Category: Australian News

The Greens welcome the findings of the comprehensive report led by Professor Allan Fels AO on the disturbing practices of price gouging and unfair pricing within Australia’s major industries, including the supermarket sector.

“The findings of Professor Fels’ report are a testament to the urgent need for reform within our supermarket industry and beyond,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

”It confirms what many Australians have long suspected – that excessive corporate profits and monopolistic practices are contributing significantly to the cost of living crisis and undermining our social fabric.”

“Professor Fels was clear that there is a lack of competitive pressure in the supermarket sector and that Australia needs divestiture laws to break up big business.”

“The Greens could not agree more.”

“There is no doubt that corporate profiteering is occurring in Australia. A corporate super-profits tax would help rein it in and provide extra revenue for the government to help people struggling to make ends meet.”

“The upcoming Senate inquiry into these matters will be a pivotal moment for supermarket CEOs to face public scrutiny.”

”We intend to examine into the issues highlighted by Professor Fels, ensuring that the CEOs of these corporations answer for their actions.”

“We thank the ACTU and Professor Fels for this important report.”

Following months of negotiations with the government and the crossbench, the Greens have secured support in their push for a legislated right to disconnect for workers.

As a long-time campaign and demand of the Greens, this win allows workers to ignore contact from their employers outside of work hours, unless they are paid for it.

The amendments to the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Bill 2023 will give employees an enforceable right to refuse contact from their employer out of hours unless that refusal is unreasonable. Where the issue cannot be resolved at the workplace, and the behaviour continues, the Fair Work Commission can issue stop orders. If they are breached, the normal civil remedies of the Fair Work system will apply.

Factors like the reason for contact, the level of contact, compensation, job role and responsibility, and workers’ personal circumstances will be taken into account in deciding what is reasonable contact.

Having reached agreement with the government and crossbench on the right to disconnect, the Greens will back the bill when it comes before the Senate today.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“The Greens have won workers a right to disconnect,” Mr Bandt said.

“Whether you’re a nurse, teacher, or hospo worker, the Greens believe you shouldn’t have to answer calls or texts from your boss on your day off or after hours if you’re not being paid for it.

“The Greens are in Parliament to fight for workers, and by winning workers a right to disconnect, we have reclaimed the weekend for millions of people who need that time off.

“This is especially a big win for women and carers who are often forced to juggle work and caring responsibilities.”

Senator Barbara Pocock said:

“This right will make a real difference for millions of Australian workers and their families who need some backup when they want to say no to 24/7 contact from their workplace.

‘The right is clear, practical and reasonable. It will make a difference for workers who are not paid for being available and who donate many unpaid hours to their workplace.

‘In implementing this right, we are playing catch up with 20 other nations who have already acted on this massive problem. 

‘This change will help workers protect their mental health and improve work-life balance. It will especially help those in insecure jobs who need that legislative backup.

“I want to thank the government and the Senate crossbench for their constructive engagement and their support for our right to disconnect plan.

History will condemn Labor’s backing of a massive humanitarian catastrophe, the Greens say, after the government voted with the opposition to double down on its support of the State of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. 

The vote occurred as the death toll in Palestine climbs towards 30,000 people, millions of Palestinians are displaced and facing starvation, dehydration and death from disease, and Israeli troops turn their sights on the city of Rafah.

The International Court of Justice has said there is a plausible basis to claims of genocide,  commencing an investigation that the Australian Government has also refused to support.

Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:

“As the death toll rises and civilians are slaughtered, it is unforgivable that Labor continues to back the invasion of Gaza,” Mr Bandt said.

“Even after 27,000 deaths, widespread humanitarian catastrophe and orders from the International Court of Justice to prevent genocide, Labor has doubled down on its backing of Israel’s invasion of Gaza.”

“International pressure is crucial to securing a permanent ceasefire, but Labor keeps backing the invasion.

“Labor should join the growing global push for a permanent ceasefire, the release of the hostages and an end to the occupation of Palestine.”

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Peace said:

“There is no room for equivocating on the crime of genocide. Labor is trying to present this as complicated – there is nothing morally complex about opposing an invasion which has killed tens of thousands of innocent people,” Senator Steele-John said.

“Now that the International Court of Justice believes there is a plausible basis to claims of genocide in Gaza, ignorance is not an excuse. Continued silence as the death toll mounts and evidence of genocide builds amounts to complicity in what is going on in Gaza.

“Every day, we see horrifying new evidence of what the State of Israel’s invasion means: mass graves, schools and hospitals turned into rubble, all backed by Israeli officials using genocidal language.

“Labor has abandoned everyone in the community who are pushing for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and an end to the occupation of Palestine.

Greens Deputy Leader and Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has expressed grave concerns over news the department has approved yet another live export voyage, amid deaths on the MV Bahijah which remains in limbo in WA.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Utterly irresponsible that as animals suffer and die on one stranded live export ship, the department approves yet another voyage. If this doesn’t show the absolutely glaring disregard for animal welfare by the government, then I don’t know what will.

“The industry only cares about their profits and dead animals are a mere inconvenience to them. It seems the government are doing their dirty work for them by approving yet another live export vessel for clearly dangerous travel.

“Animals are sentient beings, not cargo to be sent off on perilous journeys and offloaded wherever and whenever it’s convenient for export corporations, while the government protects industry profits at the cost of animals. 

“Sheep and cattle are dying on the MV Bahijah in the scorching summer heat, meanwhile we have a department not taking action and a Minister who’s missing in action. Absolutely unacceptable. 

“The Minister has the power to get the animals off this ship right now. He must do so immediately and reject the application to send them back to sea.

“The government already made one gross error by approving the MV Bahijah trip through a conflict zone and now they are repeating their mistake! This decision is a stain on our collective conscience and shows the horrific disregard for animal welfare.  

“Labor must legislate an end date now and start the shut down of live exports. Sheep can’t wait for the next term of government, they can barely wait another day.

By refusing to cut interest rates today, the Reserve Bank has decided to continue punishing households for an inflation crisis that they did not cause, the Greens say.

“In a time when economic inequality is deepening and ordinary Australians are struggling under the weight of financial stress, the Reserve Bank’s failure to cut interest rates is an active decision to make that stress worse,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This decision fails to recognise the urgent need for relief among mortgage holders and renters alike, who are already battling the cost of living crisis that has seen prices for essentials skyrocket.”

“The RBA were extremely quick to put up rates, they need to deliver relief to households with the same pace and urgency.”

“Constant rate rises in 2022 and 2023 were a policy failure, they are deciding to double down on that failure by not cutting rates now.”

“Given the scope of the RBA’s poor decisions, Treasurer Jim Chalmers needs to use his powers under the Reserve Bank Act and bring rates down.”

“He should also ditch the tax cuts for the wealthy, and start investing in genuine cost of living relief, like bringing dental and mental health into Medicare.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea the Hon James Marape MP, back to Australia for an official visit from 7 to 9 February 2024.

This latest meeting between Prime Ministers will build on our Bilateral Security Agreement signed last year, and address security and economic cooperation, infrastructure and deepening people-to-people links.

During the visit Prime Minister Marape will address both Members and Senators of the Parliament of Australia. This will be the first in-person address by a foreign leader since 2020.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have a deep and longstanding partnership based on our common history and shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific region.

Australia and Papua New Guinea look forward to celebrating 50 years of Papua New Guinea’s independence in 2025.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I warmly welcome Prime Minister Marape back to Australia.

“As close neighbours and regional leaders, our security and prosperity are bound together.

“I was deeply honoured to be the first foreign head of Government to address Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament, and as the leader of Australia’s closest neighbour, it is fitting to invite Prime Minister Marape to do the same.”

The Australian Government is appalled that Australian citizen, Dr Yang Jun, has today received a suspended death sentence in Beijing.

We understand this can be commuted to life imprisonment after two years if the individual does not commit any serious crimes in the two-year period.

This is harrowing news for Dr Yang, his family and all who have supported him.

Our thoughts are with them. I acknowledge the acute distress they will all be feeling, after many years of uncertainty.

This period has been extraordinarily difficult. Like so many Australians, I am moved by Dr Yang’s strength, and the strength of his family and friends.

The Australian Government will be communicating our response in the strongest terms.

Dr Yang has been detained since January 2019 on national security charges. His verdict and sentence have been subject to repeated delays since his closed trial on 27 May 2021.

The Australian Government has advocated for Dr Yang with China at every opportunity, and at the highest levels. We have consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment for Dr Yang, in accordance with international norms and China’s legal obligations.

We will continue to press for Dr Yang’s interests and wellbeing, including appropriate medical treatment, and provide consular assistance to him and his family.

All Australians want to see Dr Yang reunited with his family. We will not relent in our advocacy.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Australia’s universal health insurance system — Medicare.

Since 1 February 1984, Medicare has been the world-class foundation of our modern health system.

Its architects were some of our nation’s distinguished leaders — notably the Hon Dr Neal Blewett AC, the late Professor John Deeble AO and the late the Hon Bill Hayden AC.

On the 40th anniversary, we acknowledge and remember their contribution to delivering a major social reform — a simple, fair and affordable insurance system, that helps all Australians.

Medicare gives Australian citizens and permanent residents access to a wide range of health and hospital services at no cost or low cost. Through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the cost of medicine for most medical conditions is also heavily subsidised.

Because of Medicare, Australia’s health system is one of the best in the world. Australia ranks highly among OECD countries for many key indicators, including life expectancy.

The way Australians access Medicare has changed since the opening of the first Medicare office at Bankstown on 1 February 1984.

Cheques and physical paperwork are no longer our main way of doing business – today Medicare processes almost half a billion services a year, with most claims made on the spot at the doctor’s.

Australians go online to access and manage their Medicare account through myGov, and My Health Record helps to securely store all their health data.

The Labor Party built Medicare and it is the Labor Party that will continue to ensure it serves all Australians in the future.

the Prime Minister said:

“Every day, everywhere I go, people talk to me about healthcare and how important it is to their lives.

“We are so lucky to have a system like Medicare in this country and we owe a great debt to people like Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke who fought so hard to deliver it.

“My Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen Medicare and make it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”

Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler said:

“As we mark the 40th anniversary of Medicare, it is also vital that we keep strengthening Medicare to work towards ensuring Australians can access the right care, at the right place and the right time.

“In 2023, Australians saved more than $250 million on the price of their medicines, with even greater savings expected in 2024.

“It was a Labor Government that built Medicare and it is only a Labor Government who will continue to protect and strengthen Medicare”

Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten said:

“Medicare’s 40th anniversary is a nationally significant milestone. It’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and look ahead to what’s next.

“To celebrate, we’re releasing a commemorative Medicare card design. If you’re due to get a replacement card between 1 February and 31 December 2024, it’ll be a special 40-year anniversary edition. All digital Medicare cards will also be updated with the new design from 9 February.

“Evolving over the last 40 years from paper forms and fax machines to today’s digital claims, Medicare continues to streamline and adapt service delivery for both customers and health providers.

“In the last year alone, Services Australia processed over $77 billion in Medicare-related payments and took nearly 11 and a half million calls for Medicare-related enquiries.”

The Albanese government’s claim it’s “on track” to protect the Great Barrier Reef from being declared ‘in danger’ at an upcoming World Heritage Committee meeting is being labelled as duplicitous by the Greens. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“Rising global emissions are warming our oceans and killing the Great Barrier Reef as we have been lucky enough to know it during our lifetime. In any sense of the word, it is ‘in danger’ from fossil fools and fossil fuels.

“Only the strongest climate action can secure the future of this global natural wonder.

“The Albanese government is duplicitous and not fooling anyone when it claims it’s “on track” to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change while simultaneously facilitating new fossil fuel projects like Barossa; one of the dirtiest projects in Australia’s history that’ll emit 401 million tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.

“The World Heritage Committee first warned the Great Barrier Reef could be declared in danger due to climate change over a decade ago. Yet instead of treating the root cause of the reef’s decline – which is rising emissions from burning fossil fuels – it’s been a case of deja vu as successive governments splash cash to buy political cover.

“Endless scientific reports continue to sound the alarm on the grim outlook for the reef, with scientists now concerned that back-to-back cyclones have exposed the Great Barrier Reef to extensive and persistent flood plumes. Help to mitigate the impacts of these events is of course welcome, but the Great Barrier Reef can’t be protected from the political stupidity of prioritising new coal and gas over coral.”

Federal government advice to protect the Maugean skate from extinction by taking “urgent actions…prior to summer 2023” including “a reduction in salmonid aquaculture organic loads” has been dismissed by the Maugean skate national recovery team. 

Instead the Maugean skate national recovery team today announced an agreement to “investigate, and where feasible, implement methods for reducing salmon aquaculture oxygen demand on Macquarie Harbour” from July 2024.

Greens spokesperson for lutruwita/Tasmania, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“I know many in the Maugean skate national recovery team are fighting tooth and nail to protect the skate, but this decision is off. 

“Why wait until July 2024 to reduce salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour when science tells us action is needed today?!

“It’s a cruel irony that a national recovery team would let a species languish like this.

“This is clearly an economic and political decision, not an environmental one – it stinks of the state government and salmon industry hijacking the recovery team’s agenda. 

“I implore Tanya Plibersek to pull every lever available to give the skate the best possible chance of survival, inducing the removal of Atlantic salmon from Macquarie Harbour.”