Category: Australian News

he Greens welcome the government’s review to improve prevention of violence against women, but frontline services remain underfunded and women continue to be killed by men’s violence.

Australian Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women, Larissa Waters

“Prevention must be prioritised to stop women being killed by men’s violence and to dismantle our persistent rape culture. We welcome this review of existing prevention programs but are alarmed there is no funding in the Budget for whatever the review recommends.

“We need well-funded, effective national education campaigns for the prevention of violence against women, including efforts in sporting clubs, workplaces and other places where adults gather. Early evidence is that saturating local areas with prevention and behaviour change programs can reduce violence, so these local saturation programs should be evaluated and amply funded.

“For school aged children, consent and respectful relationships education is now mandatory in our national curriculum, but additional funding is needed to properly resource public schools and specialist third-party providers to deliver and implement this essential education.

“Stopping violence against women will take systemic action to tackle root causes and transform harmful social norms, but it also requires adequate funding of the organisations that do the hard work on the frontlines of this epidemic. 

“Violence against women is a national emergency, but Labor refuses to fund it like one – crisis accommodation, accredited men’s behaviour change programs, trauma-informed training for first responders and judicial staff – all of these prevent women from being killed by men’s violence.

“Raising the rate of income support would be an immediate act of prevention, noting 60% of single mums have experienced abuse. 

“Funding crisis housing and long term affordable housing is another crucial means of preventing violence against women by ensuring women aren’t choosing between violence and homelessness. 

“Funding frontline responses services to meet demand is necessary if we are to have any chance of keeping women and children safe. The women’s safety sector has called for $1 billion per year for frontline services to be able to help everyone who seeks it, Labor has so far only committed less than two thirds of this amount.

“How many reviews will it take before Labor stumps up the funding for frontline services to ensure no one who needs help is turned away?”

Calls by Cabinet Minister Ed Husic to lower the corporate tax rate show that Labor are massively out of touch and have the wrong priorities, the Greens say.

“Ed Husic’s call for lower corporate taxes is massively out of touch, and ignores the struggles of millions of Australians facing rising costs and stagnant wages,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“One in three of Australia’s biggest corporations pay no tax at all – this is where Mr Husic and his Labor colleagues should be focussing.”

“The Greens are fighting for a tax system where big corporations pay their fair share so we can fund essential public services like housing, healthcare and education.”

“Instead of reducing corporate taxes, we should be introducing a super profits tax to make sure that the corporations who have driven inflation contribute to a fairer society.”

“Lowering corporate taxes would also sabotage our climate efforts, rewarding industries that pollute our environment.”

“Fossil fuel corporations already enjoy substantial subsidies. Our priority should be holding them accountable for their environmental impact.”

Following the devastating attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah, and with Norway, Ireland and Spain set to formally recognise Palestine tomorrow, the Greens say that Labor must formally support Palestinian statehood in a vote tomorrow, saying failure to do so would be inexcusable and a broken promise by Labor.

The motion simply formally acknowledges that the House of Representatives recognises the State of Palestine. No further or more complicated process is required for Australia to join 143 other nations in recognition.

Last week Norway, Ireland and Spain announced they will formally recognise Palestine tomorrow, following Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados earlier this year and joining 140 countries from around the world.

Text of the motion:

“I shall move that: This House recognise the State of Palestine.”

Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:

“Labor made an election promise to support Palestinian statehood, but words are meaningless unless they vote for it and join the 143 other nations that recognise Palestine, including Norway, Ireland and Spain,” Mr Bandt said. 

“Recognition alone won’t stop the invasion or end the occupation, but it will be a big step towards ensuring that Palestinians have the same rights as Israelis to live in peace and security with full rights under international law.

“Instead of making hand-wringing statements while backing the invasion of Gaza, Labor should vote to recognise Palestine, back a permanent ceasefire, sanction Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, end the two-way arms trade with Israel and expel the Israeli Ambassador until this horror ceases.”

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson:

“Labor needs to stop simply offering hollow words – platitudes that mention weak concern with no conviction or action underpinning them. People are seeing through their inaction.” Senator Steele-John said.

“Recognising statehood is not just accepting the reality that Palestinians deserve to be able to live in peace, security and equality. It demonstrates that the Australian government is willing to go beyond words into genuine action.

“This needs to just be the first step. Australia must expel the Israeli ambassador, end the arms trade with Israel, and sanction Netanyahu and his war cabinet.”

The Albanese Labor Government is working to end violence against women and children in one generation and has appointed an Expert Panel to conduct a rapid review into best-practice prevention approaches.

The Panel will meet for the first time today and deliver a report to Government later this year.

The Panel will:

• Provide practical advice to Government on further action to prevent gender-based violence.
• Look at opportunities to strengthen prevention efforts and approaches across all forms of violence against women and children, with a focus on homicide.
• Consider targeted approaches to preventing violence, with a focus on identifying what works across the life cycle and for different groups of people.
• Engaging with determinants, risk factors, pathways and intersecting factors for gender-based violence, including different and emerging forms of violence, and the role of key industries.
• Whole of system opportunities for prevention and intervention, including stronger accountability and consequences for people who choose to use violence.
• Opportunities to effect attitudinal change and accelerate progress to prevent violence against women and children, including at a local level.

The Panel will be co-convened by Australia’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Ms Micaela Cronin, the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Office for Women, Ms Padma Raman PSM, and the Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC.

The Panel includes:

• Jess Hill – journalist, author and educator globally renown for ground-breaking work on gendered-violence;
• Dr Zac Seidler – Global Director of Men’s Health Research at Movember and Senior Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne;
• Dr Todd Fernando – diversity and inclusion consultant with extensive experience working with First Nations and LGBTIQ+ communities;
• Dr Anne Summers AO – author and journalist who had a formative role in the Women’s Liberation Movement in Australia, including the establishment of Australia’s first refuge for women and child victims of domestic violence;
• Elena Campbell – Associate Director of Research, Advocacy and Policy at RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice; and
• Dr Leigh Gassner APM – Assistant Commissioner at Victoria Police who has managed significant cultural and organisational change processes, including undertaking a previous review of policing responses into violence against women.

It will consult with Our Watch, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), the National Women’s Alliances, states and territories, and other stakeholders.

Targeted stakeholder consultations via a series of roundtables will also be conducted by the Panel including with members of the National Plan Advisory Group, the First Nations National Plan Steering Committee, people with lived experience of violence, frontline services, and academics and data experts.

The Panel’s recommendations will be considered by the Government as it looks to build on the $3.4 billion in investments to women’s safety over three successive Budgets.

In Australia, one in four women and one in eight men have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member. One in five women and one in 16 men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. This is unacceptable, and it must end.

In addition to the Expert Panel the Government will also task ANROWS to extract insights from existing research to assess the breadth of risk factors for pathways into and out of family, domestic and sexual violence perpetration, intervention points and program effectiveness.

These insights will deliver practical recommendations on where government investment should be targeted for maximum impact, including where additional targeted research is needed.

Part one of this research will be completed by the end of June to feed into the Expert Panel’s final report.

Both the Expert Panel and the research by ANROWS were outcomes from this month’s National Cabinet and funded in the 2024-25 Budget.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Violence against women is a national crisis and it needs to end.

“We recognise that governments need to act, but we also recognise that this is an issue for the whole of society. Women should not be responsible for ending violence against women.

“This rapid review will bring together experts and provide practical advice to Government to help us end the scourge of domestic violence.”

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher:

“This review will provide important advice to the Commonwealth, and all governments through National Cabinet, on more effective, targeted ways to prevent violence, including to stop women being killed.

“We know this is a crisis and this violence must stop. The advice from this review will inform the Government’s approach to enable us to adopt further evidence-based, targeted ways to stop violence, both before it starts and from escalating.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:

“Violence against women and children is a national shame. One life lost to intimate partner homicide is one too many.

“In order to reach our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation we must have a considered focus on perpetrator intervention and prevention activities.

“It’s vital we get this right and the work of the Expert Panel and ANROWS will help build on the significant investments and work we have done since coming to government.”

  
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit .

Dr Iain Ross AO has been appointed as the acting Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, replacing outgoing Chair Mr Greg Combet.

Dr Ross will take up the position on 1 June 2024, with the Government to appoint Dr Ross as the inaugural Chair of the Net Zero Economy Authority once legislation to establish the Authority passes the Parliament.

The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Combet for his leadership and commitment in setting up the Net Zero Economy Agency.

Dr Ross brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of labour markets and economics.

He has served as a former President of the Fair Work Commission and as a Judge of the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Victoria. His career experience includes Vice President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Partner in the workplace relations practice group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and Assistant Secretary of the ACTU.

As Chair of the Authority, Dr Ross will be supported by an independent Board, with members to be appointed following legislation passing the Parliament. An open recruitment process for the CEO of the Authority will be advertised in June.

In the 2024-25 Budget, the Government provided an additional $209.3 million for the work of the Authority. It will support Australia’s economy-wide net zero transformation by acting as a catalyst for private and public investment, major project development, employment transition, skills and community development.

Global efforts to reduce emissions have already started transforming traditional industries, creating new opportunities to broaden Australia’s industrial base and strengthen our sovereign capability.

The Albanese Government is already delivering a strong policy agenda to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

This Authority will be pivotal to delivering this goal and promoting an orderly and positive economic transformation as the world decarbonises.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“There is no nation on earth better placed than Australia to achieve the energy transition here at home and power it in the world.

“The Net Zero Economy Authority will play an important role in one of the most significant economic events in Australian history and help position us as a renewable energy superpower.

“I would like to thank Mr Combet for his work in setting up the agency, and I welcome incoming Chair Dr Ross.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“The appointment of Dr Ross to the NZEA is a significant step in steering Australia towards a net zero future. His vast experiences will be invaluable in this transformative journey.

“We are on the cusp of one of the biggest economic shifts since the Industrial Revolution, and I’m confident Dr Ross will play a critical role in helping Australia seize the opportunities of the transformation to becoming a renewable energy superpower.”

outgoing NZEA Chair Mr Greg Combet AM:

“Reflecting on my tenure as Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. We have made significant strides in advancing Australia’s net zero initiatives, laying a solid foundation for a sustainable future. It has been an honour to lead a team of dedicated individuals committed to this cause.

“As I pass the baton to Dr Ross, I am confident that his wealth of experience and deep understanding of labour markets and economics will steer the Authority towards new heights. His leadership will undoubtedly catalyse the significant economic transformation Australia requires to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”

the newly appointed NZEA Chair Dr Iain Ross AO:

“I am honoured to take on the role. This is a pivotal moment in our history, as we steer the nation on the road of transformation towards a net zero future.

“The task ahead is monumental, but I am confident that with our collective efforts, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for Australia. We have the potential to not only achieve net zero emissions by 2050 but also to establish the nation as a leader in renewable energy.

“I am committed to leveraging my experiences to guide this transformation. Together, we will navigate the net zero revolution, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for all Australians.”

Australia welcomes the conclusion of a landmark treaty that recognises the use of Indigenous peoples’ genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge such as medicinal plants and agricultural crops, in patent systems. The Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge was agreed among members of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The treaty establishes a new form of legal recognition for Indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge in the international intellectual property system. For the first time, patent applicants will be required to disclose the origin or source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications. While genetic resources themselves cannot be directly protected as intellectual property, inventions developed using them can, often through patents.

The treaty enables Australian First Nations peoples to benefit from their cultural heritage, promote their unique and diverse export offerings, and is an important step toward further protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional knowledge within Australia.

The Australian Government commends the significant contributions of Australian First Nations people over many years in bringing this negotiation to a conclusion. The treaty demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deliver a First Nations approach to Australia’s foreign policy.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“First Nations Australians have been innovating for thousands of years. This landmark treaty will recognise Indigenous peoples’ contributions in the international intellectual property system for the first time.

“This new and historic treaty is a key outcome of the Government’s commitment to a First Nations approach to foreign policy.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell: 

“Australia’s First Nations people are Australia’s first traders. The Government is proud to deliver on our commitment to represent Australian First Nations interests in our trade and economic policy on the world stage.

“Protecting first nations intellectual property is a practical step that will help First Nations people, business and exporters share in the benefits of trade.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP:

“The recognition under this treaty brings us one step closer to protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional knowledge.

“The Government is committed to supporting efforts to recognise First Nations intellectual property rights and will continue this work in partnership with First Nations peoples across Australia.”

The Australian Government will provide an additional $10 million in response to the humanitarian needs caused by the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Australia will pledge this support at the upcoming eighth Brussels Conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, hosted by the European Union.

The devastating conflict has endured for over a decade, leaving more than 13 million Syrians forcibly displaced, including as refugees in neighbouring countries and this additional assistance will be focused on addressing their most urgent needs.

Australia’s response includes support for UN agencies and trusted partners to provide access to clean water, food assistance, childhood nutrition services, reproductive health and gender-based violence response services.

Civilians have been repeatedly targeted in clear violations of International Humanitarian Law.

Two powerful earthquakes in February last year claimed over 60,000 lives and caused major destruction to homes and infrastructure in the region, exacerbating an already dire situation.

This assistance builds on the almost $570 million the Australian Government has contributed to support those affected by the Syria crisis since 2011.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“This additional $10 million will help address critical needs for those affected by the crisis in Syria, including healthcare, food and clean water, and services for children.”

“Our response is part of broader efforts to support security and stability in the region.”

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

“Australia is providing critical humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by ongoing conflict in Syria, including those displaced as refugees.

“Our strong partnerships with global organisations like these United Nations agencies are critical to delivering life-saving assistance to the people affected by ongoing conflicts.”

Following powerful student-led collective action, we welcome reports Curtin University has committed to disclosing investments, research, learning and teaching ties with weapons manufacturers, foreign governments and the defence industry. 

This is thanks to the incredible commitment of Curtin students who have been camping out on campus for the past 23 days and nights, a powerful and genuine act of solidarity with the people of Gaza. 

However, it is disappointing Curtin University leadership has yet to agree to the student’s request to immediately cut ties with all weapons companies like Lockheed Martin, Babcock Australasia and Huntington Ingalls Industries. 

These students are on the right side of history. Their rights to peaceful protest must be respected and protected by the university. 

The Greens WA are in solidarity with students and staff peacefully protesting, and we look forward to supporting students in their next steps to achieve justice and a free Palestine. 

We support Palestine’s decades-long struggle to live with dignity and self-determination. 

The Australian Greens have warned that Labor’s plan to back coal and gas beyond 2050 undercuts any investment in battery storage manufacturing capacity. 

This morning the Albanese Labor Government announced a strategy to make batteries locally, as part of its already unclear ‘future made in Australia’ policy.

And while batteries are a crucial piece of the renewable energy transition puzzle, the Greens say the Government’s plan for opening new coal and gas mines and keeping fossil fuels alive past 2050 will threaten our precious environment, the climate and their own battery plans.

In the Treasurer’s Budget speech last week, he only name-checked the climate once, while the Budget retained billions in fossil fuel subsidies including 1.5 billion dollars for the Middle Arm Gas Precinct.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“What Labor is trying to hide is that A Future Made In Australia is actually A Future For Coal and Gas Past 2050.

“Even just one new gas mine could wipe out any gains from people putting more batteries and solar in their homes.

“Batteries and gas are competing for the same role in the energy transition. The government has to choose what it wants: batteries built here or dirty coal and gas beyond 2050, because they can’t choose both. 

“Despite gas being as dirty as coal, Anthony Albanese is as captured by the gas corporations as Scott Morrison, having already made eight new gas approvals since coming into power.

“Labor is trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes by talking big on batteries, while hoping no-one pays attention to their new coal and gas mines.”

The Albanese Government has botched its Budget commitment to cut student debt for three million Australians with the ATO confirming HELP loans will rise by 4.7 per cent from 1 June 2024, rather than the 4 per cent increase Labor promised.

Shadow Minister for Education, Sarah Henderson, said Labor’s go-slow on student debt reform means there is no certainty as to when Labor’s HELP indexation changes will be implemented.

With no legislation in sight to enact Labor’s changes, there is also no certainty as to when last year’s crippling indexation rate of 7.1 per cent will be backdated to 3.2 per cent, as Labor promised.

On 5 May 2024, Education Minister Jason Clare announced “..in response to the Australian Universities Accord, the Government will cap the HELP indexation rate to be the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI) with effect from 1 June 2023.”

Labor said it would “..cut the student debt of more than three million Australians in this month’s Budget.”

However, just two days later on 7 May 2024, the ATO confirmed student loans will be indexed at the higher rate of 4.7 per cent from 1 June 2024, making a mockery of Labor’s announcement.

“In the face of Labor’s high inflation which is fuelling escalating student debt, Jason Clare’s failure to act with urgency means there is no relief in sight for three million Australians with a HELP loan,” Senator Henderson said.

“Why has the minister failed to bring forward legislation in time to enact these changes to HELP indexation? When will the promised reductions in student debt be delivered?

“Under Labor, prior to these changes, student debt had increased by nearly 16 per cent or an extra $4,000 on the average loan of $26,500.

“This is straight incompetence from Jason Clare who has been sitting on the recommended changes to HELP indexation since last December,” Senator Henderson said.

Labor’s education Budget is also bad news for regional Australia with the axing of the $224 million Destination Australia program to support university students study in the regions.

“This savage funding cut is another betrayal of regional Australia and young Australians seeking to study and work in the regions,” Senator Henderson said.

The proposed Australian Tertiary Education Commission, due to start on 1 January 2025, has not been funded along with other University Accord promises that will cost many billions of dollars. Labor’s commitment to overturn the Job-Ready Graduates program has also received no funding, which suggests low-cost nursing, teaching and maths degrees may rise.

The government needs to explain why higher education providers will be required to direct a minimum of 40 per cent of their Student Services and Amenities Fee revenue to student led organisations such as student unions.

In breach of its election commitment, Labor has delivered only a school funding war by failing to provide “fair and full funding” for public schools in the Budget. With the next National School Reform Agreement in limbo, Senator Henderson says Jason Clare has all the wrong priorities.

“With one in three students failing NAPLAN, it is critical the government delivers the reforms required to raise academic standards so that every child can reach his or her best potential. This requires an unwavering commitment to evidence-based teaching methods, not billions of dollars,” Senator Henderson said.