Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government has pledged $265 million at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-led Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in Geneva to support refugees and to sustain humanitarian assistance in protracted crises.

As the world faces a deepening crisis with more than 114 million people displaced across the globe, Australia is working to take a leading role in international resettlement efforts.

In response to the ongoing displacement crisis, Australia will provide:

• $235 million to support displaced Rohingya and communities in need in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
• $20 million to support people in Afghanistan and those displaced to neighbouring countries.
• $10 million to support people in Sudan and those displaced to neighbouring countries.

At the GRF, Australia reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees, enhancing refugee self-reliance, and expanding access to third country solutions through resettlement and complementary pathway places.

Australia’s Humanitarian Resettlement Program has been increased to 20,000 places, the highest core intake in over a decade, and we are committed to growing skills-based pathways. Australia is also working to support other countries to establish and grow their own resettlement programs.

The Australian Government recently established a Refugee Advisory Panel to Government to ensure those with lived experience can advise Australia’s settlement programs.

Australia’s official delegation to the GRF includes one of its members Mr Danijel Malbasa, an advocate, writer, lawyer, and a former Yugoslav refugee, who co-delivered Australia’s National Statement.

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

“We are seeing the largest displacement crisis unfolding in modern history, with more than 114 million people displaced globally.

“Our humanitarian assistance is part of a broader effort to address the causes of displacement and find durable solutions.

“Through our partners, Australia will deliver vital support to vulnerable people displaced by conflict.”

Qthe Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP said:

“Our pledges aim to ease pressure on host countries and demonstrate our commitment to responsibility sharing, in recognition of the shared global challenge of displacement.

“Through our pledges, Australia is firmly committed to supporting refugees globally and the communities that host them at a time where there are more people forcibly displaced than ever before.

“The Albanese Government is committed to working with others globally to find practical, and sustainable solutions for the increasingly complex situations driving displacement, such as through the adoption of machine-readable refugee travel documents”.

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

“Australia is deeply concerned by the unprecedented number of displaced people around the world.

“We are making an important contribution to the humanitarian response in partnership with other countries and international organisations at the Global Refugee Forum.”

The Australian Government proudly endorses Ms Natasha Stott Despoja AO for re-election to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Ms Stott Despoja was first elected to CEDAW in 2021 and is the first Australian to serve on the Committee in almost 30 years.

CEDAW — a body of 23 independent experts — monitors the progress of UN member states’ efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, commended Ms Stott Despoja’s lifelong contribution to progressing gender equality and eliminating violence against women.

“Ms Stott Despoja is a fierce advocate for the progression of women’s human rights and the advancement of women’s representation in decision-making institutions domestically and internationally,” Minister Gallagher said.

“She is an influential global leader for gender equality, advocacy she will take into a second term on the committee and to her representation of Australia and advocacy for women’s human rights across the globe.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, affirmed Australia’s commitment to eliminating discrimination against women at home and abroad.

“Gender equality is at the centre of the Australian Government’s international and domestic policy agenda,” Minister Wong said.

“Ms Stott Despoja’s continued service on the Committee will strengthen Australia’s advocacy for women’s human rights as we work collaboratively with CEDAW to achieve gender equality globally and at home.”

Labor’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook prioritises Labor’s political strategy over Australians crushed by the cost of living crisis.  

“Despite millions of Austalians struggling to afford food and rent, Labor has conformed today it will continue with $317 billion in Stage 3 Tax Cuts for politicians, billionaires and the wealthy,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said. 

“There are plenty of decisions that can be made to help people with the bare essentials of life without driving up inflation like a rent-freeze, putting dental and mental health into medicare and providing free childcare.”

“Labor is boasting about a bulging bottom line while renters are being smashed by spiralling rent increases and mortgaged home owners are struggling with record rate rises.” 

“Under Labor’s ‘Liberal-Lite’ policies, more people are living in tents and skipping meals. Meanwhile property speculators are supercharging their wealth and corporations are making record profits from price gouging.” 

Tax concessions for property investors will cost a colossal $39 billion this year alone. Over the decade Labor are giving away $90 billion in fossil fuel subsidies.

“Labor claim they are reducing spending to fight inflation, but they are more than happy to spend big by giving massive tax concessions to their corporate and billionaire mates, while forcing more and more everyday Australians below the poverty line.” 

“Budgets are about choices, and once again, Labor are prioritising big corporations and billionaires over millions of Australians struggling to afford food and rent.”

Australia, Canada, and New Zealand mourn every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and express our condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence.

We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel on October 7, the appalling loss of life, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence. We condemn Hamas’ unacceptable treatment of hostages and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.

We recognise Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians. 

We remain deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained.

The recent pause in hostilities allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages and supported an increase in humanitarian access to affected civilians. We acknowledge the persistent diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker this pause, and we regret it could not be extended.

We want to see this pause resumed and support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire. This cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its arms. 

There is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

We support Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We oppose the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade. We emphasize that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism. We reaffirm that settlements are illegal under international law. Settlements and settler violence are serious obstacles to a negotiated two-state solution.

We recommit ourselves to working with partners toward a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders.  

We remain concerned about the impact of the conflict spilling across the region and urge all governments in the region to work towards containing the conflict. We call on the Houthis to cease immediately their attacks on international shipping and crew operating in the Red Sea.

We condemn rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in our countries and around the world and remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cynical pivot against migration shows just how far he has ceded his decision making to Peter Dutton, the Greens say.

“Labor mindlessly blaming migration for Australia’s housing crisis just shows that there is very little difference between the major parties,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim said.

“Engaging in a race to the bottom on migration with Mr Dutton will not end well for migrants.”

“This reeks of desperation by a Prime Minister who is being led by the nose by Peter Dutton.” 

“Appeasing Peter Dutton on migration issues hasn’t worked for the past decade and it will not work now.

“He will pocket whatever concessions he gets and take another giant step to the right.”

“Australia’s housing crisis has been caused by 40 years of deliberate underinvestment in social housing by both major parties.”

“The people of this country voted the Liberals out of office last year – it seems everyone except Mr Albanese has realised this fact.”

On the last day of Parliament for 2023, Australia and Papua New Guinea signed an historic security agreement and our Government passed new laws to ensure more Australians get a fair go at work.

From now on, wage theft and industrial manslaughter will be criminal offences.

This will help make workplaces safer and it will make it clear that businesses can’t get away with stealing from their employees.

We’re also closing the loopholes in labour hire. Labour hire laws were designed to help employers bring in people with specialist skills or deal with temporary shortages.

But for too long, some companies have used labour hire to undermine enterprise bargaining and drive down wages.

These laws will put a stop to that.

Getting wages moving and boosting job security have been key priorities for our Government through 2023. 

Of course, Australians understand that so many of the big challenges we face as a country are not confined to one level of government alone.

Whether it’s health, housing, the environment, TAFE and skills or the National Disability Insurance Scheme, our government knows that working for Australia means working with the states and territories.

I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve this year through the co-operation we’ve built at National Cabinet.

Our Government has made boosting housing supply, affordability and construction a priority right through 2023 and in August, National Cabinet came together to agree on the biggest set of housing reforms in a generation.

We’re working together to make it easier to build more homes by unlocking land, reforming zoning and speeding-up approvals right across Australia.

This will mean more affordable housing that’s closer to public transport, decent services and good jobs.

Together, we’ve also backed a better deal for renters and we’re driving national action to renovate and build public and social housing for Australians most in need of a roof over their head.

In 2023, over 300,000 Australians have enrolled in fee-free TAFE places and in October, every state and territory signed-up to the first National Skills Agreement in more than ten years.

Record new investments in public TAFE, in apprenticeships and in the facilities that will make it easier for Australians to learn the skills they need for the jobs of the future, from the clean energy economy to digital technology.

On Wednesday in Canberra, National Cabinet negotiated a landmark agreement that will guarantee proper funding for public hospitals over the next decade.

The new deal we’ve agreed around hospital funding is about ensuring every state and territory can plan with certainty for future.

It’s also designed to drive new action in the parts of the health system under the most pressure.

By the end of this year, we will have opened 58 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in regional centres and growing suburbs around Australia.

These clinics are open outside ordinary working hours and fully bulk-billed.

All you need is your Medicare card.

Already, tens of thousands of families have benefited from being able to get the urgent treatment they need, close to home, without having to wait around in a hospital emergency department.

Strengthening Medicare helps families with their cost of living, it also takes pressure off public hospitals and health care workers.

We know our healthcare workers do an extraordinary job and part of the agreement National Cabinet struck this week is about delivering better support to all those doctors, nurses and frontline carers, while boosting recruitment for the future. 

Just as importantly, this week also saw a big breakthrough when it comes to securing the future of the NDIS.

By focusing on new support available through school and early education and cracking-down on fraudulent providers, we will ensure the NDIS is sustainable into the future and that every dollar invested delivers better services and opportunities for Australians with disability.

Speaking of sustainable, I’m so pleased that we were able to finish the year with new progress on restoring the Murray-Darling Basin.

This is a huge win for the environment and for farming communities, right along the river.

The final thing I want to mention goes all the way back to 1996.

In the aftermath of the Port Arthur Massacre, Prime Minister John Howard brought together the states and territories to take an essential first step on gun reform.

Last week in Canberra, we took the next step by agreeing to create a National Firearms Register.

This will mean police officers can track firearms and their owners across state borders and get vital information about potentially dangerous situations.

This will save lives.

Whether it’s gun reform, funding hospitals, building more homes or helping the environment, you can always achieve more through co-operation.

Working together, working for Australia.

That’s been our government’s focus this week and this year.

It’s what will drive us in 2024.

This opinion piece was first published in The Australian on Monday, 11 December 2023.

Today I announce new appointments of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls-General, who will advance Australia’s interests abroad.  

Our diplomats drive opportunities for closer cooperation, support Australians overseas and help uphold the norms and rules that underpin peace and prosperity.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments:

• Mr Chris Elstoft as Australia’s next Consul-General in Chicago.
• Mr Jeff Robinson as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
• Ms Danielle Heinecke as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Malaysia.
• Ms Sara Moriarty as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Nauru.
• Mr John Williams as Australia’s next Consul-General in Shanghai.
• Mr Paul Lehmann as Australia’s next Ambassador to Ukraine.

I thank outgoing ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in these countries during their respective tenures.

An Eritrean born man is expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (9 December, 2023) for allegedly failing to comply with a curfew.

The AFP arrested and charged the man, 36, late tonight (Friday, 8 December, 2023) after locating him in Melbourne’s inner west.

It will be alleged the man breached conditions of his Commonwealth visa early on 8 December, 2023, by failing to observe his residential curfew obligations.

The man has been charged with one count of fail to comply with a curfew condition, contrary to section 76C(1) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a $93,900 fine.

The Senate inquiry into the FOI system has reported today and recommends an urgent investigation into the deep dysfunction within the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner as identified by former FOI Commissioner Hardiman. 

The report finds the FOI scheme is not fit for purpose and is creating serious barriers to access to information. 

The 15 recommendations of the committee are designed to speed up access to information by: 

• Substantially increasing resources to the FOI system to remove historic backlogs
• Abolishing the pointless and time-wasting internal review process
• Simplifying and streamlining the independent merits review process overseen by the FOI Commissioner, and 
• Allowing those seeking information to rapidly access the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to force the release of documents 

These are realistic and achievable reforms that when adopted will provide essential accountability and transparency to the workings of the Commonwealth government.

Greens Senator and Committee member David Shoebridge said: 

“The degree of dysfunction the committee observed at the most senior levels of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner was disturbing.

“The majority report calls for an urgent and independent review of the workplace behaviour matters within the OAIC that were raised by former FOI Commissioner Hardiman to address the dysfunction.

“It is hard to understand how the Attorney General thought it prudent to appoint two fresh statutory office holders to the OAIC without first addressing the extensive management and organisational failings we observed.

“These are credible, achievable and important reforms that will help turn around the mess that is FOI in 2023.

“Simplifying procedure, speeding up decisions and a serious investment in resources underpin these recommendations.

“I want to put on record the gratitude of my party, The Greens, for the courage and tenacity shown by Mr Hardiman in both his work as FOI Commissioner and his evidence to the Committee,” Senator Shoebridge said.

The Australian Government joins the United Kingdom and other international partners in expressing serious concerns about attempts to use cyber operations to interfere with democratic processes.

The UK has disclosed that a unit within Russia’s Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Centre 18, known as Star Blizzard, has been responsible for cyber operations targeting a range of political entities and democratic institutions with the intent to interfere with democratic processes in the UK.

The UK assesses that this is part of a broader pattern of malicious cyber activity conducted by Russian Intelligence Services attempting to interfere in democratic processes in the UK and beyond.

Attempts to use cyber to interfere in democratic processes are unacceptable and must stop.

Australia calls on all countries – including Russia – to act responsibly in cyberspace.

The Australian Government is investing in protecting our public institutions and strengthening our national cyber security defences, including through the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.

We will continue to work with international partners to promote international law and the norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and hold states to account if they act contrary to these international obligations and expectations.