Category: Australian News

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Anti-racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has urged the Government to reckon with the ugly reality of racism in this country, noting that 15 March is the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque shooting.

Senator Faruqi said:

‘Four years ago, racism killed 51 people in the Christchurch Mosque massacre.

“The Christchurch shooter was a product of Australia and far right extremism continues to threaten our safety and well being. 

“We must reckon with the R-word and acknowledge the scale of racism in this country which seeps into every day lives, policies, and practices.

“Report after report tells us that Muslims in Australia continue to experience horrific levels of racism and hate. 

“Disturbingly, Muslim women and children bear the brunt of Islamophobia.

“Racist and Islamophobic prejudice feeds into the cruel immigration system that detains, dehumanises and deports people seeking asylum.

“For too long politicians have fanned the flames of racism, stood quietly on the sidelines or gaslighted people like me who dare to call it out.

“As a start, let’s mandate anti-racism training for all politicians so they are forced to confront their privilege, bias and prejudice.

“Let’s  ditch the name ‘Harmony Day’ for 21st March and revert to the original purpose and name of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

“The time to trivialise and whitewash racism is over.

“We need proper data collection on hate crimes and racial discrimination and we need to strengthen and enforce hate speech laws.”

A pharmacist has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 months by the Brisbane District Court today, 14 March 2023 after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming more than $1.9 million in payments under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This outcome is the culmination of a strong collaboration between the Department of Health and Aged Care, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Ashgrove pharmacist, Mr Shahin Ardalan was charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage under section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

This matter was also referred to the AFP led Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce (CACT), which restrained residential property, shares and cryptocurrency linked to Mr Ardalan.

On 12 July 2022, the District Court of Queensland ordered Mr Ardalan to pay $1.9 million to the Commonwealth pursuant to section 116(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth).

The charges relate to an investigation conducted by the Department of Health and Aged Care that found Mr Ardalan unlawfully claimed benefits under the PBS between 5 January 2017 and 1 May 2020. As a result, he received $1,942,515.44 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Mr Ardalan has repaid the money in full through the AFP’s Proceeds of Crime Action.

Today’s sentencing is a reminder of the real and serious punishments for those who defraud taxpayers via the Medicare system. The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare non-compliance very seriously and all tip-offs are reviewed.

There is no place for fraud in the Medicare system. Where incorrectly or fraudulently claimed benefits are identified, the Department will seek to recover those funds and/or refer matters to the CDPP where criminal prosecution is considered appropriate.

Anyone with information about suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers can make a report via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs or by calling the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.

Greens Deputy Leader and Anti-Racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has called on the Labor Government to restore “Harmony Day”, held annually on March 21, to its original name, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with the purpose of acknowledging and eliminating racism.

Senator Faruqi said:

“March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. ‘Harmony Day’ is a John Howard invention. It whitewashes historic and ongoing racism in Australia.

“Harmony Day” is a superficial celebration of diversity which ignores the entire point of the  International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – the urgent need to recognise and eliminate racism.

“We are far from eliminating racism in Australia. Too many people in Australia feel the sear of racism everyday whether it’s in workplaces, schools, sports, media, public places or parliaments.

“Restoring March 21 to its original name and purpose is an important step in moving towards becoming an anti-racist country.”

South Australia will be the home of Australian nuclear-powered submarine construction, helping to deliver the single greatest upgrade for our Defence capability starting this year.

Delivering on the Albanese Government’s commitment, Australia’s next-generation nuclear-powered submarines will be built at Osborne, South Australia.

This historic announcement is a unique opportunity for South Australia, which will deliver jobs and benefit the economy for generations to come.

South Australian industry will see a major capability and capacity uplift as it takes its place at the forefront of one of Australia’s greatest industrial undertakings.

This will see an estimated investment in South Australia of $2 billion over the Forward Estimates.

The Submarine Construction Yard created for the build of our next-generation nuclear-powered submarines will be almost three times larger than the yard forecast for the Attack class program.

The work in South Australia begins right away – we are already investing in the workforce required and putting in place the infrastructure to support the build.

At its peak, up to 4,000 workers will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne, South Australia.

A further 4,000 to 5,500 direct shipyard jobs are expected to be created to build nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia when the program reaches its peak – almost double the workforce forecast by the former Government for the Attack class program. This does not include the additional jobs created in the supply chain for the construction or sustainment of submarines.

The Albanese Government will continue to work with the South Australian Government through the Commonwealth South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Taskforce to deliver this multi-generational opportunity for South Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles MP said:

“South Australia has a critical contribution to Australia’s next-generation nuclear-powered submarine program by ensuring there is a world-class facility to build and deliver this transformational capability for our nation.

“There will be thousands of jobs in South Australia to support the build of the submarine construction yard and of our Australian nuclear-powered submarine.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP said:

“This is the greatest industrial undertaking ever for Australia. It will be transformative for South Australian industry.

“There will be thousands of direct jobs in constructing the shipyard and building the submarines, but also significant opportunities in the supply chains, not only of Australia, but of the United States and United Kingdom.”

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

“This is an unprecedented investment in our national power and a historic investment in South Australia.

“Labor has always stood up for South Australian shipbuilding and now we’re delivering. With work beginning immediately, our workforce, industry and economy will all benefit from the AUKUS partnership, now and into the future.”

SA Premier, Peter Malinauskas MP said:

“The significance of this moment cannot be overstated.

“The AUKUS submarines will be the most complex machines that have ever been built in human history. And they will be built here in South Australia.

“But it is not just the thousands of workers to be employed at Osborne who will benefit.

“This is a transformational opportunity to increase our economic complexity.

“That means more highly skilled, highly paid jobs across our economy that will help lift the standard of living for generations of South Australians.

“We now have a massive task ahead of us to prepare the highly skilled workforce to capitalise on this historic opportunity.”

Today’s significant AUKUS announcement about Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines is the single biggest investment in our defence capability in our history and represents a transformational moment for our nation, our Defence Force and our economy.

The agreement will:

• Strengthen Australia’s national security and contribute to regional stability in response to unprecedented strategic challenges.
• Build a future made in Australia, by Australians, with record investments in defence, skills, jobs and infrastructure.
• Deliver a superior capability after a decade of inaction and mismanagement.

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have agreed to a phased approach that delivers on the commitments of the Albanese Government and provides significant, long-term strategic benefits for all three countries.

For Australia, the three key elements are:

• Increased visits of US submarines commencing in 2023 and UK submarines from 2026, and, beginning in 2027, rotations of UK and US submarines to Australia – this will be key to Australian jobs, infrastructure, technology and our ability to be sovereign ready.
• From as early as the 2030s, delivery of three US Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia – ensuring there is no capability gap.
• Australia and the UK will deliver SSN-AUKUS, a new conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarine, based on a UK design, incorporating cutting edge Australian, UK and US technologies. The UK will deliver its own first SSN-AUKUS in the late 2030s, with the first SSN-AUKUS built in Australia delivered in the early 2040s.

We expect the phased approach will result in $6 billion invested in Australia’s industrial capability and workforce over the next four years, creating around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years.

This whole of nation effort also presents a whole of nation opportunity; for new jobs, new industries, and new expertise in science, technology, and cyber.

Businesses right across the country in every state and territory will have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from these opportunities over decades.

Over the next four years, this will see $2 billion in expected investment into South Australia, and a further $1 billion in Western Australia.

This commitment from the Australian Government will require funding for the phased approach to amount to around 0.15 per cent of GDP per year, averaged over the life of the program.

Our plan elevates Australia’s industrial capacity to produce and sustain advanced SSNs, alongside our AUKUS partners.

Importantly, the SSNs will be an Australian sovereign capability, commanded by the Royal Australian Navy and sustained by Australians in Australian shipyards.

Australia has a proud record of leadership in the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Australia and our AUKUS partners are committed to setting the highest nuclear non-proliferation standard for Australia’s acquisition of SSNs, in continued close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

These enhanced defence capabilities will make Australia and our partners better able to deter conflict, and help ensure stability and strategic balance are maintained in the Indo-Pacific.

Together with our AUKUS partners, the Albanese Government will deliver the Optimal Pathway, providing a superior and sovereign capability, generations of jobs and a record level of investment which will keep Australians safe.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the United States from 11–14 March to meet with the President of the United States, Joseph R Biden, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, in San Diego.

The Prime Minister’s discussions with both leaders will focus on AUKUS, the importance of ensuring an open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific, and of upholding an international order based on respect for international norms and rules, particularly amidst the global challenges posed by Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

They will also continue discussions on strong climate change action and its link to global economic growth and job creation, as well as challenges to the global economy, including inflation and energy prices. 

This is the first official visit by Prime Minister Albanese to the United States. This year President Biden will also visit Australia for the Quad Leaders’ Summit.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Australia has long understood that partnerships and alliances are key to our security – that’s why I’m visiting the United States for this important announcement.”

“Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have a shared interest in preserving peace and upholding the rules and institutions that secure our region and the world.”

“This will be the fifth occasion that I have met with President Biden. This visit comes ahead of the President’s visit to Australia later this year for the Quad Leaders’ Summit. Our discussions in San Diego will focus on AUKUS cooperation and action to address climate change.”

“This will be the second occasion that I have met with Prime Minister Sunak to discuss progress under AUKUS, the implementation of our free trade agreement and our continued support for Ukraine. I look forward to visiting the United Kingdom in May for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.”

The Australian Government will provide an additional $4.35 million to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response to Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin.

This includes $3.5 million to partners in Vanuatu through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and Australian Red Cross. This will support people currently in evacuation centres and provide essential items and services for affected communities.

The Australian Government will also provide additional logistics expertise to support the Government of Vanuatu’s coordination of further assessments, response and immediate recovery plans.

HMAS Canberra has arrived in Port Vila, with 600 Australian Defence Personnel, Chinook helicopters, medical facilities and humanitarian supplies, to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response.

Two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft are already in Vanuatu assisting with aerial surveillance and assessments.

Australia’s response is being delivered in close coordination with the Government of Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office, ensuring Australian support and supplies are delivered where they are needed most.

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

“This announcement and deployment builds on Australia’s longstanding disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance activities in Vanuatu and across the region.

“In times of crisis, the Pacific family can rely on Australia to work with them.”

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

“Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu as the devastating impact of the cyclones becomes clearer.”

“By coordinating closely with the Government of Vanuatu, and delivering support through respected agencies on the ground, this additional assistance will reach those in Vanuatu who need it the most.”

The Government’s decision to drop provisions for million dollar fines for bankers who cheat their customers shows the major banks have bought a political outcome through donations to the Labor Party, the Greens say.

“Labor is trying to create a financial accountability regime that does not hold bankers accountable,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This is contrary to the agreement they struck with the Greens, and it shows that the banks have bought an outcome with $400,000 in donations to the Labor Party in the lead up to the 2022 election.”

“Clearly Labor cares more about donations than they do about integrity.”

“Late last year, Minister Jones used the fig leaf of small mutuals and customer owned banks as an excuse for reneging on their deal.”

“But now we learned that was just more nonsense and they have no intention to fine any bankers at all.”

“The Greens will be moving amendments in the House and the Senate to include civil penalties of up to $1.1 million for executives who breach their accountability obligations.”

Donations to the ALP in the 2021-22 Financial Year:

• Westpac: $115,000
• ANZ:$ 50,000
• CBA:$ 80,400
• NAB:$ 60,500
• Macquarie: $96,000

The Greens have condemned the Labor Party for betraying refugees and people seeking asylum trapped in Nauru and PNG, after voting against the Greens’ legislation to evacuate them to safety in Australia.

“Today’s vote is a shameful abdication of moral responsibility by the Labor Party,” said Greens Immigration and Citizenship Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim.

“Labor’s decision to oppose this bill, which is consistent with their own policy, shows that they are more interested in playing politics than in saving lives.”

“They have let down the refugees they exiled a decade ago and shown themselves to be morally bankrupt.”

“The Greens will not rest until all refugees and people seeking asylum are brought to safety in Australia.

“We urge the Labor Party to join us in this mission and take responsibility for the humanitarian crisis they helped create.”

The Greens note today’s announcement of Status of Women Report Card, but a mere distillation of existing data is inadequate, we need actions and funding to improve women’s lives. We also need new data gathered on unmet demand for women’s safety services and a real time count of women killed by domestic violence.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“A report card is an inadequate response from the government, when they have the power to fund programs that would actually improve women’s lives.

“The women’s safety sector has repeatedly called for a $1B per year investment to ensure funding meets demand. The Government’s October budget response was nowhere near this amount, leaving frontline services about $700m short. 

“A woman is still murdered each week in this country. Real time data on that tragic national statistic – treated with the prominence that the road toll is treated – would  force us to face the reality of family and domestic violence.

“Women on low wages or income support are especially vulnerable without the resources to escape violent situations. Yet this government persists with the cruelty of keeping income support payments like JobSeeker below the poverty line, and has the audacity to cry poor while dishing out hundreds of billions in tax cuts and investment property perks for the rich.

“Earlier this week they had the chance to amend their Paid Parental Leave bill and pay super on paid parental leave, costed by the government at $200 million, they chose not to. 

“Accountability on the status of women is welcome, but actions to improve women’s lives would be better than a mere distillation of all the data we already know.”