Category: Australian News

Australia will provide an additional $21.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the Middle East, including in response to the urgent and ongoing humanitarian needs resulting from the Hamas-Israel conflict.

This funding will be directed to conflict affected populations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to address the ongoing regional refugee crisis, with a focus on women and children.

As part of this package, Australia will provide –

• $4 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to continue delivering urgent and emergency services and supplies.
• $6 million through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), to provide urgent lifesaving assistance including food, shelter and emergency health care.
• $11.5 million to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan, at this time of increasing regional instability.

This package reinforces Australia’s longstanding commitment to the region and builds on Australia’s total humanitarian commitment since the Hamas terror attacks on 7 October to more than $46 million.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“Australia is gravely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

“Australia continues to call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations, and further humanitarian pauses to enable the scaled-up delivery of aid, safe passage for civilians and the release of hostages.”

“We are working with our international partners to ensure desperately needed food and other humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most.”

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

“International humanitarian law must be adhered to and there must be safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations.”

“Australia’s additional support prioritises the immediate needs of women and children, as well as distributing essential supplies and services.”

The Albanese and Minns Governments are delivering long-term cost-of-living savings to over 30,000 NSW households, with a $206 million package for energy saving upgrades in social housing properties and access to solar for low-income renters and apartment residents.  

Some social housing properties are among the least energy-efficient homes in the country, often lacking basic insulation and modern appliances. 

Upgrading an average house from a 1-star rating to a 3-star rating can reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent and decrease power bills.

That’s why the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments are providing matched funding of $87.5 million ($175 million total over four years) to help reduce energy bills for tenants and keep their homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Over 24,000 homes will be eligible for upgrades including heat pump hot water systems, ceiling fans, reverse-cycle air conditioners, solar systems, insulation and draught proofing.

The social housing properties will be a mix of NSW Government-owned and managed homes, along with those overseen by community housing providers.

Priority will be given to the least energy-efficient properties – often older homes built prior to minimum construction standards – along with locations that experience extreme heat and cold.
The Commonwealth Government is also investing $30 million to make sure low-income households and apartment residents can reap the saving of renewables by helping to fund rooftop solar installations on apartments, or accessing a portion of a ‘solar garden’ community energy plot.

• The ‘Solar Banks’ initiative will deliver rebates of up to 50 per cent of rooftop solar installation costs for multi-unit dwellings.
• Low-income households, apartment residents and renters who can’t install or afford onsite rooftop solar will be eligible for a subsidy to purchase an offsite ‘solar garden’ portion of a large scale solar farm under the deal.

More than 10,000 households will be able to access the Solar Banks program, which could save households up to $600 a year.  

A further $1 million will be invested in community renewable energy projects on the Far South Coast, delivering on the Australian Government’s election commitment. The funding will go to local clean energy projects which will create local jobs, deliver cleaner, cheaper energy to local communities.

These initiatives come as joint Commonwealth-NSW energy bill rebates continue to flow.

Up to 1.6 million eligible households are being supported with $500 to help pay their electricity bills.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Saving energy means saving money, which is why we’re continuing to deliver cost of living relief for families that need it most without adding to inflation.

“This $206 million package will mean 30,000 households across New South Wales will be able to access upgrades that will make their homes more energy efficient.

“We want all Australians to have access to cleaner, cheaper energy. Renewable energy for social housing helps power bills and is good for the environment.”

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Our number one priority is helping people across NSW with the cost of living, and helping with power bills is a key pillar of that.

“We are investing to save people money while also getting NSW’s energy transition back on track.

“We are proud to partner with the Albanese Government to deliver cheaper, cleaner energy to some of the least energy efficient houses in the country.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said:

“Critical energy upgrades in social housing properties and strong solar energy incentives for apartment block residents across NSW will deliver cleaner, cheaper energy to more Australians.

“The Albanese Government is helping those who can’t currently access energy upgrades and solar power reap the rewards of the clean energy transformation.

“Today’s announcement comes on top of our Energy Price Relief Plan, which is supporting 1.6 million eligible NSW households with $500 off their bills.”

NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“By partnering with the Commonwealth, we will be able to roll out a series of vital upgrades and initiatives that will deliver bill savings for low-income earners, make homes more comfortable to live in and reduce carbon emissions.”

“The Minns Government is investing in social housing through long overdue energy efficiency upgrades to improve equity in the energy transition.

“The Solar Banks program will support over 10,000 apartment dwellers and renters who have traditionally been locked out of owning solar.”

The Albanese Government has appointed Dr Craig Emerson to lead the 2023-24 review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (the Code) to ensure that the supermarket sector is working as it should.

The Food and Grocery code is prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and Metcash are signatories to the Code and are bound by it.

The Code was introduced to improve standards of business behaviour in the food and grocery sector.

The Code regulates the conduct of these retailers and wholesalers towards suppliers.

Dr Emerson was the Federal Minister for Small Business from 2007-2010 and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs from 2009-2010. He was Minister for Trade from 2010-2013. He is a former Queensland Government Director-General and Senior Economic Adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Today, the Government has also released the Review of the dispute resolution provisions (Part 5) of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct and the Government’s response to the review.

The Government supports all of the recommendations in the Review to amend the
Code to:

• Enable Code Arbiters to mediate and allow suppliers to contact and seek preliminary information from Code Arbiters without making a formal complaint, and
• Enhance the Independent Reviewer’s role in overseeing the conduct and complaint handling practices of the Code Arbiters.

The recommendations will be implemented as part of a broader package of reforms to the Code following the conclusion of the 2023-24 review of the remaining provisions of the Code.

You can have your say on the 2023-24 review and become involved in the public consultation process by visiting the Treasury website.

The Review of the dispute resolution provisions (Part 5) of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct can be found on the Treasury website along with the Government’s response to the Review.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“We are tackling cost of living and ensuring Australian families have an economy that works for them.

“We have been clear – if the price for meat and fruit and vegetables is going down at the farm gate then families should be seeing cheaper prices on supermarket shelves too.

“Supermarkets have a duty to make sure they’re providing affordable options for all Australians, especially when they’re making savings on their own costs.

“We’ve made looking after consumers a key priority over the past 18 months and we’ll keep looking at every option to make sure Australians aren’t paying more than they should or getting less than they deserve.

“If there are further steps that are needed then the Government will not hesitate to take action.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said:

“We expect all companies to treat Australian consumers fairly including in the food and grocery sector.

“As a Government we’re taking a fresh look at the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to make sure the sector is giving consumers and suppliers a fair deal.

“When the price of meat and fruit and veggies comes down for supermarkets, it should come down for families as well – it’s a big chance for the big supermarkets to do the right thing.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said:

“We’ve been making clear for many months now that retailers should start dropping their prices to reflect the reduction in prices farmers are getting for their produce.

“Farmers deserve a fair price for their hard work and the some of the prices supermarkets are charging just don’t pass the pub test.

“While the Government is getting on with taking action on the cost of groceries, the ball is in the court of the big retailers.

“They don’t have to wait until this review is finalised to drop their prices, they can do that right now to help Australian families doing it tough.”

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

“Craig Emerson is one of Australia’s top policy economists, and will bring his wisdom and compassion to this vital economic reform. Dr Emerson’s work will form an important part of the wider review of policy settings that’s being led by the Competition Taskforce. 

“In the 1990s, the Keating Government’s competition reforms raised household incomes by $5000. History shows competition reforms can change lives for the better.

“Capitalism depends on competition. Monopolies gouge consumers and workers, and undermine fairness. Competition means better prices and more choice for Australian families.”

Over a year since Labor’s High Speed Rail Authority Bill passed Parliament, Minister Catherine King has finally announced the appointment of CEO Timothy Parker.

Questioning in Senate Estimates last year revealed little progress from the Authority, with a corporate plan and the recruitment of their CEO being their focus of the last year – drawing comparisons to satirical television show ‘Utopia’.

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

‘It’s pretty insulting to Australians that the much anticipated High Speed Rail Authority has taken over a year to even appoint a CEO.

‘Corporate plans don’t put train tracks in the ground. Australians have waited long enough for High Speed Rail, it’s time to get it on track. 

‘In 2014, independent think tank Beyond Zero Emissions showed that Australia could deliver a complete east coast high speed rail network within 10 years of project commencement, but currently Labor is not even on track to complete this project by the 2060s.

‘Minister King has explicitly said they will be looking at private sector financing, something that is only necessary  because her government has grossly underfunded the project. 

‘Sourcing private sector funding will no doubt delay the project even further, and ensure private sector profits are prioritised over service delivery for the public.’

The United States announced today that Australia is supporting the US and UK in attacks in Yemen, reportedly targeting several cities in Yemen, including the port city of Hudaydah and the capital Sana’a.

These strikes follow an attempted blockade in the Red Sea from the Yemen-based Houthi movement, which was said to be in response to the State of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. 

The Albanese Government late last year announced it would support the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, in the Red Sea and would send additional personnel to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said these personnel were involved in supporting the attacks. 

The attacks from the US and UK, supported by Australia, follow a devastating decade-long conflict in Yemen that has killed at least 370,000 people with 60% of the deaths being due to lack of healthcare and food, and 70% being children under the age of five according to the UN. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence, said: 

“The Biden and Albanese administrations repeatedly say they want to avoid the conflict in Gaza spreading in the region, then they do this. The hypocrisy is astounding and damaging to both nations’ credibility.

“Supporting the bombing of one of the only ports in a country that desperately needs to receive medicine, food and supplies is horrific. In the context of Yemen, it is an effective death sentence for thousands of people.

“If you want any clearer proof that the Australian Government has given up any pretence at independence, look at the fact that it was the President of the US, not the Australian Prime Minister, who announced that Australia is involved in bombing another country. 

“An immediate, just and enduring ceasefire in Palestine is the only way to stop the bloodshed.”

Senator Jordon Steele-John Greens Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, said: 

“Today Australia joined in yet another American-led conflict without the support of the Australian community or their parliament.” 

“This is a dangerous escalation in a conflict that our government has spent the last month saying they were trying to avoid.” 

“This military operation is a dangerous contribution to a humanitarian disaster in Yemen that has seen hundreds of thousands of people killed through conflict, starvation and epidemics.” 

“The Australian government has supplied little aid to Yemen in the last decade but had no reservations about getting involved in a military strike that will make a catastrophic humanitarian disaster even worse.”

“Australia must play a constructive role in the global community and that means implementing a parliamentary vote for the deployment of ADF personnel, an end to the AUKUS agreement and to pursue an independent and peaceful foreign policy.”

Today I announce the recipients of the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) grants for 2023-24.

The AJF advances Australia’s foreign and trade policy interests with Japan by supporting partnerships in areas of shared interest and increasing Australian engagement with Japan.

The 21 recipients in 2023-24 include:

• An inaugural 1.5-Track Trilateral Dialogue between representatives of Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea hosted by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The dialogue will provide a new forum to enhance coordination, strengthen ties and support shared strategic objectives. This will be co-funded by the Australia-Korea Foundation.
• A new partnership between Australian Blind Football and the Japan Blind Football Association to support cooperation and international matches in women’s blind football, men’s blind football and partially sighted futsal.
• Support for The Shepherd Centre to share Australian expertise and build Japanese capability in listening and spoken language early intervention for children with hearing loss in Japan.
• In celebration of 40 years of cooperation, support for Meals on Wheels South Australia and Meals on Wheels Japan to develop innovative responses to the challenges of ageing populations, poor nutrition, food insecurity of children and seniors, and social isolation.

A full list of successful grant recipients is available on the AJF website.

Today I announce the recipients of the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) grants for 2023-24.

AKF grants strengthen collaboration between Australia and the Republic of Korea by advancing our shared political, economic, and social interests.

The 26 recipients in 2023-24 include:

• An initiative led by Monash University to deepen the joint response in gender equality and the prevention of violence against women by promoting discussions, enhancing institutional links and creating evidence-based outcomes.
• An inaugural 1.5-Track Trilateral Dialogue between representatives of Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea hosted by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The dialogue will provide a new forum to enhance coordination, strengthen ties and support shared strategic objectives. This will be co-funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation.
• Sport Inclusion Australia’s inclusive cultural exchange for athletes to share Australia’s expertise and Korea’s strengths and knowledge in sport, including coaching, sport science, and inclusive para sport pathways.
• Support for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to tour stand-up comedy performances in Busan and Seoul.

A full list of successful grant recipients is available on the AKF website.

Recognising the broad consensus as expressed by 44 countries around the world on December 19, 2023, as well as the statement by the UN Security Council on December 1, 2023, condemning Houthi attacks against merchant and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, our governments issued a joint statement on January 3, 2024, which called for the immediate end of illegal attacks and warned that malign actors would be held accountable should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways. Despite this strong warning, attacks in the Red Sea have continued, including the launch of numerous missiles and one-way attack aerial vehicles against ships in the Red Sea on January 9, 2024, including U.S. and UK vessels. On January 10, 2024, the UN Security Council passed UNSCR 2722, which also condemned these attacks and demanded that they cease.

In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

The Houthis’ more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Today’s action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks.

Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear:

We will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.

The Labor Government’s review of the Grocery Code of Conduct must examine all options – including divestiture powers – to tackle the supermarket duopoly’s power, the Greens say.

“The announcement of this review is a testament to the persistent advocacy by the Greens and the Senate inquiry we are leading into supermarket price gouging,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This is a step in the right direction, but it is in no way a substitute for the Greens led Senate inquiry which has powers to compel evidence and testimony which will see Coles and Woolworths CEOs held to account publicly.“

“It is crucial that Labor’s review does not shy away from considering robust measures like divestiture powers.”

“Such powers are vital to dismantle monopolistic practices and ensure fair pricing for consumers.”

“Unlike Labor’s attempt to catch up, the Greens’ inquiry will force supermarket CEOs to appear before the Senate and try to justify their obscene profits.”