Category: Australian News

Today marks one year since Russia launched its illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We mourn the incalculable losses that Ukraine has endured.

We honour the unwavering resolve and strength of the Ukrainian people as they stand up to Russia’s continued aggression.

We are proud to stand with Ukraine as it defends its people, its territory, and its sovereignty.

Today, on this most sombre occasion, the Australian Government is announcing additional military assistance to Ukraine and further costs on Russia, including additional sanctions.

The Australian Government will provide additional Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) to Ukraine. These systems provide a battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they continue to fight.

Additionally, today in the United Kingdom the first rotation of around 200 Ukrainian recruits will graduate from military training supported by Australian Defence Force personnel as part of Operation Kudu, Australia’s contribution to a UK-led multi-national training program.

The Australian Government has imposed further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 90 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 40 entities. The new sanctions targets include Russian ministers with responsibilities spanning energy, natural resources, industry, education, labour, migration and health.

We are imposing sanctions on persons and entities engaging in activities of economic and strategic significance to Russia or that threaten the territorial integrity or sovereignty of Ukraine. This includes new listings of those perpetuating the Kremlin’s mistruths to shore up support for President Putin and key players in Russia’s defence industry: 

• Kalashnikov Concern, one of Russia’s largest arms manufacturers
• Submarine developer Admiralty Shipyards
• Aviation company Tupolev
• Missile designer Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau,
• Infantry fighting vehicle producer Kurganmashzavod.

Australia has now imposed more than 1,000 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Overnight, Australia also joined 140 other member states to support a resolution calling for a just peace in Ukraine at an Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

We again call on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory and end this war.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“This is a most sombre occasion for the people of Ukraine. One year on from Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and unlawful full-scale invasion, the costs of Russia’s aggression are incalculable.”

“In the face of Russia’s aggression, the Ukrainian people—led so resolutely by President Zelenskyy—have displayed extraordinary strength and courage. We continue to stand with Ukraine.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:

“In response to requests, Australia is providing more Uncrewed Aerial Systems to the Ukrainian Government; this support will provide a battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they continue to fight against the unwarranted aggression of Russia.”

“This announcement coincides with the first graduation of Australian-trained Ukrainian soldiers as part of a UK-led multinational training effort to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They leave with skills and knowledge that will save lives when they take up the fight against Russia.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said:

“Australia is imposing additional sanctions, targeting those in the Russian Government who are helping prolong this war, those financing this war, and those spreading mistruths to justify this war.

“Australia’s sanctions regime against Russia is our largest. This reflects our support for the people of Ukraine and for the fundamental norms of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Albanese Government is delivering on a commitment to build the skills and capabilities to take advantage of Australia’s transition to a clean energy future with a $10 million investment at the University of Wollongong.

The funds will establish an Energy Futures Skills Centre located at the university, with a second investment of $2.5 million to upgrade equipment and teaching aids, creating a Renewable Energy Training facility at the Wollongong TAFE.

The two facilities will work together to help build the energy workforce of the future, using state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and upgraded equipment to provide real world examples of clean energy technology for teaching and research.

This investment will deliver teaching programs to re-train and upskill workers for a career in clean energy and clean manufacturing.

This investment will add to other initiatives to build a clean energy future, including installing community batteries, mandating local content in new infrastructure to modernise the electricity grid, and developments through the National Reconstruction Fund.

Making the change to renewable energy will bring new economic opportunities, while helping reduce power bills, and ensuring a better future for the people of the Illawarra and the nation.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said:

“Renewable energy not only means more affordable and reliable energy over the long term, it means greater economic opportunity in the regions that have always powered Australia.

“That’s why we are skilling the workforce needed to power Australia’s future with renewable energy.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said:

“Creating jobs in the regions where people live will mean a better future for those who want to stay where they grew up, near their families and communities while they build their lives.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Illawarra’s future jobs, industries and technology.”

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said:

“After a decade of neglect, putting the skills and research that will drive renewable investment in the regions that can take advantage of the opportunity will grow jobs and local business 

“This investment sets up Wollongong to develop the skills to be a leader in the energy transformation of the coming years and decades.”

A major upgrade to Peakhurst Park in southern Sydney has been officially opened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The valuable community sport and recreation facility received a $473,662 upgrade thanks to funding from the Australian Government and Georges River Council.

The project delivered new turf, a full sub-surface drainage system and a 120,000-litre water storage tank supplying an irrigation system for the entire field.

The upgrade will help reduce ground closures due to wet weather, and improve the quality and safety of the playing surface for up to 80,000 players using the park each year.

The works supported around 30 construction jobs, with Georges River Council expecting a further eight potential ongoing jobs as a result of the project.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said:

“This is a great example of how investment in local sporting infrastructure can benefit entire communities, for improving health and providing places for people to connect with each other.

“These upgrade works have created a quality, local environment that will encourage increased use of this important sporting site for Peakhurst and the St George area.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“The Australian Government is committed to investing in economic prosperity by providing access to funding for capital works for community and economic infrastructure.

“I look forward to continuing to partner with councils and local communities to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth and productivity.”

The Australian Government is delivering on our election commitment to invest $40 million in critical safety upgrades for six Shoalhaven roads.

This project will improve safety by delivering a range of road works, including rehabilitation, re-surfacing, widening and intersection upgrades on:

• Culburra Road, between Wollumboola and Culburra Beach ($14 million)
• Forest Road, east of the Princes Highway ($8 million)Callala Bay Road ($6 million)
• Callala Beach Road ($5 million)
• Worrigee Intersection ($5 million)
• Callala Bay Intersection ($2 million)

This builds on other Government investments in the region, including $155 million towards the Nowra Bridge, $32.8 million towards the Far North Collector Road Network in Nowra and $97 million towards the Nowra Bypass – Planning project.

The Australian Government will work closely with Shoalhaven City Council, which will deliver the project, to determine the scope of works, construction timeframes and ensure works get underway as soon as possible. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

“Nothing is more important than getting people home safe at the end of each and every trip, whether it’s a quick duck down to the shops, the regular school run, or a longer haul.

“That’s why we are investing $40 million to improve safety along six crucial roads and intersections in the Shoalhaven region, which will make an incredible difference for motorists in the region.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“This package delivers on an election commitment and is yet another example of how our Government is here to walk the walk when it comes to delivering the infrastructure Australians need to get home sooner and safer.

“Not only will this project deliver lasting infrastructure upgrades that will bolster road safety for the Shoalhaven region, it will support much-needed jobs and economic stimulus during construction.

“It will also provide a welcome long-term boost for the region, as better road networks are critical for connecting people to services and employment, as well as businesses to customers and markets.”

Fiona Phillips MP said:

“Locals know how badly our pot-holed local roads need fixing.” 

“I’m proud the Albanese Government is investing $40 million to assist Shoalhaven City Council fix local roads.”

“This will make a difference to the lives of people who live in the Shoalhaven region, improving journeys and getting people back home to their families safely.”

Greens Deputy Leader and International Aid & Global Justice spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has urged the Australian Government to co-sponsor a UN resolution from Vanuatu requesting an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change.

Last year, the Greens urged Australia to support Vanuatu’s initiative for an ICJ opinion, and Australia now supports this. Vanuatu and other countries have now called on countries to go a step further and join as co-sponsors of this resolution.

Senator Faruqi said:

“This is Australia’s opportunity to back climate justice on the world stage.

“If the Albanese government is serious about delivering climate justice and supporting the Pacific, they should put Australia’s name on this resolution. We should also commit to publicly advocating for its success when it comes up for consideration at the UN. 

“The time for nice-sounding words is over. We need clear and unambiguous commitments from Australia to show solidarity with our Pacific neighbours who are facing the worst threats from climate change.

“An ICJ advisory opinion could be a powerful way of driving countries to take stronger climate action. 

“Climate justice also means the government stopping new coal and gas.” 

Australia will invest in high-quality health programs across the Pacific and Southeast Asia as part of the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, a new five-year program to improve health outcomes and promote regional prosperity and stability.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on health services in our region has been severe. Vaccination coverage for diseases such as measles and diphtheria has declined and the burden on health systems posed by non-communicable diseases like heart disease is increasing. More progress is needed on preventing, diagnosing and treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

In response to this shared challenge, the Australian Government is inviting proposals that support the needs of our region – in particular, to tackle infectious disease outbreaks, address non-communicable diseases and improve mental health.

In addition, the Government will fund the research and development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for diseases that affect the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

We will also expand regional health assistance provided by key Australian Government agencies and extend partnerships with international and regional agencies supporting health systems in our region.

Existing investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights will also be continued.

This initiative seeks to support gender equality and women’s empowerment, disability inclusion, and address the health impacts of climate change.

More information is available at Indo-Pacific Health Security.

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

“Improving the health and wellbeing of communities across the Pacific and Southeast Asia is critical to ensuring our region’s security, prosperity and stability.

“COVID-19 has reversed health and development gains in our region, and Australia is working with partners to restore their health systems and build on investments made during the acute phase of the pandemic.”

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

“This new initiative demonstrates the Australian Government is serious about investing in health in our region, the Indo-Pacific, to support more resilient communities, improve health outcomes and save lives.

“This initiative will complement Australia’s ongoing health assistance in the region, through support to partner governments, multilateral organisations, and non-government organisations.”

One Nation stands as an opponent to the race-based ‘Voice’ referendum that will divide Australia. Anthony Albanese and his elitist mate’s ‘Voice’ is the opposite of what Australia needs right now.

We are opposed to dividing Australia along racial lines. We are one, but we are many. We are not an elitist country.

One Nation proposes all Australians unite, and respect our nation as equal citizens, under one flag.

No one race is above another race, nor should one race get preferential treatment over another.

It is clear that the voice will be used to usher in new taxes, like the abhorrent race-based ‘Rent Tax’, aimed at non-Aboriginal landholders.

The fifth hearing of the year-long Senate inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia was held today in Lismore.

Almost a year since the devastating floods in Lismore, the committee heard from locals about the ongoing impact on their communities, and how they feel they’ve been left in the lurch by governments at both the state and federal level.

Greens spokesperson for social services and Chair of the Community Affairs References Committee, Senator Janet Rice said: 

“Hundreds of people are still living in pod villages and there’s still a huge number of people in temporary accommodation, couch surfing, and living in cars. 

“We heard evidence that rents in some areas have tripled since the floods, and it now costs the same to rent a room in a sharehouse in Lismore as it does in Sydney. 

“We are seeing the housing crisis get worse across the country, and it’s being exacerbated in places like Lismore that are being hit by climate disasters and completely inadequate government support to help communities rebuild.

“We heard the same thing in Lismore as we’ve been hearing at every poverty inquiry hearing to date: people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and they need help to make it through this cost of living crisis. 

“Between low wages, no affordable housing, and starvation-payments of about $47 a day for people on JobSeeker, communities across the country are facing dire financial circumstances.

“Labor has a housing bill before the Senate that will make the housing crisis worse. The Treasurer is planning to give $254 billion in Stage 3 tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, while refusing to raise welfare above the poverty line for the people who need it most. Labor say they’re on the side of struggling Australians – it’s time they show it.

“That’s why the Greens are pushing Labor to invest $5 billion a year in public and affordable housing, and raise income support to $88 a day in May’s Budget.”

Greens candidate for Lismore, Adam Guise said:

“Over three thousand homes in the Lismore LGA alone were impacted by the 2022 floods, with thousands of people still displaced and homeless. People are living in tents, caravans or in the gutted shells of their houses. 

“Rents have skyrocketed and people who have lost jobs since the flood are struggling to pay the bills.

“The government needs to urgently address this humanitarian crisis by acquiring land to build social, affordable and public housing.

“Leaving it to the free market to fix the housing crisis will not solve the problem. It will entrench further inequality and see people forced out of our community.

“The government needs to make affordable land available to flood impacted residents and businesses in order to enable landswaps, house relocations and affordable homes.

“Providing safe homes for people is about keeping our community together.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that a new NTEU report on $83 million of stolen wages at universities was a wake-up call for the federal government.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“These numbers are shocking but not surprising. Wage theft has been widespread and systemic in higher education, and I’ve pushed the investigation of this in a number of Senate inquiries.

“The link between wage theft and casualisation is undeniable. Not everyone who is underpaid at our universities is a casual, but if you’re a casual you are at much higher risk of having your wages stolen. 

“The brutal reality is that the corporate university of today can only function on the back of the unpaid labour of thousands of casual staff. That must change.

“It’s time to get serious about tackling both wage theft and casualisation at our universities. I’m glad last week the Government confirmed that these issues are being looked at as part of the Universities Accord, but this shouldn’t prevent action right now. Staff have suffered the scourge of job insecurity, overwork and underpay for too long.

“The government should require universities to set publicly-available targets for increasing permanent employment, and link this to funding. There should be clearer reporting requirements with respect to employment statistics and improved rights of entry for trade unions.

“Moreover, our universities are in desperate need of a massive investment of public funding after years of neglect, and we need an overhaul of university governance to shift the balance of power from university management back to staff and students.”

Today I announce the launch of the inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants round to support greater exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian creative industries.

Maitri – friendship – will underpin the series of partnerships and grants to promote Australia-India relations.

The Maitri Cultural Partnerships program will foster on-going relationships between Australian and Indian artists, performers and cultural organisations to deepen understanding and connections between our two countries.

The Maitri Cultural Partnerships grant round is divided into three programs supporting:

• major Australian cultural organisations to engage Indian and partner institutions;
• cultural collaboration that supports First Nations’ participation; and
• small to medium sized Australian cultural organisations and community groups engagement.

Both Australian and Indian cultural and creative industries are major economic drivers with internationally renowned film, music and performing arts sectors. This funding will help the Australian creative sector collaborate with India’s thriving cultural industries.

The Cultural Partnerships are one of a suite of Maitri initiatives. This flagship program also includes Maitri fellowships, scholarships and grants.

The Maitri program will be administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations which will open later this year.

The Centre will serve as a national platform to strengthen business, policy, institutional, cultural and community engagement with India.

Applications for the Maitri Cultural Partnerships grant round will open on 20 February and close on 3 April 2023. Grant guidelines are available on GrantConnect.