Category: Australian News

The NSW Opposition is wishing all students preparing to sit their Higher School Certificate the best of luck as exams officially commence today.
 
Of the cohort, almost 75,000 students are on track to complete their studies while more than 9,000 took on one or more HSC course before they reach Year 12.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman congratulated them on such an important milestone.
 
“This is a time to focus on the task ahead but it’s also a time to celebrate and reflect on everything you’ve achieved over the course of your studies,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“No matter how the exams go, or what results you get, every student should take satisfaction in getting to this point as it will give them a strong foundation for success in their post-school lives.”
 
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders encouraged students to try and enjoy some down time.
 
“This will be a stressful period as students put into practice everything they’ve learnt over the past 13 years but remember it’s not the be all and end all and everyone should just do their best,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“It’s also important to do the things you love, whether that be hanging out with family and friends, playing sport, or just getting out of the house to recharge the brain batteries when needed.”
 
Shadow Education Minister Sarah Mitchell also commended everyone who has been a part of the journey.
 
“I want to say a big thank you to all the staff, including principals, leaders, teachers, and school administrative support teams who work tirelessly to give our children the best education possible,” Mrs Mitchell said.
 
“To all the students who might be feeling a little nervous today, just know you’ve got this and we’re cheering you on every step of the way.”

Our Victorian state MP, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has moved the following motion in parliament – 

That this House —

(1)   notes that —

(a)   the Australian national flag and the Victorian state flag are enduring symbols of the nation, representing Australian and Victorian history, values and unity;

(b)   the deliberate desecration of the Australian and Victorian flags are not harmless acts of protest but a threatening act of aggression, a symbolic call to violence against Australia, its institutions and its people;

(c)   77 per cent of Australians polled by the Institute of Public Affairs believe that burning the Australian national flag should be against the law;

(d)   63 per cent of Australians polled by the Institute of Public Affairs believe that those who burn the Australian national flag should face jail time;

(e)   71 per cent of Australians polled by the Institute of Public Affairs believe that non-citizens who burn the Australian national flag should be deported; and

(2)   calls on the Allan Labor Government to enact legislation to criminalise the desecration of the Australian national and Victorian state flags.

I am pleased to announce that the Governor-General has agreed to the appointment of Ms Kathy Klugman as the next Director-General of National Intelligence, the head of the Office of National Intelligence.

Ms Klugman will take up her appointment when the current Director-General, Mr Andrew Shearer completes his term of appointment.

Ms Klugman is the first woman to lead the Office of National Intelligence or its predecessor the Office of National Assessments.

Ms Klugman has had a distinguished career in the Australian Public Service holding senior positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She has had a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region and served as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

As a Deputy Secretary at DFAT, she led the Department’s Development and Multilateral Group and oversaw Australia’s Centre for Regional Health Security and chaired the Department’s Aid Governance Board.

Before that, Ms Klugman led the Pacific Division of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and oversaw the establishment of the expanded Office of the Pacific in DFAT, charged with advancing Australia’s Pacific Step Up.  She held senior positions covering policy and strategy for Southeast Asia and South Asia, including as Australia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. She led the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Ms Klugman was most recently Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister, International, a position she has held since 2022.

I would like to thank Mr Shearer for his significant contribution as Director General since 2020. I am pleased that he agreed to continue to serve the Australian people in a new capacity.

Family First NSW Upper House candidate Lyle Shelton today announced that, if elected, he will move for a Parliamentary inquiry into the support of terrorist organisations by Australian Muslim groups and clerics.

The inquiry will examine how open advocacy for groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Hizb ut-Tahrir has been allowed to flourish in Australia despite laws prohibiting the advocacy of terrorism.

“Recent revelations show a disturbing pattern of prominent Muslim leaders and organisations in Australia supporting or expressing sympathy for proscribed terrorist groups,” Mr Shelton said.

“This is a matter of national security.”

Mr Shelton said his pledge for an inquiry was prompted by multiple revelations reported by The Daily Telegraph:

Dr Ali Al Samail, a cleric appointed by the Minns Government to advise on Jewish community safety, was revealed to have urged his congregation to pressure Labor to de-list Hamas and Hezbollah — which would allow their supporters to recruit, train, and fundraise in Australia.

The Arrahman Benevolent Society in Kingsgrove, whose co-director Youssef Nabha has publicly vowed the downfall of Israel, received $33,000 in taxpayer-funded grants from the Minns Government — including for “social cohesion” and “security upgrades” — despite long-standing ties to Hezbollah.

The Telegraph reported: “Three months after Premier Minns’ grant, Masjid Arrahman eulogised ‘righteous martyr’ and ‘master of resistance’ Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrallah in a three-day vigil.”

Speakers at last week’s Hizb ut-Tahrir-linked Bankstown rally openly celebrated the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, chanted “From the river to the sea”, and praised “Muslim armies” for “resisting Zionists.”

One of the speakers, notorious cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun, declared himself on October 8, 2023, “elated” after the slaughter, rape and kidnapping of Israeli civilians.

“Many of these leaders are not fringe individuals — these are people invited to advise governments, given public money, and platformed in our suburbs,” Mr Shelton said.

“The public deserves to know how this happened, and why no one in authority has acted.”

Mr Shelton said the proposed inquiry will:

• Investigate how organisations and clerics with sympathies for terrorist groups have escaped prosecution under the Criminal Code’s provisions against advocating terrorism;

• Examine due diligence failures in state and federal grant programs that have funnelled taxpayer money to extremist-linked organisations;

• Assess the impact on national security of allowing anti-Israel, pro-terror rhetoric to go unchecked.

“Calling for the destruction of the State of Israel and glorifying terrorist violence is incompatible with Australian values,” Mr Shelton said.

“A public inquiry is needed to ensure that those who benefit from Australia’s freedoms are not working to undermine them.”

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil, will travel to the Kingdom of Tonga today to represent the Australian Government at the commissioning ceremony for His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ new landing craft, VOEA Late, at the Masefield Naval Base. 

Delivered under the Albanese Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program, VOEA Late will strengthen Tonga’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during times of need, as well as its ability to deter, detect and disrupt illegal maritime activities across the region.

His Majesty King Tupou VI will formally commission the vessel, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, will also attend the ceremony.

Australia will continue to support the Tongan Royal Navy via a through-life maintenance and sustainment package, along with training for crew members to ensure the vessel’s operational readiness. 

The commissioning of VOEA Late is the latest demonstration of the enduring strength of the Australia and Tonga bilateral relationship and follows the recent signing of a Statement of Intent announcing a shared commitment to elevate ties between our two nations under the proposed ‘Kaume’a ‘Ofi’ (close trusted friendship) Partnership Agreement.

Today’s ceremony marks the vessel’s official entry into service, following its delivery and handover at Masefield Naval Base on 29 August 2025. 

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:

“It’s an honour to attend VOEA Late’s commissioning by His Majesty King Tupou VI, and see the vessel officially transition into active service.

“Australia is proud to partner with Tonga on maritime security and disaster preparedness so we can further the close relationship between our defence forces.

“Our Pacific Maritime Security Program is a 30-year commitment to invest in maritime security partnerships throughout the Pacific and reinforce Australia’s role as the security partner of choice for our Pacific neighbours. 

“Now more than ever, we remain focused on supporting the maritime security needs of our partners in the region.” 

The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Premier’s announcement this morning that the government will introduce reforms to make life easier for renters across the state.

These are reforms the government first announced last year under sustained pressure from the Greens and the community to do more to fix the worsening rental crisis.

The Greens also helped secure the new ban on rent bidding and no-grounds evictions that will come into effect in November.

But while landlords and real estate agents can still exploit renters and jack up rent prices as much as they like, renting will remain unaffordable and insecure.

The Greens will keep fighting for rent controls so everyone can afford a roof over their head and save enough to buy a home for themselves.

Last month a Tenants Victoria report found that renters continued to face outrageous rent hikes, with 80% of rental providers raising rents in the past two years, with an average rental increase of 17%.

This is despite CPI increasing by only 2.4% in the last year.

Victorian Greens renters rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri MP:

“These are no-brainer reforms that will help stop landlords taking advantage of renters and using bonds to profit off renters.

“The Greens have pushed for this for years alongside the community, to help alleviate the worsening housing crisis.

“But they’re a clear sign of the power imbalance between landlords and renters. As long as unlimited rent rises are legal, renters will live in fear of the next rent hike, and be forced to move time and again just to try to afford the rent. 

“If Labor actually cared about protecting renters – not just property developers and investors – they would introduce rent controls.”

Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza.

After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace.

Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza.

We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.

We thank President Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledge the important role of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in delivering this agreement.

Australia strongly supports the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza. 

There is a very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long term peace and building the Palestinian state. 

Together with our partners, Australia will continue to do what we can to contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution.

Family First has welcomed the Northern Territory Government’s landmark decision to ban biological males from women’s prisons and has reaffirmed that, if elected at the upcoming state elections, its Upper House candidates will move legislation to ensure the same protections in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
 
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro declared: “There should be no men in women’s prisons, full stop… if you are a man and you’re fundamentally equipped as a man, then you belong in a men’s prison.”
 
Family First Upper House candidates Deepa Mathew (SA), Bernie Finn and Jane Foreman (VIC), and Lyle Shelton (NSW) said the move stands in stark contrast to the ideological confusion that has gripped other states.
 
“Ms Finocchiaro’s stand is just common sense,” said Mr Finn. “It’s shocking that it takes the Northern Territory to remind southern states that women have the right to safety and dignity.”
 
The call follows the shocking case in South Australia: where a female prisoner, known as Katie, was allegedly sexually assaulted by a violent trans-identifying male inmate, Krista Richards, formerly known as Leslie Graham Richards, at Port Augusta Prison. Richards — a convicted would-be hitman with a history of violence against women — was housed with Katie despite prison authorities knowing his record.
 
“Every woman in Australia should be horrified by what happened to Katie,” said South Australian Family First candidate Deepa Mathew. “A woman was trapped in a cell with a man — a violent offender — because LGBTIQA+ ideology trumped common sense. It’s hard to imagine a more grotesque betrayal of women’s rights. No government that allows this can claim to care about women’s safety.”
 
Family First noted that both Labor and Liberal parties in southern states have failed to take such a clear position. In Victoria, Opposition Leader Brad Battin recently said he supported biological men who identify as women being housed in women’s prisons so long as they are not sex offenders — a position Family First described as a good start but “timid and incoherent.”
 
“The issue is not just sex offenders — it’s about protecting women from the risk, trauma and indignity of being locked up with men,” said Ms Foreman.
 
Queensland’s now Health Minister Tim Nicholls went further in June 2023, telling Parliamen “I completely endorse the findings of the committee that there is no evidence whatsoever that transwomen are any more likely to commit offences than other women are. There is no reason for fear of those things (biological males taking advantage of girls and women).”
 
Family First called this statement “disgracefully out of touch” given multiple cases of biological males assaulting women in prison — including the South Australian case that sparked national outrage.
 
“This comes barely a week after the Sex Discrimination Commissioner admitted she doesn’t even ‘understand the term biological man’,” said Mr Shelton. “When senior bureaucrats and politicians deny basic biology, women lose.”
 
“Family First will end this madness. We will legislate to protect girls and women from dangerous gender ideology in prisons and restore biological reality to law.”

The Victorian Greens have said they’re proud to confirm they will support the Statewide Treaty Bill without amendment as it makes its way through Parliament in the coming weeks.

The four Greens votes in the Legislative Council will ensure the historic bill will pass.

However, the Greens say the Liberals have sunk to a new low following reports overnight the Opposition will scrap any Treaty laws within 100 days of being elected.

With new polling suggesting the Opposition is on track for a fourth consecutive state election loss, it’s clear they’re continuing to dig their own hole on the wrong side of history.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP: 

“This is a historic moment where every Victorian has been invited to walk with First Nations people on this incredible journey – to share in and celebrate the oldest living cultures in the world, and to create a better future together.

“With the Greens votes, this Treaty legislation will pass.

“First Nations people are experts for their own communities, and Treaty is about respecting and embracing that truth.

“It’s deeply disrespectful that the Liberals have turned their backs on this history-making moment and on Aboriginal Victorians who have been working for years on Treaty. 

“To use this historic and proud moment to sow division is a new low, even for the Liberals. The Liberals have been a hopeless opposition, and the fact that their only plan for Victoria is to drag us backwards shows just how unfit for government they are.

“It’s a sad shame the Liberals couldn’t find it within themselves to back what First Nations people have been calling for – they’re just digging their own hole on the wrong side of history.” 

The Victorian Greens have said Labor’s decision to reject the key recommendations from an inquiry into cannabis is ‘spineless’, and will continue impacting marginalised communities.

Earlier this year, a parliamentary inquiry into a private member’s bill that would have decriminalised the personal use of cannabis released its final report.

The inquiry recommended adopting an approach to decriminalising cannabis in line with the bill, while drawing on the successful experience of the ACT, where cannabis has been decriminalised for personal recreational use since 2020.

In their response to that report today, Labor rejected this recommendation.

Given minor cannabis offences are disproportionately enforced against people experiencing poverty, structural oppression, and over-policing, Labor’s decision to treat recreational cannabis use as a crime will continue to cause real harm to thousands of Victorians every year.

Victorian Greens drug harm reduction spokesperson, Aiv Puglielli MLC:

“This is a spineless decision from a government that wants to pick and choose who benefits from drug harm reduction.

“The Premier herself has admitted to using cannabis, and yet would punish other Victorians for doing the same. This Labor Government decision reeks of privilege.

“The reality is people use cannabis. Rejecting what the experts are calling for isn’t just kicking this can down the road, it will cause real and profound harm to thousands of Victorians.”