Australia starts missile production

Australia will start manufacturing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles this month after the opening of a new factory in Port Wakefield, South Australia.

As part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign guided weapons industry and a future made in Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Defence will commence production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at the facility by the end of 2025.

The project will create around 20 new manufacturing jobs on-site and support hundreds more across the supply chain, driven by the Albanese Government’s investment.

The GMLRS missile is a precision strike weapon launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) recently acquired under the Australian Army’s long-range fires project.

The announcement today also marks a significant milestone in Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise plan, meeting the production schedule outlined by the government last year. The factory – designed and built by Intract Australia, an Indigenous-owned and -operated company – was completed in just under seven months.

The Port Wakefield factory will be only the second facility in the world to produce GMLRS outside Lockheed Martin’s facility in Camden, Arkansas. This achievement deepens Australia–United States defence ties and opens significant export opportunities.

The first cohort of Australian workers has successfully completed training at the Camden facility, accelerating knowledge transfer and strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

This project forms part of the Albanese Government’s investment of up to $21 billion over the decade to acquire more long-range strike systems and manufacture longer-range munitions in Australia.

Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Starting missile production in Australia this year is a major step in building the industrial strength our nation needs. It’s about creating advanced manufacturing capability that will serve Australia for decades to come.

“This factory is part of a bigger picture – growing a high-tech industry that supports skilled jobs, drives innovation and strengthens Australia’s economy. It’s a clear example of what a future made in Australia looks like.

“Producing these missiles in Australia demonstrates both the strength of our alliance with the United States and the capability of Australian industry.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“The opening of this factory delivers on the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign missile manufacturing industry. It’s about jobs for locals and a future made in Australia.

“This is a significant milestone and a proud moment for Australia. This will make us more self-reliant and strengthen our national security.

“It reaffirms our defence partnership with the United States, including our growing collaboration on guided weapons and explosive ordnance, and will equip our ADF with long-range strike capability that will help keep Australians safe.”

Mr Patrick Mason, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DE&C):

“The opening of this GMLRS manufacturing facility in Port Wakefield represents a transformative milestone in U.S.-Australia defence cooperation. 

This partnership not only strengthens our shared commitment to regional security but also demonstrates the power of allied innovation in building resilient defence supply chains. 

Our nations’ goal to collaborate on guided weapons manufacturing exemplifies the deep trust and interoperability that defines our alliance, while potentially creating new opportunities for both countries to support partners across the Indo-Pacific region.”

World-first Afghanistan autonomous sanctions framework and sanctions on Taliban ‘ministers’

The Albanese Government has established an autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, as part of our ongoing efforts to hold the Taliban to account.

The new framework enables Australia to directly impose its own sanctions and travel bans to increase pressure on the Taliban, targeting the oppression of the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, as well as actions that undermine the rule of law and good governance in Afghanistan.

It builds on the 140 individuals and entities Australia currently sanctions under the United Nations Security Council’s Taliban framework.

The new framework also introduces an arms embargo, prohibiting Australians from supplying arms or related materials, and any related services or activities to Afghanistan.

In effect today, the Government has also announced its first listings under the new framework.

We have imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on three so-called Taliban ‘ministers’ and the so-called Taliban ‘Chief Justice’ for their involvement in the oppression of women and girls and in undermining good governance or the rule of law. This includes restricting access to education, employment, freedom of movement and the ability to participate in public life.

The Australian Government remains deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban continues to demonstrate contempt for the rights, freedoms and welfare of the Afghan people, particularly women and girls.

Our thoughts are with those suffering under the Taliban’s oppression, as well as the Afghan community in Australia.

Since the fall of Kabul, the Australian Government has provided over $260 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, with a strong focus on women and girls. A further $50 million is allocated for 2025/26. We have issued a humanitarian permit under the framework.

Australia is the first country to establish an autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, strengthening our approach to the worsening situation. It adds to those we have in place for countries such as Iran, Russia and the DPRK.

Further information on the Afghanistan sanctions framework is available on the Department’s website: Legislation and Sanctions Frameworks.

Greens slam public purchase of gas as Labor risks locking in decades of new climate bombs

Amid reports that Labor is considering using public money to keep Australian businesses dependent on gas, the Greens have warned they will not support any Labor response to the broken gas market that incentivises new gas mines.

The Greens warn that the government’s current approach risks massive new gas subsidies, failing to tackle the problem of excessive, untaxed exports.

The Greens are reiterating calls for an immediate 25 per cent tax on all LNG exports, a measure proposed by the ACTU and backed by experts.

This tax would replace the deeply flawed Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT), which has failed to collect meaningful revenue from LNG exporters due to massive loopholes. The tax would also prioritise domestic gas supply without incentivising new fossil fuel projects.

Labor’s approach risks locking in decades of catastrophic emissions from climate bombs like Beetaloo and Narrabri, undermining our international climate commitments.

the Australian Greens spokesperson for resources Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“These reports are genuinely alarming. Labor must not use public money that should be going towards schools and hospitals to buy discounted gas for polluters. 

“If they move to cement the power of gas corporations, the ones pillaging our resources and tripling household prices, we will face this problem over and over again.

“Labor is actively pushing the industry’s faulty premise that new supply is needed when the reality is that we’ve already got enough gas to get us through the transition.

“Gas corporations are gouging Australian households and tripling bills, while escaping without paying their fair share. An export levy will help right this wrong and deliver cost-of-living relief that families desperately need.

“When Labor pursues new gas incentives, they are walking hand-in-hand with the Coalition and industry lobbyists.

“Labor needs to scrap the broken PRRT and properly tax exports, not continue padding the balance sheets of gas giants who have had a free ride for too long.

“The 25% on gas exports is the best solution to redirect existing supply to Australians, raise revenue to compensate households, and get us off of gas quickly and fairly.

Greens: Australia Must Withdraw Australia from Eurovision 2026

The Australian Greens are calling on the Albanese Government to back Australia withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to compete despite the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Slovenia, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have already announced boycotts. It’s time Australia showed the same moral courage.

In the face of apartheid and genocide, cultural boycotts have been proven to have power and be a force for justice and change. This history needs to be remembered now and applied to the struggle for a Free Palestine.

Greens Senator and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: 

“Eurovision banned Russia for war crimes but rolls out the red carpet for Israel while Palestinian children are still starving, bombs are still falling and cities lay destroyed. 

“The International Court of Justice is investigating Israel for genocide, we should not be asking Australians to sing alongside a regime that has committed such appalling crimes.

“History shows us that cultural boycotts work. Artists and athletes refusing to perform in apartheid South Africa helped bring down that brutal regime. 

“It’s a simple fact that our participation in Eurovision 2026 legitimises Israel’s atrocities.

“Politically compromised voting in Eurovision 2025 almost delivered an Israeli victory at the song contest, will we really sit meekly by and watch that happen again?” Senator Shoebridge said

Redeveloped Grafton Rowing Boatshed set to boost sport and community life on the Clarence River

The historic Grafton Rowing Club Boatshed is once again a sparkling centrepiece on the banks of the Clarence River with the restoration of the 143-year-old building officially open as part of the city’s annual regatta.

Grafton Rowing Club was awarded $3.76 million from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, which is jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Government through the Disaster Recovery Fund Arrangements. A co-contribution was also provided from the Grafton Rowing Club for the restoration.

The redevelopment features a covered public viewing deck with an adjoining café and function room, complete with kitchenette and bathroom facilities.

The café and deck complement the new waterfront footpath and adjoining Memorial Park, creating a vibrant and welcoming space for the community.

The stunning river views can be captured from the multi-purpose function room, while upgrades to the lower-level Rowers Boathouse and new flood-mitigation measures enhance both functionality and resilience.

The new upper-level facilities have been designed outside the 1-in-100-year flood zone, ensuring long-term flood protection and usability.

Other resilience works include the levelling of floors to allow easier cleaning after a flood and installation of a new flexible boat racking system which allow boats to be stored during moderate flood events.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:

“This restored boatshed shows how disaster recovery funding can help protect local heritage while giving the community a stronger, more resilient space to come together on the Clarence River.

“By pairing modern floor mitigation measures with new community facilities, this project supports Grafton’s recovery in a way that keeps people safe while enhancing daily life along the waterfront.

“Investments like this ensure that recovery delivers long term benefits, with infrastructure that preserves local history, boosts recreation and stands up to future natural disasters.”

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:

“Grafton Rowing Club, established in 1882, has a proud history and continues to play an integral role within the Grafton community.

“The redevelopment of the historic Boatshed has delivered modern rowing facilities, a covered public viewing deck, café and multi-purpose function room, all offering exceptional views of the Clarence River.

“These enhancements support rowing and other sporting events while providing a versatile community space for gatherings, meetings and celebrations.

“The restoration reinforces the club’s ongoing commitment to the community and ensures this historic site remains a vibrant social and sporting landmark for generations to come.”

Minister for NSW North Coast Janelle Saffin:

“We are building back better where we can to help create more resilient communities.

“Facilities like this Boatshed are critical for bringing communities together and creating recreational opportunities. It’s great to see it restored better than ever.”

Rowing Australia Sport Development Manager Ron Batt:

“Rowing Australia is fully committed to fostering and enhancing the sport of rowing across the nation and we believe that the new Boatshed will not only benefit the Grafton Rowing Club, but also the broader rowing community in Australia.

“Rowing Australia fully support the concept of the Grafton Rowing Club becoming a regional rowing centre of excellence, a place where athletes from all background can thrive and achieve their full potential in rowing”.

Grafton Rowing Club President Michael Collins:

“Grafton Rowing Club is very grateful to the Australian and NSW Governments for supporting this incredible initiative.

“We are proud to partner with the government in supporting the Grafton community, building resilience and positive engagement in response to our recent natural disasters.

“The club is proud of its rowing heritage and continues to enhance the sport of rowing for both beginners and the elite, of all ages and with any experience. We offer weekly school sport rowing, learn-to-row programs, social rowing and full-scale competitive rowing.

“We are thrilled to open our new facility, to support and enrich the locals and visitors alike, as well as broadening the opportunities of all rowing enthusiasts in the area”.

Central West homeowners urged to return recovery into resilience as program nears close

Flood-affected homeowners across the Central West are encouraged to apply for the Resilient Homes Program before 31 March 2026, in time for the full closure by end of June 2027.

This is the last opportunity for eligible residents to access support that can help them rebuild stronger and better protect their homes against future floods.

Eligible homeowners may receive up to $100,000 to raise, rebuild or relocate homes or up to $50,000 to retrofit properties using flood-resilient materials. An additional $20,000 may be available to help cover upfront planning and consultant costs.

Since the Program launched in late 2024, more than 300 homeowners across Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan, Parkes and Euabalong have applied for assistance. To date, 243 tailored home assessments have been completed, 11 voluntary buyback offers have been issued in the highest-risk areas, and a number of homeowners have received reimbursement for resilient works already undertaken.

Dedicated support is available through the Resilient Homes Program’s Customer Engagement Team, which can assist with eligibility advice, grant applications, next steps following assessment reports received and guidance on planning and construction. Homeowners can also speak directly with staff, experts and builders at upcoming expos, information sessions and community pop-ups or via phone on 1800 844 085.

Residents can also visit the program office at 45 Broad Street, Eugowra on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The Resilient Homes Program is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments as part of the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.

More information on how to apply can be found via https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/resilient-homes-program

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“This community has been through so much and I understand just how long the road back has felt for so many families.

“This Program has already helped hundreds strengthen their homes and reduce the impact of future floods.

“As we enter this final application stage, I want to make sure every remaining eligible homeowner has the chance to access the support they need to move forward with confidence.

“This is about giving people choices and helping families protect what matters most. If you haven’t applied yet, please reach out, we are here to help.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP said:

“The Resilient Homes Program has been a vitally important component in the government’s suite of recovery and resilience measures, following the devastating 2022 Central West Flood event.

“This program is now reaching maturity, with flood-impacted residents starting to receive the funded resilience measures.

“For those flood-impacted home owners who have not yet made an application for support measures offered through the Resilient Homes Program, I would urge them to do so before the deadline on  31st March 2026.

“I want to acknowledge the NSW Government and the NSW Reconstruction Authority for their support in the ongoing recovery of our flood impacted communities.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority Director, Central West, Orana and Far West Ken Harrison said:

“We know this has been a long and often difficult journey for many people. Our priority is making sure homeowners have the information and support they need to complete their applications and, where eligible, begin works or settlement.

“The sooner people check in with us, the sooner we can help them move forward.”

Minns Labor Government welcomes OpenAI’s investment to NSW

The State’s reputation as a global tech hub was confirmed today with the announcement from OpenAI that NSW will be home to the Asia Pacific’s first OpenAI for Countries initiative with a $7 billion data centre in Sydney.

The Minns Labor Government is working hard to cement NSW as the nation’s capital for innovation and the state’s status as a globally attractive investment destination. NSW is already a leader in data centres and technology infrastructure and the state is going from strength to strength.

Data centres are critical infrastructure to support NSW’s booming digital economy so the Minns Labor Government welcomes the proposal from OpenAI and data centre provider NEXTDC to establish the $7 billion data centre facility in Eastern Creek.

This announcement comes only days after OpenAI officially opened their first Australian office in Sydney.

NSW is also one of the top jurisdictions in the world for number of data centres with over 90 already in operation and another 20 under assessment.

These opportunities for supporting innovative businesses through skills development, local innovation and AI adoption are key examples of the NSW Industry Policy, NSW Innovation Blueprint and NSW Trade and Investment Strategy in action.

Together, these developments deliver on the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting AI infrastructure that is responsible and supports workers across the state.

Crucially, they will provide significant economic opportunities, strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) development pathways and accelerate job growth across key sectors including manufacturing.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Sydney is Australia’s digital capital, backed by world-class talent and strong government investment – and OpenAI’s arrival here takes that even further.

“In the years ahead, thousands of businesses will run smarter, be more competitive and innovative because some of the world’s most advanced tech is calling New South Wales home.

“Big private investments like this today are how we create jobs and grow the economy tomorrow.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Acting Minister for Innovation,Science and Technology, Paul Scully said:

“That OpenAI has chosen NSW as the first base in Asia Pacific cements the state as a global technology player.

“NSW is establishing itself as one of the top jurisdictions in the world for data centres. That’s due to our reputation as a sophisticated tech and financial hub, our drive to increase renewable energy and our skilled workforce which we know attracts these investments and makes them truly sustainable.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“As a government, NSW is leading the way on the responsible use of AI to harness its potential for good.

“Through our updated AI Assessment Framework and the new Office for AI, we are positioning NSW for a brighter future when it comes to the safe and ethical use of technology to improve public services and support our public sector workforce.”

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:

“This announcement is a testament to the ambitious, forward-looking approach the Minns Labor Government is taking to secure international investment in NSW.

“We want to attract major investment to NSW and we want to see innovation, including AI, used to improve productivity across all industries.”

Deadline approaching for Northern Rivers homeowners as Resilient Homes Program enters final phase

The NSW Government is issuing a final call for homeowners to apply for support under the Resilient Homes Program, which offers eligible residents the opportunity to have their homes voluntarily bought back or receive funding to repair and strengthen properties against future flooding.

This final round ensures affected households have access to measures that prioritises safety, recovery and long-term resilience.

Buyback applications will close on 31 December 2025. Applications for grants for resilient repairs will close on 31 March 2026, with the Program in its entirety wrapping up by end of June 2027.

Since the program commenced in 2022, more than 1,300 homeowners have been contacted to progress buybacks, with over 930 offers issued, 844 accepted and 732 homes settled to date. All buyback settlements are expected to be completed by June 2026, with relocations to be finalised by the end of 2026.

The Northern Rivers Resilient Homes is the largest climate adaptation program of its kind in Australia. The program is about removing residents from the highest-risk areas while laying the foundation for future land use planning, ensuring high-risk areas are managed more sustainably and that communities are safer in the face of future floods.

Eligible homeowners may receive:

  • Up to $100,000 to raise, rebuild or relocate their home
  • Up to $50,000 to retrofit their home with flood-resilient materials
  • An additional $20,000 to help cover upfront planning and consultant costs

Eligibility settings, for resilient measures grants, have also recently been updated for key areas of Mullumbimby, Tumbulgum, South Lismore, Woodburn, Coraki, Broadwater, Wardell and Murwillumbah. The removal of the previous floor-level requirement for some homes means more homeowners who were severely impacted in 2022 floods may be eligible for support.

Dedicated support is available through the Resilient Homes Program’s Customer Engagement Team, who can assist with eligibility advice, grant applications, next steps following assessment reports and guidance on planning and construction. Homeowners can also speak directly with staff, experts and builders at upcoming expos, information sessions and community pop-ups or via phone on 1800 844 085.

The Resilient Homes Program is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

More information on how to apply can be found via https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/resilient-homes-program

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“We’ve come a long way since the floods, and we’ve done it together.

“I know these decisions haven’t been easy. People are weighing up not just finances, but memories, connections and the place they call home.

“This final stage of the program is about making sure every family has the support they need to choose what’s best for them.

“Our community deserves the chance to rebuild safely and with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their future will be stronger.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority Acting Head Adaptation, Mitigation and Reconstruction Kristie Clarke said:

“The Resilient Homes Program has already made a real difference for hundreds of households, helping people progress Buybacks, home assessments and resilience works.

“Our priority is ensuring homeowners have the information and support they need to complete their applications and begin works, giving them the best opportunity to protect their homes and families.”

When Common Sense Meets Canberra Fantasy

Today’s Adelaide Advertiser has published a cracking opinion piece by Caleb Bond, laying out something so glaring that only a Labor minister could miss it. Bond’s column spells out a simple economic fact. When governments hike taxes beyond reason, they don’t magically create virtue. They drive ordinary people straight into black markets. High taxes kill economies. High taxes breed corruption. Every economist worth their salt knows it, One Nation has said it for years, and now the evidence is quite literally burning down tobacconists across the country.

Yet, according to Bond’s view, Environment Minister Murray Watt still can’t see the connection. Or worse, refuses to.

Bond recounted an exchange at this week’s Senate Estimates discussing illicit tobacco. One Nation’s Senator Malcolm Roberts asked the minister the most basic economic question imaginable: isn’t the government’s sky-high tobacco tax the reason law-abiding Aussies are pushed toward illegal cigarettes that cost a third of the legal price?

Senator Roberts asked a fair, obvious question. Minister Watt, with a straight face, said “No.”

Not only “No,” but he said “there’s absolutely no evidence” for it.

This, despite the Australian Border Force and industry data showing the illicit tobacco market already accounts for around 50 percent of cigarette sales, with projections hitting 80 percent next year. If that doesn’t scream cause and effect, nothing will.

Our streets are now dotted with dodgy tobacconists. Crime gangs are firebombing shops. Innocent people have been killed. Insurance premiums are exploding for shops and homes near tobacconists. All while Labor insists none of this has anything to do with the punishing taxes they keep piling onto smokers.

Bond put it plainly. The idea that ordinary Australians buying ten or fifteen-dollar illegal smokes instead of fifty-dollar legal packs has nothing to do with tax is so ridiculous that, as he joked, even a seven-year-old wouldn’t fall for it.

Labor’s position isn’t just wrong. It’s silly. It’s wilfully blind. And it’s dangerous.

One Nation is the only party in that room telling the truth. Excessive taxation flips an economy on its head. It drives markets underground. It rewards criminals, punishes honest people and destroys small business. It’s basic economics, and the Adelaide Advertiser has now spelled it out for everyone.

The real question is why the Albanese Government keeps pretending not to understand what the rest of the country can see so clearly.

As Caleb Bond writes, if Minister Watt has an explanation for this explosion in illegal tobacco that doesn’t involve tax, we’d all love to hear it. Because right now, the only thing more dangerous than Australia’s illicit tobacco market is a government too stubborn to admit it created the problem in the first place.

NEWCASTLE INNER CITY BYPASS WORKING TO PROTECT THREATENED PLANT SPECIES

The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is collaborating with several agencies to mitigate impacts to native plant species across the project site, including the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). Transport for NSW, the Hunter Region Landcare Network, Trees in Newcastle and Fulton Hogan have collaborated to collect plant species before impact by the Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Rankin Park to Jesmond project. The conservation efforts included salvage of the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). As part of the salvage of the threatened species, the team carried out the collection of seeds, cuttings and other native plant material to use at their nursery located at Redhead, Lake Macquarie. Plant propagation of various species, including a range of Eucalyptus, is already underway in nurseries managed by Landcare and Trees in Newcastle. Seed has been collected from felled trees that are otherwise difficult to collect due to their height. On top of this work, the project team has also salvaged suitable trees to be reused as bridge timber in the maintenance of Transport’s heritage bridges. In addition, suitable felled timber has been provided to Local Land Services for reuse in river restoration projects and to local Indigenous people to produce cultural weapons and tools to enable the continuation of cultural practices. The historic Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine tree) from the Jesmond roundabout has also been donated to a local guitar making school while appropriate timber will be reused onsite for fauna habitat and rehabilitation during landscaping. Revisions throughout the design process have seen the project corridor moved east from the original design alignment to minimise the impacts to flora, in particular to threatened species. Clearing within the project boundary has been reduced to the greatest extent practicable, resulting in around an eight-hectare reduction in native vegetation clearing against the 44-hectare limit originally approved for the project. Biodiversity offsets have been provided in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects. This includes 3,244 ecosystem credits and 12,690 species credits. This includes offsetting for fringe impacts to the existing bushland. Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend: “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will provide traffic relief for the local community by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road. “A key benefit of this project is Transport for NSW’s commitment to the preservation and restoration of native plant biodiversity, particularly for threatened species like Tetratheca juncea. “By valuing plant rehabilitation, the project ensures the ecological health of the area is maintained, supporting local wildlife, and sustaining the region’s natural environment for future generations.” Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle: “Newcastle expects major projects to proceed while protecting the precious environment that makes our region so special – that’s exactly what this work is doing. We’re delivering critical infrastructure while safeguarding vulnerable species like the Black-eyed Susan.” “This is smart, responsible project delivery. By redesigning the corridor and working with our incredible local Landcare groups, we’re keeping native plants in the landscape and reducing impacts wherever possible.” “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will ease congestion for tens of thousands of motorists, and these environmental protections mean we can do it without sacrificing the natural environment our community values so deeply.”