(a) an appalling and increasing toll of deaths and injuries caused by the State of Israel’s bombing and invasion of Gaza;
(b) a growing humanitarian catastrophe caused by the State of Israel’s blockade, bombing and invasion of Gaza; and
(c) the State of Israel is the subject of recent International Court of Justice orders in South
Africa’s case regarding the prevention of genocide;
(2) therefore does not support the State of Israel’s continued invasion of Gaza and calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire; and
(3) calls on the Australian Government to end its support for the State of Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport is one step closer, with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Catherine, Eileen and Peggy having completed their historic journeys today.

This project will become the transport spine of Western Sydney, connecting the Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis at Bradfield to the wider Sydney rail network at St Marys.

With boring near complete, the project will enter its next stage – the construction of six world-class stations along the 23-kilometre track.

The Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport project is jointly funded by the Albanese and New South Wales Governments, and is set to open in late 2026 with the start of airport operations.  

The project is expected to create over 14,000 jobs in total during construction. As at April 2024, the project has created 10,348 jobs – including 250 apprenticeships.

Three of the boring machines have completed their work, with the final 230 metre leg to St Marys expected to be completed in a few weeks.

Reaching this pivotal point in the construction program comes after 13 months of tunnelling from the four giant TBMs and a team of 553 tunnellers, TBM operators and support personnel.

The TBMs have worked around the clock up to seven days a week to excavate more than 1.4 million tonnes of material (enough to fill 226 Olympic pools) and install 68,360 concrete segments which now line the new tunnel walls. 

The project’s focus is now on the delivery of the six metro stations – St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Bradfield. 

Station construction is underway at St Marys, while the Orchard Hills, Luddenham and Bradfield station sites are being prepared for construction to begin in the coming months.

Work inside the tunnels will continue, and will involve completing the construction of 39 cross passages and preparing for track laying.

For more information on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project, visit sydneymetro.info/westernsydneyairportline.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We are delivering a future made in Australia and this project is a fantastic example of how we are doing that in Western Sydney.

“Sydney Metro and the new Western Sydney airport will transform Western Sydney into a global economic hub.

“Today’s major milestone is tribute to the great work of the more than 10,000 people that are working on this project.

“This project demonstrates how government leadership and co-investment with industry can deliver world class infrastructure assets resulting in significant value for future generations.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“This historic breakthrough of the new Metro tunnels at Western Sydney Airport are just another way we are building the essential infrastructure Western Sydney needs.

“We are committed to building better communities in Western Sydney, and public transport projects like this that are creating jobs and cutting travel times are a critical part of our plan.”

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

“I am delighted to see the wonderfully-named Catherine and her TBM friends bringing us closer to a world-class transport option to the new Western Sydney International Airport and major job hubs, including the new Aerotropolis.

“This milestone is a critical step towards connecting the suburbs that will grow around this brand-new metro line, giving Western Sydney the opportunity to attract more jobs and housing opportunities.

“This city-shaping metro line will service travellers and airport workers with major population centres like Penrith, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD via St Marys.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car: 

“It is great to see these four TBMs have completed their tunnelling journeys under Western Sydney.

“The NSW Labor Government, together with the Australian Government, is committed to delivering the vital, major infrastructure needed to deliver for our growing Western Sydney community.”

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“This is a job well done for three of our four mega machines and a huge achievement for everybody involved.

“More than 550 workers spent many months deep below ground and across the site to drive these borers across the finish line.

“It’s a phenomenal milestone for Sydney’s second airport rail link.

“While tunnelling is almost finished on the Western Sydney Airport line for now, we are planning the public transport links of the future.

“Our business cases are underway to plan more future rail links in Western Sydney as these communities continue to grow.” 

Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley:

“This is first-hand proof that the Albanese Government is committed to delivering vital infrastructure for Western Sydney as part of a genuine partnership between levels of government that will enhance liveability and support the growth of industry and enterprise.

“World-class metro services will be a game-changer for Sydney’s Greater West in every sense and this major milestone in construction is another closer step to making that a reality.”

The Albanese Government is making critical investments in Central Coast transport and infrastructure, improving road safety and building thriving communities. 

At the 2022 election, we committed $2.5 million to fully fund a new building for the Kincumber Roos Soccer Club.

This includes a new clubhouse, change and bathrooms, canteen and carpark – a better, safer space to bring the community together.

Along with community infrastructure, we’re investing in roads to improve safety and reduce congestion.

The Central Coast will benefit from the Government’s increase to the Roads to Recovery Program, with the Council receiving $24 million over the next five years – over $10 million more than they were forecast to receive under the previous Government.

This means more money than ever before to spend on maintenance such as fixing potholes, upgrading pavements and improving drainage.

We are also investing in critical projects, including the Avoca Drive Upgrade, which includes widening the section between Carrak Road and Killuna Road intersections to improve traffic flow and safety.

This is due to commence construction in mid-2025 and be completed by late 2028.

And the Central Coast Highway Upgrades, which include improving the intersection between Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road and fixing the notorious bottleneck between Wamberal and Bateau Bay.

Work is also underway on projects in the Central Coast Road Upgrades – a $40 million commitment made at the 2022 election.

This adds to the $86.5 million Central Coast Roads Package which continues to progress, with the Albanese Government fully funding 29 individual road projects across the region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Community facilities like the Kincumber Roos Soccer Club are the soul of local communities, providing a place to gather and connect.

“This is why my Government is committed to supporting local infrastructure, and why regional Australia is so important to our plan for a resilient and prosperous nation.”

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

“We are delivering a better future for all Australians, one made in Australia that builds economic opportunity and prosperous communities.

“Our Government is working for all Australians to deliver significant infrastructure that connects communities, stimulates jobs and builds the future of our nation.”

Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid:

“Whether it’s upgrading local sporting facilities for the Kincumber Roos Soccer Club right through to investing in nationally-significant road upgrades, we are delivering on our commitments to the Central Coast.

“Our Roads to Recovery funding injection will make it easier for Central Coast Council to progress priority road projects that our community is calling out for.”

Australia will provide an additional $10 million in humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs in Gaza.

The additional humanitarian assistance was announced by Minister Anne Aly at an international conference convened by Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations on the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The funding will be directed to the World Food Programme to provide life-saving food assistance to civilians in Gaza facing the risk of famine.

Since 7 October, Australia has committed $72.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address essential needs in Gaza and respond to the protracted refugee crisis in the region.

Australia will continue to monitor and assess the situation in the region and stands ready to provide further support.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“This additional $10 million to the World Food Programme will help to provide life-saving assistance to civilians in Gaza who are facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation and imminent famine.

“Australia continues to press for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach Gazans in desperate need, and for hostages to be released.

“We support the ceasefire endorsed by the UN Security Council and want to see it fully implemented by both parties. Any delay will only see more lives lost.”

Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“We are pleased to support the World Food Programme, helping it to deliver urgently needed humanitarian assistance to civilians.

“Since October 7 Australia has committed more than $70 million in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the region.”

Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP:

“Israel must allow aid to flow at scale, as ordered by the International Court of Justice.

“We thank Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations for bringing the world together in support of civilians in Gaza. The suffering of Palestinian civilians cannot continue.”

Anthony Albanese, Labor’s haphazard and hopeless Prime Minister, has a problem with women and it’s costing Australia dearly.

A few years ago, the former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Albo’s Syndey Harbour mansion and charmed him into changing the law to allow convicted hardened criminals who are NZ nationals to stay in Australia post-jail.

Australia has always deported criminals if they are not Aussie citizens after their jail sentence ends. That is what the Australian community wants and expects.

Albo’s light treatment of foreign criminals is internationally unusual. There are few, if any, other countries that don’t have the same processes Australia once had. Let’s not forget that NZ has a policy for criminal deportation—they send their hardened criminals without NZ citizenship back to places such as Tonga and Samoa, even if they can’t speak the language (as reported in the ABC)!

But there was a certain language that Ardern used with Albo that had him all giddy and showing a desperate need to impress the much younger NZ Prime Minister.

The deal to let Ardern reject Kiwi criminals and make Australia keep them says quite a lot about Albo’s character. It says that the Prime Minister would throw away national security just to obtain validation from a female darling of the woke left, putting the interests of foreign nationals ahead of those of the Australian people.

Nobody believes that Albanese would accept a deal if it were presented by a conservative male leader of New Zealand; in fact, the country’s male leadership was recently notified that the agreement made with Ardern is being shredded because it is what Australians want.

Albo’s obsession with pleasing Ardern is one of the many examples where Albo has put his personal ‘feelings’ and need for ideological validation from women above national interests.

There are many images of Jacqui Lambie fawning over the Prime Minister, and then that relationship is used to secure the vote of the cross-bench Senator for legislation like the Digital ID.

Lambie almost always sides with the Albanese government, even when it’s to the detriment of Tasmania. Albanese and Lambie provide each other with self-gratifying validation.

All of this sickening fawning would be irrelevant to the national discourse if it were not for the fact that Albanese’s Ardern relationship is one of the reasons we have foreign rapists and murderers now roaming our streets causing havoc and re-traumatising their victims.

The fawning. The validation. The desperate need for female approval.  It’s creepy. And it must stop. 

note: Anthony Albanese is a “single mother child” with little or no interaction from a father. This has continued his unswerving obedience to women into adulthood.

Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport is one step closer, with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Catherine, Eileen and Peggy having completed their historic journeys today.

This project will become the transport spine of Western Sydney, connecting the Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis at Bradfield to the wider Sydney rail network at St Marys.

With boring near complete, the project will enter its next stage – the construction of six world-class stations along the 23-kilometre track.

The Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport project is jointly funded by the Albanese and New South Wales Governments, and is set to open in late 2026 with the start of airport operations.  

The project is expected to create over 14,000 jobs in total during construction. As at April 2024, the project has created 10,348 jobs – including 250 apprenticeships.

Three of the boring machines have completed their work, with the final 230 metre leg to St Marys expected to be completed in a few weeks.

Reaching this pivotal point in the construction program comes after 13 months of tunnelling from the four giant TBMs and a team of 553 tunnellers, TBM operators and support personnel.

The TBMs have worked around the clock up to seven days a week to excavate more than 1.4 million tonnes of material (enough to fill 226 Olympic pools) and install 68,360 concrete segments which now line the new tunnel walls. 

The project’s focus is now on the delivery of the six metro stations – St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Bradfield. 

Station construction is underway at St Marys, while the Orchard Hills, Luddenham and Bradfield station sites are being prepared for construction to begin in the coming months.

Work inside the tunnels will continue, and will involve completing the construction of 39 cross passages and preparing for track laying.

For more information on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project, visit sydneymetro.info/westernsydneyairportline.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We are delivering a future made in Australia and this project is a fantastic example of how we are doing that in Western Sydney.

“Sydney Metro and the new Western Sydney airport will transform Western Sydney into a global economic hub.

“Today’s major milestone is tribute to the great work of the more than 10,000 people that are working on this project.

“This project demonstrates how government leadership and co-investment with industry can deliver world class infrastructure assets resulting in significant value for future generations.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“This historic breakthrough of the new Metro tunnels at Western Sydney Airport are just another way we are building the essential infrastructure Western Sydney needs.

“We are committed to building better communities in Western Sydney, and public transport projects like this that are creating jobs and cutting travel times are a critical part of our plan.”

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

“I am delighted to see the wonderfully-named Catherine and her TBM friends bringing us closer to a world-class transport option to the new Western Sydney International Airport and major job hubs, including the new Aerotropolis.

“This milestone is a critical step towards connecting the suburbs that will grow around this brand-new metro line, giving Western Sydney the opportunity to attract more jobs and housing opportunities.

“This city-shaping metro line will service travellers and airport workers with major population centres like Penrith, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD via St Marys.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car: 

“It is great to see these four TBMs have completed their tunnelling journeys under Western Sydney.

“The NSW Labor Government, together with the Australian Government, is committed to delivering the vital, major infrastructure needed to deliver for our growing Western Sydney community.”

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“This is a job well done for three of our four mega machines and a huge achievement for everybody involved.

“More than 550 workers spent many months deep below ground and across the site to drive these borers across the finish line.

“It’s a phenomenal milestone for Sydney’s second airport rail link.

“While tunnelling is almost finished on the Western Sydney Airport line for now, we are planning the public transport links of the future.

“Our business cases are underway to plan more future rail links in Western Sydney as these communities continue to grow.” 

Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley:

“This is first-hand proof that the Albanese Government is committed to delivering vital infrastructure for Western Sydney as part of a genuine partnership between levels of government that will enhance liveability and support the growth of industry and enterprise.

“World-class metro services will be a game-changer for Sydney’s Greater West in every sense and this major milestone in construction is another closer step to making that a reality.”

Australia welcomes today’s UN Security Council resolution in support of a comprehensive ceasefire, a permanent end to hostilities and the start of reconstruction in Gaza.

That no country voted against the resolution underlines the international community’s view that this war must end.

Algeria, China, Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom all supported the resolution put forward by the United States.

The resolution “welcomes the new ceasefire proposal announced on May 31, which Israel accepted, calls upon Hamas to also accept it, and urges both parties to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.”

The three-phase proposal presented by President Biden offers the best pathway out of this conflict. 

The resolution again reiterates international commitment to a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders.

Australia will continue to work with countries that support peace to press for agreement to this proposal. Any delay will only see more lives lost.

Civilians must be protected, aid must flow at scale and hostages must be released.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, to Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday 15 June to Tuesday 18 June 2024.

This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017.

Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li will hold the Annual Leaders’ Meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, where they will exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Premier Li will also travel to Adelaide and Perth. The leaders will engage with Australian and Chinese business leaders at the seventh Australia-China CEO Roundtable. This will make a valuable contribution to strengthening relationships between business leaders in China and Australia.

During the visit, the leaders will also attend a community event to acknowledge the deep contribution of the more than one million members of the Chinese-Australian community to our nation’s multicultural success story.

Premier Li’s visit to Australia follows Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Beijing in November last year, where leaders agreed to resume key bilateral dialogues and to further a number of areas of cooperation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia is an important opportunity to engage directly on key issues for both our nations.

“China is Australia’s largest trading partner and our economic relationship continues to bring substantial benefits to both our countries.

“Welcoming the Chinese Premier to our shores is an opportunity for Australia to advance our interests by demonstrating our national values, our people’s qualities and our economy’s strengths. 

“Australia continues to pursue a stable and direct relationship with China, with dialogue at its core.

“We will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest.”

The Australian Government congratulates Ms Natasha Stott Despoja AO on her re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

The committee is made up of 23 independent human right experts from around the world that monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Convention is a powerful tool to combat gender discrimination and drive genuine progress towards gender equality across the globe. It enshrines women’s rights to equal and meaningful access to political and public life, education, health and employment.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, commended Ms Stott Despoja on the impact she has had in her first four years on the committee.

“Ms Stott Despoja’s leadership is pivotal to eliminating discrimination against women and girls globally, in our region and at home.

“Through her understanding of international law and treaties, Ms Stott Despoja will be a strong force in the fight to protect and promote women and girl’s human rights.

“She will be an important voice, as the only expert on the committee from the Pacific region.”

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, welcomes Ms Stott Despoja’s re-election, which continues Australia’s global leadership in advancing women and girl’s rights.

“Ms Stott Despoja’s re-election to the committee will enable her to continue work to improve the lives of women around the world, and bring back insights and lessons for us to use as we work towards gender equality at home in Australia.

“In her second term on the committee, she will be an influential global leader for gender equality and advocate for women and girls’ human rights everywhere.”

Ms Stott Despoja will serve on the committee in her personal capacity, commencing on 1 January 2025. This will be her second term on the committee.