Category: Australian News

The Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is still missing in action while Australia’s detention regime collapses and Australians are put at risk.

Where is the evidence he is dealing with the problems on his watch?

Why does he have nothing to say about the detainee his government released into the community who allegedly bashed a Perth cancer survivor during a home robbery?

Why won’t he explain why the man who allegedly bashed and robbed a Perth cancer survivor was not required to wear an electronic ankle monitor?

Why won’t he stand up and explain what steps the Albanese Labor Government is taking to keep people safe?

Why won’t he stand up and reassure the Australian people they are safe?

The last time Giles stood before the press and answered questions was on March 27 when he, and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, cut the journalists off and ran away as soon as the questions got tough.

Home Affairs revealed in February that the government had released seven murderers, 37 sex offenders, and 72 violent offenders into the community. Why hasn’t Giles provided an updated figure?

And what exactly are the reporting conditions on these criminals?

Giles skipped three crucial meetings with his department about the NZYQ court case and instead promoted the Voice and travelled to the UK to attend a political party conference. Has he ever explained why?

The Commonwealth conceded they could not deport NZYQ which undermined the government’s legal argument, paving the way to the release of over 150 criminals into the community. Has Giles ever explained his role in that decision?

Giles’ own department issued the wrong visa to the detainees released into the community, has he explained this failure and the steps he took to stop it happening again?

This government even created a taskforce called Operation Zufolo to help it manage Labor’s immigration detention mess, but one government insider said it was only there to “look like we are symbolically doing something”, according to media reports.

That says everything you need to know about the Albanese Labor Government — they are all symbolism, and no action. All froth and no substance.

This Labor Government has made a mess of immigration detention.

According to media reports Anthony Albanese told an abuse survivor at a rally on Sunday: “I’m the Prime Minister of the country, I run this country”.

Well, he should start running the country by sacking Andrew Giles and taking personal responsibility for cleaning up Labor’s mess before more Australians get hurt.

Revelations today of a secret manual distributed by the Prime Minister’s Office to departments instructing them how to avoid answering questions from the Senate is a new low from the Albanese Labor Government.

Scrutiny of the government through Senate estimates is a foundation of our parliament and democracy, and is recognised as a major institution of accountability.

The value of estimates hearings in providing accountability and integrity of government is clearly missed by the Albanese Labor Government who will do anything to ensure they aren’t held to account.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Simon Birmingham said the extracts published from the secret manual demonstrate clear acts of contempt for the Senate and break Prime Minister Albanese’s promises for greater transparency and accountability.

“The Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about this document as to whether he has seen it, did he approve it and to whom has his office distributed it to,” Senator Birmingham said.

“This move by the Labor Government is a new low and shows flagrant disregard for the Senate, the practices of Australia’s parliament and the rights of Australians to see their government held to account.

“For anyone to believe the creation of this manual clever would be sorely mistaken. The Prime Minister and his office should consider the repercussions of attempting to distort the procedures of a democratic parliament.

“I fully expect the Senate to demand answers in regard to the flagrant demonstration of contempt.

“Prime Minister Albanese would be wise to retract this document and transparently answer questions – avoiding doing so would only be endorsing its contents.”

Ending men’s violence against women and tackling misogyny and the harm it creates requires concerted action from all levels of government and all parts of society and we are building on investments already made in this space.

To build on our prevention efforts, the Albanese Government will introduce a suite of online measures to address easy access to pornography for children and young people and tackle extreme online misogyny, which is fuelling harmful attitudes towards women.

The Albanese Government will provide resourcing to conduct a pilot of age assurance technology to protect children from harmful content, like pornography and other age-restricted online services.

The new pilot, to be funded in the May Budget, is part of a suite of interventions aimed at curbing easy access to damaging material by children and young people, and tackling extreme misogyny online.

The pilot will identify available age assurance products to protect children from online harm, and test their efficacy, including in relation to privacy and security.

The outcomes will inform the existing work of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner under the Online Safety Act – including through the development of industry codes or standards – to reduce children’s exposure to age-inappropriate material.

The Albanese Government will introduce legislation to ban the creation and non-consensual distribution of deepfake pornography. Digitally created and altered sexually explicit material is a damaging form of abuse against women and girls that can inflict deep harm on victims.

The reforms will make clear that creating and sharing sexually explicit material without consent, using technology like artificial intelligence will be subject to serious criminal penalties.

In addition, a new phase of the successful Stop it at the Start campaign will launch in mid-June and run until May next year. This new phase will specifically include a counter-influencing campaign in online spaces where violent and misogynistic content thrives, to directly challenge the material in the spaces it’s being viewed.

The campaign is intended to counter the corrosive influence of online content targeted at young adults that condones violence against women. It will raise awareness about a proliferation of misogynistic influencers and content, and encourage conversations within families about the damaging impact of the material.

The new phase of Stop It at the Start builds on the investment already made by our Government to fund a three-year trial to explore what works best to counteract the harmful impacts of social media messaging targeting young men and boys.

Research shows 25 per cent of teenage boys in Australia look up to social media personalities who perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes. Social media algorithms can undermine gender equality by pushing misogynistic content that normalises sexist attitudes in young people.

There is also growing concern around the role of violent online pornography in normalising gendered violence within the Australian community.

In response to these concerns, the Government is undertaking long overdue classification reforms with states and territories which will examine options to reduce exposure to violent pornography, informed by engagement with experts and best available evidence about harms.

The Government will also bring forward legislation in early August to outlaw the release of private information online with an intent to cause harm (known as doxxing), and overhaul the Privacy Act to give all Australians and particularly women who are experiencing domestic and family violence greater control and transparency over their personal information.

The Albanese Government has already acted to keep women safe online, including by quadrupling ongoing base funding for the eSafety Commissioner in last year’s budget.

The Government has also initiated a review of the Online Safety Act a year ahead of schedule to ensure our laws are keeping up with emerging online threats and harms.

But we need to do more to ensure our laws and regulations are fit for purpose in a digital age.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“There should be zero tolerance for harmful content that glorifies violence against Australian women. Young adults should not be coached in disrespect or misogyny by online influencers.

“I understand parents want to protect their kids from harmful material online. Social platforms have important social responsibilities and we need them to step up. Taken together, these reforms will give Australian families some of the tools they need to navigate the complexity of the digital world.”

Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland

“The reality is that digital platforms are influencing our culture and social lives. They have a responsibility to do more to meet community standards.

“The Government will progress its age assurance pilot to address access to age inappropriate content, including online pornography and other age-restricted services.

“Taking steps to prevent access for minors to age-inappropriate content like pornography is one tool that can help protect young minds from damaging and misogynistic behaviours.

“The pilot – coupled with work already underway to update our out-dated Classification Scheme – will inform how Governments at all levels can work collaboratively to address these harms.”

the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:

“To end violence against women in one generation we need to raise boys and young men to approach relationships with respect.

“Often it is very hard for parents and caregivers to know what type of environments their young people are experiencing online. We need to look at how we empower young people to have those conversations with adults in their life and empower those adults to start those conversations.

“Stop It at the Start has been a hugely successful campaign helping parents and other adult influencers have conversations about respectful relationships. Launching a new phase to specifically counter negative influences particularly in online spaces where misogynistic content thrives is so important to ending this national shame of violence against women.”

the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus:

“The increasing use of online platforms to harm people, particularly women, through the malicious release of their personal information is deeply disturbing.

“Digitally created and altered sexually explicit material is a deeply distressing form of abuse against women and girls and can cause long-lasting harm.

“These reforms will make clear that those who seek to abuse or degrade women through doxxing, deepfakes, or by abusing their privacy online, will be subject to serious criminal penalties.”

the Minister for Women, Senator Katy Gallagher:

“Women and children have the right to be safe, and the use of online tools and spaces to perpetuate violence, misogyny and sexism must be stopped.

“These important initiatives will tackle emerging threats to women and girls’ safety and participation online and will support young people, particularly young men, to have healthier and more positive relationships, attitudes and behaviours.”

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ending family, domestic and sexual violence in a generation. This is a national crisis.

We want women to know if they need to leave they can afford to go.

We understand the insidious links between financial insecurity and stress and vulnerability to family and domestic violence. Too often, financial insecurity can be a barrier to escaping violence.

That’s why the Government will invest $925.2 million over five years to permanently establish the Leaving Violence Program – so those escaping violence can receive financial support, safety assessments and referrals to support pathways.

Those eligible will be able to access up to $5,000 in financial support along with referral services, risk assessments and safety planning.

This commitment builds on a record $2.3 billion in measures put in place by the Albanese Government to help address violence against women.

Further, the Albanese Government has expanded eligibility for parenting payment single – helping 82,000 more single parents remain on higher payment rates until their youngest child turns 14; legislated ten days paid family and domestic violence leave; increased rent assistance with the largest increase in 30 years; and invested in crisis accommodation and affordable housing for women and children escaping violence.  

Intimate partner violence is a problem of epidemic proportions in Australia, with a quarter of all Australian women having experienced it in their lifetime. 

The Leaving Violence Program will support victim-survivors of intimate partner violence to make informed choices about leaving violent relationships and receive the vital support they need.

The Leaving Violence Program is a key initiative in the upcoming May Budget to help support the aims of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 to end violence in one generation. The program will contribute to improved safety, economic security, and independence for victim-survivors.

This makes permanent the Escaping Violence Program trial. More than 45,000 Australians have accessed the EVP payment since 2021. A total of 80 per cent of those accessing the support were self-referrals meaning without this program they may have fallen through the cracks of the support system.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

“The heartbreaking reality is that there is no overnight solution to violence against women and children.

“My Government is absolutely committed to making progress to end family, domestic and sexual violence in one generation through our National Plan.

“Today’s announcement builds on our efforts to ensure fewer women feel trapped in a violent relationship because they don’t know if they can afford to leave.”

the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:

“Violence against women is a national shame. Every time a woman loses her life at the hands of a man, it is a death that is one too many and we know this is an issue that warrants our focused and serious attention.

“Research has shown us that financial barriers can be a huge impediment to victim-survivors breaking free of a violent relationship and we are determined to reduce those barriers along with providing other supports to assist those fleeing violence.

“We need persistent, consistent and unified action on this issue in order to create real change and this investment will mean there is a permanent lifeline for those people experiencing intimate partner violence.”

the Minister for Women Katy Gallagher:

“Like every Australian, and especially women across the country – I am distressed and frustrated at the crisis of men’s violence against women in this country. This is a crisis, and it is a national shame.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ending the epidemic of violence against women and children in this country. We have been focused on this since day one and have taken a number of actions to drive end violence and support women who experience it, and we know we must continue to do more.

“We recognise that a lot of the issues that women face can be improved if they have economic security and improving women’s economic empowerment will continue to be a core focus of our government.”

The Leaving Violence Program will provide eligible victim-survivors with an individualised financial support package of up to $1,500 in cash and up to $3,500 in goods and services, as well as safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other essential services for up to 12 weeks.

The payment amount will be indexed annually to keep in pace with the rising cost of living, ensuring recipients are given the best support when leaving violent relationships.

The program will commence in mid-2025, following the procurement of an appropriate service provider with family, domestic and sexual violence experience, and the transition of the existing pilots into the program.

Both the Escaping Violence Payment trial and the Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot will be extended to 30 June 2025.

For information about both trials visit the DSS website.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.

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 www.ntv.org.au.

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will host their Republic of Korea (ROK) counterparts for the Australia-ROK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Melbourne on 1 May 2024.

The meeting with ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Tae-yul, and Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, will advance our shared interest in promoting peace and prosperity in our region, deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and globally, and growing defence and security ties, under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Australia and the Republic of Korea are closely aligned partners with a strong relationship underpinned by a significant and complementary trading relationship, and vibrant people-to-people links.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Shin will also visit Hanwha Defence Australia’s facility in Avalon, Victoria.

the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“I am delighted to host Minister Shin’s first visit to Australia as National Defense Minister and look forward to building on the productive discussions we had in October 2023.

“Australia and the Republic of Korea share a deep and historic defence relationship, dating back 74 years to the start of the Korean War. In that conflict and ever since, we have worked together to defend the rules-based international order and ensure our region remains peaceful, secure and prosperous.

“I highly value the expansion of our defence industry cooperation. The future Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence will provide a significant economic boost to Australian defence industry and manufacturing capabilities, and deliver hundreds of jobs to the local community.”

Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong

“Australia and the Republic of Korea are comprehensive strategic partners committed to working together to build the type of region we want.

“We are two countries who understand the value of peace and the cost of war. We are working together to help shape a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. Together we help maintain a regional balance of power where no country dominates and no country is dominated.

“The Republic of Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy enhances development and diplomatic engagement in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Australia will continue to work closely with the Republic of Korea as it implements the strategy.”

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

“Thousands of people joined marches around the country yesterday calling for an end to gendered violence, and for the declaration of a national emergency in the face of an escalating death toll of women. 

“Labor’s response has been lacklustre in the face of this public outcry. The total funding commitment to the National Plan over five years is $2.23 billion, less than half the $5 billion the women’s safety sector is calling for.

“Women’s Legal Services have said they are turning away 52,000 people a year because they don’t have the funding they need to keep up with demand.

“There is no national record of the number of women killed by violence in this country. Instead we rely on volunteer work of organisations like Counting Dead Women and Australian Femicide Watch. This data should be kept by the government, as we do for the road toll, to encourage reduction of the numbers of deaths.

“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. 

“Prevention must be prioritised to stop women being killed by men’s violence and to dismantle our persistent rape culture. While consent and respectful relationships education is now mandatory in our national curriculum, more funding is needed to properly resource public schools and specialist third-party providers to deliver and implement this education.

“An alarming number of people still disbelieve or victim-blame survivors of assault. We desperately need to overhaul the criminal justice system so that trauma-informed training guides police and judges.” 

Greens portfolio holder for First Nations, Senator Dorinda Cox

“The Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children Inquiry and hearings, has sadly shone a light on the historic and current failures for First Nations communities when trying to keep women and children safe from violence.

“First Nations women and children are disproportionately impacted but as we saw from the rallies this weekend, this is a national emergency that impacts us all.

“I refuse to ask women to carry the burden of keeping themselves and their children safe. This makes us complicit and as a community we all have a responsibility to say enough is enough. 

“It is now time for all Australians to stop being silent and use their everyday power to stop violence against women and children.

“Let’s stop asking women why they dont leave or what were you wearing? And start calling it for what it is,  men’s violence that is not acceptable. It should never be condoned and should include appropriate consequences including adequate bail conditions, in order to protect women and children.

“I acknowledge that many men rallied yesterday and we need to encourage more men to stand up and challenge other men. Help raise our boys with good role models and stop protecting men who use violence against women with lame excuses. 

“Now is the time for Labor to adequately fund early intervention, crisis response and healing/recovery services.

“For those who use violence, we need to provide accessible and appropriate well funded behaviour change services and opportunities to see their is a better way. 

“Labor also needs to fund and ensure culturally safe and place based services and responses that consider Australia’s diversity of cultures, language groups and terrains and the needs of regional and remote communities. 

“In order to do this, they need to immediately review the process for allocation of the block funding as we know that this process is flawed.

“Labor needs to implement the capturing of national data as we can’t provide adequate funding response if we are not capturing and sharing data that will inform appropriate funding allocation and honour the lives of those killed.” 
 

The Albanese and Miles Governments are harnessing the power and potential of quantum technologies to help deliver a Future Made in Australia and make Brisbane a tech manufacturing powerhouse.

The Australian and Queensland Governments will invest almost $1 billion into frontier technology company PsiQuantum to build the world’s first fault tolerant quantum computer in Brisbane.

PsiQuantum’s co-founders include Australians Professor Jeremy O’Brien and Professor Terry Rudolph, and the beginnings of its world leading computing approach were developed by Professor O’Brien at the University of Queensland.

This investment marks the start of a manufacturing and production partnership with Queensland and Australia that will create up to 400 new highly skilled ongoing jobs with the company.

Quantum computers are considered the next major development in computing, delivering tremendous data processing power, well beyond the capabilities of today’s super-computers.

That processing power can help solve problems conventional computers can’t and can help drive advances in areas like new medicines, AI and the net zero transition.

PsiQuantum is a global leader in quantum computing and has attracted significant private investment.

The joint government investment into PsiQuantum will secure its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Brisbane.

This will mean hundreds of direct jobs and billions of dollars of direct investment in Australia by PsiQuantum – investment that would otherwise have gone overseas.

As a result the company will become a cornerstone customer of Australia’s digital, quantum and AI supply chains, adding further economic value to the nation.

The joint Commonwealth-Queensland investment includes approximately $470 million in equity and loans from each government.

As part of this investment, PsiQuantum will:

• Establish its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Brisbane.
• Build and operate successive generations of its Fault Tolerant Quantum Computer (FTQC) in Brisbane.
• Create up to 400 highly skilled local jobs.
• Establish partnerships with the local quantum industry and advanced manufacturing clusters.
• Create a dedicated climate research centre.
• Open new digital and advanced tech supply chain opportunities.
• Invest in university and research collaborations, including PhD positions, mentoring and internship opportunities.

This investment aligns with the Government’s commitments under the National Quantum Strategy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“It takes great partnerships to build new industries. We need to make bold investments today if we want to see a Future Made in Australia.

“We are proud to be working with the Queensland Government to make visionary investments in the future of our nation.

“This investment shows we are serious about building a strong quantum ecosystem here in Australia.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles: 

“Today’s announcement cements Queensland’s position as a global leader in the quantum technology industry, backed by our dedicated Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy.

“Quantum will bring billions in economic opportunity to Queensland, which will deliver thousands of high paying tech jobs and the chance for Queenslanders to work in careers that will change the world.

“This investment partnership is as significant for Queensland and the nation as the first silicon microprocessors were to California that established Silicon Valley.

“Queensland and Australia will now be at the epicentre of this world changing technology.”

Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic:

“Quantum tech will drive the growth of advanced manufacturing and the Albanese Government sees this investment in PsiQuantum as a big part of that effort.

“We want to build the quantum tech sector with local talent and we want to bring talented Aussies home to meet our national ambition to make Australia a centre for quantum growth.

“Australia built one of the world’s first digital computers, only to give up our chance to design and develop computing here.

“John Howard’s Government turned its back on the chance to manufacture computer chips in Australia.

“Australia has hugely talented people with great ideas that want to build strong companies and secure jobs. That’s going to help us deliver a Future Made in Australia.”

Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Cameron Dick

“The Queensland Government is delivering on our plan to create more jobs in more industry by diversifying our state’s economy.

“This deal is the result of years of hard work and planning by Queensland Treasury officials, and I congratulate them on this achievement.

“There will be very few seats at the table when it comes to global leadership in quantum technology, and today’s announcement ensures Queensland will have a place.”

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley:

“Quantum computing is a transformational and strategically important technology. It will disrupt all sectors of society. Australia is perfectly placed to achieve a globally significant quantum industry, but we can’t take a business-as-usual approach to realising this potential.

“We must take advantage of the quantum technology wave to reach the industry scale needed by attracting quantum companies to set up manufacturing here. This investment shows that Australia is serious about its quantum industry development by ensuring we are at the front of the pack in the global race to build the first useful quantum computer.”

Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals will be able to register for Australia’s new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) program from 3 June 2024, providing new opportunities for Pacific and Timorese nationals to live, work and study in Australia.

The program will enable up to 3,000 citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year.

This will grow Australia’s diaspora, deepen cultural connections, boost business, and educational ties between Australia and participating countries and support economic development in the Pacific.

Countries participating in the first year of the program include Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, with discussions ongoing with other partners in the region.

The PEV program will use an online ballot to select participants, who can then apply for the visa, providing an equitable, streamlined and transparent system.

Applicants must secure a formal ongoing job offer in Australia and meet health and character requirements, before being granted a visa.

The PEV responds directly to Pacific requests for greater regional mobility, delivering education, skills and economic and development dividends for the region, and linking us more closely together.

Pacific and Timorese nationals participating in the program will have access to a range of supports, including migrant settlement services, English language programs, public schools and healthcare, and financial supports to encourage participation in study and training.

For further information visit Pacific Engagement Visa program.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment to deepen our connections with the Pacific and Timor-Leste with the commencement of the Pacific Engagement Visa.

“Australia has listened to the calls of Pacific leaders and responded, as we play our part for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific.”

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

“The Pacific Engagement Visa demonstrates the high value Australia places on its relationship with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.”

“The program will grow Pacific and Timor-Leste diasporas in Australia, strengthening linkages between our people and encouraging greater cultural, business, economic and educational exchange with Pacific countries.”

“The program has transformative potential, making Australia’s world-class education and training system more accessible for new residents under the Pacific Engagement Visa.”

“Through these impacts, and by boosting remittance flows to Pacific countries, the program will also support economic development and welfare in the Pacific.”

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP:

“The Pacific Engagement Visa program is an opportunity to address the under-representation of Pacific island and Timorese nationals in Australia’s permanent migration program, with less than 1 per cent of permanent migrants currently coming from the region.”

“The program is in keeping with the Government’s Migration Strategy which identifies deepening Australia’s people-to-people links with the Indo-Pacific as one of eight key actions to reform the migration system.”

The Chair of Mental Health Australia has resigned because the labor government has failed to take sufficient action on mental health policy. 

The Australian Greens agree that the government is failing people in Australia when it comes to proactive policies that would improve our communities’ mental health. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Spokesperson for Health:

“We are experiencing a mental health crisis in this country – the former chair of Mental Health Australia knows it, our community knows it, but Labor does not seem to care. 

“This month we’ve seen the Labor government choose to provide billions in handouts to weapons companies, instead of investing in our community and expanding mental health care available through Medicare. 

“We need to see Labor reverse their decision to reduce the number of better access scheme sessions and commit to return to 20 mental healthcare sessions. 

“In the cost of living crisis we’re experiencing there should be no out-of-pocket costs for people accessing mental health care in this country. It is unacceptable that people are in a situation where they need to ration their healthcare because of the cost.

“This is beyond crisis point. The Federal Government must explore ways for people to get affordable mental health care, including expanding the range of mental healthcare professionals that offer services through Medicare.” 

Just published data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade shows that in February 2024 alone Australia directly exported over $1.5 million in ‘arms and ammunition’ to Israel.

This most recent version of DFAT’s monthly ‘country and commodity pivot tables’ shows that the value of the February 2024 exports was nearly as much as the entire value of direct ‘arms and munitions’ exports to Israel since the Albanese Government came to power, collectively over $3.25 million.

The term ‘arms and ammunition’ only refers to guns, bullets, missiles, tanks, swords and other weapons. This definition does not cover the bulk of military goods Australia exports directly to Israel or through third countries, such as engines for drones and military-grade steel for armoured vehicles. These figures also likely do not include weapons exported indirectly, such as F35 fighter parts that likely are channelled through the United States and Europe.

At a recent Senate Estimates hearing, the Chief Economist of DFAT acknowledged that the DFAT data showing Australia has exported $10 million worth of ‘arms and ammunition’ to Israel over the past five years is credible.

UN agencies and experts have called on countries, including Australia, to stop exporting military equipment to Israel for months. These calls are being ignored by the Albanese Government.

Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: “Make no mistake the Albanese Labor Government by permitting these exports to Israel is complicit in the genocide that is occurring. Each of these exports requires the express consent of the Australian government.

“The fact these arms and ammunition exports occurred in February 2024 is appalling. This was five months into the brutal assault on the people of Gaza when the world had witnessed indiscriminate and disproportionate killing and mass starvation being used as a weapon by the Israeli military.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says Australia is still exporting military equipment to Israel, as does the UN and Australian arms manufacturers. It is no longer credible for the Albanese Government to deny this reality.

“It’s remarkable that Australian exporters are being more honest about sending arms and ammunition to Israel in the middle of a genocide than our own Government.

“It is long past time for the Albanese Labor Government to stop the two-way arms trade with the State of Israel. This is their obligation under international humanitarian law and the express provisions of the Genocide Convention.

“How many more deaths will it take, and how many more times will the Government try to mislead the public, before action is taken?”