Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government is investing up to $70 million to develop the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub in north Queensland, creating regional jobs and supporting Australia’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse.  

The project delivers on the Government’s election commitment to establish a hydrogen hub in North Queensland.

It will create at least 200 direct job opportunities for local electricians, plumbers, fitters and concreters during construction, as well ongoing jobs in technical and engineering roles.

The initial stage of the hub will produce 800 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, enough to fuel over 40 heavy vehicles a year. It will ramp up to around 3,000 tonnes for domestic supply, and ultimately in excess of 150,000 tonnes for export.

The hub, led by Edify Energy, will produce green hydrogen for use by local industry and in zero-emissions transport. It will also deliver a 17.6 MW domestic production facility with integrated renewable energy generation and battery storage.

Edify and its partners – including Siemens Energy, Queensland TAFE, James Cook University and Townsville Enterprise Limited – will work with industry bodies to provide education and training to ensure Townsville’s workforce is skilled and ready to develop and sustain the region’s hydrogen industry.

Construction will begin next year and be complete in 2026, with initial commercial operations scheduled to start in 2027.

The project has over $137 million of combined investment. The Commonwealth’s contribution is up to $70 million, including $20.7 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The remaining funding is being sourced from industry and the German Government.

This Australian-German collaboration brings together Germany’s expertise in hydrogen technology and Australia’s potential to be a world leader in the production and export of renewable hydrogen.

Townsville is part of over $500 million in Commonwealth funding for hydrogen hubs in regional centres like Gladstone, Bell Bay, Kwinana, the Pilbara, Port Bonython and the Hunter.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Investing in Townsville’s hydrogen industry is investing in Australia’s future.

“The global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for North Queensland.

“We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said:

“Renewable hydrogen is a game changer, opening the door to green metals, green fertiliser, green power and supporting industrial decarbonisation.

“The whole world needs renewable hydrogen, and regional Australia is ready to provide it.

“With its port, expertise in exports and access to Queensland’s abundant solar resources, Townsville is ideally placed to help power the world with Australian renewable energy and create jobs in regional Australia.”

• $1.73 billion commitment for full delivery of Rockhampton Ring Road
• Rockhampton Ring Road construction started in November 2023
• Includes critical connections to the local road network

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Steven Miles today celebrated construction progress on the $1.73 billion Rockhampton Ring Road – a project that is now fully funded by both levels of government.

The commitment will deliver the full 17.4 km Rockhampton Ring Road, with an increased Australian Government commitment of $1.2 billion and an increased Queensland Government commitment to $530 million.

This transformative project for Central Queensland will increase connections to key precincts in the city and improve access, travel times to critical services including the hospital and emergency services, and road safety.

The ring road alignment opens up new travel routes to key leisure, retail, education and defence facilities.

The Rockhampton Ring Road project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build capability within the regional workforce, with an extended pipeline of road infrastructure construction that provides opportunities for apprentices and trainees, engineers and technical services to be engaged on this significant infrastructure build.

Construction on the first $280 million package of works started in November 2023. Both contractor joint ventures mobilised to site in November to start construction at key work locations in Parkhurst and on Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road in West Rockhampton.

Construction on this phase of the Rockhampton Ring Road is expected to take up to two years to complete.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

“Late last year the Australian and Queensland governments confirmed construction would be underway on the Rockhampton Ring Road by the end of 2023, and here we are two months into construction to deliver this essential infrastructure project for Central Queensland.

“This significant investment by the Australian and Queensland governments is a long-term, visionary project for Queensland’s biggest highway, the lifeline for the state of Queensland that will unlock future economic growth, build flood resilience, reduce travel times, improve road safety and support jobs.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said:

“The Rockhampton Ring Road will be a critical new artery for Central Queensland, and the broader Bruce Highway.

“It means a safer and quicker drive for locals and more productive travel for our transport sector, moving freight around the State.

“When complete, big trucks will avoid 19 sets of traffic lights through the middle of Rockhampton, which has long been regarded as the pinch point for travel on the Bruce Highway. That is critical for Queensland’s economic growth.

“I’m proud that our governments have come together to fully fund the Rockhampton Ring Road – to create jobs, local supply chain opportunities, and better connections for the region.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“The Australian Government’s commitment to fund and deliver ensures that Rockhampton and the Central Queensland region can maximise both the economic and human benefit from the project, building capability and skills in the region.

“I am delighted that this will support industries and keep freight moving throughout Queensland.”

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said:

“Finalising the agreement between the Australian and Queensland government to fund the full cost of the Rockhampton Ring Road, is testament to the commitment the Miles Government has to regional Queensland.

“The Rockhampton Ring Road will transform Rockhampton.

“Increased connections to key precincts in the city will improve access and travel times to critical services including the hospital and emergency services, open up new travel routes for the defence services, the leisure, retail and education precincts, and move through-freight out of the city, decreasing conflicts between heavy vehicles and commuter traffic, improving road safety and the ambience of the city.”

Extra background information:

To maximise local engagement, Local Buy targets are embedded in the contract, and throughout the contract development process the importance of engaging local businesses and resources has been prioritised with the contractor joint ventures.

Within less than 10 weeks of possession of site, local sub-contractor engagement on the Rockhampton Ring Road project is already tracking well with 47 of the 68 contracts awarded to date going to local businesses.

The target for local engagement on this first construction package is more than 80 per cent of sub-contract value awarded to local business. While its early days for construction delivery, on South Package 1 contract value awarded to local businesses is already at 85 per cent.

Further opportunities for engagement on the project will be available as the delivery strategy for the full scope of the project is confirmed and further packages of work are released to the market.

From October 1, flights EK430 (Dubai to Brisbane) and EK431 (Brisbane to Dubai), will be serviced by A380s, the world’s largest passenger plane, and one of the world’s noisiest.

The flights would land in Brisbane at 10:40pm and depart to Dubai at 1:55am.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP, Greens spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities said:

“The last thing Brisbane residents need is a 2am wake-up call from the world’s largest passenger plane roaring straight over their houses.

“This is exactly why the community and the Greens have been campaigning so strongly for a curfew, just like the curfew Sydney already has.

“Brisbane Airport should have a curfew on flights between 10pm and 6am.

“At a time when the Brisbane community is crying out for action on excessive flight noise, it is insulting that BAC and Airservices Australia are allowing a new A380 service to fly over people’s homes in the middle of the night.

“The Greens won’t stop fighting to ultimately secure a flight cap and curfew that would deliver long-term relief for Brisbane residents.”

Responding to Labor’s reheated Stage 3 tax cuts announcements, the Greens – who have opposed the Stage 3 tax cuts package since their inception – have said Labor has failed to deliver fairness for low and middle income earners and that the Greens would fight for further changes to the package. 

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“In a housing and cost of living crisis, Labor’s offering people on middle incomes an extra $15 a week while giving $4,500 a year to politicians and billionaires. Is that really the best Labor can do in a housing, rental and cost of living crisis?

“Labor’s giving the very wealthy three times as much as the average wage earner. 

“The Greens have kept up the pressure on Labor’s unfair original tax plan from day one, and as this legislation works its way through Parliament, the Greens will fight for more for low and middle income earners who are struggling under Labor’s housing and rental crisis.

“Why is Labor expecting people to be happy with an additional $15 a week, when rents have gone up by about $100 a week under Labor’s housing and rental crisis and mortgages almost $200 a week?

“Labor claims there’s only $15 a week extra for middle Australia, no money to raise the rate of Centrelink and no money to get dental and mental health into Medicare, while forging ahead with a $4500 tax cut for every billionaire and politician.”

Today we announce the appointment of Mr James Baxter as Australia’s next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

The WTO is an international forum where 164 Members determine global trade rules and agreements, as well as resolve trade disputes when they arise.

Australia plays a leadership role in the WTO and is working to update the rules and reinvigorate the negotiating function to better respond to contemporary challenges in global trade.

We are working with other Members to deliver a substantive reform package at the upcoming 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13).

Mr Baxter is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently First Assistant Secretary, Office of Global Trade Negotiations. He has previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva and in Belgium and Japan.

We thank outgoing Ambassador and Permanent Representative George Mina for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in the WTO since 2020.

The Greens say $11 billion in annual federal subsidies to polluting fossil fuel companies should be phased out and the money redirected to accelerating a community-led transition to renewable energy.

With yesterday’s news that Rio Tinto’s deal to purchase all energy produced by the Upper Calliope Solar Farm would only deliver one quarter of the wind and solar energy it needs to power its Gladstone alumina and aluminum operations, it’s clear that the federal government needs to urgently ramp up investments in renewable energy.

The Greens support calls from industry, business, unions and climate and energy organisations for renewable energy and electrification investment of at least $100 billion.

Gladstone-based Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“With Cyclone Kirrily bearing down on the Queensland coast it’s another harsh reminder of the cost of our coal and gas obsession and the urgent need to transition to an economy powered by clean, cheap renewable energy.

“Australia can become a renewable superpower, but if we don’t act soon to transition our industries away from dirty fossil fuels, we risk getting left behind as the rest of the world moves on.

“The Inflation Reduction Act in the US shows what’s possible when a country seeks to let loose investment in clean energy. But Labor continues to back more gas – a dirty, polluting industry of the past that is fuelling the climate crisis and will leave workers stranded.

“We can’t leave climate action up to the same unchecked market forces that have caused the climate crisis in the first place. That’s why the energy transition needs to be driven by public investment, community- and government-led, with full, transparent and timely engagement, including the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners, and protections for workers.

“The people of my home of Gladstone know all too well what happens when we let massive corporations drive decision-making. My community still bears the scars of multiple boom and bust cycles.

“They don’t want to trade one set of profiteering corporations and billionaires for another, and they don’t want their jobs, their homes and their health to be afterthoughts.”

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer commencing on July 1.

These new tax cuts are designed to provide bigger tax cuts for middle Australia to help with cost-of-living, while making our tax system fairer.

The Albanese Government recognises the economic realities of 2024: Australians are under pressure right now and deserve a tax cut.

Labor’s tax cuts will make a real difference for 13.6 million Australians, ensuring that hard working Australians are keeping more of the wages they earn.

Building on the first budget surplus delivered in 15 years, Labor’s tax cuts deliver more relief to more people in a way that is fiscally responsible and doesn’t add to inflationary pressures. 

Scott Morrison’s tax plan was designed five years ago, before the pandemic, before the global inflation spike, before interest rate rises and greater global uncertainty. It doesn’t do enough to help those who’ve been put under the most pressure by these changing circumstances.

We have found a more responsible way to ensure more people get a bigger tax cut to help ease the pressure they are under.

The Albanese Government’s tax cuts will deliver a bigger benefit for more Australians.

Our plan means every Australian taxpayer will receive a tax cut this year.

Our tax cuts are good for middle Australia, good for women, good for helping with cost-of-living pressures, good for labour supply and good for the economy.

From 1 July 2024, the Albanese Labor Government will:

• Reduce the 19 per cent tax rate to 16 per cent (for incomes between $18,200 and $45,000).
• Reduce the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent (for incomes between $45,000 and the new $135,000 threshold).
• Increase the threshold at which the 37 per cent tax rate applies from $120,000 to $135,000.
• Increase the threshold at which the 45 per cent tax rate applies from $180,000 to $190,000.

As a result of these changes, on July 1:

• All 13.6 million taxpayers will receive a tax cut – and 2.9 million more taxpayers will receive a tax cut compared to Morrison’s plan.
• 11.5 million taxpayers (84 per cent of taxpayers) will now receive a bigger tax cut compared to Morrison’s plan.
• 5.8 million women (90 per cent of women taxpayers) will now receive a bigger tax cut compared to Morrison’s plan.
• A person on an average income of around $73,000 will get a tax cut of $1,504 – that’s $804 more than they were going to receive under Morrison’s plan.
• A person earning $40,000 will get a tax cut of $654 – compared to nothing under Morrison’s plan.
• A person earning $100,000 will get a tax cut of $2,179 – $804 more than they would receive under Morrison’s plan.
• A person earning $200,000 will still get a tax cut, which will be $4,529.

In addition, the Government will increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for 2023-24.

This will benefit more than a million Australians, ensuring people on lower incomes continue to pay a reduced levy rate or are exempt from the Medicare levy.

Labor’s tax cuts will return bracket creep, increase the rewards for Australians who choose to work and earn more, boost labour supply and deliver a fairer share of tax relief to women.

Cutting taxes for middle Australia is a central part of our economic plan – along with getting wages moving again, bringing inflation under control and driving fairer prices for Australian consumers.

Our tax cuts come on top of the billions of dollars in targeted and responsible cost-of-living relief that’s being rolled out, including:

• Energy bill relief;
• Cheaper medicines;
• Cheaper child care;
• Strengthening Medicare;
• Higher income support payments; and
• The biggest boost to Rent Assistance in 30 years.

The Albanese Government is providing meaningful cost-of-living relief in a responsible way that doesn’t add to inflationary pressures, while laying the foundations for a stronger and more resilient economy.

The changes to the personal income tax system will have a net cost of $1.3 billion over the forward estimates. The total impact of these tax cuts is expected to be $107 billion over the forward estimates.

The increase to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds is expected to cost $640 million over four years from 2023-24. This was accounted for in the 2023-24 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

To find out how much the Government’s tax cuts will benefit you, use the calculator on the Treasury website: Tax cut calculator

Further details on these changes can be found at:

• Tax cuts to help with the cost of living
• Tax cuts to help Australians with the cost of living

New personal tax rates and thresholds for 2024-25

Current tax rates
0 –18,200	Tax free
18,201 – 45,000	19
45,001 – 120,000	32.5
120,001 – 180,000	37
>180,001	45

New tax rates from 2024–25
0 –18,200	Tax free
18,201 – 45,000	16
45,001 – 135,000	30
135,001 – 190,000	37
>190,001	45

The Albanese Government will direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate pricing and competition in the supermarket sector to ensure Australians are paying a fair price for their groceries.

We understand that Australians are under the pump and the cost of groceries is among the biggest concern for many.

This 12-month ACCC inquiry – the first of its kind since 2008 – will investigate the competitiveness of retail prices and allegations of price gouging in the supermarket sector.

The monitoring announced today is an important part of the Government’s broader efforts to boost competition and put downward pressure on the price of essentials for Australians, including a review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct and the Competition Review’s focus on cost-of-living initiatives.

Matters to be considered by the ACCC will include, but will not be limited to:

• The current structure of the supermarket industry at the supply, wholesale and retail levels;
• Competition in the industry and how it has changed since 2008, including the growth of online shopping;
• The competitiveness of small and independent retailers, including regional and remote areas;
• The pricing practices of supermarkets;
• Factors influencing prices along the supply chain, including the difference between farmgate and supermarket prices;
• Any impediments to competitive pricing along the supply chain; and
• Other factors impacting competition, including loyalty programs and third-party discounts.

The ACCC will produce an interim report in 2024 and final report in early 2025 which will provide the Government with findings and recommendations. The Government is working with the ACCC to finalise the direction, which will be issued in coming days.

In addition, the Government will deliver $1.1 million to respected consumer group CHOICE to provide price transparency and comparison reports on a quarterly basis for three years.

Starting from the second quarter of 2024, CHOICE will provide shoppers with better information on the comparative costs of grocery goods at different retailers, highlighting those charging the most and the least.

The provision of this information will empower Australian consumers to make informed choices about food and grocery purchases. 

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“When farmers are selling their product for less, supermarkets should charge Australians less.”

“That’s why the ACCC will use its significant powers to probe the difference between the price paid at the farm gate, and the prices people pay at the check-out.”

“My Government is prepared to take action to make sure that Australians are not paying one dollar more than they should for the things they need.”

Treasurer, Jim Chalmers said:

“Australians are under cost-of-living pressure, and we know that a lot of that pressure is piled on at the cash register.

“This is about making our supermarkets as competitive as they can be so Australians get the best prices possible.

“We want a fair go for families and a fair go for farmers.”

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh said:

“Competition is the consumer’s friend. Economics teaches us that monopolies tend to overcharge and underdeliver.

“Australia’s grocery sector is more concentrated than in other countries. The Government has appointed respected policy economist Dr Craig Emerson to review the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to look at whether the Code is effective in improving the conduct of supermarkets towards their suppliers.

“An ACCC inquiry and regular CHOICE reporting will complement this by making sure supermarkets are charging fair prices and by helping shoppers to save money.”

Today we announce the appointment of Mr James Baxter as Australia’s next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

The WTO is an international forum where 164 Members determine global trade rules and agreements, as well as resolve trade disputes when they arise.

Australia plays a leadership role in the WTO and is working to update the rules and reinvigorate the negotiating function to better respond to contemporary challenges in global trade.

We are working with other Members to deliver a substantive reform package at the upcoming 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13).

Mr Baxter is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently First Assistant Secretary, Office of Global Trade Negotiations. He has previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva and in Belgium and Japan.

We thank outgoing Ambassador and Permanent Representative George Mina for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in the WTO since 2020.

With insurance premiums on the rise as communities across Australia experience increases in property crime, One Nation will demand that insurance is exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said in the long term it would be in the interests of Australian taxpayers to exempt insurance from GST.

“With premiums rising along with so many other costs of living and doing business, Australian households are going to take a long hard look at their insurance premiums, and some are going to decide they can no longer afford it,” Senator Hanson said.

“That potentially creates a big problem for Australian governments, especially in the event of a large-scale natural disaster, because ultimately taxpayers could be footing the bill for rebuilding.

“So I think we should be doing all we can to keep insurance costs low, so more Australians are protected. “Making insurance exempt from GST makes sense. Insurance is only a ‘service’ when a claim is made against a policy. This would save Australians a lot of money and hopefully encourage more people to get cover.”

Senator Hanson said One Nation, if it gained the balance of power at this year’s Queensland state election – would also exempt insurance from state government stamp duty.

“It’s obscene that with insurance premiums rising sharply on the back of escalating crime in regional Queensland, the state government – hopeless in addressing out-of-control crime—is receiving more direct revenue through stamp duty and more indirect revenue through GST.”