Category: Australian News

The UK has suspended 30 arms export licences to the State of Israel including the direct transfer of parts of the F-35 fighter jet. The UK did this because of the mounting legal risk for any government that actively supports a genocide.

The Albanese Government is increasingly isolated in its refusal to introduce any form of ban or suspension in the two-way arms trade with the State of Israel. This is despite rulings by the International Court of Justice and the UN calling on countries to stop the export of military equipment to the State of Israel.

There are currently 66 active Australian military export permits approved by the Albanese Government to send military equipment to the State of Israel. These include goods being sent to Israeli manufacturers for repair and uplift, including weapons as part of the two-way arms trade, as well as dual-use goods and weapons parts and components.

Australia provides a critical supply line for the Israeli military’s F35 fighter jets, with contracts through over 70 companies, including the sole global manufacturers for specific parts.

While the information on the F35 supply line in Australia recently disappeared from Government websites, the head contractor for the F35 Lockheed Martin said: “Every F35 built contains some Australian parts and components.”

The UK’s arms ban does have a significant and inexplicable exemption for the indirect supply of F35 fighter jet parts to Israel through the US.

The UK ban follows a Dutch court ruling in February this year that ordered the Netherlands Government to stop exporting weapon parts for the F35.

Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: “What will it take for the Albanese Labor government to ban the two-way arms trade with Israel?

”The UK’s move shows the growing legal and political risk for the Albanese government as it allows Australian industry and weapons exporters to support a real-time genocide.

“Australian law shields decision makers from criminal liability for supporting war crimes by placing a political veto to prosecutions in the hands of Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. However, this does not provide a shield to international prosecutions through the International Criminal Court.

“Labor has agreed to an almost $1 billion contract with Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit and millions more to firms such as Rafael Systems who are making record profits from arming those committing genocide.

“There is only one valid legal and moral response to an ongoing genocide, and that is to do everything in your power to stop it. This is a test that Labor is comprehensively failing,” Senator Shoebridge said.

The report from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights into compulsory income management has recommended the complete abolition of the scheme. This follows years of advocacy from communities and the Greens arguing the racist and oppressive program should be repealed. 

Last year, the Greens successfully passed amendments that ensured oversight of the expanded compulsory income management scheme through the Joint Committee on Human Rights. 

This review considered whether the scheme was compatible with human rights and what its impact had been on communities where it was imposed. 

Evidence considered including the dramatically different rate of exemptions granted for compulsory income management with First Nations people much less likely to apply for an exemption and significantly less likely to get an exemption. 

The evidence also showed that the move away from the Cashless Debit Card was marked by a very poor transition plan, no support for those impacted and no financial counselling. This was a real opportunity for empowerment and support that was missed. When compulsory income management is fully abolished this mistake should not be made again. 

Greens Senator and Social Services and Government Services Spokesperson Penny Allman-Payne said: 

“Labor must not continue to kick the can down the road – they need to commit to abolishing compulsory income management as a matter of urgency.

“The Greens, advocates, academics, and people on income management will not stop fighting until Labor keeps their promise and abolishes compulsory income management once and for all.

“Labor promised voters they would end compulsory income management. Since they’ve been in government all they’ve done is expand it through the SmartCard.” 

Greens Senator, Justice Spokesperson and PCJCHR member David Shoebridge said:

“We heard the evidence on this inquiry that Compulsory Income Management was oppressive, racist, unequally applied and deeply unfair. 

“This scheme has systematically discriminated against First Nations people.

“It is extremely positive that the majority report calls for an end to income management and the progressive majority in Parliament is ready to support quickly terminating this unfair program. 

“Despite the compelling evidence we heard in this inquiry to end income management the Coalition still support it in what can only be seen as an ideological attack on poverty. 

“This report says compulsory income management should end, and what we say as Greens is that it should end now.”

An ACT Greens motion calling on the Labor party to sever its ties to pokies and donate its pokies-seeded investment capital to the Alliance for Gambling reform has passed the ACT Assembly. 

“The Labor Party is impossibly compromised on gambling policy,” said Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens MLA for Yerrabi.  

“Today, the quiet part has now been said out loud. 

“The Greens introduced the motion because the ACT Labor Party has avoided, delayed, and ultimately rejected best-practice gambling reforms that were presented to it through the term of the Assembly.  

“The Labor Party has blocked positive gambling reforms in the ACT and let down the community and we must ask, what is preventing them from taking the action that all the advocates and experts are calling for? 

“The ACT Greens endeavour to work closely with Labor to achieve progressive outcomes for the community, but we are forced to call out Labor’s significant, entrenched failure on the issue of gambling reform.” 

“The Greens will continue to stand with gambling harm minimisation advocates, and push for the implementation of best-practice reforms”, said Mr Braddock.   

For the third time, the old parties combined to reject an amendment to the ACT Budget from ACT Greens MLA Jo Clay to phase out the ACT Government’s $41 million subsidy to the horse racing industry.

“The ACT Greens believe that the ACT Government should invest public money in industries that support community need, or bring benefit to the community,” said ACT Greens MLA, Jo Clay.

“Currently, the horseracing industry receives more public money than the Canberra Raiders, ACT Brumbies, Canberra United and all community sports programs COMBINED.

“What’s more, they get this money outside of any grant process or public tender.

“I don’t think anyone in the community would think this is a good or fair use of taxpayer dollars.

“The Canberra Racing membership has declined and event attendance has dropped. Despite the huge financial injection from the ACT Government, they have moved from a surplus to a deficit and their liabilities have doubled.

“We’ve heard the industry claim their activities contribute $81M to the economy. But they admit the majority of this is from gambling and gambling advertising. And that figure is not high – the ACT’s creative industries contribute $2.9 billion to our local economy.

“The horseracing industry also claims to create 500 jobs – this is a pretty generous reading. It looks like they are including every job in sports administration in Canberra. A closer reading of their report based on hours of work indicates that their direct employment accounts for only 2 FTE jobs.

“The horseracing industry is a dying industry that has lost its social licence.

“It is not the job of government to prop up this dying industry. Public funds need to go towards the public good. What are we getting for our public funding?

“The 2022-23 MOU provided $6.8M of public funds to the Canberra Racing Club. That year, the Canberra Racing Club gave out $5.96M in prize money and $976,000 in payments to key management personnel. It looks an awful lot like the public is funding horseracing prize money and CEO salaries.

“This is just not OK and the community will be rightly disappointed that both ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals voted today to continue this waste of public funds.

“The ACT Greens recognise the need to support the workers and animals involved as the industry transitions. In order to do that, the Greens propose phasing out public funds rather than stopping them immediately,” said Ms Clay.

Background

Since 2011, the ACT government has spent or pledged more than $100M of public money to the horseracing industry. The current MOU is here. It provides funds to the Canberra Racing Club and the Canberra Harness Club. In 2022-23 it provided $6.8M to the Canberra Racing Club and in 2023-24 it provided $6.9M to the Canberra Racing Club. In total, over $8 million is provided in public funding each year to the Canberra Racing Club and Canberra Harness Racing Club under the MOU.

Canberra Racing Club’s Annual Reports are online. Annual Report 2022-23, Annual Report 2021-22, Annual Report 2020-21, Annual Report 2019-20.

Clay’s amendment to the budget and Explanatory Statement can be provided on request.

The horseracing industry has produced an Economic Impact Report. It’s not a public document but Clay obtained a copy under FOI. The report claims an economic contribution to the ACT economy and notes that 60% of that contribution is from gambling and gambling advertising. Clay has put questions to the horseracing industry about the information in this report in the interests of a transparency and is waiting on answers to those questions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, will host their Japanese counterparts for the 11th Australia-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultation in Victoria on 5 September 2024.

The meeting with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yoko, and Minister of Defense, Kihara Minoru, will advance our bilateral cooperation and defence and security priorities.

The Deputy Prime Minister will host Minister Kihara for a Defence Ministers’ Meeting in the Geelong region today. The Foreign Minister will also host Foreign Minister Kamikawa for a bilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting tomorrow.

Australia and Japan have never been closer, and this visit is an opportunity to deepen our Special Strategic Partnership, underpinned by mutual trust, complementary economies, and a close affinity between our people.

We are working together to support an Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“I am honoured to welcome Minister Kihara to my hometown of Geelong. I look forward to discussing our shared ambition to strengthen our defence partnership, building on our 2022 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.

“Our defence cooperation with Japan is a pillar of regional stability. Our strong strategic alignment supports collective deterrence and stability in the Indo‑Pacific.”

Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Japan is an essential partner for Australia, and our two nations work closely together, including through ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Quad, to make a vital contribution to the region’s security and prosperity.

“I am pleased to have travelled to Japan three times in the past 12 months, a sign of our close and regular engagement.”

All Western Australian public schools will be fully and fairly funded by the Albanese and Cook Governments following a historic bilateral agreement signed today. 

The bilateral agreement will increase funding for all Western Australian schools to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2026.

Western Australia has become the second state or territory to sign on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, delivering record funding to its schools and introducing targeted reforms which will help WA students to catch up, keep up and finish school.  

Today’s bilateral agreement formalises the Statement of Intent, signed by both Governments earlier this year.

Under the agreement, the Australian Government will invest an estimated additional $785.4 million from 2025 to 2029 in Western Australia public schools. The Western Australian Government will invest at least an equivalent amount over this period, bringing total additional investment in public schools to approximately $1.6 billion.

This means the Commonwealth will increase its share of funding from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent of the SRS by 2026, and the Western Australian Government will increase its funding share to at least 77.5 per cent of the SRS by 2026.

Funding will be tied to reforms in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, including:

• Year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help.
• Evidence-based teaching and targeted and intensive supports such as small-group or catch-up tutoring to help students who fall behind.
• Support for students to come to school ready to learn, such as greater wellbeing support for learning and engagement, including counsellors, school psychologists and health nurses.
• Trialling place-based approaches to delivering a full-service school model in at least four WA public schools from 2026 which includes community, health and social services support.
• Recruiting more co-ordinators to better support students with the most complex needs.
• Identifying opportunities to reduce workloads and better support teachers and school leaders through professional learning.
• Providing more support and pathways for people to transition to a teaching career in Western Australian public schools, with a focus on First Nations people, people with disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The head agreement also includes the following key national targets by 2030:

• Increasing the proportion of students with Year 12 or equivalent certification by 7.5 percentage points, compared with 2022 results.
• Reducing the proportion of students in the Needs Additional Support proficiency level in NAPLAN by 10 per cent.
• Increasing the proportion of students in the Strong and Exceeding proficiency levels in NAPLAN by 10 per cent
• Increasing the student attendance rate for all students, returning it to pre-pandemic levels.

The Western Australia bilateral agreement can be accessed here. The BFSA Heads of Agreement can be accessed here.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“I know firsthand the power of a good quality education. I want to make sure that every student in Australia, no matter where they live and learn, receives every opportunity.

“That’s why we are working hand in hand with the Cook Government to fully fund Western Australian schools, in a landmark agreement signed today.”

WA Premier Roger Cook

“Every Western Australian school student deserves access to a quality education.

“WA public schools have received high levels of State funding under my Government, and this new landmark agreement with the Federal Government takes support for our schools to the next level.

“Importantly, the additional funding will be tied to reforms that will help our students keep their learning on track, and assist those at risk to catch up – ensuring no student in a WA public school is left behind.”

Minister for Education Jason Clare

“This is a historic day for public education in Western Australia.

“It shows what can be done when governments work together. It shows that we can fully fund public schools and invest in the reforms that will make a real difference to the students who really need it.

“This agreement means all Western Australian public schools will now be fully funded. This is massive day for public education in WA.

“Today’s agreement builds on the agreement signed with the Northern Territory to fully fund NT public schools.

“The Albanese Government will continue to work together with remaining states and territories to fully fund public schools across the country.”

WA Minister for Education Tony Buti

“We are so happy to be getting this done for the people of Western Australia.

“This funding will focus on improving equity and excellence in schools, supporting the wellbeing of students and teachers, and providing a strong and sustainable workforce of teachers and non-teaching school staff.

“We are currently delivering record levels of reform and investment into public education, which is working to help ensure all students and their families have access to a great education.”

The Greens have announced their election policy to establish a National Renters Protection Authority that will enforce national tenancy standards and the Greens proposed rent freeze and ongoing caps. The NRPA would have the power to independently investigate and fine landlords and real estate agents, as well as referring serious offenders for prosecution by states and territories.

Under the Greens plan to establish the NRPA, costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office at $200 million per year on average, the Authority will have 1000 staff in a range of locations nationwide, allowing them to investigate rental breaches as well as offering advocacy, advice and education to renters all around the country. 

The NRPA will be able to issue on-the-spot infringement notices of up to $3,756 to individuals (12 Commonwealth penalty units), or $18,780 (60 penalty units) to real estate agencies. Serious or repeat offenders could be fined up to $15,650 (50 penalty units) for individual landlords or $78,250 (50 penalty units) for agencies, subject to sanctions such as removing a real estate agents’ licence to practise or referred for prosecution by states and territories. 

The NRPA is part of the Greens broader plan to coordinate national tenancy standards by distributing $2.5 billion a year (indexed) to the states and territories in exchange for introducing model tenancy standards including:

• a 2 year freeze on rent increases, 
• ongoing 2% cap on rent increases, 
• right to guaranteed lease renewal
• access to 5 year leases, and 
• nationwide minimum standards covering ventilation, heating, cooling and insulation. 

The NRPA would help to enforce these new standards, while the $2.5 billion a year would in part go toward bolstering state and territory respective tribunals dealing with tenancy disputes. 

Along with proactive investigations targeted at compliance with new rent caps, rights to lease renewal and minimum standards, the NRPA would be the first port of call for renters nationwide facing unfair rent hikes, retaliatory evictions, unfair bond claims, landlords who won’t make essential repairs or a notice to leave without reason.

Right now around most of Australia there’s zero protection against unlimited rent increases and nothing to stop renters being forced to move without warning every year, and there’s nothing in Labor’s weak patchwork of ‘Better Deal for Renters’ that will change this.

The states can’t even agree that every renter deserves a working kitchen, electricity supply, heating or cooling or a house free from mould. According to a new report released this week, a year on from Labor’s Better Deal announcement, renters around the country remain vulnerable, with National Cabinet reforms falling short in protecting tenants. National Shelter’s Emma Greenhalgh called on the Commonwealth to play a leadership role in coordinating national rental reform, saying that “states and territories have not done enough to strengthen renters’ rights amid the unprecedented housing crisis”.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP:

“For too long renters have been treated like second-class citizens by both Labor and the Liberals.

“Unlimited rent increases should be illegal. Unliveable rentals should be illegal. That’s what a National Renters Protection Authority would achieve.

“Labor and the Liberals think they can tinker around the edges with a fundamentally broken housing system but renters will punish them at the ballot box.”

Max Chandler-Mather, MP for Griffith, Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness:

“Across this country, there are 7 million renters who are powerless in their own home, unable to push back against unfair rent hikes, dodgy agents and landlords who never do basic repairs. 

“In a system stacked against renters, The National Renters Protection Authority will fight to protect every renters’ right to a secure and affordable home.

“Any renter will be able to tell you about the terrible anxiety that comes when a landlord or real estate breaks the rules and the NRPA is about ensuring every renter has someone to call when that happens. 

“Australia is one of the worst places in the world to be a renter, we desperately need a national body with teeth to fight in their corner and enforce stronger renters rights across the country.

“Governments treat renters’ rights like an opt-in scheme for property investors but the Greens are fighting for legal enforcement of minimum standards and limits on rent increases.

“What’s the point of minimum standards for renters if there’s nobody to call when the landlord or real estate breaks the rules?

“There will be no more pleading with the landlord to send a plumber, fix the heater or send an electrician – it’s your right to have a liveable rental home, and the Greens will make that a reality.

“Over the next 10 years Labor will give property investors $176 billion in tax handouts while millions of renters get screwed.”

The Greens have slammed the Albanese Government for flagging they will cave in and do a deal with Peter Dutton to gut their already weak environment legislation, breaking an election promise, as reported on the front page of the West Australian today.  

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“Labor caving in on environment laws would be the final nail in the coffin for Labor’s environmental credibility before the next election.

“It appears the Prime Minister is prepared to torch Labor’s environment and climate credentials for a dirty deal with Dutton to appease the likes of Gina Rinehart and the coal, gas and logging corporations.

“Yet another cave-in to polluting corporations will accelerate extinction, fuel the climate crisis and destroy critical habitat for endangered species like our precious koala.

“The science is clear: we need environment laws that actually protect the environment. That means ending native forest logging and stopping new fossil fuel project approvals, via a climate trigger.”

“Instead of working with the Greens to protect the environment and climate, the Prime Minister is flagging yet another broken promise that will fast track destruction and pollution.”

The Albanese Government is today announcing a new Jobs for Subs program for 200 young workers required to make Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-W) a success.

The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Graduate, Apprenticeship and Traineeship initiative is a Government-funded recruitment and upskilling program for graduates, apprentices and trainees within ASC Pty Ltd.

This initiative from the Albanese Government will allow the ASC Pty Ltd to recruit around 200 additional entry-level personnel over the next two years across high priority disciplines and trades essential to the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise, building the workforce we need in the west to sustain and maintain Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines.

These roles, predominantly in Western Australia, span fabrication and machining, engineering and project management, and supply chain and operations qualifications.

As Australia’s sovereign submarine partner for sustainment of our nuclear-powered submarines, ASC Pty Ltd plays a critical role in developing the required skills, workforce, knowledge and capability. This initiative seeks to enhance the ability to attract entry-level personnel to critical skills and career pathways, retain valued personnel at entry-levels and grow the workforce available across the Defence industry.

Already, the Albanese Government has committed to invest up to $8 billion in infrastructure to enable SFR-W from 2027 and to operate Australia’s own Virginia class conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarines from the early 2030s.

Across Australia, the nuclear-powered submarine program is expected to create around 20,000 highly skilled jobs for Australians for decades to come, including supporting around 3,000 jobs in the west alone.

Over the last two weeks, ASC Pty Ltd has been developing Australia’s sovereign sustainment workforce, in support of the Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (SMTP) currently underway at HMAS Stirling.

The STMP is an important milestone in the pathway by which Australia will acquire a nuclear-powered submarine capability and is the first time Australian personnel have directly participated in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia.

During the STMP, Royal Australian Navy personnel have been directly participating in maintenance work on USS Hawaii (SSN 776), a Virginia class submarine, at HMAS Stirling.

In addition, workers from ASC Pty Ltd are providing essential support services to USS Hawaii, and are observing maintenance activities to continue their learning.

During this STMP, no active radiological work is being conducted and no low level radiological material will leave the US ships.

Today’s announcement builds on the more than 4,000 additional Commonwealth supported university places the Albanese Government announced and the work we are doing with the states and territories to grow the skilled workforces we need.

The Albanese Government is investing in the workforce we need to deliver Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines and a future made in Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“It is an honour to visit HMAS Stirling and see the finest of Australia’s workforce becoming stronger through the strength of the AUKUS partnership.

“We are announcing a new graduate, apprenticeship and traineeship program to train an additional 200 West Australians to work on Submarine Rotational Force- West program.

“We want to keep Australians safe. That’s why WA will play a key role in building AUKUS. This will help promote peace and deterrence in the region and support local jobs.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles

“Today’s announcement is another important step in growing the workforce to be equipped with the skills and training we need to acquire Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.

“We welcome the crews of USS Hawaii and USS Emory S. Land to Western Australia, for this milestone. We welcome our US friends to our shores, and welcome home the Australians that have been embedded with them.

“We are seeing during this visit the first Australian personnel participating in the maintenance of a US nuclear-powered submarine at HMAS Stirling, the home of Australian submarines.”

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy

“This is a further boost to the development of ASC’s sustainment workforce and follows the first cohort of workers departing for training at Pearl Harbour Naval Shipyard in July.

“Australian industry is integral not only to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program, but also to supporting the future building, sustainment and maintenance of the submarines of our AUKUS partners.

“We are seeing real progress being made to develop the workforce of thousands of highly-skilled scientists, engineers, project managers, operators, technicians, welders, construction workers, electricians, metal fitters and builders that will be needed to support this nation-building endeavour.”

Australia is a step closer to manufacturing more reliable renewables at home, with the Albanese Government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot program now open.

Australia has always been a solar powerhouse – the ideas invented here have lit the way for the global energy transformation underway.

But while one in three Australian households have solar – the highest take-up in the world – only one per cent of those solar panels have been made in Australia.

That’s why we’re investing in Australia’s solar capability with targeted funding to support a Future Made In Australia, create quality jobs for Australian workers and a more resilient supply chain.

The International Energy Agency estimates 1300 manufacturing jobs for each gigawatt of solar PV production, meaning a supercharged domestic industry will create thousands of jobs in Australia.

Initiatives like Solar Sunshot will build  capability in the energy supply chains of the future, and support more manufacturing opportunities across the country driven by our renewable transformation.

The first $550 million, administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will support the commercialisation of Australian solar photovoltaic (PV) innovations and scale up Australian solar PV manufacturing. This includes:

• Round 1A: $500 million to support solar panel manufacturing, here in Australia, with a focus on modules, inputs to modules, and deployment systems.
   
• Round 1B: $50 million to fund solar PV manufacturing studies, including feasibility and engineering.

As the Treasury’s National Interest Framework sets out: the high concentration of supply chains for critical energy technologies poses risks to Australia’s energy security and economic resilience.

These technologies are critical to Australia’s energy security through the net zero transformation.

We know there is strong interest from business to work with the Government to make more critical energy hardware here including high tech Australian start-ups, local fabricators and material suppliers, and international investors.

Community benefit principles – including for supply chains, diverse workforces and secure jobs – are central to Government investment through Future Made In Australia.

The Solar Sunshot program reflects this intent and will encourage investment in the people, communities and regions that will drive solar PV supply chains and the broader net zero transformation.

For more information and to apply for funding, visit https://arena.gov.au/funding/solar-sunshot/  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I want a future made in Australia. And I want a future made in our regions. Places like the Hunter, Gladstone, Rockhampton and the Spencer Gulf.

“Because Australia can do what other countries cannot. We have that combination of resources, skills, workers, space and sunlight to co-locate those links in the value chain.

“Solar Sunshot is about building on those strong foundations, building resilience into Australia’s renewable energy supply chains, and building a Future Made in Australia.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“When it comes to powering Australia’s future nothing will beat our sun and our solar knowhow. That’s why bringing solar manufacturing to our shores is so critical for unlocking our future as a renewable energy superpower and securing the job of the future.

“Diverse, secure and resilient supply chains – supported by more onshore manufacturing across more of the value chain – are too important to our security and success to leave to hope.

“Now is the time to take advantage of some of the best solar resources and renewable energy expertise in the world.

“Only the Albanese Government is backing businesses across the country to seize the opportunity of a Future Made in Australia, powered by reliable renewables.”