Category: Australian News

Lee Hanson has expressed her shock and disappointment over Senator Lidia Thorpe’s recent remarks made at Parliament House. Lee Hanson described the comments as violent, inappropriate, and unbefitting of someone in a position of national leadership. She said she was deeply disturbed by the tone and content of Thorpe’s statement, questioning whether the senator truly cared about the country or its people.

She explained that her reaction came not only from a place of public concern but also personal worry, as a member of her own family works within Parliament House. She emphasised that such hateful and threatening comments could have serious consequences and should be treated with the same gravity as they would for any ordinary citizen.

She further stated that anyone else making similar statements would likely face police attention and accountability. Lee Hanson hopes that authorities take the incident seriously and that Thorpe is held responsible for her words.

According to Lee Hanson, the comments reflect a lack of respect and appreciation for the privilege of serving in Parliament. She said she felt ashamed that such behaviour could come from an elected representative and believes it undermines the integrity of the institution. Lee Hanson’s strong reaction highlights growing concerns about the standards of conduct expected from those in public office.

Madeleine Habib is safe, out of Israel, and on her way home to Tasmania.

“Madeleine is a great Tasmanian and a true hero,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“Her courage has given heart to the people of Gaza and inspired so many of us around the world.”

“Her actions sent a clear message to the Australian government that genocides should be resisted, not enabled.”

“Madeleine’s arrest in international waters was was just one of countless crimes committed by Israel over many decades.”

“It was an act of piracy and kidnapping.”

“The attempt by Israel to indefinitely detain Madeleine unless she signed a waiver was nothing less than extortion, and should result in the strongest possible diplomatic response from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.”

“Thanks to many in the community who rallied and organised to support Madeleine and everyone else imprisoned by Israel for trying to bring aid to Gaza.”

“While Madeleine is coming home, we must remember the profound suffering still being faced by the people of Gaza, and that millions of Palestinians continue to live in fear with their rights trampled by Israel’s apartheid regime.”

Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Nick McKim has responded to announcement that the government has reworked the superannuation tax bill:

“We will take a look at the detail here, but we’re concerned that the government has further weakened what should be a tax to ensure the super wealthy top 0.5% pay their fair share of tax.

“It’s clear Labor doesn’t have the guts to tax big corporations and billionaires fairly.

“Of course low income people need some tax relief on their super contributions. This is something the Greens have called for for some time, so we will run the ruler over the changes to low income earners’ superannuation.

“Labor has stripped out the tax on unrealised gains and indexed the $3 million threshold, a gift to the super-rich that will cost the budget billions.

“This is a capitulation to the wealthiest people in the country, and a slap in the face to everyone else who pays their tax straight out of their pay packet.

“This new model will give a green light to the richest 0.5% to keep hoarding investment properties. No capital gains tax will have to be paid as long as they don’t sell their properties and even then, less than half of the profits will attract tax.

“We’ll look at the full legislation when it’s introduced, but this backflip shows Labor’s priorities loud and clear. They’d rather protect the wealthy few than stand up for the many.

“The Greens will keep pushing for a fair tax system that makes the wealthy pay their way, instead of one that still rewards those hoarding obscene wealth through super accounts.”

The Minns Labor Government is fast-tracking $200 million to deliver a pothole and road maintenance blitz across Sydney’s busiest corridors, following one of the city’s wettest winters on record.

This investment brings Greater Sydney’s total road maintenance funding for 2025-26 to $488 million, improving the safety, reliability, and resilience of the network by ensuring faster repairs, fewer potholes, and reduced vehicle damage.

At the same time as the Government delivers the new roads that growing communities need, it is ensuring that existing roads remain safe. More than 5,100 potholes have already been repaired across Sydney’s roads in August and September alone.

Work under this program will be prioritised based on:

• traffic volumes,
• the location and severity of the pothole, and
• the road’s importance for freight, bus services, and emergency access.

Importantly, around 15 per cent of pothole repairs are identified through public reports, which can be made to Transport for NSW online here, or by phoning 131 700.

This announcement will allow the Government to continue building a fairer, safer road network across Sydney.

Last year alone, 1.57 million hours of maintenance work were completed across Sydney’s roads, resulting in:

• 10,879 potholes repaired
• Nearly 1 million square metres of road resurfaced – equivalent to more than 125 football fields
• 344,000 linear metres of new line markings

In August 2025, the Minns Labor Government also announced $155 million in accelerated funding for a maintenance blitz across regional NSW, bringing total maintenance investment in non-metropolitan communities to $1.25 billion this financial year.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“We know how frustrating it is for drivers to deal with damaged roads and potholes, especially after one of Sydney’s wettest winters on record.”

“This $200 million blitz will help make sure our roads are safer and more reliable, while supporting the crews who are already working hard every day to keep Sydney moving.

“Our Government is getting on with building the new roads that growing communities need, but we’re also making sure that the roads people use every day are maintained to a standard that keeps them safe.

“We’re investing in both the future of our road network and the quality of the drive today because whether you’re commuting to work, dropping the kids off at school or running a small business, safe and reliable roads matter.”

Treasurer of New South Wales, Daniel Mookhey said:

“Building and maintaining our roads is essential to the prosperity of NSW.

“This $200 million blitz across Sydney’s busiest corridors is part of delivering a safer, fairer road network.

“It helps give families certainty, and workers and businesses the confidence to plan for the future as they go about their activities today.”

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“This $200 million acceleration of funding proves the Minns Labor Government is serious about Building a Better NSW.

“Not only are we delivering new major road projects, we’re also fixing the roads families rely on every single day.

“This work might not get ribbon cuttings, but we take enormous pride in delivering safe, reliable travel for everyone who uses our road network.

“This blitz for Sydney’s key corridors is an investment in reliable, resilient infrastructure that keeps the city moving.

“I want to thank our incredible maintenance teams whose work makes a real difference to every Sydney driver’s daily journey.”

Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Road Maintenance and Resilience Matt Fuller said:

“Our crews are winning the battle against potholes and weather damage.

“Millions of people depend on our roads daily – this is why maintenance is absolutely critical.

“After a massive year of repair work, we’re entering the optimal season for major pavement upgrades. Our frontline teams work around the clock, through storms and crashes, to keep Sydney connected.”

This week I will travel to the United States to meet senior officials from the Trump Administration, members of Congress, and key defence industry leaders.

Australia and the United States share a longstanding alliance. The United States is Australia’s principal strategic partner. Together, we play a vital role in supporting defence, security and economic prosperity, including in the Pacific region. 

While in Washington DC, I will take part in an AUKUS defence industry update, including engaging with US counterparts and military decision-makers. AUKUS stands as our most significant example of industrial cooperation. It plays a critical role in enhancing our capability and contributing to stability and security across the Indo-Pacific.

I will also attend the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition. The AUSA expo is North America’s premier defence land power event and a crucial meeting point for leaders within the US defence industrial base, private-sector and a critical forum for promoting Australia’s defence industry. 

The Albanese Government and the Trump Administration share a steadfast commitment to advancing our defence industry. Together with industry partners, we are delivering capability — decisively, efficiently, and with clear purpose.

I look forward to meeting with my counterparts in Washington to further strengthen our alliance through deeper collaboration across our industrial bases.

Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza.

After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace.

Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza.

We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.

We thank President Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledge the important role of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in delivering this agreement.

Australia strongly supports the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza.

There is a very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long term peace and building the Palestinian state.

Together with our partners, Australia will continue to do what we can to contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution.

The WA Greens are calling on the Cook Labor Government to immediately drop their appeal against Dion Barber. 

Mr Barber was awarded $2.85 million in compensation by the District Court for repeated sexual abuse he suffered while in state care during the 1980s and 1990s.

Jess Beckerling MLC, Greens WA spokesperson for Sexual Violence: 

“Dion Barber has survived extreme levels of abuse and has shown extraordinary courage in repeatedly coming forward to tell his story and seek relief and justice. 

“The law was changed following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to provide for victim survivors to bring their cases to court. This was in recognition of how important it is that people are able to seek justice.

“Mr Barber is the first person whose case has been heard and compensation agreed following this important change to the law.

“It is staggering that the State Government would appeal this decision. It should acknowledge it has made a mistake and drop the appeal. 

“What does it say to victim survivors about how they will be treated in court by the State? This was supposed to be a chance for justice and a step towards recovery, not another exercise in re-traumatising survivors.

“This was the wrong move. The State has made a series of egregious decisions in its duty to Mr Barber and it should absolutely have recognised that and apologised by now. This appeal must be dropped.” 

The Greens say the early education and care system is in desperate need of overhaul after today’s shocking reports revealed further safety and reporting concerns and a preventable infant death in an unlicensed childcare centre.

Today, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald revealed:

• Childcare company Affinity Education withheld information from detectives during the Joshua Brown investigation.
• A 15 week old baby died in an unlicensed care centre while in an unsafe sleeping environment.

Senator Steph Hodgins-May, the Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care will question the federal Department of Education at Senate Estimates tomorrow (Friday) on key issues of quality and safety and the rollout of safety reforms announced by the Government. 

In August, the Greens successfully established a Senate Inquiry into the quality and safety of early childhood education and care after the government failed to adequately address the deep flaws in the system and responded with piecemeal fixes. 

Greens spokesperson for early education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“As a parent, it’s distressing to see our childcare system continue to let down children and families. 

“Time and time again, the system is allowing these cases of malpractice to go unchecked. It’s a symptom of a broken, profit-driven system. 

“While the Labor government drags its feet with band-aid fixes, children, parents and educators are paying the price through unsafe environments and ignored complaints. 

“A market-driven childcare system will always put profit over the safety and quality of our children’s care. 

“In Estimates tomorrow, I’ll be pressing  the Department of Education for answers on how it intends to provide the accountability parents deserve.

“We have also established a Senate Inquiry into the quality and safety of early learning, to uncover the systemic failings and put forward strong reforms so parents can finally trust the system. The inquiry will report back in March, and we look forward to its findings.

The two year anniversary of the current and ongoing genocide by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza should be recognised by the NSW Government by the lighting of the Sydney opera House sails with the Palestinian flag. The call comes as the NSW Police have prevented a community rally to mark the anniversary from being given protection from prosecution if it goes ahead.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said:

“The Sydney Opera House has been lit to recognise international issues of importance for years, including for India’s independence, French victims of terrorism, the war crimes committed against Ukraine, and most recently with the flag of Israel. It’s time for the NSW Government to recognise the international atrocity of genocide being committed against the people of Palestine,”

“More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel over the last two years, with at least 20,000 of them being children. This means a child has been murdered by Israel every hour since this genocide started,”

“The decision by the NSW Supreme Court today, to prohibit a planned rally at the Opera House this Sunday, is a setback for the right to protest in NSW, but it is not a setback to the community movement against Israel’s genocide,”

“Hundreds of thousands of people marched across the Harbour Bridge in the March for Humanity a few months ago, and likely tens of thousands more will be rallying in NSW again this Sunday. Premier Chris Minns should heed the community, and mark this two years of genocide by lighting the Opera House sails this Sunday evening in solidarity with all of those murdered Palestinians,”

“The community has rallied continuously for two years against the actions of Israel, and we will continue to rally until the genocide ends and the perpetrators are brought to international justice,” Ms Higginson said.

Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, joined supporters and family members this morning to welcome home three of the courageous Australians who attempted to deliver aid to Gaza and break Israel’s illegal blockade, aboard the Sumud Flotilla.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice:

“I am so relieved to welcome our heroes back home and I am so proud of them. We have all been worried sick about what the Israeli military would do to them given their horrific track record.

“The Australian people are so proud of them. These are everyday people who are willing to put their lives on the line to deliver lifesaving food and medical supplies to Palestinians suffering Israel’s genocide and starvation.

“They carried with them not only lifesaving supplies, but hope. Hope that in a world where governments like ours choose to do nothing as a livestreamed genocide occurs, that there are people out there willing to risk it all to save lives. It reminds us of the good in this world. I am so grateful and thankful to them for stepping up where governments have failed.

“The treatment of these Australians at the hands of Israel has shown that Minister Wong’s strategy of trying to appease a genocidal bully doesn’t work. Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Wong remained silent while these humanitarians were aboard the flotilla and then imprisoned by Israel, but surely they should hold Israel to account for illegally abducting, imprisoning and abusing Australian citizens, and for the genocide in Gaza.

“Palestinian people are still dying every day. They are still being starved. I have no doubt that people will take to the streets and take to the oceans until there is justice, long-lasting peace and liberation for Palestinians.”