Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government has announced the appointment of Air Marshal Darren Goldie AM CSC as the inaugural National Cyber Security Coordinator.

Air Marshal Goldie has served his country with distinction for more than 30 years through various roles with the Royal Australian Air Force, most recently as Air Commander Australia.

As the Air Commander Australia, Air Marshal Goldie has been responsible for building capability and resilience for the Royal Australian Air Force. He has led the coordination of Defence responses to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Air Marshal Goldie has also held key leadership positions, including at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in 2020-21 providing strategic foreign policy advice to Government.

He will commence his term as the National Cyber Security Coordinator on 3 July 2023.

The National Cyber Security Coordinator, together with the National Office of Cyber Security, will drive forward the necessary work to ensure Australia is best positioned to respond to the opportunities and threats of the digital age.

The Coordinator will lead national cyber security policy, the coordination of responses to major cyber incidents, whole of Government cyber incident preparedness efforts and strengthening of Commonwealth cyber security capability.

The Coordinator will lead this work in collaboration with the Government’s key policy, operational and security agencies.

This builds on the Albanese Government’s commitment to deliver a 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and follows a Cyber Security Industry Roundtable hosted by the Prime Minister earlier this year.

The Greens have condemned the Labor party for betraying people on income support, most of whom are First Nations people, by reversing their election pledge to abolish the Cashless Debit Card.

Today, Labor and the Liberals teamed up to pass Labor’s new Income Management Reform Bill, which takes the legislative framework for the BasicsCard and applies it to the new ‘SmartCard’. The SmartCard is managed by the same company, Indue, who ran the Cashless Debit Card scheme, and is effectively the Cashless Debit Card by another name.

The Greens successfully negotiated for Labor support for amendments requiring Ministerial reports on the cost of the Indue SmartCard, reviews of the impact of the scheme by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, as well as oversight by the Community Affairs References Committee for any proposed expansion of compulsory income management.

While the Greens welcome the Parliament’s support in making a bad bill better, these measures were not enough to secure Greens support for this discriminatory bill.

Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Social Services, said:

“Labor promised voters they would abolish the Cashless Debit Card. Now they’re rolling it out again, just with new branding.

“Between the Cashless Debit Card 2.0, the measly $2.85 a day increase to Jobseeker, and refusing to help renters during the worst housing crisis in generations, Labor has no business calling itself the party of the working class.

“The bills Labor are bringing to the Parliament ensure the housing crisis will get worse, abandon millions of renters to unlimited rent increases and poverty, and leave those already in poverty in dire situations.

“Labor have now gone further than the Liberals did in expanding the racist and entirely ineffective compulsory income management system. We don’t need another Conservative Party in this country.

“In the same week as securing the Voice referendum, Labor teamed up with the Coalition and PHON to pass a racist bill that overwhelmingly targets First Nations people, against the wishes of key First Nations organisations, including the Central Land Council and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory, that gave evidence to the bill’s inquiry. The hypocrisy is astounding.

“Despite Labor’s false claims, the bill is not a simple matter of improving technology. This is a sneaky and insidious bill that significantly expands the Minister’s power to roll out compulsory income management in new areas, and effectively allows the new Cashless Debit Card to apply nationally, despite Labor’s campaign against CDC in opposition.

“The only differences between Labor’s SmartCard and the Cashless Debit Card are its name and colour.

“Labor have betrayed their pledge to voters at the last election. Under the Labor Government, more than twenty thousand people are still trapped under compulsory income management. We need a voluntary system that genuinely supports people.

“Labor voted down the Greens amendment for a sunset clause that would have ensured an eventual end date to compulsory income management, which even the former Cashless Debit Card legislation had in place.

“While the Greens successfully negotiated with Labor to pass three amendments that ensure more transparency, accountability and Parliamentary oversight, it was not enough to ensure our support for what is ultimately a discriminatory, draconian bill that traps people in poverty.

“The Greens, advocates, academics, and people on income management will continue to pressure Labor until they keep their promises and scrap compulsory income management for good.”

Greens amendments

Amendment sheet 1966 is here, linked on this page https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_LEGislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6989 

• Item 1 – imposes a sunset date for compulsory income management. This is based on the 18 month consultation period outlined by the Minister in a media release of September 2022.
• Item 2 – requires regular reporting on the costs of the SmartCard scheme. This reflects the Labor party’s focus in opposition on the costs of the Cashless Debit Card.
• Item 3 – requires regular review by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. Given the significant concerns that have been raised about human rights, this is a basic step that we think is a small step towards what’s needed.
• Item 4 – requires review by the Community Affairs Committee of the use of Ministerial powers. Given that the bill significantly expands the Ministerial power to roll out income management in new areas, we think this is a basic oversight.
• Item 5 – enables an exit clause for people at risk of harm from the card. There was an exit clause from the Cashless Debit Card, for those at risk of harm; but none in the SmartCard legislation – so we think this is a very straightforward step.

Mandated rent freezes, one of the rental crisis solutions proposed by the Australian Greens, seek to address the urgent needs of renters. The solution involves introducing an immediate two-year emergency freeze on rent, followed by the implementation of a rent cap where rent increases are capped within certain limits. 

This means that regardless of market fluctuations and rising interest rates, tenants could find solace in knowing their rent payments will remain relatively stable and stress less about their financial situation.  

“Rent increases have been getting much larger and more common,” said Dr Chris Martin, Senior Research Fellow in the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture. 

How much have rents gone up? 

Research has shown that the national average of asking rents has increased by 11 per cent in the last 12 months. Renters in Sydney have seen the median average weekly rent for new tenancies soar by 20 per cent over the past year to $650 per week.  

“When properties are re-let, a new tenancy commences and 95 per cent are getting a higher rent than for the previous tenancy,” said Dr Martin.

“Most are going for at least 10 per cent more than previously let. About 75 per cent of properties with existing tenancies have recorded rent increases over the past 12 months, and about 25 per cent are getting increases of more than 10 per cent.” 

With statistics such as these, Dr Martin said a rent freeze, and a subsequent rent cap, would protect existing tenants from rents rising to similar levels.  

Dr Martin explained that significant rental increases are a crucial price signal to property owners. This should encourage the supply of new rental properties, ideally from sources outside the existing stock, such as newly constructed dwellings or currently unused and underused properties like second homes and Airbnb listings.  

“The goal is to expand the rental market by increasing available housing options.  

“That price signal is currently going into the existing stock; as landlords increase rent prices, tenants are being pushed out of their existing homes. That brings the property to the market but also means there’s another tenant looking for a lower-cost rental property or are being made homeless.  

“By regulating rent increases for existing tenants, the price signal from the new tenancy market is directed into sources of genuine new supply,” said Dr Martin. 

This approach aims to ensure that the rental market expands in a sustainable manner while simultaneously addressing the immediate needs of tenants facing displacement and housing instability.  

Rent freeze policy pitfalls  

While the rent freeze policy is designed to alleviate financial stress on renters, crucial questions remain about the impact on landlords.  

With interest rates on the rise and mortgage repayments increasing, the policy could have serious implications for homeowners.  

Dr Peter Swan, a Professor in the School of Banking & Finance at UNSW Business School, said the rental crisis would become “far worse for tenants and landlords” if the policy came into force.  

“While it is true that tenants who are not evicted may gain temporarily, tenants as a whole lose as rental accommodation is withdrawn, fewer new places are provided, and maintenance of rent-controlled housing deteriorates.   

“Rental rates rise due to restricted supply, while landlords with sitting tenants suffer. Eventually, a black market evolves with ‘protected’ tenants unable to move and with the rampant use of sizeable ‘key money’ paid by prospective new tenants.   

“The latest version of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in the ACT reveals that pre-existing rent control in Canberra has doubled in its severity in 2019.  It now limits rent increases to no more than 10 per cent above the increase in the rent component of the ACT Consumer Price Index (CPI). It was previously 20 per cent.   

“As a result, it has left some landlords no option but to sell their properties, leaving evicted tenants back on a tighter rental market.” 

Prof. Swan explained how another example can be seen in the Californian Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which imposed a 10 per cent cap on rental increases.   

According to a 2018 analysis by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) on San Francisco legislation, rent control resulted in a 15 per cent reduction in rental supply as landlords converted their properties to exempt building types, subsequently causing a 5.1 per cent rise in rents.  

“The repercussions of these circumstances result in a significant portion of tenants being at risk of eviction and will face the challenge of re-entering an increasingly competitive rental market, where they may be required to pay, effectively, a substantial increase in rent in the form of a bribe to secure a new place.  

“Interest rates will persistently climb until we align with the rates of countries like the US, UK, and others. As a result, these escalations will lead to even higher rental prices and if restrictions were imposed on these unavoidable increases, the current inventory of rental housing will diminish even more,” said Prof. Swan.  

A possible solution: adopting other rental practices  

The rent freeze policy has both positive and negative implications, and it has prompted the need to examine the delicate balance between the needs of renters and the challenges faced by landlords.  

“The solution to the crisis lies in boosting the housing supply. However, governments and councils commonly exhibit significant reluctance when it comes to permitting new developments or streamlining bureaucratic processes plagued by excessive regulations and prolonged delays,” said Prof Swan.  

However, governments and councils often hesitate to approve new developments or streamline bureaucratic processes, which can create housing supply bottlenecks. This begs the question: should we turn to international renting practices and consider alternative methods?  

Dr Martin said: “All these variations on rent regulations should be on the table. 

“Scotland implemented a rent freeze in September 2022, and in April 2023 moved to a rent cap of 3 per cent, in most cases. For years, most Canadian provinces have had rent caps – called ‘guidelines’ there – that limits rent increases to a certain percentage rate set by the government. 

“Ireland has a system of ‘rent pressure zones’, if a local government area records increases in median rents above a certain threshold for successive quarters, a cap kicks in, currently 2 per cent, and not more than once in 12 months.” 

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Animal Welfare Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to horrific revelations about commercial kangaroo killing.

Senator Faruqi will be moving an amendment to the Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports Amendment (Animal Welfare) Bill 2023 to expand its functions to include investigating animal welfare issues that arise in respect of the commercial slaughter of kangaroos.

Senator Faruqi said:

“This report demonstrates the need for a beefed-up role for the independent inspector general of animal welfare, which should have the power to investigate all issues of animal welfare within the Commonwealth Government’s jurisdiction. I urge the Government to support the Greens’ amendment to expand the remit of their proposed inspector general of animal welfare.

“What we see here is all too common when it comes to the Commonwealth’s regulation of animal welfare issues: weak laws, negligible monitoring and non-existent enforcement. 

“The distressing reports of kangaroos dying slow, painful deaths and orphaned joeys suffering should horrify everyone in this country. 

“The fact that hunters are allowed to kill female kangaroos that clearly have joeys in their pouches or young standing nearby is morally indefensible and completely reprehensible”

“The commercial killing of kangaroos is cruel, inhumane and fast losing its social licence, with companies increasingly turning away from kangaroo leather in favour of non-animal based synthetic material.”

The Greens today have successfully deferred consideration of the HAFF bill until after National Cabinet determines its approach to rapidly rising rents later this year. 

After months of sustained pressure from the Greens, Labor caved and met the Greens demand for immediate direct funding to tackle the crisis, with a one-off $2 billion for housing and guaranteeing $500 million a year from 2024/25. But this still falls significantly short of meeting the need, and will see housing waiting lists get longer, and there’s no reason Labor couldn’t spend the modest sum of $2.5 billion a year rebuilding public housing in Australia.

The pressure is now on Labor – which holds every National Cabinet seat on the mainland – to act on the rental crisis. Renters rights are on the National Cabinet and Housing Ministers’ meetings agenda, and further meetings are expected between August and October.

​​Capital city rents increased six times faster than wages in the last year. The RBA Governor expects rents will increase another 10% this year, and noted ‘some people are experiencing bigger increases than that’. On the weekend Labor incentivised the states to pass planning reform in exchange for the $2 billion housing spend, and they could use exactly the same model to incentivise a freeze and cap on rent increases.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“Unlimited rent increases should be illegal.

“The pressure is now on the Prime Minister and the Labor Premiers to act on a rent freeze and limit rent increases. 

“This is a test for Labor. It’s wall-to-wall Labor across the mainland, so rent rises are their responsibility.

“For months we have been calling for two things: real money on housing now, not after the next election, and action to limit soaring rents. For months Labor has said this was impossible. Over the weekend, Labor found an extra $2b to start going out the door in two weeks’ time, but they still won’t act on rents.

“We shouldn’t have to fight this hard to get Labor to limit rent increases during this rental and housing crisis.

“In parts of the country, rents were frozen during the pandemic and the situation is even worse now.

“Labor could negotiate a two-year rent freeze and limits on rent increases after that in the same way they just negotiated the states passing planning reform: by putting money on the table at National Cabinet.

“If Labor acts on soaring rents at National Cabinet, their bill can pass.”

Max Chandler Mather, Greens housing and homelessness spokesperson said:

“Pressure works. To everyone who told us to pass the HAFF six months ago, I say look at the events of the weekend. When we hold the line we get outcomes, and we need to see outcomes for renters.

“The Prime Minister must show leadership at National Cabinet and put money on the table to coordinate national limits on rent increases, otherwise Labor will abandon millions of renters to unlimited rent increases and poverty.

“The reason the Greens are fighting so hard to limit rent increases is because unless we stop rents skyrocketing the queues for public housing will blow out and our chances of tackling this crisis will drop to zero.

“First Labor said it was impossible to spend directly on housing, and then they did it. Now they say it’s impossible to coordinate national limits on rent increases, but it’s not.

“If Labor can spend $2 billion in one year then they can spend that every year and they can certainly coordinate proper national limits on rent increases.

“There are millions of renters staring down the barrel of eviction or financial stress if they cop one more massive rent increase, so just like Labor coordinated energy price caps they now must do the same and cap rents.

“The only reason Labor caved and agreed to spend $2 billion right now on housing is because the Greens stood up and fought, and we aren’t going to stop fighting for proper limits on rent increases and serious money every year for public housing.

“When interest rates come down, rents will stay high. Rents never go backwards. If Labor doesn’t act now, they’re sleepwalking into a crisis that will see housing get less affordable, more people evicted and hundreds of thousands of people joining the housing waiting list.”

The Albanese Government will provide a further $4.45 million to respond to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The funds will be used to provide immediate life-saving protection and assistance, including food, water and emergency medical supplies, delivered through the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The additional support was announced overnight by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Ministerial-level Pledging Event to Support the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region.

It brings Australia’s contribution to Sudan and related support in neighbouring countries to $10.45 million.

Australia has already committed $1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross and $5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to deliver humanitarian assistance in the region helping those fleeing the crisis in Sudan.

Australia is deeply concerned for the communities impacted by the conflict, with over two million people displaced inside Sudan and across its borders, and around half the population in need of humanitarian aid and protection.

This humanitarian assistance will help to ease the immediate suffering, but a negotiated political solution is the only path forward for the people of Sudan.

The Australian Government urges all parties to the conflict to ensure humanitarian agencies are given safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver life-saving assistance to the people of Sudan.

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

“Australia is deeply distressed about the loss of life and destruction that is happening as result of the escalating conflict across Sudan. It is putting unprecedented strain on a region already dealing with a historic drought.”

“These funds will provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable people facing violence and food insecurity.”

“Australia will continue to work with our international partners to deliver essential humanitarian aid in Sudan and throughout the region.”

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

“Two months into this crisis in Sudan, humanitarian need is rapidly escalating.”

“Australia’s support to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will provide life-saving assistance and protection in Sudan and its region.”

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

“Over two million people have fled since the beginning of the conflict and are now displaced inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries.”

“Additional funding from Australia will deliver vital support to vulnerable people facing conflict and food insecurity.”

Prime Minister Albanese and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam met in Canberra today to elevate the Australia-Brunei Darussalam relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.

The elevation of our bilateral relationship demonstrates the practical steps that Australia is taking to strengthen ties with our Southeast Asian neighbours.

The Comprehensive Partnership articulates our shared aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous region, and our respect for international law, sovereignty, open markets and ASEAN Centrality.

Under this new Partnership, Australia and Brunei Darussalam will work together on a range of issues including trade and investment, maritime security, education, the transition to net-zero and increased food security.

The Partnership will also see our countries deepen longstanding defence cooperation. To reflect our defence partnership and shared aspirations for a peaceful and stable region, His Majesty will travel to Darwin to visit Robertson Barracks and meet Australian Defence Force personnel.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I am pleased to embark on a Comprehensive Partnership with Brunei Darussalam.

“The Partnership offers a chance to cooperate on the net-zero transition in the region, strengthen trade ties, and deepen cooperation on defence and security.

“It affirms our shared support for ASEAN as the region’s central platform for open, transparent and rules-based dialogue.”

The Albanese Government is providing $6.2 million to The Embrace Collective for their Embrace Kids program to help kids tackle body image issues to live happier, healthier lives now and in the future.

Body image is a serious issue for Australians, especially for our kids, and the problem is getting worse.

The number of young Australians (16-25 years) reporting Body Image Distress has risen by 33 per cent since 2009, with 77 per cent self-reporting body image distress in 2015.

Australia’s young minds are exposed to harmful body image messages through social media, advertising, their peers and influence of adults in their lives.

These harmful messages are highly pervasive and if left unchecked, exposure can lead to poor body image. This can contribute to the development of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, increased suicidal intentions and ideation. It must stop.

The Embrace Kids program is a national initiative led by 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt and international body image expert Dr Zali Yager.

Ms Brumfitt is the director of documentaries Embrace and Embrace Kids and Executive Director of The Embrace Collective alongside Dr Yager, who is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University.

Embrace Kids will deliver a nationwide program of educational activities and events in schools, sport clubs and the wider community. This program will help give kids the tools to dispel negative body image messages and reach their full potential.

The Albanese Government is committed to building the evidence base for eating disorders care and investing in evidence-based programs. The Embrace Collective will be undertaking an independent evaluation of the Embrace Kids Australia Program as part of this funding.

the Prime Minister said:

“Any parent with young children or teenagers knows just how much their kids are bombarded with images and expectations of bodies and the way that can impact how their child feels about themselves.

“Teaching kids to celebrate how amazing their bodies are is a powerful way to dispel some of the negative, harmful body image messages out there.”

Minister Butler said:

“The Australian Government is investing $6.2 million in the Embrace Kids program so children, parents, carers, teachers and coaches have the tools to combat body image and body shaming issues before they arise.

“This funding aims to prevent harm and intervene early in a fun, positive way. I want all our kids to appreciate their bodies and celebrate the diversity of bodies as they go about living their best lives.”

Assistant Minister Gorman said:

“As Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt has led our national discussion about body image and reminding all Australians that our bodies are the vehicle to achieve our dreams.

“Today’s announcement adds to her important work as Australian of the Year 2023.”

Assistant Minister McBride said:

“Body dysmorphia is complex and often misunderstood. As a government we are determined to understand it better and support what works.

“We’re committed to prevention and proud to support Embrace while following its success in primary, high schools, sporting clubs and through community events.”

Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt said:

“This is an incredibly important announcement that will benefit young Australians right across the country.”

“There is a huge problem with the way young people feel about themselves and it’s having a profoundly negative impact on people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.”

“77% of adolescents are in body image distress, rates of eating disorders, self-harm, steroid use related to body dissatisfaction are on the rise.

“We also know that adolescents with a poor body image are 24 times more likely to have and develop depression.”

“I want to thank the Prime Minister and Minister Butler for listening to the growing evidence this is something we can – and must – act on.”

“I’m so proud of the work we do at The Embrace Collective and now it’s our job to ensure this investment makes a difference to as many lives as we can.”

The Albanese Government is delivering more than $610 million to New South Wales to immediately begin boosting social housing stock.

Part of the $2 billion Social Housing Fund Accelerator payment, the funding will be provided to States and Territories within the next two weeks, and will deliver thousands of new social homes across Australia.

Funding has been allocated on a per capita basis with a minimum of $50 million allocated to each State and Territory.

This investment will build more housing, for more Australians, in more parts of our nation.

The Albanese Labor Government knows a secure home will give more Australians the foundation for a better future.

States and territories will have flexibility in how they permanently boost social housing stock, including through new builds, expanding existing programs, renovating or refurbishing existing but currently uninhabitable housing stock.

This will create thousands of homes for Australians on social housing waiting lists and will increase housing supply sooner, with all funding to be committed by States and Territories within two years ending 30 June 2025.

This continues the work of the new National Housing Accord, a shared ambition to build one million new homes over five years from 2024, and builds on the work of National Cabinet on renters’ rights and planning reforms.

The Albanese Government will continue to work with State and Territory Governments to address housing affordability, supply, and homelessness.

The $2 billion in additional funding brings the Albanese Government’s investment in housing and homelessness to more than $9.5 billion in this financial year to 30 June.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government is delivering $610 million to New South Wales, within the next two weeks, to immediately boost social housing supply.

“We know Australians want practical solutions, and we’ll work with the Minns Government to get on with the job of delivering more social housing.

“This is real dollars, driving real change and building more homes for Australians.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Julie Collins said:

“At every opportunity, the Albanese Government has added to our already ambitious housing agenda.

“This significant new funding will help build more of the rental homes that we know New South Wales needs.

“We could do even more if the Senate stopped blocking our $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund – the single biggest investment in social and affordable rental housing by a Federal Government in more than a decade.”

State	Funding
New South Wales	$610 million
Victoria	$496 million
Queensland	$398 million
Western Australia	$209 million
South Australia	$135 million
Tasmania	$50 million
Northern Territory	$50 million
Australian Capital Territory	$50 million

Responding to the Chair of the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s comments at the launch of the Roadmap for the 2026 Basin Plan Review, Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Greed and fossil fuel pollution is killing our Murray River.

“The Chair of the MDBA has warned that climate will have a significant impact on water availability across the Murray-Darling Basin. South Australian communities and ecosystems downstream, as always, will bear the brunt of this.

“This is not news for South Australians, who have long been fighting against upstream greed to ensure our communities and ecosystems receive the water they need to survive.

“The River is suffering now. Unveiling a Roadmap to a 2026 Review is all well and good, but how is the Albanese Government going to deliver on the commitments of the current plan? South Australians are still waiting for the promised 450GL to be delivered on time and in full.

“Issuing a climate warning for the Murray in Narrabri, where the Albanese Government and big polluters are advancing new coal and gas, is baffling. The climate crisis is being made worse every time the fossil fuel industry gets a new mine.

“The warning is simple – if we are to ensure the survival of Australia’s most important river system we must stop over-extraction and stop making the climate crisis worse.”