Category: Australian News

Applications are open for the inaugural Maitri Scholars Program, to support India’s best and brightest students to complete post-graduate STEM degrees at Australian universities.

The program will deepen scientific and research collaboration between Australia and India, in emerging sectors of advanced manufacturing, critical technology, critical minerals, and clean energy solutions.

The Maitri Scholars Program will provide scholarships to around 45 students over the next four years in these fields, with an Australian Government investment of $11.2 million to support the program.

Scholarships will be administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, and be open to all Australian universities, who can nominate PhD and masters’ students.

The Maitri Scholars Program is a recommendation of an update to the India Economic Strategy to 2035, aimed at creating life-long connections and goodwill between our countries. Australia’s education ties with India are one of the bedrocks of our bilateral relationship.

Further details on the Maitri Scholars Program can be found at australiaindiacentre.org.au. Australian universities can submit grant applications until 1 January 2024.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong said:

“The Maitri program will deepen scientific and research collaboration between Australia and India.

“In supporting India’s brightest minds in STEM research, the Maitri Scholarships set the foundations for life-long connections for Australian and Indian leaders in new and emerging technology.”

QMinister for Education Jason Clare said:

“The launch of the Maitri scholarships is a key outcome of today’s meeting of the Australia India Education and Skills Council which was hosted by my Indian counterpart the Hon Dharmendra Pradhan in Gandhinagar.

“The program will strengthen our education partnership with India by giving some of its brightest young researchers the opportunity to study at our world class universities.”

Centre for Australia-India Relations CEO, Tim Thomas said:

“The Maitri Scholars program reinforces Australia’s credentials as a provider of quality education and will help to catalyse professional development, links with industry and research commercialisation.”

The Albanese Government is making it easier to see a bulk billing doctor for more than 11 million Australians, with the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare.

From today, the incentive that general practitioners receive to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other Commonwealth concession cardholders will be tripled for most common GP consults.

It will be easier to find a bulk billing doctor for around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and other concession cardholders.

Together, these patients account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

At the 2023-24 Budget, the Albanese Government also announced a $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments, with the increase also taking effect today.

Together, the indexation boosts in July and November have delivered the largest increase to Medicare payments since Paul Keating was Prime Minister, delivering a larger increase in one year than the former government delivered over seven years.

The indexation boost and tripling of the bulk billing incentive provides a significant increase to the Medicare payments that GPs get to bulk bill eligible patients.

In our major cities, a doctor will get 34% more for a standard bulk billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In regional and rural Australia, a doctor will get around 50% more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer will also commence today, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors the time to provide better care for people with complex physical and mental conditions.

Patients registered with MyMedicare will now be able to access Medicare rebates for longer telephone consultations from their registered practice.

MyMedicare is the foundation upon which a stronger, more personalised Medicare will be built, with patients to get more tailored quality care from their regular general practice, doctor and primary care team.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened to patients on 1 October, more than 150,000 people have registered with their preferred general practice and will now get access to longer telehealth consults.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.

“These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier, and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.

“Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.”

Health Minister Mark Butler said:

“The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.

“Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’ and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.

“Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago – a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.

“Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare and Labor will always strengthen it.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, a significant step forward in stabilising relations between Australia and China.

This visit demonstrated Australia’s commitment to dialogue as the most effective way to deliver our national interests.

In Shanghai, the Prime Minister attended the China International Import Expo to showcase Australia’s world-leading exports.

In Beijing, Prime Minister Albanese held meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Mr Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

The Prime Minister discussed the full range of Australia’s interests during his visit, including trade, consular, human rights, regional and multilateral issues. He underlined our enduring commitment to pursuing Australia’s national interest, and the vital importance of open dialogue.   

Leaders agreed to resume engagement and dialogue between Australia and China at the highest levels and between officials, important aspects of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Xi and Premier Li about where we can cooperate on areas of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to pursue greater practical cooperation, including on trade and economic issues, agriculture, climate change and education.

Trade continues to be an important part of our bilateral relationship. Australia and China have benefited enormously from trade – it has improved living standards, helped Australian businesses grow and generated well-paid jobs for Australian workers.

The Government’s steady engagement has already resulted in the removal of trade impediments in coal, barley, hay and other products. The Prime Minister used this visit to advocate for the removal of remaining barriers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I am pleased to conclude a successful visit to China, the first by an Australian Prime Minister since 2016. This visit was an important step in stabilising relations with China, our largest trading partner.

“While there are differences between us, both Australia and China benefit from cooperation and dialogue.

“I used this visit to advocate for Australia’s interests including on trade, consular, human rights and regional and global issues.

“I thank President Xi and Premier Li for hosting me, and look forward to continued engagement on areas of mutual interest, such as trade and climate change.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Cook Islands from 7-9 November 2023 for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

This will be his first visit to Cook Islands as Prime Minister and his second time attending a PIF Leaders’ Meeting.

Australia is a proud founding member of the PIF, which has brought the Pacific’s leaders together annually for more than 50 years to discuss shared challenges and regional solutions.

The PIF Leaders’ Meeting will bring together leaders from 18 Pacific countries and territories to discuss important issues affecting the region, including climate change and regional security.

The Leaders will agree steps to deliver the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, endorsed in 2022.

The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“It is important I join with fellow Pacific leaders in Cook Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.

“I thank Cook Islands and Prime Minister Mark Brown as Chair for hosting this meeting.

“Australia sees the Pacific as family and none of us can achieve the future we want alone.

“Working together, through the Pacific Islands Forum, is vital to securing a shared Pacific that is peaceful, safe and prosperous”.

Today I will visit Japan, my third visit as Foreign Minister.

Australia and Japan are special strategic partners with a strong relationship underpinned by shared interests, complementary economies and a close affinity between our peoples.

I will meet with the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yōko and Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo. We will discuss Australia and Japan’s approach to regional challenges, as well as the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Our two countries have never been closer. Australia is committed to remaining a long-term energy security partner for Japan while taking ambitious climate action together.

Japan and Australia share an ambition for an Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, in which sovereignty is respected.

The Greens have secured support for a Senate inquiry into menopause and perimenopause to understand its health impacts and its economic impacts on women and people who menstruate, and the impacts on the broader economy.

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

“People experiencing physically and mentally debilitating menopause and perimenopause symptoms have for too long been forced to suffer in silence.

“Women are sick of being invisible and their health needs neglected. We need evidence-based policies to reduce the impact of menopause and perimenopause on women’s participation in the workforce, and the adequacy of existing leave entitlements.

“We also need more awareness both by GPs and by patients of the symptoms of peri and menopause, so that people know what treatments are available to them, and make them affordable.

“The gendered cost of treatment is yet another financial burden faced by women, on top of the costs of a lifetime of menstruation.

“I am pleased this inquiry received consensus support to be established, and I look forward to hearing from individuals, health professionals, employers and experts about that federal funding and policies need to be developed to support women in this phase of life.”

The Greens have secured support for a Senate inquiry into menopause and perimenopause to understand its health impacts and its economic impacts on women and people who menstruate, and the impacts on the broader economy.

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

“People experiencing physically and mentally debilitating menopause and perimenopause symptoms have for too long been forced to suffer in silence.

“Women are sick of being invisible and their health needs neglected. We need evidence-based policies to reduce the impact of menopause and perimenopause on women’s participation in the workforce, and the adequacy of existing leave entitlements.

“We also need more awareness both by GPs and by patients of the symptoms of peri and menopause, so that people know what treatments are available to them, and make them affordable.

“The gendered cost of treatment is yet another financial burden faced by women, on top of the costs of a lifetime of menstruation.

“I am pleased this inquiry received consensus support to be established, and I look forward to hearing from individuals, health professionals, employers and experts about that federal funding and policies need to be developed to support women in this phase of life.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has backed calls by current and former Pacific leaders for Australia to end support for more coal and gas ahead of Prime Minister Albanese joining the Pacific Island Forum meeting in the Cook Islands today.

Mr Bandt said he would support Pacific Island Leaders not letting the Labor government off the hook by refusing to back Australia’s bid to host the global climate summit in 2026 while Labor keeps backing more coal and gas.

Mr Bandt has previously written to Pacific leaders supporting them to push for stronger action on the climate crisis by Australia.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“Anthony Albanese risks becoming a Pacific pariah like Scott Morrison if he keeps backing more coal and gas.

“We back the calls from the Pacific for Labor to stop subsidising coal and gas and to end its vast coal and gas expansion plans. Labor should support the Port Vila call for a just transition to a fossil fuel free Pacific.

“Leaders, former leaders and people across the Pacific are making clear that Labor shouldn’t host the global climate summit until it stops pushing for more coal and gas.

“Providing more money to the Pacific is needed, but it won’t be enough if Labor keeps subsidising and expanding coal and gas.

“The Pacific nations are on the frontline of the climate crisis, and they will be overwhelmed by storms, floods, and rapid collapse of access to food and water. Hundreds of thousands of Pacific people will die or be displaced by climate events, which will rapidly escalate into a humanitarian and refugee crisis. We cannot afford more coal and gas and no amount of money to the Pacific will repair the damage of Australia’s Labor government green-lighting projects like Beetaloo, Narrabri or the Burrup Hub.”

Background

Port Vila call

Pacific Elders Voice

Vanuatu Climate Minister, Ralph Regenvanu opinion piece

Today in Parliament the Labor Government again refused to support a call from the Greens for an immediate ceasefire to protect innocent civilians in Gaza amid a soaring civilian death toll.

In Question Time today the Greens asked Labor to back the United Nations call for a ceasefire, following Labor’s refusal, all Australian Greens Senators exited in protest.

The Australian Greens have condemned the hostage-taking and killing of innocent civilians by Hamas and by the state of Israel.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi is Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and led the call for a ceasefire and subsequent boycott of Question Time today:

“We are witnessing the State of Israel’s horrific war crimes in Gaza, with almost ten thousand massacred including more than 4000 children. The Australian Government must back the United Nations call for an immediate ceasefire.

“Today the Australian Greens left Question Time in protest because, like millions of Australians, we have been shocked, horrified and angered by the massacre of innocent people in Gaza. It is unacceptable that the Labor government refuses to push for a ceasefire in the face of these atrocities.

“Millions are marching around the world for peace in Palestine but our Government is failing to listen and act. Today, we proudly brought the people’s protest into Parliament so that Labor can no longer ignore the call for an immediate ceasefire.

“Supporting the United Nations call for a ceasefire is one of the most basic steps the Australian Government could take. Why has it not happened already? The violence, the war crimes and the illegal occupation must end.

“The PM and the Foreign Minister should show some guts and rightfully condemn the State of Israel and demand a ceasefire.

“The Greens are the only party in parliament calling for an immediate ceasefire.”

Many Australian households will be struggling with the news of today’s interest rate rise, which takes the cash rate to its highest level since 2011.

Australians with a mortgage of $750,000 will now be paying almost $2,000 more each month. That’s $24,000 more a year that they will need to find.

Acting Shadow Treasurer, Senator Jane Hume said that this interest rise is going to put further pressure on already strained family budgets.

“Last week’s ABS data showed that mortgage costs are having a significant impact on the living costs for Australian families, and this interest rate rise is going to make it even harder for those households already doing it tough to make ends meet.

“We know that every time there is an interest rate rise, there is an increase in the number of Australians accessing hardship programs from their energy providers, and seeking assistance from charities to help put food on the table.

“This rate rise is the consequence of a government that has spent the past 17 months with the wrong priorities, without a plan to tackle inflation and without a plan to lower the cost of living.

“Instead, while the RBA has its foot heavily on the brake trying to cool the economy, Labor has added $188 billion of new spending, which is only going to keep inflation higher for longer.

“The Albanese Labor Government’s lack of a plan to tackle inflation is gambling with Australians money and with our economy.

“As a result, interest rates are going to be higher for longer and its hardworking Australians who are paying the price.”