Category: Australian News

Yesterday Minister Plibersek waved through another coal mine in Queensland, Star Coal, deeming that it would not have significant impact on the environment.

Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Another day, another new coal mine, approved without concern for the environment.

“Minister Plibersek has just waved through a new coal mine in QLD, claiming that it will have no significant impact on our environment.

“The fact that any new fossil fuel project is allowed under our laws, no matter how big or small, is a red flag. It is the Environment Minister’s job to protect the environment, not hide behind bureaucracy as an excuse to allow more polluting fossil fuels.

“The Minister cannot say she is taking action on the environment or climate while approving new coal and gas projects. An environment plan that doesn’t stop pollution is not a real plan for the environment.

“Australia’s environment laws are clearly broken. Polluting projects are failing to be assessed for the emissions they create. We desperately need a climate trigger which will stop new coal and gas in its tracks.”

In response to the gambling inquiry report out today, Greens spokesperson for Gambling Reform, Senator Janet Rice said:

“Today’s gambling inquiry report and its recommendations are a first step towards reducing the awful harm caused by gambling. The crucial test is the Government’s response – we need urgent action from Labor rather than continuing to deny, delay and defer until after the next election. 

“It is good to see the inquiry recommend a national gambling regulator. This is something the Greens have long been calling for. Government must act urgently to establish a strong regulator with teeth. 

“Government after government have allowed gambling harm to go unchecked for far too long. Corporations and governments have profited at the expense of vulnerable people and communities. 

“The BetStop program has been delayed for far too long, and there’s still no clear timeframe for implementation. The Labor party can’t continue to hide behind reviews and reports – the time for action is now.” 

Greens Communications spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Gambling ads should be banned by footy finals time. 

“Gambling addiction fuelled by advertising wrecks lives, communities and sport. The power and donations of the gambling lobby also infect our democracy. 

“These recommendations are welcome but the Greens are concerned that the Government has not backed them immediately. The Communications Minister can and should act immediately to crack down on gambling ads. 

“Footy finals are just around the corner and parents and sports lovers shouldn’t have to sit through another finals season being bombarded with betting odds and gambling ads. 

“Three years is too long – 3 years means 3 more years of gambling ads fuelling addiction, wrecking lives and affecting children.

“I have told the Minister we are willing to work with the Government to make this happen. There is no reason for delay. Parliament is back in August, let’s get a move on then and start removing the harm this insidious industry that profits off addiction is doing to families. 

“The proposed timeline puts implementation beyond the next election, leaving the door wide open for the cashed-up gambling lobby to get their tentacles into the Government and pressure them to water down the reforms we know we need now. We’ve seen this before and we shouldn’t let it happen again.

“The gambling lobby has powerful political influence, is cashed-up and donates to both the major parties. Now is the time for action, not words. At the very least the Government should back these recommendations on gambling advertising and implement them as soon as possible.”

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Lynn Bell as Australia’s next Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking.

The Ambassador plays a leading role in driving international cooperation, including through Australia’s work as Co-Chair of the Bali Process, which is crucial to addressing the abhorrent crimes of people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime.

The Australian Government is committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery. The Ambassador will work with partners in our region to strengthen their responses to modern slavery, and will work closely with the Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Task Force.

Ms Bell is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary, Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch. Ms Bell has previously served as a Senior Adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and overseas in Papua New Guinea.

I thank former Ambassador Lucienne Manton for her contribution and commitment to Australia’s mission to counter modern slavery, people smuggling and human trafficking.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome His Excellency Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia and Her Excellency Mrs Iriana Widodo, First Lady, to Sydney from 3 to 5 July.

Indonesia is of vital importance to Australia, as a partner and a neighbour. Underpinned by a warm friendship and strong people-to-people links, our bilateral relationship includes cooperation on climate and clean energy transition, defence, security, economic development, trade, investment and education.

During the visit, Leaders will hold the 8^th Australia-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting. Leaders will discuss existing areas of cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as deepening commercial and economic links and opportunities for both countries through the transition to net zero. 

Australia and Indonesia share a vision of an open, stable and prosperous region, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the centre of the region’s affairs. Australia will continue to support Indonesia’s priorities as 2023 ASEAN Chair.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I am delighted to welcome my friend President Widodo to Australia. This will be our fourth meeting together. As one of our closest neighbours, Australia is building extensive cooperation with Indonesia on climate, economic development, education and regional security issues.

“Our region’s prosperity and stability requires collective effort and responsibility – that’s why Australia is committed to being a strong partner to our friends and neighbours in Southeast Asia.

“I look forward to meeting with President Widodo and the First Lady in Sydney.”

I am pleased to announce grant recipients in the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations 2022-23 grants round.

The Foundation works to support governments, businesses, and communities build links and strengthen constructive engagement with China, consistent with our national interest.

This grants round supports Australia-China collaboration on climate change, health and ageing, scientific research, community engagement, education, arts and people to people exchanges.

The Foundation has awarded over $6 million in grants across 40 projects, including:

• A Macquarie University program that aims to improve early detection and effective management of hearing loss in newborns, through collaboration between Australian and Chinese researchers;
• Surf Life Saving NSW, which will deliver aquatic medical emergency response training to frontline health professionals and first responders in Haikou, China;
• Monash University’s work to expand the reach of Australian Children’s literature, through translation into Mandarin;
• And the University of Western Australia’s project to discover, record and tell stories of two centuries of Chinese Australian communities’ contributions to our national story.

A list of successful grant recipients is available on the Foundation’s website.

The Australian Government will provide a new $110 million assistance package to Ukraine. This assistance will help Ukraine defend and support itself against Russia’s illegal, immoral and unprovoked invasion.

Australia has stood with Ukraine since Russia’s brutal invasion 16 months ago. We are continuing to work with the government of Ukraine to provide assistance that addresses Ukraine’s needs and complements support provided by our partners. This package responds to Ukraine’s requests for vehicles and ammunition, and will make a tangible difference on the battlefield. It includes:

• 70 military vehicles, including: 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 Special Operations Vehicles, and 28 MAN 40M medium trucks and 14 trailers.
• Supply of 105mm artillery ammunition.
• $10 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who manage the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund, to help meet needs for shelter, health services, clean water and sanitation.

Ukrainian families, the elderly and children have borne a terrible cost from Russia’s invasion. Australia’s $10 million contribution to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund will support their needs. 

In addition, Australia will extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for a further 12 months, to support its recovery and trade opportunities.

These commitments announced today bring Australia’s total contribution in support of Ukraine to $790 million, including $610 million in military assistance.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“This latest package of support demonstrates that Ukraine can count on Australia.

“We support international efforts to ensure Putin’s aggression fails and that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails.

“Australia is unwavering in our resolve to condemn and oppose Russia’s actions and to help Ukraine achieve victory.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:

“Ukraine has demonstrated strength, resilience and courage in defending against Russia’s unjust invasion. Australia is proud to be one of the largest non-NATO contributors in support of Ukraine, and will continue to support Ukraine to end the war on its own terms.

“Ukraine has highlighted the utility of Australian vehicles on the battlefield.

“This package will continue to support Ukrainians on the front line.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said:

“We pay tribute to the extraordinary courage and resolve of the Ukrainian people, and stand with them.

“Ukrainian families, children and the elderly have borne a terrible cost from Russia’s invasion, and Australia is providing funding to support them.

“Russia cannot be allowed to infringe upon another country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Australian Government will provide an additional $12.5 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh and Myanmar following Tropical Cyclone Mocha.

Tropical Cyclone Mocha caused widespread damage across Myanmar and Bangladesh when it struck on 14 May, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people and compounding an already serious humanitarian situation.

In Myanmar, Australia will provide $10.5 million to support 1.6 million affected people, through the United Nations-led response plan. This assistance will be provided to UN agencies and humanitarian partners to ensure that it does not directly benefit or legitimise the military regime.

In Bangladesh, Australia will provide $2 million to humanitarian partners, primarily to support Bangladeshi communities in the most severely affected areas.

This brings Australia’s contribution towards the Tropical Cyclone Mocha relief efforts to $13.5 million, following Australia’s initial $1 million contribution. Our initial support focused on the rapid delivery of humanitarian supplies and impact assessments.

The additional contributions build on our ongoing support for the humanitarian response in Myanmar and Bangladesh, now totalling $145 million in 2022-23.

We continue to urge the military regime in Myanmar to provide safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.

I am deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden death of Simon Crean during a work visit to Europe. Simon Crean gave a lifetime of service to his nation, and in particular to the labour movement.
 
Simon rose from leadership in the Storemen and Packers Union to ACTU President, and then to a distinguished parliamentary career as the member for Hotham, Cabinet Minister in the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard Governments, and leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
 
Simon’s many achievements in portfolios that ranged from trade to employment, from primary industries and energy to the arts, were characterised by a focus on the national interest, engagement with stakeholders, and always acting with principle and determination.
 
The common threads running through his long career were his courage and his principled action, qualities that came so powerfully to the fore when he opposed the Iraq War. Yet his opposition to the war was backed by his unwavering respect for the members of the Australian Defence Force, a respect he showed when he went to address the troops ahead of their deployment.
 
History has vindicated Simon’s judgment, but at the time his stance was deeply counter to the prevailing political and media climate.
 
Simon retained his abiding sense of humanity, and he was respected by all who had the privilege of working or interacting with him.
 
After Parliament, Simon continued to work for Australia’s interests, most notably as chairman of the European Australian Business Council.
 
Simon was a great servant of the Labor Party and of the broader labour movement. Above all he was a thoroughly decent human being who was kind, generous and always of good humour. This brought him respect across the political spectrum.
 
As Labor Leader, I benefitted from Simon Crean’s advice and wisdom. I will greatly miss engaging with him.
 
The hearts of all of us in the Labor family go out to Simon’s beloved wife Carole and to all of his family and thousands of friends.
 
May Simon rest in peace.

Labor has yet again done the bidding of big business and wound back its plans for tax transparency, showing who really pulls the levers in Australia, the Greens say.

“Just as they did with million dollar fines for dodgy bank executives, Labor is answering their corporate masters’ call when it comes to tax transparency,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Australia could have had world leading laws on tax transparency, but those plans fall apart once big business gets on the phone to give this Government its marching orders.”

“The likes of PwC and the fossil fuel lobby have far too much say in how laws are written in this country, and it is largely thanks to their donations to the Labor and Liberal parties.”

“It is nothing less than entrenched corruption and state capture for big donors to political parties to be able to dictate the laws that will apply to them.”

The Australian Government has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on three persons involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Australia has been working closely with the Netherlands and European Union to coordinate sanctions on those who were convicted by the District Court of The Hague in November 2022 for their contribution to the downing of Flight MH17 and the murder of all 298 individuals on board.

Today’s sanctions 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.

Australia has also sanctioned Sergey Muchkaev, a Colonel with the Russian Armed Forces who in July 2014 was the Commander of the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, which supplied the Buk-TELAR that downed Flight MH17.

As either separatist leaders within the so-called ‘People’s Republic of Donetsk’ at the time of the downing of Flight MH17, or a member of the Russian Armed Forces, the three people sanctioned today actively supported actions and policies that threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

These sanctions demonstrate the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to hold to account those responsible for the downing of Flight MH17.

Working closely with our partners, in particular the Netherlands, Australia is steadfast in our commitment to seek truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17. We continue to pursue all avenues available to us.

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