Category: Australian News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong today announced financial sanctions and an export ban, targeting sectors of economic and strategic significance to Russia.

These additional targeted measures aim to slow Russia’s war machine.

Australia’s action is part of a push by international partners, who are meeting at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima this week.

Australia has already sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and entities who are supporting Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

The new financial sanctions will target 21 entities and three individuals, including:

• Subsidiaries of Russian state-owned atomic energy corporation Rosatom that are involved in nuclear research, infrastructure development and weapons manufacturing.
• The Russian entity created to take over Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
• Russia’s largest petroleum company Rosneft.
• Russia’s largest gold company Polyus PJSC.
• One of Russia’s largest steel companies Severstal PJSC.
• Defence entities supporting Russia’s war.
• Five Russian banks with operations across the Russian Federation.

The Australian Government will also implement a ban on the export of all machinery and related parts to Russia and areas temporarily under Russian control. This will prevent Australian goods from aiding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Australia stands with Ukraine and pays tribute to the unwavering resilience and courage displayed by the Ukrainian people. We mourn the incalculable losses that Ukraine continues to endure and acknowledge the far-reaching negative economic impacts Russia’s invasion has had on the world, including in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia again calls on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory and end this war.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia stands with Ukraine. We pay tribute to the unwavering resilience and courage displayed by the Ukrainian people.”

“Australia again calls on Russia to cease its illegal and immoral war against the people of Ukraine.”

“We will continue to work with the G7 and international partners to address the global impacts of Russia’s invasion.”

“This includes food and energy insecurity, which is a significant concern for our own region.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said:

“This action targets sectors of economic and strategic significance to Russia.”

“This includes the financial, energy, defence and metals sectors that aid and sustain Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

“We are also banning exports of Australian machinery and related parts to Russia to slow its war machine.”

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

Export ban consultation

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will shortly commence public consultation on the export ban, with implementation of the ban to follow.

Businesses or individuals that wish to participate in consultation on the machinery export ban should subscribe to alerts with the Australian Sanctions Office: Australia and sanctions – Contacts and links

The cost of Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts, withheld from media on Budget night, amounts to a Budget black hole of $313 billion over the decade, according to Greens-commissioned analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office. This is a massive 23% increase on previous estimates.

The Stage 3 tax cuts will continue to turbocharge inequality, disproportionately rewarding men at close to double what women receive, with 65% of the benefits flowing to men over the next decade.

$157 billion, just over half of the total cost of stage 3 tax cuts over the decade, will flow to people earning over $180,000 a year. In the latest year of data, only 3.6% of people earned over $180,000 a year. Previous analysis has shown that the top 1% of earners will receive more than the lowest 60% of income earners combined.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Labor’s tax cuts for the rich are ripping money away from everyone else,” Mr Bandt said. 

“Labor’s keeping renters in crisis and people in poverty while giving $313 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy. 

“Instead of freezing rents or getting dental into Medicare, Labor’s giving tax cuts to politicians and billionaires.

“Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts for the wealthy are a massive black hole, sucking in money that should be spent on services for everyone.

“Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts are a $313 billion handout to the rich, dismantling our progressive tax system and driving Australia towards US-style inequality.

“Food bank queues are growing and people can’t pay the rent, but Labor’s giving billionaires like Clive Palmer a $9,000 a year tax cut.

“Labor’s $30b a year in handouts for the rich is more than 60 times their affordable housing spend. How can Labor spend over $30b a year on tax cuts for the wealthy, but not $5b a year for public housing as the Greens want?”

Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice, Nick McKim said:

“Labor’s stage 3 tax cuts are a body blow to Australia’s progressive income tax system,” Senator McKim said. 

“It is unconscionable that a PM who got elected on a story of growing up in public housing would so cynically pull the ladder up behind him.

“The idea of giving $313 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy instead of freezing rents, lifting Centrelink above the poverty line and building public and affordable housing is beyond disgraceful.

“In Australia the fastest growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness is now children under 11. Homelessness is now a real threat to any person or family that experiences a bit of bad luck.

“Millions of people are stuck on poverty payments because the budget apparently can’t afford to allow people to both eat and pay rent, and report after report shows there’s not a single rental affordable to people on Jobseeker, while many workers are paying 60% of their income in rent.“

Today, the Community Affairs Legislative Committee held a hearing into Labor’s proposed Income Management Reform Bill, which essentially reintroduces a Cashless Debit Card 2.0 and further entrenches compulsory income management.

The SmartCard is provided by the same company, Indue, who ran the Cashless Debit Card scheme, and is effectively the Cashless Debit Card by another name.

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

“The Labor party has yet again betrayed people on income support with this Cashless Debit Card 2.0. 

“Labor pledged to end compulsory income management in opposition. Now they’re in government, Labor’s proposed SmartCard is just the Cashless Debit Card with a different name and colour.

“If anyone thinks that Labor’s SmartCard Bill is only about improving technology, this hearing would have quickly disabused them of that notion. 

“This bill goes far beyond technology; it introduces a sneaky and insidious framework that will significantly expand the Minister’s power to roll out compulsory income management in new areas, despite Labor’s campaign against CDC in opposition.

“If this bill passes the Senate in its current form, Labor will be going further than the Liberals did in allowing the expansion of the racist and entirely ineffective compulsory income management system.

“There’s no evidence that compulsory income management works, and we’ve heard from witness after witness today that this racist, paternalistic policy framework only does damage to individuals and communities, especially to First Nations people.

“The SmartCard bill doesn’t even contain a sunset clause like the CDC legislation did. Labor campaigned to end compulsory income management, yet this bill will entrench it.

The Minister for the Environment has indicated her decision to approve the Isaac River coal mine in Queensland, giving the green light for destruction of endangered koala habitat.

Responding to this decision, Greens spokesperson for Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“In the same week the Albanese Government gave next to nothing in the Budget for protection and restoration of the environment, the Minister has signalled her intent to approve a new coal mine in endangered species’ habitat.

“This cynical announcement comes at the end of Budget week to avoid scrutiny.

“The Environment Minister is on track to be no better than the last one in the Morrison Government.

“You cannot meet a zero extinction target while destroying habitat. This government clearly isn’t serious about saving our wildlife.

“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.”

Responding to the Minister for the Environment’s excuse for approving the Isaac River coal mine, Greens spokesperson for Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Minister Plibersek is defending her decision to approve a new coal mine because the law says she can. Well, the Minister herself has admitted that the law is broken.

“In 2023 there is no excuse for environmental approval to be given to new coal or gas projects without considering climate pollution.

“If the Albanese Government is truly committed to net zero, then introducing strong environmental laws with a climate trigger must be a priority.

“Polluting projects are failing to be assessed for the emissions they create. We desperately need a climate trigger to stop new coal and gas in its tracks.

“It is the Environment Minister’s job to strengthen our environment laws as an urgent priority, not use them as an excuse to pass destructive projects. Our climate and wildlife cannot afford further delay.

“All new fossil fuel approvals should be put on hold until we have a climate trigger in our environment laws.”

Today I announce the appointment of Advisory Board members for the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

The new Advisory Board brings together distinguished Australians with diverse perspectives and expertise across business, community, education, the arts, academia and national security.

The Advisory Board will help guide the Foundation in its work to support governments, businesses, and communities build links and strengthen constructive engagement with China, consistent with our national interest.

I am pleased to reappoint Ms Pru Bennett as Chair and make the following Advisory Board appointments:

• Mr Rowan Callick OBE, author and journalist
• Dr Yin Cao*, curator of Chinese Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Ms Wesa Chau, CEO, Cultural Intelligence
• Mr Philip Chronican, Chair, National Australia Bank
• Dr Courtney Fung*, Associate Professor, Macquarie University
• Mr Douglas Gautier AM, CEO and Artistic Director, Adelaide Festival Centre
• Ms Marina Go*, Non-Executive Director Transurban, Energy Australia and others
• Dr Jade Little*, Chair, Australia-China Youth Dialogue
• Professor Sharon Lewin* AO, Director, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
• Professor Duncan Lewis* AO DSC CSC, former Secretary Department of Defence
• Mr Richard McGregor*, Senior Fellow for East Asia, Lowy Institute
• Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Head, ANU National Security College
• Professor Brian Schmidt AC, Vice Chancellor, Australian National University
• Ms Jan Adams AO PSM (ex officio), Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I thank outgoing Advisory Board members for their significant contributions and look forward to the Foundation’s continued work across communities, business, education, health and science, climate change, culture and the arts.

*Denotes a new appointment to the Advisory Board.

Responding to this week’s budget, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“It’s beyond disappointing that the Government has kept the punitive and universally despised activity test, which locks thousands of the most disadvantaged children out of accessing early childhood education and care. Even the Government’s own Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce recommended abolishing the activity test.

“The early childhood education and care workforce desperately need a pay rise and recognition for the important work they do. However, Labor has just tinkered around the edges, with more funding for professional development and skills building whilst ignoring the elephant in the room- wages. 

“Despite soaring student debt making news everyday, and the fact that a student debt avalanche will hit on 1 June unless the Government intervenes, there is nothing in this budget to ease the burden for all those with student debt. 

“Uni students are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, with many regularly skipping meals, falling behind on rent and being forced to abandon their degrees in favour of paid work. Unfortunately, this budget will provide scant relief, with Youth Allowance and Austudy being raised by a measly $2.85 a day.

“While extra university places in STEM disciplines are welcome, the Government’s stated purpose of these places to support AUKUS is gross. Universities are best placed to contribute to peace not warmongering.

“The Greens welcome the investment in more fee free TAFE places, but rather than one-off measures, we need sustained, long-term investment in public TAFE and the abolition of fees altogether.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Animal Welfare has responded to a new government report on Australia’s regulatory system for live export, which examined shocking footage captured inside overseas slaughterhouses and found systemic non-compliance.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The report is a damning indictment of the Department of Agriculture’s ability to protect cattle exported by Australian producers.

“At the heart of the failures lies an insurmountable conflict of interest; the welfare of animals will never be the priority for a department that also exists to promote and protect the industry. We need an Independent Office of Animal Welfare.

“The report examined truly horrific footage of animal suffering. Shockingly though, the Department recommended no further sanctions for this horrific cruelty despite finding non-compliance at every single abattoir investigated.

 “The report confirms, yet again, that live export cannot be made safe for animals. It is a business model built on cruelty and is simply incompatible with animal welfare.”

A State Memorial service to celebrate the life of acclaimed artist Dr John Olsen AO OBE will be held at the Art Gallery of NSW on Monday 29 May.

The Australian and NSW Governments will jointly deliver the service in honour of the late legendary landscape painter who passed away on 11 April 2023, aged 95.

With a career spanning nearly seven decades, Dr Olsen had long been considered one of Australia’s most eminent and celebrated living artists.

In 1977 Dr Olsen was appointed an OBE for his services to the arts, and in 2001 was appointed an AO and awarded the Centenary Medal. He was awarded the Wynne Prize in 1969 and 1985, the Sir John Sulman Prize in 1989 and the Archibald Prize in 2005, amongst many other significant awards throughout his distinguished career.

Dr Olsen’s work is represented in all Australian state gallery collections, the National Gallery of Australia and regional galleries nationwide, as well as institutional, corporate and private collections internationally.

He has also received an honorary doctorate of letters from both the University of NSW in 2003, and the University of Newcastle in 2011.

A tribute to Dr Olsen’s extraordinary career will be beamed onto the Sydney Opera House sails during this year’s Vivid Sydney, which runs from Friday May 26 to Saturday June 17.

For the most up to date information on the State Memorial and to sign the online condolence book, visit nsw.gov.au/stateservices

The State Memorial will start at 10.30am and will be live streamed.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“John Olsen had an incredible ability to interpret the beautiful, raw and vivid Australian landscape in a way few others have.

“A man of talent, charisma, generosity and humility, he was a poet of the brush, a truly great explorer and interpreter of the Australian landscape.

“The State Memorial is our chance to pay tribute to John’s unique talent, his unyielding passion for the arts, and the great legacy he leaves us.”

Premier Minns said:

“John Olsen’s contribution to arts and culture in New South Wales has been immeasurable.”

“The way in which he captured the beauty of our state and country on canvas brought joy to millions.”

“The Art Gallery of New South Wales is where many of John Olsen’s paintings have been showcased over the years and it serves as the perfect venue to celebrate the life and legacy of this great Australian artist.”

Responding to the Federal budget, Greens spokesperson for Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“No matter how they try and spin it, the numbers are clear – protecting nature is just not a priority for this government.

“This budget shows that the Greens are the only party in this Parliament who are truly willing to fight for our environment.

“It was very disappointing that the Treasurer’s budget night speech didn’t include the environment at all.

“We are in an extinction crisis. Our native species need funding now. Yet, there was no new funding allocated to species protection and recovery in the budget, and what was promised last October barely makes a dent in what scientists say is required to address the extinction crisis we face.

“There has been no attempt from the Government to address the root causes of biodiversity loss and ban native forest logging.

“If there was any hope left that the Minister was serious about the commitments to protect 30 per cent of land and seas and achieve zero extinction by 2030, this budget has dashed it.

“Putting the creation of a nature market before establishing an Environment Protection Agency, legislating environmental standards and fixing our broken environmental laws is the nail in the coffin.

“Australia’s environment needs protection, not a ‘Green Wall Street’ propped up by bogus offsets. The Albanese Government has well and truly put the cart before the horse and the environment will suffer as a result.

“It is a lie to say that the Government cannot afford greater environmental protection. Last night’s budget was one of carefully considered priorities, and the environment was left off that list.”