Category: Australian News

Labor must not let Peter Dutton dictate its response to the High Court ruling that indefinite immigration detention is unconstitutional, the Greens say.

“This is a mess that Peter Dutton helped create so Labor should not let him determine its response,” Greens immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Mr Dutton has given Labor a free pass to work with him to trample human rights and persecute refugees and it is crucial that Labor reject his offer.”

“The government must not let Mr Dutton write their immigration laws for them and pressure them into a draconian, knee-jerk response.” 

“Mr. Dutton has a horrendous record of cruelty to refugees and disregarding basic human rights.”

“For Labor to now work with him to rush laws through parliament this week would be disgraceful in the extreme.”

“Indefinite detention was found to be unlawful and unconstitutional punishment.”

“Many of the people recently released are refugees who have already suffered years of indefinite detention.

“Labor should not allow Mr Dutton to dictate a further regime of cruelty to them.”

“Labor’s response must be one that respects the law, respects human rights, respects refugees and respects the Australian Constitution.”

“We need to reaffirm the rule of law, and that means courts deciding punishments, not politicians. Anything less is a step towards tyranny.”

“We are hearing a lot about threats to the community but the biggest threats to the Australian people are draconian laws which seek to unnecessarily curtail liberty or detain people indefinitely.”

The most recent data on wage growth and rent increases in Australia presents a stark picture of the escalating rental crisis, exacerbated by current Labor policies.

Data released by the ABS today shows wages grew by 1.3% in the September quarter. Meanwhile rents outpaced wages, increasing by 2.2% over the same period.

“The latest figures are a clear indicator of the failure of Labor’s housing policies. Labor’s rental crisis is getting worse” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“While wages have been crawling, rents have been sprinting, pushing more Australians into financial distress. This isn’t just a housing issue; it’s a crisis of economic justice and fairness.”

“This trend is particularly alarming in the context of the broader economic challenges facing the nation, including the rising cost of living and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“We badly need rent controls, now.”

The Greens say Labor is hopelessly out of touch with Australia’s young people, after the government today mocked students preparing to walk out of classrooms for the national Climate Strike this Friday, November 17.

Stephen Bates MP, Greens Youth Spokesperson, asked the Education Minister if he supports students’ right to strike for a safer climate and leave school this Friday to protest new coal and gas projects jeopardising their future. 

In response, Labor MPs jeered from their seats and the Minister merely responded that “that school students should be at school during school hours.”

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

“Kids are worried about the future. They know that Labor’s plan for more coal and gas will make global heating worse and on Friday, thousands will leave their classrooms in protest.

“While the Prime Minister and the frontbench laughed, the education minister mocked the idea that students should exercise their democratic right to protest and said he wanted them ‘at school’.

“We’ve grown used to Labor’s cowardice in the face of the climate crisis, but telling kids they should just shut up while they continue to open up new coal and gas shows how hopelessly captured and out-of-touch they are.

“If the government is going to ignore calls from young people to act on climate, then young people should ignore the education minister and take to the streets on Friday.”

Greens Youth spokesperson Stephen Bates said:

“The decisions of this Government to push more coal and gas is harming the future of young people. Most high school students can’t vote, climate protests help make their voices heard.

“Young people deserve to have their voices heard. Right now, they’re inheriting a broken environment, economy, and worsening living conditions.

“Clearly Labor needs to be reminded of their roots if they don’t get why people strike.”

In a recent Twitter post, Pauline Hanson attributed Queensland’s severe rental crisis to immigration. In contrast, ‘Property Centerpiece’ responded; 

“It’s more complicated then that. It’s due the increases in interest rates, council rates, insurances, cost of maintenance,  increase in levies and so on.”  

We believe it’s imperative to challenge such narratives held by those at ‘Property Centrepiece’. At the next election, the nation must hold Labor accountable for policies that have significant impacts on housing and family livelihoods. While Albo and Labor might attribute housing costs to ‘supply issues,’ their efforts to increase supply are seen as too little, too late. 

Labor’s neglect of the ‘demand on housing’ problem caused by immigration is dangerous and reckless. 

Make no mistake, One Nation has a raft of ‘supply’ policies ready to unroll. Senator Hanson has already articulated some of these in the Senate. But we do not think ‘supply’ will solve the problem; it is demand that’s doing the damage. More supply will help, but there is no doubt the government will just dial up the number of immigrants to fill those new buildings anyway. .. then it’s back to square one. 

Worryingly, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, total dwelling commencements in the June quarter of 2023 fell to 40,720 dwellings. This number includes 25,162 new private sector house commencements and 14,529 new private sector other residential commencements. Supply is slipping, according to official figures.  

New housing starts are but a fraction of the number of people coming to Australia needing a new home.  

For housing, it’s essential to acknowledge the impact of immigration as a demand-side pressure on housing prices. Even ABC News, in a report by Alan Kohler in March 2023, recognised immigration as the primary driver of property prices. 

One Nation recognises the rising costs and regulatory challenges faced by residential property investors. These factors, including insurance, fees, taxes, and red tape, impact the supply side, driving investors away from the market. A November 2023 ABC News article also highlighted how red tape is deterring investors from providing rental homes, especially in Victoria. 

If an investor drives the price of their rental higher than the market is willing to pay, then their property will remain vacant. Investors can’t just arbitrarily pass on increased fees to a tenant, because that tenant has the right to move out if they can get a cheaper rental down the road.  

Even though there are supply constraints, immigration is primarily to blame for the current crisis’s overwhelming demand. The influx of immigrants significantly exceeds the availability of housing, propelling prices upward. 

While ‘Property Centerpiece’s’ perspective is a valid opinion, and we respect free speech, it has an odour of Labor appeasement, and we think the government deserves no quarter. In a situation where immigration is surging, investors are limited to market-driven rents, and people are struggling to find affordable housing, the role of immigration as a key factor in the rental crisis becomes quite clear. This is a rare point of agreement between Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and ABC News – immigration is causing the rental crisis. 

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.”