Category: Australian News

Australians want to know: will the Labor Government stop asylum seekers arriving by plane? And will they treat this problem with urgency?

Labor has been talking about asylum seekers arriving by plane since 2019 and they sat on the Nixon Review for seven months before announcing a response.

Australians will by cynical that Labor is serious about addressing this problem.

Under this Labor Government:

• 23,822 asylum seekers arrived by plane and lodged a protection claim in Australia.

• The number of monthly asylum seeker claims is trending upwards: just 726 asylum claims were lodged in April 2022 before the election, but in the last three months under Labor 1762, 1940 and 2164 asylum claims were lodged.

• The total number of asylum seekers in Australia has grown to more than 105,000.

• Just 167 failed asylum seekers have been deported.

Labor needs to answer these questions about the asylum seekers arriving on their watch:

• How fast will Labor process asylum claims to deter non-genuine applicants?

• When will the number of asylum seekers in Australia start to fall?

• Labor waited seven months to respond to the Nixon Review, how long before they take action on this problem?

• What is Labor doing about unscrupulous lawyers and migration agents providing shadow advice to non-genuine asylum seekers?

• Will Labor deport more failed asylum seekers? Labor has deported just 2,161 criminals and failed asylum seekers in a year compared to 6,352 deportations a year under the Coalition (average 2013-2019).

• Does Labor even know where the failed 75,430 asylum seekers are living in Australia?

If blaming others actually solved problems, then life in Australia under this Labor Government would be trouble free.

But that’s not how responsibility works. Labor sat on an important review so they could use it as a distraction from the Voice.

Cracking down on criminals and dodgy asylum seekers is hard work and it will be unpopular with some Labor supporters but it’s the right thing to do. This is a test for Labor.

Remember what Kristina Keneally had to say about the issue, when Labor was all talk and no responsibility:

• “Criminal syndicates, people smugglers, have shifted their business model from boats to planes. They’re trafficking people here,” 8 October 2019.

• “This is the development of an economic model that relies on exploited and low-paid workers, and it is a misuse, it is an abuse, of our asylum-seeking process,” 9 October 2019.

• “If a government is serious about stopping a flow of people coming to Australia, then it would be doing something about airplane arrivals,” 6 September 2019.

Vital Centrelink and Medicare services and payments to Australians could be disrupted if a planned union-led strike at Services Australia goes ahead on Monday 9 October.

According to media reports it could involve almost 30 per cent of Services Australia’s 34,000 strong workforce.

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy Paul Fletcher said the strike is another example of an embattled agency which is out of control.

“Services Australia is in crisis under Government Services Minister Bill Shorten,” Mr Fletcher said.

“We know that Services Australia provides a range of supports to the most vulnerable and it would be unacceptable for these services to be disrupted by the strike, especially in this cost of living crisis.

“Mr Shorten must explain which services will be affected and what will be done to cater for those who require assistance on Monday.

“For Services Australia to simply say they are ‘making preparations to minimise potential disruption to our customers’ isn’t good enough.

“The public deserve to know the facts, including exactly what services will be adversely impacted, whether claims processing will be pushed out, and what local service centres will be disrupted.”

Services Australia is fast becoming a basket case under Labor.

• Centrelink call wait times have blown out, with the average time taken to connect to the Employment Services line at over 29 minutes;
• Last month, a top Services Australia boss publicly conceded that the agency was “understaffed in our service delivery”;
• Average staffing levels at the agency have been cut, from 28,560 in 2020-2023 to 26,692 in 2023-2024;
• Bill Shorten has refused to hand over the latest claims processing data for Medicare and Centrelink, refused a lawful FOI request and provided overdue Questions on Notice;
• Bill Shorten has also been MIA on vital reforms to digital ID and he has failed to respond to the MyGov User Audit, which was handed to him in January.

“If Services Australia is to get back on track, there needs to be a root and branch review of this critical agency, with a strong focus on how to improve customer service, drive digital transformation and better understand the expectations of customers,” Mr Fletcher said.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten must stop hiding and explain to the public what Centrelink and Medicare services have been impacted because of today’s union-led strike at Services Australia, and the long-term scale of the disruption on customers.

According to media reports the strike could involve almost 30 per cent of Services Australia’s 34,000 strong workforce.

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy Paul Fletcher said the strike is a powerful example of an agency and government that has misplaced its priorities.

“Services Australia is a basket case and Bill Shorten needs to accept responsibility for its litany of failures,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Australians need Centrelink and Medicare services more than ever because of Labor’s cost of living crisis and this industrial action will cause angst and confusion for people already doing it tough. Monday also happens to be the busiest day for Services Australia telephony.

“I wrote to Bill Shorten on Friday requesting he outline the impact the strike will have on service delivery across the agency for today and beyond.”

The letter requested Mr Shorten to provide the following:

• Expected duration of the strike
• Expected number of staff involved in the strike per face-to-face site
• Expected impact on face-to-face wait times per site
• Expected impact on timelines for claims processing and payments
• Best internal agency point of contact for case escalation

Locally-based Senator Paul Scarr said that it is very disappointing that the Albanese Labor Government has been unable to reach an agreement with the Union.

“The people of Ipswich rely upon this Centrelink office and these services. Ipswich suffers from a higher level of unemployment than most of Australia – the last regional figure was 6.5% compared to a national rate of 3.7%. Pensioners and carers rely upon this office to access services,” Senator Scarr said.“In this cost-of-living crisis there are many Ipswich residents doing it tough. The Labor Government needs to explain what it is going to do to make sure that this industrial action does not impact Ipswich residents trying to access their entitlements.”

Labor needs to rescind its declaration of the Hunter Offshore Wind Zone and fix its broken community engagement process before reopening public consultation.

Impacted communities are angry and for good reason: they face the prospect of 260-meter-high wind turbines across their pristine coastline, following a flawed community engagement process.

Public consultation on the Hunter Offshore Wind Zone ran for 65 days between 23 February to 28 April in what many residents consider a sham process dressed up as a democratic exercise.

It was residents of Norah Head who first alerted me to the flaws in how the government was consulting on the proposed zone, and I accepted an invitation to visit the beachside community in early July.

There is no substitute for meeting people face-to-face on the ground.

I learnt that most locals didn’t even know that public consultations had already come and gone.

Locals told me about unions co-opting the community engagement process to encourage positive submissions.

I heard complaints about limited in-person briefings and how those who attended them left with more questions than answers.

Residents outlined deep concerns about the environment, worries for the migration pathway of humpback whales, the threat to local tourism businesses and risks to local commercial and recreational fishers.

I even heard about senior citizens unable to make written submissions as part of the process because only digital submissions were being accepted.

Then, suddenly, a breakthrough.

On the same day as my visit, Minister Chris Bowen announced a ‘Community Engagement Review’ to improve community engagement on renewable energy projects.

This was tantamount to an admission on the part of the Albanese Government that its consultation process was broken and needed to be fixed.

I welcomed the announcement.

Finally, the government was listening (or so it seemed).

But, much to my dismay, Minister Bowen proceeded to declare the Hunter offshore wind zone the following week.

The contradiction was stark. Labor knew its community engagement process was flawed yet they still used it as the basis for declaring an offshore wind zone, despite serious community angst.

The region has been taken for mugs, and they knew it.

Norah Head wasn’t the only upset community.

In meeting nearly 150 local residents at an open community town hall meeting in Port Stephens’ Shoal Bay a few weeks ago, their anger was palpable.

Tourism operators and professional fishers were furious; fearful that their businesses would soon be capsized by enormous projects offshore.

They had been steamrolled by the Albanese Government and the radio silence from their federal Labor MPs rubbed salt into the wound.

Their stories were similar to those at Norah Head: from residents not knowing about public consultations to unanswered questions and concerns about the local economy and environment.

One resident queried what the future holds for his children if the risks the community foresaw were to eventuate.

Despite these communities being in Labor seats, only the Coalition has demonstrated a willingness to hear and represent their interests.

I have thought long and hard about the conundrum Labor has created with the Hunter Offshore Wind Zone, and I’ve concluded that the zone is untenable in the absence of a social license.

The issue isn’t with offshore wind as a source of energy. Every technology has its pros and cons which is why an “All-of-the-Above” approach is needed so a balanced mix of technologies ultimately prevails.

Residents of these communities want climate change tackled and they see renewables as part of the solution, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to cop their way of life being jeopardized or their local economy and environment trashed.

The crux of the matter is that the government’s community engagement process in the Hunter was unambiguously flawed and the proposed offshore wind zone lacks community support.

Nevertheless, I believe there’s a pathway to building the needed social license, but it requires swift action on the part of the government.

Firstly, the Minister’s declaration of the zone should be rescinded.

Secondly, the community engagement process should be fixed through the review that has already been commissioned, so long as a revamped process puts the community, not investors, at the centre.

Thirdly, public consultation should be reopened under the new process.

I appreciate the Albanese Government is feeling desperate as renewable energy investment stalls and its 82% renewables target looks dicey, but that’s no excuse for showing reckless indifference towards regional communities.

Report of the Bilateral Air Services Senate Select Committee

• Immediately Review the Qatar Airways decision
• Immediately Reinstate ACCC monitoring of domestic airlines
• Urgently respond to Harris Review into Sydney Airport slots
• Strengthen competition in domestic aviation, including investigating divestiture powers
• Implement consumer protection reforms for travellers
• Seek to extend the Select Committee to hear from Alan Joyce AC and Minister Catherine King

The Albanese Government should immediately review the decision to reject additional flights from Qatar Airways, reinstate monitoring of the domestic airline industry by the competition watchdog, respond to the Harris Review of Sydney Airport slots to help improve reliability, increase choice, and reduce the cost of airfares, are recommendations of the Senate Select Committee inquiry on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Chair of the Select Committee, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the inquiry has made strong recommendations for immediate actions the government could take to cut the cost of airfares and reduce flight cancellations and delays.

“At a time of a cost-of-living crisis in Australia the Government has made decisions that have protected Qantas’ market share and kept the cost of airfares higher for Australian families and exporters, and they have delayed making critical decisions to improve the reliability of domestic travel especially at Sydney Airport,” Senator McKenzie said.

“The committee heard evidence that Australians could have been enjoying cheaper flights to Europe and the Middle East as early as April this year had the Government approved additional Qatar Airways flights, and that Turkish Airlines had planned to offer additional flights in time for families to reunite overseas this Christmas.

The committee received 147 written submissions, including over 100 from individuals who raised issues with the Qantas frequent flyer program, including the devaluing of points and lack of available services.

“As a result of this inquiry, Qantas have offered to work to resolve the concerns of those customers, and the committee has recommended the Government develop strong consumer protection measures to address the devaluation of loyalty programs as well as lost baggage, cancellations and significant flight delays.

“Clear evidence was provided of the aggressive use of market power by Qantas and the committee has called for reinstatement of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission monitoring of the domestic airline industry and for the competition watchdog to inquire into anti-competitive behaviour in the sector.

Senator McKenzie said the evidence supports the conclusion that the Government rejected Qatar Airways request because of interventions by former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, who was also responsible for Qantas supporting the Prime Minister’s referendum on the Voice, at shareholders and customers expense.

“Unfortunately, the Government sought to prevent the committee from fully investigating the reasons why additional Qatar Airways flights were rejected by refusing to release documents and placing a gag on the infrastructure and foreign affairs departments.

“Departmental answers to questions taken on notice were not provided until as late as Friday afternoon, in a brazen attempt by the Albanese Government to prevent the committee from reporting by the 9 October 2023 deadline,” Senator McKenzie said.

Senator McKenzie said the committee has recommended the Senate vote to extend the Select Committee to enable it to hear from Mr Alan Joyce AC, who was unable to appear before the inquiry due to being overseas.

The committee will also seek to have the Parliament direct Transport Minister, Catherine King appear before the extended inquiry. Minister King failed to formally respond to the committee’s request for her to appear, despite telling media she would not front up.

Report Recommendations

1. Government immediately review Qatar Airways decision
2. Government have regard to cost benefit analysis, consult widely and publish a statement of reasons of decisions on bilateral air services agreements.
3. Government review reform options to strengthen competition in the domestic aviation industry, including potential divestiture powers to remedy any misuse of market power.
4. Government to reinstate Australian Competition and Consumer Commission monitoring of the domestic airline industry.
5. Government direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to conduct an inquiry into anti-competitive behaviour in the domestic aviation market.
6. Government develop and implement consumer protection reforms to address significant delays, cancellations, lost baggage and devaluation of loyalty programs.
7. Government to urgently respond to the Review of the Sydney Airport Demand Management Scheme (Harris Review) .
8. Government consider introducing limited cabotage to regional airports.
9. Committee recommends the Senate extend the Select Committee to receive evidence from Mr Alan Joyce AC and from Qantas government affairs representatives, noting that Qantas’ answers to questions on notice were unsatisfactory

Committee recommends the Senate request the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Catherine King MP, to attend and provide evidence at a public hearing of the Select Committee.

What are the alternatives to a Voice, and why hasn’t a vision of a united Australia been canvassed by leaders other than One Nation?

Let’s explore a vision that draws from the wisdom of our past while looking toward the future.

Our beautiful land is a canvas painted with the stories of both Aboriginals and those who came after. It’s a narrative of unity, struggles, and perseverance. We are one mob, not divided among races.

That’s a vision we would love to instill in our nation. Unity. A vision where all those who want to be a part of our Aussie culture can join if they respect who we are, and where we have come from.

Think of our country as a grand old tree, its roots deep in history, its branches reaching out to every Australian. Every leaf represents each one of us — unique yet part of the same tree. Every decision made at the top impacts the whole tree, right down to the deepest root.

Farmers are the best custodians of their land, and any farmer will tell you what you do to interfere with one branch or leaf has an impact on the whole tree.

Our founders envisioned a nation where decisions were made in unity. A land where every voice, whether from the busy cities or the vast outback, mattered equally. While we acknowledge the connection the Aboriginals have with this land, we must also ensure that in our quest to do right by one group, we don’t inadvertently silence others.

Imagine a grand assembly, a gathering of minds, where every Australian has a seat. From the young to the elderly, from the Indigenous to the immigrant. All with their stories, hopes, and dreams. While we listen to the songlines of our Aboriginal friends, we must also hear the dreams of a farmer in Geelong, the aspirations of a teacher in Perth, or the challenges faced by a business owner in Cairns.

Our grand assembly is Parliament, where members debate, discuss and hopefully listen. Where many Aboriginal folk, people from many races, and both genders are represented.

We must move forward with respect and understanding after the referendum is finished, cherishing our foundation while paving the way for an inclusive future based on us all being equal. Australia’s strength doesn’t come from sidelining any group but from uniting our diverse voices in harmony.

We need to ensure that the harmony of the Australian chorus isn’t disrupted. They believed in an Australia where tradition met progression seamlessly, ensuring a brighter future for all.

Senate inquiry hearings into Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) funding mismanagement have exposed the Division is in turmoil.

A staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance has been identified, resulting in harrowing impacts on science staff and capabilities.

Damning evidence to the committee over the past two days includes:

• Revelations of a $42 million AAD budget overspend with an admission from the AAD of “ongoing issues with Budget transparency”, resulting in cost cutting and budget restraints that have impacted the delivery of science in the Antarctic.
• Distress from AAD staff who “dread” coming into the office and face extreme stress in “a hostile work environment where there is bullying and where funding is uncertain”.
• Frustration from UTAS and other scientists that no field work has been conducted in Antarctica investigating critical marginal sea ice movements for over a decade.
• Alarm from CPSU delegates and members about a “culture of secrecy”, project funding being used as a bullying tactic, and “at least half a dozen” current AAD employees who had felt pressured not to give evidence. 
• Incredulity expressed by TasPorts on why the government didn’t listen to warnings dating back to 2018 that its $528m ice-breaking research ship – RSV Nuyina – which resupplies Australia’s three Antarctic stations and conducts crucial climate research was too big to safely pass underneath Hobart’s bridge to refuel.

The inquiry was initiated following the Albanese Government’s failure to set the record straight and address rising fears about what science programs will be axed as a result of a $25 million cut the AAD’s operating budget..

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

“We knew going into this inquiry that certain matters relating to the AAD’s governance were dysfunctional, but I never could have imagined just how toxic the situation had become – especially for our nation’s Antarctic scientists.

“The AAD self-identified a shocking $42 million overspend and ongoing issues with budget transparency – and whether or not the Division likes to admit it, this has resulted in budget restraints that have impacted Australia’s delivery of critical science programs in the Antarctic.

“Deeply personal witness testimony to the AAD inquiry has been devastating and has indicated a staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance that has resulted in harrowing impacts on scientists and their critical work. People’s lives have been dramatically impacted by the dysfunction of the AAD’s workplace culture and historic poor decision making. 

“It’s now incumbent on the Senate to provide a strong majority report with recommendations that can fix this mess, and for the Government to listen and restore critical funding for Antarctic science programs, as well as implement long-term structural change. 

“MPs from across the political spectrum who attended the hearings were in solidarity about wanting to find a solution to this mess – but only the Government has the power to implement meaningful change.” 

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to Brisbane Southsiders, with a provider for the Brisbane South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) selected, following an Expression of Interest process.

Cornwall Street Medical Centre will be established as the Brisbane South Medicare UCC and will start seeing patients 23 October 2023.

The Brisbane South Medicare UCC will deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment to make it easier for people in Queensland to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital.<

The Medicare UCC will be open for extended hours, seven days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.

Over 30 per cent of presentations to the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.

The Brisbane South clinic is one of the 11 Medicare UCCs across Queensland – located in Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Northern Brisbane, Murrumba Downs (Redcliffe), Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville.

The Australian Government will continue to work closely with Primary Health Networks and the Queensland Government to deliver the remaining Medicare UCCs, all of which will open this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“It’s a real privilege to be opening another Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, this time in Woolloongabba.

“Across Brisbane’s south, when Queenslanders need urgent care that isn’t life threatening – the Brisbane South Medicare UCC will be here to help.

“Prior to the election last year, we committed to rolling out 50 new Urgent Care Clinics across the country. When we complete our rollout – we’ll have exceeded our target and there’ll be 58 centres giving Australians urgent care, taking pressure off emergency departments all over the country.

the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“The Brisbane South Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the Southside.

“Southsiders will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.

“The clinic will ease pressure on the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.

“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”

Labor Senator for Queensland, Minister Murray Watt said:

“The Brisbane South Medicare UCC will mean Southsiders who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card.

“I know many Southside families who have had to wait long hours at the emergency department for non-life-threatening issues

“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on our local emergency departments and be much more convenient for our community – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.”

With the release of the Labor’s draft legislation today the Greens reconfirm their intentions to use their Senate balance of power to facilitate the government’s superannuation tax reforms, if they will commit to paying superannuation on PPL.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:

“The Government’s superannuation tax proposal is such a timid proposed change to the tax concessions the obscenely wealthy receive. If Labor is not going to improve it, the least they can do is put the revenue to good use for the legions of women retiring into poverty.

“Labor has said repeatedly that they want super paid on paid parental leave ‘when budget circumstances permit’. The expected revenue from its proposed changes to super is more than enough to cover the cost.

“The Greens have said we will facilitate the government’s superannuation tax reforms if they will commit to paying superannuation on PPL. We likewise stand ready to expedite super on PPL through any other bill that the government produces.

“Labor is making women wait for minor measures like paying super on PPL that would immediately improve economic equality, but can somehow find $313 billion for the Stage 3 tax cuts.

“The government has now received the final Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) report, but we’re still waiting to see a response.

“The Greens will be pushing to ensure Labor actually listens to the WEET’s advice – on PPL and all other areas of women’s economic security – rather than cherry picking recommendations as they did with the interim report.

“We will use our balance of power in the Senate to get outcomes for families and for the women in Australia retiring with 23 per cent less superannuation than men.”

Introduction

International Men’s Day is an occasion dedicated to recognising and celebrating men’s positive contributions and experiences in society. It’s a day to foster mateship, highlight the importance of looking out for one another, and share inspiring stories of personal journeys and resilience. The United Nations doesn’t celebrate International Men’s Day, but that doesn’t mean One Nation won’t be hosting two events across the country to celebrate the day. The first event, set in Brisbane’s Victoria Park, offers an exclusive opportunity to celebrate the enduring power of mateship and the remarkable stories of men who have overcome challenges. The second event, in Norwood, Adelaide, features an impressive lineup of speakers and aims to honour men’s contributions to various fields.

International Men’s Day at Victoria Park, Brisbane

Hosted by Senator Malcolm Roberts and attended by Senator Pauline Hanson, this International Men’s Day event in Victoria Park, Brisbane, promises to be a memorable gathering of individuals who value the enduring bonds of mateship and the contributions of men to their country.

Guest Speaker Spotlight: Heston Russell

One of the highlights of this event is the presence of Heston Russell, a former Special Forces operative with an inspiring personal journey. Heston’s story of resilience and transformation is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. His mission to empower others to reach their full potential showcases the positive impact men can have when they stand together for the right reasons.

Meet Jeff Horn OLY, Former World Boxing Champion

Another inspiring figure at this event is Jeff Horn OLY, a former world boxing champion. Jeff’s journey from amateur ranks to defeating boxing legend Manny Pacquiao exemplifies determination and perseverance. His story is a testament to the resilience and dedication of men in their pursuit of excellence.

An Exceptional Experience

Both events emphasise the importance of sharing a meal, an age-old tradition that fosters connection and camaraderie. In Brisbane’s Victoria Park, attendees will enjoy a diverse showcase of the flavours of Australia, offering a unique opportunity to savour the nation’s culinary delights.

Raise Your Glass and Toast with Us

This International Men’s Day event in Brisbane is more than just a gathering; it is a celebration of Australian men making a difference. This event aims to highlight men’s positive impact on society through inspiring stories, shared experiences, and the spirit of mateship.

International Men’s Day Lunch at Norwood FC

The International Men’s Day lunch at Norwood FC, organised by the Hon. Sarah Game MLC, is set to be an inspiring event with an impressive lineup of speakers:

Former RAAF Fighter Pilot Jim Whalley AO: Jim Whalley’s journey as a fighter pilot and his contributions to the nation’s defence are extraordinary. His experiences promise to be both captivating and enlightening.

AFL Legend Chris McDermott: Chris McDermott’s name is synonymous with Australian Rules Football. His presence at the event will surely evoke a sense of pride and nostalgia for fans of the sport.

Professor Gary Wittert: As a distinguished academic, Professor Gary Wittert’s insights into men’s health and well-being will shed light on the importance of caring for oneself and each other.

CEO of Master Builders SA Will Frogley: Will Frogley’s leadership in the construction industry reflects men’s diverse talents and contributions in various fields.

The event aims to celebrate the men in our lives and their contributions while providing a platform for sharing personal journeys and stories. Combining these diverse speakers ensures a well-rounded celebration of International Men’s Day.