Category: Australian News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Hon Feleti Teo OBE, today announced the entry into force of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty.

The Falepili Union Treaty was signed at last year’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in the Cook Islands, responding to Tuvalu’s request of Australia to help safeguard the future of Tuvalu. The Treaty covers three main areas of collaboration: climate cooperation, mobility with dignity, and shared security.

Since the Treaty was signed in November 2023, both governments have undertaken domestic consultation processes to confirm support for the Falepili Union.

With the treaty now in force, our two countries will work together to open our special mobility pathway in 2025. The pathway will enable up to 280 Tuvaluan citizens per year the choice to live, work or study in Australia.

As the relationship between Australia and Tuvalu strengthens, we are also working closely to deliver on our shared vision of ensuring Tuvaluans can remain in their homeland with enhanced development cooperation, and by building security and prosperity for generations to come.

From today, and for the first time ever, Australia is obliged to respond when Tuvalu calls for assistance in the face of a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression. Tuvalu, in turn, will mutually agree any new third-party engagement on defence and security-related matters with Australia.

The Albanese Government has made climate change a central pillar of Australia’s partnerships in the Pacific. In a world-first for a legally binding agreement, the Falepili Union recognises that Tuvalu’s statehood and sovereignty will continue, notwithstanding the impacts of climate change-related sea level rise.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Australia recognises the unique challenges facing Tuvalu, which is why addressing climate change is central to the Falepili Union.

“I am honoured to announce the entry into force of the Falepili Union – it is a proud and historic moment for our two countries.

“This Treaty demonstrates that Australia will always respond to Pacific needs, while respecting sovereignty and delivering Pacific-led solutions to our shared challenges.

“The Falepili Union responds to Tuvalu’s request to safeguard its future.

“Australia shares a vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region.

“We have listened, learned, and are working together on Pacific-led, Australian-backed solutions.

“It shows our Pacific partners that they can rely on Australia as a trusted and genuine partner.

“We are stronger together and in these challenging times, we can count on each other to ensure our region remains safe and secure.”

Prime Minister Feleti Teo:

“Although, the Falepili Union Treaty was signed by my predecessor, I am honoured to announce the ratification by Tuvalu of the Treaty after extensive public consultations on it by my administration after it came to office in February this year.

“Today also marks the entry into force of the Treaty after both parties confirmed their ratification of the Treaty.

“The Treaty is ground-breaking in Tuvalu’s foreign relations.

“For the first time, there is a country (Australia) that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, a health pandemic or military aggression.

“Again, for the first time there is a country (Australia) that has committed legally to recognise the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate changed-induced sea level rise.

“An objective that I will pursue tirelessly for more countries to provide the same legal assurances.

“I expressed profound gratitude for the new elevated, integrated and comprehensive partnership between Tuvalu and Australia that is grounded on the Tuvalu customary value of Falepili that connotes good neighbourliness, respect and duty of care.”

Coles making $1.1 billion in profits during a cost of living crisis shows the corporate supermarket duopoly needs to be broken up and price gouging needs to be made illegal, the Greens say.

“Coles is cashing in on a crisis, showing complete contempt for the people who are struggling the most,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This is corporate greed at its ugliest, and it’s happening because Labor refuses to rein in these corporate giants.”

“Coles’ $1.1 billion profit is a sick joke for the millions of Australians struggling to afford food and groceries.”

“They are price gouging as food prices continue to drive Australia’s stubbornly high inflation numbers.”

“The Greens won’t stand by while corporate giants like Coles bleed Australians dry. It’s time to break up the supermarket duopoly and make price gouging illegal.”

With planning for a new more than $1 billion northside hospital well underway, the first of several services currently based at the North Canberra Hospital campus will be relocated to make way for future demolition works. 

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) the ‘Cottage’ program will move to Canberra’s south and benefit from a new purpose-built facility in Lyons. 

The Cottage is a day program for young people with moderate to severe mental health issues that impact their ability to attend school. The program has been successful in supporting young people to make functional gains, and build their confidence and capacity to return to school or vocational programs.

The planned relocation of the Cottage represents the first step needed to prepare this site for demolition and then construction of a new northside hospital, this work is part of the northside hospital enabling works which received a $27.5 million investment in the 2024-25 ACT Budget.

Now the first procurement process for the Northside Hospital Project is complete. Billard Leece Partnership Pty Ltd has been appointed as the successful tenderer and design partner for the new CAMHS facility on the Lyons site.

Over the past year, the ACT Health Directorate has been working with clinical services on the North Canberra Hospital campus to understand current and future accommodation needs and explore suitable alternative locations for those services that will have to move over the next few years. 

Billard Leece Partnership Pty Ltd will now progress the detailed design of the new CAMHS facility so that it supports the needs of staff, patients and their families.

More information on the Northside Hospital Project is at builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson:

Community-based models of care ensure Canberrans have access to support they need when and where they need it.

The relocation of The Cottage to Lyons will be more accessible for young people with a mental illness. This will be a more appropriate setting than being on a hospital campus for a community mental health service supporting transition back to school. The new location is in an area already familiar to many of us who live nearby as a nurturing environment for children and young people, with schools, after-school recreation activities, and other services nearby.

The CAMHS Childhood Early Intervention Program and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Program will also relocate. This first of these programs is delivered through the school system to support schools and families with identifying and responding to early signs of mental health issues in primary aged children, and the second is an intensive individual and group therapeutic intervention for young people presenting with moderate to severe mental health issues.

We look forward to working closely with staff, clinicians and consumers to help us design this new facility.

This media releases was originally published on the ACT Government website.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education has responded to Labor’s announcement that international student commencements will be capped at 270,000 in 2025. 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi: 
“Today is a bad day for university independence, student choice and, of course, for international students wishing to study in Australia. 

“Labor and Minister Clare have arrogantly ignored the near unanimous opposition from  the higher education sector and are charging ahead with this terrible policy.

“The weak Albanese government is playing right into the fear mongering, dog whistling, racist agenda of the Coalition and putting migrants and international students in the firing line. It is disgraceful.

“If Minister Clare wants to do something about our universities, how about fully funding them, wiping student debt and dumping the disastrous job-ready graduates policy. 

“After almost a decade of Coalition attacks, universities still can’t get a break. Labor has proven to be a woeful disappointment.

“The Government needs to stop micromanaging universities and start funding them properly.” 

The Victorian Greens have secured key reforms that will stop property investors from hoarding homes to use as short stay accommodation, and instead make homes available for renters and first home buyers to live in. 

In negotiation with the government, the Greens’ reforms will combine the 7.5% property investor levy in the Short Stay Levy Bill 2024 with stronger powers for Councils and owners’ corporations to limit or ban short stay accommodation in their communities. The reforms are due to come before Parliament this week. 

Under the new changes, local governments will have the power to regulate short stay accommodation in their area – including restricting the number of short stay properties in any area, the number of days a property can be listed, introducing amenity and safety standards or banning short stay accommodation altogether. Local governments will also now have access to a register of short stay properties in their area to help them enforce any  regulations. 

The Greens also secured powers for owners corporations, which will have the power to prohibit short stay accommodation in their apartment buildings. 

The Greens have also ensured that people who list a short-stay in their primary residence  through platforms like Airbnb are exempt from the levy. This would mean those who want to temporarily let out a room in a house, or put their place up temporarily while on holiday would not be subject to the levy.

The Greens spokesperson for Renters’ Rights, Gabrielle de Vietri says that these reforms will free up homes for renters and first home buyers and that they’re essential measures we need to be taking to stop property investors hoarding homes in the middle of the worst housing crisis in living memory. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Renters’ Rights, Gabrielle de Vietri: 

“In the middle of a housing crisis, it’s not right that 48,000 entire homes are on Airbnb across the state. This pushes up property prices, locks out first home buyers and takes homes away from renters. 

“We’ve negotiated significant reforms that will stop investors hoarding homes for profit. The Greens reforms will combine a property investor levy with new powers for councils and owners corporations to ban or limit short stay accommodation in their communities.

“We know that communities across Victoria are sick to death of property investors snapping up homes to cash in on Airbnb while locals struggle to find somewhere to live. 

“These reforms are going to make more homes available for renters and first home buyers to live in. We know that pressure works, and we will keep fighting for a rent freeze.” 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese needs to come clean on whether there was any deal between his Government and John Setka relating to putting the disgraced CFMEU Construction Division into administration.

Last night on the program Spotlight, Mr Setka, the former Secretary of the Victorian CFMEU Construction Division said he was given assurances through various intermediaries that if he resigned as Secretary, the CFMEU would not be placed into administration by the Albanese Government.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, said that Mr Albanese and Ministers in his Government had some very serious questions to answer.

“Mr Albanese needs to come clean about what he, his office, his Ministers or anyone in his Government knew about this alleged ‘secret deal’ with John Setka or anyone else in the CFMEU.” Senator Cash said.

Senator Cash said it was highly alarming that when the Albanese Government should have been focusing on dealing with the chaos being created by the CFMEU, which was largely as a result of Mr Albanese’s disastrous decision to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), they were instead allegedly trying to make deals with John Setka.

“Mr Albanese has serious questions to answer. Were other CFMEU officials offered special treatment? Were the CFMEU offered secret concessions if placed into administration? Who was the alleged intermediary negotiating between Mr Setka and former Minister Tony Burke?” Senator Cash said.

“Thanks to the Albanese Government, the CFMEU have enjoyed a free rein over Australia’s construction sector, which has seen the cost of infrastructure for Australian taxpayers increase by 30%, contributing strongly to the national cost of living crisis.” Senator Cash said.

“The CFMEU have given the Labor Party over $6.2 million in donations since Mr Albanese became leader. If the Australian people are to have any confidence in this Government, it is imperative that Mr Albanese comes clean on the interactions between his Government and John Setka in the days and weeks surrounding his resignation.” Senator Cash said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Tonga from 27 to 29 August 2024 for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

This will be his third PIF Leaders’ Meeting, and his first visit to Tonga as Prime Minister.

The Pacific Islands Forum is our region’s top multilateral body and the PIF Leaders Meeting is the most important annual meeting of leaders of all PIF member states.

Prime Minister Albanese will join other Pacific leaders to discuss important issues affecting our region, including climate resilience, education, health and regional security.

The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting is central to safeguarding our region’s collective prosperity and security.

“It is important that Pacific leaders meet each year to discuss our shared aspirations and challenges — and work together towards Pacific-led solutions that benefit us all.

“Australia understands that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of Pacific Island communities.

“I thank Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku for hosting the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum and welcome his leadership in helping deliver tangible and practical outcomes for the region.”

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has landed its first international airline, with Singapore Airlines confirming its intention to operate from the airport and connect Western Sydney passengers to the world.

This new commercial arrangement allows Singapore Airlines to begin developing its future operations at WSI, helping Australians wing their way to one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.

With more than 80 per cent of the airport’s construction now complete, WSI is getting closer to take off, welcoming airlines and passengers from late 2026.

WSI will welcome up to 10 million annual passengers a year. It will offer an integrated domestic and international terminal, in addition to Business Precinct and Aviation Support Facilities, including cargo.

Australia has completed successful bilateral air services negotiations with a number of countries recently including Samoa and Tonga, and in the last 12 months with Türkiye, Vietnam, Sri Lanka.

These agreements have increased capacity immediately available to international airlines operating to and from Australia by more than 50 services a week – and by 100 services per week over the next two years.

Bilateral air services negotiations continue with a number of other countries, with a particular focus on seeking to increase available capacity in the Asia Pacific region.

Construction of WSI is delivering more than 9,000 jobs and half a billion dollars’ in contracts to Western Sydney businesses.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“From Singapore’s Marina Bay to Sydney’s Badgerys Creek, this shows the bright future ahead for Western Sydney International.

“Connecting Western Sydney with the world, while boosting jobs, skills and opportunities right across this region.”

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

“This strategic partnership recognises WSI’s status as a world-class international airport and new gateway to Asia.

“Tourism is a major contributor for Sydney and Australia, with WSI a major contributor to opportunities for jobs and local businesses.”

Today the ACT Government has announced a plan to make Canberra homes more resilient to our environment, saving Canberrans money on energy bills, reducing waste and water usage, improving air quality, reducing use of toxic materials and lowering home maintenance costs.

Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said the Pathway will help Canberra’s building and construction sector transition towards best practice that leads to more sustainable and climate ready buildings for the territory.

“As a born Canberran, I’ve often heard of the plight of Canberra homes. Too cold in winter, they say, and far too hot in summer,” said Minister Vassarotti.

“That’s why earlier this year, I was proud to implement seven-star energy efficient buildings for all of Canberra, but there’s more to we can do to deliver cost-effectiveness and better comfort.

“This plan will set in motion a building system made for Canberrans by Canberrans so that homes built here are ready to adapt to our climate.

“Today’s announcement of a ten-year roadmap to achieving net-zero emissions in buildings offers a vision that will significantly improve the lives of many Canberrans for the better, for many, reducing energy usage by up to 70%, saving massive costs on electricity bills.

“Emissions from materials used in construction, such as steel and cement, are expected to become the largest source of carbon emissions in the building sector in the coming decades. The actions set out in this pathway will also help achieve the ACT’s goal of net zero emissions by 2045.”

The key actions over the life of the Pathway are:

• Working towards net-zero new residential buildings, through increases to the minimum energy performance standards.
• Addressing embodied carbon through a national approach to measuring and disclosing embodied carbon and moving to set minimum standards for new ACT commercial buildings.
• Requiring the development of building manuals for new and existing buildings to document maintenance and plan for electrification.
• The development of Ministerial guidelines for the use of sustainable materials for buildings under the Building Act 2004.

“Transitioning our building sector to be more sustainable is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for the industry to showcase their innovation.

“I encourage the local industry and the community to look at the strategies outlined in the Pathway so we can work together to make smarter and more sustainable building and renovation choices.

“The ACT Government will continue to advocate for national buildings policies that lead to greater sustainability, innovation, and improve quality of life outcomes for a cleaner and climate-friendly future,” Minister Vassarotti said.

For more information about the Sustainable Buildings Pathway, visit the ACT Planning website.

After years of promises and working groups, the Albanese Labor Government has quietly killed off the inclusion of questions on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics in the upcoming 2026 Census. 

The failure of the Census to appropriately consider LGBTIQA+ people in its design was so acute that the Australian Bureau of Statistics issued a rare Statement of Regret a year ago, apologising to the LGBTIQA+ community, Equality Australia and April Long for the exclusion of non-binary people from being counted as parents. 

In response, the ABS set up an LGBTIQA+ expert advisory committee to ensure future Censuses used appropriate language and ensure LGBTIQA+ people are counted. A committee they have clearly ignored.

Including questions about sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics in the Census — alongside appropriate and inclusive language in the rest of the Census and safeguards against domestic and family violence an accidental outing might trigger — have long been demands of the LGBTIQA+ community. 

The lack of clear data on the prevalence, experiences and economic circumstances of LGBTIQA+ people has stymied our community’s demands for reform. It is impossible without appropriate Census questions for governments and support services to understand the health and wellbeing needs of LGBTIQA+ people — and the breadth of need and scale of funding necessary to address the compounding disadvantages LGBTIQA+ people face, particularly in rural and regional areas. 

Last year, Stephen Bates MP tabled a petition 5,000 signatures-strong from Evalyn Venture in Federal Parliament calling on the ABS to include these questions in the Census. Equality Australia has also run its CountUsIn campaign with thousands of people Australia-wide signing up. 

Stephen Bates MP, Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson

“Today, Anthony Albanese and Labor have — once again — betrayed the LGBTIQA+ community.  

“Clearly LGBTIQA+ rights don’t matter to Labor anymore. Labor has backpedalled and stalled on every reform that would improve the lives of queer people.

“Labor has failed to deliver protections for LGBTIQA+ teachers and students, Labor has failed to deliver the LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing action plan, and now Labor’s even failed at the bare minimum to count LGBTIQA+ appropriately in the Census. 

“It is abundantly clear that Labor in Opposition and Labor in Government are two entirely different parties. They say one thing and do another.

“You can’t trust the major parties to ever defend LGBTIQA+ people.