Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government has delivered a key milestone in Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program with the establishment of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.

The new statutory Agency is responsible for the effective regulatory oversight of Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion capabilities, providing independent assurance that the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection are upheld.

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce Mr Michael Drake as the inaugural Director-General of the new regulatory Agency. 

Mr Drake brings to the role technical expertise and a decade of maritime regulation experience, including most recently as the Executive Director of Operations with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and before that 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy where he served primarily in Australia’s Collins class submarines.

Commencing with over 70 trained staff, the new Agency has been working closely with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Commonwealth authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety, to ensure a smooth transition of regulatory oversight.

The new Agency is headquartered in Canberra and has a presence across the country as well as overseas. With personnel embedded in the United States and United Kingdom, the Agency’s workforce harnesses a broad range of skillsets to make independent and informed regulatory decisions.

Over the coming years, it will continue to expand its footprint in Western Australia and South Australia.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025, relating to licensing facilities and materials for activities related to naval nuclear propulsion, have been made following extensive consultation, including formal public consultation in July 2025.

Subsequent regulations will focus on future phases of the optimal pathway including Australia’s acquisition and operation of Virginia class submarines and the construction and operation of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.

This new regulatory framework is underpinned by the highest international nuclear safety standards, drawing on more than 70 years of safe nuclear propulsion practices in the United States and United Kingdom, tailored to Australia’s operating environment. 

Relevant licences issued by ARPANSA, including in relation to the Controlled Industrial Facility at HMAS Stirling, will now transition to the new Regulator. 

ARPANSA will continue to provide scientific and technical support to the new Regulator, and the two Regulators will work together to support consistent nuclear and radiological safety across Australia’s military and civilian activities.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Defence portfolio, and is established under the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Today marks another important step in the delivery of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“This new Agency will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety and stewardship.

“I congratulate Mr Drake on his appointment as Director-General, and commend everyone involved for the work they have done to deliver a fit-for-purpose legislative and regulatory framework.”

Director-General, Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, Mr Michael Drake:

“I am proud to be leading the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator and recognise its important role in delivering Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“The agency brings expertise from across Australia and internationally, with a clear mandate to deliver independent, evidence-based regulation.

“We are committed to working with all Australian stakeholders and our AUKUS partners to uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection.”

From today, Labor’s new Aged Care Act comes into force, meaning older Australians will pay more for essential care, including up to $50 just for help with a shower, and some will have to forgo care altogether.

This week, Labor’s Minister for Aged Care, Sam Rae, celebrated rising aged care provider profits in an interview with the ABC. To celebrate rising profits for providers while introducing big new co-payments is a slap in the face to older Australians.

The Greens were the only party to vote against the financialisation of care when the bill moved through the Parliament last year, and have called on Labor to reconsider, reverse the care-for-profit system and instead focus on ensuring every Australian can get the care they need at the time that they need it.

Home care co-payments risk losing care

Under the new Support at Home program, new co-payments mean that older Australians will be forced to pay pay up to $50/hour for help with showers, meals, and basic care at home, based on Department of Health data.

While participants in the old program prior to last September were promised they would be no worse off, but in practice older Australians are facing increased prices and fees resulting in lower levels of service. There is no limit on the amount providers can charge for home care fees until 1 July 2026. Aged care economic advisor StewartBrown has advised providers to increase their fees by between 30 and 38 per cent.

Residential care costs increase while inequity rises

Under the new Act, half of all older Australians will pay more to enter residential aged care, including 3 in 10 full pensioners and 75% of part-pensioners. 

Labor have already raised a cap on residential aged care deposits from $550,000 to $750,000, which has driven up prices overnight. Providers can also now keep up to 10% of a residents so called ‘Refundable’ Accommodation Deposit

As Uniting NSW & ACT has warned, aged care residents who can afford this increased upfront deposit (usually from selling their family home) may be worth twice as much in revenue to an aged care facility as an older person who is living week to week, meaning older renters and poor people will find it harder to access care.

Waitlist continues to grow

In last Senate Estimates, it was revealed that as at the end of September, the waitlist for aged care only continues to grow. 

The total combined number of people waiting for care (either for an assessment, or for an aged care package) is up from approx 217,000 in June-July to 238,248 at the end of September. Just 63,000 new packages will be released between 1 November and the end of the financial year.

The only reason for a shortage in the availability of home care is that the government chooses to release fewer home care packages than the community needs each year. The Greens-led Senate inquiry, as well as the Royal Commission, recommended ended the ‘rationing’ of care and instead moving to a ‘demand driven’ system, but Labor have rejected this in favour of enforced shortages.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Older People:

“Under Labor’s new Aged Care Act, the worse your health, the more you’ll pay for care.

“From today, a tsunami of co-payments will break on older Australians.”

“Minister Rae is celebrating increased profits for aged care providers, while under Labor’s plan 1 in 3 people on a full pension are paying more for residential care, and others will be charged up to $50 every time they need help with a shower. That’s shameful.”

“Our parents and grandparents deserve to be looked after in their old age, not forced to choose between a shower each day and a meal.”

“Aged care should not be for profit.” 

“While 1 in 3 big corporations pay no tax, but older Australians can’t get basic help they need, something is seriously wrong.”

“The Greens will fight to reverse care for profit, to end the shortage of care, and to make sure every older person in this country can get the help they need at the time they need it.”

The NACC has announced that Commissioner Brereton will no longer participate in consideration of Defence referrals. They did this in a statement on its website on the afternoon of Friday 31 October announcing that Commissioner Brereton “has decided that he will not participate in consideration of any referrals which involve the interests of any Defence or ADF individual or unit that is or comes before the Commission, regardless of whether it might reasonably be perceived to involve a conflict”. 

The NACC goes on to say “The Commissioner is taking this step, although it is unnecessary from the perspective of properly managing actual or apparent conflicts, solely in an endeavour to recentre the focus on our important operational and educational work.” 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Justice and Defence Spokesperson said:

“This is a ‘major-general’ backdown from Commissioner Brereton who, up until now, tried to stare down the growing public revolt over the conflicts of interest.

“In a show of contempt for transparency the NACC only disclosed this major development with a website post put up after 5pm on Friday night. There’s a name for this, it’s called, “putting out the trash.”

“This announcement leaves so many unanswered questions:

– Why is Commissioner Brereton still a Major-General in the ADF?

– What happens to all the defence referrals he has been working on, and making decisions on, until now?

– Why is Commissioner Brereton being paid over $800k a year not to work on defence referrals?

“Defence, which is embroiled in a series of multi-million dollar procurement scandals, is one of the largest customers for the NACC which had over 120 Defence referrals as at April this year. 

“It is not just that the NACC’s statement came late on a Friday night, so too did the Government’s tabling of the NACC Annual Report which was over two weeks late.

“Astoundingly, given the serial failures of the NACC Commissioner Brereton to deal with conflicts of interest in his own role, the NACC says conflicts of interest is one of its three main corruption prevention themes.

“Corruption complaints concerning conflicts of interest are also identified in the NACC annual report as major elements of its ongoing work.

“It remains untenable for Commission Brereton to stay as the NACC Commissioner given his repeated failure to deal with his own conflicts of interest.  

“This latest step only highlights the damage he has done to the NACC’s public standing.

“Anti-corruption agencies should be modelling best practice, not cynically making significant announcements late on Friday afternoons.

“The Albanese Government needs to act and, if Commissioner Brereton will not leave of his accord, bring the matter before the Parliament for a decision on his future,” Senator Shoebridge said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will this weekend represent Australia at the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Malaysia.

ASEAN sits at the core of Australia’s vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region, where all countries – large and small – are free to exercise their sovereignty.

Through the ADMM-Plus, defence ministers from across the region come together to pursue dialogue and cooperation in support of these fundamental principles. 

While in Kuala Lumpar, the Deputy Prime Minister will also hold a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with his counterparts.  

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The ADMM-Plus is the region’s premier defence forum, bringing together a critical group of states to pursue the dialogue and cooperation that is a pre-requisite for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. 

“Australia strongly supports a regional order with ASEAN at its centre, providing an essential stabilising influence.

“I look forward to the opportunity to engage with my counterparts this weekend as we continue to look at opportunities to advance our defence and security cooperation.”

From today, Labor’s new Aged Care Act comes into force, meaning older Australians will pay more for essential care, including up to $50 just for help with a shower, and some will have to forgo care altogether.

This week, Labor’s Minister for Aged Care, Sam Rae, celebrated rising aged care provider profits in an interview with the ABC. To celebrate rising profits for providers while introducing big new co-payments is a slap in the face to older Australians.

The Greens were the only party to vote against the financialisation of care when the bill moved through the Parliament last year, and have called on Labor to reconsider, reverse the care-for-profit system and instead focus on ensuring every Australian can get the care they need at the time that they need it.

Home care co-payments risk losing care

Under the new Support at Home program, new co-payments mean that older Australians will be forced to pay pay up to $50/hour for help with showers, meals, and basic care at home, based on Department of Health data.

While participants in the old program prior to last September were promised they would be no worse off, but in practice older Australians are facing increased prices and fees resulting in lower levels of service. There is no limit on the amount providers can charge for home care fees until 1 July 2026. Aged care economic advisor StewartBrown has advised providers to increase their fees by between 30 and 38 per cent.

Residential care costs increase while inequity rises

Under the new Act, half of all older Australians will pay more to enter residential aged care, including 3 in 10 full pensioners and 75% of part-pensioners. 

Labor have already raised a cap on residential aged care deposits from $550,000 to $750,000, which has driven up prices overnight. Providers can also now keep up to 10% of a residents so called ‘Refundable’ Accommodation Deposit

As Uniting NSW & ACT has warned, aged care residents who can afford this increased upfront deposit (usually from selling their family home) may be worth twice as much in revenue to an aged care facility as an older person who is living week to week, meaning older renters and poor people will find it harder to access care.

Waitlist continues to grow

In last Senate Estimates, it was revealed that as at the end of September, the waitlist for aged care only continues to grow. 

The total combined number of people waiting for care (either for an assessment, or for an aged care package) is up from approx 217,000 in June-July to 238,248 at the end of September. Just 63,000 new packages will be released between 1 November and the end of the financial year.

The only reason for a shortage in the availability of home care is that the government chooses to release fewer home care packages than the community needs each year. The Greens-led Senate inquiry, as well as the Royal Commission, recommended ended the ‘rationing’ of care and instead moving to a ‘demand driven’ system, but Labor have rejected this in favour of enforced shortages.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Older People:

“Under Labor’s new Aged Care Act, the worse your health, the more you’ll pay for care.

“From today, a tsunami of co-payments will break on older Australians.”

“Minister Rae is celebrating increased profits for aged care providers, while under Labor’s plan 1 in 3 people on a full pension are paying more for residential care, and others will be charged up to $50 every time they need help with a shower. That’s shameful.”

“Our parents and grandparents deserve to be looked after in their old age, not forced to choose between a shower each day and a meal.”

“Aged care should not be for profit.” 

“While 1 in 3 big corporations pay no tax, but older Australians can’t get basic help they need, something is seriously wrong.”

“The Greens will fight to reverse care for profit, to end the shortage of care, and to make sure every older person in this country can get the help they need at the time they need it.”

The NACC has announced that Commissioner Brereton will no longer participate in consideration of Defence referrals. They did this in a statement on its website on the afternoon of Friday 31 October announcing that Commissioner Brereton “has decided that he will not participate in consideration of any referrals which involve the interests of any Defence or ADF individual or unit that is or comes before the Commission, regardless of whether it might reasonably be perceived to involve a conflict”. 

The NACC goes on to say “The Commissioner is taking this step, although it is unnecessary from the perspective of properly managing actual or apparent conflicts, solely in an endeavour to recentre the focus on our important operational and educational work.” 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Justice and Defence Spokesperson said:

“This is a ‘major-general’ backdown from Commissioner Brereton who, up until now, tried to stare down the growing public revolt over the conflicts of interest.

“In a show of contempt for transparency the NACC only disclosed this major development with a website post put up after 5pm on Friday night. There’s a name for this, it’s called, “putting out the trash.”

“This announcement leaves so many unanswered questions:

– Why is Commissioner Brereton still a Major-General in the ADF?

– What happens to all the defence referrals he has been working on, and making decisions on, until now?

– Why is Commissioner Brereton being paid over $800k a year not to work on defence referrals?

“Defence, which is embroiled in a series of multi-million dollar procurement scandals, is one of the largest customers for the NACC which had over 120 Defence referrals as at April this year. 

“It is not just that the NACC’s statement came late on a Friday night, so too did the Government’s tabling of the NACC Annual Report which was over two weeks late.

“Astoundingly, given the serial failures of the NACC Commissioner Brereton to deal with conflicts of interest in his own role, the NACC says conflicts of interest is one of its three main corruption prevention themes.

“Corruption complaints concerning conflicts of interest are also identified in the NACC annual report as major elements of its ongoing work.

“It remains untenable for Commission Brereton to stay as the NACC Commissioner given his repeated failure to deal with his own conflicts of interest.  

“This latest step only highlights the damage he has done to the NACC’s public standing.

“Anti-corruption agencies should be modelling best practice, not cynically making significant announcements late on Friday afternoons.

“The Albanese Government needs to act and, if Commissioner Brereton will not leave of his accord, bring the matter before the Parliament for a decision on his future,” Senator Shoebridge said.

Communities in Lismore are set to benefit from new Key Health Worker Accommodation, which will help attract and retain essential healthcare staff to the region.

Lismore is one of more than 20 Key Health Worker Accommodation projects in rural, regional and remote NSW across nine local health districts, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million program.

The investment will support the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing homes, and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units, with Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) now seeking development partners.

The new accommodation is planned to include between 10 and 20 self-contained, flood-resilient, studio apartments close to Lismore Base Hospital, ensuring healthcare workers have access to fit-for-purpose, comfortable and convenient accommodation.

NNSWLHD received $34.2 million as part of the program to deliver key health worker accommodation projects in Lismore as well as Grafton and Tweed.

Interested parties can access the Request for Information through the BuyNSW platform.

The new Lismore Key Health Worker Accommodation is expected to be completed by mid-2028.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Government is committed to ensuring regional health services have the workforce and infrastructure they need to provide quality care.

“By providing fit-for-purpose, flood-resilient housing in Lismore, we’re removing one of the major barriers to attracting and keeping skilled health professionals in the region.

“This investment will make a real difference to the sustainability of local health services and the community’s access to care.”

NNSWLHD Chief Executive Tracey Maisey:

“NNSWLHD is looking forward to working with potential development partners to deliver high-quality and affordable accommodation.

“We’re seeking innovative and community-minded partners to help us create modern, well-located housing to support our staff.

“We know access to suitable accommodation can make all the difference in recruiting and retaining skilled staff, particularly in regional and remote areas.

“We recognise the importance of this project to our staff and the broader community, and we’ll continue to provide updates as it progresses.”

Staff and volunteers from across NSW have been celebrated for their dedication, care, kindness, innovation and remarkable accomplishments at the 2025 NSW Health Awards, held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney last night.

The awards recognise the people, teams and programs making a significant positive impact on the health and wellbeing of patients right across the state. Above all, it is a celebration of the entire NSW Health team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

Some of the innovative projects to win awards across the 15 categories included a world-first clinical study developing 3D bioprinting skin out of a patient’s own skin cells to revolutionise burn and wound care and a program making it easier for people with intellectual disabilities to have blood tests outside of the hospital setting, boasting a 84 per cent success rate.

Awards were presented by Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Regional Health Dr Michael Holland and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM.

A total of 198 nominations were received across 15 categories, including:

• Staff Member of the Year Award
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• Secretary’s Award
• Small Acts of Kindness Award
• Environmental Sustainability Award
• Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award
• Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award
• Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award
• Health Equity Award
• Health Innovation Award
• Health Research Award
• Keeping People Healthy Award
• Patient Safety First Award
• People and Culture Award
• Transforming Patient Experience Award.

The full list of winners and finalists and their projects is available on the NSW Health website.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I want to congratulate the winners and all 41 finalists for their remarkable achievements in providing the very best care to the people of NSW.

“I would particularly like to highlight the great work of proud Dharug Woman, Nicole Winters, from Western Sydney Local Health District, who was named Staff Member of the Year for her work to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard and respected in care planning especially in shaping culturally safe, respectful, and compassionate end-of-life care.

“It’s also fantastic to see those winners from rural and regional areas, highlighting the great care available to communities right across the state.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“Congratulations to the Hunter New England Local Health District team for winning the mental health services award for their Farmgate Support Program. It’s fantastic to see local initiatives making a real difference in people’s lives.

“Farmers and rural communities face pressures that most of us don’t see, this program has been there to support their mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s made a real difference in the community with more than 80% saying their wellbeing has improved from the service. That’s powerful.”

“Across every nomination in this award category we have seen exemplary examples of patient care so I personally want to thank all the finalists for their dedication to providing compassionate mental health services right across the state.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris:

“South Western Sydney Local Health District were a deserving winner of the Health Research category for their ground-breaking work to create a new Nurse-led Geriatric Oncology Model of Care, which supports identification and management of age-related health issues often missed in standard oncology care and delivers improved clinical outcomes for patients.

“The work in South Western Sydney Local Health District reflects many of the amazing initiatives underway in our state, which are helping position NSW as a world leader in health and medical research.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM:

“I’m incredibly proud to celebrate the people and teams in NSW Health who are enriching health in millions of ways every day – from our steadfast volunteers to our clinical treating teams who are there caring for patients and everyone else who works tirelessly to support patients and staff in our health system right across the state.

“I was honoured to announce The Bundaleer Project as the winner of this year’s Secretary Award. It’s an inspiring initiative which not only drives sustainability but also empowers First Nations patients to connect with Country, encourages hands-on engagement and supports community rehabilitation and recovery.

“All of the nominees, finalists and winners reflect the incredible work our people do, in a wide variety of roles right across the public health system, and I thank them sincerely for it.”

Defence Housing Australia has completed two new developments in Canberra, adding 113 new properties to the region’s housing supply. 

The new properties comprise 76 properties for serving Defence members and their families with another 37 properties built to support the local private housing market. 

The Crossing development in the suburb of Coombs includes 46 new DHA-owned two- and three-bedroom townhouses for contemporary living close to amenities.

The Academy Close redevelopment in Campbell has seen DHA deliver 30 Defence-owned, three- and four-bedroom townhouses, and detached homes for Defence members and family. 

Homes at The Crossing are now available for the current posting cycle.

Both developments are well positioned for convenient access to the Australian Defence Force Academy, the Royal Military College, Defence Force College and Defence Russell Offices.

The DHA properties are integrated among the privately owned townhouses that were sold to support the region’s housing market.

Defence members began moving into the Academy Close properties earlier this month, while The Crossing will see its first Defence member resident move into the development tomorrow. 

The Crossing properties were recently added to DHA’s online portal for member selection ahead of posting movements. 

Local builder Monarch Building Solutions completed The Crossing development, with Canberra’s Projex Building Group delivering Academy Close. 

Upwards of 600 local workers were employed to construct these properties. 

Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon. Matt Keogh: 

“Providing Defence members and their families with quality housing helps keep ADF members happy in the job and recognises the value we put on their service.

“The 76 properties in The Crossing and Academy Close will mean members moving to Canberra this posting cycle can access modern new homes that come with great lifestyle benefits. 

“That’s on top of the 37 brand new townhouses The Crossing development is adding to the private housing market in Canberra, helping support the local community.”

David Smith, Member for Bean:

“With so many of these homes available for the private market, this is a tangible way the Albanese government is helping ease pressure on Canberra’s housing supply.

“These homes will also see more ADF members taking advantage of the great lifestyle opportunities Canberra has to offer.

“These projects will only add to the shared sense of community Defence members feel when they make Canberra their home.”

Defence Housing Australia Managing Director, Andrew Jaggers: 

“Today, DHA proudly delivers a total of 113 new properties across two developments that not only support Defence members and their families posted to the Canberra region, but provides for the private housing market.

“We thank local builders in Monarch and Projex for the quality of work they have delivered at The Crossing and Academy Close. 

“We take pride in supporting Defence members and their families to find a place to call home during their Defence postings, and we know these properties will be thoroughly enjoyed by their new residents. 

“Tomorrow we will welcome the first Defence member into The Crossing, with more members and private owners to move in through to the end of the year, with settlement of the 37 privately owned properties planned for December.”  

This week, I will travel to Korea to represent Australia at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting.

APEC meets at a critical time for our region and the world. Rising trade tensions and economic uncertainty mean Australia must continue to champion open markets and fair rules that deliver for Australian businesses and workers.

One in four Australian jobs rely on trade. At APEC, I will continue our work to keep markets open, reduce barriers and create new opportunities for Australian exporters.

Australia’s priorities include making cross-border trade more efficient through paperless trade, promoting policy reforms for trade in services, and advancing the economic empowerment of all peoples.

We are committed to strengthening the World Trade Organization and the transparent, rules-based trading system that underpins our economy. These rules protect smaller economies and ensure Australian producers and exporters have fair access to global markets.

APEC economies make up over 60 per cent of global GDP, are home to 3 billion people, and account for around 75 per cent of Australia’s total two-way trade. By participating in APEC, we strengthen Australia’s economic relationships and build new export opportunities and trade diversification.

Australia and Korea are longstanding partners, with closely aligned strategic interests, a significant and complementary trading relationship and vibrant people-to-people links.

Australia strongly supports Korea as the 2025 APEC Chair with its focus on addressing shared challenges, embracing digital innovation, and prioritising inclusive growth, which reflect our shared values and goals.