Category: Australian News

1. Alternative Solutions: there are other, more effective ways to address Indigenous issues without a constitutional change.
2. National Unity Concerns: The Voice is divisive, leading to racial segregation rather than unifying Australians.
3. Ambiguity: The actual function, role, and power of the Indigenous Voice remain unclear, leading to uncertainties about its implementation and ramifications.
4. Expanded Commonwealth Power: There’s a potential for the Commonwealth to significantly broaden its legislative powers at the expense of the states.
5. Judicial Complications: Matters concerning the Indigenous Voice will end up in the High Court, complicating governance and potentially leading to legal challenges.
6. Economic Implications: There are economic costs to implementing race-based constitutional changes. The financial implications of the Voice will be significant.
7. Representation Concerns: The Voice will not truly represent the diverse views and needs of all Indigenous communities across Australia.
8. Overreach: The proposed change will empower the Commonwealth to make broad decisions, even on matters only tangentially related to the Voice.
9. Accountability Issues: How will the Voice be held accountable, and how will it’s efficiency and effectiveness will be measured? Accountability has been lacking in the bodies in the past.
10. Constitutional Division: The proposed Indigenous Voice will disrupt the delicate balance of power between the Commonwealth and the States.

In the end, as with any political issue, voters need to understand all perspectives before deciding. This breakdown offers insight into one side of the ongoing debate surrounding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed cancellation of this year’s Melbourne Cup Parade, following the success of the growing movement to shut down horse racing and the Greens #NupToTheCup campaign. 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Days of the Melbourne Cup are numbered thanks to the tireless work of animal welfare activists and growing community concern over the animal cruelty of horse racing.

“We are winning the fight against the cruel and callous horse racing industry.

“Cancellation of the Melbourne Cup Parade means  the long, hard work of animal welfare activists and protesters is paying off. And we will not stop until this grotesque festival of cruelty is binned altogether. Now let’s cancel the race.

“Tragically, 168 horses have died on the track this year alone. How many more horses need to die before we realise that horse racing kills. Enough is enough.

“Public opinion is turning fast. The surge in support for #NupToTheCup has shown how much the community values animal welfare. Most people see horse racing as  a cruel, archaic industry that flourishes on the torture of beautiful horses.

“The social licence of the racing industry is fading fast. People are switching off because they clearly understand the cruelty and toxicity of gambling and racing.

“Independent polling shows that a whopping 64% of Australians believe racing animals like horses and greyhounds for gambling and entertainment is cruel. This figure has been going up each year, from 59% in 2022 and 55% in 2021. 

“Let’s move with the times and leave behind this barbaric industry. The Melbourne Cup thrives on gambling, consumerism and alcoholism, all fueled by animal cruelty. 

‘It’s time to shut down horse racing.”

Response to today’s legal decision on the Living Wonders case. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is spokesperson for the Environment and currently has a Climate Trigger Bill before the Senate.

“Our environment laws are broken so long as they fail to tackle climate change.

“It shouldn’t fall on a small community group to take on the might of the fossil fuel industry and their accomplices in the Federal Government in court.

“The Environment Minister should be on the side of the environment to protect our climate, our rivers, our reef and public safety instead of teaming up with coal and gas companies.

“If Minister Plibersek wants to protect nature and tackle climate change she should work  with the Greens and back our Climate Trigger Bill in the Senate as part of the environment law reform she has promised. My door is open for that conversation in good faith.

“Australians voted for climate action at the last election, but every time the Government fights to approve a coal or gas project they are putting Australia at risk of more frequent and extreme bushfires this summer.”

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP has condemned instances of hate and bigotry in Australia, and expressed concern over civilian deaths in Israel and Palestine.

There have been reports of an antisemitic attack in Melbourne overnight, while Australian supporters of Palestine have shared harrowing examples of Islamophobia online.

The Greens say that amid this painful time, antisemitism and Islamophobia are unacceptable.

Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“This is a painful time for the Jewish and Palestinian communities in Australia, who must be able to grieve the loss of loved ones and publicly express solidarity for those trying to stay safe back home, and antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks on Australia’s Jewish and Palestinian communities must stop,” Mr Bandt said.

“This war has brought pain and grief to so many, and there is no place to worsen that through hateful and violent racism and bigotry, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

“There is no place for antisemitism or Islamophobia in the push to end the occupation of Palestine and build a lasting peace.

“I’m particularly concerned about reports of an antisemitic attack in Melbourne, the abhorrent Islamophobia expressed at supporters of Palestine, and the attempt of a small group to hijack a rally in support of Palestine, who the rally organisers have rightly condemned as ‘vile antisemitic attendees’. As we fight to end the occupation, the Greens oppose all forms of racism and discrimination in Australia and internationally.

“Amid reports of civilian deaths in Israel and Palestine, there must be an immediate ceasefire between the State of Israel and Hamas and an end to the occupation to ensure a lasting peace. The premeditated targeting of civilians by Hamas is a war crime, as is the bombing of Palestinian civilians by the State of Israel. All perpetrators of war crimes in this conflict must be held to account for their actions in accordance with international law. The Greens condemn the attacks and we condemn the occupation. 

“For there to be a lasting peace there must be an end to the State of Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.”

The Australian Government has received confirmation of the tragic death of Galit Carbone, an Australian citizen murdered in the attacks on Israel by terrorist group Hamas.

On behalf of the Government, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms Carbone. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to her family in Israel and in Australia.

Australia unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas. There is no excuse for the deliberate killing of innocent civilians.

The loss of life from these attacks has been devastating and unacceptable. Australia has called for the attacks to stop and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those taken hostage.

Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured in these attacks and all others affected. Australia continues to urge the protection of civilian lives at all times.

The Australian Government will provide $1 million to support the people of Afghanistan following the deadly earthquake which struck Herat Province.

The earthquake has exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where 29.2 million people are already in desperate need.

Australia’s assistance will be directed through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The AHF provides emergency shelter, health, food and protection for vulnerable people. No Australian funding will benefit or legitimise the Taliban regime.

Australia has already committed $50 million in 2023-24 to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.

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

“We are deeply troubled by the loss of life and destruction in Afghanistan.

“Australia’s support will be delivered through independent agencies to provide basic needs such as shelter, food and medicine.

“Australia stands with the people of Afghanistan.”

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

“This earthquake has exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where almost 30 million people are already in desperate need.

“We are working closely with our humanitarian partners who have initiated relief efforts, deploying medical and trauma support to regional hospitals, as well as providing emergency shelter, supplies and food assistance to affected areas.”

the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts (MP) said:

“Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragic earthquake, their families, and the rescue personnel.

“We urge the Taliban to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities.” 

Today we announce the Australian Government will begin the assisted-departure of Australians affected by the situation in Israel and Gaza.

On Monday, we directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to assess all options to assist Australians wanting to leave.

Australian Government assisted-departure flights will depart from Ben Gurion Airport starting Friday for Australians who do not already have plans to leave through commercial options.

These flights will be operated by Qantas free-of-charge.

We understand many Australians are experiencing difficulties with delays and cancellations of commercial flights departing Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

Our immediate priority is to ensure the Australians who want to leave Israel are able to do so – but we are working on options for Australians who need onward support from London.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and consider whether further assisted-departure flights are required.

Australians who want to leave Israel via Australia’s assisted-departure flights should register by calling the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

Australians in Israel and Gaza who cannot reach Ben Gurion Airport, should contact the Consular Emergency Centre for assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide updates to registered Australians.

Mortgages, rents, power and grocery bills continue to soar under Labor.

In light of the challenging circumstances facing many Australian households, Senator Dean Smith is calling on Labor and the Australian Greens to support a Private Senator’s Bill that could alleviate some of these pressures.

The proposed Bill, which Senator Smith intends to introduce on behalf of the Coalition, would provide the food industry with a tax incentive to donate surplus food to Australians in need.

It gives effect to an initiative that has long been championed by Foodbank Australia and its supporters, aimed at providing urgent food relief to those at risk of going hungry.

Foodbank reports two million Australian households were unable to consistently put food on the table during the past year, while 38% of food insecure households are not receiving the formal food support they require.

The new Bill would feature a two-tiered tax incentive model that was developed by KPMG.

Small and medium businesses, including grocery shops and family farms, would be eligible for a 20% cash back on all costs associated with their food donations.

Larger operators would receive a 10% credit on their tax bill.

The tax deduction would not apply to individuals.

It follows the effective use of food donation tax incentives around the world, including the United States, France, Canada and the Netherlands.

In addition to promoting sustainability and supporting small and medium businesses, the Bill’s other major objective is to crack down on Australia’s alarming rates of food waste.

Foodbank reports that 7.6 million tonnes of food are being wasted by the nation each year – 70% of it able to eaten.

Senator Smith said the Bill’s introduction could not be timelier.

“This pointless wastage across Australia is happening as food stress becomes increasingly widespread, affecting more and more households and communities,” Senator Smith said.

“It makes absolute sense to introduce an incentive that tackles both these issues simultaneously – and one that it is both fast-acting and straightforward.

“This is a well-considered, much needed policy, a win for all concerned, and should be implemented as soon as possible.

“I call on the Albanese Government and the Australian Greens to help make that happen when the time comes.”

Foodbank Australia Chief Operating Officer Sarah Pennell said the incentive has the potential to provide the equivalent of 100 million meals a year.

“Because it is often cheaper to dump food than donate it, cost is a main reason why businesses fail to donate excess and imperfect stock to charity,” Ms Pennell said.

“The current tax system misses an opportunity to support businesses, like farms, to recover some of their costs of donating wholesome but unsellable food.

“Furthermore, a tax incentive is a cost-effective policy because the government only pays it when the food is donated.”

• The Palaszczuk Queensland Government has confirmed it will deliver 600 social homes with more than $398 million from the Albanese Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator
• 80 per cent of homes will be delivered outside of Brisbane with many in regional, rural and remote parts of the state

A federal funding injection from the Albanese Government will see the Palaszczuk Government build another 600 homes across Queensland, adding to the state’s record rollout of social and affordable homes.

As part of the Albanese Federal Government’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator, the state has received more than $398 million from the Commonwealth to deliver the additional homes.

It adds to the Palaszczuk Government’s existing $5 billion investment in social and affordable housing – the largest concentrated investment in the state’s history – which will help to deliver 13,500 homes.

The Albanese Government’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator will increase Australia’s housing supply by creating thousands of social homes across Australia – with all funding to be committed by states and territories within two years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Every Australian deserves the security of a roof over their head – our $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator is real dollars, driving real change and building more homes across the nation.

“This will build hundreds of homes across Queensland, while we will continue to work with the Palaszczuk Government to deliver even more homes.

“We have an ambitious housing agenda which includes the delivery of 30,000 social and affordable homes through our $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.”

Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins said:

“We know Australia’s housing challenges are serious which is why we’re taking immediate action with our $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator, including $398 million for Queensland.

“This new funding, and the homes we are announcing today, will mean more Queenslanders have a safe and affordable place to call home.

“I’m really pleased our funding will help boost social housing in regional Australia.

“This funding is making a real difference – here in Queensland and right across the country.”

Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said:

“Our Big Social Housing Build just got bigger.

“From Cape York to the Gold Coast and everywhere in between, we’ve made sure these additional homes are going where they’re needed most alongside the thousands of homes we’ve already got in the pipeline.

“Shovels are in the ground right now on hundreds of sites across Queensland to build more public homes, and we’ll be looking at a mix methods to get these new homes up as well.

“These homes will be rolled out through traditional means, pre-fabricated factories, house and land packages, in partnership with community housing providers and First Nations councils, and the redevelopment of accommodation like hotels and motels into housing.”

We are pleased to confirm that Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia and has been reunited with her family, after more than three years of detention in China.

The Australian Government has been seeking Ms Cheng’s return since she was detained in August, 2020.

Her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians.

Her release follows the completion of legal processes in China.

The Australian Government will continue to provide whatever consular support Ms Cheng and her family require. 

As Ms Cheng reunites with her family, we ask that media respect her family’s wishes for privacy.