This week I (Penny Wong) will travel to New Caledonia and Tuvalu for the first time as Foreign Minister to listen first-hand to their priorities and build on our close relationships.
The Albanese Government has shown its strong commitment to working with the Pacific family to deliver Pacific priorities, including action on climate change and recovery from Covid-19.
This visit will be my tenth to the Pacific as Foreign Minister and fulfills the Government’s commitment to visit all 17 of our fellow Pacific Islands Forum members.
Australia’s longstanding relationship with New Caledonia spans people, economic and commercial ties, environmental protection, as well as strong defence cooperation with French authorities in New Caledonia.
I will meet the High Commissioner of the French Republic in New Caledonia Mr Louis Le Franc, and President of the Government of New Caledonia Mr Louis Mapou.
I am honoured to have the opportunity to address the Congress of New Caledonia on Australia’s regional vision and the value of New Caledonia’s regional engagement since it became a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2016.
In Tuvalu, I will meet with acting Prime Minister Ampelosa Tehulu and his cabinet colleagues to discuss Australia’s ongoing partnership and development support for Tuvalu’s social, economic and security priorities.
Tuvalu is on the front line of climate change, and I will reiterate Australia’s commitment to climate action, including our bid to co-host COP31 with other Pacific countries in 2026.
A strong and united Pacific Islands Forum is central to supporting a region that is peaceful, prosperous, and resilient.
If the Prime Minister truly believes Senator Lidia Thorpe is struggling with mental health issues, he should begin removing her from the Parliament.
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comments about Senator Thorpe were a transparent attempt to distance his proposed indigenous voice to Parliament from the radical black nationalists represented by the exGreens senator.
“Over the last two days, the Prime Minister has made statements claiming radical Aboriginal campaigner and Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe’s behaviour is symptomatic of mental health issues,” Senator Hanson said. “Senator Thorpe has hit back at the claims as ‘misogynistic’ and ‘racist’.
“The aim of Mr Albanese’s statements about mental health is to try and distance his proposed voice to Parliament from Senator Thorpe. “The Prime Minister’s claims that Senator Thorpe suffers from a mental health condition are entirely unfounded.
“If the Prime Minister truly believes Senator Thorpe has mental health issues and is unfit for Parliament, he must start having her deemed ineligible to hold a Senate position.
“If not, the Prime Minister must immediately stop denigrating the Senator and admit that his voice to Parliament risks increasing the number of like-minded people like Senator Thorpe to the voice.”
It is ‘no secret’ to hard-working Australians that housing costs in recent years, whether owning or renting, are out of control. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) official statistics published in Trading Economics, housing inflation rose nearly 40% from January 2021 to January 2023.
Even the ABC gets the twin housing inflation problems and general inflation. Or at least finance reporter David Taylor does. In his recent piece entitled From high inflation to the housing crisis and a possible recession, Australia’s economic problems need meaningful solutions. He stated that:
“The fundamental economic problem of our time is inflation, or the rising cost of living. … Low wage growth, a surge in migration and a chronic housing shortage have now produced both a cost-of-living crisis and a housing crisis.”
Regarding the problem of general inflation, Taylor delved deeper:
“Easing inflation pressures means there is less of a chance interest rates will continue to climb, which makes it easier for companies to churn out a profit. This helps explain the stock market’s flirtation with a new record high — especially when…many companies have managed to ride the inflation wave without letting go of their profit margins. … You see, while easing inflationary pressures are welcome, the evidence continues to point to so-called ‘sticky’ inflation — both overseas and here.”
He then went into some of the policy drivers of general inflation:
“The [GFC] produced a trauma that’s still with us. Indeed the remedies to [that] — taxpayer bailouts of corporations too big to fail and cheap funding for those with assets — helped entrench deep inequality[.] … The pandemic led to huge amounts of government stimulus…stoking inflation.”
Taylor then ‘circled back’ to housing inflation and it’s policy-drivers when he concluded:
“The economy is dominated by large monopolies with unprecedented power over wages growth and the prices they charge consumers. You can add to that a housing market that’s been propped up by a favourable tax environment, cheap money and investor speculation. … Looking ahead, surging migration may prevent Australia from entering a technical recession…but it’s also leading to soaring rents and entrenching the housing affordability crisis.”
What is ‘somewhat a secret’ nowadays (long after the common sense reforms of the 1980s and 1990s) regarding housing, inflation, and the economy is, as American President Ronald Reagan once quipped:
“Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem. … Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.”
Moreover, ‘the dirty little secret’ is that government problem subsidies are not just sometimes unintentional but often intentional and that these are not just fiscal in origin but also regulatory and monetary. The three key and intentional policies driving-up housing inflation, in particular, are #1) open-border immigration, #2) climate-alarmism green tape, and #3) money-and-credit printing. Policy #1 is a mix of fiscal and regulatory policies, whereas #2 is regulatory and #3 is monetary.
Australian housing demand is regularly ‘pump-primed’ by the federal government through a combination of #1 and #3. This happens through #1 more people plus #3 more money to demand more housing services. However, at the same time, the Australian housing supply is regularly constrained by federal, state and local governments through #2 many restrictions on housing stock. In short, high demand and low supply growth equal housing inflation and, thus, the housing crisis.
As the 1980s cartoon, G.I. Joe used to say, “And knowing is half the battle.” The other half of the battle is, of course, doing. And this starts with asking both the PM and RBA, “Please explain?”
The Greens are calling for the Albanese Government to immediately mandate waste reduction targets following a report out today revealing Australia will miss its 2025 National Packaging Targets.
Australia set a national target to recover 70% of plastic packaging by 2025, but a review by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation shows just 18% of plastic packaging was recycled or composted in the 2020-21 financial year.
The review confesses governments will need to pursue harder regulation if plastic producers cannot do better under the current voluntary system of waste reduction. Yet after decades of big plastic producers failing to clean up after themselves, why wait?
Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:
“The idea that Australia could reach its 2025 National Packaging Targets under a system that hinges on weak, consumer-obligated, voluntary targets has always been a complete farce.
“It is mind-blowing that the government is still kicking this can down the road. Big producers of plastic have been operating with impunity, free from any serious penalties or regulation.
“Voluntary approaches to waste reduction do not work – it’s that simple. Big companies will never care about the planet as much as their profits, which means mandating waste reduction targets is the only way to get them to take the matter seriously.
“Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector, which is projected to account for over a third of growth in oil demand by 2030, and remain one of the biggest drivers of oil extraction over coming decades.
“Multinational oil and gas corporations are eyeing a rapid expansion in the production of plastics to generate demand for fossil fuels in a decarbonising world. If we end plastic, we can end fossil fuels.
“It is absurd that our waste reduction targets are not legally binding given what we know about the dangers of plastic pollution. To stop the insidious scourge of plastic from intruding into our lives and the environment, the Albanese Government must mandate our nation’s waste reduction targets.”
Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce’s recommendations that the Government scrap the activity test and give early childhood education and care workers a pay rise in the May budget.The Australian Greens’ have long called for these measures.Senator Faruqi said:“The activity test is a disgrace of a policy. It is cruel, punitive and beyond repair. “The activity test denies access to early childhood education and care for the most disadvantaged children and punishes families with insecure, casual work.“Many thousands of children from disadvantaged families are missing out on early childhood education and care because of the activity test- it should be abolished now. “Dumping the activity test would represent significant progress towards the Greens vision of free, universal early childhood education and care.“The treatment of early childhood education and care workers is a national shame. They continue to be paid well below what they deserve.“The government can’t keep delaying action. Early childhood education and care workers deserve a pay rise now and recognition and respect for the important work they do. They have been undervalued for far too long.
The Greens are calling on the Government to accept all recommendations of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) in the May Budget, and not make women wait while wealthy men and submarines are prioritised.
The Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce have asked for urgent action on 6 key priority recommendations, to redress gender wealth inequality, all of which the Greens support.
Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:
“The Government asked the WEET for advice about how to deliver women’s financial security, they can’t now ignore the sensible advice on policy reforms to deliver it.
“The women of Australia expect and deserve to be prioritised after nine years of Coalition neglect, and this government can’t claim to be better for women if they make us wait while prioritising tax cuts for the wealthy and submarines.
“This budget is about choices. Choose to implement expert recommendations to help women, children, and those most at-risk or already living in poverty; or continue to cry poor while funding the Stage 3 tax cuts and spending billions on submarines.
“Each of the six key recommendations for women’s economic security were already Greens policy and we back them all.
“We are pleased to see reversing the Gillard government’s decision to cut off Parenting Payment Single when kids turn 8 as a priority recommendation. Extending parenting support to 16 years would cost $1.4 billion dollars – a fraction of a fraction of the Stage 3 tax cuts and AUKUS spending – but it would be life changing for 500,000 single mums and their kids.
“We strongly support the Taskforce’s call to scrap the degrading, punitive and coercive ParentsNext program. The Greens tried to disallow it back in 2018, and the program has done untold damage since then.
“Just last month the government had the chance to support Greens amendments to their Paid Parental Leave bill and pay super on paid parental leave, costed at $200 million, yet they chose not to.
“Poverty is a policy choice. Right now, Labor is choosing to keep in place a woeful social security system that leaves millions of women, children, uni students and renters in poverty.
“The Labor Government has found $368 billion to spend on nuclear submarines and $254 billion in Stage 3 tax cuts for the rich, so has no excuse to reject reforms that will help women struggling to pay rent and put food on the table.
“Labor say they’re on the side of struggling Australians – it’s time they show it, and use that money to make life a bit easier for women and children doing it tough.”
Six priorities identified by the WEET as urgent and targeted actions:
Reinstatement of the Parenting Payment (Single) for women with children over eight. This will more appropriately classify single mothers as doing parenting work, rather than as being unemployed.
Abolition of the Parents Next program. This should be accompanied by a commitment to reinvest in a new evidence-based program co-designed with young parents, and based in principles of encouragement, support, flexibility and meeting their needs.
Abolition of the Childcare Subsidy Activity Test.
Payment of Superannuation for primary carers while they are on Paid Parental Leave.
Increase the rate of Commonwealth Rental Assistance to improve women’s immediate housing security stemming from the lack of affordable, appropriate, and safe housing options.
Invest in an interim pay-rise for all early childhood educators and aged care workers in recognition of the historical undervaluation of their work and the urgent need to retain and attract workers to the sector.
A survey to hear about the community’s dental experiences has been launched as part of the Greens-led, Senate Inquiry into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia.
This survey is available to all people in Australia to complete and will seek the community’s experiences accessing dental services, the barriers they face and their views on how dental care needs to change in Australia.
The Senate inquiry has been established to investigate issues including the impact of the cost of the living crisis on access to dental services and will consider a pathway to universal access to dental services in Australia.
The Australian Greens took a policy to the last Federal Election of having dental services available in Medicare.
Senator Jordon Steele-John, Chair of the Committee + Greens Spokesperson for Health said:
“We know so many people aren’t able to go to the dentist because it’s too expensive. More and more people are having to delay going to the dentist living with sore gums, ill-fitting dentures or headaches.
“As chair of this inquiry, I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard by the parliament. That’s why I am so proud to be launching a survey today – to make it as easy as possible, for as many people as possible to contribute to the Senate inquiry.
“Nobody should have to suffer tooth pain or dental issues that could be avoided with treatment simply because they can’t afford it. The only way we’re going to get reform to Australia’s dental healthcare is if decision-makers in Canberra actually understand the scale of the problem.
“Whatever your experience is with the dental care system, even if it has been very limited due to these sorts of barriers – your contribution is extremely valuable – please fill in the survey and share your ideas on how we can fix dental care services in Australia.
“This is our opportunity to make dental care truly accessible for all. Together, our voices are strongest.”
Today I announce the appointment of Mr Ian Biggs as Australia’s next Ambassador to Austria. Mr Biggs will also be accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Australia has strong relationships with Austria and Central Europe, based on community ties and a shared commitment to support a world which is stable, peaceful, prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty.
We are broadening our cooperation with the region in trade and investment, climate and energy, and foreign and security policy.
Mr Biggs will also be Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where he will also serve on the IAEA Board of Governors.
Australia has a record of steadfast commitment to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and to supporting the IAEA’s mission to harness the peaceful application of nuclear technology. We are proud of our historical and continued leadership in promoting entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Mr Biggs is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation.
He has previously served overseas as Ambassador to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Deputy Head of Mission in India and Austria and as Special Assistant to the IAEA Director General.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Richard Sadleir for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Austria since 2019.
Today, I announce the following changes to the Coalition Shadow Ministry.
I am delighted that Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will take on the role of Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians.
Jacinta is a fighter and a warrior for Indigenous Australia. As a proud Territorian, a former councillor and deputy mayor of Alice Springs, and a former small business owner, she has always fought hard to improve the lives of Indigenous women and kids, and tackled immensely difficult issues like the scourge of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the crisis in law and order in some Indigenous communities.
I am proud of her, and I know she will do an outstanding job in leading the charge for better practical outcomes for Indigenous Australians – not through the Prime Minister’s Canberra Voice Bureaucracy.
Senator Kerrynne Liddle will join the outer shadow ministry as Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence. Kerrynne had a distinguished career prior to entering the Senate, having worked as a senior business leader, small business owner and journalist. A former small business owner and senior leader in the private and public sector, Kerrynne’s extensive professional experience has led to her success in key areas including in the tourism, energy, media, tertiary education, arts, social housing and indigenous affairs sectors. I am delighted she will join my Shadow Ministry and this critical role will allow her unique policy strengths and insights to come to the fore.
I want to thank the Hon. Karen Andrews MP for her many years of fine service on the Coalition frontbench. Karen has offered to step aside from the Shadow Ministry and to return to the backbench. Karen was a distinguished and first-rate minister during the period of the last Coalition government and I am so grateful for her contribution to the Coalition team over many years.
Senator James Paterson will join the Shadow Cabinet as the new Shadow Minister for Home Affairs. As a member and former chairman of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, James has been at the forefront of many of the critical national security debates facing our country in recent years.
James has done an outstanding job in holding the government to account for its failures in cyber security, along with raising the critical issue of foreign interference in our community. He will retain his existing shadow ministerial portfolio of Cyber Security and I am delighted to bring him into the Shadow Cabinet.
Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash will return to a familiar portfolio area for her as she takes on the role of Shadow Attorney-General.
A fierce and talented legal operator, I’m delighted Michaelia will take on this position, in addition to her existing Industrial Relations portfolio remit. With the legal uncertainty, complexity, and constitutional risk inherent in the Prime Minister’s Canberra Voice proposal becoming clearer by the day, I know Michaelia will do a forensic job in this role.
I can assure all Australians that the Coalition will continue to focus on delivering positive plans and policies for the future of our country in 2023 and in the lead-up to the next election.
These new shadow ministry appointments strengthen our team as we approach the task ahead.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, to Australia from 22-23 April as a guest of the Australian Government.
This will be Prime Minister Hipkins’ second visit to Australia as leader.
This year Australia and New Zealand are celebrating 80 years of diplomatic representation, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, and 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement.
Prime Minister Hipkins’ visit will take place shortly before Anzac Day – a commemoration of a formative time in Australia and New Zealand’s shared history.
Prime Minister Albanese said:
“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Hipkins back to Australia for his second visit as leader.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Prime Minister Hipkins to strengthen the close ties and bonds of kinship between our two countries.”
