Category: Australian News

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong will welcome US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to Brisbane for the 33rd Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) next week.

The United States is Australia’s vital security ally and our closest global partner.

AUSMIN is the primary forum at which Australia and the United States set the strategic direction for our Alliance.

At AUSMIN 2023, Australia and the United States will discuss ways to deepen collaboration across the breadth of the relationship, including on defence and security cooperation, climate and clean energy, and economic resilience.

Following AUSMIN, Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Secretary Austin will travel to north Queensland where Australian and US military personnel are taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 with counterparts from 11 partner nations.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP said:

“Australia’s defence cooperation with the United States is unprecedented in scale, scope and significance. Our partnership is built on an enduring foundation of trust, a long record of achievement and a shared vision for upholding the global rules-based order.

“Australia will continue to work with our partners, including the United States, to build a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, including through the longstanding US Force Posture Initiatives in Australia.”

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

“We look forward to welcoming our good friends Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin to Australia for this year’s AUSMIN meeting.

“Our Alliance is continuing to evolve with our strategic circumstances. We are broadening AUSMIN to integrate new areas for cooperation in line with the region’s priorities, including emerging technologies, the clean energy transition and the essential role of critical minerals.

“Australia and the United States want to better support our partners in the region, and to promote peace, protect sovereignty and foster prosperity.”

This week we’ve all heard a lot about the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games by Victorian premier Dan Andrews.

This debacle reeks of cynical vote-buying and rank political dishonesty. Andrews and his government worked hard on the games bid, the success of which was announced in an election year. The decision to host the event in regional centres rather than Melbourne appears to have been motivated by Labor’s need to shore up its electoral support in crucial regional seats. 

Now that the election has been won, Andrews doesn’t need the Commonwealth Games anymore. It was only eight weeks ago that $2.6 billion for the event was in Victoria’s Budget. Andrews claims the cost has blown out to more than $6 billion in just eight weeks. 

Premiers from other states raced to get in front of TV cameras to rule out stepping in to host the event. I think that is very telling: for them, the costs and economic benefits don’t stack up. Andrews must have been aware of this. 

The key question this raises about the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games is whether or not the Palasczcuk government has done the math on costs versus benefits. We already know the cost of upgrading the Gabba has blown out to almost $3 billion. What other nasty Olympic surprises are in store for Brisbane and Queensland between now and 2032? 

Whatever is to come, the fact remains the Victorian premier has done immeasurable harm to his nation’s reputation for sport and hosting significant international events, all for a vote-buying exercise. He is accountable for this embarrassing debacle and should resign, but Dan Andrews – the architect of the world’s harshest and longest pandemic lockdown – has never considered himself especially accountable to the people of Victoria. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Wellington, New Zealand from 26 – 27 July to meet with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting.

Australia and New Zealand are close partners and allies. The leaders will discuss strengthening trans-Tasman cooperation in a range of areas including trade and investment, security and defence, our shared commitment to the Pacific region, and deepening connections between our people.

This visit follows the most recent Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Prime Minister Albanese in Sydney in 2022.

This year Australia and New Zealand are celebrating 80 years of diplomatic relations, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, and 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement.

The visit will take place during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

This will be the Prime Minister’s first official visit to New Zealand.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I am delighted to visit New Zealand to meet with Prime Minister Hipkins for our third bilateral meeting this year.”

“Australia and New Zealand share close ties and will mark important milestones this year in our trans-Tasman relationship.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with Prime Minister Hipkins on ways to strengthen the special relationship Australia and New Zealand share.”

On the ninth anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, we pause to remember the 298 lives lost, and their loved ones.

Australia, along with our international partners, has made substantial progress in our pursuit for truth, justice and accountability over the last year.

In November 2022, the District Court of The Hague made unequivocal and conclusive findings of Russia’s involvement in the downing of Flight MH17, and findings of guilt against Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Leonid Kharchenko.

The findings and life sentences handed down by the Court were an important milestone in our collective efforts with the Netherlands to hold those responsible to account.

Following the finding, the Australian Government worked closely with the Netherlands and European Union to impose targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on persons involved in the downing of MH17.

The sanctions, announced last month, target Sergey Dubinskiy and Leonid Kharchenko, who were both found guilty by the District Court of The Hague. The third convicted perpetrator Igor Girkin, was sanctioned by Australia in 2014 for supporting separatist activity in eastern Ukraine.

Russia must take responsibility for the role it played in this horrific act of violence, and stop harbouring those who contributed to the downing of Flight MH17 and the murder of all on board.

Australia maintains that Russia is responsible under international law for the downing of Flight MH17.

Along with the Netherlands, Australia is pursuing justice through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council.

Earlier this year, the ICAO Council in Montreal upheld the Council’s jurisdiction to hear Australia and the Netherlands’ case against Russia for the downing of Flight MH17.

Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones

The Albanese Government is supporting access to high-quality, safe, and effective medicines in the Pacific and Southeast Asia by investing $13.3 million in new partnerships between the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and governments in our region.

These partnerships will work to strengthen regulatory frameworks for medical products and help to increase the availability of safe and effective medicines, which will result in better-quality healthcare for communities.

This investment includes $1.3 million towards the Indonesia-Australia Contaminated Medicines and Vaccines Program, which will help address the systemic regulatory challenges of substandard and falsified medicines.

Today’s announcement is part of the Australian Government’s five-year $620 million Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, which supports partner countries to build resilient and equitable health systems.

It builds on work done during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Australia played a key role in our region supporting partner governments, especially in Southeast Asia, to access life-saving vaccines and medical supplies.

Australia is listening to the region’s needs and is committed to working with our partners to address our shared health challenges. This in turn contributes to regional prosperity and stability.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong said:

“Improving the health and wellbeing of communities across our region, including through better access to safe and effective medicines, is critical to ensuring our shared prosperity and security.

“These new partnerships between the TGA and regional governments will help achieve the best possible health outcomes for the peoples of the Pacific and Southeast Asia.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“Australia’s investment in the health of our region is an important contribution to the Pacific and Southeast Asia’s recovery from COVID-19.

“I’m pleased the TGA is partnering with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority to jointly tackle the challenge of substandard and falsified medicines.”

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

“Strong, resilient and responsive health systems are an essential part of sustainable development.

“Australia has long supported strengthening health systems through our international development program.

“Partnerships for a Healthy Region demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our partner countries in this critical sector.”

Today, I met Wang Yi, Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, in the margins of ASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia.

We had a constructive discussion about the bilateral relationship and the value of ongoing dialogue under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

I reiterated Australia’s position on a range of issues, including trade impediments, consular cases, human rights and Hong Kong.

In the context of ASEAN meetings, we discussed the importance of the institutions, rules and norms that underpin sovereignty, security and prosperity in the region. I conveyed Australia’s clear views on security in the Pacific and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

As we agreed at the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue in December, Australia will continue to work with China to grow the bilateral relationship, navigate differences and engage in the national interest.

See the meeting with China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi opening remarks by Senator the Hon Penny Wong.

This week’s report in the Courier-Mail about a man torching his home north of Brisbane – perhaps with himself inside it – because he could no longer afford his mortgage payments is a tragic story that should be a wake-up call for decision-makers with control of monetary policy in Australia.

Recently-announced changes to the operations of the Reserve Bank gloss over the immediate – and, in this case, devastating – impact its decisions have on the finances of every Australian home and business.

The RBA’s only direct mechanism for controlling inflation is interest rate rises. In this current crisis, it does not appear to be working because we are also experiencing a shortage of workers in the Australian economy: higher unemployment is also an effective break on inflation.

The most significant factor in Australia’s inflation is energy costs. The first electricity bills following a 25% increase in electricity costs across Queensland from 1 July are now going into people’s inboxes. These costs are rising because cheaper, reliable generation from coal and gas is being prematurely closed down, creating an energy shortage, and energy grids are being upgraded to accommodate the intermittent input of wind farms and household solar panels.

It’s no coincidence that the 300% rise in household energy bills over the past 20 years followed the large-scale penetration of renewables in the national grid over the same period. And what for? To save the world from carbon dioxide emissions? It hasn’t worked – global emissions are still going up. All of our energy and pain have been for nothing.

And now it’s costing lives. It’s not climate change that is the killer – it’s climate change ideology.

The Albanese Government has agreed to a major defence export deal with Germany, signing an in-principle agreement for Australia to supply more than 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles, built in Brisbane.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessed the signing of the agreement by Ambassador to Germany Philip Green and Mr Benedikt Zimmer, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence, during his visit to Berlin.

Once finalised, the deal would see Rheinmetall leverage its production capacity at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland to supply the vehicles to Germany.

The deal represents one of Australia’s largest ever defence export contracts, worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy in the production and supply of vehicles, supporting approximately 1,000 local Australian jobs and providing a significant boost to our sovereign defence industry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“This is one of the biggest defence sales in Australia’s history and is worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy in the production and supply of these vehicles.

“The agreement will boost Australia’s sovereign defence industry, secure local jobs and contribute to Australia’s economic growth.

“This deal secures well-paid jobs in Queensland and across the country.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:

“The Defence relationship between Australia and Germany is growing significantly, and we are excited about this in-principle agreement for Rheinmetall to build Boxers for the German Army in Brisbane.

“This is a significant investment for our local defence industry; securing local jobs and contributing to Australia’s economic growth.

“I look forward to seeing this significant deal between our two countries continue to progress.”

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said:

“We are excited that Boxers made in Brisbane, using Australian suppliers, will be used by the German Army.

“This export opportunity highlights the world-leading skills and capabilities within Australia’s defence industry.

“This deal will support hundreds of well-paid, high skill jobs and grow the defence relationship between Australia and Germany.”

Prime Minister Albanese met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin today to advance the Australia-Germany relationship.
 
The leaders held positive discussions on boosting trade and investment, climate action and clean energy, and our defence and security cooperation.
 
The Australia-Germany relationship has never been stronger, and our economic partnership is increasingly important for Australia’s future prosperity and job creation in a time of global uncertainty.
 
Bilateral talks focused on drawing our countries closer, delivering growth, and investment opportunities from a prospective Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.
 
Clean energy cooperation is at the core of the Australia-Germany relationship. Prime Minister Albanese outlined to Chancellor Scholz our ambition to become a renewable energy superpower and the commercial opportunities to help Germany decarbonise its industry. They discussed bilateral work underway to build and strengthen supply chains in both critical minerals and clean hydrogen.
 
Australia has also joined the Climate Club, joining the G7 and other high ambition countries, a German initiative to further international climate action. Membership in the club will complement Australia’s climate objectives, green economy opportunities and allow us to bring our unique regional perspectives to global emissions reductions action.
 
The Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of an in-principle arrangement for Australia to supply over 100 Rheinmetall Defence Australia Boxer Heavy Weapon Carriers to Germany, starting in 2025. This will be one of the biggest defence sales in Australia’s history – and is worth north of $1 billion dollars to the Australian economy in the production and supply of these vehicles.
 
This deal will boost Australia’s sovereign defence industry, secure local jobs and contribute to our economic growth, with the vehicles being produced in Redbank, Queensland.
 
The leaders affirmed a shared commitment to supporting Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. Australia and Germany are united in our belief that we have a collective responsibility to contribute to a safe, secure and stable world.
 
At the conclusion of the visit, Prime Minister Albanese extended an invitation to Chancellor Scholz to visit Australia as a Guest of Government in 2024.
 
Prime Minister Albanese said:
 
“Australia and Germany have never been closer, and I have been honoured to visit Berlin and to meet with Chancellor Scholz today.
 
“We discussed ways to draw our countries even more closely together, with a focus on trade, clean energy, defence and regional security.
 
“Australia and Germany are forging ahead and seizing the exciting opportunities of clean energy transition while delivering new jobs and export opportunities for both countries.
 
“We have also made a significant step forward on defence cooperation, which will support jobs and industry in Australia.”

Australia is steadfast in supporting Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion. Ensuring Ukraine can receive international assistance is a crucial part of that.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Germany for approximately six months from October to help protect a vital gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. This deployment includes up to 100 crew and support personnel.

The deployment of the E-7A Wedgetail will integrate with the efforts of our partners, including the United States, and support the multi-layered protections in place for assistance into Ukraine.

The aircraft will provide early warning in the event of any threats outside of Ukraine against the gateway for humanitarian and military assistance.

ADF personnel or assets will not enter Ukraine throughout this deployment and the aircraft will not be involved in the current conflict in Ukraine. The E-7A will operate outside of Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian airspace.

We thank the German Government for hosting the aircraft and our personnel for the duration of the deployment. 

The deployment demonstrates Australia’s commitment to support our allies and partners in upholding the international rules-based order.

The Albanese Government continues to work with the Government of Ukraine and our international partners to provide assistance and calls on Russia to immediately withdraw from Ukraine. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia calls on Russia to withdraw its military forces from Ukrainian territory and immediately end this illegal invasion, which has caused terrible damage and loss of life in Ukraine.

“We strongly support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are providing ongoing humanitarian and military assistance.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles said: 

“The deployment of the E-7A Wedgetail as an additional early warning capability will help ensure that vital support flowing to Ukraine by the international community is protected. 

“Australia is committed to ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails against Russia’s assault on the rules-based order.”

Foreign Minister, Penny Wong said:

“Australia’s E-7A Wedgetail deployment is a further demonstration of our support for Ukraine.

“Australia stands with Ukraine to empower its people to end Russia’s illegal, immoral war.”