Category: Australian News

The ACT Greens will use this week in Parliament to drive action from the ACT Government to deliver their active travel network, focusing on West Belconnen where paths are either missing entirely or incomplete and unsafe.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay said the party has been hearing from people all over Canberra who want to travel by riding, walking and taking public transport, but are facing too many incomplete pathways, missing connections and dangerous conditions.

On Wednesday Ms Clay will call on the ACT Labor Government to consult with the community and conduct a feasibility study into how they will deliver the West Belconnen Active Travel Network and review how they’ll deliver the territory-wide plan.

“People want choice, but the way our city is currently designed we don’t have that. The ACT Government knows this which is why they have an Active Travel Plan­—so now we have all these routes planned, but no clarity on how it will be delivered by 2030.

“Canberra is better with bikes. We need wide connected footpaths—not paint lines next to the road—that everyone can use. When done well, paths like this deliver traffic calming measures to make our streets safer for everyone.

“A good path and public transport network keeps people physically and mentally healthier. It makes it easy to walk down to the shops, ride to school or work and spend time outdoors. It also reduces noise and air pollution.

“Weeks ago, the Labor Climate Minister said the ACT will not meet its legislated emissions reduction target and that we’re off track to achieve net zero by 2045. Transport continues to be the ACT’s biggest polluter, making up over 60% of our emissions.

“It’s a no brainer that delivering the paths, connections and infrastructure people need to ride or walk around will reduce our overall emissions. But right now we don’t have that option in West Belconnen for people to ride into work, school or down to the shops.

“West Belconnen is rapidly growing, and ­our pathways and active travel connections were already poor. We need better public infrastructure in this part of Canberra.

“That’s why the ACT Government must work with the community to identify the priorities in this plan—given Labor’s budget blowout—how they will do it, and when.”

The motion will also call on the ACT Government to transparently record how much funding has been allocated to deliver the Active Travel Plan 2024-30 and how much has been spent per financial year in annual reports.

Canberra By Bike Founder, Paris Lord:

“We’re pleased to support this latest effort to get people in Belconnen the infrastructure that enables more choices in how people get around their neighbourhoods.

“Locals tell us they want to be able to walk or roll to their local shops for groceries or medical appointments, or feel safe to let their children ride with their friends.

“Fusing missing links and calming our streets makes such trips more likely, and boosts our collective quality of life.” 

Australian defence industry companies are invited to showcase their products and services to international governments via the 2026 Australian Defence Export Catalogue. 

Submissions to the Catalogue are now open – with participation raising the profile of Australian defence industry to key decision makers in international markets.

The Australian Defence Export Catalogue supports Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base – a key priority outlined in the 2024 Defence Industry Development Strategy and National Defence Strategy.

Currently in its ninth edition, the Catalogue highlights export-ready products and services from more than 336 companies across every state and territory in Australia; and is available in hard copy, online and via the mobile app.

Submissions for the 2026 edition of the Australian Defence Export Catalogue can be lodged via the online web portal until 23:59 AEDT, 16 January 2026. All proposed exports of military and dual use goods will be assessed under Australian export controls legislation.

Information on eligibility criteria and the submission process can be found by visiting the Australian Defence Export Catalogue page on the Defence website.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Exports are a key priority in the Albanese Government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy.

“Exporting Australia’s leading defence technology to international markets supports Australian jobs and strengthens our sovereign defence industrial base. 

“The Australian Defence Export Catalogue helps to grow Australia’s defence industry by supporting the long-term viability of domestic production lines through access to new markets.

“The Government is committed to strengthening Australia’s defence industrial base so it can meet the strategic challenges our nation faces now and in the future.”

Today I announce the appointments of nine highly qualified individuals to lead Australia’s posts in Tallinn, Lima, Noumea, Alofi, Kathmandu, Buenos Aries, Honiara, Nicosia and our interests in the global health system.

I am pleased to confirm the following appointments:

• Mr Edmund Mortimer as Australia’s next Ambassador to Estonia
• Mr James Yeomans as Australia’s next Ambassador to Peru. The Ambassador to Peru is also accredited to Bolivia
• Ms Megan Bainbridge as Australia’s next Consul-General in Noumea
• Ms Emily Pugin as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Cyprus
• Mr Simon Ernst as Australia’s next Ambassador to Nepal
• Ms Sarah Roberts as Australia’s next Ambassador to Argentina. The Ambassador to Argentina is also accredited to Paraguay and Uruguay
• Mr Jeff Roach OAM as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands
• Mr Paul Harrington as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Niue
• Mr Chris Cannan as Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health

Australia’s diplomatic network enables us to promote our interests in peace, security, trade, investment and other areas of cooperation.

As we work to shape a future for the better, our diplomatic corps are fundamental to strengthening relationships and building resilience in an ever less stable world.

I thank the outgoing Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consul-General for their important contributions to Australian diplomacy.

The Greens have secured a Senate inquiry into the right to work from home.

The Committee inquiry will consider the Greens bill to give workers the right to work from home for up to 2 days per week, hear from a range of stakeholders, and gather information to ensure that Australia’s workplace rules reflect our modern times.

The Senate inquiry will report by 26th March 2026.

Greens spokesperson for workplace relations, jobs and employment Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Flexible working arrangements are an essential feature of our modern workplaces. That’s why we’ve secured a Senate inquiry. 

“We know there is widespread support from workers, their families and from unions who back flexible work arrangements. Two-thirds of Australians support the right to work from home, including 75 per cent of Labor voters and 51 per cent of Coalition voters.

“The ability to work from home has many benefits, not only for women and carers – it also reduces the time spent on commuting, improves work-life balance, increases mental and physical wellbeing, and boosts workforce participation and productivity. 

“The state Labor government in Victoria backs the right to work from home. Given that most workers in Australia are covered by federal workplace law, it makes practical sense to ensure this right at the national level. We need a sensible, national approach.

“While the Greens recognise that working from home is not possible in all roles, workers should have a reasonable right to work from home for up to a couple of days a week where it is practical and possible.

“The Greens want to see real improvements in the conditions and rights of Australian workers that reflect the modern workplaces of 2025 and beyond. We will always fight for workers’ rights. We remain ready to work with Labor to deliver outcomes that help improve peoples’ lives.”

 Jo Clay, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, in response to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation reforms passed yesterday:

“Holding the balance of power in the Senate, the Australian Greens have overcome the gigantic forces of big corporations and dirty polluters to secure new environmental protections for all Australians and communities.

“After decades of weak environmental laws and community pressure, these laws now provide more protections for native forests. They close loopholes which saw land clearing and habitat destruction. They have stopped Labor from fast-tracking coal and gas projects.

“But Canberra’s local environment laws are broken and weak too. Already this year we’ve seen developments prioritised over habitat, like natural temperate grasslands, that are home to critically endangered species like the Canberra Earless Dragon.

“Canberra’s dodgy offset policy makes it easy for developers to pave over precious habitat—the main driver of the biodiversity crisis in the Territory.

“Former ACT Greens Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti started the work to review our decade old offsets policy, but now that Labor hold the portfolio, action has stalled.

“As we look to set city limits, Canberrans want to see habitats and rich, diverse ecosystems thrive across our suburbs—like the reserves in your region, and the parks and microforests in your neighbourhood.

“That’s why we need a biodiversity network, to safeguard nature in the suburbs. We won’t accept Labor stalling on these reforms, or continue choosing developers over our environment.

“Under the ACT Labor minority government, they’ve failed to meet legislated climate targets and taken us off track to meet net-zero by 2045. They’ve also let the climate strategy expire and have no ambition to take meaningful climate action right now.

“Just last week, the ACT Labor Climate Minister said in hearings that the Government is taking a breath instead of delivering urgent, sensible action.

“All while the prediction for summer is increased risk of climate disasters like bushfires. We cannot sit around and wait—Canberra deserves better.

“The ACT Greens will keep pressuring Labor to take action, put nature before vested interests, and once again become leaders on climate action.”

Labor has refused to support fair superannuation for the firefighters and paramedics who carry this country through crisis after crisis.

The Government and Opposition last night voted down a Greens amendment to increase employer super contributions for frontline emergency workers to at least match those received by Australian Defence Force personnel.

“Firefighters and paramedics put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, often at high risk and great personal cost,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“It is deeply disappointing and shameful that Labor has failed to recognise that sacrifice by ensuring that they receive fair superannuation.”

“This amendment would have tackled a clear inequity in our superannuation system while sending a strong signal of respect and support for the people who keep us safe.”

“Labor failed an important test today. They love talking about fairness when the cameras are on, but when it really counts they refuse to back in the people who put their lives on the line.”

The Greens’ proposal would have ensured firefighters and paramedics receive employer contributions of 16.4%, reflecting the physical and psychological toll their work takes over a lifetime.

The NSW Parliament has finished its final sitting week of 2025 with a double win for the environment and invasive species management, with a bill from the Shooters Party to weaken gun laws failing to get through, and the repeal of the laws protecting invasive species in the Kosciuszko National Park passing the Upper House late into the last sitting day of the year.

The NSW Upper House refused to change rules governing debate times on Wednesday evening after the Labor Government attempted to ram through their agreed gun law changes with the Shooters Party. The next day, during Government time, the Parliament agreed that the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill should be debated until finished, and has now passed both houses of the NSW Parliament.

Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said:

“The net result of what has happened this week, with these two bills, is a phenomenal win for the community and for the environment,”

“While the Shooters’ publicly funded gun lobby was supported by the Labor Government and Premier Chris Minns, the Parliament has refused to give in to those demands, and refused to weaken our gun laws and undermine invasive species control,”

“The repeal of the legal protections for damaging feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park has righted a wrong committed by the Former Deputy Premier John Barilaro,”

“It was an obscene misuse of power and Government when the Nationals legislated for the protection of an invasive species in our only alpine National Park, but it has now been made right because Labor and the Liberals, with others finally joined the Greens to get this done,”

“Both of these wins ultimately go to the community. Each of these bills attracted incredible attention for different reasons, and it’s clear from the feedback we’ve had that the bill with community support to protect Kosci has passed, while the fringe interests of the gun lobby have been sent off till next year. I couldn’t be happier,” Ms Higginson said.

The Albanese Government’s deal with the Greens to force its flawed EPBC reforms through the Senate confirms the Labor-Greens alliance is back, locking Australia into a chaotic regime that will hurt jobs, productivity and investment.

At a time when project pipelines are tightening, productivity has fallen, and competition for global capital is fierce, Labor has chosen a model that makes it harder to approve major projects, harder to employ Australians and harder for regional communities to grow.

Under Labor and the Greens, gas and critical minerals projects that are essential to Australia’s energy security, industrial base and global competitiveness will be pushed into the approvals slow lane.

And it won’t stop there. The impacts of this deal will flow straight through to the construction industry, pushing up the cost of building materials and making it even harder for Australians to build and buy homes.

Labor’s EPBC package was already unworkable. By locking in a Greens-backed model, the Government has cemented uncertainty, entrenched excessive regulatory power in an unaccountable EPA, and guaranteed longer delays for project approvals across the economy.

These reforms also ignore clear recommendations of the Samuel Review which called for clear rules, reduced duplication and faster, more certain approvals.

The Coalition was constructive at every step, offering sensible amendments and a practical pathway to deliver genuine streamlining and improved environmental outcomes.

Our approach would have fixed bad laws and turned them into genuine reforms that lifted productivity, supported jobs and attracted investment.

Industry, and business agreed substantial changes were vitally needed to make the legislation workable.

The Coalition will oppose the Labor Greens destructive deal and fight for an environmental system that protects our natural heritage while supporting jobs, investment and the communities that rely on a strong economy.

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Ms Victoria Anderson as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Ms Anderson has an extensive career in the Australian Public Service, most recently as Deputy Secretary of the Small Business, Corporate and Law Group at the Department of the Treasury.

Prior to this, Ms Anderson held senior roles in the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Ms Anderson brings a depth of expertise in public policy to the role, particularly in the agriculture domain where she commenced as a graduate.

Her experience spans industry and drought policy, agricultural market access, biosecurity policy and corporate governance.

Ms Anderson led the delivery of the Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit in 2022, and worked with the states and territories on national schools reform and management of COVID-19 in schools.

Ms Anderson’s term will commence on 8 December for a five-year period.

I would like to thank Ms Justine Saunders APM for acting as Secretary since September 2025.

Today we announce the appointment of Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP as Australia’s Special Envoy for International Human Rights.

As Special Envoy, Mr Dreyfus will renew Australia’s tradition as a global champion for human rights – a role we have played since we were an original signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

In particular, Mr Dreyfus will take a special advocacy role for the abolition of the death penalty, as well as for the rights and protections of children, older persons, people living with a disability and LGBTIQ+ individuals – all issues on which Australia has a long record of international leadership.

Mr Dreyfus is one of the most accomplished and widely respected parliamentarians of recent decades. He has served as Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary in two governments, and before entering parliament was a prominent barrister for twenty years.

His high standing as a parliamentarian means he can work effectively with other parliamentary representatives in our region leading their countries’ human rights agendas.

We thank Mr Dreyfus for agreeing to share his wealth of experience and outstanding credentials through this role, in addition to his parliamentary responsibilities.