Category: Australian News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the United States from 15-17 November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco.

APEC is the leading economic forum for the Asia-Pacific region and APEC partners make up around 75 per cent of Australia’s total trade in goods and services. This year’s Summit will focus on Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister will advance Australia’s priorities of free and open rules-based trade in the region, supply chain resilience, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Prime Minister will discuss environmental and sustainability issues with member economies — and exchange views on how economies of the region can collaborate to cut emissions and make the transition to a renewable energy future.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia’s participation at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting signals our enduring commitment to strengthening regional economic cooperation and growth.

“This year’s theme focuses on resiliency, sustainability and inclusion—all key priorities of the Australian Government.

“Engagement with APEC partners is critical for seizing the opportunities to create the jobs of the future, to expand our economic growth, and to take advantage of our location – on the doorstep of the fastest growing region in human history.”

The Greens call on all levels of government, especially the South Australian Government, to do more to help ocean goers reduce the risk of rare, but potentially dangerous encounters with great white sharks this summer by following the lead of the Western Australian Government in subsidising the rollout of personal shark deterrent devices. 

The call comes ahead of White Sharks Global, an international conference held in Port Lincoln this week. White shark experts from around the globe will gather to discuss issues such as white shark conservation, research on population numbers, and how to measure and reduce the risks of human and white shark encounters. 

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson – who chaired a landmark 2017 Senate inquiry into mitigating the risks of shark bites in Australia – will today be a keynote speaker at the timely conference. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Whish-Wilson said:

“The recent spate of white shark encounters in South Australia, and the risk of further rare but tragic and traumatic encounters this summer, will inevitably lead to populist un-scientific calls to cull and reduce white shark populations.

“In response to the tragic death of surfer Tod Gendle at Streaky Bay the South Australian Premier recently stated there isn’t much a government can do to help prevent such tragedies, but this is wrong. 

“The Senate inquiry into shark mitigation and deterrent measures recommended all states follow the lead of the Western Australian government and subsidise scientifically tested and proven shark mitigation devices, but so far no other state has taken this easy-to-implement measure. 

“So far the WA government has subsidised more than 4000 personal shark deterrent devices for ocean goers, in an attempt to see them more widely adopted by surfers, divers and swimmers.

“There are many simple options to reduce risks at our popular beaches and surf spots and I urge Premier Malinauskas to listen to the advice of experts and roll out these measures. 

“The ocean is not a risk free environment, and while there are no guarantees any public safety measure will be 100% effective, such measures can significantly reduce the risk of human-shark encounters. 

“Scientific research and tests on some personal shark deterrent devices have shown that they can reduce the risk of white and other shark species encounters by more than 60%.

“But it shouldn’t just be up to the states, the Federal Government also has a significant role in coordinating, standardising and driving national investment in research and adoption of emerging shark risk mitigation measures to protect ocean goers. 

“Safety in our oceans and the protection of vulnerable species, such as white sharks, aren’t binary options, both are possible and can be done much more effectively.” 

The Greens welcome the Labor government’s in-principle acceptance of the Robodebt Royal Commission’s recommendations, but once again call on Labor to address the core problem by immediately suspending all debt-recovery and raising the rate for people on income support.

Greens social services spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice, said:

“The Robodebt Royal Commission’s report, and Labor’s acceptance of its recommendations, is a positive step towards justice for those traumatised by the callous and illegal scheme, but it does not change our fundamentally broken social security system.”

“The hypocrisy of Labor’s approach to the social safety net is appalling. The Labor government continues with aggressive and automated debt collection, punitive mutual obligations and suffocating support payments that are below the poverty line.”

“Meanwhile, estimates recently revealed that Services Australia’s performance has worsened under the Labor government. We have heard from Labor, time and time again, that they are taking the resourcing of Services Australia seriously, but it’s simply not translating into action that improves the lives of those living in poverty.”

“Australia’s federal public service should certainly have strengthened integrity and accountability, but that means nothing if they are still hounding income support recipients for debts. More training and more staff does not address the fundamental issue that our social security system is punitive, unfair and traps people in poverty.”

“Bill Shorten and the Labor government claim to be ‘re-humanising the delivery of government payments’ – if that was truly the case, they would support the millions of Australians struggling under this punitive system by raising the rate of payments to above the poverty line.”

“The Greens call on the Labor government to immediately suspend all debt-collection, conduct a line-by-line review to ensure there are no outstanding debts from Robodebt, and repay all debt to Robodebt victims not covered by the class action.”

“The best way to ensure we never see a repeat of this tragic scandal is to reshape our social safety net so that everyone can meet their basic needs.”

Greens Education (Primary and Secondary) spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne, a 30-year public school teacher, today wrote to Education Minister Jason Clare asking him to retract his comments opposing the School Strike for Palestine.

As reported in The Age on Tuesday, Minister Clare said “school students should be at school during school hours”, comments which were this morning echoed by the Victorian deputy Premier Ben Carroll.

The Greens have called on Labor to support students’ democratic right to protest as school children prepare to walk out of classrooms on Friday for the National Climate Strike, and Thursday next week in support of Palestine.

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

“This morning I’ve written to the federal Education Minister urging him to retract his comments that kids should ‘stay in school’ instead of striking for climate and peace.

“These are not the comments of a Minister who is dedicated to students’ democratic right to freedom of speech and expression and right to protest.

“These are patronising comments from a Minister who is out of touch with how switched on, informed and powerful students movements can be.

“I urge students and families to ignore the Minister’s condescension and act on your democratic right to protest for a safe climate future and for peace.

“The right to protest is an essential part of living in a democracy. We should find it heartening that this generation of schoolkids is prepared to join millions around the world in exercising that right over such fundamentally important issues.

“It’s clear that Australian school students have seen through the platitudes. They know that it is morally indefensible to refuse to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“And they know that as long as we continue to dig up and burn coal and gas, reigning in climate change is impossible.

“So often during debates in the senate chamber, government Members refer to themselves as ‘the adults in the room’, but when it comes to acting in our best interests – whether it’s action on climate or opposing the invasion of Gaza – the so-called adults are failing our kids.

“That’s why they’re taking to the streets. Not because they want to skip school, but because they are being forced to by a cowardly and captured government.

“If the government wants kids to stay in the classroom, the solution is simple: do your job.”

The 2023 Rental Affordability Index shows Tasmania is in a deepening rental crisis, the Greens say.

“This is the system acting exactly as planned by the Labor Government,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“Billions are given to property investors, while renters are abandoned and public and affordable housing is grossly and deliberately underfunded.”

“Both Labor and Liberal parties have failed to safeguard housing as a fundamental right, and treated it as an asset class for the already wealthy.”

“We need rent control to protect Tasmanians from the rampant rental market.”

“We need urgent and immediate action to introduce rent control measures and invest in public housing.”

“Every Tasmanian deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.”

The Australian Parliament has passed legislation to provide additional support and benefits to eligible Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) holders and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme families.

The supports include access to tertiary student loans while studying, family tax benefits and the Child Care Subsidy. They will also have access to Medicare.

These supports will help visa holders and their families to make a valuable contribution in Australia, including strengthening people-to-people, cultural and business ties and helping to fill workforce shortages, including in rural and regional areas.

The Albanese Labor Government is listening to the Pacific family, and delivering on our commitment to improve mobility and migration opportunities, and building a more peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

The PEV will enable up to 3,000 Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year, deepening connections between Australia and the region.

The Government has also committed to allowing long-term PALM scheme workers to bring their families to Australia, commencing with a pilot of 200 families in 2024.

It is disappointing that after supporting this legislation in the House, the Liberals and Nationals tried to block it in the Senate – showing they still haven’t learned how to deliver for Australia in the Pacific.

The Government thanks parliamentarians from the cross-bench who have engaged in this discussion constructively and thoughtfully.

The PEV program and the PALM scheme family accompaniment pilot will commence in 2024. For further information visit Pacific Engagement Visa program and PALM scheme.

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

“The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to deepen our connections with the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and playing our part in a shared Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

“Despite everything we have seen in the Pacific, Mr Dutton continues to put negative political attacks ahead of the national interest. He proved this again by supporting this legislation in the House and trying to block it in the Senate.”

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

“This legislation is a demonstration of the value Australia places on its relationship with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

“The measures will not only benefit individuals, families and employers, but also the broader region by providing economic and skills dividends.

“The measures have transformative potential, making Australia’s world class education and training system more accessible for new residents under the Pacific Engagement Visa.

“PALM scheme workers often leave their families and communities for extended periods. This legislation will ensure they have access to benefits that will support them to bring their families, recognising the important contribution they make to essential sectors and regional communities across Australia.”

The Coalition are today calling for the government to support Coalition amendments to Treasury legislation that will extend the Instant Asset Write Off to 26,500 medium businesses and extend the value of assets eligible to $30,000.

This will simplify depreciation for Australia’s 3.6 million small and medium businesses, cutting red tape while boosting investment in productive assets to improve their businesses, lower their costs, and in turn lower prices.

This will drive productivity at a time it has experienced an historic collapse under Labor, which will drive economic growth to fund the essential services Australians deserve.

Following temporary and targeted extensions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government have ignored calls from business groups and lowered the Instant Asset Write Off thresholds to levels not seen since the 2018-2019 financial year.

The Coalition’s amendments restore the Instant Asset Write Off to the levels introduced in the 2019-20 budget. This aligns the eligibility with the 25 per cent small business company tax rate threshold, and Labor’s Small Business Energy Incentive measure.

The Coalition understands that when business owners can keep more of their own money, they are able to invest back into the business, boost productivity, grow the economy and create new and local jobs.

The Coalition’s amendments mean:

• 26,500 businesses with aggregated turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible to use the Instant Asset Write Off.
• The asset threshold will increase from $20,000 to $30,000 – allowing businesses to claim accelerated depreciation on a wider range of assets.
• Businesses can invest in productive assets without putting pressure on inflation.

Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training, Small and Family Business, Sussan Ley said that Australia’s 3.6 million small businesses generate one third of GDP, make up 98 per cent of all businesses and employ around half of the private sector workforce.

“Australia’s small businesses owners have been failed time and time again by a distracted Anthony Albanese. Labor are compounding cost increases by cutting the instant asset write off, imposing anti-competitive workplace laws, and overseeing massive increases in power bills. .

“The Coalition is calling on Labor to do the right thing and increase access to the Instant Asset Write Off to the 26,500 medium businesses who would otherwise have it taken away.

“As our economy shudders thanks to Labor’s failing economic management this would give a much needed shot in the arm to our manufacturers, farmers, and logistics businesses helping to increase productivity and bring down prices for Australian families.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said the Coalition’s proposal will support businesses to invest, to grow, and to drive productivity which will help bring down prices.

“Like households, Australian small and medium businesses are struggling under Labor’s cost of living crisis.

“The cost of everything going up doesn’t just hurt families, it hurts businesses. Yet Labor have set the thresholds at levels that ignore recent price rises and leave medium businesses cut out of vital tax relief.

“Labor have overseen an historic collapse in labour productivity over the last 15 months, with policy settings putting pressure on business costs. With insolvencies increasing to eight-year highs, this modest measure puts small and medium businesses on a positive footing to drive productivity in their businesses and get through this cost of living crisis.

“Small and medium businesses deserve the support of the Government. Labor have broken promises on taxing franking credits, on taxing super, and this is just another example of Labor being distracted from the issues that matter to Australians.” Mr Taylor said.

The Coalition’s amendments to increase and extend the instant asset write-off build on the Coalition’s record of backing tax relief small and medium businesses and the approximately eight million Australians they employ. The Coalition in government:

• Reduced the small business company tax rate from 30% to 25% for businesses with turnover of up to $50 million;
• Restored the Small Business Income Tax Offset to support sole traders – and increased the offset to 16%
• Simplified small business tax administration by simplifying the BAS, streamlining ATO reporting requirements, and implemented Single Touch Payroll;
• Restored, and extended, the Instant Asset Write Off;
• Put in place tax deductions to support small and medium businesses to invest in cybsersecurity, einvoicing, cloud computing, and training employees.

Australia is on track to have a record additional 520,000 people arrive this year.

More than 390,000 people arrived in Australia in the year to September and if this trend continues, more than 520,000 additional people will arrive in 2023.

Australians who can’t find a place to live or are struggling to pay multiple rent increases will be asking Labor: where will all these people live?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics arrival and departure data published today found net permanent and long-term arrivals in September was the highest on record for September at 38,520 people.

Labor has blamed too many people arriving and not enough people leaving the country; 500,000 people flying into the country and the only person flying out is the Prime Minister.

Labor says they aren’t running a Big Australia policy, but judge them on the facts not their rhetoric:

	Latest figures	Before Labor were elected	Increase under Labor
Temporary visa holders	2,639,862	1,824,912	+814,950 (+44.7%)
International students	664,178	336,844	+327,334 (+97.2%)
Temporary graduates	193,277	97,089	+96,188(+99%)
Temporary workers	354,321	156,012	+198,309 (+127%)

Australia’s population is growing faster than at any time in the last 70 years. And Australians are being squeezed by Labor’s rental crisis:

• The national rental vacancy rate hit a new low of just 1.02% in October (Proptrack 9/11/23)
• Advertised rents (for new leases) are 30 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels (RBA, 9/11/23).
• “The Australian rental crisis is getting worse, spreading from capital cities to regional areas…(with) little to no affordable options for vulnerable renters in Australia, including pensioners and single parents.” SGS Economics and Planning Rental Affordability Index November 23

The Australian people can see the record arrivals are fuelling the rental crisis, increasing congestion, and putting a strain on government services and the environment.

This Labor Government has boasted about the millions of dollars it has poured into granting more visas faster, so even more people can come to Australia.

Labor issued 369,979 student visas offshore last financial year, which is 126,239 more than the previous record-breaking year in 2018-19; that was also a year when Australia wasn’t facing a rental crisis.

Labor’s Immigration Minister Andrew Giles says the answer to the housing shortage is to bring in more people to build houses. But where will those people live, Minister?

The Australian people know that every person that arrives in this country needs a place to live, and the experts agree that the rental crisis is being driven by Labor’s Big Australia:

• “Strong population growth has added to demand for rental properties, particularly in major cities.” Reserve Bank of Australia 9/11/23.
• “The rapid recovery in migration is adding to pressures in the housing market”. Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy, 25/10/23.
• “Current immigration levels are running well in excess of the ability of the housing industry to supply enough homes exacerbating an acute housing shortage and poor housing affordability.” AMP Chief Economist Shane Oliver, 20/9/23.
• “That is an enormous adjustment for an economy to bring in 500,000-600,000 people. If they’re in family groups … we’re talking about another 200,000 homes. No wonder we’ve got rental shortages in Australia.” Former Treasurer Peter Costello, 13/11/23.
• “The government is doing the opposite – it’s doing its bit to increase inflation and make life tougher for borrowers, in two ways: through “cost-of-living relief” subsidies and, most of all, through immigration.” Financial journalist Alan Kohler, 9/11/23.
• “The problem for the Albanese Government is that it cannot deny the blow out in net migration under its watch.” Former Deputy Secretary at the Department of Immigration Abul Rizvi, 9/11/23.
• “Immigration is a really big driver of housing demand and from our perspectives, from one of the largest providers of home loans in the market, it’s a material driver.” ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott 13/11/23.
• “Most overseas migrants do rent upon arrival, and we’ve got record levels of overseas migration into Australia. 61% of people arriving from overseas are temporary visa holders so that does mean they’re much more likely to weigh into the rental market, so it is placing additional pressure on an already strained rental market.” Domain Chief of Research and Economics Dr Nicola Powell, 9/4/23.

The Australian public has every right to be confused by the mixed messages they are hearing from this Labor Government.

In April, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil told the National Press Club she didn’t want a big Australia but, “it’s probably inevitable that we will run a slightly larger migration program over time”.

An additional 500,000 people arriving in the country is not a “slightly larger” migration program. It’s a Big Australia.

The previous Labor Home Affair spokesperson Kristina Keneally argued before the election that immigration should fall. “Do we want migrants to return to Australia in the same numbers and in the same composition as before the (Covid) crisis? Our answer should be no,” she said.The Coalition wants a better Australia not Labor’s Big Australia.

Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of seven highly qualified individuals to lead Australia’s posts in Iraq, Kenya, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Los Angeles, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Niue and the United Arab Emirates.

Our diplomats are the driver of Australia’s engagement with the world. They build influence and prosecute Australia’s national interests abroad.

I am pleased that these individuals will take up the following positions:

1. Mr Glenn Miles as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq.
2. Ms Jenny Da Rin as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya.
3. Ms Megan Jones as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
4. Ms Tanya Bennett as Australia’s next Consul-General in Los Angeles.
5. Ms Leilani Bin-Juda PSM as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
6. Ms Katy Stuart as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Niue.
7. Mr Ridwaan Jadwat as Australia’s next Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

I thank the outgoing heads of mission and consuls-general for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests.

The Greens call on all levels of government, especially the South Australian Government, to do more to help ocean goers reduce the risk of rare, but potentially dangerous encounters with great white sharks this summer by following the lead of the Western Australian Government in subsidising the rollout of personal shark deterrent devices. 

The call comes ahead of White Sharks Global, an international conference held in Port Lincoln this week. White shark experts from around the globe will gather to discuss issues such as white shark conservation, research on population numbers, and how to measure and reduce the risks of human and white shark encounters. 

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson – who chaired a landmark 2017 Senate inquiry into mitigating the risks of shark bites in Australia – will today be a keynote speaker at the timely conference. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Whish-Wilson said:

“The recent spate of white shark encounters in South Australia, and the risk of further rare but tragic and traumatic encounters this summer, will inevitably lead to populist un-scientific calls to cull and reduce white shark populations.

“In response to the tragic death of surfer Tod Gendle at Streaky Bay the South Australian Premier recently stated there isn’t much a government can do to help prevent such tragedies, but this is wrong. 

“The Senate inquiry into shark mitigation and deterrent measures recommended all states follow the lead of the Western Australian government and subsidise scientifically tested and proven shark mitigation devices, but so far no other state has taken this easy-to-implement measure. 

“So far the WA government has subsidised more than 4000 personal shark deterrent devices for ocean goers, in an attempt to see them more widely adopted by surfers, divers and swimmers.

“There are many simple options to reduce risks at our popular beaches and surf spots and I urge Premier Malinauskas to listen to the advice of experts and roll out these measures. 

“The ocean is not a risk free environment, and while there are no guarantees any public safety measure will be 100% effective, such measures can significantly reduce the risk of human-shark encounters. 

“Scientific research and tests on some personal shark deterrent devices have shown that they can reduce the risk of white and other shark species encounters by more than 60%.

“But it shouldn’t just be up to the states, the Federal Government also has a significant role in coordinating, standardising and driving national investment in research and adoption of emerging shark risk mitigation measures to protect ocean goers. 

“Safety in our oceans and the protection of vulnerable species, such as white sharks, aren’t binary options, both are possible and can be done much more effectively.”