Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government is investing up to $12 million in a new partnership that will support local communities and governments in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to improve HIV testing and treatment, reduce stigma and discrimination, and lower transmission.

Australia will work with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Health Equity Matters to deliver this new initiative, which aims to accelerate access to new HIV prevention and treatment solutions, through community-led responses.

HIV responses which are specifically crafted for and implemented by communities, are key to addressing stigma and discrimination, and reaching all those who need help.

From prevention to treatment, addressing stigma and discrimination is critical. HIV is a virus that affects all parts of the community, women and girls accounted for almost half of all new HIV infections in 2022. Therefore, community-led responses are an effective way of reaching all people who need assistance.

This is part of the Australian Government’s five-year $620 million Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, and is in addition to Australia’s ongoing support to UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

World AIDS Day, on 1 December, is a time to reflect on the remarkable progress made in the fight against HIV, and the work required to end the HIV epidemic and support those living with HIV.

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

“Globally we have made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV – but there is still more to be done.

“It is critical that Australia supports communities in our region to end the HIV epidemic, including through sharing our own knowledge and experience.”

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

“This new partnership will support locally led solutions to the HIV epidemic in our region – enabling affected communities to lead the response.

“We are building genuine partnerships across our region to reduce HIV transmission and support those living with HIV.”

CEO, Health Equity Matters, Adjunct Professor Darryl O’Donnell said:

“The most effective way to treat and prevent HIV is to empower the people who most feel its impact.

“We endorse the Government’s resolve to fight stigma and expand access to prevention, treatment and testing.”

Regional Director, UNAIDS Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe Central Asia regions, Eamonn Murphy said:

“UNAIDS values Australia’s long-standing partnership globally and in the Indo-Pacific region, and particularly its commitment to community leadership.

“By supporting expanded access to HIV prevention and treatment while reducing stigma and discrimination, we can accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.”

The Albanese Government and the Australian Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia has today offered a full, unreserved and overdue apology to all thalidomide survivors, their families, loved ones and carers.

The Government’s Australian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program will be re-opened to ensure that anyone who may have missed the previous opportunity to apply for support does not miss out on the support they need and deserve.

The Program is a lifetime support package which includes a one-off lump sum payment in recognition of pain and suffering, as well as ongoing annual payments.

From now on, rather than those payments being locked at a particular level, the Government will support increases through indexation, for all current and future applicants who qualify.

Tomorrow, the Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler will unveil a national memorial to survivors of the thalidomide tragedy and their families, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

The location and design of the National Site of Recognition were chosen in collaboration with Australian thalidomide survivors.

The National Site of Recognition will promote education and awareness of the thalidomide tragedy, recognise the pain and suffering of survivors and their families, and represent our commitment to learn from the past.

the Prime Minister said:

“This apology takes in one of the darkest chapters in Australia’s medical history.

“Expectant mothers, through no fault of their own, were exposed to a drug with devastating effects that were realised too late.

“To the survivors: we apologise for the pain thalidomide has inflicted on each and every one of you, each and every day.

“As survivors have requested, the National Site of Recognition will be much more than “a plaque in a park”. It will be a prompt for our collective conscience, a call to our nation’s heart.”

Minister Butler said:

“The Government’s Thalidomide Survivors Support Program will be re-opened to ensure that anyone who may have missed the previous opportunity to apply for support does not miss out on the support they need and deserve.

“The national memorial was designed in collaboration with thalidomide survivors – to honour and respect them, to acknowledge their pain and courage and to ensure this tragedy is never forgotten.

“The words inscribed in the glass bricks were chosen by survivors to reflect their experience. It’s impossible to read those words and not be profoundly moved by the impact and legacy of the tragedy.

“The thalidomide tragedy provides a powerful lesson about the need to be vigilant to safeguard people’s health.”

Today I announce the appointment of Dr Pippa Dickson and Dr Peter K. Lee to the board of the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF).

Both Dr Dickson and Dr Lee bring diverse experience and unique perspectives to support the objectives of the AKF and enrich our bilateral relationship with the Republic of Korea.

Dr Dickson is one of Australia’s strongest advocates for art, craft and design and has extensive domestic and international organisational leadership experience. She has delivered significant international programs in the Republic of Korea and across Asia.

Dr Lee is a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Korea’s leading independent think-tank. His focus is on Australia–Korea relations, Australian foreign and defence policy, the Korean Peninsula, middle powers and Indo-Pacific security.

I thank outgoing members Associate Professor Ruth Barraclough and Ms Jacinta Thompson for their substantial contribution to the AKF over the past six years.

The AKF works to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Australia and the Republic of Korea, supporting people-to-people links with one of our most important partners in Asia.

For more information visit the Australia-Korea Foundation.

Today I announce the appointments of Professor Wesley Enoch AM and Ms Leonie Boxtel to the board of the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF).

Both appointments will contribute to the goals of the AJF, and bring their diverse experience to support our bilateral relationship with Japan.

A proud Quandamooka man from Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island), Professor Enoch is a writer and director of acclaimed Indigenous film and theatre productions. He is currently the Deputy Chair of Creative Australia and has played a central role in connecting Australia and Japan through theatre for more than 20 years. Professor Enoch is the first Indigenous Australian representative on the board of the AJF and will bring a First Nations perspective to the foundation’s activities.

Ms Leonie Boxtel has an extensive career with a focus on strengthening Australia–Japan relations across government, education and the philanthropy sector. Ms Boxtel is Executive Officer of the Bowness Family Foundation, which supports the arts, education and disability.

I am pleased to reappoint Ms Wendy Holdenson for another term and thank outgoing members, Professor Veronica Taylor, Mr Chris Saines, and Mr Mark Connors for their contributions over many years.

The AJF is Australia’s oldest cultural council and underpins our Special Strategic Partnership with Japan. Its programs and networks support our objectives with Japan and the region and amplify our lasting connection.

For more information, visit the Australia-Japan Foundation.

One Nation supporters have seen it all before – despite overwhelming support in the Australian community for one thing, Labor, the Greens, academics and activists are determined to do the opposite. 

This is the case with immigration. With climate change ideology. With foreign aid. And, of course, with an indigenous treaty. 

Black activist and former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe put her contempt for the referendum result on full display this week, demanding the Albanese government proceed with a treaty and ‘truth-telling’ – code for rewriting Australian history to maximise financial settlements funded by non-indigenous taxpayers. 

Pauline Hanson had other ideas. One Nation, with amazing support from its supporters and volunteers, played a prominent role in the no campaign to help secure the 60% no vote in Australia and the 69% no vote Queensland. 

Australia, she said in Parliament this week, voted overwhelmingly not just to reject the voice but also the demands in the Uluru Statement for a treaty and a truth-telling commision. 

“Australians understood the voice was a crucial first step towards a treaty, and they knocked it back. They understood the voice, treaty and ‘truth-telling’ would divide this country by race, and they knocked them back. 

I am pleased to announce the Governor‑General has accepted my recommendation to appoint Stephanie Foster as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.

Ms Foster has had an extensive career in the Australian Public Service, including as acting Secretary and Associate Secretary of Home Affairs, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ms Foster has held other senior positions in the APS, including at the Australian Public Service Commission, the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Defence.

Ms Foster has well-established relationships across the APS and significant policy experience, which make her eminently suitable to the role of Secretary.

Ms Foster’s five‑year appointment will commence today.

Labor’s attempts to amend last week’s rushed and shoddy anti-refugee legislation with more rushed and shoddy anti-refugee legislation is just further proof that Peter Dutton is running the show, the Greens say.

“Labor has clearly learned nothing from last week. They let Dutton pressure them into trampling refugee rights with hasty and xenophobic legislation, and here they go again,” Greens Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“They may as well re-appoint Peter Dutton as Minister for Home Affairs and be done with it.”

“This isn’t leadership; it’s a betrayal of principles in the face of political pressure.”

“They have completely folded in the face of a right wing scare campaign.”

“Again we see one group of people in our country treated more harshly than another just because they are not citizens.”

“Mandatory sentences are contrary to good governance and Labor’s own policy platform.”

“For Labor to introduce them today just shows that they are only interested in appeasing the far right.”

“Labor’s xenophobia is perpetuating a cycle of criminalisation and punitive control over refugees and migrants, many of whom have committed no crime whatsoever.”

“To the Teals, Mr Wilkie and Senator Pocock: we ask you to this time stand with us for refugee rights instead of collapsing again in the face of the political duopoly’s confected fear campaign.”

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:

“All year Labor has used the JSCEM process as an excuse for rejecting independent and Greens private members’ bills for electoral reform on topics like truth in political advertising, donation reform and transparency, and on-the-day enrolment.

“And yet here we are, with the final JSCEM report delivered, and still zero detail on how Labor plans to work with the parliament to deliver improved transparency and integrity to our elections. 

“The Greens welcome the proposal for more Senate seats for the territories, but it is very concerning to see no further progress made on donations, transparency or tackling misinformation in today’s report. 

“If Labor is genuine about electoral reform to deal with misinformation, with big spenders like Clive Palmer, and with dark money, they’d be consulting and working with the crossbench instead of talking about ‘bipartisan approaches’.

“Any proposal that means that if you’re already elected you get a hefty envelope full of cash, but if you’re trying to get elected, your donations are heavily restricted is not a reform, it’s a rort. 

“Propping up the dying two party system is not electoral reform, it’s a rort.

“After the Greens’ landslide outcome at the last election, and the victories of independents in metropolitan Liberal seats, the political class is feeling the heat.

“Labor and the Liberals’ vote is going backwards. The combined total of the two party vote in Australia has dropped from 98% of the vote in 1951, on a steady downward trend, to 68% at the last election.

“The Greens and independents stand ready to pass real democratic reforms with the Government, rather than the government doing a dirty deal with the Liberals that locks in the two party system.”

BACKGROUND
Report: Conduct of the 2022 federal election and other matters – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

Greens additional comments: Additional comments by the Australian Greens – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

TL;DR – The Juice Media version: https://youtu.be/N3WTlyuhDs0

The Greens say curriculum debates are a sideshow which distracts policymakers from the school funding crisis, and that the key to ending school inequality is ensuring every child can access a well-resourced and inclusive public school.

Greens spokesperson on Education (Primary & Secondary), Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Blaming educational inequality on curriculum while continuing to underfund our public schools is a distraction that parents, carers and teachers will see straight through.

“Teachers are overworked and leaving the profession; parents and teachers are dipping into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies; and thousands of students can’t attend class because their schools don’t have the resources to adequately support them.

“The idea that tweaking the curriculum would magically reverse the decades of neglect of our public school system is a technocratic fantasy that no serious person can possibly believe.

“This is a game the right’s culture warriors have been playing for years. They’re desperate to undermine the public system, and they’ll blame declining performance and disengagement on everything but the actual cause: persistent underfunding.

“It’s a cynical shell game that helps prop up the private system and entrench elite privilege at the expense of millions of the most disadvantaged kids in the country.

“To even have a chance of reversing educational inequality in Australia, every public school must be funded to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard by the start of the next National School Reform Agreement, in January 2025.”

In the Senate this afternoon Labor voted to open new gas fields, with its gas code narrowly avoiding a Senate defeat by 16 votes to 21.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Labor has voted to open new gas fields.

“In the middle of a climate crisis, Labor is gaslighting the public, pretending to take climate action while opening new coal and gas mines.

“Gas is as dirty as coal, and every new Labor gas development puts us on track for an unliveable climate future.

“Labor’s gas code gives big corporations a financial incentive to open new gas fields.

“There’s plenty of gas in Australia to get us through the transition, but Labor is peddling Morrison-era spin that new gas fields are the only answer.

“Labor’s backing for more coal and gas is now clear. Labor backs the Santos’ Narrabri gas project, the Beetaloo climate bomb and Woodside’s Burrup Hub disaster, which contain decades worth of pollution and put a safer climate further out of reach.

“We’re up for regulating the gas corporations and ensuring gas isn’t sent offshore while Australian business transitions, but the experts and climate scientists make it clear that there is no room for new coal or gas if we’re to have any chance of meeting climate targets.